East Tennessee School of Preaching & Missions! August 2010

www.etspm.org • 865.691.7444 PAGE 1

Our new logo and masthead were designed by a graduate who wishes to remain anonymous. The logo reflects our emphasis on preaching and missions. (Thank you, brother, for a job well done.)

Maybe you have spotted the trend: • March ’10 — New website launches

• March ’10 — The Messenger updated• June/July ’10 — “It’s Your School” Blitz Weekends• August ’10 — New logo & new masthead for The Messenger• September ’10 — What’s next?Read next month’s newsletter to find out.

Knoxville might be known as the home of the “Vols,” but for us it is the home of East Tennessee School of Preaching & Missions. It’s also where we held our second Blitz Weekend.

On Saturday, August 14, more than fifty Christians met at Karns to kick off the weekend. Throughout the month, ETSPM faculty have been visiting Knoxville area churches: August 8—Gary Hampton at West End; August 11—Jody Apple at Gatlinburg; August 15—Edwin Jones at Greenback & Maryville; Jody Apple at South Knoxville & Sevierville; Gary Hampton at Wooddale & Lafollette; James Meadows at Oneida & Eastside, Maryville; August 22—Edwin Jones at Great Smoky Mountains; Gary Hampton at Kodak; James Meadows at Alcoa; August 29—Edwin Jones at Claxton; Jody Apple at Asbury.

Churches in the East Tennessee area already give thousands of dollars per month to support the school and its students. But during our August Blitz we challenged Knoxville area churches to commit $40,000 to new, one time gifts by the end of the school year (next July).

Our 40th Year Begins

On August 13, new and returning students and their families attended ETSPM’s annual orientation day. They learned everything they needed to know,

and then some, about how the school functions on a day-to-day basis. Gary, James, Edwin and Jody covered the basics from the Student Handbook. Gloria Morgan gave them an overview of the Bill Nicks Library. Beverly Meadows, Teresa Hampton and Sara Jones helped new student wives get acclimated.

After lunch, the students had the rest of the day (and the weekend) free.

On Monday, August 16, the first day of the 40th full year of classes got off to a great start with chapel at 8 AM. ETSPM is blessed to have ten returning and seven new full-time students. We

also have two returning and four new part-time students. We are pleased that 23 men and their families have the opportunity to study God’s word in preparation for a lifetime of service.

Thank you

As we emphasized in July’s newsletter, ETSPM is not just our school; it really is your school. We focused on that in a big way during the opening weekend of our 40th year, and we will continue to do so through the end of the school year in July 2011.

Many thanks to the members at Karns for helping us make the blitz weekend a memorable one.

And thanks also to the congregations that were represented on Saturday evening, August 14th, and/or allowed us to teach their classes and fill their pulpits during August.

~ Jody Apple

•  •  •

Our September “It’s Your School” Blitz Weekend in Chattanooga has been moved to January. More details to come.

“It’s Your School!” Blitz Weekend #2

ETSPM’s New Logo

August 2010

East Tennessee School of Preaching & Missions! August 2010

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New $40 contributors since last issue = 6 Total New $40 contributors = 15Goal: 100 new contributors at $40.00 monthRemaining: 85

The big picture of student recruitment is an ever pressing challenge. The economy is far from robust, there are more preaching schools to choose from, and fewer men are interested in the ministry of the word. All these things add up to we need a strong effort to find good men to “equip the saints for the work of service” (Eph. 4:12). In this we are confidently reminded of the powerful promise of Ephesians 3:20-21! We work with a God who can accomplish great things.

Alumni and friends, we ask for your help in finding good men who can make a difference in the kingdom. Look around for men you see with potential. Even if they are young men, the seed can be planted for future decisions. Challenge men with ability to arise to the challenge of letting good words about Jesus flood the land. Remind yourself to consistently be ready for opportunities to encourage those who might have the beginnings of a fire burning in their spirit. Pray for the chance to be influential in the lives of those who might consider preaching the Good News.

Our web page (etspm.org) has a section where an application can be filled out as well as all other needed forms. Encourage men to take advantage of the ready availability our technological age has made possible.

I have been talking to some very excited incoming students over the past few weeks. It is a delight to hear the resolve and happiness in their voices! I pray that by working together, many more excited voices will be

contacting us. Remember, it is your school. It is our school. It is God’s school, existing solely for His glory. Please give our search for promising men a large measure of your prayerful attention. The ETSPM family needs to grow!

Face To Face In Service

As you know, all the staff members are available for seminars to help

congregations grow stronger in the Lord. This also allows us time to see and be seen. Face time is very important. My areas are Conversational Evangelism and Building a Christ Centered Bible School. I would be delighted to spend

a weekend with you and the brothers and sisters you work

with to share some vital truths in either of these areas.

