BLUEFIELD — Nearly 50 Bluefield College students made new professions of faith, while an additional 40 to 50 students renewed their commitments to a relationship with Jesus Christ during the school's 16th annual Duremdes Christian Emphasis Week, Sept. 26-28.
Since 1992, BC students, faculty and staff have dedicated a week during the fall term to “examine their spiritual lives” through the facilitation of inspirational speakers, leaders and musicians. Created and funded through the gifts of Gene and Jane Duremdes of Princeton, W.Va., the event this year featured renowned evangelist Tony Nolan and the award-winning music of contemporary Christian band Building 429.
“This week has the potential to be the week we talk about for years to come,” said BC campus minister David Taylor about the 2007 version of Christian Emphasis Week, “because of the lives that are changed and the hearts that are transformed.”
Bluefield College
Bluefield College students worship led by contemporary Christian band Building 429.
Nolan led dozens of Bluefield College students to make new and renewed professions of faith during his three-day sermon series. Nolan said his goal for the week was that the BC students, “get it,” that they understand the truth regarding a relationship with Jesus Christ.
“If you really, authentically connect with God, absorb him, then you will know the truth,” said Nolan. “Why? Because the truth is a person, and if you abide in that person, follow that person, then the truth will set you free.”
Nolan, who was raised by an adoptive father who purchased him for $200 only later to say he wished he had never bought him, said God wants us to first know the truth about ourselves. The truth, he said, is that we are not defined by our past failures or by what others say about us. Instead, we are defined by how God see us.
“God sees us as tremendously valuable,” said Nolan, who was convinced he was unworthy until someone took time to share with him the good news of the gospel.
During his final session with BC students, Nolan challenged listeners to be devoted to prayer life with God. Using telecommunication names like Sprint, AT&T, MCI and Excel, Nolan encouraged the students to run (Sprint) to God in prayer, approach the throne (AT&T) of grace, make clean intercession (MCI), and just watch God do amazing things (Excel) in our life.
With its music ministry, Building 429 complemented Nolan's messages in a live concert during day one of Christian Emphasis Week. The Dove Award-winning artists performed hits from their latest CD, Iris to Iris.