Fruitland Baptist Bible College presented degrees to 34 new graduates – 22 English speaking and 12 Spanish speaking graduates – during its commencement ceremonies held at the school’s main campus in Hendersonville Sept. 10.

This year’s graduation ceremony was a special occasion as Fruitland celebrates its 75th anniversary. Fruitland President David Horton reminded those gathered that this is an important milestone because for 75 years there have been thousands of educated and trained men and women who have served or are now serving across the globe making a difference for the Kingdom of God after graduating from Fruitland.

Stan Welch, pastor of West Asheville Baptist Church and a former professor at Fruitland, gave the commencement charge to the new graduates. Welch spoke from 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, encouraging the graduates that the same God who called them to their various ministries will empower them by His Spirit.

“We are to go out from this place in Jesus’ name and keep the main thing the main thing,” Welch said in the address. “Make much of the Lord Jesus Christ and lift high the cross of Christ.”

The message to the students and all in attendance was clear – Fruitland Baptist Bible College continues to be steadfastly committed to educating and discipling a diverse group of men and women to prepare them for a lifetime of gospel-focused ministry.

Welch also encouraged students to remember that they have a steward’s title, a sacred trust, a solemn test and will have a sovereign triumph in Christ as they walk forward with Him.

Fruitland is an entity of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, receiving about half of its funding from the Cooperative Program. It has more than 350 students between its main campus and satellite locations across the state, as well as a growing online program for remote education.

The 34 new graduates will now serve in ministry like the men and women who graduated before them.