20-Year Booklet

Preaching by Terry Randolph, Dick Webster, Dave Hardy, Kevin Folger, Sam Davison, and more!Graduation Preaching Conference 2018 20YEAR CELEBRATION May 14-17 Don’t miss it! President Vice PresidentSam Davison Jason Gaddis 1

CONTENTS 3 Letter from President Sam Davison 6 20 Year Special Offering 9 “Investing in Good Soil” Sermon · Enclosed: Message “The Importance of the May College Offering”2

HBBC President Sam Davison Dear Friend, Greetings from Heartland Baptist Bible College and thank you sincerely for taking the time to read this letter. I am aware my reputation in communication leans more toward being verbose than brief, but I do not wish to waste your time with an over abundance of words. However, this is a special year at Heartland Baptist Bible College. I am writing to encourage you to make plans now to be a part of the Graduation Preaching Conference from Monday night, May 14, through the commencement, Thursday morning, May 17. You may ask, “Why is it so special since we have a Graduation Preaching Conference every year?” Please read on, and I will give you the reasons. To begin with, we will celebrate graduation with our 20th graduating class since becoming Heartland Baptist Bible College. Along with the always high-spirited Heartland music and great Bible preaching, we will hear special testimonies from men and women who were a part of the story in moving Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College from San Dimas, CA, to become Heartland Baptist Bible College in Oklahoma City. Yes, this is the 20-year celebration. The theme for this school year is simply “Forward.” The men I am asking to preach were “players” in the transition to Oklahoma City and they are interested that the direction of Heartland Baptist Bible College continues to be what it should be—moving forward. The schedule of preachers will soon be complete. Please know also, we endeavor to have a schedule that leaves ample time to renew acquaintances, make new friends, and simply enjoy fellowship. The fellowship alone can be such an encouragement. We hear it often from those whose visits have long periods of time between: “I didn’t realize how much I needed the fellowship.” Plan now to attend. There is another reason this Graduation Preaching Conference will be special. Nineteen years ago this coming May, Terry Randolph stepped aside as president of the college after three years in California and one year in Oklahoma City. No doubt those years of his leadership were among the most crucial and difficult times in the history of the school. I began to serve as president in May of 1999. What a wonderful experience 3

it has been! I stand amazed that the I am excited about the future of Lord allowed me this privilege for Heartland Baptist Bible College. nineteen of the fifty years God has given Sandra and me in full-time ministry. Introduction to Homiletics class. In years, which is so important since the future, I need to travel a little less our students receive no government I am fully persuaded, and have been frequently, but I still plan to represent grants or loans. We must keep for over a year, that the 20th anniversary and promote Heartland Baptist Bible the tuition and student costs at an of Heartland Baptist Bible College College everywhere I go. These plans affordable level. in May of 2018 should occasion yet are the desire of Bro. Gaddis also. His another transition, and that I should wish is that I have a title that keeps me Now, please, brothers and sisters, end my tenure as president. I was associated with Heartland Baptist Bible how special can the 20-year celebration convinced of it well before my recent College, and that I remain available be if we only endeavor to reach the health issues, which in my mind, served in administration and oversight. I am offering amount of the previous two to confirm the timing of the transition. happy to do so, but in a consulting years? Surely a special celebration calls way. I wish to be a helper and that is all. for a special amount in the May College The date was January 10, 2012, Believe this, my friends; if I desired to Offering. (I’m almost sure I am hearing when the directors of Heartland Baptist (or thought I was supposed to) preside a resounding AMEN!) Bible College voted unanimously that further over Heartland Baptist Bible Jason Gaddis, pastor of Southwest College, I would not feign a transition. I recently reviewed a list of possible Baptist Church and vice president With all sincerity I can say, “I am accomplishments that can be realized by of Heartland Baptist Bible College, excited about the future of Heartland a 1.5 million dollar offering. Now there succeed me at such a time that I should Baptist Bible College.” We should all is an amount that would be special for no longer serve as president. With this pray for Bro. Gaddis and Bro. Copes this special occasion! being the case, it is my desire to have an as well as the twenty-four directors official installation of our new president. through this transition. Beyond the While some may believe the 1.5 prayers, be here for the celebration of million mark is wildly ambitious, I NOTE twenty years and the installation of can tell you it is realistic. I believe it is President Jason Gaddis. possible! Please continue reading. We have even cancelled the I have a third and final motivation 1. The God of all grace (enabling) is 2018 Ministry for writing this letter and for stressing able. Truly, research reveals that these are Refresher Institute the importance of your presence in tough days for the small private Bible because it follows May: The annual May College Offering. colleges. Closures are common. Mergers so closely behind Those who know Heartland Baptist and change of identity have become the the Graduation Bible College well know how vitally norm for survival. “Can God furnish a Preaching important this offering is to the school. table in the wilderness?” Yes, God can Conference, and It is vital for the following reasons: and God did! Can God produce a 1.5 many cannot attend million dollar offering for a small Bible both meetings in a 1. The offering is absolutely college in today’s unfavorable climate? short time period. necessary for summer operations God can! Let us seek Him! when there is no student-related (The dates for the next M.R.I. income. 2. As we seek God, let us prepare. are May 29–31, 2019.) Plan to be used in a great endeavor. 2. It is vitally important to the This is another reason I am praying for maintenance of the 35-acre campus A short story may be in order at this your attendance at the meeting next and the numerous buildings. point. (It’s too late for a short letter May. A strong show of support could anyway.) only be good for Bro. Gaddis and the 3. The offering allows progress entire Heartland Baptist Bible College in remodel projects and upgrades in When still involved with Baptist family, including those who are the technology, vehicles, and equipment. Bible College in Springfield, Missouri, I reason Heartland exists—our students! got a burden in 1992 to lead Southwest 4. A major reason for emphasis Baptist Church to participate in On a personal level, my plan is on this offering each year is directly the college offering in a way that to continue to teach third year men’s related to student affordability. Please would “Make a Difference.” At that note that the offering has exceeded time Southwest Baptist Church had one million dollars the last two years, significantly less in attendance than and it is no coincidence that we have today. The school was in constant avoided tuition increases the last two financial stress. With this on my mind, one night while at home it came to me:4

