By Dan Emmons

T-H Correspondent

ELNORA — Classrooms filled with young ladies and gentlemen eagerly learning, a library filled with books and students quietly studying, a cafeteria where hungry students and teachers eat, laugh, and enjoy each other’s company — these are once again the sights and sounds one can enjoy while walking the halls of the old Elnora school. Located on the south side of town, along SR 58 and in a building that once was the home of the Elnora Owls, is now the home of the Elnora Bible Institute.

The Elnora Bible Institute is a ministry of the Biblical Mennonite Alliance, but admissions are open to all denominations. The school is devoted to spiritual formation, discipleship, missions training, ministerial training and congregational enrichment. The BMA is an association of 44 conservative and evangelical Mennonite churches from across the USA and Canada. The Shalom Mennonite Church of Epsom and the Union Chapel Mennonite Church of rural Odon are local members of the alliance.

The Elnora school building and grounds became available when North Daviess Schools consolidated grade schools in 2001. The purchase of the property by the BMA from ND in December 2002 was a win-win. The school no longer needed the property and the BMA was praying fervently for a permanent location for its Bible Institute. Before the purchase of the school in Elnora, the Bible Institute floated from church to church which greatly limited the number of students and classes. Once the property was purchased, the BMA built a dormitory on the grounds that can house 64 students, and in 2004, its first classes were held. This year’s first of two six-week terms, which started Jan. 6, includes 51 students from 13 different states and Canada, from Oregon to Delaware and from Canada to Mississippi. The students are offered four majors for under-graduate study at a junior college level: Bible and theology, history, missions, and Christian ministries. The second six-week term will begin Feb. 23.

The institute’s impact on the surrounding communities has increased with each new term. Dawson Hooley, interim principal, said, “We have received an incredibly warm reception from the community.” He said students of the institute have held a “Kids Club” on Saturday mornings where they entertain children from the community with plays, games, and snacks. They also host senior socials and on Sunday afternoons students go to the Ketcham Memorial Nursing Home in Odon to visit and sing for the residents.

Students also help with Fresh Start’s ministry, where they assist with Bible studies for inmates. Additionally, the students reach out to individuals in the community who are in need of help. Georgia Heshelman, a neighbor and widow who has been one of the recipients of their kind help, said, “The people from the Bible Institute are wonderful and they will do anything to help you.” She has opened her home on different occasions for the families of students when they visit for graduation ceremonies. The students have also come to her home and sang for her and her friends on occasion. Heshelman admits, “I miss them when they are gone; they are so friendly and kind.”

Six weeks is a short time for a community to get to know these young men and women. Most of them come from small rural communities similar to Daviess County communities. They come to the institute for varying reasons. Dewey Yoder from Loogootee, said, “I came here for the emphasis on personal evangelism, to prepare me for mission work, hopefully in Asia.”

Bethanie Heagy from Red Creek, N.Y., said, “I came for the intense Bible study.” She is taking classes studying the books of Leviticus and Hebrews.

Many of the students said attending EBI was an opportunity for them to get out of their comfort zones, stretch their spiritual wings and grow in faith. They want to make a difference in the world by having their lives reflect God’s love. But in their free time in the evenings, as they play basketball and volleyball in the old school gym, one also sees they are just fun-loving young people who love to be around other young people. And this, too, is a part of their reason for being here.

After this six-week term many of them will go back home having cemented new friendships that will last a lifetime. Maybe that is what Darren Gingerich from Seward, Neb., was saying when he said, “I believe this is an investment in our lives, a chance to meet other people who have the same goals.”

At the end of each term the students perform a concert for the community where they showcase their musical abilities that have been honed in the chorus class.

The institute places a strong emphasis on music. The a-cappella performance is a delight to all who attend. Select students will then go on tour for a week and sing at numerous churches throughout the Midwest. The tour is a chance for more memories and friendships, and another chance to let God’s light shine brightly through them.