Spring 2011

Revival. When is the last time you prayed for it? When is the last time you heard a message preached on revival? The answers to these two questions reveal our attitude about revival in the church today. Sadly, there seems to be a growing contingency of people in our churches, Christian colleges, and seminaries that scoff at the idea of revival.

I will never forget attending a preacher’s meeting in Ohio years ago as an impressionable graduate student and hear-ing a seminary president preach a message that down-played the idea of revival. I was shocked, to say the least. Hearing that message caused me to think that maybe the statement “Seminary is cemetery” was right after all. While I am not against higher education in the Christian realm, I am against an intellectual approach to the power and might of God. Every Christian college and seminary should promote the cause of revival, not hinder it.

A few months ago, I was preaching on the subject of re-vival, and I was met by an older gentleman at the end of the service. This man shared with me his pessimistic view of revival. He believed that God could not send a revival in our day. He said that we are “too far gone.” I will be the first one to admit that America has gone a long way in the wrong way, but Biblical examples of revival give me hope.

One such example in the Old Testament is Josiah, the boy king. His story is told in 2 Kings chapters 22 and 23. Imagine walking into the throne room of the king of Judah and find-ing an eight-year-old boy sitting on the throne, entertain-ing himself with some childish game or trick. This young boy grew into a mighty king and was used by God to bring a revival to a nation. We need young servants of the Lord with hearts like Josiah.

In 2 Kings 22:2, we see Josiah’s unswerving commitment to the Lord. He did what was right in God’s sight and was not distracted to the right or left in his pursuit of God. The word commitment is a foreign word in our churches and cul-ture today. Commitment in the church is lacking because commitment to the Lord is at a low ebb. Some Christians today are more concerned about living right in the sight of man rather than the sight of God. Others have been turned to the left or right by pride or doctrinal error. Commitment to God is a precursor for revival.

Josiah also had an unquestioning respect for the Word of God and a response to it. In 2 Kings 22:8, Hilkiah the high priest found the book of the law and it was brought to the king to be read. After hearing the law read, Josiah rent his clothes because the law revealed the wicked state of the

Revival: a Hoax or Hope?a word from the president, by dr. alton beal

CONTINUED INSIDE

8:45 am 7:00 pm

MondayPastor Benny Bagwell

Pastor Terry CoatsPastor Dan Reed

Pastor Chuck Phelps

TuesdayDr. Marc Monte

Pastor Chuck PhelpsPastor Chuck Phelps

Dr. Ron Comfort

WednesdayPastor Chuck Phelps

Pastor Dan ReedLocal Church

Midweek services

ThursdayPastor Walt Coles Pastor Steve Love

Pastor Mike Edwards Dr. Ron Comfort

FridayDr. John Godfrey, Sr. Pastor Mike Edwards

Ensemble ConcertDr. Ron Comfort

PRAY

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God’s power on Ensemble Spring Tour services and Spring Bible Conference

God’s direction for students’ summer ministries and internships

Graduation Offering

God’s financial provision for many students to return for spring

semester

Several new students for the spring semester

Powerful Opening Revival services

PRAISEPRAYER&&PRAISE&PRAISEPRAISE&&&

History of FundamentalismDr. Bob Dalton

Ambassador Baptist College

A study of the movement called “Fundamentalism,” beginning with the “Fundamentalist-Modernist” controversy of the early 20th century, up to the present time, focusing primarily on the development of vari-ous fundamental Baptist groups and their distinctives.

Any interested student may audit the course.

To receive credit, the following criteria must be met:• ABC graduates may enroll in the program if they have more than

two years of ministry experience.• Non-ABC graduates may enroll if they have more than ten years

of ministry experience, have a bachelor’s degree, and are in agree-ment with Ambassador’s philosophy and doctrinal statement.

If you would like more information about the M.Min. program, please email info@ambassadors.edu. For specific questions about enroll-ment, please contact our Academic Dean Dr. Charles Surrett at csurrett@ambassadors.edu.For information about on-campus housing, call 704-434-0303 or email info@ambassadors.edu.

For more information, visit www.ambassadors.edu/MastersModule/

June 6–10, 2011Cost:

$800 for Credit (4 hours of Masters-level credit)$200 for AuditSpecial tuition discount for pastors of churches that support ABC monthly: $200 for Credit

Would you prefer to receive “The Ambassador” electronically rather than by “snail mail”? The Ambassador is now available by e-mail in PDF format. To change

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and request that your “Ambassador” subscription be

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PRAY

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PRAYER&&PRAYER&PRAYERPRAYER&&&&&PRAYER&PRAYERPRAYER&PRAYERPRAYER&PRAYERPRAYER

To the Regions Beyond: Paul and Loretta Hitz

Iqaluit, Baffin Island, Nunavut, Arctic Canada

Paul Hitz surrendered to missions as a teen and then attended Ambassador Baptist College to prepare for ministry. While he was in college, God directed his heart toward the peoples of the North. God also led him to Loretta Schrock, who just wanted to serve the Lord wherever her husband wanted to go. Now the Hitz family is newly arrived at their field of labor. Iqaluit, on Baffin Island, is the capital of Nunavut, the new “independent” part of Arctic Canada.

