It’s hard to believe that we’re currently in the third and final year of training our very first pastoral candidates. We are on target for graduating this first class in June of 2010. These 11 men have been through two years of rigorous Bible study, while simultaneously gaining genuine, practical ministry experience without incurring enslaving debt or neglecting family priorities. This result is precisely why FBS was started.
Closest to “home” for me, I have observed God work through Brad Franklin and Dustin Folden who have been helping me in my oversight of our Purdue college ministry here at FBC. Dustin Folden has been shepherding the student leaders of Purdue Bible Fellowship and essentially acting as pastor of the college students. As a result, I have seen the ministry of Purdue Bible Fellowship expand and mature over these last two years. Brad Franklin, with his very polished communication skills, has been used of God to regularly minister the Word of God to the students. I often hear anecdotal reports about students wanting to hear “more” from Brad. For me, watching these men is exhilarating, for I also “cut my ministry teeth” in collegiate ministry. God’s call to pastoral ministry for Brad and Dustin and our other interns, has been continually confirmed in the fruit that is being produced. Below are Brad and Dustin’s evaluations of the last two years from their perspective.
Over the last two years I have interacted with the Scriptures in a more nourishing, and exciting way than ever before. Learning to read God’s Word with depth and insight has greatly helped my counseling and discipleship, as well as personal growth. The practical ministry experience of leading Bible studies, teaching, and discipling while studying has been extremely fruitful. Often times, I will walk out of class, and use the biblical principles we just discussed in class to be a blessing to someone. It is a great combination to learn how to derive truth about God from His Word, and then proclaim that truth to real people in an encouraging way.
My ultimate goal is to be able to minister the Word by preaching, teaching, discipling, and counseling in a local church in the role of Senior Pastor, or a mentoring role where I learn from an experienced pastor how to shepherd the flock of God with love and passion for God’s Word. Please pray for me to grow in wisdom, self-discipline, and faithfulness, so that I can minister well with endurance as well as love my family with a priority that honors God.
-Dustin Folden, Class of 2010
Praise the Lord for the last two years! In the last two years, I have had the privilege of growing in my love for God and His sufficient Word through the entirety of the seminary experience. Some of the highlights of the last two years of ministry have been regularly discipling young men in the church, sharing the gospel with a number of guests at the community center, counseling weekly with FBCM, teaching God’s Word regularly on Sunday mornings, and serving in a leadership role in the annual Faith Community Picnic. I praise God for Faith Bible Seminary. We are getting a fantastic theological education and invaluable ministry experience!
Lord willing, upon graduation I will step into a one-year position as temporary assistant minister of Eythorne Baptist Church in England. And after that, I hope to secure a permanent senior pastor position in a church in the UK.
-Brad Franklin, Class of 2010
God has also used our other FBC interns—Sacha Mendes, Joshua Knipp, and Aaron Prelock—in great ways. I will highlight these men later in another update.
As I write this, the application deadline has passed for those desiring to be interns at Faith Baptist Church for our 2010-2012 class. I have the privilege, along with our selection committee, of looking forward to the next class and choosing the next men in whom we will invest. We have thirteen applications for only five spots. This will be a difficult challenge to select the individuals who will be trained from all of those interested. Please pray that God would give wisdom to us who are involved in this decision making process.
I also want to make all aware of an upcoming appreciation dinner for our Friends of Faith Bible Seminary. On Tuesday, December 1, 2009, from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm the seminary will host this dinner at the Faith Community Center community rooms. We want to show our gratitude for our supporters and also give a chance to hear from some of the students directly. If you are interested in getting involved with support of FBS we would love to have you attend the dinner as well. Please email me, Brent Aucoin, if you are interested in coming (baucoin@fbclafayette.org)
Thank you again for your prayers and support!
Brent Aucoin
Pastor of Seminary and College Ministries
President of FBS