October 2024
A Note from Dr. Blanc Fabulous Fridays are when we gather for President’s Chapel in the Barn. The Davis College Worship Team leads us all in praise, and we dig into the Word, eagerly expecting what God will do in our hearts. A principle taught recently was this: We must walk by faith, having complete trust in God to do his work, his way, according to His Word and his will, through our surrendered lives. What does this mean in terms of practical experience? It means that I will fail, and when I fail, it is not because I am doing the wrong thing or that I am not necessarily in the will of God –it is that I am doing the right thing the wrong way! God creates circumstances to impede our efforts to teach us that His way alone must become our way entirely (Matt 26:39) . The imposition of the impossible exposes the Self-dominant life and the need to surrender it through death on the altar of my sacrificed will, desires, and rights. When this occurs, the Spirit of God assumes control and establishes claims of Jesus upon our lives, his rights and privileges purchased through redemption (1 Cor 6:19-20; Gal 2:20) . The kingdom’s purpose of extending the gospel to the end of the earth becomes our priority, and the ethical demands of Christlikeness upon our behavior become evident (Acts 1:8; 2 Cor 3:18; Gal 5:22-23) . But it takes God to intersect our path to conquer the Self. He did this, for example, with the nation of Israel on the banks of Jordan in preparation for their conquest of Canaan (Jos 3:1-17) . The waters of the flooded Jordan posed an impossible barrier to the people. The nation was in God’s will, going the right way, but God needed to show his hand and overcome the impossible in a mighty display of power. This was only the beginning. Israel experienced God’s presence and power when he parted the Jordan’s flooded banks. Conquering Jericho, the next “impossible” task, would require greater faith. Imagine expecting Jericho’s impregnable fortress to fall by marching and blowing ram horns! The lesson to the nation? Trust me. Trust me implicitly. The Self must die in deference to the presence
and power of God. Yes! He must increase. I must decrease (John 3:30) . The students and I are on a journey. To grow into the John 3:30 life.
I’m pleased to report that we are growing! Since transitioning to the new campus, we have experienced new enrollment records this semester. Our student’s study all over the world through Davis Online Learning, in our adult and high school teaching sites, and on the main campus in Pottersville, NY. Would you consider a donation of any size? This email contains a link to a convenient online giving platform. All funds go to student scholarships—100%. Thank you for prayerfully considering what you can do to ensure our students can complete their training and enter the global harvest. Dr. Alan Blanc
LATEST NEWS!
Homecoming! The recent Homecoming weekend for the alumni of the Word of Life Bible Institute, held from October 11–13, was a time of fellowship and community. Kicking off with an opening ceremony at 7:30 PM on Friday, the event offered a time of worship with Word of Life’s Overflow Legacy band, an award for the alumnus of the year, and a message by Word of Life’s Vice President, Brian Baker. Participants of the weekend enjoyed watching soccer games featuring both men’s and women’s teams, as well as enthusiastic games of alumni versus student basketball matches. The weekend also included a delightful outdoor movie night, among other exciting events, creating a memorable experience that underscored the college’s commitment to nurturing relationships and promoting fellowship within student life. Missions Conference! Missions Conference was held at the Davis College campus from October 25–27 and entailed a full weekend for our students. The campus was full as there were students from the two Canadian Word of Life campuses, along with the Word of Life campus in Florida. There were 21 different mission organizations that arrived for the Missions Conference. Students on campus were challenged by the speakers to continue serving the Lord with their lives. The different mission organizations allowed students to understand how they can partner with them to continue ministry after they graduate.
GET ACQUAINTED WITH DAVIS! Faculty Feature Jerry Franz
“Dr. Jerry Franz came to Davis College from Moody Bible Institute in July 1989. He was one of the librarians there and an adjunct instructor. For the next 18 years, he served as the library director and professor, teaching Western Civilization I and II and Church History I and II. A big emphasis in the early 1990s at Practical Bible Training School was the move to a four-year bachelor’s program and the name change to Practical Bible College. Jerry worked hard to organize and grow the library to pass the rigorous criteria from New York State and Middle States Accreditation. Jerry and Wendy lived on campus for many years and their young son and daughter still have
fond memories of growing up on campus. Jerry also taught many college introduction classes to incoming freshmen and endeavored to disciple some of the male students through the chapel discipleship program. He also regularly taught his history courses at the extension sites in Syracuse and Albany, NY in evening classes, while continuing his education with an M.A. and PhD. In mid-2007, Jerry and his family left Davis College and moved to Fort Myers, Florida, his hometown, to be near his aged mother. However, not long afterward, Davis College asked Jerry to begin teaching his history courses online for the college. Jerry still teaches history both locally and online for another university, in addition to his adjunct work with Davis College. He writes, ‘Being involved with the students at Davis College is a great joy, which now in 2024, has extended to about 35 years. I love to see God’s hand on them as they train for various ministries through Davis. To be just a small part of their educational experience is an amazing privilege.’”