This area is the Far North. There are no trees of any kind on Baffin Island. Prices are high; for example, a regular box of ice cream costs more than $10. Modest homes sell for $300,000. But there are over 6,000 people in this boomtown, and they have no Gospel.

After graduation and marriage in 2006, Paul and Loretta joined Points North Baptist Missions in New Philadelphia, Ohio. They now have 3 children: Paul John, Kenny, and Micah, who was born in Iqaluit on August 16, 2010. Their home church is Emmanuel Baptist Church in Dallas, NC. After deputation, the Hitzes moved to Rankin Inlet, on the shores of Hudson Bay in Canada, to work with Nathan and Becky Jones. They lived there for 9 months, learning from the Jones family how to get along in the Arctic. After a brief trip home, they moved to Baffin Island.

For this first year in Iqaluit, language study is taking first priority. The Hitzes are newcomers to the city, and it will take time to establish rapport with the people. Paul’s goal is to be able to preach in the Inuktitut language a year from now.

Without the leavening effect of the Gospel, Baffin Island has become a very wicked place where people are consumed with greed. Paul and Loretta are needed there, and any help those of us in warmer climates can send their way would be greatly appreciated. ❧

THE AMBASSADOR BAPTISTCOLLEGE ENSEMBLE

2 0 1 1 S P R I N G T O U R

You are invited to come hear theABC Ensemble during this year’sSpring Tour! Each evening will fea-ture several selections of specialmu-sic, followed by a message preachedbyDr.AltonBeal.Yourheart issureto be blessed by the combination ofmusicandpreaching.

One of these concerts includes aFriends Banquet. Please look to seeif it is in your area. To have a res-ervation ticket mailed to you, pleaseemail kguisinger@ambassadors.edu or call704-434-0303.

101StocktonStreet • POBox158• Lattimore, NorthCarolina • 704-434-0303• www.ambassadors. edu

Dr.AltonBeal•President Dr.RonComfort•Chancellor

Checkwww.ambassadors. edu/Spr ingTour/ forupdates.

Friday, March 11

Saturday, March 12

Sunday, March 13 (am)

Sunday, March 13 (pm)

Monday, March 14

Tuesday, March 15

Wednesday, March 16

Thursday, March 17 (am)

Thursday, March 17

Friday, March 18

Saturday, March 19

Sunday, March 20 (am)

Sunday, March 20 (pm)

Mikado Baptist Church, Macon, GA

Grace Baptist Church, Columbus, GA

Oakside Baptist Church, LaGrange, GA

Somerville Baptist Church, Somerville, AL

Smyrna Baptist Church, Pensacola, FL

Memorial Baptist Church, Ocala, FL

Gospel Baptist Church, Bonita Springs, FL

Gospel Christian School, Bonita Springs, FL

Volusia County Baptist Church, Orange City, FL

Deltona Christian School, Deltona, FL

Mountain View Baptist Church, Birmingham, AL

Harvest Baptist Church, Acworth, GA

Oakwood Baptist Church, Anderson, SC

(FRIENDS BANQUET)

(YOUTH RALLY)

Ambassador Baptist CollegeLattimore, North Carolina

Dr. Alton Beal

+A

re you a young person in grades 7–12 who is serious about serving

the Lord? Are you considering full-tim

e Christian service? Join the Scouts and the Explorers and learn the im

portance of seeking the old paths as a young person in order to im

pact your generation!

people. I am afraid that we have raised a generation which has a familiarity with the Bible but little appreciation for it. As a result, there is no response to it. Josiah was so moved by the book of the law that he tore his clothes. When is the last time that you visibly responded to the Word of God? Perhaps it was a tear in your eye, a smile on your face, or a bent knee at an altar. If we are going to see revival in our day, we must regain a deep respect for the Bible and be willing to respond to it.

The last thing we see about Josiah and the revival in his day was an uncompromising purging of sin. He burned the vessels and images of Baal and broke down the high places of false worship in 2 Kings 23. Idolatry is alive and well in the church today. While Christians today are not

worshiping gods of stone or gold, some are bowing to the gods of entertainment and pleasure. Many gather around the television on weeknights to see who will be the next American Idol. Whatever happened to “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Ex. 20:3) or “I will not give my glory unto another” (Isa. 48:11)? What idol are you refusing to surrender? If we are going to see revival in our day, we must be willing to deal with the sin in our lives.

Revival is not a hoax. It is the hope of our churches and our nations. We need Josiahs who will be committed to the Lord, sensitive to His Word, and willing to deal with per-sonal sins and strongholds. May the subject of revival be on our hearts more this year than ever before. ❧

CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE

A Word From the President

May 6, 2011, will be a special day for many people. Graduates will receive their hard-earned diplomas or certificates. Parents will rejoice as their children pass a major milestone in their ministry preparation. Another special thing about Commencement night will be the Graduation Offering.

