Episode Overview

Podcast: Dufresne Ministries Podcast
Episode: WHBTC Commencement 2020 with Noel Ramos (World Harvest Church, Murrieta, CA)
Date: September 21, 2020
Speaker: Noel Ramos

The episode features Noel Ramos delivering the commencement address at World Harvest Bible Training Center in 2020. Speaking to graduating and returning students, Ramos draws from personal experience and scripture to encourage perseverance, spiritual maturity, valuing the anointing, and refusing to quit on God’s plan—even under pressure or in difficult circumstances. The address is tailored to those involved in Bible school but offers lessons relevant to all Christians seeking to continue growing in faith and character.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Value of Bible School and Spiritual Training

• Ramos opens with gratitude for the opportunity to address Bible school students, noting the unique call and privilege of attending Bible school.
• He acknowledges his own background as a "quitter" before he discovered the significance and value of Bible training, emphasizing, "Faith has no quitting sense." (01:25)
• For some, a desire (not only a leading) is enough reason to pursue Bible school.

2. The Foundation of the Written Word

• Early in the message, Ramos emphasizes that the Holy Ghost leads believers first to the written Word:

  "Before the Holy Ghost will lead you into specific things in your life, He will lead you to the written word." (03:15)

• Refers to Jesus’ example of turning to the written Word when tempted.

3. Valuing the Anointing More Than Material Sacrifice

• Ramos shares how pursuing the anointing sometimes required emptying his bank account to attend meetings, only to realize it’s not about money, but about demonstrating value for the anointing:

  "It is not about the money. It is about valuing the anointing. You put a value to it." (05:25)

4. The Role of Pressure and Perseverance

• Uses personal anecdotes—like laying hands on a malfunctioning car and seeing God provide—to show that challenges are opportunities to activate faith and develop character.
• Emphasizes that what students endure is not "suffering" but "putting a value in the anointing." (12:55)
• Discusses how the presence of God supersedes natural pressures when one learns to worship and fellowship.

5. The Fivefold Ministry and Purpose of Bible School (Ephesians 4)

• Ramos reads and expounds on Ephesians 4:7-12, highlighting:
  • The fivefold ministry gifts (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers) are given after Christ’s ascension for the "perfecting of the saints."
  • Maturity precedes ministry:

    "The ministry is not the first one that was mentioned. It is the maturity." (21:08)

  • Success in ministry is not measured by numbers, but by personal spiritual growth:

    "I said, Lord, how do you grow a church? ... He said to me, 'Son, you grow first.'" (24:27)

6. Impartation and the Unique Opportunity of Bible School

• Bible school at WHBTC is depicted as uniquely privileged to regularly expose students to all fivefold ministries.
• Highlighted guest ministers (e.g., Pastor Nancy Dufresne, Reverend Richard, Pastor Lukatic) are described as sources of deep spiritual impartation.
• The students are urged to recognize that "Very few will give themselves to it. Very few people, Christians. It will take them years to develop. You as a student—it'll take you shorter than that because there are fivefold ministry gift that comes into your life." (43:22)

7. Don’t Let Circumstance Dictate Spiritual Commitment

• Cautions against letting COVID or any adversity be the reason to quit Bible school or the plan of God:

  "Don’t you ever do that. When God leads you, you finish it. There is a faith in you to finish. Amen. Never quit." (09:45)

• Decisions motivated by fear or pressure are framed as opening the door to the enemy.

8. Personal Stories of Almost Quitting and Staying the Course

• Shares a moving moment when he nearly "quit on Dad Dufresne," only for Dr. Dufresne to call and encourage him at the critical time.
• Jesus’ call to "walk on water" is used as a metaphor for stepping out in faith:

  "He said, 'walk.' Okay, Lord, I will walk. I release my faith. That’s when the phone rang." (56:45)

9. The Lasting Importance of Character and Maturity

• Warns against finishing Bible school only to neglect character development, which remains key for lifelong ministry.
• Cautions:

  "If you quit Bible school, you just don’t quit Bible school. You quit the plan of God. Never quit the plan of God." (60:32)

• Reinforces that spiritual fruit (love, joy, self-control, etc.) should be central, not just ministry anointing or outward success.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• "Faith has no quitting sense." (01:25)
• "Before the Holy Ghost will lead you into specific things about your life, He will lead you to the written word." (03:15)
• "It is not about the money. It is about valuing the anointing." (05:25)
• "You grow first, and then the ministry will grow." (24:27)
• "The ministry is not the first one that was mentioned. It is the maturity." (21:08)
• "If you quit Bible school, you just don’t quit Bible school. You quit the plan of God. Never quit the plan of God." (60:32)
• "You just have to cultivate it. You just have to mature. You just have to develop your fellowship with God." (54:42)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:25 – Faith’s refusal to quit; introduction of theme
• 03:15 – The Holy Ghost leads to the written Word before specific guidance
• 05:25 – Story on valuing anointing over money
• 09:45 – Encouragement not to let COVID or circumstances dictate spiritual commitment
• 12:55 – Character built through pressure; story of overcoming practical obstacles
• 21:08 – Explanation of Ephesians 4 and priority of maturity over ministry
• 24:27 – God's model for ministry growth: the leader must grow first
• 43:22 – Unique impartation available in Bible school setting
• 54:42 – The need to continually cultivate spiritual gifts and maturity
• 56:45 – Testimony: Near quitting, but choosing faith and being reaffirmed by a mentor’s call
• 60:32 – Strong admonition to never quit the plan of God

Concluding Thoughts

Noel Ramos’ commencement address is a call for persistence, spiritual growth, and a deep valuing of the anointing and opportunities afforded by Bible school. Drawing from personal hardship and scriptural teaching, he challenges students not to make decisions based on fear or convenience, but to respond to the plan and leading of God, developing character and faith for lasting ministry impact.

For more messages and resources, visit dufresneministries.org.