Online Student Feature
Travis Shearin “I chose Davis College online because of the unique opportunity that it provided me to gain ministry experience while working in a church and completing my degree. Because of the convenience of the 8-week classes, it has enabled me to complete more classes during a semester than I would be able to in person. While ministry as an online student can be very challenging, when it is found it is very beneficial. It can be difficult, as you must take the time to seek ministry out. However, with my job in the church I can seek out ministry and use what I’m learning to glorify the Lord. I am working towards earning a Bachelor’s in Religious Education, with a focused concentration on Christian Counseling. By taking this concentration, I am wanting to prepare myself to interact and help others in ministry. My goal is to be a pastor, and I think every pastor needs to understand counseling from a Christian perspective. A pastor’s role is to shepherd and to do that well you need to understand people. While being online has its benefits, the transition from being at Word of Life to now being online has been a struggle. I
miss the amazing community that is built at the Word of Life and Davis College campus, along with the uniqueness of the campus. However, once I got into a rhythm of working at the church and doing school it has been beneficial and enjoyable. Even though I am online, I feel like I am a part of Davis College from the interactions with people on discussion boards. Along with this, I love seeing how the Lord is working in my friends who are on campus at Davis College. I still know many of the people who are there and when I get to talk to them it makes me excited to know I am a part of the same organization. While there are times that it is hard to remember that I am the same as the other Davis College students, it is cool to see the Lord work in the lives of others, whether on campus or online!”
Student Athlete Feature
Daniel Bubar “’Hills don’t go away, they wait.’ This quote summarizes an inescapable truth. Whether it’s a cross-country race or the race of life, you will be presented with challenges and adversity. There are no shortcuts, no turning back, you must face the hills that come your way. This was the case at the beginning of this year’s cross-country season in Randolph Vermont. The hills were relentless, one after another they came up on the course, and towards the end I was exhausted. It was a struggle to regain the momentum I lost, and my body longed for this to end, but I was still in a race. With burning lungs and weakened legs, I pressed on to fight to finish well with the goal of beating my old time in mind. As I closed in on the finishing stretch, I could hear the voice of my teammates and coaches calling out to pick up the pace, ‘Don’t wait! Start kicking! Don’t let that guy catch you!’ The thought of running even harder at this stage was dreadful, but I chose to put the body into submission and start kicking to the end with about 400 meters to go. I could feel the physical strain with each stride, but eventually I crossed the line, I reached my goal to beat my old time on this course, and quickly the memory of the pain began to fade from the forefront of my mind in light of this accomplishment. The disciplines of preparation and pushing past comfort zone in the sport of distance running is essential to achieving you race goals, but what I love the most about these disciplines is that they translate so well into the Christian life. In Hebrews 12:1-2, the author uses the setting of a race as an illustration for the race of life. We are surrounded by witnesses, who are those who
came before us. Like runners, we lay aside the sin and weight that hinders us. And like a race, we strive forward in life on the path God has prepared for us. And much like with the goal of victory, we look toward Jesus as our goal by following him. Living in this way requires the same disciplines that a distance runner has, we need to prepare to live a life as a disciple of Jesus and serving for his kingdom. It’s for this reason that I am grateful to participate on Word of Life’s cross-country team this fall. As I am putting disciplines into practice in an athletic context, I can carry over the same principles in my own walk with the Lord. Not only that but being a member of this team has allowed me to participate in ministry to other teams we compete against. It is no secret to our competitors that our school is religious, so our conduct matters. As a team we have been able to show them the love of Christ in our conduct and conversations, and I have seen God present opportunities to us to share the gospel to those who desperately need to hear about the hope we found. Many people we come across have no church background, and if they do it’s usually a tradition they adopted from their family and nothing more. It is a blessing to testify to the love of God and the everlasting hope found through faith in Jesus through a sport that I find meaningful.”
