The 2026 Bible Conference at Bob Jones University surpassed its $125,000 goal to support two missions-related projects: at home with Next Door Nations and abroad with a missionary aviation project in Papua New Guinea.
This year’s theme was Heavenward: Pursuing God’s Call Through Prayer.
“Dr (Bruce) McAllister wanted the focus not only to be on prayer, but also to have a missions’ emphasis,” said Dr. Josh Crockett, the university’s executive chapel coordinator.
The home offering supported Matt Barfield with Next Door Nations. Next Door Nations will evangelize and distribute tracts to visitors from all around the world at the FIFA World Cup. They plan to share the gospel in the nine major cities during the global event. The fundraiser goal for the home offering was $65,000.
“Matt Barfield spoke for the missions’ emphasis week back in the fall and talked about how his home church has a ministry called Next Door Missions,” Dr. Crockett said. “They use translation software so that when the preacher is speaking, people can use Airpods and their phone to hear it in their language.”
“Matt’s vision would be in these big cities that are hosting the World Cup, local churches could use different outreach opportunities to bring immigrant communities into their church,” Dr. Crockett said. “And through Airpods and translation apps, predominantly English-speaking churches could have a ministry to different immigrant communities and really connect through this big world-wide event at the World Cup.”
The abroad offering supported Josh and Natalie Perkins, two BJU graduates, with a missionary aviation project in Papua New Guinea. The fundraiser goal was $60,000. The Perkins and a team with Gospel Fellowship Association are raising money to build an airplane.
“This airplane will help 15 different missionary team members to get to remote villages, to bring supplies, to bring medicine, to bring the gospel to different church plants that would otherwise be inaccessible,” Dr. Crockett said. “Aviation is essential over there. This plane would help them not just for short term trips but long-term gospel access.”
The theme, “Heavenward”, emphasized prayerful dependance and focus heavenward, challenging students to seek God before taking action for God. Prayer is the starting point for obedience and gospel impact. Students had multiple opportunities to join together in prayer, with prayer meetings throughout the week in addition to the services.
The campus fundraisers for Bible Conference were a tremendous success. As usual, a few student body favorites were the Kangas’ and Vikings’ Speed Dating event on Tuesday night, the International Food Fest Wednesday afternoon, the Colts’ late-night volleyball tournament Wednesday evening, and the Alpha talent show on Friday night. The faculty and staff basketball game on Thursday night and the Stallions’ and Duskies’ “Tailgate Toss-Off” on Friday night also drew large crowds. Among the many new fundraisers were “Sips and Sweets” hosted by Alpha and the Cardinals, and the Bluejays’ Thrift Formal event, both held on Wednesday night.
Bob Jones University as a whole had raised $126,343.88 as of the Monday morning chapel service following the week of Bible Conference.
