November 2024
A Note from Dr. Blanc
November is a month to reflect on gratitude. If we read the description of the “fruit of the Spirit” found in Galatians 5:22–23, why is “gratitude” or “thankfulness” noticeably absent from the list of qualities? I believe it’s because the attributes Paul identifies are the effects of the work of the Spirit—evident when believers surrender their lives to God. However, the Spirit does not offer thanks to God on our behalf. It is we who must give thanks to God for what He is doing in our lives. We are responsible for showing gratitude to Him. The psalmist described this as offering sacrifices of thanksgiving to God (Psalm 116:17–19). We must choose to be thankful. It is possible to benefit from the Spirit’s operations and still be unthankful. While the Spirit may prompt us to be grateful, we must act with a thankful heart. We can be productive but remain ungrateful for what we receive from God. Giving thanks is more than words; it reflects heartfelt attention to the details of our lives—events, people, and circumstances. We must pay attention and take every opportunity to credit God for doing good in our lives (James 1:17: “Every good and perfect gift is from above”). God is constantly giving, but how often do we credit Him? Perhaps only for the things deemed “good” because they benefit us? Yet God uses even the difficult things to form us into the likeness of His Son. “In everything give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). No wonder it’s so challenging to be thankful. But when we finally learn to be fundamentally grateful, we see God as a loving heavenly Father who cares for us. We become less critical. Our hearts warm. We delight in His service. The burden lifts. Praise ascends. Joy abounds. We are thankful for our students, faculty, staff, trustees, and alumni. Each of you who reads these updates, prays for us, or donates helps further our mission. Imagine the impact of an army of $10 monthly donors on the lives of struggling students. Because of you, Davis College will celebrate 125 years in 2025. Thank you, Lord!
Latest News!
Reverb!
Students have been volunteering at Word of Life Reverbs on weekends throughout November. Reverb is an all-night event that begins with a professional basketball or hockey game, followed by interactive games with the crowd. Afterward, a speaker shares the Gospel, offering participants a chance to respond. Students from Davis College and Word of Life counsel those who decide to follow Christ, helping them understand their decision. The night continues with activities like bowling, inflatables, sports, Nerf wars, and more. Please pray for our students as they share the Gospel with the next generation.
Essentials Conference!
The Essentials Conference, held November 15–16 at Davis College, featured lectures and workshops on topics such as God’s purpose for marriage and family, biblical forgiveness, guilt, and repentance. These sessions are especially beneficial for students in the Christian Counseling concentration as they progress toward ACBC counselor certification. If you’d like to attend the final session, sign up using the link at the bottom of the page!
Get Acquainted with Davis!
Feature: Brooklyn Teachinag Site
Davis College offers on-campus, online, and teaching-site learning modalities, including a partnership with the French-Speaking Baptist Church (FSBC). This teaching site provides accredited, Bible-centered courses led by qualified instructors, with flexible schedules designed for working adults. Students grow spiritually and develop practical ministry skills, strengthening their congregation and community impact. We are grateful for this opportunity to prepare servant leaders rooted in biblical truth and passionate about making disciples for Christ.
Cross Cultural Intern Feature
Sienna Hocut
“I initially planned to attend Davis College on campus, but God led me to serve in Portugal through the Cross-Cultural Internship (CCI). Learning about Davis through Word of Life, I transferred credits easily and received the CCI scholarship. Starting in General Ministries, I switched to Intercultural Ministries in 2024, discovering a passion for understanding cultures. Cultural Anthropology became a favorite, deepening my insights. Supportive, flexible faculty have helped me balance academics with ministry, making this journey deeply fulfilling.”
Faculty Feature
Tim Howard
“I am from Eastford, Connecticut, and have served as Senior Pastor of Eastford Baptist Church for a decade while being part of Davis College for nearly three years. At Davis, I began teaching Hebrew and Greek, which expanded to Bible, theology, and pastoral ministry courses. As a full-time faculty member, I oversee student advising and lead the required student ministry course, ‘Davis Life.’ Balancing my pastoral duties and academic responsibilities, I am also pursuing a doctoral degree in Christian ministry at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. My passion is to equip students as disciples and ministry leaders, following Paul’s instruction in 2 Timothy 2:2: ‘What you have heard from me… entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.’ Among my courses, Systematic Theology stands out as a favorite for exploring the depths of God’s nature, followed closely by language classes that unveil the Bible’s richness in its original texts.”
Student Life
October is behind us, and November brings a welcome breath of fresh air for students, as their schedules ease slightly. Thanksgiving break is fast approaching, and students are eager to spend time with family and friends.
This month, Davis students are also volunteering with Word of Life’s all-night evangelistic events, Reverb, in cities like Springfield, MA; Binghamton, NY; Glens Falls, NY; Rochester, NY; Hershey, PA; and Providence, RI. These opportunities are a testament to how students are applying their classroom learning in real-world ministry. Thank you for your prayers and investment in Davis College!
Student Ministry
“As a Davis student, my ministry involves serving at Mountainside Bible Chapel, where I assist with the elementary kids’ program. During Sunday mornings, I support the Sunday school teacher and ensure everything runs smoothly so the children can hear God’s Word without distractions. Through this ministry, I’ve seen how childlike faith encourages others and learned the importance of reaching younger audiences while serving in the local church.” – Nevaeh Tuls, Junior at Davis College
Concentration: Christian Counseling
“’Biblical counseling is broken people helping other broken people find healing through the power of the Gospel and in the power of the Spirit as they apply the living principles of Scripture to life.’ The Biblical Counseling Concentration equips students to apply Scripture to life’s challenges, preparing them to address real-life counseling scenarios. Emphasizing practical skills and church-based counseling, it prepares graduates for roles in local churches, Christian schools, or counseling centers, integrating faith with community.” – Joe Schenke, Biblical Counseling Professor
If you’d like to support students to come to Davis College, you can give now. Just click on the “Donate Now” button and it will direct you to our giving site. With your blessing every student at Davis College may receive a scholarship as all proceeds go to the students. Thank you for your consideration!
Upcoming Events
December 6-7: Essentials Conference
Join us this fall at Word of Life in upstate New York for the Essentials Conference! Tracks include
Fundamentals of Biblical Counseling or Advanced Tracks. Did you miss earlier sessions? Request recordings by emailing Rachel Foreman at rmforeman@wol.org
December 14: Davis College Christmas Party
Students will travel to Johnstown, NY, for the annual Christmas Party hosted by Dr. Blanc and his wife, Sally Blanc. Festivities include food, games, and fun activities like basketball, arcade games, and bowling!
December 19 – January 10: Christmas Break
Students will begin their Christmas break on December 19 and return on January 10. Please pray for safe travels and a restful holiday for all.
Prayer Requests!
If you have any prayer requests that you would like our student body and staff to be praying for, you can email us at alumni@davisny.edu or click on the email icon below. We are always praying for our alumni and current students; we hope to hear from you soon!
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