Welcome to this issue of The Visionary.
From the office and staff of Vision Christian College we do pray that you will have a truly wonderful Christmas and that next year will see a greater measure of blessing in your life, your family, your ministry and with all those you are in contact with.
Ken and Alison
We are so pleased that Ken is back on his feet and starting to be involved again. His recovery has taken a little while but is quicker than anticipated, for which we thank God so much. So we will begin our Newsletter with
A Word From Ken
Gabriel said to Mary, "Nothing is too hard for God" Mary replied, "I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let everything happen to me, just as you have said!" (Luke 1:37-38)
How astonishing was Mary's calm acceptance of an apparent betrayal of her betrothal vows! Especially when you recall that in those days a betrothal usually lasted for 12 months and was as legally binding as a marriage. It could be broken only by the death of one of the betrothed, or by a lawful "divorce". That is why there are references in ancient Jewish literature to "a widow who was a virgin".
So, far more than in our time, Mary faced the probability, not only of bitter scandal and humiliation, but also of legal action. Indeed, violation of a betrothal vow could incur a death penalty (see Deut 22:23-24).
Nonetheless, without hesitation she yielded happily to the Lord's command!
The story illustrates the truth that God seldom makes things easy! But, easy or not, the first key to an empowered life, where nothing is impossible in God, is submission to the will of God. We must echo Mary "I am the Lord's servant!"
Notice, too, what a hard thing she was asked to believe vs. 30ff. This (a virgin birth) was something the world had never before seen! But she was encouraged by Gabriel "For not will be without power every word from God!" (literal).
Notice the double negative, which in English has the effect of creating a positive, but in Greek it was a device to emphasise something, or to intensify its meaning.
We get the same effect in English by using tautology, such as in the chorus, "nothing is too difficult for thee, nothing is too difficult for thee, nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing, nothing is too difficult for thee!"
That song contains a double tautology, the repetition of "nothing" and the addition of the redundant adverb "absolutely".
Mary responded with a declaration of faith "Let it happen to me as you have said!"
This twofold response by Mary, first, of submission, then of affirmation, enabled the birth of the Saviour. Without it, world history would have been startlingly different!
We too can bring the transforming Christ into our lives and circumstances by surrendering heartily to the Father's sovereign will and by expressing unwavering confidence in his promise. For indeed, "Nothing, not nothing, is too hard for God!"
The Colleges
All of our Resource Centres have closed down for the Christmas break. I do thank the tireless efforts of those who are so involved with the teaching and learning processes of the centres. Like most schools and colleges will be starting late in January or early in February. We are so delighted with the way the Colleges have been operating and we look to an exciting year in 2006. Several extra churches are starting up with us next year so we will see more colleges offering our subjects.
The individual student body for Vision Christian College, Vision International College and the Internet Bible College continue to grow, our growth is a steady rate and of course we would like to see a greater growth, so we would like you to pray for us for continued increase, for that increase sees and increase of ministry into our nation.
Recognised Studies
For those who may not know, the difference is that our recognised program is recognised by churches, missions organizations, Para-church groups as a recognised training qualification. This is so in over 120 countries around the world
Our recognised program continues to grow not only in numbers but also in options.
As of 2006 we will be able to offer a special counselling targeted to pastors, leaders and elders " those who are involved in ministry. The idea is to be able to offer you the tools that are so helpful to you in counselling need for the mentor as is currently required for the Diploma of Theology " Christian Counselling. This option will only be available to those candidates who are pastors or who will have a pastoral endorsement
The course will be fully recognised by Vision.
Accredited Programs
As of February our Accredited courses will be offered in the USA . I am advised that VETAB, our Australian crediting body, is the only non-USA accrediting body outside the USA that is recognised within the USA education bodies. As a result of this our affiliates around the world will be offering our accredited programs. Bless God. It is exciting for us.
Degree Programs
We have been able to offer, through the office of the Internet Bible College, the degree program from the USA, this has included the Bachelors Completion, the Masters programs.
As of 2006 the Degree program will be accredited. We have an arrangement whereby anyone currently in the degree program will automatically be transferred to the accredited program. The Internet Bible College will still be the office to offer the programs.
There will be a few changes to the program. Those changes will improve the program for the students and will be made available as soon as the fine tuning is completed.
Internet Bible College
The Internet Bible College has a new face. It is not quite ready but if you would like to view it then you can go to www.internetbiblecollege.info we are almost ready to release it. I am most impressed with the efforts of a young man, Matthew who has set this up for us and given his time and skills.
