Growing up in the San Francisco Bay area during the 1960s and 70s, I was heavily influenced by the counter-culture philosophy of that era. I knew very little about genuine Biblical Christianity but considered Christianity to be a product of a corrupt western culture. I felt that most Christians were hypocrites and that they were essentially weak people who needed their religion as a crutch, much like a drug addict needs his drugs. This was pretty much my outlook on religious things when I left home for college in 1972.

 

During my second year of college, I came to know the Lord Jesus as my Savior through both the influence of several Christians I had come to know, and the prayers of many people at a local Baptist church. The Lord overcame all of my philosophical objections to the Gospel, as He brought me face to face with the Lord Jesus Christ through Bible studies and the sincere faith I saw in the lives of several Christians. I was soon baptized and became active in my local church, substitute teaching Sunday School, becoming involved in the church’s bus ministry, and counseling at summer camp.

 

When I completed my second year of college, my intention was to pursue a degree in physics at a university, but as a brand new Christian I felt that it would be wise for me to attend one year of study at a Bible college. A new Bible college had recently begun in Redding, California, so I packed my bags, moved to Redding, and enrolled in Shasta Bible College (known at that time as “Northern California Bible Institute”). It didn’t take long for the Lord to change the direction of my life. As I traveled with a Gospel Team ministering in churches throughout northern California, the Lord began to make it clear to me that He was calling me into the Gospel ministry. So, rather than going on to the university for my degree in physics, I completed a three-year course of study at Shasta Bible College.

 

As graduation neared, I realized that, though I had received an excellent education, I was still pretty young in my faith (only three years old as a Christian). I certainly did not think that I was yet prepared to pastor a church. I began researching various seminaries, and had narrowed my choices down to two or three. About that time, two pastors and one of my professors, all independently of each other, recommended to me another seminary that had recently moved from southern California to Tacoma, Washington. After some earnest prayer, and a visit to the campus, I was soon convinced that Northwest Baptist Seminary was where God was leading me.

 

I cannot tell you how glad I am that God led me to Northwest Baptist Seminary. Having met many men in the ministry who attended other seminaries, I have found that very often the rigors of learning the Biblical languages and of honing exegetical skills have been replaced by some of the less rigorous “ministry” courses. Not so at Northwest Baptist Seminary! The seminary has always upheld the necessity of teaching excellent skills in the Biblical languages and the knowledge of how accurately to exegete and communicate the truths of the Word of God. A ministry squarely based on the exposition of the Bible can only lead to the glory of God and the kind of “success” that will be rewarded at the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Cor 2:1-5).

  

During my three years at Northwest Baptist Seminary, I proposed marriage to the girl I had met in Redding and with whom I had carried on a long distance relationship that kept the US Postal service pretty busy for a year and a half. Janice and I were married part way through my second year at seminary. God has since blessed us with four wonderful children, Christopher, David, Courtney and Charity.

 

Following my graduation from Northwest Baptist Seminary, I became involved in a Home Mission project, planting a church in the small Northern California mountain community of Forest Ranch. I continued pastoring this church for just under 10 years. During the time I was pastoring Forest Ranch Baptist Church, Shasta Bible College in Redding was looking for someone who could teach New Testament Greek and Church History. I was asked if I would be willing to teach part time while I was pastoring. So, for five years, I commuted two days a week, an hour and a half each way, to teach at Shasta Bible College.

 

In time, Forest Ranch Baptist Church was obviously on a good foundation to be self-supporting, and when I was invited to candidate at a small struggling church in Redding, I sought the Lord’s will in the matter. God directed our family to move to Redding to pastor the Lake Boulevard Baptist Church while my responsibilities at Shasta Bible College increased to include the office of registrar. I oversaw the merger of Lake Boulevard Baptist Church with Bella Vista Community Church to produce Crossroads Baptist Church. My pastorate over the combination of churches spanned nearly ten years.

 

Eventually, it became clear that my responsibilities at both the church and the college were seriously cutting into the time I had available to be a responsible husband and father. A decision had to be made. I had spent 20 years pastoring churches and had witnessed the Lord’s blessing on my ministry. I believed that God was directing me to multiply that success by focusing my attention on preparing young men to become effective servants of the Lord. So I resigned my pastorate, and went to serve full time at Shasta Bible College. Over the years I have taught Greek, Hebrew, Hermeneutics, Exegetical Method, Church History, English Bible, Evangelism, and a number of theology classes. I now serve as Dean of Admissions and Records and chair the department of Bible and Theology. I am thrilled to have seen a number of my previous students serving the Lord as pastors, youth pastors, missionaries, teachers in Christian schools, and faithful Christian witnesses in many walks of life. I owe a great debt of gratitude to Northwest Baptist Seminary. Most of all I owe my deepest thanks to the God Who saved me, and has led me faithfully for His glory these many years. May He be praised!

  
George Gunn