The End of an Era

But the Catalyst of New Beginnings

March 21, 2025

*I am the photographer of these photos, however they belong to Calvary Chapel Bible College. I have been given special permission to use them to display my work.

Since writing this article several days ago, my college has taken a big turn and is moving from Southern California to Florida. You can read about this change on their website, however, the lessons I pulled from my time there are universal across many life experiences and therefore I will be leaving it unchanged.

March 17, 2025

I had the privileged of being the school photographer for CCBC during my last semester on campus in Twin Peaks, California. It was a delightful position, as you will see, and I am very sad to have left it behind in my move back to Oregon. However, this season of life has been so full of growth and the provision of God that I know it was the right choice!

To you perhaps these are just faces, but these are my memories. My friends. My fellow students, my classrooms. I know every name. Some were my roommates, some I still call regularly. All will go out into the world and, I pray, bear witness for Christ in amazing and unique ways.

This is a picture of making disciples.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go to Bible College? These photos are a glimpse of what you will find. Like anything in life, it requires embracing the community. There is an old saying from the Bible: you will reap what you sow. It is what you make it. So my recommendation is make the most of every opportunity. If this time is your offering to the Lord, be present for it. Invest in people, say yes to going outside your comfort zone, stay up for the all night of prayer, show up for worship nights, do your homework diligently and leave your dorm. Invite people you don't usually spend time with to go with you, have eyes that notice when someone needs prayer, get a ride down the mountain, ask for help, take advantage of professors that care about you, and be quiet before the Lord (don't burn out). Be honest, try your best, remember to sleep a healthy amount, be careful with the hearts of others and treat them with consideration. Be quick to assume the best of others, humble yourself when you are wrong, step up to the plate, watch your tongue and don't be afraid to ask questions. Go to Bible study. If you don't like someone, get to know them. Honor authority, praise what is good, know the Scriptures well. If you are not grounded, get grounded. If you are, watch yourself that you don't fall. Let God teach you. But ultimately, at the end of the day, know His saving love and have faith. Be empowered by the Spirit and transformed by Christ for the will of the Father.

Change is sad. We won't pretend it is easy to say goodbye to how things once were. But change makes way for new growth. Life lies ahead of us. The Lord goes before us. And it is well with my soul. I can't wait to see how we will go out and serve in new ways across the globe.

"Established in Christ, Confident in the Scriptures, Empowered for witness."

Calvary Chapel Bible College Motto

Love, Sarah