Cornerstone University - KUMI ORI Yearbook (Grand Rapids, MI)

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I N T H E 8 E T W E N T Y The old entrance, used for twenty-three years by the students. Rev. Norman Douty, the president who intro- duced Dr. Matthews to B. S. T. FIVE YEARS The man never lived to see his dream fulfilled, but his influence and plans created the scene for a Twentieth-Century miracle. Dr. O. W. Van Osdel was the first to recognize the need for a distinctive Baptist Bible institute in the Grand Rapids area. A group of men from surrounding Baptist churches caught his deam and nurtured it with prayer and much discussion. As a result, the Baptist Bible Institute of Grand Rapids was opened in the Wealthy Street Baptist Temple on the evening of January seventh, 1941. The school motto, was, Founded on the Word of God , and the sole purpose of the organization was the perfecting of the saints and the work of the ministry. The first evening school graduation class. 6

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In Memoriam Not many of us will soon forget that afternoon of September 24, 1965. At 2:00 the first news reached campus of a car accident involving one of our new fresh- men. By 7:00, we were all to learn that Judy Goodwin had gone to be with the Lord. At first the incident seemed tragic and without meaning, but with the passage of time, we have seen the mark of her testimony on this campus and in Christian circles elsewhere. In memory of Judy, and as a challenge to each of us, we reprint below her life testimony, written as an English theme only two days preceding her death. JUDITH GOODWIN, October 27, 1946—September 24, 1965 A NEW CREATURE I became a new creature in Christ when I was nine years old. My life didn't change drastically when I was saved, but I hod a peace that is indescribable, and a new Friend that I could take all my little troubles to. Up to my conversion I had a rather unique background. When I was one year old I went to live with my grandparents. My mother remarried a few years later, and when I was about six, my brother Bob and 1 returned to my mother and stepfather. Both my parents became Christian later. After my parents were saved I was raised in the church and in a Christian home. My parents were very strict in all things, but today I realize the reason for this and am very grateful. My stepfather is the only father I have ever known: he is truly a great 'guy'. I have complete respect and admiration for my parents. 1 wouldn't change them for anything else in the world. Like all other Christian teen-agers, I had my ups and downs. I wanted to live for Christ, but I hated to be different from the other high school kids. I tried to live the 'on-the-fence' life, but it only brought frustration and unhappiness. During my last year of High School, I applied to Baptist Bible College and was accepted. Due to financial difficulties, however, I was unable to go that following September. Thus I began what was one of the greatest years of my life. Before I went job hunting, I prayed and asked God to show me the job He had for me and where He wanted me. 1 ended up taking a job in a Catholic Hospital as a nurse's aide. ) worked on medical-surgical floor, thus enabling me to meet people from every walk of life- of every age. Up to this point, I had led a sheltered life, but suddenly I found myself face to face with life, in a real world as it exists. I was forced to grow up. I saw life and death, sickness and pain. I met the unwed mother and the emotionally disturbed. I found out that they wore just like everyone else, but in unfortunate situations. I came to realize their need of salvation just like everyone else's. I saw things I will never be able to forget. A fifteen year old girl who died from cancer—a sixteen year old boy who arrived dead from infuries suffered in an automobile accident, the rivers of blood flowing forth, slowly causing death because these rivers couldn't be stopped. I heard screams of pain, and of approaching dealth, the fear of death. HI never forget those months! They revealed to me in a new way that all need Christ and need Him now. Tomorrow may be too late. Now is the time to accept Him and live for Him. I'm here at Baptist Bible College to prepare my life the best way possible for use in God's service. My prayer is that He can use me in some field, somewhere, to honor and glorify His name. 'Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me' Mark 8:34b.

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The staff of the 1949 Kumi On, advised by Dr William Pardee. Born as an evening school, the first enrollment was about two hundred students, far exceeding the expectations of the founders. Dr. David O. Fuller was President of the Executive Council during the Institute's formative years, and among the beginning faculty were Dr. William Pardee and Dr. Sheldon Quincer, who have remained in the school to celebrate its twenty-fifth anniver- sary. Eleven men and women participated in the first graduation, held on a cold evening in De- cember, 1943. The blessing of God led the Executive Board to add a day course in the fall of 1944, and the The first school basketball team played in 1948. Dr. Gerard Knol, the second official president after acting President Jackson. school was incorporated as the Baptist Bible Insti- tute and School of Theology under the presidency of Rev. Norman Douty. After two more years of growth, a need for housing arose and Van Osdel Hall became a part of the school, joined the fol- lowing year by Spurgeon Hall. The academic phase of the Institute was not forgotten, for in 1949, the first seminary graduates, including Mr. Victor Matthews, received their Bachelor of Divin- ity Degrees. Now, another name was required to adequately fit the school and the Baptist Theo- logical Seminary and Bible Institute became the title. The Voices of Victory