From the President
As I begin my work at Athens Bible School, I am both humbled and honored to have been given the opportunity to serve in the capacity of Principal/President. I am thankful that the ABS Board of Directors saw fit to allow me to work with such remarkable young people, faculty, and staff and I look forward to the journey ahead. The school is much different from any place I’ve worked before, as all my near thirty years in educational have been in public schools. For most of that time, I served students directly as a counselor or in counseling related jobs. I taught social sciences for three of those years. However, as principal, there are many more different and varied responsibilities compared with other things I have done. Nonetheless, I am excited about the change and the challenge.
Athens Bible School has long held a special place in my heart. I spent my first four years of grade school here under the tutelage of Mrs. Glass, Mrs. Sparks, Mrs. Holt and Mrs. Pepper. The memories and lessons I learned during those early, formative years have stayed with me and shaped the remainder of my life. My father-in-law, Don Osborne spent many happy years here as teacher, counselor and principal. My wife Jill (1975) attended from fourth through twelfth grades. My daughters, Jennifer Hall (2003) and Rebecca Adams (2006) spent three and six years here, respectively. I couldn’t have been more pleased with the education they received and the difference it has made in their lives, outlook and perspective. Jill and I are so thankful that we made the decision to send them to ABS and I’ve heard both girls echo the same sentiment.
When I think of the long and storied history of Athens Bible School, I cannot help but remember the founders and the many sacrifices so many have made down through the years to enable the institution to continue and flourish. The men who have led this institution have left a great and formidable legacy and I certainly pay tribute and homage to their service and dedication. I would be amiss not to mention my predecessor, Dr. Joseph P. Olson, a man for whom my appreciation and gratitude grows each day. In my mind, his thirty four years of service to ABS stands unrivaled and probably will for a long, long time. I wish for him and his family all the best as he begins his new role, teaching on the college level.
As I look to the future of ABS, there are many challenges and opportunities on the horizon. Continuing to use all available resources prudently and as good stewards of our funding is important in our quest to sustain ourselves and eventually move to a new property. Certainly, delivering the best academic preparation we can must continue to be a very significant part of our efforts. However, the single most important part of what we do is to provide the opportunity for our student’s to learn from the word of God on a daily basis. Beginning each day with Bible class and chapel is a distinguishing feature of the school that can make not only an earthly, but an eternal difference! It is great to be part of the augmentation of the family’s efforts in the education and training of their children. I truly believe that if we “train up a child in the way he should go: when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
I look forward to serving in this safe and wholesome environment where children are taught by solid, outstanding educators who are good role models, after which young lives can be patterned.
Randall L. Adams
President
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