We just had a double blessing at our Bible college: two cohorts of graduations in one go! Last year when we were under fire from Iranian missiles we had to cancel the celebrations, so this year we had an extra special time to honor double the number of students and their achievements.
The key note speaker was Greg Denham who is an author and speaker, and the pastor of Rise Church in San Marcos, California.
“I believe this college is one of the most important in the world,” said Pastor Denham.
“You guys embody the ground floor of the Jesus movement. There are Arab believers, there are Jewish believers, there’s other believers here. And if you go back 2000 years ago in Jerusalem for Shavuot [Pentecost] it was an international gathering, right?” he said, drawing the parallel between the first disciples of Yeshua and the gathered graduates, newly qualified for ministry in Israel today.
“I know that the gospel’s going to go full circle all throughout the world and then it’s going to come back, and it’s already back. And ultimately all Israel will be saved,” he declared. “You are on the front lines, my brothers and sisters, you’re leading the way. And you’re ahead of the time. You’re the minority that will become the majority. You are the right people, providentially, sovereignly, for such a time as this. So I’m honored to be here on your graduation. Congratulations!”
Pastor Denham then encouraged them to remember their roots by looking back to that time of the early church, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. He pointed out that the Holy Spirit drenched the disciples so they were dripping with His power, but he also stressed the importance of walking in the fear of God.
“Walk in the fear of the Lord. Be awed by His greatness, overwhelmed… with His virtue and his power. And as you do, the Holy Spirit will help you, give you all that you need and more. And like Peter, bring Jesus to this generation: “You, men of Israel, hear these words. Jesus. Jesus. Jesus.” And finally, let me just say,” he added, referring back to the drenching of the Holy Spirit, “don’t dry off. Be present in His presence. Walk in the fear of God, and the Holy Spirit will give you all that you need and more.”
Students have their say
Two students were also invited to share from their experiences, one of whom met his now wife during his time at the Bible college. The second reflected on how the Bible college has grown from humble beginnings, reminding us all not to despise the day of small things:
״Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.” (Zechariah 4:8-10)
״Over the years, it has gradually come true, until today the Bible College is a solid and significant pillar that serves and builds the body of Messiah in Israel and even has an impact in the world, training leaders who want to study the Word of God at an academic level and taking what they learned further to our communities and people,” she told those gathered for the significant event.
Quoting one of the most well-loved parts of the Bible in Israel is known as the “Shema” which begins, “Hear O Israel!” and exhorts us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our strength, she noted that Yeshua commands us to love the Lord with all our mind as well, changing the script a little from the original command in Deuteronomy 6:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.” (Matthew 22:37-38)
“To those who are graduating from college today with the training they have received and the gifts that God has given them, ready and willing to serve God and people in all kinds of ways, I want to encourage you and you do not be afraid of small beginnings. God who began the work, He will also complete it for His honor and glory.”
Turning to address those who had taught and supported them throughout their years of study, she said, “I want to thank the college, the faculty, and the entire staff from the bottom of my heart, for giving us another way to serve God – through the mind and through academia. I also want to thank our families and friends who accompanied us along the way, encouraged us even if it seemed like we wouldn’t be able to finish this semester… and yet here we are!”
She ended with an encouragement for all of us who are following the Lord as His disciples, which in Hebrew is the same word as students: “We are still students of Messiah and we need to remain His “students” throughout our lives. To continue, to persevere, and to invest in getting to know Him, in learning His Word and through that the meaning of this for us and for those around us. Many thanks and blessings to all those graduating!”
