The Real Price of Academic Investment
by Sidney Grant
IT IS EASY to determine what is important in life by observing what causes society to thrive or decline. A Spirit-led education with a Judeo-Christian worldview from grassroots is still the answer for a prosperous society.
Our article on page three shares the story of a young couple from mainland China who forfeited a prosperous future to prepare for a life of ministry in their country. I believe we are on the horizon of a great harvest through educational leadership training and development. HIM is developing a program to meet the educational challenges of missions around the world.
In 1962 my parents asked my kindergarten teacher if it was possible for me to achieve academically. The answer was negative and my academic prognosis was dim, but my parents' optimism and determination were intact. Given the opportunity to study at my pace, I made it by God's providential grace.
Approximately 25 years later, I arrived at Hobe Sound Bible College to study for the ministry. I did not have a high school diploma, but I was granted admission providing I could produce a GED within the first year of my studies. Once again, God helped me, and I passed the GED test that summer. I finished the four year program of pastoral training and graduated in 1987. As a result of God using His people to give me a chance, I was able to thrive and succeed academically, and God has helped me to teach scores of young men and women in similar academic circumstances.
We can change the future by changing the minds and hearts of people to think from a Judeo-Christian worldview.
As I have looked into the faces of countless converts, children without promising backgrounds, and students from our Bible Institutes with low academic level scores, I've asked myself the question, is it worth the investment? I believe it is. God has helped me, and I want to help others.
In some of the countries where we are laboring, the academic level is high, but spiritually everyone begins at kindergarten in biblical truth. Our teaching is exemplified in a structurally simple and contextualized format.
Struggling Haitian orphan children are faced with reconstruction of their country and lives, young men in Africa are facing a declining society because of the AIDS epidemic, Latin America battles constantly with political upheaval, and the European society has secularized the church.
This is why I am appealing to you for help. Our investment in educating people from the grassroots will help us decrease financial dependency and increase ministerial assets and a promising future for generations to come. Your prayers and financial support will help us to provide an education that will begin developing present and future generations of leaders. We can change the future by changing the minds and hearts of people to think from a Judeo-Christian worldview. Help us do so by sending your generous gift today. Thank you and may God's richest blessings be yours!
