Standalone classes

(posted by Paul Zilmer)

On Thursday, July 21 we hosted the first of two one-night classes. During the summer most people find it difficult to commit to a multi-week class – but we don't want to stop entirely.

Our first class was "Faith, Hope & Love". We had 14 people present, including 6 students (the rest were ecclesial members). Two of the students were attending for the first time. There was good conversation after the class.

Our next one-night class will be "Prayer" on August 11.
 

Special guests from South Africa

(posted by Paul Zilmer & Norm Fadelle)

We were privileged to have a visit from Lucas and Leona Scheepers, from Johannesburg, South Africa. The Scheepers are working full time in the Lord's service, primarily serving in the townships that surround Johannesburg. Several of us in the Champaign County ecclesia have had an opportunity to work briefly with them, and have seen the wonderful results first hand.

Since Lucas and Leona were in the area, we put on a special event in the mall where our BEC is located. The mall management let us use the large space in the center of the mall, at no cost (other than a small charge for the sound system). We advertised the special presentation, and made sure all of our current and past students knew about it.

Eventually, we had about 50 people in attendance. Many were from our ecclesia and the Bloomington ecclesia, and even as far away as Rockford and Chicago. We also had a number of friends of members, several of our students, and we think some who came from the advertisements. It appeared that we even had some who saw us there and stopped to listen.

Lucas talked about the Community Outreach Program Trust (abbreviated COPTrust), which sponsors the work. One hundred percent of donated funds go directly to help people, since no admin costs are taken. Workers such as the Scheepers are supported by a US-based foundation. There have been a number of projects, including a Bible Education Centre in Johannesburg. But the majority of the work is in the townships, where many of the black citizens of South Africa continue to live in terrible poverty.

Leona spoke in more detail about the projects relating to creches (pre-schools) in the township of Tembisa. Under an overall umbrella called the CUDDLE project, several sub-projects are providing concrete help to hundreds of the small, informal pre-schools in the township. One effort that has been spectacularly successful is the Creche Course, which teaches the pre-school teachers how to teach. Without such training, the creches are little more than warehouses for the young children, and they end up starting school at a terrible disadvantage. Through training, examples, and follow-up, the quality of teaching at the creches is improving dramatically. To date, 200 creche teachers have been trained, and there is a waiting list of 200 more wanting to take the course.

Also part of the CUDDLE project is providing upgrades to the physical locations of the creches. This includes painting, shelving, carpet, toys, and education materials.

After the presentation, everyone was invited to come back to the BEC for South African desserts, and to talk with Lucas and Leona. (That's Leona in the white blouse.) Many accepted the invitation, and good conversation continued for quite some time.

Second IDL class underway

(posted by Ray Pratt & Paul Zilmer)

The Interactive Distance Learning (IDL) experiment, using Skype to bring in Jeff Gelineau from California, was very successful. So we are doing it again, this time going even farther afield!  Cam Beeler is leading a class from Durban, South Africa, titled "The First Page: God's Way for God's Children". The "first page" refers to the first page of your Bible. Starting there, Cam is exploring how God has set out His way, and called us to be part of it.

For Cam, this approach involves starting at 2:00 a.m. his time. It works out great for us! We are really excited by how well this is working, because it opens up the opportunity to have instructors from literally anywhere in the world, if there is an internet connection.

Cam on the wall in the BEC via Skype

Some of the students taking the IDL course

Recognition for Spring Term completers

(posted by Ray Pratt & Paul Zilmer)

Our Spring Term concluded with two 5 week classes:

• In an experiment that turned out very well, we tried Interactive Distance Learning (IDL) for the first time. Our instructor was Jeff Gelineau, who was live via Skype from southern California. He was able to see the class, and of course they could see and hear him. The class was able to ask questions at the end of each presentation. Jeff's topic was "Journey with a Purpose". The IDL approach worked out so well that we are doing it again.
• We were pleased to have Bruce Parker return from the Chicago area to again present a class. His subject was "Believe the Bible?", and presented several solid reasons to trust the Bible as authoritative.

On May 30 (Memorial Day in the US) we recognized the students who completed one or both classes. This time the Pratt family invited everyone out to their home for a cookout. Unfortunately, several could not attend, but as you can see from the pictures below, those who made it had a great time.

Shop area updated

(posted by Norm Fadelle & Paul Zilmer)

Any retail area needs to be updated from time to time. The storefront manager, Dana Pratt, has updated our shop area, which is the first point of contact for most of our students.

We now sell hand-made greeting cards. Some of these are from South Africa, and others are made in the shop by Dana, Rachel Campbell, and others.


The old round rack for our library has been replaced by a real book rack. Also, the make-shift desk we were using to display our used books has been replaced by a book rack.

The shop now has a more open feel, and what we offer is more visible.

Women's classes

(posted by Dana Pratt)

In December we initiated a women's Bible devotion over the lunch hour, since we noticed so many ladies passing the BEC while they exercise by "walking the mall" during their noon break.  We have had varying attendance at the devotion over the holiday season.  Things have settled down more now for everyone and we currently have 3 relatively faithful attendees.  The class is called 'TBA: The Bible Applied' — a play on the idea of "To Be Announced" — since we are encouraging the ladies to ask for subjects that have relevance to their lives each week for the following week's topic.

Two of our regular students discovered us in the mall and the third works at the bank across the street and noticed an invitation we had placed in the lounge there.  We have some lively discussions and greatly enjoy one another's fellowship around the Word.  One lady was very happy to discover us since she was looking for a "Small Group" to join in a class setting.  Some ladies bring their lunches to eat while we talk, and we offer beverages and a light dessert to round out their meal.

My Mom, Sis. Jen Zilmer, helped with the class until she migrated South to Florida for the winter.  I am thankful that our new Sister in Christ, Liane Morales, has been willing to help in the class, as well as taking a day's shift at the BEC, since Mom left.

 Women's Tuesday lunch devotion participants

 Private classes also continue with several students.

Winter Term classes underway

(posted by Norm Fadelle)

Our two Winter Term classes launched the second week of January:  Jesus in the Psalms is being presented on Wednesday evenings, and we continue our "Introducing..." series on Thursday evenings. Based on student feedback, we are spending a little more time introducing the books of the Bible, taking 2 or 3 class sessions per book, instead of only one. Both of these classes will run for the full Winter Term — ten weeks. Our Tuesday evening Bible study also continues, still studying Ecclesiastes.

We were a bit disappointed that only two of the Fall BEC students have come to the Winter session classes, but we have been delighted with the attendance of five new students.  A woman who came to the first session of the Jesus in the Psalms class was so interested in the Bible-approach and handout material, that she brought her husband and daughter along to the next evening class (Introducing - Genesis).   All three are attending both classes now, and they brought treats for the class on the last occasion.  A university professor signed up for and has attended the Psalms class.  A woman who was most anxious to attend both classes was unable to do so due to transportation challenges and illness.  However, she has has missed only 1 session in each class so far, and has asked to do makeup sessions. We drive her home, saving her a 2 hour bus ride (in very cold weather).

Students in the "Introducing..." class

 The diagrams and text on the whiteboard are built through discussion, and are then provided as handouts the following week.

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