Thank you for your continued prayers and financial support for the Bible School this summer.  We rejoice in the answers to prayer that we have experienced this past month.  Among these include:
New Music Director
God’s provision of the new music director.  Mr. Andrew Hanson was interviewed by the Board of Trustees and extended a call to serve as music director for our schools, a call which he officially began serving on August 1st.  Mr. Hanson has previously taught 6 years of vocal music at St. Francis High School and for the past 7 years has also served as Director of Music at Grace Free Lutheran Church in Maple Grove, MN.  Mr. Hanson, a graduate of St. Olaf College, is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Choral Conducting at St. Cloud State University.  He is excited to serve the Lord in this ministry at our schools.
Dorm Renovation
Renovation of the men’s dorm bathrooms and painting both dorms and the installation of all new washers and dryers and filtered water fountains is nearly complete. We are so thankful for those who have made these improvements possible.
Golf Scramble
We praise God for an absolutely beautiful day on August 11 and for the great response of men, women and youth for the AFLBS Golf Scramble! While having a great time of fellowship together golfing, almost $8000 was raised for student scholarships. We praise God for this great support to students in financial need. Last year twenty-one students received scholarships from the funds raised through the golf scramble.  Click here to read student testimonies of appreciation.
Summer Teams Return
35 AFLBS students and graduates have just returned from a wonderful summer, filled with opportunities to share Jesus with others. 
The eight summer teams, with 35 Bible school students and graduates returned Saturday from their ten-week tour traveling through 35 states in a ministry of VBS, camp counselors and support personnel, and 75 concerts. It was a joy to hear their reports of lives changed, and Jesus being lifted up among young people and congregations.
Read testimonies from summer team members!
Prayer Needed
Please continue to pray with us for the following:

• For more new and returning students.  We are currently near capacity for men students in the men’s dorm.  We would especially love to have more women students.  It has been a great encouragement to see more applications come in over the last couple weeks!
• Students as they pray about coming to AFLBS in the fall; for God’s provision for them and other concerns they might have about leaving home to attend Bible school. That their pastors, parents and friends would be supportive and encourage them in coming to Bible school.
• For the three to four students who have indicated their intention to enroll in the third-year Ministry Training Institute (MTI).
• As we plan for Fall Campus Days, October 17-19, 2008. We encourage all high school students to send in their application early for this great weekend. Pastor Eric Westlake will be our evening speaker.
• For our new Women’s Resident Head, Christina Berge, and new Men’s Resident Head, Adam Osier (and his new bride, the former Women’s Resident Head, Courtney Jacobi) as they prepare for their new roles at AFLBS.

We praise God for the gifts given and progress made on reducing the debt on Heritage Hall. The debt has been reduced this past year from $400,000 to just under $200,000. We praise God for the way He provides. For more information click on Heritage 400.

     Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, through their Giving Plus program,  will supplement $1 for every $2 donated by members up to a $300 maximum supplement to each organization. Donations can be for any amount up to $600 (or more). Members can make multiple donations (i.e. monthly, quarterly, etc.) to the same organization in a given year and have the supplemental dollars provided when the paperwork is received and processed, however the donations will only be supplemented up to the $300 maximum supplement. Forms for gifts to AFLBS are available here.
     Thrivent Financial is also helping us with a new and easier way for students and their parents to pay school bills. Simply Giving® is an automated giving program designed to help you conveniently and consistently contribute to a Lutheran institution or to pay tuition at a Lutheran school, such as AFLBS. Through Simply Giving®, your gifts or tuition payments are made through a pre-authorized withdrawal from your bank account or credit card. You determine the frequency of your automatic gift—weekly, semi-monthly or monthly—the option is yours. Your gift or payment is deposited into the recipient's bank account on the same day it is withdrawn from your account—at no cost to you or the recipient.

Thank you for your continued prayers and financial support of the Bible school!