Nav Links

Saturday, February 24, 2018

New Sign for Florida Bible College of Tampa

THANKS TO DR. LINDSTROM FOR HIS GREAT VISION
Special thanks to Phil and Kay Myers for their contribution to purchase the "New Sign" that has been placed on our gymnasium. The doors are open.

Dr. Hank Lindstrom built this beautiful gymnasium for the Tampa Bay Bible College around 1987. It contained a full kitchen, choir room, youth room, multiple classrooms and full length gym. We are very grateful to Dr. Lindstrom for having this long range vision. There are no mortgages on any of our property or buildings. This enables us to give our students a great Bible education at a very reasonable cost.

Hank and I met in 1964 at the Florida Bible College in Miami. We worked in church, ranch, and many camps together for over 40 years. Although Tampa Bay has closed and Hank has transferred to glory over 10 years ago, it remained the dream of Calvary Community Church to once again use these precious facilities for the  continuation of our old Alma Mater, the "Florida Bible College" here in Tampa.


Florida Bible College may not be for everyone. We are not a reform school. We are not designed to prepare someone on how to make money, or on how to fulfill their dreams. We desire to train young people on the art of soul-winning. We desire to teach the word of God to those who crave the will of God. FBC is not designed to waste time or to waste lives. Only serious students need to apply. 

Last semester, I taught Personal Evangelism. After teaching the story of "Lazarus and the Rich Man" from Luke 16, students were to write on the need to witness. This was written by our new student from Arizona, Connor Proffitt. 

PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT AND READ THE PURPOSE OF FBC

Witnessing should be the most important purpose in a Christian's life. But why? Is it because we simply should? Nothing wrong with a reason such as that. Or is it because the Lord commands it? Again, absolutely nothing wrong with that motive. So, what is another motive that should drive the Christian, as to why he or she should witness to the lost man? Could it be where this individual will spend eternity, if they aren’t reached with the saving message of the gospel of Jesus Christ?

So often, we as Christians can be so easily beset on the things of this world, that we forget that there is a literal fire burning hell where all the lost will go when they die. For example, the person we walk past in the mall, or grocery store – that person has purpose to God; the one who was crucified on a cross to die for their sins, because he didn’t want them to spend an eternity separated from him in a particular place prepared for the Devil and his angels. Hell, according to the Bible, is a place of eternal darkness, torment, flames, loneliness, and separation from all that is good! We as Christians need to share this SIMPLE message of the gospel of Christ when an opportunity presents itself, or we ourselves simply can make one happen.

Imagine all the souls that can be plucked from the flames of hell. Christ even said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” What shame and heartbreak to all Christians, that could have given the gospel, but said, “No!” In 1 Billion years, a man in hell will still be there. With no purpose. The greatest purpose we have as Christians is to share the gospel, to where a man doesn’t have to experience an eternal place of uselessness. That man was made for Heaven. So, what a joy it truly is to lead a soul to the Lord; knowing that they are spending an ETERNITY in bliss, joy, love, peace, and fellowship with the Lord in paradise. All because a child of God took 4-5 min out of their day, to share that good news of eternal life in Christ.

Satan on the other hand, is doing all he can to convince the Christian to quit on giving such a message! The devil knows he’s going to spend an eternity in hellfire but wants to bring as many people with him as possible. The story of the rich man in hell, for example, is such a gripping one. Jesus is literally describing the experiences and conversations of this man in hell. The torments, the cries, the anguish of this man seem almost unfathomable. But unfortunately, there is nothing anyone can do for him, for all eternity. His last cries are even for his family to be reached with the gospel, so they themselves do not end up in this eternal abode of the lost. Therefore, why should we as Christians seek out the lost with the gospel? It is an obvious one! So, the lost person won’t end up in an eternal hellfire of misery and woe! Time is running out as the seconds run down. So, we as believers, best hurry!

Connor Proffitt
(reached by Jack Weaver)

At one time, this was the main motivating force in studying the word of God, maintaining a disciplined life, or building ministries. A Christian with great character, but without compassion to win the lost, serves only as a beautiful ornament to be seen.

