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A New Vision
At the
July, 1999, Meridian Campmeeting held by the General Council
of the Churches
of God, 7th Day, a most unique and memorable business
meeting was conducted. At this meeting, one item of discussion
was the reopening of Maranatha College, a Bible school that had
been closed
for quite a few years. In the midst of the discussions, a $25 donation
was given as the initial beginning of Maranatha’s reopening.
By early afternoon, those in attendance had given or pledged a
total of $20,000 for the project. Even more was donated by the
end of camp,
and by the time plans were underway to reopen the college, total
donations had increased to around $35,000.
After the appointment of a college start-up committee of three
men, many hours were invested in brainstorming ideas, considering
many possibilities, researching the offerings and structures of
other Bible college and schools, and in discussing the best course
for the
new Maranatha College. The highest priority was prayer—seeking
God for a renewed vision, desiring Him to reveal His divine will.
Overwhelmed by the feeling that God had truly shown His favor and
will for Maranatha, the committee was unified into a strong vision.
In working on the vision for Maranatha College, the start-up committee
was being constantly challenged by God to dream big by faith. Their
very first attempts at defining the vision were discarded, as they
expressed they were limiting themselves to the resources they had
in hand, and what they felt could be supported by the current supporters
and workers. Through prayer and special visions in the night, God
revealed to them what His will was for Maranatha College.
Possessing a new faith and insight, the committee proceeded with
their work based upon the question posed to them by the Lord:
“What
would you do for me, if your resources and abilities were unlimited? ”
This
question was adopted by the committee as the “preamble” to
the vision.
The committee stopped looking merely at what they had in their
hands, and started focusing on what kind of Bible school needed
to be developed. Their inspiration was to produce utterly devoted
disciples
of Jesus Christ that will follow their Lord and Savior wherever
they are called, to do whatever they are called to do. Maranatha
College is dedicated to the equipping and training of those with
a willing
heart to do the Lord’s work.
It was also an important part of the vision that all those involved
with Maranatha College, whether as supporters, staff, or students,
must realize that the work belongs entirely to God. All staff,
volunteers, contributors, students, and all persons with any influence
at all
over the running of Maranatha College are only responsible stewards
of God’s property and ministry, and are accountable as such.
Maranatha College, an independent, nonprofit religious institution,
trains men and women for Christian ministries. The college is administered
by the General Council of the Churches of God, 7th Day, with headquarters
at 1827 W. 3rd St., Meridian, Idaho 83646.
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