November 17, 2000 (David W. Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061-0368, fbns@wayoflife.org) - Heartland Baptist Bible College of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, has formally requested to be removed from the list of schools approved by the Baptist Bible Fellowship International (BBFI). The announcement, which was dated November 14, gave two reasons for this action, as follows:

“1. We desire the freedom to continue to develop our curriculum as God leads, without BBFI approval.”

“2. We cannot agree to the requirement of Article X, Section 3 (a) (3) which states that the president and all administrative officers be members of BBFI churches. Nor will we insist that any of our professors be members of BBFI churches, nor the majority of our directors/trustees, as required by the constitution and by-laws. We currently have directors and leaders who no longer desire to be known as BBFI pastors. We will not pretend to comply. Our professors, teachers, directors, and administrators are chosen on the basis of whether or not they are truly independent, fundamental Baptists, and not with regard to affiliation with a BBFI church.”

“It should also be understood that there are a growing number of independent, fundamental Baptist pastors who are very much interested in HBBC, but who are hesitant to get behind the school because of a drift in direction of the BBFI. It cannot be denied there is a drift with regard to issues of ecclesiastical separation, personal separation, music, the King James Version, and the whole philosophy of evangelism and ministry; and it is evident that there is a directional conflict. Some have suggested that if there is movement in direction it is that we HBBC constituents have moved or are moving to the right. Our contention, of course, is that we are holding to the very positions we were taught by BBFI pastors and educators. However, if in fact the HBBC Îcrowd” is moving, it is moving to the philosophical, ecclesiastical, and practical right, and for this we cannot apologize, so long as our position is consistent with the Word of God.”

The letter was signed by Pastor Sam Davison, Southwest Baptist Church, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and other men associated with the school .We commend this bold action by Heartland Baptist Bible College. It is refreshing to see fundamental Baptist preachers take a stand for the truth in opposition to the spiritual drift that is occurring in some circles.