Warmer weather, an increase in the pollen count, and the passing of midterms mean just one thing for students at BJU: Bible Conference is almost here.
March 24 through 28, the five days of this year’s conference, will be packed with solid preaching by speakers from all over the country, special concerts, class reunions and more.
Speakers
Key to the Bible Conference are the messages, and this year’s selection of speakers is a diverse mix of men with various backgrounds and experiences.
One such speaker is Dr. Bob Shelton. Shelton has been affiliated with the University in various capacities for more than 60 years and has spent time as a missionary, pastor and evangelist. He has written several books and continues to produce a weekly radio broadcast that is heard in nearly 100 markets around the world. Part of Shelton’s evangelistic work included visiting various college campuses and giving messages similar to what he will present during Bible Conference. Shelton asks for students to be in prayer for God’s direction in the messages he will be giving, which will cover the topic of biblical prophecy.
The other speakers include Dr. Gary Anderson of Baptist Mid-Missions, Dr. Mike Harding of First Baptist Church in Troy, Mich., Dr. Sam Horn of Central Baptist Theological Seminary, Dr. Les Ollila formerly of Northland International University, Dr. Gerald Priest, former faculty member at Detroit Baptist Seminary, and Dr. Charles Whitfield, a retired pastor from Birmingham, Mich.
Dr. Bob III coordinates the speakers, choosing them based on their backgrounds and previous experiences speaking at Bible Conference.
Wednesday’s events
Wednesday will be a particularly full day. First, it will be Parents Day. All day the University will seek to honor parents in particular by offering a series of price discounts in both the Campus Store and in the dining common. All parents will have to do to receive the discount is wear a “very special parent” sticker, which will be available at the Welcome Center.
Also, the Pastors and Christian Workers luncheon is scheduled for Wednesday and will be held in the dining common. The event honors full-time pastors, evangelists and missionaries. Complimentary tickets will be available the day of the luncheon at the Welcome Center from 8 to 11 a.m.
Finally, on Wednesday after the evening service, “Complete in Thee,” a new BJU musical recording will make its debut. The recording, which features congregational singing by the faculty and student body, will be presented interactively with a combination of special performances and audience participation.
Concerts
A pair of concerts will be given during the week: The Concert Band will present a relaxing selection of traditional overtures in Stratton Hall at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, and on Thursday the Foundation Brass will give a concert in the Student Center featuring music popularized by the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble.
Reunions
Although other reunions are held throughout the year, a long-standing BJU tradition has been to hold several class reunions during the week of Bible Conference. This year’s reunions on Thursday and Friday will celebrate the Class of 1974 as well as the 50th anniversary of the Class of 1964. On Friday a special reception will be held for Alumni who graduated more than 50 years ago. President of the Alumni Association Mr. David Orr says he always looks forward to the reunions, and in particular, he enjoys when the members of past graduating classes have the opportunity to tour the campus. “It’s neat because [the alumni] get a chance to reminisce about what things were like, but they also get to hear from current students what campus life is like now,” Orr said.