Status Update from Co-Founder, Des Short
28th July, 2023
Dr. Des Short
Faith Bible College Co-Founder, Principal Emeritus, Board Emeritus
To Graduates of Faith, Friends, and Fellow Colleagues,
I am writing to you as it has been in my heart to update you regarding myself, my health, and my perspective on the continuing story of our beloved Faith Bible College.
I miss Carley so much in companionship and partnership. She was my co-worker and founder in this work that God gave birth to in 1969. As you can imagine, I am in my latter years and blessed to be alive to witness God positioning the campus for His kingdom work. I have many fond memories, but I find myself longing more and more to be with Jesus, to meet Carley on the other side. Although the ageing process has caught up with me, I am so grateful to God for the abundance of fruit He has sent. I am deeply moved and humbled by the contributions of so many over the years. I cannot count them all. Suffice it to say I am thankful and remember you all in my ongoing prayers for you.
Nearly five years ago, we held 50-year celebrations for Faith Bible College. It was a wonderful time, marked by memories, conversations, and reconnections. We truly felt honoured. Held at Tauranga's Holy Trinity Anglican Church, I was asked to deliver the closing message, titled "What Do I See?" Rooted in the passage of Jeremiah 1, verse 11, the Lord asks Jeremiah, "What do you see?" Jeremiah responds, "I see a branch of an almond tree." I used this verse to look forward and declare what I was seeing God do and going to do in His people beyond my life. At this time, God had been speaking to me about the third day, the accompanying anointing associated with that day. Kelly Varner, who had visited our campus some years ago, proclaimed that every two thousand years, God has a Son. Galatians 4:4 NKJV reads - "But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman." This fullness of time is what I believe we are in now, the last days. God is preparing a company of sons being brought to maturity for His culminating work on this third day since Jesus came. Oh hallelujah!
Here is an outline of what I shared at the 50th year celebrations:
The Holy Spirit is Raising up the people of God: The third day anointing: Hosea 6: 2-3 "After two days He will revive us; On the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His sight." Vs. 3 "He will come to us like the rain, Like the latter and former rain to the earth."
A Holy Spirit release of Power: The 'dunamis' that Paul prayed in Ephesians 1:17-20. Oh how we will need, like never before, the experience of the resurrection life by the Holy Spirit.
Remembering everything the Lord has spoken: John 2:22 "they remembered everything that the Lord had spoken." John 14: 26 "He will teach you all things, and bring to remembrance all things that I said to you."
Holy Spirit boldness to witness: Isaiah 27:6 "Those who come He shall cause to take root in Jacob; Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit." The fruit of this mature company of Sons being raised in the third day anointing will fill the earth with fruit from bold witnessing in the power of God.
The Release of the corruption of the past: So many are still held captive to their past. I see the Lord's resurrection spoken of in Acts 13:34 "And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus: 'I will give you the sure mercies of David.'" Again the resurrection power of Christ, and its availability to the mature Sons of Christ being raised up in these last days.
Signs, Wonders, and Miracles in unprecedented ways: Mark 16: 17 "And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
Power to teach nations: Isaiah 2: Matthew 28:19-20 "make disciples of all nations" Romans 8:11 "will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you." Oh, how I long to see the Holy Spirit poured out afresh, on the third day mature sons and daughters, ministering in the power of the Spirit.
I have been watching as my sons, daughter-in-law Stef, and spiritual sons take the legacy of Faith that God used Carley and I to pioneer and oversee for over 50 years. It is now in the hands of these men, and Stef. They are taking "radical" steps to position the campus for even greater fruitfulness. I have been privileged to watch as they make some bold moves that might seem like backward steps. However, I am at deep peace, as I know that they are positioning the school, the campus, and unfulfilled portions of the vision for the resurrecting power of the Holy Spirit. I thank God He has kept me alive to see by the Spirit what He is wanting to do, in writing a new book that was spoken of at the 50th year celebrations.
The last verse on my heart that I want to share with you, to encourage you with, is Revelation 22:20-21 NKJV - "He who testifies to these things says, 'Surely I am coming quickly.' Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The word 'amen' in most cases means 'let it be.' However, this amen means 'it shall be so'. This, to me, is so significant, as it is stating in no uncertain terms, these things will come to pass. Verse 21, the final verse of the Bible, is what I shall use to sign off this letter to you all - "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all." "Amen." This is my prayer for you.
With Great Love For You All,
Des