Then he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6). 

There is a lot going on in Zechariah. I first came to love this book in the late FLBC Professor Jerry Holmaas’ Minor Prophets class. We were to do a book analysis, and he promised an “A” to whomever “took the long one.” I was in, and I fell in love. 

Zechariah covers a period of rebuilding by the Jewish exiles who had returned to Jerusalem in about 515 BC. The book is prophetic and apocalyptic, containing a number of vivid visions just begging to be turned into adult Sunday school dramatic sketches (if one is so inclined). Take a look at the courtroom vision in chapter 3—it’s amazing, especially when you understand that “Joshua” is Jesus. 

Then there is the passage written above: The angel of the Lord showed Zechariah a vision that cast “rebuilding” in terms far past a mere building: the Messiah would come to rescue, redeem, and renew. How can these things be true? Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit … 

We think about these words a lot on the campus of the Free Lutheran Bible College and Seminary. What keeps us going is picturing families, congregations, and communities impacted by Christ through the work of our graduates. This world is different because of Christ’s work at FLBCS. 

Familiarity, it is said, breeds contempt. Sometimes we take for granted what we have. Those outside of the AFLC, new to the AFLC, or otherwise unfamiliar with our Bible College and Seminary can’t believe what we have here. First, we exist. It’s a special, unique place. Second, we offer one area of study: Bible and Ministry, yet we attract a relatively large (for the Christian college world) number of students. Third, we only teach Bible and Ministry, but we consistently attract students who aren’t planning on going into vocational ministry. We sometimes wish we had more students; others ask, “Where do you get that many students?” 

You will see testimony to this work inside this publication, but the answer to the question of “how” is actually answered by “who”: … but by my Spirit says the LORD. Thank you for reading. 

Dr.  Wade Mobley [FLBCS President]