A/C Unit Complete Phone System Window Replacement Music Building Replacement Replacement in Renovations Various Buildings $50,000 $20,000 $100,000 $120,000 Summer 2018 MusicOperations Group$400,000 May College Vehicles Offering Projects $35,000 Men’s Dorm Bathroom Total: Maintenance Renovations $1,500,000 and Exercise $120,000 (this list is for planning purposes only) Facility $220,000Roofing Tuition Debt Repair Freeze Retirement Chapel$50,000 $150,000 $215,000 Lighting Improvement $20,000“Make a Difference Offering!” This is what it would be called. There is so much more I could share; I simply plead withI presented to Southwest Baptist Church the vision of giving you to lay the matter before the God of all grace (enabling).$100,000 to the college’s offering. Not only would the He can use simple people like us to Make aamount be significant, but I also imagined that Difference!other pastors and churches might catch the This fall the first year class increased by 12.7vision as well. This was being presented for “There is percent, the student body by 11 percent. Thethe May 1993 college offering, twenty-five such a thing stronger enrollment enhances our abilityyears ago. The following is how it became to have a healthy budget. The “Make aa reality. (a) We committed the amount we as giving what is Difference” mentality can enable us to givewould have normally given. (b) We found convenient, and there overdue income adjustments to a worthya way to give more of our missions’ budget faculty and staff. What a blessing that is forward planningby careful spending and planning. (c) We that can ‘Make a would be! This is at least as important as allset a date and goal for a special offering from the other projects.the Southwest Baptist congregation. When we Difference.’” Finally, on a personal note: thank youput a, b, and c together we were able to present so much for your prayers for Sandra and mea $100,000 check rather than the approximately as she recovered from a broken bone in her foot$25,000 we would have given. It made a difference! over the summer and as I recovered from colon surgery inPlease, not every church can or will do $100,000. The recent weeks. We are so blessed of God by such friends in thispoint is that planning purposefully, no matter what the incredible family of God. (Matthew 12:47-50) We hope toamount, is far superior to simply throwing some surplus cash see you and be able to greet you personally, May 14–17, as weat the May College Offering a few days or weeks ahead of celebrate twenty years as Heartland Baptist Bible College intime. Sincerely, my friends, we all genuinely praise God for Oklahoma City.any amount at any time, but a view or vision forward canmake a difference. Your fellow servant,By the way, except for a special offering, this is theway Southwest Baptist Church gives at least $200,000 toHeartland for the May College Offering year after year.There is such a thing as giving what is convenient, and thereis forward planning that can “Make a Difference.” Yes, a 1.5million dollar offering is possible. Sam Davison HBBC President 5

