ORO BIBLE COLLEGE just celebrated their 42nd anniversary. Advent Christian missionaries and national leaders started the school in 1971 because the new churches being planted needed leaders who were equipped for service. That mission still remains, and so does OBC.
Penny and I came to OBC as professors in 1996. We stayed for 13 years, and enjoyed it tremendously.
We had the opportunity to pour ourselves into the lives of young people who wanted to make a difference in their world. We found the Filipinos passionate about life, and eager to learn how to serve the LORD. In the midst of an economically challenging life, sometimes made even worse by government corruption and political or sectarian violence, these young people had followed the Master’s call to serve, teach, and lead his church. Their commitment was motivation for us to stay true to ours.
The faculty and staff we worked with were top-notch. They were more than just co-workers. They were our friends – our best friends. Each had made a commitment like ours, and stuck with that commitment in spite of challenges that would have sent us home.
We still keep in touch with many of these former partners in ministry. But, sadly, some of them have since fallen asleep in Christ.
A new generation of leaders has emerged t
o take on the responsibility of training the students at OBC. Most of these had been our students; have gone on to receive further training at seminary, and have now returned to OBC. Knowing the passion these young men and women had while students, and their commitment to Christ, we are confident that they will succeed.
OBC is now facing new challenges. New government requirements are requiring another rework of the curriculum and other adjustments. A popular movement among Filipino churches has de-valued institutional ministry training. OBC and other bible colleges are seeing reduced enrollment as a result. The missionaries have gone on to other assignments. Please pray with us that OBC will not only survive, but remain an essential part of what the LORD is doing through his church in the Philippines.
jeffersonvann 