Dean Insight Monica Schreiber
“At Davis College, our mission is to assist the local church by preparing servant leaders who are competent in biblical truth and diligent in making disciples. I’m excited to share my role in this mission. Originally from Pennsylvania, I have lived in Upstate New York for over 25 years. My journey with Davis College began in 2011 when I started teaching English Composition courses as an adjunct professor. In 2014, I began teaching for Davis Online Learning and also served as an assistant women’s basketball coach until 2019. In February 2024, I became the Academic Dean; I approach this role with a sense of responsibility and genuine enjoyment. As Academic Dean, my primary responsibility is to ensure our students receive a positive and enriching educational experience across all learning environments - on campus, online, and at teaching sites. This multifaceted role involves supporting our dedicated faculty, overseeing curriculum development, maintaining academic standards, and providing students with the necessary resources to learn effectively. In today’s digital age, I feel a personal responsibility to address the impact of technology on student learning. While I actively seek ways to incorporate beneficial digital tools, I’m equally committed to preserving the core values of a quality education and fostering meaningful human interactions in the learning
process. Beyond my responsibilities as Academic Dean, I serve as the Director of Online Learning, overseeing our online instruction, course creation, and the integration of digital learning tools. This position allows me to stay at the forefront of educational technology while ensuring the quality of our online programs. I also maintain an active teaching schedule, instructing several online courses and one remote course in Creative Writing. I find my English Composition I and II classes for freshmen particularly rewarding because they introduce new students to critical thinking, written communication, argumentation, and empathy—essential skills for academic, personal, and spiritual growth. This ongoing involvement in teaching keeps me connected with our students and faculty. At Davis College, we are committed to preparing our students for their next steps in life through rigorous academic programs grounded in biblical principles. Our accreditation from both the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) ensures that we uphold high academic standards. Our curriculum is designed to provide a comprehensive education that balances specialized concentrations with a strong foundation in biblical studies. This approach ensures that our students develop both intellectual rigor and spiritual depth. Our mission, ‘To assist the local church by preparing servant leaders who are competent in biblical truth and diligent in making disciples,’ guides every aspect of our educational philosophy. To achieve this mission, we’ve carefully aligned all our courses—from liberal arts to Bible studies—with institutional learning outcomes. Our instructors, who bring both academic expertise and real-world ministry experience, are deeply invested in our students’ growth. Throughout their time at Davis, students are encouraged to actively apply their skills in various ministry settings, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. A Personal Encouragement As you study at Davis College, I encourage you to embrace the commands of Mark 12:30, which are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. As you progress through your studies, I urge you to capture every opportunity to engage your mind and enrich your faith. By challenging yourself intellectually and deepening your spiritual understanding, you prepare to make a meaningful impact in the world. Your time here is an opportunity for growth—seize it fully.”
STUDENT LIFE “October is a busy month here on the campus! At this point in the semester, students are primarily involved in classes, weekly devotionals, President’s Chapels, and weekly ministry in local churches. In President’s Chapel, Dr. Blanc has been unpacking our John 3v30 Challenge: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Each week he has given practical application for how this is accomplished in our lives as followers of Jesus. This has been a special time for our students! In weekly ministry opportunities, students are able to practice what they are learning and gain valuable ministry experience. We are praying that these experiences will serve the church at large and help launch students in their next steps for ministry.