20-Year Special Offering RECENT MAY OFFERING PROJECTS Summer Operations | $400,000 Summer Operations | $400,000 Debt Retirement | $215,000Summer Operations | $400,000 Debt Retirement | $215,000 Tuition Freeze | $130,000 Projects | $185,000 Debt Retirement | $215,000 Projects | $185,000 Projects | $205,000 • Remodel Library Summer Operations | $400,000 • Remodel 7 Bathrooms • Purchase Music Group Van • Cafeteria Renovation in Ladies’ Dorms • Install New Energy Efficient Windows, Siding and HVAC • HBA Startup Debt Retirement | $215,000 • Resurface Parking Lots in Staff Home Student Information System | $110,000 and Driveways • Install New Energy Efficient Windows in Cafeteria Building Projects | $75,000 • Purchase Tractor • Upgrade Network Server • Bookstore Renovation • Replace AC/Heating Units • Keyless Entry on Dorms • Professional Sound Treatment for Cafeteria $830k $820k $830k $1.03m 2013 2014 2015 20166

Excellence doesn’t have to mean expensive. Heartland is able to be radically affordable because of hundreds of supporting churches.Summer Operations | $400,000 2017 Debt Retirement | $215,000 Reserve | $25,000 projects Tuition Freeze | $130,000 Projects | $280,000 • Remodel Music Building Phase I • Replace Windows on Cafeteria Building • Purchase Sound Equipment • Replace AC/Heating Units • Install New HBA Roof$1.08m2017 7

Total Cost for a Student BEFORE Church Support $14,000 per year Importance of SupportMay College Offering Other Monthly Church Support 12%20% 12% 56% Students pay ONLY 56% and graduate DEBT-FREE! Impact of Support $7,840 per year Total Cost for a Student AFTER Church Support The May College Offering, along with monthly church support, bookstore and music group sales, directly reduce the cost for each student. This results in a 44% reduction for every Heartland student bringing the annual cost for tuition, fees, room and board down to $7,840. This unique affordability allows every student the opportunity to graduate and enter ministry debt-free.8

This was a message preached by Dave Hardy at the 2010 Graduation Preaching Conference Investing inPastor-at-Large Dr. Dave Hardy Good Soil It is May again, and we have gathered here primarily to rejoice with our graduates. In addition, we will be challenged by the singing and preaching of the Word, enjoy the fellowship of our friends, conduct a little business, and take an offering for our college. I would like for us to look at a section of Scripture that God laid on my heart from Matthew chapter 13. It is from verses 1–23, often referred to as the parable of the sower. It is a very familiar parable to all of us. As we look at this parable, we’ll see it doesn’t say a great deal about the sower or the seed. Instead, the emphasis is on the soil, which represents the hearts of people (vs. 15). It might more accurately be titled “The Parable of Hearts.” I realize this is a lengthy text, but we will have a better understanding of it by reading the complete parable because all its parts are related. Please follow along silently, and if you don’t have a Bible, please look on with someone else. 1 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. 2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. 3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; 4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: 5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: 6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: 8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. 9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. 10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? 11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more 9

abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be life of Christ. Helmut Thielicke, the commentator, taken away even that he hath. would say that the way we look at things, this is one of the early “high times” in Christ’s life. In verse 13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they two, the scripture says that great multitudes were seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they gathered unto Him. Ask any pastor and he will agree understand. that would be a high time. I’ve never seen a pastor that was bothered by the great multitudes coming 14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, to church. We all appreciate a good crowd and it is which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not common for pastors to get together and talk about understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not attendance. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with perceive: that. Numbers should not be the priority, but they are important because every number represents a soul. 15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; It may be that when all these people began to lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear come, great multitudes as the scripture states, that with their ears, and should understand with their heart, the logistics of ministering to them created its own and should be converted, and I should heal them. problems. The crowd stood on the shore while Jesus pushed out a little ways in a boat. The shore being 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your higher than the sea was somewhat like a contoured ears, for they hear. floor in an auditorium allowing the speaker to be heard and seen. Picture now the Sea of Galilee and 17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets Jesus in a boat and the shore as it makes its way up and righteous men have desired to see those things which into the foothills with this mass of people. ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. “” 18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. Numbers should 19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, not be the priority, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and but they are catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he important because which received seed by the way side. every number 20 But he that received the seed into stony places, represents a soul. the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; The disciples were there to witness what was 21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a happening. Maybe as much as anything else, Jesus while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because used this occasion to help the disciples understand of the word, by and by he is offended. the diversity of people in this crowd. It was a lesson 22 He also that received seed among the thorns is in ministry. Maybe they looked at the crowd and he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, said one to another, “We’re really on a roll now.” and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he Again, there’s nothing wrong with having those great becometh unfruitful. numbers. All of us would desire that - every pastor 23 But he that received seed into the good ground here. No one wants to preach to empty pews. is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an Jesus was not only good at drawing large hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. crowds, He was equally gifted at whittling Father, thank you for the privilege we have to them down. However, His intention was not to be together and I ask, O Lord, that your Spirit discourage them, for He loved the masses. But He illumine our hearts and our minds to communicate, always spoke the truth and that often turned many to understand, and then act on what we have people away. That remains true today. We just have learned. The great need of the hour may not be more to recognize these things. I’m not looking at this in knowledge as much as acting on what we already a negative sense, because I don’t think it is negative, know. Lord, we come to you this morning with a but it is reality, and it is life. Now, we understand financial need and we look to you and your Word that a parable is an earthly story with a heavenly for direction. I am convinced this text has a word for meaning and we understand it is a physical story every person here and especially our pastors. I pray with a spiritual meaning. that you would have your perfect way in this service today. Then whatever is accomplished, as always, we’ll never make a reputation of ourselves, but will give you all the glory and all the praise, for You alone are worthy. We ask it in Jesus’ name, and for His sake, Amen. You may be seated. The first couple of verses remind us that this could be what we would call a “high time” in the10

This particular parable not only illustrates I believe with all my Burson Corleythe truth Jesus was teaching, it is perfectly suited heart that we should eachto illustrate the purpose of a parable. Jesus said, purpose to give to the May PASTOR“Behold a sower went forth to sow.” A number of Graduation Offering. Tocommentators suggest that, while Jesus was speaking, purpose will be to allow thethere was up on those hillsides someone sowing. Thatwould seem to be congruent with Jesus’ method of Holy Spirit to lead us toteaching. He didn’t have classrooms like we have at pray, plan, and participate.Heartland to do His teaching. It was primarily on One of the biggest joys inthe job experience. As the disciples walked with Him my ministry is that of being(I can’t picture that without thinking about the day a cheerful giver to the Maywhen we can walk with Him, too) and as they stoodbeside Him, He pointed out the principles of general Graduation Offering.revelation and He used them as a teaching tool (aphysical parallel). I cannot possibly repay Jed Brown all those who invested in So, the crowd could look up on those hillsides as MUSIC MINISTERJesus spoke and see the plots of ground. I don’t know Heartland to make mywhat size the plots were, but they were not as large as the education possible. I can,farms in modern America. They didn’t farm thousands however, pay it forward byof acres using massive tractors like we do today in giving to Heartland allowingOklahoma and Kansas. They had small parcels, maybe others access to an affordablea few acres, and they could see a number of differentfields at the same time. It could be compared to flying in education.an airplane today. You can look down and observe anynumber of farms and make comparisons. As suggested ...God, through the Carlos Serranoin our text, due to the soil, all the crops did not fair the generosity of His people,same. They could clearly see differences and Jesus uses allowed me and many other PASTORthat observation to teach a great spiritual truth. students the privilege of lowered tuition costs through At this point we need to be reminded that a the May College Offering,parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning ora physical story with a spiritual meaning. which helped pave and smooth out the road toward As Jesus looked out from his vantage point in the completing my Bible collegeboat, he not only saw a number of fields, He saw two“very different” types of fields. One, the immediate training with just a littleand physical field, was the land belonging to the more ease.local farmers. That one everyone could clearly seeand comprehend. But the field that Jesus was really People spend money on what Bruce Humbertconcerned about was the second one, the mass of they love, and I love Heartlandpeople standing on the shore. However, it was much PASTORharder to read the people than to read the fields. Jesus Baptist Bible College!was using the diversity reflected in the types of soil to Obviously the leadership andshow the types of hearts in the people. faculty are awesome, but I Up on the hillside, the sower was faithfully doing especially LOVE the students!his job. The seed was being distributed over thelandscape. According to verse four, some of the seed They are humble, respectful,fell on the wayside. The wayside soil was where the zealous and teachable servantsvillagers had made trails walking down to the sea tofish, buy fish or do other business. These trails, that of Christ. Sauk Trail Baptistcut through the garden spots, were used daily and the Temple loves Heartlandground was packed hard. The seed did not fare wellthere. It did not penetrate the hard crusty soil on the Baptist Bible College studentstop. The parallel to the wayside soil is in verse 19. It is wholeheartedly!the heart that has been allowed to be a thoroughfare.It has been exposed to everything in life. Nothing hasbeen denied entrance. As a result, it too has becomehardened. It wasn’t always hard. There was a time whenit was soft and pliable, but now it is hard. Even in 11

