|
 Dr. Brent Garrison
With a long history of military-rebel conflicts, Filipinos think of a garrison as a military outpost where troops are stationed. Provincial road trips are frequently interrupted by barricades in front of a military garrison for inspection. The word garrison comes from a 13th century French word that means “fortification” which is a structure built in order to strengthen a place’s defenses. Dr. Brent Garrison’s class is a lot like that—an outpost of troops (pastors) being built up in order to strengthen the church.
Committed to prepare ministers to have eternal impact, Dr. Garrison, president of Southwestern College (SWC) in Arizona, U.S.A. visited the country last November 2005 to teach Church Management and Administration to our Pastoral Ministries Program students at the CB Guesthouse. He also attended the Jubilee Celebration (November 30) and the 1st CB Global Conference (December 2). Dr. Garrison graciously offered his time, wisdom and skills to fortify our pastors. This was the atmosphere with which Dr. Garrison is familiar from his years of teaching. The relaxed and jovial atmosphere of the learning experience served for the appreciation of students to the class. Filipino students love a jovial teacher. One of the students describes to us the kind of gift God has given Dr. Garrison, “Joker pero magaling na titser” (He is a joker but an excellent teacher). CBAP pastors from as far as Agoo, La Union (6-hour drive from Manila) attended the class with enthusiasm and anticipation. Trials and troubles in church administration have overwhelmed these students. One could tell this from their personal stories. Yet everyday after class, some would visit the CBS-Asia office discussing Dr. Garrison’s class with much delight. The class has somehow done something with their being overwhelmed in church work. It is not that trials and troubles went away. Yet they seemed to have learned to get rid of being “overwhelmed,” because they have learned how to stay “whelmed.” We at CBS-Asia are thankful to God because through these classes we get to encourage the pastors as if telling them, “See what a good biblically-based training can do?” Interestingly, Dr. Garrison has something to share also about his experience. We caught up with him a few weeks later through email. We asked him how he would describe his recent experience here in the Philippines. He responded, “Each time I’ve taught overseas I’m amazed at the working of God around the world. My wife and I came home from our trip to the Philippines overwhelmed at the warmth of those brothers and sisters in Christ we met in our travels. We also are thankful for the significant ministry and impact that CB churches are having. My ministry is impacted through gaining a global perspective that travel provides. We, Americans tend to think that the world revolves around us (I know it doesn’t) but such experiences help keep our focus. I also can share more fully with students and faculty my love formissions and believers all around the world.”  Dr. Garrison and the fortified pastors Dr. Garrison serves in an educational institution whose commitment is similar to that of CBS-Asia. SWC’s “focus is ministry, whether as a professional Christian worker or as a dedicated lay person. Christians may have different vocations, but they have only one goal: to glorify our Lord Jesus Christ. Each of us, then, who desires to live wholeheartedly for Christ becomes, in effect, a full-time Christian servant.” He asked us to join him in prayer “that the Christian College that I oversee see the blessings of God and that our graduates are prepared for ministry. I understand that what we do at Southwestern College is preparing graduates that will have eternal impact.” Dr. Garrison is married for 31 years to Maggi and they have 4 children: A.J. who is 23, Beth, 20, Joanna 17 and Christa 12. |
Archives 
