by Tony van der Hiele

Laughter, construction noise, and fellowship sum up this summer’s volunteer visits. For many years now, CBT has experienced tremendous blessings from groups of volunteers who come to the school to help with whatever needs to be done. Facilities Manager Ed Allen shares, “Without the volunteer teams, the amount of work we do would be impossible.” This year, CBT hosted three groups. On the agenda was a significant renovation of the chapel area, which included opening up space in the fireside area and revamping the stage.

The first group arrived in July and included one of our volunteer veterans, Joe Carter from Nashville, Tennessee. His first trip to CBT grounds was in 1996, twenty-seven years ago. Apart from Covid, he and his wife did not miss a single year, giving both their time and skills to bless the seminary. Hearing him share about the changes he has seen God do in and for our school over the years is encouraging. When asked what makes him come back year after year he answers, “Because I care. I care about you guys, I care about this place, I care about the students who come here and will go out into the world for God’s glory.” We gratefully thank the churches that sent volunteers who made up this volunteer group: First Baptist Donelson (Tennessee), Nashville First Baptist, Victory Baptist, Mt. Juliet (Tennessee), First Baptist Mt. Juliet, First Baptist Sarasota (Florida), Big Creek Baptist Church (Illinois), and Bethlehem Baptist (North Carolina).

Two Calgary churches joined forces for CBT’s annual Jimmy Cobb Day. On Saturday, July 15, 120 volunteers from Truth Chinese Church and Springbank Chinese Baptist Church showed up for a full day of landscaping, repairing road cracks, and painting lines in the parking lot. While the volunteers trimmed trees and maintained the parking lot, their grandmothers and other women cooked a fantastic Chinese lunch for all the hard-working volunteers. It was a day of serving and joyful fellowship. 

From McDonough (Georgia), Bethany Baptist Church has been sending volunteers for 14 years. This team comes with a different mission t-shirt every time, and this year’s t-shirts had the following print: “Go. Serve. Love.” And that is exactly what they did. They showed perseverance in going. After travel hiccups earlier in the summer, they made it to our campus in August to serve joyfully and to love on staff and students. “This trip is the highlight of my year,” said Dwight. “We love what the school stands for,” mentioned Diana. Serving together as a church family makes it even more special for them. “We enjoy the fellowship between us and with all of you,” they said. CBT wholeheartedly agrees. Ed Allen, Herb Seidler and Jackie Dinzey, who make up CBT’s Facilities Team, feel blessed. Not just with the work carried out, the blessing also comes from the love, prayers, and fellowship of each volunteer. Ed says, “I have had the privilege of working at CBT for 17 years alongside these great teams. As we plan for our summer it is exciting to see all the volunteers come and serve, the great relationships we develop, and the lasting friends we make.“ 

CBT gratefully thanks all who came over the summer to share their time and gifts.