The President's Circle

Four Words That SHAKE Me to the Core!

Serving as a youth pastor, pastor, church planting director, district superintendent, and administrator in higher education, I have received many messages and information that carried disappointing and disturbing news. As a father, husband, grandfather, brother, uncle, and cousin, I have received news that was not encouraging about events that have happened or a tragedy among family members. News from colleagues, friends, or neighbors carried the same impact. When phone calls came in, I braced myself – what has happened – what is wrong – what now? When e-mails or texts come in and my “alert” goes off, I look down and read them, asking myself quickly – good news or bad news?

However, no words shake me to the core like the following:

“But God turned away …” Acts 7:42 ESV

We are in deep trouble in our personal lives, families, ministries, business and educational pursuits if this action of God happens to us! Our skills, persuasive influences, merger resources and limited connections will not make the grade. We are in serious trouble! If you noticed the context of these words, they appear right after the expression, “…they … were rejoicing in the works of their hands” (Verse 41). The people of God were excited about what they were doing, making, and completing, but God’s blessing, direction, empowerment, and authorization were not present!

Did not Jesus warn us when He said the following paraphrased by Eugene Peterson?

“I can see it now – at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, ‘Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.’ And do you know what I am going to say? ‘You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important …’” Matthew 7

In other passages of the Bible you find the following: “For a long time Israel has been without the true God…” (2 Chronicles 15:3 NKJV)  “Therefore God also gave them up…” “…God gave them up…” “…God gave them over …” (Romans 1:24,26,28 NKJV) These passages and many more warn that we can “lose the blessing and presence of the Lord” while being honored with the unmatched privilege of representing and knowing Him. Unfortunately this is happening in many ministries and enterprises for the Lord and “…My brethren, this ought not to be so.” (James 3:10 NKJV) It is a tragic day when we “lose God” … when God turns away! We must have His stamp/seal of approval.

However, this does not need to be the end of the story! In that same chapter in Acts 7, there are five words that THRILL my soul! Space does not permit me to go where I want to go, but here they are: “But God was with him…” (Acts 7:9 ESV) Stephen’s speech records that God was with Joseph through all his enormous difficulties and imprisonment. That “thrills” my soul and takes any “chills” away!

Every ministry and activity must have those five words in one form or another said of them. The question before us: Is He with me? Is He with us? And most importantly, Is He pleased? His Presence is more important than any resource or earthly connection! Remember what Moses said: “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here …” “Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people …?” (Exodus 33:15-16 ESV) Now that means something!!!! Don’t you think?

News and Updates …

▪ Through the extra efforts of our IT Solutions Specialist, Buddy Paynter, 24 PCs and 17 monitors from NASA have been secured. In addition, 22 Dell OptiPlex Model 520 PCs, 22 keyboards, and 24 Dell Flat Panel monitors have been received from NWP Services Corporation at no cost.

▪ New picture ID security cards for students, faculty, and staff have been implemented to assist in cost savings and tracking all activities from food service to student life in Epiphanies. Through the new wireless printing capabilities and agreements with new copy machines, a considerable savings will be realized.

▪ Congratulations to Mrs. Sarah Plazak, our IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) keyholder, for her efficiency in reporting our institution’s information to the National Center for Education Statistics (part of the U. S. Department of Education). Recognition of her timely efforts was sent to the President.

▪ Through our President’s Council, over $7,000 has been provided for the purchase of new furniture for our students in the administration building. Swing sets have been purchased for placement in the area of our on-campus gazebo and WiFi will be added.

▪ Funding has arrived for our new parking bumpers that have now been installed in strategic locations in our parking lot.

▪ The Trinity Tigers men’s basketball team has begun its 2012 season. Click here for more information on the team and for the 2012 season.

▪ The President, Campus Chaplain, several Trustees, and many graduates and friends of Trinity College of Florida were present at the Celebration of Life service for Dr. Art Yohner, class of 1960, at Calvary Baptist Church (Pastor, Rick Speece) in Bradenton, Florida. Among those speaking were Dr. Barry Banther, Alex Thompson, Miller Alloway, Jonathan Watson, Dr. Ken Moon, and Rev. Don Hubbard. Fourteen gifts have been received for the Art Yohner Missions Ministries Scholarship. Please continue to keep Evy and the family in your prayers during these days.

▪ Our 2012 Annual Banquet: His Glory Our Story will be Thursday, May 10, 2012 at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay. Mark that date on your calendar!  This banquet will feature our students and special alumni. Discover the unmatched contributions Trinity College of Florida has been making to the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ these past seventy-nine years! Click here for more information on this event.

▪ With nineteen new students entering our spring semester and another sixteen new students in TrinityQuest (our degree completion program), plans are moving forward to provide additional housing on campus through our new student residence hall. Exploration is being conducted on leasing building concepts with on-campus housing. Work is ongoing to raise the additional funds needed to begin construction. Now is the time! Parents and alumni alike have mentioned the need for all students to be on campus and consider Trinity College of Florida their home away from home.

▪ The Shaping Your DNA Destiny conference sponsored by the C. S. Lewis Society (Dr. Tom Woodward) is on February 24-25 at the Calvary Baptist Church in Clearwater. Guest speakers include Michael Behe, Richard Sternberg, and Dr. James Gills. Clck here for more information on this event.

▪ The Admissions Department for the Day program has undergone a thorough review of activities and restructuring. New job descriptions have been crafted, personnel changed, new schedules established and the office setting enhanced. Pictured below are (left to right): Rachel Noble, Admissions Representative; Kevin O’Farrell, Interim Director; and Joshua Plazak, Assistant Director. Admissions can be reached at 1-800-388-0869 or by e-mail: admissions@trinitycollege.edu.

▪ Trinity College of Florida is partnering with The JOY FM for the Chick-fil-A 2012 Leadercast.  This live simulcast event will be held Friday, May 4, 2012 (9 am - 4:30 pm) at Generations Christian Church in Trinity, Florida.  Featured speakers include Tim Tebow, Andy Stanley, John Maxwell and many more.  Click here for more information on this event.

▪ The ABHE Annual Conference will be held in Orlando February 22-24. Our College will be represented by our Academic Dean, President, Vice President for Business and Finance, and other administrative staff. It is anticipated that our College’s accreditation will be re-affirmed during this event. Please pray with us for this event.

▪ Dining Services is off to a great start (along with a new logo) this spring semester. Every Monday night from 4:30pm to 6:30pm, dinner is available, complete with table service, for staff, faculty and their family members. This will be another excellent time for fellowship with one another and students. Thank you to Steve Phillips, our Dining Services Director, for making this a reality!

Prayer Requests …

▪ Scholarship Chapel: March 14, 2012 Students and guests will be attending along with specific donors.

▪ Funding of the new student residence hall.

▪ $150,000 gift income needed this semester.

▪ Re-affirmation of accreditation with ABHE.

▪ Students’ financial needs to be met; ministry positions to be available.

▪ Finishing well this year with a sense of hope and confidence for the future.

▪ President’s Council: New guests and partners attending March 30, 2012.

Thank you for your partnership in the mission and vision of Trinity College of Florida!

In Partnership with You,