Elim Fellowship Visit
It was a cold, rainy day in Lima, New York, as students and deans began arriving from Elim Bible College at Elim Fellowship. Today, students from Elim came to visit the staff at Elim Fellowship to connect with them and learn about the responsibilities each person fulfills in the building. Deep roots have been embedded in the relationship between Elim Bible College and Elim Fellowship dating back to 1933. Elim Bible Institute was officially established in 1924 in the city of Hornell, New York, by a God-fearing man named Ivan Q. Spencer, who was married to his wife, Minnie. Their kingdom vision was to train young men and women in their faith to equip them to fulfil the call of God on their lives for ministry work through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
The name “Elim” comes from Exodus 15:27, which describes it as an oasis in the wilderness. Over the years, Elim Fellowship has expanded into sending missionaries across the world. Today, Elim Fellowship supports over 145 affiliated churches, more than 125 missionaries, and 800 ministry partners worldwide. This organization involves numerous pastors, missionaries, and churches who are partnered in arms to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the nations. God calls every student who comes to Elim to impact the kingdom by just saying yes. Once everyone arrived at the Elim Fellowship building, the staff and president welcomed us. We lined up in three rows outside for a group photo, then divided into eight teams of four to six students. Each team received a case in a pamphlet involving someone seeking to become a pastor or missionary, secure financial support, plant a church, or pursue another form of ministry.
Together, we visited each building to identify the departments and resources that could help with the case. The scavenger hunt gave us an engaging opportunity to build relationships with oneanother and the staff, practice leadership, and learn about the organization’s various departments.
After each team had solved their case, teams would sit together as they ate their lunch for more bonding time. Elim Fellowship had blessed the students and staff with fresh cold hoagies, pizza, chips, and drinks.
Overall, the visit was an inspiring experience. It was meaningful to connect with staff from several departments, including missions (Jonathan Bowden, Matthew Slisher), maintenance (Josh Steffen), financial oversight (Becky Steffen), and others. The Elim Fellowship team warmly welcomed every student and staff member. Laughter and lively conversations filled the hallways as students worked enthusiastically to complete their assignments. In each room, staff asked students what God was doing in their lives and where He might be calling them to serve.
Likewise, the staff at Elim Fellowship were vulnerable about their journeys from Elim to where they are now, glorifying God’s goodness and faithfulness. Elim Fellowship created a safe, homelike atmosphere that encouraged students and reminded them that they do not have to pursue God’s calling alone. They were also there to pray, support, and equip both men and women students with all the resources they have to fan the flame of the callings and gifts God has given to each person. I would highly advise any student to come out to the once-a-year Elim Fellowship visit because it benefits the students to be able to have powerful connections for future ministry work that can reach the nations. There is power when God’s people come together arm in arm to impact the world and expand the kingdom with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.