The first annual Graduation Offering will be received on the night of Commencement. This offering will be used to offset the rising expenses incurred while training men and women for the ministry. In the past, this increase has been passed directly to our students in the form of tuition increases. We need your help. We are praying that God will provide our goal of $100,000 by May 6th, so we can refrain from raising the tuition rate for the 2011-12 school year. During the 2010-11 school year, we have seen more students struggle financially than ever before.

How can you help? Churches across the country will be receiving a special offering for ABC between now and May 6th, to help our students. Pastors will be designating a night to receive a special offering for the Graduation Offering and sending it to the college before May 6th. Individuals are also welcome to contribute and participate in the Graduation Offering. Please join us in prayer for the first annual Graduation Offering!

For more information, or to donate online, visit our website atwww.ambassadors.edu/GradOffering/ ❧

The 2011 Graduation Offering Church Music Ministry Seminar

July 21–22, 2011

Ambassador Baptist College will be hosting a Church Music Ministry Seminar on Thursday and Friday, July 21–22, 2011, during our annual Landmark Conference and Camp Barnabas. Lloyd Smith will be the guest speaker, and he will teach on subjects such as “Dynamic Congregational Singing,” “Enlisting Choir Members,” and “Use of the Orchestra in Church,” among others.

The seminar will cost $50 and includes meals, conference sessions, and materials, and is intended for anyone who serves in the music ministry at their church. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a full choir and accompanying orchestra.

For more information, visit our website: www.ambassadors.edu/MusicSeminar/ ❧

It’s an honor to be in the

ministry.

“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord,

who hath enabled me, for that he

counted me faithful, putting

me into the ministry….”

(1 Timothy 1:12)

Lloyd Smith

NONPROFIT ORGUS POSTAGE

PAIDCHARLOTTE NCPERMIT NO. 3307

AMBASSADORBAPTIST COLLEGE

P.O. Box 158101 Stockton StreetLattimore, NC 28089

704-434-0303www.ambassadors.edu

RETURN SERVICEREQUESTED

FEBRUARY

6 Gospel Light Baptist Church Pastor Bobby Roberson Walkertown, NC 336-722-9700

13–18 Calvary Baptist Church Pastor Bill Wingard New Bern, NC 252-633-5410

20–25 Westgate Baptist Church & School Pastor Bill Bethea Spartanburg, NC 864-576-4953

27 Tabernacle Baptist Church Pastor Scott Hooks Hickory, NC 828-324-9936

MARCH

6–11 Bible Baptist Church Pastor Ron Allen Matthews, NC 704-535-1692

27–Apr.1 Bethel Baptist Church Pastor Lloyd Donica Hampton, VA 757-826-7710

APRIL

3–8 Buffalo Ridge Baptist Church Pastor Jody Jenkins Gray, TN 423-477-3311

17–20 Heritage Baptist Church Pastor Mike Edwards Woodbridge, VA 703-680-6629

FEBRUARY

6 (am) Northside Baptist Church Pastor Mike Felber Charleston, SC 843-797-2690

6 (pm) Kennerly Road Baptist Church Pastor Gary Ledbetter Irmo, SC 803-749-6707

13 (am) Vernon Forest Baptist Church Pastor James Brown Winston Salem, NC 336-769-4680

13 (pm) Mount Bethel Baptist Church Pastor Bobby Watts East Bend, NC 336-699-8002

20–25 Westgate Baptist Church & School Pastor Bill Bethea Spartanburg, SC 864-576-4953

27 (pm) Fellowship Baptist Church Pastor Bryce Hager Taylors, SC 864-268-0441

MARCH

6–10 Cashmere Baptist Church Pastor John Offenburger Cashmere, WV 304-753-4153

11–20 ABC Ensemble Spring Tour see newsletter insert

APRIL 3–8 Calvary Baptist Church Pastor Dean Bowser Covington, VA 765-468-8450

Ron Comfort Evangelistic MinistryF E B R U A R Y - A P R I L 2 0 1 1

Alton Beal Evangelistic MinistryF E B R U A R Y - A P R I L 2 0 1 1

Please check our website for updates to the itinerary at www.ambassadors.edu/ChancellorDesk/

Please check our website for updates to the itinerary at www.ambassadors.edu/PresidentCorner/

Spring BreakSaturday through Sunday,

March 12–20

Bible ConferenceMonday through Friday,

March 21–25

Founder’s DayThursday, March 24

Graduate’s BanquetSaturday, April 30

Commencement Concert

Thursday, May 5

Baccalaureate ChapelFriday, May 6, at 10:00 AM

Commencement Exercises

Friday, May 6, at 7:00 PM

EEvvEEEE eevvvveeveevv nneeeeeeeeeee ttnnnnttnttnntttttttttttttnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnCOMING

EVENTS