church the heart can be hardened when the Frank Wood We support Heartland mind wanders to lesser things while the Word because we believe that the of God is preached. A hardened heart could PASTOR students receive a quality be called the calloused heart. The wayside soil Bible education that coincides and the calloused heart are not productive. with the doctrines and direction of our independent And then the scripture says in verse five, fundamental Baptist church. “Some fell upon stony places, where they had We give to the May Offering not much earth: and forthwith they sprung in order to help make this up, because they had no deepness of earth:” education very affordable to The reference here is not to gravel when it the students. talks about stony places. It is talking about what some people would refer to as bedrock. Jason Gaddis I view our participation as This is common in Oklahoma, especially an early investment in the around Tulsa. There are rock quarries just PASTOR lives of those called to lead north of Tulsa because of large rocks just churches in fulfilling the Great below the soil. There are some beautiful Commission.  It is a great homes in that area, but they have a difficult joy to see men and women time having nice lawns in the summer. The faithfully serving the Lord who soil is good, but it is not deep. During the received a significant portion summer, when it is hot and dry, the roots try of their training at Heartland to go deeper to find the needed moisture, Baptist Bible College and but it is impossible to penetrate the layer of Southwest Baptist Church. rock. As a result the grass withers and if it is not watered often, it will die. Early on it is Frank Corley Attending and graduating from very deceiving. During the day, the bedrock Heartland transformed our is warmed by the sun and that warmth is CHILDREN’S PASTOR lives; beyond data, information, retained after the sun goes down. As a result, and knowledge we were given the seed germinates and produces a plant understanding and wisdom quickly. Verse 20 says this heart receives the for a life in the ministry. We Word with joy, but has no deep root and participate in the May offering becomes offended. This is a picture of those because Heartland not only who start well, but do not finish. This is a educates young people; it also picture of the shallow heart. The stony soil lights and stokes a fire to serve and the shallow heart are not productive. God biblically. Third, Jesus talks about the soil with Kerry Nance The May offering is more thorns. Verse 7, “And some fell among than just buildings and thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and PASTOR summer financial support, choked them:” I remember being in a it is an investment into doctor’s office waiting for my wife a number the preparation of lives of years ago. The doctor was a lady and all preparing for the greatest the patients were ladies. In fact, everyone work in the world, the there was a lady but me. I was pretty Gospel of Jesus Christ. uncomfortable and was trying to hide behind Heartland is a training a magazine. The reading material was not ground for ministers too much to my liking, but I finally found a of Christ. farm magazine that talked about the ranchers burning off their fields. I thought they always did that because the weeds were so unsightly. But, that wasn’t the case. They burned the weeds because they robbed the soil of the12

