In an e-mail newsletter from Dr. James D. Leggett, president of Holmes Bible College this week, he wrote the following in describing this little town called Bethlehem not far from Jerusalem:
"Christmas is a wonderful family time. The Holmes family reaches around the world. Here in America and in the countries of the world, sons and daughters of Holmes proclaim the message that a Savior is born in the city of David--the Savior of the world.
"I shared a devotional at the Faculty and Staff Christmas party on 'O, Little Town of Bethlehem.' The fact is that God often uses the small, the insignificant to do great things. He uses the ordinary to accomplish the extraordinary.
"When Micah described Bethlehem's plight and smallness, he announced that God was preparing to do a mighty and wonderful thing in that little place. In little Bethlehem, besieged by its enemies, God was going to send the Ruler of Israel, the Ancient of Days, the Shepherd, the Mighty Name of the Lord. Great things do happen in little places.
"How true this is of Holmes. The corner of Briggs and Buncombe, like Bethlehem was so small and insignificant, but God had a plan to use it mightily for His purpose in the world.
"We believe God continues to use Holmes to make an impact in our world.
"The faculty and staff are deeply appreciative for the generosity of the Holmes family and the gifts to the Faculty Christmas Fund.
"Faye and I along with the faculty and staff express our thanks for your support for Holmes. It is a joy to serve the Holmes family and may the richest blessings of our God rest upon each and everyone."
[Editor's response to Dr. James D. Leggett's message above:
What a powerful, prophetic, penetrating, and preserving message for all times and places. "O Little Town of Bethlehem."
I have been to Bethlehem, like you have, and for me it was one of the most spiritual and satisfying places I saw on my tour of the Holy Land. To know that I was in the Town of King David, and the King of kings, Jesus. Naomi and Ruth and Boaz lived there. And most of all, it is the birthplace of Jesus, the Savior of the world. Bethlehem is called "The House of Bread."
Could it be that Holmes, too, is the House of Bread--the Word of God? It is a Bible college where students can come to study the Bible and prepare themselves for a greater ministry with a foundation that is firm, sure, and lasting.
The Message has this to say in the prologue of John's Gospel: "And the Word (Jesus the pre-Incarnate Son of God) became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood."
It was in the harvest fields of Boaz in Bethlehem that he, the owner, commanded his servants to leave handfuls on purpose or bundles on purpose for Ruth to glean barley and wheat until the harvest was finished.
I have an idea, maybe a God-Idea about daily provision for Holmes Bible College to provide for the day to day operation expenses. However, it will take a large e-mail listing of alumni and friends, and a staff of volunteers to work it.
I would call it "Handfuls on Purpose." A monthly gift of only $20 a month from 2,500 people to Holmes Bible College could provide $50,000 each month to meet the day-to-day expenses to operate the college. Boaz planted the seeds of his harvest, and gained Ruth to be his wife. To that union God blessed Boaz and Ruth and she conceived and God gave them a son. "His name was called Obed. Obed was the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David" (Ruth 4:17 from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)
I will not be able to be at the January board of trustees meeting to explain this fund raising plan, but it is simple and can be done with the cooperation of many people whom God has touched or will touch. There are thousands of people who would like to give to the oldest Pentecostal Bible college in the world so that young men and women may prepare for the ministry. It is now located on a new campus in Greenville, SC, at the foot of Paris Mountain and adjacent to Furman University. That address is 4901 Old Buncombe Road | PO Box 14188 | Greenville | SC | 29610-4188.
I will be in the nation's capital for my last time to preside as the director/endorser of Chaplains Ministries, IPHC as the chairman of the NAE Chaplains Commission. I am there every January. However, that will not be the case in the future.
Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.
Your friend in all seasons,
Hugh H. Morgan
Posted on
Tue, December 20, 2011
by Hugh Morgan