Spring 1998
Retrospect and Vision
Wade E Taylor

Looking back upon the thirty years that Pinecrest Bible Training Center has been in existence brings many memories. First of all, in my knowing above all else, that it is the Lord's presence and provision that has make it possible for there to be these thirty years to contemplate.

For the first five weeks that we lived as a family on the Campus, we had no electricity or running water. At night, it was unusually dark due to the heavily wooded area that surrounded the buildings. The only available light came from a few kerosene lanterns. All the water had to be transported from a spring that was about a half mile away.

The first school session began with no heat in the buildings. It was not until the middle of October, when it had become very cold, that we were able to have some heat. One of the deepest, most lasting memories that I have of the beginnings of Pinecrest are the times that I stood in the lower hallway, wrapping my hand around a steam pipe, and praying that it would become hot. At the time, this seemed almost impossible of attainment.

I still look at this particular steam line, and reminisce about my times of prayer there. It was during this time that I gained a profound appreciation of the conveniences that we so easily take for granted.

Many of the students from the first class, which began immediately after the 1968 Labor Day weekend conference, have told me that there was something very special about these early days of no heat or hot water and very little food. They said they had never before, nor since, experienced anything like these pioneer days at Pinecrest, and that this had been the most challenging and rewarding time of their lives.

During these difficult times, Preston Snowman, who I did not know at this time, came to Pinecrest and said the Lord had told him that he was to come as a teacher. This greatly encouraged me, and over many years Preston faithfully ministered to all who came to Pinecrest to meet with the Lord.

During the second year, Harry and Estelle Finn contacted me from their home in Missouri, telling me that they had a word from the Lord, to come to Pinecrest. They came from a warm climate to visit Pinecrest for the first time, in January of 1970. The day they were to return home to pray about this, the temperature dropped to 40 degrees below zero. Their car had to be towed into town and put in a heated building, so it would start. Yet they later called saying they were to come. Harry became a devoted friend, and a marvelous help to me in the early days of intense struggle.

Later, Paul Sexton came from North Dakota, with a rich anointing and teaching ministry. He had received a vision of matured overcomers who were being prepared for the end-time, which both challenged and helped to prepare me, for the fulfilling of the specific calling of the Lord in bringing Pinecrest into being - the preparation of a people who truly know the Lord, understand His ways, recognize His voice, and are committed to willingly respond to His guidance.

Another outstanding provision of the Lord was Edgar Parkins, who founded and was in charge of a Bible School in the interior of Africa for many years. He added a rich depth of teaching to Pinecrest, and challenged all who came, to make a greater consecration of their lives to the Lord.

There were many others, each being led in profound ways to Pinecrest. Each of these added their part to the richness of the spiritual atmosphere that presently abides within the buildings, and on the campus of Pinecrest.

As I look back, I can only marvel at the wonderful, ongoing provision of the Lord, from sources that were totally unknown to me at the time. This has given me a faith and appreciation concerning the provision of the Lord, that at one time, I thought was impossible of attainment.

In looking forward to Pinecrest being under the leadership of Ronald Taylor, I rejoice in how profoundly and clearly the Lord had indicated that he was to take my place as President. I often consider the path of preparation through which the Lord carefully led Ronald. As a result, I can rest in the fact that the Lord has adequately prepared him to take the school forward into new realms of attainment.

Your interest and support of this ministry makes its continuance possible; that the school might fulfill all that the Lord intended when He first caused me to know that I would be the first president of Pinecrest Bible Training Center, as I stood before His Throne in October of 1959.

To each of you who are contributing to making this possible, "Thank you."