Merry Christmas
To all our beloved Faith Family,
We at Faith Bible College want to acknowledge each of you and pray that during this Christmas season and the beginning of a new year, 2025, you may personally experience the Love of God, the Grace of our Lord Jesus, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit in a fresh and renewed way.
At Faith Bible College, we have witnessed God's goodness extended to us during what has been a challenging year of transitions, changes, and new beginnings. One of our significant achievements has been progress in bringing FBC into compliance with the standards of three different councils, who have approved our project to build a sewage treatment system for the entire campus. We are now in the final phases of this project, which has been funded by Christian Savings, and we are immensely grateful for their support.
This year, we hosted RSE (Recognized Seasonal Employer) workers in the kiwifruit industry in partnership with three different companies. They have been a blessing, helping us establish rental agreements that create cash flow to cover campus costs, service our loans, and make some renovations to the campus accommodations. We have also signed a long-term lease with Hortus, a partnership that will be a blessing for both these workers and FBC.
We are working to establish the “Faith Campus Trust,” a new management model that will oversee the entire campus starting January 1, 2025. This new trust will provide more effective stewardship, funding, and administration of this 20-acre property that God has generously entrusted to us. Faith Bible College will continue to exist and function, focusing on developing new courses and equipping God's people for ministry.
A highlight this year was the launch of an innovative course called Accelerate, held in June and July. We welcomed 13 students to an intensive 6-week program on campus designed to help them deepen their relationships with God and others. Led by Dr. Shirley Carpenter and a diverse group of teachers, the course was truly life-changing for those who participated. For FBC, it marked a fresh beginning in a new season of our journey.
Currently, four churches hold regular services on our campus. The music and joy they bring are uplifting and contribute to the ongoing legacy of this place.
Throughout the year, we have also partnered with the Wilberforce Foundation, especially through Jade Hohaia, a vibrant Māori leader and visionary. Recently, Jade hosted a significant gathering of Māori leaders from across the nation on our campus, which had an outstanding impact. We are excited about the new initiatives this partnership will bring, with more details to be shared in the coming year.
We are deeply grateful to Steve and Stef Short, who serve as CEO and Campus Manager. They have tirelessly dedicated themselves to their roles, and the board is profoundly thankful for their work. Steve leads a team that oversees the daily operations of the campus, and we are incredibly appreciative of their commitment and effort.
We could share even more accomplishments, but suffice it to say that 2024 has been a year where we can joyfully proclaim: To God be the glory, great things He has done.
Pat Buckley, Darryl Short, and I, David Dishroon, as Chairman, truly pray God’s blessings upon you all this Christmas season. We pray that you and your families will be abundantly blessed by the greatest gift of all: Jesus Christ.
Merry Christmas from Faith Bible College.
Blessings,