After seven months of biblical instruction, the Ambassador Bible Center class of 2007 said their final farewells to both students and instructors on Aug. 12. It was a date that marked the end of an intense immersion program and the beginning of a new and exciting future of growth and service in God's Church. Early on in the year, the 2007 class was nicknamed the Beach Boys class on account of the group dynamic. Since two thirds of the class was female, in essence, there were "two girls for every boy" (thus the reference to a Beach Boys' song). The students, however, were quick to search for something else to be a hallmark for their class. The theme this year was "Building Godly Character," and it became evident that this would be a goal for each student to strive for during ABC. Students hailed from all over the United States and the world. Solveig Hammar, originally from Stockholm, Sweden, was an active volunteer, donating many of her lunch hours and Sundays to help with the mailing department. Though only able to attend for six months due to issues with his visa, Helmut Reiche of Germany also lent an international flavor to the 2007 class. He served in the student council as the go-to technical guru behind the soundboard. Something New This year marked the beginning of several new additions to the ABC curriculum. Unlike previous years, each class included assessments in the form of tests, essays or journals, which offered a new challenge for students and aimed to promote a higher level of understanding. A new class called Foundations of Faith was added. The class covered such topics as the proof of God's existence, the proofs of the Bible as God's Word and the basics of Christianity. Also, a new speech class was instituted, in which students received instruction via lectures and speech labs. The voluntary class took place during the weeks when visiting instructors were not on the schedule to teach. Each student wrote and gave seven speeches, which focused on different aspects of public speaking such as inspiration, motivation, demonstration and adding color. "The assessments and the two new classes will become a part of ABC's curriculum next year, as all these new additions were very helpful and furthered learning at ABC," said David Register, director of Education Programs in Ministerial Services. Events and Service In addition to eight-hour days of intensive learning, other top priorities for the class were service and social projects. The ABC Chorale dedicated many lunch hours and Friday afternoons to prepare a special music presentation that they performed in six congregations. Though a challenge, it was also a bonding experience for those involved. The first major event took place quite early in the year with the annual Super Bowl extravaganza. Members of the home office staff and ABC students enjoyed a Sunday evening filled with chili dogs, face painting, fellowship and, of course, football. But this event only kick-started an entire seven months of events. Students passed out water to thirsty runners and walkers at the Mercy Heart Mini-Marathon, which raised money for the American Heart Association. Others set up a team to walk and jog in the MS Walk, supporting the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Two students even cycled 65 miles in the Ride Cincinnati bike-athon for breast cancer research at the Barrett Cancer Center in Cincinnati. Not only did the ABC students serve in the community, they also made the home office the venue for a number of other service projects during the year. The Red Cross-Hoxworth Blood Drive succeeded in collecting 29 units of blood in a Blood Mobile stationed in the home office parking lot. The ABC Art Gala offered an elegant evening of student artwork, hors d'oeuvres and classical and contemporary music, which raised $380. Many of the works of art on display were later auctioned off in the Charity Auction at the end of the year. Besides service projects, many events at ABC were merely an excuse for students and instructors to have a bit of fun. Students enjoyed an evening at the theater to see the highly acclaimed Broadway production of The Lion King. At the USAF Museum in Dayton, Ohio, students explored a maze of aircraft displays from before World War I to the space age. Also, the home office was transformed into a '50s dance hall as students rocked around the clock at the ABC Sock Hop, sans shoes, of course. Charity Auction A highlight of the year was the Good Works Charity Auction on July 29. After weeks of meetings, preparation and skit rehearsals, the students were finally ready and committed to raising money to set up and sponsor children in Africa at a United Youth Camp. Some of the featured items in the silent auction were homemade quilts made by B.J. Thomas from the Cleveland congregation and ABC students Vanessa Grandy and Wilda Reynolds. Artwork created by ABC students Sarah Bates, Sarah Williams and James Osborne were also on display in the silent auction. With gift baskets, weekend retreat packages, raffle items and a number of delicious baked goods, including Barbara Antion's coveted baklava, there were plenty of quality items on which to place a bid. Brandon Zollner and Elizabeth Cannon hosted the event and ABC alumnus Mark Riley, who flew in from Kansas, conducted the live auction. The success of the show and the evenings' activities were reflected in the teamwork and accomplishment of the ABC class in putting on a quality show and raising over $2,000 for the camp. The Real Application As anyone who has completed a study abroad immersion program might agree, many of the lessons one learns occur in one's regular life, in the decisions one makes after leaving school. And that may be the remarkable thing about ABC. It may be argued that one learns more outside of the classroom than inside of it. Once the notes are taken and the questions are asked during school hours, the real application continues in everyday life, through interactions among roommates and fellow classmates, and in one's behavior in the community at large. Those who attended ABC may feel like they have just sprinted through a spiritual training program, but the real race is just beginning as everyone returns to his or her congregation, ready to put the lessons learned into practice. UN