Melissa Woodford: A New Student’s Perspective

In my recent adventures as a high school senior, I remember looking for a place where I could walk with wise people, grow under godly counselors, and know God above all. In my first few weeks as a freshman here at Reformation Bible College, I have been overwhelmed by how RBC has so far met that desire and by how wondrously God’s presence seems to fill this place I now call home.

Two things I marvel at here are the professors and the course material. I am astounded by our professors’ godliness, wisdom, and concern for the students. The classes at Reformation Bible College are specifically designed to be small—about twenty students each—so that our professors can pray for us and mentor us on an individual basis, and all my professors emphasize to us that knowing God ought to come before knowing anything else. In my Doctrine of Man class with Professor John Tweeddale on Monday, he opened by having us sing Psalm 100 to prepare our hearts for studying the Word of God. When I first visited the college, the president himself, Dr. Stephen J. Nichols, took time to get to know me and even helped me find resources for a homework paper during his busy day. And on orientation day, one of my professors remembered my name from when I visited campus nearly a year ago.

When my classes started, I was not sure what to expect. However, as I dove into my dense reading assignments, I was delighted to realize that I will get to meditate on God’s Word and the very nature of God’s character throughout my college career. That is my homework! What could be better than memorizing Scripture for a midterm or learning to defend the Gospels against unbelieving conclusions drawn from source, form, and redaction criticism? How could anyone go wrong or spend their time in a better way than by studying God’s living Word, which, as the rains do not leave heaven but to water the earth, likewise does not return empty, but accomplishes the purpose for which God sent it? “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!” (Rom. 11:33).

In the midst of the glistening fountain and majestic trees on RBC’s campus, the theme that keeps ringing in my mind is that of God’s kingdom: “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matt. 6:33). When I first set out for Bible college, I was a little worried that I should be spending these foundational years in other ways. However, I am learning just how wrong I was. I have already made incredible connections, developed strong friendships, found a great church, and discovered some possible careers that I might never have found otherwise. It is so true that to know God is life itself. Praise be to God.