August 10, 2004
Requiem For My Alma Mater
I just got done watching a video yearbook/history/requiem for my alma mater, Spurgeon Baptist Bible College. The campus where I spent four years of my life has been sold, and the school itself has been taken over by Piedmont Baptist Bible College.
I suppose there could be worse fates for a Bible College, but it was very sad for me to watch the pictures on the video I was sent. Many memories were made there, and God used the school to develop significant things into my life.
Below is a picture of the quartet I sang in--called "Sanctuary"--during my senior year (I am farthest to the right).
I would have to say that my participation in Sanctuary was perhaps one of the most enjoyable activities I engaged in during my time there. This is not to say that I did not participate in a lot of activities. I was RA of the guy's dorm, president of the missions Fellowship, member of the Associated Student Body. I sang with three different musical groups (Spurgeon Singers, Spurgeon Quartet, and Sanctuary). I also held down outside employment during my entire student career.
What made Sanctuary unique was that it was entirely student motivated and organized. We put together our own program, got funding for our trips and our uniforms, and did things pretty much the way we wanted to. The tour we took during spring break was one of the most enjoyable things I have ever done.
In retrospect, Spurgeon had everything it needed in order to survive. It had a great location, a wonderful appeal, a great educational program. What it lacked was sound decision-making and vision on the part of various leaders down through the years. It seemed while I was a student there that the school would just begin to make progress, and then shoot itself in the foot.
It is too bad, because, as one of her former presidents said, "The last thing the world needs is one less Bible college."
Fortunately, it appears that the resources left over will be used by Piedmont Baptist Bible College to develop an online training program. I am all for online stuff, however nothing can beat the camaraderie and fellowship of a campus setting.
Rest in peace, Spurgeon Baptist Bible College, and may your sons and daughters carry your vision and memory throughout the world for years to come.
***Below, in order that they may be preserved for posterity, are the words to a song that our quartet sang to promote Spurgeon.***
The Spurgeon Song
(to be sung to the tune of the Beach Boys' "Surfin'")
(Chorus)
Spurgeon is the only school, the only school for me
So come, and learn, with me!
Verse 1
Graduated high school and I don't have much dough.
I was lookin' at the college scene, to see where I might go.
And when my pastor told me that Spurgeon was fine,
That's when I knew I'd learn God's Word and have a good time!
Spurgeon Baptist Bible College (etc.)
(Chorus)
Verse 2
From the early morning to the middle of the night
We'll be checkin' out our Bibles just to get our doctrine right
And when we graduate, and leave this place,
We'll go on out and set this world a blaze!
Spurgeon Baptist Bible College (etc.)
(Chorus)
Verse 3
Now our time is ended and we really must go
But Spurgeon is here to stay, and that you should know.
Yeah, we're going back to Florida to bask in the sun,
So come on down and learn with us and join in on the fun!
Spurgeon Baptist Bible College (etc.)
(Chorus)
Posted by Andrew on August 10, 2004 11:40 AM.
Trackback Pings
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.comingstobrazil.com/cgi-bin/mt4/mt-tb.cgi/2174
Comments
Posted by: Daniel at August 12, 2004 4:47 PM
I do not know if you will even read back this far in your comments, but I remember that song very well. You came to CCA when I was in 11th grade and sang for us. It was incredible the harmony that you guys had, and as far as the lyrics being preserved, the song has popped up in conversation from time to time. Thought you might be interested. That's it.
Posted by: Nathan at August 13, 2004 5:03 PM
Of course I remember that concert. Thanks for your review, and I am pleased to know that the song continues in people's memory.
Posted by: Andrew at August 14, 2004 4:04 PM
Subscribe via
To be sure, that one spring break was by far the best, although I'm reminiscent of another spring break trip in a "sardine-packed" car that was somewhat enjoyable too.