“We are living in a time where things are rapidly changing, but some things never change.”
Opening the new school year, Eugene Prewitt was invited to speak for our annual week of spiritual emphasis. His theme was “Some things never change.” Every night Mr.Prewitt opened his sermons with amusing anecdotes from his years as a missionary teacher in Malaysia; the stories would segway into themes on love, faith, truth, and true education.
One poignant story he told was of a mother monkey and her baby trapped in a banana tree surrounded by excited dogs. Determined to save her offspring from the ravenous canines, the mother placed her child on the top of the tree, jumped resolutely in front of the hungry dogs, and led them into the jungle. After the dogs had left, the baby climbed out of the banana tree and ran to safety. After recalling this event, Mr.Prewitt reasoned that if the baby had stayed in the tree, the dogs would have come back for it. His mother’s sacrifice would have been wasted, the least it could do to honor the mother monkey’s sacrifice was run to safety.
This parable’s message is palpable. If Jesus represents the mother monkey, mankind is the juvenile monkey that should run to safety. The redeemed owe it to God, not only to be saved but to save others. Students were touched by this message of salvation and security. “…as disciples of Christ, we should take advantage of the freedom His sacrifice has offered us and escape the bondage of sin. In addition, we should follow Jesus’ example and count it a duty and privilege to rescue others.” Josh Shulterbrandt.
From this week of spiritual emphasis, Mr. Prewitt desired each student to have a zeal for the unreached in the 10/40 window. He told awe-inducing stories of converts in Malaysia and Yemen and their courageous faith.”All of the anecdotes about students or [bible study]contacts of his that have made huge sacrifices for their faith. Hearing about the student who refused to sit her exam on Sabbath, despite giving up her medical school dreams was particularly poignant: she had the opportunity to improve her life here on earth but courageously chose to honor God instead. I just think about how often I may make seemingly minor concessions in my own life. This has motivated me to make sure that I do not have a buy-out’ amount.” Mary McElhinny.
“The lesson I learned from Mr. Prewitt’s talks that stuck with me the most was the emphasis he placed throughout each of the other topics on the mission we are faced with. The things that God gives us to equip us for the Christian life -faith, love, sacrifice, courage, education, the Holy Spirit, and the sacrifice of His son- were not meant to be given to us that we may hoard them to ourselves. We are given so that we may give to others.” Nicholas Hold.
In a world that is fast-changing, some things never change. Love will always be the want of the world. The truth to stand for Christ will always come at a price. Thousands of people will wait for the gospel to be brought to them. As Christian students on a mission to heal a hurting world, Mr. Prewitt’s talks emphasize our purpose on this planet.