Merry CHRISTmas: A different look at Christmas

"When they heard the king [Herod], they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh."

~ Matthew 2.9-11

I want to look at a different view of Christmas, and that has to do with a godly legacy that lasts much longer than us. The Magi from the East prepared and journeyed to find the Messiah for close to two years. Some believe that the reason that the Magi went to search for the Messiah was because of the prophet Daniel.

While we do not know this for a fact there is a good possibility. Now Daniel lived a good 500 years before Christ came to earth, but he himself became a Magi in the land of Babylon. As you remember Daniel was to be killed in Daniel 2 when no one was able to tell King Nebuchadnezzar the dream and then the interpretation. He continued to serve God into his later years where he was thrown into the den of lions after the Medo-Persians took over Babylon. After Daniel was in the den of lions he was honored by Darius. As Daniel 6.28 states, "So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian."

The legacy of Daniel appears to have made an impact through the centuries down to the Magi that saw the star in the East and came to find the new King. Daniel had access to at least some of the scrolls of the Torah and the Prophets. Some believe the Magi had read Numbers 24.17 where it says that, "I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; A star shall come out of Jacob; A scepter shall rise out of Israel, And batter the brow of Moab, And destroy all the sons of tumult."

Daniel made an impact on the wise men in the land of Babylon that they recognized the signs of the Messiah more so than the people Jesus came to minister to (John 1.11). His legacy and dedication to God made an impact for centuries.

This Christmas I want to thank those who from Davis made an impact on me. There are four Alumni of College that stand out in my mind that lead me to Practical Bible College in 2003 and many, many more that I met since going to Davis.

The first Alumnus I met of PBTS I met was Pastor Keith Knauss (class 1950) who is now in glory. Pastor Knauss was the pastor of Second Baptist Church in Auburn, NY. He and his wife Nellie (class 1949) were so great to my family. My grandparents, now both in glory also, would have them over several times.

The second Alumnus was the pastor that came in after Pastor Knauss and Nellie went to serve with JAM (Jewish Awareness Ministries), that was Pastor Ron Park (Class 1984). Pastor Park baptized me on Sunday, February 26, 1995.

After my family moved farther from Auburn, NY we attended Scipio Baptist in Union Springs, NY. The third Alumnus was the pastor of Scipio Baptist Church, Pastor John Terry (class 1986). Pastor Terry was the first to introduce me to Practical Bible College. In February of 2001 he, and another prospective student, and I headed to down Practical. It was a great experience and I knew at that time that God wanted me to go to Practical.

About a year later I met an Alumna of PBTS while at the missions conference at Scipio, Grace (Jones) Fabian (Class 1959). Grace's testimony really challenged me about Papua New Guinea and the need of Bible Translation. In the summer of 2005 I went to the island nation to work with Bible Translators.

So I want to say thank you to all Alumni both in the past, in the present, and in future that have, are, and will challenge me to be what God wants me to be.

Let me challenge you this Christmas: What legacy are you leaving to the younger generations? I am very grateful to how Davis has helped me through the years (both knowingly and unknowingly). If you are an Alumni of the college I would encourage you to challenge the young people in your life. As Daniel left a legacy that brought the Magi to Bethlehem, maybe your legacy will challenge young people to enter ministry. I am thankful for the legacy of my family and the Alumni of Practical that encouraged me in ministry.

ALL PRAISE and GLORY to GOD!

Merry CHRISTmas

Tuesday, December 22, 1931: A day that changed lives

Exactly one month after the death of Charles J. Davis another tragedy occurred for those at Practical Bible Training School.

As the Great Depression edged on the LORD took care of the needs of the school in different ways. One way was that farmers would give food from the previous harvest to help the school, but someone from the school would need to go to the farms to pick up the food. On Tuesday, December 22, 1931 a group of guys from the school went down to Pennsylvania to collect some potatoes from a farmer. After an afternoon of loading the food on the vehicle they headed back as before it got too dark. Without warning one of tires blew out, and the students had to pull over to change it.

The Freshman class of 1934 in the 1932 Theologue (G. Arthur Woolsey is the 2nd from the right top row)

The student in charge of changing the tire was freshman G. Arthur Woolsey of Evergreen, PA. G. Arthur was born on November 30, 1913 and had just turned 18 years old less than a month earlier. Ten years earlier G. Arthur's mother had passed away and only shortly after he had graduated from High School his father passed away. Before his father died he promised him that he would attend Bible College for one year. So in 1931 he headed to Practical Bible Training School though he really did not want to.

