Thanks

My thanks and gratitude to you for joining us today.

You can see that this is the first time that we are simultaneously tying together 3 of our Hybrid Learning Sites in Waterloo, Vineland, and Toronto. The future is here!

Our God is glorified through your attendance and care!

Matthew 13:44The Parable of the Hidden Treasure

 44“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Of course, this parable speaks of God’s greater Kingdom of which we are citizens.

However, I’d like to share a couple of ways that I see this very short parable play out as it relates to GLBC:

1. The investment of the GLBC community.
2. The Investment of the students

The Investment of the GLBC community

First, the investment of the GLBC Community. More than a few years ago, the Board and Admin of GLBC started to think and pray about how the school could adapt to the changing educational and cultural landscape in Canada. Instead of asking how we can draw students to the school in Waterloo, we have been asking “how can we deliver the school to the students?”

Through a suite of learning options that meet our diverse student population, the hope is to have the greatest impact in the local church and God’s Kingdom. Our Foundational Certificate Program makes part-time studies easier and the ability to complete that between 6 months and 2 years. Last year, the GLBC Sponsorship fund opened financial doors for 4 students that were able to take classes with GLBC because of supporters like you. Our investment in Hybrid Learning equipment and partnerships with local congregations has provided a wider physical presence- allowing students to simultaneously connect with in-person and online colleagues; your presence today, either in person at one of our sites, or online, demonstrates our progress in delivering the school to students.

This year, we have reason to be optimistic in our financial outlook. The past several fiscal years have been marked by budgeted deficits as we made investments into personnel and equipment; This fiscal year, we are again slated for a planned deficit, but have seen better results than expected. General donations are about 12% better than what we saw last year, and with the addition of two bequests, we are about $100,000 better than budget.

Extra funds above operating costs are being re-invested into the GLBC Sponsorship Fund to open doors for potential students, and put into investment vehicles that will help ensure the financial future of GLBC.

In everything, we pray for God’s continued guidance as we seek to steward His blessings for His glory.

The Investments of the Students

The second, and more important application that this parable plays out at GLBC is the investments our students have made. The heart and discipline to pursue Bible Based education is not for the faint. It often means giving up your free time to attend classes or do reading. It might mean forgoing other educational & work opportunities. It almost certainly means sacrificing some sleep at some point. At times, it may have felt like the price to pay was your sanity!

But, I pray that you’ve found that treasure. I pray you’ve discovered the deep wisdom and comfort in God’s Word. I hope you’ve better understood the lament and ultimate joy as you strive to become more effective in Christ’s Ministry of reconciling the world to Himself. I long for you to pursue peace and power in viewing the world, at least in some part, the way God does.

Not only do you have the chance to reap the benefits, but you also afford yourself the opportunity to share that blessing with someone else.

We’re talking about Physical gifts and eternal treasure.

As Christians, and also the GLBC community, we seek to serve God and His Kingdom, and will often find ourselves using a different measuring stick than the world around us. It would be easy for us to measure success by account balances on a bank statement, but our community has generously helped to equip God’s people. No one would blame us for taking time for taking time on leisure activities, and in fact rest is a God given principle- I hope our students understand this. However, our students also understand the satisfaction that comes with working towards spiritually centred pursuits.

“Any fool can count the number of seeds in an apple, but only the Lord knows how many apples are in a seed.”

Like every Christian working in God’s kingdom, GLBCs impact can’t be fully quantified; our learning community plants and waters, but God gives the increase (1 Cor 3:6). We don’t know all the lives impacted directly or indirectly through the GLBC Community (years past or years to come).

While our school community may be small by worldly measures, we know that the only success that matters is made possible through and is measured by our Heavenly Father- and indeed, what wonderful treasures he has in store.

So with deep gratitude, and glory to our Heavenly Father, I thank you for the investments you’ve made as a community, and as students. As a community, we thank you for your prayers, your financial support, your participation in events like this.  As students, we thank you for making the investment into eternal things.

May we all continue to pursue and honor Him in word and deed.