Tuesday, March 27, 2012

A Word From Our President


During Spring Break it was my privilege to travel with the International Biblical Studies class, consisting of 26 students, and 4 additional faculty members to Costa Rica for the annual IBS mission trip. This was the twelfth international mission trip that SBEC has taken dating back to our first trip to Austria in 2000. Since that time we have been to such countries as Brazil, China, Italy, Russia, Romania, Guatemala and several others. On each trip we spend our time working with local missionaries. It has been my joy to go on ten of the trips and all have been unique in their own way. The recent Costa Rica trip was no exception. Logistically, it was one of the best trips we have taken. Though there were a few minor adjustments, the students and chaperones demonstrated great attitudes and cooperative spirits throughout the trip. Our time was well spent.

You may ask why is it important for us to have a class such as IBS and to take these trips. At SBEC, we want our students to see that the world is much bigger than Desoto County, Mississippi. We are blessed to live in such a great place, but the comforts we experience are not common to most people. We also want our students to experience different cultures. Most important, we want to expose our students to what God is doing throughout the world. We serve a God of the nations and He is at work throughout the world. Finally, we want our students to catch a glimpse of what it means to be on the mission field and to learn from some of the many faithful people who have committed their life to being obedient to God’s calling for the sake of the Gospel.

The IBS class, the Home Missions class, and the mission emphasis in our elementary school serve to provide our students with an awareness of some mission opportunities. What a joy it has been over the years to support and to visit graduates and former staff members of SBEC whom God is using on the mission field, both at home and abroad. Who knows, maybe God used something at SBEC to prompt their hearts to go serve Him. 

David Manley
SBEC President

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