There are some very simple, natural, conversational skills that can be easily

learned by any church member to help them share the news about Jesus. Additionally, the intellectual, moral, and social development of each member can be infused into any Bible School program to help every member develop a Christ-like wholeness. If I can be of help, please get in touch and let’s work something out.

—Edwin S. Jones

From the Dean of Admissions

The Big Picture, Part 2

Sign up to receive The Messenger via emailWe’ve passed 500; thank you! Our goal is 750–1000. It takes only a minute to go to etspm.org/signup and switch your newsletter subscription to the electronic version. Every email conversion saves us $7.00 a year. A thousand print-to-email changes will save ETSPM $7000 every year.

GOAL #1– Forty Years –

$40

East Tennessee School of Preaching & Missions! August 2010

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GOAL #2 — Increase Student SupportThe letter “S” in ETSPM stands for school, and obviously

students are an integral part of every school. Like every school of preaching among the churches of Christ, we charge no tuition. Educational institutions, from local community colleges to the “ivy-est” of the Ivy Leagues, charge tuition. Some are modest. Harvard’s runs $53,950 to $56,750, not counting $1788 for health insurance. (www.admissions.college.harvard.edu).

Though ETSPM students and their families pay nothing in tuition, 100% of their living expenses must be raised for their two years here. Housing, food, clothing, insurances and gas are not free. Where does that money come from? Unlike Harvard, which even in the midst of an economic downturn has 25.7 billion in endowments, ETSPM provides precious little of students’ support. Family members, fellow Christians and local congregations provide for these needs.

Last year a potential student, only recently converted to Christ, fell far short of his financial needs. He was hoping that we could make up the difference. If and when we have any extra funds, it is divided among the students, not given in large amounts to only one student. Money—rather, a shortage of money—kept that man from attending ETSPM last year.

Brethren, we need your help. We need congregations to support students as they prepare to serve the Lord. Please give generously to students seeking support. Be proactive and establish scholarships, trusts or other major forms of

gifting to help students. Consider one or more of these specific actions to help students:

(1) Contact the school and make arrangements to “adopt” a student. Encourage your congregation to financially support that student for the time they here. Invite them to visit regularly, make them a part of your church family, and track their progress over their two years in school.

(2) Give “unrestricted” funds to ETSPM and allow us to distribute the money to the students who have the greatest need.

(3) Consider establishing a scholarship fund that will provide student support for years to come.

(4) Think about underwriting a major expense for one student or even all students. One sister recently donated money to cover every student’s textbooks for one quarter. (Book expenses usually come out of the support they have raised, and average about $400 per student each term.)

For additional information please contact the school at 865.691.7444.

—Jody Apple

You can donate online at www.etspm.org

F A C U L T Y S C H E D U L E S GOAL #3 — Improve the ETSPM Library

Gary HamptonAugust 27–Sept 2…Polishing The PulpitSeptember 8…Central (Johnson City, TN)September 16–18…St Louis Area-wide Lectureship  September 24–26…Lithia Springs, GA

Edwin JonesAugust 29…ClaxtonSeptember 19…Seymour

James MeadowsAugust 27–Sept 2…Polishing The PulpitSeptember 16–18…St Louis Area-wide Lectureship September 19–22…Central City, KY

Jody AppleAugust 29…AsburyAugust 30…Polishing The PulpitSeptember 26–27…West Virginia Christian Lectures

Teresa Hampton & Evelyn AppleAugust 27–Sept 2…Polishing The Pulpit

In the September issue of The Messenger we will highlight our third goal in the “It’s Your School” campaign: to build and maintain a better library.

The Bill Nicks Library at ETSPM is named after a man who help start the Karns congregation, preached at Karns, taught at ETSPM, and served as director of the school. The library houses thousands of volumes of books. We have been told, however, that it is not laid out in a way that maximizes the use of our space. Problem: we also learned it would cost nearly $60,000 to do it right—which means we are not going to tackle this project right away. Improving our library is a long term goal.

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F R O M T H E B O O K S TO R E

Contact The Evangelist Bookstore for your book and curriculum needs. Call (865) 691-7103 to receive a free catalog or to place an order.

Our featured book for August is The Question of Instrumental Music in Worship by Jack Lewis. Sale price is $5 plus $3.00 s/h.

The ETSPM 2010 Lectureship book Ancient Faith/Modern World is still available for $15 plus $3.50 s/h.

Has Your Address Changed?Please let us know when your address changes, because the school must pay postage on all returned mail. Thank you for your help.

Help Save PostageCan you help us make the Lord’s money go a little further? Go to www.etspm.org and click “ETSPM Newsletter Signup” to receive The Messenger via email. Same content, no cost!

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Did you know that ETSPM accepts students in August and February? Though a majority of our students enroll in August, the ETSPM class schedule allows entrants in February with very minor course changes. Head over to the “apply” link and start the enrollment process today.