A Day Like No Other: New Building Dedication & 2019–20 Convocation
Posted On October 30, 2019
Last Friday, Reformation Bible College celebrated an important occasion in the school’s history. With thanks to God, we dedicated our new building on campus during our 2019–20 academic year convocation.
As previous students, friends of the college, and other guests began to arrive, our staff led tours through the new building. Visitors explored the many new spaces specially designed for student community and fellowship, such as the student commons, café, and bookstore. Our guests looked through the vast collection of volumes in our new library, walking among the classic study environment created by rows of wooden reading tables. We completed our tours in the faculty office suite and new classrooms, spaces intentionally created for our professors to have even more opportunities to disciple our students both in and outside of class.
Later that evening, the convocation ceremony began with the sound of bagpipes as our faculty and students processed into the sanctuary of Saint Andrew’s Chapel. RBC President, Dr. Stephen Nichols, gave an invocation from Psalm 24, immediately followed by the college hymn, “Clothed in Righteousness,” written by Dr. R.C. Sproul.
Dr. Sinclair Ferguson, Ligonier Ministries teaching fellow, visited from Scotland to deliver the convocation address from 2 Timothy 1. He concluded with a stirring exhortation for our students and the RBC community: “May you live lives marked by fidelity, sanctity, and orthodoxy, willing to go anywhere and do anything and suffer anything in order to be faithful to Jesus Christ.”
After the address, Chris Larson, President of Ligonier Ministries, expressed gratitude to RBC’s many supporters and requested that friends of the college continue to pray that we would remain faithful to our mission. Dr. W. Robert Godfrey, Ligonier chairman and teaching fellow, also encouraged the RBC community to remain humble before the Lord, depending on His Word and Spirit to fulfill this calling of training up a new generation of Christian leaders.
Dr. Nichols then formally dedicated the building, asking the Lord for His provision in continuing to sustain our expanding campus as a place of both eternal and international consequence, all that He may be glorified. After singing Martin Luther’s iconic hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” the RBC faculty upheld their vows and dedication to the historic Christian faith, and we declared our submission to the Lordship of Christ by singing “Crown Him with Many Crowns.” Dr. Ferguson then brought the evening to a close with the pronouncement of a benediction.
As we solemnize this new academic year, dedicate a beautiful new building, and welcome the largest incoming class in RBC’s history, we give thanks to the kindness of God for our many friends and supporters who have enabled this moment to occur. The Lord has lavished His benevolence upon Reformation Bible College, and we are grateful that He has granted us the joyous opportunity to raise up students in the pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty to the honor of His holy name.