Plan now for this fall
Do you have a teenager that’s interested in learning the youth ministry, call our registrar at Bob Gilbert, Registrar   850-227-5325 (cell) 

Florida Bible College of Tampa
4811 George Road
Tampa, FL  33634
 Registrar@FloridaBibleCollege.US
www.FloridaBibleCollege.US
Email me at: YankeeArnold.com

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Christian Youth Ranch Memories of 50 years ago

Christian Youth Ranch
“Memories”
Betty and I were married in 1960. In 1968, I graduated from Florida Bible College and took my family to Denver, Colorado. June will be exactly 50 years ago. Times sure pass swiftly when you're having fun. We have had plenty.

 

My wife decided to go through her old cedar chest and found some pictures I haven’t seen in over 40 years. My daughter is now 56 and my son was 28 when he graduated to glory 25 years ago last month. My youngest son, Eddie, was born in 1971. Hope you don’t mine going back in time for a moment
Around 1970, I gathered a few of our Ranch kids, built a booth, and put on a “Firehouse Five” program in the middle of the street. We would sing, people would come, and we would give them the gospel. It worked. After playing fast songs to break the ice with new kids, we would sing slower devotional type songs to prepare them for the Bible study. We brought kids in in cars and then vans. Eventually, we were running 10-12 buses every Thursday night. We reached a high of over 960 in our teenage Bible study. Several hundred went to Florida Bible College in Hollywood, FL. and Colorado Bible College in Arvada.
 

Our number one goal was to give the gospel clear and simple where kids could understand it the first time they came. We would average 5-15 trusting the Lord every week.


The large picture below was one of our roller skating Ranch nights that brought out over 450. These are the youth meetings that many have heard about from Greg Stier of the Dare 2 Share organization that has reached about ½ million teenagers. (Dare2Share.org)
The Florida Bible College of Tampa is recreating an environment for young men and women to learn ministries that work by ministers that produced results.
Do you have a teenager that’s interested in learning the youth ministry, call our registrar at Bob Gilbert, Registrar   850-227-5325 (cell)
Florida Bible College of Tampa
4811 George Road
Tampa, FL  33634
Registrar@FloridaBibleCollege.US
www.FloridaBibleCollege.US

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

2018 Mission Conference


CALVARY COMMUNITY CHURCH

Dr. Ralph 'Yankee' Arnold, Pastor
4811 George Rd.

