What is it?
Bibleville is a 40-acre non-denominational Bible conference center in Alamo, Texas, where “Winter Texans” (also called “Winter Volunteers”) share their faith and participate in varied activities during the winter months. Although it has mobile home and RV hookups, it is not primarily a mobile home park. Its emphasis is to minister to Winter Texans and local citizens, much of it Hispanic.
Bibleville can house more than 500 senior citizens through its 100 hookup spaces and 180 rented lots for mobile homes. It has an 800-seat auditorium for regular church services, Sunday schools, Bible studies, prayer groups, Bible and religious conferences, sacred concerts and jams, including its own Glory Band, religious entertainments, crafts, dinners, and assorted meetings for special projects.
Yet, in 1993 Bibleville merged with the Rio Grande Bible Institute in nearby Edinburg, Texas. The latter is a non-denominational four-year Bible college for training Latin American missionaries, which includes the border regions between Mexico and the United States. It was founded in 1946 by a Danish evangelist, M.C. Ehlert. At first, this college taught both in English and Spanish. But in 1955, it went to Spanish only. It does provide an intense one-year Spanish course for non-speaking students who will serve in Spanish-speaking countries. Thus, Bibleville embraces both the Latin American ministries as well as their own to the Winter Texans and local citizenry.
Can anyone stay there?
Yes. Anyone 55-plus years-old can apply to stay there and spend 28-hours a week doing their mission work during the winter months. However, the park wants applicants who are Christians with references. Additionally, anyone serving on the park’s board or in certain leadership roles there must commit to 15 comprehensive Articles of Faith in writing.
How much do the hookups and rentals cost?
Via to Internet sources, around $250 per month for six months.
What are Bibleville’s specific missions?
Its missions are assisting, being helpful, and charitable. These can include cleaning, sewing, cooking, house keeping, and handy work, like mowing, tree trimming, plumbing, electrical, and several kinds of repair, as well as collecting food and goods for donating to needy areas.
Do these Winter Texans take part in the Latin American ministries?
Probably not, or rarely. Retired and senior Winter Texans generally don’t have the time or energy to take four years of college or to take an intense language course that requires passing an aptitude test. However, they can serve locally or in impoverished areas along the border and elsewhere as mentioned above.
Can Winter Texans take the one-year Spanish course alone?
Not really. This course requires the missionary commitments assigned to the college itself. No one can take this course to learn the language only.
Does anything about this park stand out to people unfamiliar with it?
Yes. Bibleville’s holds five or more free Bible conferences in its auditorium every year between January and early March. These weekly conferences are taught by well-known PhD scholars and ministers from varied parts of the continent. Attendees also come to these evening conferences from all over. The only cost to out-of-town visitors is board and room. The Winter Volunteers living in the park can attend as many of these as they like.
This park also holds at least nine Saturday-night gospel or religious concerts open to the public during this period. These concerts are talented traveling musical or theatrical groups. Cost: free will offering.
Conclusion.
Bibleville is definitely Bible oriented. Even its streets have biblical names. Moreover, it offers useful purpose to those “snowbirds” wanting more in their winter-valley life than warmer-weather entertainments and relaxations, even though they can do these in their spare time. God uses everyone.