Donna Petter began her message at the consultation by reading a letter from one of her students, Jonathan Black, at Gordon-Conwell. His letter made such an impression, encouraging us to be good stewards of the wonderful gift we have been given in SBS, that we wanted to share it here…

"If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasure; then you will discern the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God." Proverbs 2:4

Herzliche GruBe aus Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary! Nearly 17 years ago I stood on these very grounds, experiencing YWAM for the first time. Who would have imagined the fire that would be enflamed during that DTS in this quaint kuh-dorf of Hurlach? One year later I travelled to the other side of the world to begin my SBS at a new school recently started by Thom and Donna Petter in Honolulu HI. Such is life in YWAM.

I still recall my first day of class: OBSERVE, INTERPRET, APPLY! “For the next 9 months forget eating, sleeping and bathing. You will only OBSERVE, INTERPRET and APPLY!”  These weren’t the only things I picked up in SBS however. I have a confession to make. As Providence would have it, there was a godly and very beautiful young woman in the DTS a few doors down while I was trying to observe, interpret…and what was that? Oh yes, apply. Fortunately for my studies, Ginny went on outreach, and then on to the King’s Lodge in Nuneaton to complete her own SBS. I survived SBS and so did she. And I am happy to report, a few years later we were married. Such is life in YWAM.

A few days ago I graduated from these hallowed halls of seminary. I am a husband. A father. An ordained minister. A Naval officer. A servant of Christ Jesus. I say this proudly and confidently: NOTHING in life has prepared me to serve in these roles like SBS. 

Observation, Interpretation and Application begin in the holy text of Scripture; but they do not end there. Every aspect of my life has been shaped by these basic core principles of SBS. And that is something no seminary in the world can boast of.

It is such a blessing for my family and I to be members with you in the world-wide Body of Christ. And it is truly an honor to be counted one of the few, like you, who have known the life-changing experience that is SBS.

May the God of all wisdom and grace grant you peace.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Black