Text Box: A publication of the

The Vine

Text Box: Brad and I have been  wanting to publish a more detailed account of ABS happenings for quite some time.  Until now  we have not been able to put it to print.  Inevitably, the bottom line was not producing one, but maintaining the  publication!  How do you make the time to add one more entree to a full menu?  What is gained?  Finally we determined to publish this newsletter.  When we stepped out on faith God provided a few students and alum who volunteered to help.  With their help and yours, The Vine will remain a reality.
Text Box:     As for the purpose of this newsletter, well maybe the best way to describe the purpose of The Vine is to refer to  Jesus’ metaphor of the vine and branches.  It  has long been one of my favorites among His teachings.
     Like the branches are connected to the vine and to each other, we wish to strengthen our connection with our partners, churches and alumni.  We also wish to develop a stronger link between you and our students.  We hope to have a variety of articles from many sources including students.  Maybe there is a story in you.  The goal is for all stories to direct our atText Box: tention to the true Vine and the fruit of the branches.  For as Jesus said, apart from the vine the branch “withers: and the  branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.” John 15:6.  
     We are convinced that if fruits of ministry are acknowledged as gifts from the vine, then ministry will continue to bear fruit.  We wish to thank all of our partners for the prayers and support and we fully believe that if we are doing God’s work, He will provide the means to continue the work through those informed and concerned for the ministry.
     
Text Box: Branches Connected to the Vine by Warren Dugas
Text Box:    2008 was a big year for us. It held the end of a four-year journey, but it also held the beginning of so many other things. Things we had looked forward to and had seemed so far off came to reality all at once. If you’ll permit us to use a common cliché, we closed a big chapter of our lives and started Text Box: writing the next one. We’d like to take some time to share with you our experiences since graduation day. Transitions (and change in general) can cause anxiety and even fear, but we hope our story shows you just how good it can be.
    We should introduce ourselves: this is Janet and Jason Text Box: writing. We graduated from the University of Arkansas in May of 2008 and have since moved to Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Honestly, we’d  (see p. 3)
Text Box: Alumni Transitions:  Jason and Janet Hardy

Association of Baptist Students

Text Box: May 2009
Inaugural Issue
Text Box: Volume 1, Issue 1

Branches overseas

2

Cambodia update

2

Huge alumni gathering

3

ABS Mission Statement

4

Word Heard at ABS

4

Praise Band in action

4

New Contact Info

4

John 15:5: I am the vine , you are the branches…..

If you ever have an idea for the newsletter please contact us.  But do not be surprised if we contact you first.             

The Vine is a work in progress.  Enjoy the journey with us as we find out what the next issue will be.