Echo Spring 2023 - 14

By Carolina Luciano Burgos ('22 & '23)
F
" We need
Christian
teachers in
the schools
because what
they teach
today is not
really helping
the students
spiritually. "
- Joseph Jean-Charles
rom Lancaster School of the Bible to Lancaster
Bible College. For many, this doesn't seem like
a life-changing leap, but for individuals like
Joseph S. Jean-Charles ('73), who is marking 50
years since graduation, it meant open doors to
what God had in store.
Before enrolling at Lancaster School of the Bible
(LSB), the college's original name when it was
founded in 1933, Jean-Charles served in Haiti for
six years as a pastor and missionary working with
United Family Mission in Turtle Island, a name for
North America used by some Indigenous peoples.
After more than two years in the mission field,
he began preparations to move to the U.S. with
educational aspirations.
Jean-Charles applied to many different institutions;
LSB, however, was the first to open its doors to him.
The educational journey for the pastoral ministries
student was dotted with challenges along the way.
Language was the first barrier, as Jean-Charles
learned the basics of English. " Dr. (Thomas) Figart
(Sr.) was teaching an Old Testament course, " he
remembers. " I was sitting there for 45 minutes. I did
not understand one word. "
Jean-Charles also faced financial difficulties. " I was
also on a student visa [so] I couldn't work to support
[my family], " he says. " I couldn't work to make
money to send to them. "
However, the hardest part was being away from
his wife and children who were still in Haiti. He
remembers asking God, " What did I get myself
into? " Yet through LSB, God would work things out
for the better.
The school provided an English teacher for JeanCharles,
as well as a partner who would assist him
in class. " I'd sit by her, and she'd help me out with
notes, " he says. " LBC gave me all kinds of help. "
Finally, after a year of being in the U.S., Jean-Charles'
wife, Leane, was able to join him, and they both
eventually became citizens. " [Coming to Lancaster]
was a very hard process, a very hard move for me,
but the Lord was with us, " he shares.
For Jean-Charles, LSB was home to a wonderful
collection of experiences. Some of his fondest
memories were in the classroom with professors
like Dr. Figart and Dr. Earl Osborn, who were
among his favorites. " I remember them because of
the way they made the class alive, " he says. " [They]
made it easy to learn and remember the things
they'd been talking about. Every one of them helped
me get where I wanted to be. "
During his time at LSB, Jean-Charles also
remembers the great benefits of chapel gatherings,
playing on the men's soccer team and leading his
junior class. While he treasured his time at LSB, the
school's transition to Lancaster Bible College was
another important step for Jean-Charles to achieve
his academic goals.
" I wanted to go to a college, " he says. " I was glad
that Lancaster School of the Bible became a college
[in 1973] because I took a lot of other courses, like
sociology and anthropology. They didn't have those
in Haiti, so I was really happy. "
Jean-Charles has his own piece of history within
LBC as part of the first-ever graduating class of
Lancaster Bible College. He also earned a master's
degree in education from Millersville University in
1975, and his thesis became a library resource for
future Millersville students. Armed with two college
degrees, Jean-Charles began teaching high school
French at a public school in Urichsville, Ohio, along
with serving as a math and science teacher for
fifth-grade students. Building upon his years as a
college soccer player, Jean-Charles also coached
the school's team for 30 years and garnered Coach
of the Year honors along the way.
Alongside his duties as a teacher and coach,
Jean-Charles served as a pastor with the Church
Missionary Alliance and ministered to African
refugees for 16 years. Given his pastoral background,
Jean-Charles became a spiritual mentor for many
14 ECHO
Echo Spring 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Echo Spring 2023