On that same trip to and from Pennsylvania was another freshman by the name of Steve Ritz. Steve was a little bit older than G. Arthur as he was born on September 8, 1910. Steve was from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and had accepted the LORD at the age of 16 in late 1926 or 1927 and had joined Johnson Avenue Baptist Church in Hazelwood, just outside of Pittsburgh. Over the next 4 years he grew in the word of God and in his faith in Christ. He loved the Word and had a burning desire to study for the ministry which came to pass in the fall of 1931, when he came to the Practical Bible Training School. He was always a young man of prayer and hard work, it was not long before he had touched the lives of most of the students in a spiritually helpful manner.

Both of these men had completely ideas of what their futures held, but God had a different idea as Isaiah 55.8-9 says, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “ For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts."

G. Arthur got out of the truck and started to jack it up to change the tire. It was starting to get dark out and started to crawl under the truck, but Steve Ritz pushed G. Arthur aside to change the tire. It was in that moment that everything changed. As Steve was under the car for only a minute or so the lights of an approaching car appeared quickly and there was a crash. The car slammed into the truck and dislodged the jack. The truck came crashing down on Steve sending him face to face with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

A memorial page to Steve Ritz in the 1932 Theologue

The grave of Steve Ritz in Oakmont, PA

The death of Steve Ritz sent ripples through PBTS and many individuals. For some faculty members it could be seen as one of the straws that broke the camel's back in the split from PBTS that created Baptist Baptist Seminary.

It is a fact that it was a turning point for G. Arthur Woolsey. He was determined to be a lawyer after finishing his one year at PBTS, but after the death of Steve Ritz (a death that could have been his own) he went into the ministry. The death affected him that he left PBTS and joined BBS when it started in 1932, and graduated from BBS two years later in 1934. G. Arthur Woolsey became Dr. Woolsey served as President of BBS from 1960-1970. It was during his time as president that the College and Seminary moved to Clark Submit, PA from Johnson City. In total Dr. Woolsey served 70 years in ministry before going home to glory on February 8, 2004.

A brief bio of Dr. G. Arthur Woolsey after his home going

Another person that the death of Steve Ritz affected was Steve's younger brother, Samuel Ritz. As a result of his brother's untimely passing Sam wanted to continue where his brother had left off. He wanted to go in the ministry and share Christ with others. Sam Ritz attended a Bible school in the Pittsburgh area, while not finishing the schooling, worked as a Baptist lay minister for 65 years before he entered the gates of Heaven to join his brother in 1997.

In total between these two men, that on Monday, December 21, 1931 had no desire to enter the ministry, over 130 years of serving the LORD was put into action. God has a way of changing plans and lives in an instant and only eternity will tell how many lives were changed, because of this one death of a young man who was devoted to God.

=====How God brought these two stories together=====

It has been amazing to see how God can use technology to bring people together. Since starting this blog in 2006 I have received emails from several people (many of whom are not associated with the school directly). The story of how I learned of the following story came from Aleta Ellington filling out the form on the side of the blog on Monday, July 21, 2008. She is the daughter of G. Arthur Woolsey. We corresponded over the summer months of 2008 as I learned about death of "another student" that had impacted her father's life. I had never heard of this event, but it definitely a major event for the school and so I archived it on my computer.

Several months after getting the message from Aleta on December 7, 2008 I received a form from a Gene Ritz. He mentioned that he had been looking for information about his late uncle for around 40 years. He said his uncle Steve Ritz had died on on December 22, 1931 and that he had been a student at PBTS. At first I couldn't find anything about him as I scan through some Theologues. I sent him back an email and found out some more information of when he was born and in that second email Gene gave me enough information that made my mind go back to the story Aleta had told me several months earlier. Gene mentioned that "he was killed in an accident while allegedly changing a tire along the road (in NY state or PA)." I immediately found the information about Dr. Woolsey and sent it to Gene. He replied back, "I am almost speechless Corey. I am quite taken aback by the actual, accurate explanation of the accident. I never expected to read words like these."

Over the next several weeks/months I was able to learn more about Steve and was able to put Gene in touch with Aleta. It is amazing how God is able to brings things to pass. Through this tragedy God was able to bring at least two men into the ministry that otherwise would not have, and countless souls were reached as a result.

As 2 Corinthians 2.14 says, "Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place." Steve's death was a still a sweet smelling aroma to God. It was through his death that Christ triumphed in the lives of Dr. G. Arthur Woolsey and Pastor Samuel Ritz.

