Letter from Pastor Mike, Chairman of IBC Board
May 1, 2009

Dear Friends of International Baptist College and Tri-City Baptist Church,

I am sure that most of you know of the tragedy of the past few days. I know my grief is great. It is almost impossible to put into words the sense of loss, pain, and hurt. As a father of 19- and 18-year-olds, my heart absolutely is broken by the agony that must be going on in the lives of each family member because of their loss. I can't imagine the hurt and shock they are experiencing.

When I received word that the young men were missing, my first prayers were for them and their families. It is important that we support them with our prayers. These prayers should remain constant in all of us.

As a pastor, I look around today at students and members of our congregation and see shock, hurt, and unbelievable sorrow. We are all hurting at so many levels. But as I was flying home today, May 1, from our high school senior trip, my heart was moved by the Lord to Psalm 46.

This Psalm begins with the fact that our God is a refuge for us and strength when we feel utterly without power. Because of that theological fact, we do not need to fear. The Psalmist then directs us to two insecure places where men often place hope and faith. One is in nature and the other is in national power. In the Psalmist's day if one built a fortress in the rocks, high off the valley floor, he would often feel impregnable. If he had skilled charioteers and archers, he would believe himself invincible. The author eloquently compares the instability of trusting in either of these to the security that only God provides. He tells us that our response to the normal fears we all face in life is to "be still and know that I am God."

That struck a chord with me as I flew home. In distress we all have a place to run and be still. That is the ultimate act of faith and trust: go to God and be still. Our God is a wonderful place for us to place our trust in times of distress. He knows what we are feeling. He understands our hurts. He lost, during His time on Earth, a friend who was very close to Him. What a great promise we have that He is our ultimate security. Everything we trust in may fail, but He never will.

I don't have the answers to all of the "why" questions that race through of our minds. I know our hurt is great, but I also know the One who is our refuge is greater. My prayers are for all those associated with this tragedy, but especially for the families.

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble, therefore, we will not fear." (Psalm 46:1-2a)

Michael D. Sproul, D. Min.
Chairman of the Board, International Baptist College
Senior Pastor, Tri-City Baptist Church

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