A New Addition to the BBC Campus Grounds
Today, March 22, 2012, the 30 ft. cross planted across from the new building was officially consecrated, as a memorial of God’s continuing care and blessing for His people in this special place, Bethlehem Bible College. Dr. Bishara Awad, BBC President, and several staff members, together with Pastors Bill and Carol Mantel dedicated this new addition to the College campus.
The cross, shadowing a hilly incline between the Admin. and classroom buildings was put into the ground just beside the smaller structure which houses the campus’ electrical equipment. Getting it to the required spot was quite an activity, with students and faculty and caretaking staff all involved with ropes, ladders and makeshift pulleys, and a big dose of good humour and ingenuity. A 30 ft. wooden cross is a BIG and heavy cross, and it took hours of manoeuvering to get it just right into the hole and at the required angle needed to pour the cement in to anchor it. It is now visible at an angle from the road, the Hebron – Jerusalem Rd., a main thoroughfare in Bethlehem, always busy with both pedestrian and car traffic.
It is called Cross #28, and behind the number is a story of healing and dedication, the story of a man called Bill Mantel from Cambridge, Minnesota, USA. Years ago, Bill was involved in a car crash that broke his neck and many years of crippling pain followed. Through a series of events, (you can read his entire testimony onwww.christiancyberspaceministries.org), Bill went to Africa with a friend, and there met a man of God who prophesied total healing for Bill. True to His word, Bill was totally healed by the Lord, and said farewell to his cronic pain and years of physical exercise in a swimming pool.
As a testimony to God`s miraculous touch on his life, Bill started erecting huge crosses in different locations to remind people of God`s love and power to bless and heal. His first cross was in his Minnesota hometown, followed by crosses in several African nations. His goal is to erect a cross in every country in the world, plus one in each state in his home country, the U.S. The Bethlehem Cross is no. 28.
Mr. Mantel is a pastor, and every cross erected carries with it the promise of dedicated and faithful prayer by his congregation for that site. We are blessed indeed to have faithful believers in Minnesota praying for the Bible College regularly. We thank Jesus for His healing of Bill, and for the lovely cross which will continue to serve students, faculty, staff and casual onlookers from the road as a reminder that God is alive and active in the lives and affairs of His people all across the globe.
