More Than 500 Help Celebrate CBC 60th Anniversary

By Heidi Griepp

STRATHMORE, AB (July 19, 2001) - An estimated 500 people helped celebrate the 60th anniversary of Covenant Bible College (CBC) during recently concluded events on the Canadian campus.

Worshipers were challenged to keep running the race in their individual spiritual journeys during the closing Sunday worship service this past weekend. CBC President Neil Josephson brought the morning message, using Hebrews 12:1-2 as his text. Area Covenant churches joined in the worship celebration.

"CBC has been blessed to be part of the Covenant family for the last 60 years, and our sole passion is to build the Covenant for the next 60 years to come," he said. "Our forefathers and mothers were risk-takers and stepped out in faith. Let's not stop now!"

To read more of Josephson's thoughts about CBC and the anniversary celebration, visit A Chat With Josephson

Earlier in the week, participants enjoyed a pancake breakfast and an alumni reception as members of various CBC classes visited with one another. Interviews were videotaped to create a lasting record of the historical footnotes and memories shared by some of the first CBC students and faculty members. The accompanying photo shows Florence Dice, who was a student in 1949 and later the office administrator and accountant from 1956-88, chatting with 1990 CBC graduate Anita Elseth.

Among those at the breakfast was Dan Ericson, whose father, D.N. Ericson originally recommended the founding of Covenant Bible Institute (CBI) and taught at CBI without pay during its early years. Ericson had nine children (six attended the celebration) and most served as missionaries and church leaders in various roles for the Canada Conference.

The overarching challenge to discipleship was also evident in the drama that depicted CBI's first President, Joel Peterson, who was known for calling out to anniversary attendees (as he did in 1941): "Every Christian is to be a missionary everywhere, always." CBC-Windsor Director Paul Lessard presented a monologue portraying Peterson as he would have greeted early CBI students. Canadian television personality Sharol Josephson narrated two videos highlighting the history and story of CBC.

CBC hosted a golf tournament one morning with an alumni hockey game late in the evening. CBC's ongoing ministry of arts also was featured.

CBC offered a variety of events ranging from pool parties to five-pin bowling outings. Two classes - Christ and Culture and Worship - were offered during the week and worship services occurred each morning before classes.

Special musicians and actors included faculty members and many previous CBC students. "I just thought it was humbling to be a part of (the celebration) and felt privileged and humbled to stand with all those people who sacrificed for so many years before I even showed up," said Del Pease, director of admissions and an instructor for the CBC-Canada campus.

CBC is a Bible college that educates 164 students on three campuses, including Windsor, Colorado, and La Merced, Ecuador. Its mission is to equip men and women to live as disciples of Jesus Christ. For more information about CBC, the 60th anniversary celebration or other CBC programs, contact Marla Brewster, director of development, by telephone at 403-934-6200. Information may also be obtained by visiting the CBC website at www.covenantbiblecollege.ab.ca.

(Editor's note: Heidi Griepp is a graphics designer for print and Internet in the Department of Communication of the Evangelical Covenant Church. She is a 1992 graduate of CBC.)

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