nutrients needed by the crops. The thorns literally During the early sixties, when I served onrestricted the growth of the real crop. submarines, the big threat to America seemed to be Communism. J. Edgar Hoover (director Verse 22 refers to the cares of this world and of the FBI) and others claimed that communiststhe deceitfulness of riches as the counterpart of the were determined to take our Bibles and close ourthorns in verse 7. It is the problem of secularism churches. That kind of talk stirred up the saintsand in particular, materialism. Generally speaking, as well as the rednecks. We’d almost have a riot inhow receptive a particular mission field is may the church when someone would say somethingparallel how affluent it is. It was the common like that. You could have built a whole army out ofpeople who received Jesus gladly. No doubt there Baptists. Nobody was closing our churches or takingare calloused hearts and shallow hearts in America, our Bibles!but there is a third type of heart, the crowdedheart, and it is the one that reigns. Everyone Thirty-five years later I was in Communistis, or thinks they are, so busy. In the culture of China. A young man from our church was aour text, the people worked from early morning tent-making missionary, and he taught in theuntil evening six days a week. They had no university. I was able to secure a visa, as a pastor,transportation or appliances or prepared food and to visit with him for a week. He wanted me to goyet they had enough time to get everything done. to his classes with him, but he said: “Pastor, youOh, my soul, I think sometimes if I hear the word can’t just get up and preach in my class. I know“busy” one more time, I’ll throw up. That’s the the rules here, and we do have some liberties.watchword of our culture. I’m just so busy, busy, You come to class with me, I will introduce you,busy, busy. We are busy because we choose to be and then I’m going to dismiss class. They can staybusy and because we have too many toys and too and ask you anything they want to, and you canmuch recreation that we have to fit in. That’s a answer anything they ask.” There were about fortymajor reason we are busy. young men and young women approximately The seminary I now attend Josh Merrell Aaron Denson ...None more significant than costs nearly $2000/class. seeing our missions dollars Progress is painfully slow, PASTOR PASTOR going to an institution that believes what we believe, because I cannot afford a full practices ministry how we load without incurring debt. practice ministry, and does it influencing so many future The May Offering allows servants of God. It is quite Heartland students to avoid the return on an investment such an educational quagmire not only immediately but for by subsidizing over half their eternity.tuition. We give, therefore, to get trained men and women into the field quickly and debt free. As a student, I always Adam Riveiro Troy Dorrell The membership of Eastland was thankful for the May Baptist Church gladly givesOffering because of the many PASTOR PASTOR to the May offering because improvements that could we see it as an investment in be made to campus each the lives of those who will summer. Now as a pastor, I be serving the Lord in the am thankful to help those future and who share ourimprovements continue for a theological and philosophical new generation of students. approach to the ministry. 13

twenty years old. Class was What Communism was never able to doan hour long, and for one to America, money has done quite well.solid hour, not one studentleft. They stayed until they and crowded hearts, but it says in verse and assure them that there were goodhad to go. I am referring twenty-three, “But he that received hearts just as there was good soil.to a pure Communist state seed into the good ground is he thatand Communist university. heareth the word, and understandeth In the larger context, we understandHow would that play out it; which also beareth fruit, and the field was not limited to the hillsat Oklahoma University? bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, around Galilee, or the crowd standingCertainly Communism is a blight some sixty, some thirty.” The message before Jesus. Verse 37 reminds us thaton any country, but the Bible here is that there is still some good the field is the world. Every Sundaydoesn’t say you can’t serve God and ground and some good hearts. pastors look into the faces of those whoCommunism. What the Bible does say have come to church and they are ais, “You can’t serve God and mammon Jesus knew the disciples would field within themselves. And in most, if(materialism).” What Communism was encounter calloused hearts, shallow not all, congregations the four types ofnever able to do to America, money hearts and crowded hearts. He hearts will be present. That is, 75% mayhas done quite well. America’s crowded also knew the disciples could be not be very responsive or productive.heart has little room for God. discouraged and disillusioned by However, a certain percentage will be. the response of those hearts. So, His This is also true on the mission field, as However, the parable does not end parable was intended to help the well. Maybe, as in the parable, it will bewith the three unproductive soils. It disciples in at least two ways. First, about 25%. Personally, I think the textsaves the best for last and describes the they would not be caught by surprise is being pressed to be that specific andincredible ability of good soil. It doesn’t when they faced the unproductive that “exact” percentages is not the issue.just double or triple. No! We are in hearts. Second, He wanted to reminddouble and triple digit multiplication: The question is, how does all this playthirty fold, sixty fold and a hundredfold. There can be no doubt thatAmerica has her number of peoplewith calloused hearts, shallow hearts, MAY OFFERING COMMITMENTS BY YEAR 1,200,000 1,000,000 800,000 600,000 400,000 200,000 0141999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