So far we have students in the following countries:
Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Brunei, China, Cote Divvoire, England, Germany, Ghana, Grenada West, Guam USA, Guyana, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peoples Republic of China, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, U.S.A, UK, Vanuatu
Missions Colleges
We have been privileged to be able to start a Missions College in the Philippines, and we have been offered the funds to start a college in Nepal, with our college in Vietnam this will make three Mission Colleges that will have started this year. Bless God!
A Few Comments
I want to encourage you in your studies. There is no study as important or as valuable as the study of the word of God. The power and ability of the word of God to change our lives is in direct proportion to the measure of our study of the word. Our ability to impact our family, our neighbourhood, our church, our state, or our country and beyond is in direct proportion to our understanding of what God has to say and how well we understand it and apply it to ourselves
Stride onward in your study, if you have fallen behind in your studies then pick up your Bible, embrace your studies be released into God's will.
If your church needs training talk to us about our options for ministry training but whatever you do, DO study the word, eternity demands it!
A Note of Appreciation
It is right to appreciate people and we do not do so enough. So much has happened. I cannot tell you how appreciative I am of those who work alongside us. Steve and Trish Hart work tirelessly. Share the burden and the workload, to them I offer them a huge thank you for all they did. I do pray for the richest of God's blessings on them both
Collectively the Colleges were able to provide Trish's fares to India and Malaysia for a few days along with my wife Rosalind and one of our church members to visit the mission-field. A young man, Pastor Solomon and his wife Cara run an orphanage and he has pioneered some churches in Chennai. The weather was not the best but the trip was good for all of them and opportunities for ministry for them helped to stretch them all a little. The reports that came back are most encouraging
To Elia who works in the office and Matthew who works on the Internet they are also a great help in their fields, they have been very encouraging to me in their commitment.
To my dear wife Ros who works to keep me in ministry and is a wonderful support I can only say thank you to her also
To Ken and Alison who, as a Father and Mother in the faith we owe so much, and words of appreciation fail me. We, the church owe them.
Fee Increase
We have held our fees down for the last three years but we cannot continue to absorb costs at the rate we have done so.
Sadly, from February 1st, our student fees will increase by $5.00 per student from $85.00 to $90.00 per single student and from $125.00 to $135.00 for a married couple.
We do not like to do this but as it is for everyone else our costs rise and we have to meet them. At the same time we are very aware that there is no other program that is able to compare with us for acceptance, quality, and price.
Honour Roll
Our congratulations go out to these students who have graduated in this period, we do appreciate your efforts and we look forward to hearing of you successes in the future.
Vision Christian College Recognised Students
Jeanette Finlayson Award in Biblical Studies Mittagong
Joan McGrath Certificate in Biblical Studies South Morang
Stephen Lindner Associate in Biblical Studies Rivett ACT
Sarah Shadlow Certificate in Biblical Studies Kurrajong
Michael Cumming Associate in Biblical Studies Kurrajong
Evelyn Johnson Diploma in Biblical Theology Sawyers Gully
Geoffrey Johnson Diploma in Biblical Theology with Honours Sawyers Gully
Denise Brewer Diploma in Biblical Theology with Honours Tenambit
Ian Chapman Certificate in Biblical Studies with Honours Rankin Park
Vision International College Accredited Students
Patricia Morris Certificate IV in Christian Ministry Wagga Wagga
Internet Bible College
Thomas Bailey Diploma of Ministry Cananda
Prayer Points
For health, blessing and strength for Ken and Alison as Ken recovers
For Denis as he pastors the church and runs the colleges
For continued growth of the accredited program VETAB
For more Students and Resource centres
Additional resources and finances
A Final Word
To say that this has been an interesting year is putting it mildly and it seems that only yesterday was last Christmas. I am sure that many of you feel much the same.
Our world has changed, our nation has changed, our lives have changed, our loved ones have changed, but through it all Jesus stays the same.
There is a wonderful security for me in the knowledge that no matter what, Jesus stays the same. That means different things to different people. For me that simply means that no matter what he is there. I can call on Him, talk to Him, listen to Him, and depend on Him.
He never goes away.
Please do not misunderstand me here, sadly I do not always notice, I am not always as respectful as I aught to be, not always as thoughtful as I aught to be, not always as right, but still he is there.
He is there, and he understands, no matter what, he understands, and you know THAT is what I need to know. That Jesus is there and he understands no matter what.
I need that today, I will need that next year, I pray that you too will know the certainty of the presence of Jesus, after all, that is part of the reason He came.
