Don’t you love it when your day includes some encouraging news that blesses your heart and causes you to whisper “thank you, Lord” under your breath…or even right out loud? Recently I received some exciting news that did that for me, and I want to share it with you. There are some friends of the college who have been faithfully contributing to our scholarship fund for years. They have experienced real joy in being able to bless students who are experiencing financial needs. Recently, God blessed this couple in an unexpected financial way, and their desire is to put forth a Matching Fund Challenge to others who see the value of a Bible College education and want to make a big difference in the life of a student. I will allow them to share their thoughts and present the challenge in their own words.
Hello Everyone,
I wanted to share with all of you why it is so important to me to support the students at Montana Bible College. In the 1980s I attended what was known as Big Sky Bible College in Lewistown, MT and graduated from the music program. I consider those four years of Bible college to be some of the best years of my life. Growing up in an alcoholic home, there was a great deal of turmoil, uncertainty, and oftentimes, violence. Attending Bible college gave me the opportunity to witness healthy and thriving marriages and families of the faculty and staff. What a precious time of learning about the Lord’s love, compassion, forgiveness, and grace. Yes, there were challenges to being a student: balancing work and play, being involved in local churches and ministries, and getting all our schoolwork done. But it was a healing place, a peaceful place. Those four years impacted me greatly and were very life changing.
I believe Bible college provides an excellent foundation for a lifetime of knowing and confidently serving the Lord. Someone once said, “If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll probably end up someplace else.” Many students come to Bible college already knowing the Lord has called them to be missionaries, church planters, pastors, or counselors and that Bible college is the place to start. It’s my passion to support the students financially to help them avoid debt, complete their coursework in a timely manner, and move on to wherever the Lord is calling them to serve.
Recently the Lord blessed my husband and me in a mighty way, and we were able to give $20,000 to Montana Bible College for scholarships—how incredible! We praise His name!! It would be so fantastic if you would join us in giving so that together we might double (or even triple 😊) that amount through a Scholarship
Matching Fund Challenge! I really believe that it wouldn’t take very long to reach the $20,000 goal if we follow the “Round Up Plan”. It simply means that if you can give $15, consider “rounding up” to $20. Or if you determine to give $100, perhaps “round up” to $150.
To make the challenge more fun, those who donate $25 or more will have their names entered in a drawing to win a queen-size, handmade, machine-quilted quilt. My husband and I enjoy making quilts together, and we can already imagine one of you snuggling up in one of our warm and cozy creations this winter. The drawing for the quilt will take place December 15, so the winner will hopefully receive their gift by Christmas. May the Lord bless you all as you pray about how you might help in this effort to raise more scholarship funds for students preparing for a lifetime of service at MBC. Thank you to everyone!!
Most of us remember being a student at some point and haven’t forgotten the struggles we faced along the way. Perhaps some of you even received a scholarship and know how it helped to ease some of the financial burden you felt. If so, won’t you take a minute right now and contribute to the matching fund? You can donate on-line (www.montanabiblecollege.edu and click Give), or by mailing a check to MBC. The challenge will continue through December 31, 2021, but the quilt drawing is December 15. Please indicate that your gift is for the Scholarship Matching Fund. We will also be posting this information on our website and social media, so you can help us help a student by sharing this news with your friends or church family. Thank you in advance for your support and for the difference your gifts will make for many of our students!
With love in Jesus,
Ryan Ward, President