in the scheme of today’s ministries. First, it is clear that the He loves them, he needs them and can hardly bear to loseseed was sown on all types of soil. That is, everyone should them. But, he knows they will be leaving. They will quithave the chance to hear the gospel. Second, we are not their jobs, say goodbye to their family and friends and headto faint in well doing when we do not see the harvest we off to Bible College to continue their growth. Often it is theexpected when we expected it. There are always investments pastor’s son, daughter or grandchildren.with no visible result and it is discouraging. Third, there I submit to you that there is no more fertile fieldis good soil and it will produce so well, it will overshadow within our reach than Heartland Baptist Bible College.the unproductive. I can remember walking by exit doors at The student body is made up of the best hearts fromEastland on Sunday mornings and watching families walk our churches across the country. It has been seven yearsacross our parking lot to the sanctuary. What a sight! There since I left as pastor of Eastland Baptist Church. I amwas dad and mom with children in tow. Many times, tears now teaching young men, in my class at Heartland, fromwelled up in my eyes and I thought, if that one family was Eastland, who were just kids when I was pastor. A doublethe only fruit of my ministry it would be worth it all. Of blessing has been granted me to invest in their lives.course, they weren’t the only ones. I expect every one of us has had, will have or currentlyIt is impossible to put a price on good soil or good has, one or more students at Heartland. How muchhearts. Later in Matthew 13 they are referred to as depends on them? They are the leaders of tomorrow andtreasure hidden in a field. Good soil and good hearts are they will be the ones to train the generations to follow.indispensible. Not only is good soil needed for a crop When we are involved with a concentration of futureto provide food, it is needed to provide seed for the pastors, missionaries, evangelists, music directors and theirfollowing year. The other soils are not to wives, we are dealing with multiplication,be neglected, but it is the good soil that not addition. They are an investmentmust be utilized to the fullest extent. The opportunity that cannot be equaled. Igood soil is not only the best investment, “It is not us, have heard other Bible college presidentsit is the “essential” investment. So it is it is something and leaders in other groups say: “Therewith hearts. is something different at Heartland.” I Good soil and good hearts could God has given and believe they are right. I believe it to be we will be wise to a spirit and an attitude rather than abe found anywhere in the world. It is be thankful and to person or personality. It is not us, it iscommon knowledge that some mission service it as best something God has given and we willfields are more productive than others. be wise to be thankful and to service it asIt is also common knowledge that God we can.”calls more missionaries to those fields. best we can.In other words, it appears that God All I have said would just be so manytakes advantage of the opportunity to reach good words were it not for tangible proof. As a pastor Ihearts. Also, bear in mind that if there are more missionaries led our people to invest heavily in Heartland and I wouldon the field, more money is going that way, as well. It again. Grace and I give as we can as individuals each May.requires a great investment in people and finances. In addition, I invest ten hours each week in Heartland,In our parable, the seed is the Word of God and it is without salary, by choice. Why? Because I want to be aeternal. It cannot be exhausted. However, the tools and wise steward and I am convinced there is no better placeresources to spread it can be. We are talking about finances to invest. It isn’t easy to be on the road 46 weeks out of thehere. Money is the most versatile, tangible tool, we have. year and be at Heartland every Wednesday, but HeartlandNo church seems to have enough to address all the needs is a decided priority. We are in some wonderful churches,that come its way. That means choices have to be made. small and large, but it may be that the three hours atWe do not want to ignore any part of God’s field, but we Heartland every Wednesday will be the most productive.must be wise in our allocation. If we short-change the As we travel across the country, I often ask: “Howgood soil, the cost will be extreme. We could eventually many young pastors are there in this state from: Pensacola,lose everything. West Coast, Crown College, Maranatha, Heartland, etc…So, we identify those good hearts in our church. We As best I can tell, we have an exceptional showing for thelabor over them and it is time and effort well spent. They size of our student body. To my fellow preachers I say:are wonderful people who, humanly speaking, make the “These young men in Heartland have to make it.” Everychurch work. Their hearts are not calloused, shallow or one of us has to do all we can to see that they make it.crowded. They are a delight to be with. But then, God We must give, we must challenge them and encouragecomes looking for laborers for the field of the world. Will them. They are strong and stalwart and have light inHe choose them from the calloused, shallow and crowded their eyes. They are ready to give their lives. We need andhearts? No, He will choose the good fertile heart. The pastor our school deserves a good offering. You can direct yourwill preach on giving all to God and when he extends the money toward any number of good causes. But, if youinvitation, here comes that choice mom and dad to the want a thirty, sixty or even a hundred fold return on youraltar with tears in their eyes. The pastor’s feelings are mixed. investment—send it to Heartland. 15

UPCOMING HEARTLAND MEETINGS National Church College Graduation Preaching Planting Conference Days Conference JANUARY MARCH MAY 16–18 21–23 14–1716