A letter from the Chancellor
Paul told Timothy to be a champion. This apostle believed in being the very best in his field – whatever the field. Before Paul was converted, he was a man of letters, a brilliant man. His I.Q. probably excelled all the other followers of Christ in the early days. He was a member of the Sanhedrin. He followed Judaism strictly and was a Pharisee, a Hebrew of the Hebrews. He hated the Christian church; and, until his experience on the road to Damascus, which turned him completely around, he was the worst enemy of the church of the living God. It was Saul of Tarsus (later Paul) who held the coats of the men who stoned Stephen to death. He no doubt gave the order for the execution. Paul was cheering them on; he was encouraging them. Therefore, he was a murderer. He was at enmity with Christ and with God. Though he felt he was doing God a service, no one excelled Paul in the business of playing havoc with the church of the living God – no one! No one excelled Paul in the matter of letters. He was a brilliant man, a student who studied at the feet of Galileo and graduated from the University of Tarsus with honors. When Paul was converted on the road to Damascus, he heard the voice of the Lord say, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” Saul asked, “Who art thou, Lord?” The answer was, “I am Jesus Whom thou persecutest.” With that simple answer, Saul of Tarsus was convinced that he was fighting against Christ. He was convinced that the Christ of Galilee was the Messiah, the Promised Seed of Israel. His reply was in the form of a question, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” He began going in the other direction with all his heart. Paul became the greatest student of the Word of God that the world has ever known. Paul became the most dedicated saint of the church age, and I doubt that anyone would question that statement. Paul became a champion! Paul was a winner – a victor. Paul wanted his young son in the ministry to be a champion. His letters in I & II Timothy were a challenge to the young preacher Timothy.
We here at Champion Baptist College want our students to prepare themselves to be champions for Christ. God wants each of you to be a young champion like Timothy. If you are going to be a Sunday school teacher, a bus captain, a pastor, an evangelist, or a musician – be the best! No matter what you are going to be, God wants you to be a champion. He wants you to be an over-comer, a victor for God’s glory. “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” (II Timothy 2:1) In other words – BE A CHAMPION!
It is an honor to be able to write you this letter to encourage you during these days of great decision-making; I pray that God will lead you to do His perfect will. Wherever you go, be a champion for Christ!
Sincerely,
Eric A. Capaci
Chancellor/Founder