Winter 2002
Vision For a Bible School
Richard Forde, M.D. - President

In the Fall of 1959, the Lord spoke to Wade Taylor concerning the establishing of a Bible school that would be somewhat different in its emphasis than other Bible colleges. This school was to be a school of the Spirit. One in which the focus would not be strictly on academic achievement, but centered instead on gaining a personal knowledge of a personal Christ, and coming to know His voice and guidance. This relates to the preparation of a people for the end-time purposes of the Lord.

Jeremiah 9:23-24a (NAS) states,

“Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not
the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;
but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me.”

The Lord desires us to know Him and to understand His ways. There is a vast difference between knowing about the Lord, and knowing Him in His manifest presence. In John 14:21-23, Jesus said,

“... and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father,
and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him.”

The word “manifest” speaks of a revelation to our natural senses. This is evidenced by the question Judas asked: “Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?” (John 14:22 NKJV).

Jesus answered,

“If a man love Me, he will keep My words, and My Father
will love him, and We will come unto him, and make Our
abode with him."

It was with this in view, that Pinecrest Bible Training Center was founded. Pinecrest is a Full Gospel Interdenominational Bible school emphasizing the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and training a people to know God, to know His manifest presence, to be rooted and grounded in His word, and to be led by His Spirit in their daily lives.

Pinecrest does not in any way, claim to be exclusive, but it is our conviction that it is not sufficient to know only the letter of the Word, but we must come to a personal knowledge of the “Living Word” Himself.

The Lord desires us to personally know Him. Jesus said, “My sheep know my voice.” He also said, “He who has an ear, let him hear.” This hearing ear must be cultivated, and this is the very heart of Pinecrest; to train a people with a sensitivity to the Spirit of God; a people who personally know their God.

It was by a miraculous intervention of God that the Campus became available. The Lord had spoken very clearly concerning the location of the school, and gave a clear vision and understanding of that which was upon His heart for this school.

Today, in all parts of the world, there are graduates who have passed through these doors, and left with an impartation and a rich deposit of the Spirit of God in their lives. We thank our Lord for the privilege of serving His people, and for the fruit that has resulted.