Electric.
I tried to think of a word that would best describe the opening chapel this week at Mission University, and that is the word that kept coming to mind.
When the students started flowing in, it seemed like they just kept coming and coming. It was a full room, the fullest it has been in many years. The atmosphere was powerful, it was sweet, and God met with us.
We were excited to welcome 174 new students this fall, our largest incoming class in many years! We also welcomed back 167 returning students to campus. Combined with 110 online students, we are very excited to have 451 total full-time students this fall.
This has been a busy summer around campus. Not with classes, but with work. Work on repairs and upgrades, and a lot of work in admissions. There were no days off here. Our team was invested in talking with and helping new students every single day, and it paid off.
The campus also got a lot of love over the summer months. There was plenty of cleaning out, painting, repairing and fixing up. The most noticeable project is the chapel. This was a long and intense project to get it ready for the start of classes, but we did it! Thank you to those who gave financially, those who volunteered their labor and our own great staff who worked so hard.
We now have brand-new sound, lighting, video and staging. The chapel looks and sounds high-quality and professional, and we are grateful for everyone who helped make it possible.
We also have a newly remodeled classroom with new carpet, paint and technology thanks to Heartland Baptist Church in Ames, Iowa, and Pastor Randy Abell.
To those who gave financially, your gifts are already being a blessing. To those who gave your time, thank you for your service and effort.
Tuesday morning, our opening chapel included a great time of worship. New songs and old hymns flowed together wonderfully as we welcomed our students and many guests. Our speaker was Phil Housley, pastor of Park Crest Baptist Church here in Springfield and president-elect of the BBFI. He challenged all of us to make good decisions for the Lord.
Following chapel, we made our way to the cafeteria for the Welcome Back Bash. Tables from local businesses looking for employees and local churches wanting to connect with students surrounded the room, all while we enjoyed a great feast prepared by our food service team.
Following lunch, about 30 pastors from the Missouri BBF gathered for a meeting. After enjoying the food and fellowship, Phil Housley shared his heart and vision for the BBFI. It really was a great meeting and a wonderful time of fellowship. Thank you to everyone who attended.
We are thankful.
The hard work, the long hours and our prayers are paying off. We still have so much to do, but we are seeing progress. I wish you could experience the atmosphere on campus right now and see these godly young adults who are excited to be here and preparing for whatever God has for their lives.
Please continue to pray for us. We are still working with insurance regarding the roof and facilities damaged by the hailstorm on April 29. Pray for God to bless and protect our students. Pray for our faculty as they lead, teach and invest in the hearts and minds of our students. And please pray for God’s financial blessings on Mission University. There is always a need, and we have many projects still ahead of us.
Make sure you follow us on social media. Our fall sports teams will begin competition soon, and there is a lot happening at Mission University.
President Mark Milioni
Thank you Lord!