Lectureship downloads hit 3,000 on Bear Valley Chapelcast

As in past years, we have made the audio files from this year's lectureship available online through the Bear Valley Chapelcast podcast. Through the first 6 days more these audio files were downloaded or listened to online over 3,000 times! This is almost double the response that we had from last year. If you would love to listen to these lectures yourself, you can find them on the Chapelcast blog directly or subscribe through iTunes (don't worry - it's free).

The Bera Valley Chapelcast contains audio files of sermons, lectures, presentations and seminars conducted at the Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver. Daily chapel sessions are often uploaded that allow you to hear the progress our students are making as they train for full-time ministry here. Get some spiritual encouragement during your week - listen to the Bear Valley Chapelcast.

2010 Lectures a HUGE success!

DENVER, Colo. (BNc) – Twenty-three speakers from across the brotherhood converged on Denver Sept. 23-26, for the annual Bear Valley Lectures.

For many years, the lecture program was essentially a homecoming for alumni. However, in the past few years, the attempt has been made to broaden its scope.

Last year, those efforts included the school’s first ever lectureship book.

This year, an alumni kick-off event, a golf outing, and a much more comprehensive advertising campaign seem to have contributed to a big boost in attendance.

The smallest crowd of 109 occurred at 8 a.m., Friday morning. Eleven of the 24 sessions were attended by more than 200.

Fifty-seven congregations were represented, with attendees who registered coming from Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Virginia, this in addition to locations where speakers and their families call home.

Our Friday night banquet, where about 300 gathered, highlighted several new additions and plans the school is making to effect growth to the glory of God and subject, of course, to His will.

Speakers included Barry Grider, Steve Higginbotham, Jason Jackson, Dan Winkler, Earl Edwards, Michael Houts, Wayne Jones, and many more.

Melony Webster spoke to the ladies in two sessions.

The theme was “If The Foundations Are Destroyed, What Can The Righteous Do?”

Once again, a book, published by Thomson-Shore, was produced and is available for $13 each (postage included).

This year marks 45 years that the Bear Valley congregation, through our school of preaching, has been training men to proclaim the good news. See photos from the event here.

Audio of the lectures can be found for free at bvchapel.blogspot.com.

Bear Valley Graduates Thirteen

On June 27, the Bear Valley Bible Institute had graduation, honoring 13 graduates. Brad Harrub was the commencement speaker, challenging the graduates as they leave Bear Valley to enter into the Lord’s work. Also honored during the graduation ceremony was James Coker,the valedictorian of the 2010 class (with a GPA of 4.06). Those graduating were honored at a banquet on Saturday night, with around 250 in attendance. Each graduate was given some time to thank family and supporters, their classmates and the BV congregation. This year’s graduates will fill positions with the church in California, Virginia, New Hampshire and Colorado.

2010 Future Preacher's Training Camp a Great Success

Bring 43 teenage boys together and have them sleep in classrooms in the church building. Have them share three showers. Then, let them attend at least five hours every day in classes about preaching plus a couple of hours in the evening hearing a sermon and speaking extemporaneously. Assign them a sermon topic, let them spend several hours during the week writing and preparing it in the library and other places throughout the building, and then let them present them before the staff and one another — a nerve-wracking experience by their own estimation. But, do they enjoy all of that?

Apparently! For the second year in a row, we had a record number attend the second-oldest FPTC camp in the nation. The quality is as impressive as the quantity. There is much more that goes on in camp that the rigors of studying and learning. There was a field trip to Conifer, a youth devo at Lookout Mountain, a fun day at Boondocks, an exciting Rockies game, and daily recreation time.

There was the best camp food one will ever put in his mouth. To facilitate it all is an amazing, competent staff that includes room counselors, teachers, and the kitchen staff. If that is not enough, the Bear Valley congregation overwhelmingly throws its support behind the camp with financial help, donated items, airport runs, housing a few campers who arrive early or leave a day late, and attending the FPTC gospel meeting, “Spoken English,” or other events open to them. The Bear Valley youth group once again was often found together with these special young men.

Those young men are the focus of the camp. They are able to get an up close and personal look at the school and the faculty. They whet their appetite for the life and work of a preacher. From all appearances, they greatly enjoy the week and speak of the strong bond they form with each other through this shared experience. The 2010 edition of the camp, with the theme “I Have Come To Do Thy Will,” was the best of the camps I have directed here. If the trend continues, next year will be even better! Thank God for all those at Bear Valley dedicated to encouraging young men to give thought to the greatest life there is.

 - Neal Pollard