New York School of the Bible
As I look back on New York School of the Bible's 2004-2005 school year, God is to be thanked for His mercy and grace.
NYSB lost two giants this year-Dr. Stephen F. Olford, founder, and Kevin L. Rhodes, dean. Dr. Olford was a great man, but I did not know him. Kevin was a great man, and I had the privilege of knowing him and working with him. Thus, I will also look back on this year with bittersweet memories as my boss and friend, Kevin L. Rhodes, passed from this life into eternity. Sadly, I will not have the joy of fellowship with him this side of eternity. God gave me the privilege to work with Kevin as the administrative assistant to the pastoral staff and then as registrar of New York School of the Bible. I had over 11 years of friendship with him, full of good memories, especially being with him on his last trip to Israel.
Kevin was able to lead NYSB's first trip back to Israel since 9/11 this past Christmas-New Year break. With God's help, Kevin climbed up and down stairs at excavation sites and walked every step with us at every stop. It had been Kevin's plan to take a family member on each of the trips to Israel. Having already made memories with Wanda, Caleb, and Elizabeth, Kevin made the trip this time with Anna and Rebekah. I was "adopted" and thus blessed to make this trip. I will treasure our times together in the land of the Bible.
God is to be thanked for his mercy and grace because He allowed Kevin to live longer than he expected with the cancer. Wanda had three very precious years with her husband as she has stood by him as wife and as colleague as his assistant at Grace Church. Caleb had the joy of his dad being his best man-and the minister-at his marriage to Amanda. Elizabeth, Anna, Rebekah, and Mary were blessed to have their dad who loved them dearly. And to top it off, God allowed Kevin to see his first grandchild, Matthew Kevin. God was merciful and gracious in taking Kevin home quickly after the cancer spread again so that neither he would suffer long nor his family see him suffer.
God was merciful and gracious in giving Kevin to NYSB. Kevin was God's servant to keep NYSB true to its name-a school of the BIBLE. Kevin revamped the certificate program to provide a well-rounded education in understanding what God's Word says and how to apply it in daily living. Kevin instituted the Worldview Apologetics Certificate Program to teach students how to evangelize a culture that has largely discarded the need for divine revelation and therefore shuns responsibility to God. Kevin also instituted the Institute for Biblical Leadership to train church leaders to develop not only their own skills but also to help train others through understanding and applying God's Word. Just as importantly, Kevin recruited men and women who believe the Bible to be God's Word and who are capable of teaching it faithfully. Without such faculty, all these programs would be meaningless.
Thus, God continues to bless the ministry of NYSB. For thirty-four years, NYSB has taught God's Word to train God's people. Our faculty members, both present and past, are willing to carve out time from their busy schedules to teach God's Word to students who want to understand God's Word better in order to serve Him better. So to this year's faculty, thank you for your ministry; and to our students, thank you for your hunger.
And God continues to bless me with excellent support. Linda Burstion came on board as the assistant registrar on the recommendation of a previous assistant, Sharita Hunt. And many kudos to Evelyn Albertsen, Anita Mann, Lydia Negron, Joy Neil, and Mary Pixley for their faithful service at registration times, as well as to the house staff that minister by setting up the classrooms-Larry McDonnell, Norman Dickens, Karen Nieva, Rudolph Hemsley, and Eddie Ferrer. Thanks also to Joe Hunter, the doorkeeper for NYSB on Monday evenings.
Thanks to Pastor David Epstein, the leadership, and members of Calvary who have stood by Kevin and his family with their prayers and friendship. And thanks to all of you for your prayers and friendship to me personally and to NYSB.
Billy W. Nelson
Registrar
