ETBU School of Christian Studies

ETBU's School of Christian Studies and Humanities is excited to partner with Soda Lake Baptist Association to offer a Spring Bible Study on Esther on Sunday, March 30 at First Baptist Church Marshall.

This event is ideal for lay leaders, Sunday school classes, and small groups. Everyone is welcome! Contact Dr. Sandy Hoover at [email protected] to reserve your spot.

Looking forward to another great time of Bible study. Matt Baird will be leading us through the book of Luke. Coffee and donuts at 7:30 with fellowship lunch to follow. We will meet on the second floor of the Ornelas student center. Please call 903 923 2180 if you have any questions

It is almost time for the Spring Bible Study. Please join us on Saturday, April 1st for a study of Isaiah led by Dr. Bob Utley, ETBU Alumnus, retired member of the Christian Ministry faculty, and founder of Bible Lessons International. We will have coffee and donuts at 7:30, Bible study from 8:00 to 12:00, and a fellowship lunch to follow. The cost is covered by the Soda Lake Baptist Association and ETBU.

Thank you to everyone who was able to join us for the Winter Bible Study of Ephesians. We are thankful to have been able to partner with the Soda Lake Baptist Association to provide this opportunity for area church leaders. We had folks from Tyler to Shreveport. We caught up on old friendships and made some new ones. The Spring Bible Study is scheduled for April, hope to see you there.

Calling all Pastors... Please join us for an in depth study of Ephesians, led by Dr. Jeph Holloway. We will meet on the second floor of the Student Center at East Texas Baptist University. A light breakfast will be served beginning at 7:30, we'll enjoy Bible Study and fellowship from 8 until 11:45, and then we'll close with a quick lunch for those who are interested. I hope you can join us.

The new ETBU Certificate in Ministry program begins August 18th. The program exists to equip Christians for ministry. There are a variety of classes on doctrine, preparing Bible studies, preaching, missions, church history and more. Classes are open to everyone. You can register through the link below or in person on the first night of class in Scarborough Hall room 105. Please contact David Griffin with questions. [email protected]

ETBU is hosting a workshop for church media technology specialists on Saturday, July 30th. The focus for this workshop is audio technology, microphones, soundboard, and mixing. Chris Smith, ETBU music faculty member, will lead a discussion of the theory and function of technology as well as a hands-on session with a live praise band.
https://www.etbu.edu/academics/academic-schools/school-christian-studies/certificate-ministry/worship-media-technology-workshop

Our last full day in Israel, Wednesday May 18th... what do you do on humpday in Israel? Ride camels!

We traveled from the northeastern part of Israel to Be'er Sheva in southwestern quarter of the country. On the way we stopped off in the Valley of Elah and walked through the dry river bed from which David chose the stones he would carry into his battle with Goliath.

From there we traveled back east to visit a Bedouin camp. They were very gracious. They offered us tea and coffee while they discussed their culture and took questions from our group. We enjoyed a wonderful meal and had a short ride into the desert on a caravan of camels. We were again reminded of the beauty of God's creation, even where we might not expect to see it.

Yesterday we traveled to the western half of Israel to visit some great sites. We started with worship and Bible study on top of Mt. Carmel where we talked about Elijah and the prophets of Baal. From the top of the mountain we could see the locations of several Old Testament stories including Gideon's Deborah's, and Saul's.

From there we traveled to Caesarea Maritima, possibly the most important construction project of Herod the Great. There was a huge theater, (still in use,) administrative facilities befitting a Roman capital city, and Herod's palace, built on the Mediterranean Sea with a huge indoor freshwater pool.

Our last stop was at the beach for a cool swim, but this particular beach also had the remains of the aqueduct Herod built to from a spring at Mt. Carmel to serve his palace at Caesarea.

After dinner the students walked down to a local park and played soccer. Some Jewish young people joined in, and everyone had a great time. It was a wonderful last day in Migdal.

Please take a look at this video created by Caleb Crouch for Day 5 of the trip.

Israel Trip (Day 5)

Yesterday was our second day in Jerusalem, and it was a busy one. Amazingly, the old city of Jerusalem was not at all crowded. We were able to spend some time near the Dome of the Rock and the Western Wall. I was in awe of the way people from different nations, ethnic groups, and religions come to this Holy site. We also saw the road leading from the Garden of Gethsemane to Ciaphas' house. It is very likely that after He was betrayed by Judas Jesus walked up the stairs seen in one of the pictures in this post.

After a busy morning running around the center of Jerusalem, we headed to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust museum. The museum provided a picture of the holocaust through the experiences of Jewish families. About six million people were murdered by the N**i government, but many of the Jewish people fought back, comforted each other, and maintained their humanity in the face of an unimaginable situation.

In the evening, as our students reflected on what they had seen, I was proud to hear them speak of the destructive nature of sin and of our responsibility to stand up for the oppressed. We are blessed to have wonderful students on this trip.

Reflection by Hope Myer --

This morning we were all smiling and ready for a beautiful day in Jerusalem. I wrote that first sentence in the early morning not knowing that later in the day we would be full of emotions. Today we went to many places, my favorite being St. Mary of Agony Church. We got to sing "Come Thou Fount" and hear as our voices echoed. It was a beautiful moment to do as a group. Later in the day was more about the last day of Jesus's life as well as the 6 million Jews Killed in the holocaust.



In Matthew 26:36-46 we read about the last days with Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. As we read these passages sitting in the garden ourselves, we pondered Jesus's feelings and thoughts in these moments.



The feeling continued when we went to Yad Vashem (the holocaust museum). There we read and heard some of the stories of the people killed.



The last part of our tour today was dedicated to the past prime ministers of Israel. We saw some who were for the people like Golda Meir, the first female Prime Minister of Israel. Some for peace like Yitzhak Rabin, who wanted to make peace for the people of Israel. Lastly we have the man for the people. Theodor Herzl, who is buried near Israel's Knesset, is known as the creator of Zionism (look it up, it’s a very interesting story).



Today was full of events but I want to add a quote from a man who helped save people in the holocaust.



"I would stand with God against man, rather than with man against God.“ — Aristides de Sousa Mendes





Psalms of ascent : for a class assignment we write our own psalms of ascent. This is just one from this morning were everyone read theirs on the way to Jerusalem.



Like nature's breath disturbing the quiet dessert

my eyes open to you,

as the understanding of the sacrifice you made.



Warmth like a hug in the middle of winter

Envelopes my soul.

As my price is paid in your blood

The blood of the king of kings



Like dust covering the mountains, your love washes down

As I imagine the pain you endured for me, my sins, my neighbor's sins.



Pain clings to pull me in like the darkness did that fateful day.

but you are there

You keep me in your hands



I look to the sky for your sovereign face

For your power and grace



Peace fills the heart and joy fills the soul

For the lord is my home and to him, I shall go