Tampa, Fla. 33634

813-884-4328


Will host our 4th
“MISSION’S CONFERENCE”
October 21-24th, 2018
Mar_8:35  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.
Calvary is extending an invitation to all of the ALUMNI from:
         Florida Bible College from “Old” Grove era
Florida Bible College from “Hollywood” era
Florida Bible College from “Kissimmee” era
Florida Bible College from “Miramar” era
Florida Bible College from “Tampa” and “Orlando”
Colorado Bible College / Tampa Bay Bible College, and
Dayspring Bible College
Remember how we loved the clear gospel of Jesus Christ? Remember how we were willing to go anywhere and pay any price to reach people for the sake of the gospel? Have you wondered what kind of impact we could make if we still loved the gospel and the lost man the way we once did?
Calvary will provide up to 9 meals free of charge for all attendees.
Calvary will provide time for all alumni to meet Sunday afternoon, plus morning and afternoon on Monday –Wednesday.
Calvary will provide reduced rates at our local hotels.
Airport is 5 minutes away (shuttle provided)
Mingle with our missionaries and renew old friendships 
George & Linda Heckman:
We have been so blessed and encouraged by the dear folks at Calvary Community Church and Florida Bible College of Tampa, and the Missions Conferences they have hosted annually.  What a blessing to be in a good, strong, Bible believing and teaching church and see the ways the Lord is growing the believers there.  It has been such an encouragement to see old and new friends gathered around the word of God at the meetings.  Pastor Arnold and the entire staff have given themselves to encourage and minister to all the missionaries who have attended the conference. We also have really appreciated the opportunities to get to know the church family there at Calvary Community Church.  The great music is a balm for a weary soul.  The meals they have provided during the conference are great, and always provide a wonderful time of fellowship focused on the work of the Lord! We have also been greatly encouraged by the fellowship of the missionaries attending the conference. Calvary Community’s mission conference has developed into a time for missionaries to hear and encourage each other.  We have been encouraged by the ways we see the folks at Calvary Community enlarging their missions outreach each year.  They have added new missionaries each year, increased their giving to current missionaries and are focusing on sending out laborers from the church and College. They are a vital and growing part of our support team. This church wants to have an impact for Christ on the world. We thank the Lord for Calvary Community Church
Charlie Bing:
It's a pleasure to write this testimony about Calvary's Missions Conference: When I am at Calvary Community Church's mission’s conference I feel as if I have their full support. To them, missions are not just a program that the church is supposed to have, but a calling and command from God. Missionaries and their ministries are front and center for the people to see. Then the church backs up their commitment with a generous financial contribution to each missionary. Everything is done first class from the music, messages, and worship to the delicious meals. I look forward to unique fellowship with the other missionaries, the church, and the Bible College students. 
Charlie Bing / GraceLife.org
Jon & Peggy Sperling:
Jon and I have been overwhelmed by the care, support and love we have received from the Calvary Community family in Tampa.  The mission conferences we have attended have encouraged and uplifted both of us, truly enabling us to meet the mission challenges before us. I understand the many hours spent organizing such an event and very much appreciate how our every need is met, from the flights to the hotel accommodations to delicious meals and even a welcome basket. Every sacrificial gift of time and care given to us has propelled our mission forward and having community with other missionaries is tremendously valuable. Such an extension of love is uncommon, needed and appreciated beyond my ability to express. Thank you Calvary Community Church of Tampa!
Mark Barnes:
Terry and I were honored to be a part of the Missions conference in 2017.  We were blessed by the messages and encouraged by the fellowship.  I loved the opportunity to play guitar in the Firehouse Five as we sing to prepared hearts for the messages that were to come.  Terry and I are blessed by the financial partnership that Calvary Community Church has begun in your generous gifts to our ministry. Food is always important in any culture.  It not only gives us the nourishment we need but more time to fellowship.  It is nice for Terry and I as all we have to do to get to the church is to cross the Howard Franklin bridge to Tampa from St Petersburg. We are looking forward to October 2018 Missions Conference.
In His sights, Mark and Terry Barnes / Ethnos360
Matt Floyd:
Calvary's Mission Conference is a highlight of our year. Dr. Arnold, Betty, and the rest of Calvary graciously provide a boost to our family and ministry both financially and spiritually. The conference is a blessing and encouragement from beginning to end with all of the great messages, fellowship, food, and accommodations. 
Thank you and God Bless,
Pastor Matt, Jen, Alyssa, and Courtney
Greg Sirmons:
Dear Yankee and all at Calvary Community Church,
We want to thank you for the invitation to your next mission's conference in October 2018.  We were planning on our next furlough and had made tentative plans to visit the State between June and August, but we have now changed our plans to visit our supporting churches between August and October, so as to be able to be with you.
Thank you so much for your part in the ministry here in North France. 
In Christ,
Greg and Judy Sirmons
 Birbal & Annette Boodram
Annette and I have thoroughly enjoyed all the mission conferences from its inception. We are proud to partner with and Calvary Community Church Mission conference. A church that preaches a clear gospel message that Christ died, buried, and rose again for sins and by accepting only what he did for us we can know we have eternal life and a home in heaven. The conferences boost us to go out back into the mission field to reach and train more souls for Christ. The hospitality, the spiritual food and the physical food are great. We will not miss this mission conference for anything. The challenging speakers will get you excited to go back and do what Christ called you to do. 
Thanks to Dr. Yankee and Betty Arnold and Calvary Community Church for making this conference possible and for making it possible to host us.
We Love you all 
Birbal & Annette Boodram
OTHERS THAT ARE COMING
Evangelist Freddie Coile
Joe and Terri Potter
Dr. Ron Seecharan (tentative upon his health)
Louis Hernandez (graduate of Tampa Bay Bible College)
Jesse Martinez (graduate of Florida Bible College of Tampa)
      and 
YOU!

"Put these dates on your calendar NOW"

cell 706-255-5618
CALL OFFICE TO BE PUT ON ROOMING LIST FOR SPECIAL RATES
813-884-4328