The Greatest Calling

There are many calling today. They want to sell something, want you to go somewhere, or want you to join some cause. Phone solicitation abounds. Television, internet, printed magazines, pamphlets, and all types of telecommunications are saturated with “calls” for membership, commitment, and action. They are political, social, and financial. Causes abound everywhere! Some are good and beneficial, but some are self-serving. There are commercials and commercials, all designed to catch your attention and capture your thoughts.

In addition, within the Christian realm, there are calls to be a pastor or missionary, or assume another worthy responsibility or mission within the framework of the Great Commission. There is the call to be in full-time Christian service and there is the call to be overseas as a career missionary. Remember the Macedonian Call – “…come over to Macedonia and help us!” (Acts 16:9) All these are good and well in purpose.

You might be asking, “How do I sort all this out? How do I choose wisely? How can I know what to do?” These are good questions. To assist in answering these questions, I want to share the Greatest Call you can answer. It is the Foundation Call of all calls! Answering this Call leads to the ability and wisdom to know and answer additional subsequent calls. It will give clarity to your pursuit of service and provide the focus you need. It is found in Romans 1:4-6 NLT:

“And Jesus Christ our Lord was shown to be the Son of God, when God powerfully raised Him from the dead by means of the Holy Spirit. Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to His name. You are among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ, dear friends in Rome. God loves you dearly and He has called you to be His very own people.”

There it is! Do you see it? The Greatest Call is the call to belong to Jesus Christ – the Divine Call to Belong. There is no greater call! It is the call to possess what the human soul longs for: fellowship, companionship, partnership, discovery, purpose, peace, hope, joy, strength, anticipation, significance, satisfaction, security, and so much more! What an invitation! It surpasses any invitation the President of the United States or any leader could issue. This call to BELONG is deep, powerful, and life changing. It demonstrates your worth and value. Someone really important loves you and wants you to come and BELONG!  It is not based on who knows you, what you have, where you are, or what you have done! You are important for who you are … Period!

This call to BELONG leads to absolute fulfillment at every level. Look at the passage! “God loves you dearly and He has called you to be His very own …” This precedes all other calls – God calls you to BELONG to His family through His Son’s gift of sacrifice on the cross. He died, shed His blood, and rose again that we may live and BELONG, freely forgiven for all sins and set free! What an invitation – everything is paid for so I can BELONG, BECOME what I long for, and BE the person that God has designed to be with Him for all eternity! Have you answered the Greatest Call? Pretty important, I think!

News and Updates ...

	An interview by Fox News with Dr. Billy Graham was shown in chapel for our students. Dr. Graham reviewed briefly his call to the ministry, what he would do differently, and what the most important things he would do more of if he started new in the ministry. This was a great “teaching moment.”
	Nineteen new students entered the TrinityQuest (degree completion) program this semester.
	SWFWMD, Scherer Construction, and Spring Engineering are working toward a resolution on an unsettled drainage issue from 1991.
	Our new Chairman of the Board, Mr. John Whitehead, spoke in chapel last month, stressing the importance of courage and commitment to the mission and vision of God.
	Eight administrators and staff members attended the ABHE and ABACC conferences in Orlando, Florida, last month. Additionally, our Board Chairman was in attendance, along with four representatives from our student body. These conferences provide the opportunity to interface with other colleges, seminaries, and universities, and offer special training, seminars, and workshops.
	Our Annual Banquet, Answer the Call, is Thursday, May 12, 2011 at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay. Tickets can be purchased online through our website www.trinitycollege.edu. Information on the hotel can be found at the website as well, including directions and opportunities to reserve rooms at a reduced rate until April 13th. With Dr. Richard Swenson as our guest speaker, this will be a special evening for the entire Trinity College family.

Our next campus preview weekend, Excite, is scheduled for April 7-8, 2010. Prospective students can register online www.trinitycollege.edu for an amazing weekend. It is an excellent opportunity to attend classes, enjoy the social life of collegiate activities, and sense God’s leadership to know Him and make Him known!

The C. S. Lewis Society had its 2011 Banquet at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Clearwater on Thursday, March 3, with Lewis scholar Terry Glaspey as speaker. Dr. Charlie Martin, Class of ’67, will be leading a trip to the Holy Land in March 2012. Plans will include an optional two-day extension in Rome. Friends, alumni, and our extended Trinity family are invited to take advantage of this Holy Land experience which will depart on March 19, 2012. More information and details of this trip may be found by contacting glen@star.webmail.com or calling Glen at Star Travel – 1-800-829-8124. Brochures with details and costs will be available by May 1, 2011. Charlie is the former pastor of First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks in Largo, Florida, and currently serves as Vice President for Advancement at Trinity College and as pastor of Bethel Baptist Church in Vilas, North Carolina. The Trinity College sports banquet will be held on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 7:00pm on the College campus. The banquet will include a keynote speaker and awards for our athletes. Attention All Alumni!  You have the opportunity of visiting our website for ministry opportunities. We have partnered with John D. Bradley (Ministry Web Directory), President of IDAK in Portland, Oregon. These ministry opportunities are listed and available for you to use as well as our students. Simply log onto our web site, go to the “Alumni” tab, select “Ministry Job Bank,” and follow the directions for obtaining a password. Go there today! New blessings: Enhancements are planned for Epiphanies Café where our students gather. A new computer lab is now available for use. New bike parking frames have been installed for our students. More blessings await our student body as plans are being made to enrich their college experience at all levels. Begin a Blessing List for yourself and see the amazing things the Lord is doing for you! Prayer Requests ... Pray for the ministry placement of all graduates. Pray for the students who are continuing their education at the graduate level. Pray for interested donors to provide a partnership in ministry preparation for our students. Pray for the spiritual development of all students. Pray that Faculty and Staff will model for them the type of action and character needed in 21st century ministry opportunities. Pray for our Admissions teams and the fall enrollment goal of 100. Pray for the next steps for our needed student residence hall. All permits, permissions, and plans have been granted and completed. We are ready! Remember: “The Bible is not a newspaper to be skimmed, but rather a mine to be quarried.” Max Lucado Let’s start “digging” now!