BIble Training InstitutE students and staff from Cleveland included, from left front, Harvey Anders, Cindy Anders, Roger Ammons, Julian Pimentel, Lindsei Henderson and Cassondra Crumley; and back, Lawrence Munoz, Jackie Zimmerman, Ray D. Dupre, Jonathan Munoz, Freddy Crumley, Andrew Jordan, Vickie Smith and Stephen E. Smith. Not present for photo are Herman Ard, Kryss Barick, Wendy Barick, Mitch Cameron, Sheila Cameron, Allene Cox, David Cox, James Cox, Jimmy Cox, Robert J. Hawkins Jr., Missy Hawkins, Chelsei Henderson, Grayson Kent, Savannah Lofton, Shanna Weekes and Kevin Werkheiser.
BTI director Ray Dupree is most thrilled with what is happening in the classrooms. This year’s school boasts a majority of young people, who are anxious to learn as they prepare for service in the church.
On Tuesday, Dupree said “the move of the Spirit (in the second-term class) lasted for more than seven hours and spread across all four terms. Three testified of being filled with the Holy Ghost.
The teacher of the 25-member class, Freddy Crumley, said the praying had been going on when he got to the class and the students skipped lunch to stay and pray.
Chris Clarkston, a leadership student, found his way to the classroom and talked about the revival which was happening in BTI. “God is saying, ‘Shake thyself ... encourage yourself in the Lord.’”
Dustin Hayes, the international youth director, talked about Paul’s prayer concerning the ‘thorn in the flesh,’ as he joined the young people in prayer and praise.
Wednesday night was a unique service of Communion and feet washing in fulfilling the ordinances of Christ. The service was moderated by James Cox, state overseer of Tennessee. Dupree spoke on the importance of Communion, explaining why, who should partake and what are the effects of participation. He said Christians need to keep it first and foremost why we observe the Communion. The Lord’s Supper, he added, “is for living souls as they are drawn into a special communion with Christ.”
Jackie Zimmerman of Cleveland read John 13:4-17 as she expounded on the ordinance of feet washing as Christ gave the example.
To be happy, she said, is to be obedient unto the Lord. “We can be reverent and happy at the same time,” she added. It’s a way, also, she said, to show love and compassion to a brother or sister, and Christ’s doing it “gives us reason enough to believe and practice it.” She said it (washing a brother’s or sister’s feet) brings Christians into joy that doesn’t come from anything else — it’s not just a lesson in humility.
A baptismal service will be held on Friday afternoon and graduation exercises will be on Saturday, which is designated Heritage Day.
