December 2024
A Note from Dr. Blanc
Like many of you, I’m rereading the birth narratives in the Gospels with renewed wonder. Luke has particularly caught my attention. His portrayal of the shepherds’ dramatic encounter with the heavenly host stretches the limits of imagination. I’m reminded that Luke writes from a post-Pentecost vantage point, preserving a record of events that changed the world. As he writes, the burgeoning church movement is expanding from Jerusalem to Antioch and beyond. The gospel, first proclaimed to the Jews, is now reaching Gentiles who are pouring into the church. But it all began with a lone angel piercing the night sky. With a burst of light and a clap of thunder (my poetic license), the good news of the Savior’s birth was announced on the outskirts of a remote village. The first recipients were far from being educated, upstanding social elites. Yet, they ran to the manger to see the Child and then departed, spreading the word about Him. All of this is familiar – nothing new. What strikes me as significant is what I believe Luke wants us to notice. “We,” who are reading this account today, must look more carefully at the text. In Luke 2:1 (ESV), Luke mentions that “all the world” should be registered. The Greek noun oikoumené refers to the known, inhabitable world. Hold that thought. Now look at Luke 3:1. How many political leaders can you count? What do you think Luke is conveying by beginning his narratives this way? Luke is showing that while “all the world” is preoccupied with taxation and politics, a Savior is about to change the course of human history, and a desert prophet is heralding the way out of the wilderness of sin. John “the Baptizer” was pointing sinners to the Savior. Have things really changed today? Luke is pleading with us to be lights in dark places, taking our message from the backwaters of obscurity to those distracted by the pressures and pursuits of the day. At Davis College, we remain committed to training men and women to be beacons of light to their generation. Would you consider giving a gift of any amount today? A helpful link is included in this newsletter. Every dollar helps provide scholarships for our students.
Latest News!
Annual Davis Christmas Party
During December, Dr. Blanc and his wife, Sally, generously open their home church to the staff and students at Davis College to celebrate the holiday together with delicious food and uplifting community! This all-day Christmas tradition takes place in Johnstown, New York, and is highly anticipated by the hosts and guests as a relaxing way to interact in the final stretch of the semester. Some activities the students enjoyed included bowling, DIY soft-serve ice cream, basketball, arcade games, and more! We all give a big thank you to Dr. Blanc and his family for making this possible.
Spring Student Graduation
Davis College held graduation for our spring students on Wednesday, December 18. Celebrate with us as these students move on to do greater things for the Lord. The journey they have embarked on here at Davis College has been for the mission we hold: To assist the local church by preparing servant leaders who are competent in biblical truth and diligent in making disciples. These students are the byproduct of Davis College and the aim to fulfill this mission. Pray for our graduates as they go to change the world for the glory of God and His Gospel.
Get Acquainted with Davis!
Student Feature – Lauren LaRue
“I am pursuing a degree in Christian Ministry with a concentration in Christian Counseling while interning at the Word of Life Bible Institute’s Center for Biblical Counseling. I chose Davis College for its biblical approach to counseling, which aligns with my vision of equipping believers to make disciples. The classes, especially in counseling, have been instrumental in my internship, allowing me to apply knowledge in real-life practice. This experience has deepened both my counseling skills and my walk with God. I’ve learned to seek and see God in all things – literature, science, history, people, and the world’s beauty. Scripture has come alive, revealing its richness and depth. This journey has been transformative, equipping me for ministry while fostering personal spiritual growth.”
Sola Dei Gratia,
Lauren LaRue
Faculty Feature – Evan Ellsworth
“I first heard of Davis College while a student at the Word of Life Bible Institute. After studying Biblical Counseling at Davis and graduating in August, I transitioned to working here as Assistant Financial Aid Director for on-campus students. Shifting from student to faculty took some adjustment, but the supportive faculty quickly made me feel at home and provided the training I needed. In my role, I assist on-campus students with financial questions and also handle Davis College’s marketing. This includes taking photos of students, creating videos, and managing social media pages. What I’ve enjoyed most about working at Davis is the people—the faculty, including Dr. Blanc, the admissions team, remote staff, and student workers. Their camaraderie and teamwork have made my experience here truly rewarding.”
Evan Ellsworth
Assistant Financial Aid Director and Marketing
Student Life
December marks the final stretch of the Fall Semester! Students are busy with assignments and finals as they eagerly anticipate Christmas break. A highlight of the month is the annual Davis Christmas Party, hosted by Dr. Blanc and his wife, Sally, at Hope Chapel in Johnstown, New York. The party features a delicious feast, with enough leftovers for students to take back to campus, and a variety of activities, including an arcade, pickleball, basketball, volleyball, and even bowling in the chapel’s basement! This cherished event brings joy and community to the student body as they celebrate together. As students head home for the holidays, we ask for your prayers. Pray they find rest, grow in their walk with Jesus, and return refreshed and energized for the new semester. Thank you for your support, and Merry Christmas!
Student Ministry
“My ministry as a Davis student on the Pottersville campus is that of a Student Care Coordinator. This involves organizing and working with the Dorm RAs in terms of organization and housekeeping, but the bigger piece is that of discipleship and counseling with the students in our section of campus. This can be anything from discipleship groups, one-on-one discipleship, and “crisis” counseling to giving devotionals and messages on the suite to section scale. This allows me to work with both the Davis students in my section, as well as the Word of Life students on campus. Davis has been incredibly equipping in this ministry between my classes on counseling and my Bible and homiletics classes. They have helped me to better understand scripture and be able to communicate scripture in a way to effectively counsel and disciple those that I have the privilege of serving.” – Noah Stevens, 2025
Concentration: Organizational Leadership
The Organizational Leadership Concentration is designed to train students for leadership and managerial roles within a variety of settings, whether in the church or society at large, with a focus on Christian ministry. An integrated sequence of courses builds upon a solid foundation of biblical and theological instruction to equip students for responsible, transformational leadership in support of an organizational mission. Graduates are uniquely prepared to lead with integrity, skill, sensitivity, and in conformity with institutional and personal values.
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
January 18–March 8: Snowcamp
Students at Davis College will be serving at Snowcamp this coming winter. Snowcamp is a youth camp that is held every year at the campus of Davis College. Davis students serve in various positions, especially leadership roles such as lead counselors, outdoor coordinators, indoor coordinators, and more! The goal of Snowcamp is to bring the Gospel to the youth and advance the name of Jesus to the world.
Spring Semester
Davis College students have successfully completed their first semester and are preparing to embark on the next phase of their academic journey. We invite you to join us in prayer for our students as they continue their studies and ministry endeavors this upcoming spring semester.
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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