Preparing for Ambassador Bible Center

Are you curious about ABC? Read a firsthand report by someone who has been there, done that.

by Mike Greider

Thinking about going to the Ambassador Bible Center? Fantastic! But are you worried that it can't happen for you?

A seven-month sabbatical from school, work or other commitments may seem impossible to some, but the ABC program is worth the sacrifices. In fact, as I look back at the challenges that seemed at first to be hindering my journey to ABC, I thought that I would never be able to attend. However, I was wrong.

Prior commitments seemed to fade, obstacles moved aside and God's intervention helped guide me to ABC. Now, I can't picture my life without the knowledge and lifelong friends I gained as part of the experience.

If you are considering going to ABC, perhaps you are interested in knowing what it was like for me. Here is what I discovered.

Spiritual education

Quite a few of the prospective students voiced major concerns about going to ABC because they did not think that they were "spiritual" enough. Obviously, ABC is a Bible-inclusive study institution. However, the purpose of ABC is to help teach the Word and way of God.

You may not know everything about the Bible or what the Church teaches—I didn't. But that is the beautiful part about ABC. You need not feel that you have to have a certain understanding before you go to ABC; you just need to be willing to focus on learning and understanding more about the Bible and God's true way of life.

ABC is not meant to be a program for those who may already be far advanced in biblical studies, but more for those who are in the Church and want to add understanding to the knowledge they already possess.

Prepare for a challenge

Sore backs and tender backsides are common jokes passed within the ABC community and for good reason. If you attend, you will be sitting for many hours a day. On top of that, most students will work after class to help support themselves.

While this is certainly not a walk-in-the-park experience, it shouldn't be daunting either. ABC is intense—spiritually and mentally. Do realize that you may not be getting as much sleep as you are used to and those Friday evenings will seem even more special.

Financial considerations

Possibly one of the most important, yet overlooked, factors in the decision to come to ABC is your financial situation. The tuition for seven months is just the start of expenses. Many students find that they will spend between $7 and 10 thousand during the entirety of the session. This may come as a surprise to most people, especially for younger students who have not had to make a living for themselves. So what can one do to prepare for these costs?

1. Save profusely.
2. Budget everything—then stick to your budget.
3. Arrive at ABC early to secure a job.
4. Plan for the unexpected.

Ambassador Bible Center is an intense program, with days packed with classes, work and social activities. For days and weeks on end, sleep will seem to be almost out of reach. However, ABC can also be one of the most rewarding experiences in your life. It certainly was for me, and it can be for you, with proper planning and budgeting.

For those individuals who are still uncertain about coming to Ambassador Bible Center, I invite you to take a closer look into the program (see http://www.ucg.org/abc). While it may not be for everyone, going over the Bible systematically is a rewarding experience that should be experienced if at all possible. I promise you that attending ABC will be unlike anything you have experienced before. YU