Bear Valley Graduates 22 Full Time Workers

On Sunday, May 22, the Bear Valley Bible Institute and the Bear Valley church of Christ celebrated the graduation of 22 new full time workers in the Kingdom. This graduation included 13 full time men (from left to right - Jordan Wise, Lyle Sinkey, Shane Belanger, Zane Copeland (Masters Program), Anton Fredrickson, Justin Blevins, David Rollert, Jared Kyle, Dustin Campbell, Dan Keele, Jonathan Cooper, Chris Brill, and K.J. Nelson). There were also 9 women who completed the Woman's Program (from left to right - Lyndly Hempsted, Kelly Sinkey, Paula Belanger, Rachel Fredrickson, Keeley Rollert, Amanda Campbell, Bani Cooper, Shirley Brill. and Emily Nelson).

All of these graduates will scatter quickly and begin they respective works. David Rollert has already left for a month long mission trip to Malawi with instructor Wayne Burger. The Belangers and Rollerts plan to work with the church in New Hampshire. The Fredrickson's will be working with the church in Craig, Colorado. Jared Kyle, a native from New Zealand plans to return to his country to work with the church there. The Brills will be returning to Arkansas to work with a children's home there. The Campbells, Nelsons, and Dan Keele are traveling for the summer, but will be back with us in August to finish their last two qurters of study.

While we are sad that these great people will be leaving us, we look forward with great anticipation to the work that each of them will do for the Lord.

Seniors Say Goodbye at Annual Picnic

This last Friday, the seniors put on our annual Senior Picnic held at Clement Park. Over 90 students, staff, supporters and friends showed to to wish the graduating seniors farewell. The weather cooperated with a beautiful sunny Colorado afternoon and everyone had a great time. 

Wayne Burger cooking the burgers!Wayne Burger and Revis Compton cooked burgers as people enjoyed the fellowship, playing games and just enjoying time together. Jared Kyle gave a great devotional talk and everyone joined in the singing. It was a great afternoon. We will certainly miss these students when the graduate on May 22, but we look forward to the great work they will all do for the Lord in the future.

Check out all of the pictures for the day here!

Staff participates in Recharge!

Denny Petrillo teaching 1 Timothy at RechargeDenny Pertillo, President of the Bible Institute, was the key speaker at the first annual Recharge: Excellence in Ministry workshop help in Monterey, CA this past week. Denny conducted six sessions providing an exegetical study of 1 Timothy. Over 170 people attended this three day workshop organized by the Ripon church of Christ and many others in California. This workshop was designed to help encourge and recharge Christians and ministry leaders, especially preachers, working in the California mission field. Based on the feedback from attendees, the event was a great success.

Michael Hite, also from the staff of the Bible Institute, held two sessions during the workshop on Using PowerPoint More Effectively. Randy Duke, Director of Development, held two sessions; one on Carreer Transitioning and a second on Strategic Planning for Churches. Wayne Roberts, adjunct instuctor at Bear Valley, held a session on Small Church Work. Many other presentations were given as well and all of them provided excellent material for ministry and personal growth.

For a complete list of speakers and topics as well as access to free audio of the sessions visit www.rechargeme.org here.

The event was held in beautiful Monterey, California at the Best Western Beach Resort and it couldn't have been a more tranquil and relaxing location. Between sessions, attendees could walk on the beach or simply walk out of the conference room and watch the ocean waves and soak up the scenery. Just a short drive from the hotel, sightseeing at Cannery Row, the Monterrey Bay Aquarium, Fisherman's Wharf and the breathtaking 17-Mile Drive awaited. The weather was great and provided an opportunity to enjoy the sights.

The next event has been scheduled for March 13-17, 2012 - if you didn't make it this year, you need to plan to attend in 2012. You won't be disappointed.

Blitz Week Begins Today

Masters Degree students have descended upon Denver for Blitz Week. Dan Owen will be teaching Hebrews and Ralph Gilmore will be teaching Postmodernism and the Church. Eleven students have come from all over the country to participate in these classes.

What is Blitz Week?

Students working to get their Master's Degree through Bear Valley can do a great deal of the work "in ministry." That means they don't have to move to Denver to attend school. They can continue in their current ministries, wherever that may be , and do the work at home. They do have to travel to Denver to attend courses that are offered during Blitz Week. Three times a year, Blitz Weeks offers two of the required classes. These courses are offered from Tuesday through Friday so students who preach don't have to miss a Sunday in their home congregation. It is a blitz because classes run from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (with breaks throughout the day and lunch of course). These classes provide personalized instruction from well qualified staff. It also gives our Master's students a chance to meet others who are pursuing the same academic goals. If you arrive early enough or can stay later you can even see the beautiful Rocky Mountains a short drive from the school.

Earn a Master's Degree in Bible from Bear Valley

If you are interested in our Master's Degree Program check out our website or contact our offices at 303-986-5800.

Ministerial Survival Seminar Held by Robert Oglesby

Robert Oglesby conducting the "Ministerial Survival" seminar at BVBID.Robert Oglesby conducted a full day "Ministerial Survival" seminar today for the students and staff. Topics covered included Conflict Resolution, Small Group Dynamics, Preacher Organization and more. All of these topics provided a very practical day-to-day approach to the life and ministry of a preacher. Brother Oglesby's long tenure as a gospel preacher gives him some unique insights into elder-preacher relations and other interpersonal dynamics. As one who has been preaching for 48 years for the Waterview church of Christ in Longview, TX, certainly he has the experience in problem solving and preaching to provide great ideas to our students.

The Waterview congregation has also been doing to preacher intern program for a number of years. This one-week internship allows prospects and preachers to work directly with the congregation and brother Oglesby in learning the tools and techniques that have served him well for so long.

We are grateful to brother Oglesby for taking the time to come share this information with our students. We know they will profit from it for years to come.

Brother Oglesby demonstrating small group dynamics.