3rd Annual Andrew's Good News Christmas Party (2nd at Davis)

The front of Chatlos-Davis

Student Ben Tinsch on the guitar and student Evan Hickernell on the sax

Dr. Dino Pedrone about to share the Gospel in Robb Gymnasium

The Robb Gymnasium with people enjoying themselves

Dr. Pedrone giving the Gospel message in the Robb Gymnasium

Dr. Walter Schlundt serving as one of the Counselors

The story of Jesus from birth to resurrection

Student Ben Baker sharing the Gospel in Robb Gymnasium

A group of students and volunteers singing Christmas carols outside as visitors come on campus

A Church Choir singing in Robb

Kids had a lot of activities in Lowe Hall which included shows with Puppets and Clowns

Student Nate Benner sharing the Gospel in the Broadway Cafe

Families having their pictures taken in the Klee Dining Room in Chatlos-Davis

Dr. Pedrone sharing the Gospel in the Cafe using John 3.16

A musical group singing in the cafe.

Jared Ingraham and Evan Hickernell preforming in the cafe.

My girlfriend and I in Chatlos-Davis

Yesterday (Saturday, December 12, 2009) was the 3rd annual Andrew's Good News Christmas party. This was the 2nd year it was held at Davis College and it was a wonderful event. This year the event was divided into two separate parties to help with the congestion that was an issue last year. There were still a lot of people that attended and they all seemed to be enjoying themselves. The kids were entertained in Lowe Hall by Clowns and Puppets, while Adults could enjoy a cup of coffee in the Broadway cafe. Games and Family pictures were taken in the Klee Dining room in the basement of Chatlos-Davis and food was served in the Robb Gymnasium. Several students, Alumni, local groups, and local churches provided a wide range of music in the Gym and Cafe. Most importantly and the reason for the whole event the Gospel message was shared. It was shared by Dr. Dino Pedrone and several students. Several people got saved last night and several seeds were planted, which makes it worth it all. It was a great event. If you were not able to make it this year we encourage you to come next year.

Andrew's Good New Christmas party at Davis this Saturday

My favorite picture from last year's Andrew's Good New Christmas Party

This Saturday (December 12, 2009) marks the third annual Andrew's Good News Christmas Party. This will also be the second annual Christmas party at Davis. Last year we had over 4000 people attend. This year there will be two separate parties to help with congestion.

The first one will be from: 3 PM - 5:30 PM
The second one will from: 6 PM-8:30 PM

Feel free to Register here or learn more about it from the Andrew's Good New Christmas Party website.

Andrew's Good News Ministries as created in 2007 for the Franklin Graham Festival. The name comes from John 1.40-41: "One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ)." Andrew brought his brother Simon Peter to meet Christ, and that is what Andrew's Good News Ministries is trying to do, bring others to Christ through different events.

Come Join us on Saturday and Celebrate the true
Reason for the Season...the birth of Christ

Merry CHRISTmas

Lucky, Lucky Jim: Mr. Elliott E. Ackerly

This video is quite funny. In September of 1996, former professor of music, Elliott E. Ackerly performed Lucky, lucky Jim to students at Practical Bible College. The film was converted from VHS to digital in 2006 after Mr. Ackerly went home to glory and one of the classrooms in Patterson Hall was dedicated to him.I am unsure where the song Lucky, lucky Jim came from. I think it was created by a student or staff member of PBTS, because I have not found anything on the web about it. The earliest reference I see to it is on page 70 of the 1932 Theologue where it says in a section called "Do you Remember"....""Lucky, Lucky Jim"? Do any Alumni remember the song or where it came from? Enjoy the video.

Update: I was looking over a letter I got back from Mrs. Ackerly back in 2007 and it looks like Elliott Ackerly received it from George Carr or Ralph W. Carr (one of Etta Carr Davis' [Mrs. John A. Davis brothers]. Now I know the song was around at least since 1931-1932, but I am not sure how much earlier it is than that.

Outrageous Grace: A Story of Tragedy and Forgiveness by Grace L. (Jones) Fabian --Class 1959

Alumna Grace L. (Jones) Fabian, class of 1959, has finished her autobiography about tragedy and forgiveness. Grace just celebrated her 50th class reunion at Davis College in September. Grace and her husband Edmund went to the island nation of Papua New Guinea in 1969 and had four children there. In 1993 her husband was murdered. This book is about Grace's journey leading up to the death of her husband and how God lead her to forgiveness in the days, weeks, months, and years after his death. The book is due out by Christmas time and it can be pre-ordered both from the publishing house and amazon.com

Ambassador International Publishers
Amazon.com

Order your copy today and be challenged by a story of tragedy and triumph in Christ!

Update 12-5-09: Outrageous Grace is now available. Pick up your copy today or order it. It will challenge you!