Every year at this time, we are welcoming a group of individuals to Clear Creek who are experiencing new beginnings in many ways as they begin their time as students here. For some, it is a new beginning—starting back to school after decades being out of school. For others, it is a new beginning—being away from home for the first time, or being far away from family for the first time.

Whatever the new beginning might be for each of them, we try to encourage them to stay calm and remember that the Lord has called them here and He will equip them to make it through their time at Clear Creek.

As I think of these new students and all the emotions running through them at this time, I may just share with them comments from someone who has already gone before them here at Clear Creek.

Alumnus C.B. Scott recently shared his reflections about the impact that Clear Creek has had on his life since those first new beginnings he experienced when he came to Clear Creek.

“When I went to Clear Creek I did not know Moses from Lynard Skynard,” recalls Scott. “However, I did know that God had called me to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and I was hungry to learn. Clear Creek was a splendid place for a hungry learner to ‘come and dine.’ “My first day as a student at Clear Creek in 1975, during orientation, I sat on the front pew in the chapel as Brother Claude Fox shared with us what it would take for us to do well as students at Clear Creek and afterwards as pastors,” says Scott. “I hung on his every word. One thing that he said has been with me from that day to this.

“He stated, ‘Fellows, if you will stick with the stuff and learn what we teach you here at Clear Creek, you will be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with anyone who graduates from any of the seminaries in the Southern Baptist Convention.’ I took that challenge literally. I completed every assignment and read every book assigned and more.

“I found what Brother Fox said to be true,” says Scott. “By God’s grace I have served on several committees and trustee boards within SBC life. I have served at a seminary, a Baptist college and two other SBC entities. I have served several Southern Baptist churches as pastor. I now serve as the associational mission strategist to the Enterprise Baptist Association in eastern Kentucky.

“Even though I have degrees from two SBC seminaries and studied at two others, it was what I learned at Clear Creek that I believe King Jesus has used the most to help me in my efforts to fulfill the Great Commission during my years in ministry,” says Scott. “Yes, I believe Brother Claude Fox was and still is right when he said, ‘Fellows, if you will stick with the stuff and learn what we teach you here at Clear Creek, you will be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with anyone who graduates from any of the seminaries in the Southern Baptist Convention.'”

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Donnie Fox is president of Clear Creek Baptist Bible College.