by Tony van der Hiele

On December 6, the newly renovated chapel area filled up with friends of CBT who had gathered for a unique and memorable service. CBT welcomed several special guests who traveled from Texas to honour the late Dr. Frankie Rainey and celebrate the establishment of the Rainey Arnold Chair of Christian Ministry. CBT was thrilled to have Sue Rainey, Frankie’s widow, along with their son Paul, present in the room and daughter Rhonda viewing online. Dr. Rainey and his beloved wife Sue served CBT from 2006 to 2016. His impact on the school and numerous lives in his role as Campus Pastor and Professor of Biblical Studies has been immeasurable. He passed away on May 19, 2023.

Dr. Rainey’s influence on people’s lives reached far beyond our school, evidenced by the presence of Mike Arnold, who had the privilege of being mentored by Frankie. When Mike Arnold first visited CBT fifteen years ago, God put a burden on his heart to help the school that his mentor so dearly loved but he was unsure at the time how to help. This day had been the result of that first thought! In honour of Dr. Rainey’s legacy, Mike Arnold made a significant donation, enabling our school to endow two-thirds of a new faculty chair: the Rainey Arnold Chair of Christian Ministry. Mike, his close friend April, and two of his six children, Mike and Mark, were present to celebrate this momentous occasion.

In a moving manner, Mike Arnold expressed three wishes for everyone present. First, to have an openness to the Lord when it comes to God-given “inner thoughts,” like the one he had 15 years ago. Secondly, he hoped for everyone to have someone like Dr. Rainey in their life to go to with questions. He articulated the third wish as follows, “To feel that emotional feeling the Lord gives you…to understand that you have done what He wanted. That you have been obedient and trusting in Him.” In his closing words, Mike Arnold gave God the glory. “This isn’t a Mike Arnold show…and not a Frankie Rainey show.” Citing Psalm 118:23, he pointed out, “This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.” Barry Nelson, Vice-President of Institutional Advancement, expressed the sentiments of many when he addressed the Arnold family, “We are unbelievably thankful for this gift, but more so, we are thankful for your obedience to what God has laid on your heart.”

CBT’s president, Dr. Rob Blackaby, explained the significance behind the name “Rainey Arnold Chair of Christian Ministry.” “‘Rainey’, because Frankie Rainey exemplified Pastoral Ministry and God-honouring preaching. ‘Arnold’ because Mike Arnold represents a multitude of people who felt the influence of Frankie as their pastor. They were grateful recipients of the genuine and consistent love of a shepherd.” And finally, ‘Christian Ministry’ which, as he put it, “rightly captures the breadth of ministry capacity that was evident in Frankie.” Dr. Blackaby continued, “I believe it is healthy and right for us to recognize people whose legacy God has authored and used to mold and culture the environment of our school. One such man deserving the legacy he is leaving is surely Frankie Rainey.”

This chapel service was a sweet and emotional time celebrating God’s provision. The reading of the Christmas story in fifteen different languages present in the CBT community was a remarkable testimony of the many nations coming to our school and of languages learned to bring the good news to people of every nation and tongue. Dr. Blackaby wondered about the disproportionate impact God is allowing CBT to have through its students and graduates in Canada and around the world. “All of it by God’s grace,” he emphasized, and our beloved Dr. Rainey was part of that. “Frankie changed our school. God used him to mature and season our school. God has established for him a rich legacy in our midst, and we are indebted to Him for such an honour.”