Winter 1988
PINECREST REPORT

In September, Pinecrest Bible Training Center began its 20th year. We thank the Lord for His faithfulness throughout the years past, and trust Him to fulfill all of His desire for this ministry in the coming years, that our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified.

We praise the Lord for an increased enrollment this year. The students came from many States and Canada, as well as from England, Ireland and the Philippines. We are blessed to have an excellent group of students who are "following on to know the Lord" (Hosea 6:3), and to be prepared for His service. Pray with us that the Lord will fully have His way in the lives of these students, and for a visitation of the Lord in our chapel services and classes.

At Pinecrest, and throughout the Body of Christ, the Lord is clearly speaking, in various ways, a word which is old, and yet fresh for today: HOLINESS. There is within each one of us an urgent need for a "baptism in the Holy Spirit, and in FIRE" Matt 3:11b. There must yet come a visitation of the Holy Spirit and fire, which will burn until it consumes all carnality, and brings into evident view the Lord of Glory for all to behold and kneel before, roclaiming Him Lord of their lives.

The Lord exhorts us by His Word to holiness. "Pursue peace with all men, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord ... As He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, Be holy, for I am holy" Heb. 12:14, I Peter 1:15-16.

There is a very concentrated and effective working of the Lord within the lives of the students this school year. Many openly testify of a deep inner working of the Holy Spirit, bringing about inner cleansing along with an understanding of His Holiness, and of His claim upon their lives.

Pinecrest is being blessed through the visiting ministry which the Lord sends our way. Charles Haun and David Wyns ministered at the Labor Day Convention, and Tony Nash was guest speaker at the Thanksgiving Convention. Pinecrest Conventions continue to be a means of blessing to many, through the ministry of the Word, the fellowship, the praise and worship, and the times of prayer together.

Among other visiting ministry, one needs special mention. Andrew Daniels, an English missionary teacher in Benin, Nigeria, encouraged and stirred our hearts with his testimony of how God is moving by His Spirit today in Nigeria, in great power, with many signs and wonders, just as in the Book of Acts. This report was especially heartening to one of our faculty, Edgar Parkyns. As a missionary, Bro. Parkyns sowed the Gospel in Nigeria for over 20 years.

How timely was the encouraging visit of Andrew Daniels to Pinecrest to see Bro. Parkyns, his fellow countryman and friend with whom he had formerly labored in Nigeria. Three weeks later, on November 18, 1987, our dear Bro. Parkyns went home to be with the Lord. He was 78 years old. We miss him greatly, but know, of course, that it is far better for him to be with the Lord. At the funeral service here, the Lord was wonderfully present in the midst, as we praised God for the life of Edgar Parkyns, and rejoiced in his promotion to Glory.

Like Paul, Edgar Parkyns was one who was "separated unto the Gospel of God"(Rom. 1:1). And like Paul, he was faithful: he fought the good fight; he finished the race; he kept the faith (2 Tim. 4:7). Though he is dead, his example still speaks powerfully, calling us to be FAITHFUL, and to FULFILL the particular ministry entrusted to each of us.

We at Pinecrest desire to be found FAITHFUL, and to FULFILL all the Lord's purposes for this ministry in these last days. We invite those who are of like mind, who are serious in pursuing the Lord and His will for their lives, to join us.

If you desire to deepen your relationship with the Lord, through study of the Word of God, and through the working of the Holy Spirit, we would welcome your application to Pinecrest. For further information, please write or call the Registrar.