This God– His way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. –Psalm 18:30 (ESV)

Welcome to this month’s intercessor letter, in a bit of a different format. I am writing to about 200 of you who are part of a group that has prayed for FLBCS on and off for the past decade. If you don’t follow these any more, or know anybody who would like to be a part of this list, please contact josh.johnson@flbc.edu to update your preferences. 

I am going to use this opportunity every month (or most months) to give you an update on what is happening on campus. I won’t get into dates and promotions– we have other publications for that, but I will give you a glimpse of what we are working on so you can pray for that endeavor. We don’t get anything done without God working Himself. So thank you for praying. 

Sabbatical. I was on sabbatical last fall, and the time was refreshing for me and good for our Bible College and Seminary. It tested us, making us more aware of the areas where my direct input is necessary, and making us understand that we need to limit those areas by equipping others. I have been here nine years now, and we all want the vital mission of FLBCS to outlast…all of us. 

An alumni/homecoming weekend. The weekend of February 2-4 was a lot of fun as a couple hundred FLBC alumni gathered on campus for basketball games, time together, an alumni choir, and a choir concert benefiting our Norway tour. 

The NIAC (conference) and ACCA (national) basketball tournaments. These tournaments will be held on our campus in the Student Life Center in February and March. It’s overwhelming that we are able to do this, and we are grateful for the facility.

Continued planning and recruiting for our first ever BA cohort. Starting in the fall of 2024 students at FLBC will be able to earn a BA in Bible and Ministry. Students will learn more of what we already teach, providing better value for those who would have pursued a similar degree elsewhere. This is especially helpful for future seminary students or those simply wanting more Biblical education than a two-year timespan will allow. Please pray for these students as they consider continuing at FLBC. 

Pray for a good incoming class. We had 65 new students start at FLBC last fall, and we would like at least that many more to join us in the fall of 2024. We are already the largest strictly Bible and Ministry program in the United States (that we know of, in the world for that matter), but we have room for more. 

Preparing future pastors. Our congregations need well-prepared pastors, and we pray for men to study pastoral ministry in our seminary We have a large first-year class, so pray for another handful of students to join the 2-3 we already have for the fall of 2024. God will take care of his church, and we pray for him to raise up servant pastors for the task. 

Our annual strategic plan refresh. Every year we update our three year rolling strategic plan so it applies to our work today. Last year’s plan can be found at https://flbc.edu/strategicplan/. This year’s work will be update that plan early in the summer so it is always fresh. We seek God’s guidance as we continue to establish students in the Word of God for life in Jesus Christ. 

A new approach to giving. This year we began our first ever annual campaign, in which we seek to gain indications of continued giving that will fund the mission of FLBCS. We thank God for His constant provisions. You will hear more about this campaign in coming months. It is for regular ministry, not a capital campaign or targeted giving for debt reduction. More to come. Please pray for God’s continued provision through His people. 

Finally, please pray for two parishes, Skrefsrud/Immanuel in rural Beresford, SD, and Faith Lutheran in South Minneapolis, as they prepare for pastoral transitions. Pastor Jason Gudim (Faith) and Pastor Jarrod Hylden (Beresford) both have accepted calls to serve FLBCS as faculty. Pray also for Pastor Jerry and Rebecca Moan as they return to parish ministry after 29 years of faithful service. Praise be to God for His kindness.

Thank you for praying. We couldn’t do what we do without you. 

In Christ,

Pastor Wade Moble
President, Free Lutheran Bible College and Seminary