Sea Breeze Community
by David Black, Director SBC
AS I DRIVE THROUGH the Sea Breeze Community, I try to see it through the eyes of a first-time visitor who might only see a modified mobile home park in need of serious attention. I ask the obvious question: what is this place? I also try to see it through the eyes of the residents who are familiar with all the things that need repaired. I see the deteriorating pavement, the crowded living conditions, the leaning mailboxes, the rusted sign posts, and the mismatched landscaping. I see the old buildings that are slouching from years of decay and neglect. I also see what most do not see; such as the eroding banks along the canals and a boat launch that needs repaired. I know things that most people do not think about. For example, there are water pipes and sewer lines that desperately need replaced. I then return to my office and contemplate the challenges of a tight budget and wonder how we can keep up with it all. I wonder, is it worth it?
However, I cannot help but feel that there is more to this community than first meets the eye. So, after some days pass, I decide to drive through the community again. This time with God's help I determine to focus on the people who live here instead of looking at the problems. I stop by the old apartment complex we call McKendrie Apartments. Nestled in one end of this building is a lady whom we all know as Bonnie Cleaver. Bonnie is a missionary who retired after 30 years of sacrificial service in Haiti. She is one of the many spiritual heroes who live on these grounds. I think of all the other missionaries who live here. They are retired, on furlough, or just passing through. My mind also goes quickly to the retired ministers, pastors, and evangelists who live on the campus. As I turn down another street, I stop in front of a mobile home which houses one of the teachers of the Hobe Sound Christian Academy. Over on the next canal I know that a college professor is probably preparing for his classes; and in another place, a college student, who is studying to become a pastor, is having breakfast with his family. Next, I drive by the largest building on, our grounds and in my mind's eye, during the stillness of this early morning, I see a few older people slipping into one of the rooms at 5:00 A.M. to pray. I see students filing into the T-Hall for early morning classes. Then in my imagination I observe as the parking lot fills to capacity and the sanctuary fills with worshippers. I look across the street and see the stately building known as the Hobe Sound Bible College Administration Building and I remember that the college will be celebrating its 50th anniversary next year!
Suddenly, I am gripped by the history, excitement, and purpose of this place. I remember reading this statement the other day ... Every community has a sense of history. A community is a place that feels like It has been around for a while, a place that has a back-story ... a story that you want to discover.
There was a place with a special story in Scripture too. It was just a pile of stones in Israel's history that provoked a lot of questions. "What do these stones mean?" the children asked. What is the meaning and purpose of this place? The answer? It was Israel's Ebenezer. The site was not named Ebenezer until after the Israelites finally defeated the Philistines, and took back the Ark of the Covenant. To commemorate the victorious battle, Samuel set up a stone marker and named it Stone of Help. The site became identified with the stone and with the place where God's miraculous help aided them in their victory over the Philistines. The stone, standing upright, was called Ebenezer, and the site naturally took on that name as well.
So, today I drive and explore our Ebenezer. I envision the sweat, tears, and sacrifice of the founders. Those men and women moved into this swampy area, dug the canals, and carved out a corner here in South Florida to create a spiritual haven.
I think of the spiritual giants like H. Robb French and S. D. Herron, who gave this place its beginning and its impetus through their prayers and hard work, and then I think of the countless others who joined together to bring this community into existence.
I see the present day college and academy. I see their halls filled with eager young faces and realize that those students are our future! I think of HIM missionaries who are ministering literally around the world, and I observe every week as the ministries of this campus church continue. I am reminded of the many reasons why this community exists. Of course, it is not just the location and physical address that make this unique ministry possible. It is always the leaders and the people who live here. Other places have their Ebenezer, and we have ours. As I look around, I say with the prophet of old, hitherto hath the Lord helped us!
Even though I realize we have much to do, I want us to remember this place is our Ebenezer, reminding us that since those early days we have come a long way. It is clear God has blessed us and He wants to continue to build His kingdom around the world through the resources He has given us here at SBC.
Finally, I am back in my office and as I reflect on this community from this new perspective I have to admit, yes, it is definitely worth it This community is worth our time and investment.
If you join us on occasion, perhaps for the 50th anniversary of the college next year, for a future Sea Breeze Camp meeting, if you just drop by to visit, or decide to live here, we ask you to help us make this place a spiritual haven.
This is a place where people come from all over the world to find physical rest and spiritual renewal. From here workers go back out into the world's vast harvest field to once more join God on His mission.
For this vision to continue to unfold, we will need your help and support. We need to continue to build relationships of trust. We need to be willing to make the same or even greater sacrifice than the previous generation. We will need to live up to our motto:
