Renee Dantzler (’23)

Online Communication Graduate

The Road to LBC

About 30 years ago, I started the journey of pursuing a degree. I stopped and started, stopped and started again. Life events occurred. I suffered the loss of my one and only sister in 1998.

In 2009, I obtained a certificate of Biblical Studies from Calvary Bible Institute. It was from CBI that I learned about Lancaster Bible College. However, I was not ready at that time. God’s timing is always better than our own. While in my “stopped phase,” more life challenges ensued. In 2016, our son Andrew, who was only 18 years old, passed away. This is a pain I live with every day.

Finish the Race

Despite my pain, in 2020 God said, “Go back to school, finish what you started!” It was at this time that I registered to attend LBC’s online program. That fall, I started my LBC journey. Very few knew I was attending college full time while grieving the loss of our youngest son. While being a wife, running a business, dealing with health issues such as depression, migraine headaches and partial seizures, and helping to take care of my mother and her health issues, I was determined to do what God told me to do. The command was clear: “Finish what you started.”

Determination

Although I was determined, the fast pace of the online road to get my degree was not easy. This determination required complete dedication. I had to discipline myself by dedicating time to studying, reading and engaging in class discussions. This meant cutting leisure time to focus on my studies.

Worth the Challenges

While the journey was not easy, it was worth it. I love the fact that each course included studying the Word of God. Engaging in class discussions was a wonderful way to see God’s Word from other people’s experiences and perspectives while offering my own. I share this story to let others know that if I can finish what I started amid life’s challenges, so can you. Never, ever give up!