Faith Welcomes Largest Scholarship Weekend Crowd Ever
November 16, 2022
Faith Baptist Bible College hosted its annual Fall Scholarship Weekend November 10-11, 2022, by welcoming a record number of prospective students, parents, ministry leaders, and families during the two-day event.
In all, there was a 50 percent increase in attendance over the previous high water mark, and over 150 visitors who had a chance to learn more about Faith, visit classes, attend chapel, meet future teachers and classmates, and interview for thousands of dollars in financial assistance for the 2023-24 school year. The attendance shattered previous records as interest in Faith continues to grow.
Many of the weekend’s visitors were making their first-ever trip to the state of Iowa to get a firsthand look at FBBC. Pastor Ryan Horkavy, of Buckeye, Arizona, was one of them.
“It’s been amazing,” said Pastor Horkavy. “I love the atmosphere and the temperament of the student body. I love the spirit. I think that is the strength of Faith. That and the faculty. Everyone I have talked to has been intentional and purposeful. They could be investing in students or people elsewhere in the business sector or the secular environment, but they have chosen to be here intentionally investing in the next generation of students for Christ.”
Cody Kennemer and his wife, Hanna, came all the way from Idaho, bringing a prospective student with them for the second consecutive year. Cody is the associate pastor at Grace Baptist Church in Twin Falls, Idaho.
“Last year was my first experience on campus,” said Cody. “All the students were super inviting when we got here. All the staff and faculty were really inviting, really welcoming. Scholarship Weekend is a very well-put-together weekend. It gives a lot of information for the kids.”
For others, like Jeremy and Marcy Penrod and Shon and Angela Lundberg, Faith is not only a place they are familiar with, it’s a part of their history. Pastor Jeremy Penrod was a third generation student when he attended FBBC&TS over the course of seven years through college and seminary. Pastor Shon and Angela Lundberg are alumni, and Shon served on the staff and faculty at Faith for many years as Dean of Students. Both the Penrods and Lundbergs currently have students attending Faith, and both had prospective students on campus for Scholarship Weekend.
“From a parent’s perspective, it is nice to have a place your kids can come and be in a good place, learn God’s Word, have good friends, and play sports,” said Angela Lundberg. “It builds upon what we try to do as parents,” added Pastor Shon. “It just takes it to an advanced level.”
For Pastor Jeremy Penrod, there are deep family roots embedded into Faith’s history. “I’m third generation,” said Pastor Penrod. “My dad and grandfather were both on the board. Faith was a personal blessing to me for seven years. We’ve encouraged kids in our church for decades to spend at least a year in Bible college for additional grounding to build on what they’ve had for the first 18 years of their life.”
The large group of visitors arrived Thursday evening, which began with a Welcome Session and a social activity with student leaders. Friday was a full day for attendees who visited classes, participated in chapel, learned about financial aid, interviewed for scholarships, went on a campus tour, and finished the day with a banquet and Faith’s theatrical production of “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play.”
The historic attendance of Fall Scholarship Weekend fuels the positive momentum and growth Faith is experiencing. With full dorms, the highest enrollment in over a decade, and national attention as one of the Midwest’s best and most affordable colleges, Faith’s trajectory continues to climb. Even with all of the growth, the school has stayed true to its mission of preparing young men and women for a life of ministry and to its emphasis on discipleship.
“That model and that mindset is the church’s model of disciple-making,” said Pastor Horkavy. “To see a parachurch organization that is that focused on that type of New Testament disciple-making model is really exciting to me. It’s a wholesome environment where kids from all over the country are also around their peers on purpose. They came here for a reason because they want this atmosphere, they want this environment, and now you have peers that are also mentoring one another, which I think is dynamic and special. We are really excited. Faith has treated us phenomenally. I can tell it is genuine.”
The next Scholarship Weekend is scheduled for March 30 and 31, 2023. If you would like to learn more about the application and admissions process, visit faith.edu/admissions, or set up a personal visit today.