Calendar Updates: Word of Life Homecoming takes place on October 11-13. We anticipate a record attendance during this weekend with many activities happening mainly on Friday & Saturday. And with most Davis on-campus students being Alumni of the Word of Life Bible Institute, they can reconnect with former classmates during the weekend. The following weekend, Word of Life is hosting the ACBC Essentials Conference on October 18-19. Many of the Davis College students who are enrolled in the Counseling concentration attend this conference as a part of their class load for the fall semester. The following weekend, the Word of Life Missions Conference will commence on October 25-27. This year, three additional Word of Life campuses will be joining the student body here in New York; the Florida campus and two Canadian campuses [Owen Sound & Quebec]. The campus will be packed, and we can’t wait to see how the Lord stirs students to participate in local & global mission work! Overall, the spirit on campus is fantastic. Students are demonstrating growth in their relationship with God and their relationships with others. And because of that, there is an edifying and compassionate environment being developed. Thank you for your prayers and investment in Davis College! Our students & staff appreciate it more than you realize!” – Drew Burtis
STUDENT MINISTRY At Davis College, student ministry is central to our mission of preparing servant leaders. We emphasize practical ministry alongside academic learning, encouraging students to actively serve while studying. James 1:22 says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” By engaging in ministry, students practice the truths they are learning, embodying the biblical mandate to live out their faith. Ministry involvement is vital because it puts faith into action. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Engaging in ministry develops students spiritually, allowing them to be able to apply Scripture practically, deepens their understanding of God’s calling,
and helps them grow in their ability to serve others. Ministry is not just a classroom topic; it is the essence of Christian living. 1 Peter 4:10 states, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another.” Our desire is to help students find and develop their gifts through real-life ministry experiences and we do so in several ways. For our online students, we strongly encourage them to partner with their pastor and local church. Professors emphasize this connection in class, reminding them to stay involved in hands-on ministry in their own context. In addition, we provide resources like readings, videos, and reflective journals to help integrate academic learning with local ministry experience. For on-campus students, Davis College offers ample opportunities to serve both on and off campus. Whether it’s helping with evangelistic events, serving in camp ministries, or even participating in chapel leadership, the college offers opportunities to practice leadership, team collaboration, and mentoring, all within a Christ-centered environment. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 reminds us that Scripture equips us “for every good work.” Student ministry at Davis College provides invaluable hands-on experience that directly applies this verse by preparing students for life beyond graduation. Through weekly journal reflections, readings, faculty feedback, and chapel services, students are consistently encouraged to reflect on how God is using them in ministry and what areas they need to grow in. Also, by engaging in real ministry contexts, whether that’s serving at a local church, in youth camps, or leading worship on campus, students develop the skills necessary for future ministry roles. These opportunities allow them to practice leadership, discipleship, and ministry, gaining the skills they need for the future. CONCENTRATIONS Here at Davis College, we make an emphasis on learning more about the Bible in all our concentrations. The students each earn a Bachelor’s in Religious Education (BRE) with a focus on the concentration of their choice. The student has a choice of a few different concentrations: Christian Counseling, Christian Ministries, Intercultural Ministries, Organizational Leadership, Pastoral Studies, Teaching English as a Second Language, and Youth Ministries. For on-campus students the main pathways that are available are our Christian Counseling and Christian Ministries concentrations. As students here progress toward achieving their degree, they will complete different hourly requirements dependent on their concentration. For online students, they have the choice of any of the mentioned concentrations above. Davis College focuses on providing students with the tools to enter vocational ministry after graduation, as well as continuing graduate school or seminary. If you’d like to support students to come to Davis College, you can give now. Just click on the “Donate Now” button and it will direct you to our giving site. With your blessing every student at Davis College may receive a scholarship as all proceeds go to the students. Thank you for your consideration!
DONATE NOW
Sports Information
Cheer on our Men’s Soccer and Women’s Volleyball teams as they both made it to the playoffs! Just as Soccer and Volleyball season is coming to an end, Basketball is starting up as our Men’s and Women’s teams play on Saturday, November 2. The first home game of the season will be on Friday, November 8th. SPORTS SCHEDULE
UPCOMING EVENTS
November 15-16: Essentials Conference Join us this fall at Word of Life in upstate New York for the Essentials of Biblical Counseling & Discipleship Conference. Whether you’re looking to be better equipped in discipleship ministry and caring for others, or desire to pursue actual certification in Biblical Counseling, this training conference is for you. We will be offering two tracks this year: Fundamentals of Biblical Counseling and an Advanced Track, which builds upon the former. If you’d like to register, you can click the button below. REGISTER NOW
November 1–23: Reverb Students will be participating and helping with Word of Life Reverbs on Fridays and Saturdays in November. Reverb is an all-night event that holds a “main event” that is either a professional basketball game or hockey game. After the game, there is a multitude of games that are played with the participants in the crowd. After the games are done there is a speaker who comes up and gives the Gospel, giving the participants an option to accept this message they heard. From there, the participants go to do different events that involve food and more fun activities, including bowling, inflatables, different sporting activities, nerf wars, and more! Be praying for these students as they reach the next generation with the Gospel. November 26 – December 2: Thanksgiving Break Students will be starting Thanksgiving break on Tuesday, November 26. As they travel home for Thanksgiving break, be praying that they stay safe on travels. They will return Monday, December 2 and begin classes the next day.
Prayer Requests! If you have any prayer requests that you would like our student body and staff to be praying for, you can email us at alumni@davisny.ed u. We are always praying for our alumni and current students; we hope to hear from you soon!
Visit our Website: davisny.edu
Don’t forget to Follow Us on Social Media!
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker