Small Moments, Eternal Impact An Interview with Mark Morse
Students Reaching the Next Generation Youth Ministry Internship
Issue 17
CONTENTS
02 04
A Note from Don Lough, Jr. Small Moments, Eternal Impact: An Interview with Mark Morse Alumni Updates Alumni Weddings Students Reaching the Next Generation Global Report Dedications
10 14 18 24 27
A Note from Don Lough, Jr. In 2 Peter 3:9, the writer gives us a glimpse of God’s desire for people everywhere to come to Him: “The Lord is… not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” God has provided the only way for anyone who trusts in the saving work of Christ to have a personal relation- ship with Him. Until He returns, we have the privi- lege of serving as messengers of this good news! At Word of Life, we remain committed to reaching people of every nation with the gospel. I am so encouraged to see how God is working through camps, Bible Institutes, and local church youth ministries to impact lives for eternity. This edition of The Experience is filled with reports of life change across the globe. As you read on, I pray you are challenged to live as a faithful messenger of the hope that is only found in Jesus Christ.
MAJOR CONTRIBUTORS
Editor-in-Chief & Copywriter – Hope Trimble ‘20 Designer – Teresa Stursberg ‘14 Alumni Engagement Manager – Rebecca Berga ’15 & ‘16 Alumni Relations – Ken Hayden ‘86
The Experience is a publication of Word of Life. We want to build a community where you can find longtime friends, share testimonies of what God has been doing, encourage others with stories of change, and learn how you, too, can be involved with the mission of Word of Life. ©Copyright 2023 — Word of Life Fellowship. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission. The perspectives of the author(s) in this magazine do not necessarily represent the perspectives of Word of Life Bible Institute and/or Word of Life Fellowship.
In His Service,
Don Lough, Jr. ’84 Chancellor, Bible Institute President and CEO, Word of Life Fellowship, Inc.
wol.is/home
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October 6-8 / Pottersville, New York
We are excited to invite our Bible Institute parents, families, and alumni to join us for this year’s New York Homecoming!
In one incredible weekend, you can experience:
• Alumnus of the Year Award Presentation and Chapel • Men’s and Women’s Alumni Basketball Games • 50th Year Anniversary Dinner for the Class of ‘73 • Class Reunions • Fun Activities for the Entire Family! (Sign-up forms are available on our landing page for hosting a class reunion or participating in the alumni basketball games) Visit wol.is/nyhomecoming to learn more!
@wordoflifealumni
@wolalumni
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The Experience
The Full Circle of Youth Ministry An Interview with Mark Morse '97 & '98
Pictured: Hershey Reverb 2022
4
knownst to me, six of my teammates were Christians who attended Word of Life clubs through their church. They treated me well despite who I was at that point – an unsaved, foul- mouthed, angry fifteen-year-old. When it came time for school to start, one of the players invited me to a Bible study at our school.” Mark went to the Bible study meeting, and he continued to attend in the days that followed. Several weeks later, his teammate invited him to go to the Word of Life youth group at his church; Mark said yes. “My teammate’s uncle was the club leader, and he introduced himself as soon as I walked in. It was a good- sized group; 65-70 teenagers were packed in this small New England church. At that first club
Last November, thousands of teens packed arenas across the East Coast for Word of Life’s all-night evangelistic event known as Reverb. For Bible Institute students who help run Reverb, the night is often dotted with a series of hurried, seem- ingly insignificant interactions – a high five to the underdog in a dodgeball tournament, a momentary conversa- tion following the gospel message, a simple smile across the arena at a shy student – and yet, these fleeting moments can be part of a much greater journey in a teen’s life. Such was the case for Mark Morse. Mark operates a Chick-fil-A in Lumberton, North Carolina, and he actively serves the Lord in his local church. As a child, however, his life was heading in an entirely different direction. “I was born in Connecticut into a nominal Catholic family. Through elementary school, we only went to church on Christmas and Easter.” By the time Mark entered his teenage years, his parents had divorced, and he was being bounced from house to house. “In the summer after my freshman year, I started getting curious. I had an emptiness that I wanted to have filled.”
It was on this night [at Reverb] that Mark encountered the gospel for the very first time.
meeting, they were talking about kids ‘getting saved’ at
a recent Word of Life event.” Mark didn’t know what that meant at the time, but he wanted to learn more. When the youth leader invited him to a night of games and activities at the event now known as Reverb, Mark didn’t hesitate. “We got on the bus and drove to Springfield, Massachu- setts. We watched a great hockey game; then, they started playing games on the ice. It was 29 years ago, but I still remember that night vividly.”
“I played baseball on a senior league team in a town called Eastford. Unbe-
In 2022, Youth Ministries hosted Reverbs in 16 cities across the United States.
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The Experience
It was on this night that Mark encountered the gospel for the very first time. “I heard about how Jesus loved me; I heard that He wanted a relationship with me, and that He wanted to forgive me. It was very different than anything I’d heard before.” When the speaker invited students to trust Christ, Mark prayed to receive Jesus as His Savior. “While there was an emotional feeling, it was also an intellectual commitment. I didn’t have a biblical foundation at the time, but I knew that Jesus had just come into my life.” That night at Reverb was the launching point of Mark’s relationship with Jesus. “I took off like a rocket over the next few months. I began learning more about my Bible, and I started attending church on Sunday mornings and evenings.” Mark’s youth leaders got him involved in a discipleship group, and they continued to mentor him through the ups and downs of his high school years. “I gravitated toward these strong role models that I was lacking at home; the fact that they were godly role models meant that they were able to speak truth into my life.” Upon graduating high school, Mark spent two years as a Word of Life Bible Institute student. Not only did Mark build a biblical foundation for life, but he also gained experience in professional leadership skills. “By my second year, I was serving as a resident assistant and the student head of the bakery department. God was giving me those early experiences to help me grow into a life of discipline, both in my spiritual growth and in the practical day-to-day.”
Mark Morse, 2022
High school photo of Mark Morse, 1996
Mark’s freshman year at the Bible Institute, 1997
Today, Mark is the owner and operator of a Chick-fil-A restau- rant. He sees his business as a stewardship from the Lord, and he is passionate about reaching his community with the gospel. His story begs the question: What if God uses countless small moments – whether in the middle of an all-night youth event or over a chicken sand- wich lunch – to impact lives for eternity?
Reverb 2022 13,509 Gospel Presentations 428 Salvation Decisions
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“It was an amazing experience to be able to talk to two girls after they trusted in Jesus for the first time and to see the joy that they had in our conversation.”
Laura McKee Word of Life Bible Institute ‘23
What if God uses countless small moments... to impact lives for eternity?
“At one of the activities, [a student] noticed my camera. We started talking about photography; then we talked about his testimony and how he can be living the Christian life now. I’m so glad God orchestrated that conversation!”
Gabriel Penfield Word of Life Bible Institute ‘23
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The Experience
Did You Know?
Word of Life offers youth and family resources for year-round spiritual growth!
Rochester Reverb 2022
Quiet Time Devotionals wol.is/quiettime
Online Quiet Time App quiettime.life
Podcast for Youth Leaders wol.is/stackingchairs
Check out all the youth ministry resources Word of Life has to offer!
wol.is/youthministry
Youth Ministry Blog wol.is/multiply
Youth Scholarships wol.is/ymscholarships
Curricula for Youth and Children wol.is/teachersource
9
The Experience
Pictured left to right: Zachariah ‘15 ‘16 and Brittany (Hutchins ‘15 ‘16) Trimble with Kolby and Mckenna; Dan and Peggy Rayner; Kelsey (Craige ‘18) and Nathan ‘18 Hutchins; Ty ‘88 and Kim (Rayner ‘87) Hutchins
Alumni Updates 1970’s
1980’s Cheryl Shelley ‘85 lives in New Jersey and has one adult daughter, Becca. Cheryl works in the accounting department at Associated Fire Protection. At church, she serves as the junior church coordinator, a member of the worship team, and a helper in many other areas.
Tammy Lewis ‘88 is a registered nurse with a Master’s Degree in Nursing Education. She is involved in the Sheridan Parkside Life Center in Tonawanda, New York, helping to bring dignity, value, and joy to this 1,000- home community that is one of the lowest resource areas in western New York. 1990’s Eric Swanson ‘91 and his wife, Tasha, have seven children and one grandson. They live in Kansas, where Eric works for Kalmar. As a product safety and standards manager, he ensures the safety of terminal tractors that move goods and containers at nearly every distribution center and shipping port around the world. At church, he played keyboard on the worship team for about 15 years and is now teaching in the children’s ministry. Weston White ‘95 and his wife, Michelle, have four teenaged children: Weston II, Nathan, Jonathan, and Carolina. They live in Virginia, where Wesley serves as a church planter and the founding pastor of Mission Point Church in Williamsburg.
June (Forrest ‘72) Richmond lives in New Hampshire with her husband, Mark. June is mostly retired but is still involved in ministry. She does office work for a ministry to prisoners. Cynthia (Channon ‘72) Rydelnik is retired and lives in the Capital region of New York. She was a choir director for 27 years. Joann (Chladek ‘72) Pagano and her husband are involved in Spanish church planting in southern New Jersey. They have four adult children and five grandchildren. Holly (Hurlburt ‘72) Miller and her husband, Ken, live in New Jersey. Holly is a retired registered nurse. Robyn (Forrest ‘74) Schenkenberger and her husband, Tom, live in Tennessee. Robyn is a retired bookkeeper. She is involved at church in women’s Bible studies, moms’ mentor groups, a volunteer food pantry, children’s ministries, and prayer teams. Scott Gifford ‘76 and his wife, Renee, live in Plattsburgh, New York, where Scott works as a financial planner.
Michael Kocher ‘86 is living in Louisiana and works in event security.
Donna (Urwin ‘86) Laferriere lives in Rhode Island, where she is a fiduciary tax accountant. She has six adult children and four grandchildren. Bev (Babcock ‘87) Gunter and her husband, Vic, live in South Carolina, where Bev works as a professional counselor. They have two adult children, Brad and Mitchell. Ty ‘88 and Kimberly (Rayner ‘87) Hutchins recently moved from Maine to Michigan. Ty is an Uber and Lyft driver, while Kim does on-call nanny services part time. They have three adult children: Brittany, Nathan, and Megan. All three of their children are alumni, and two are married to alumni.
“My year at the Bible Institute was foundational
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was part of the first class to graduate from Word of Life Florida Bible Institute.
mom and owns a small business called Bright Futures MV, offering piano lessons with plans to eventually offer math tutoring and homework help classes. At church, they are plugged in and involved where needed: music, kitchen, teardown, etc. Amanda (Kilcollins ‘05) Nkamwesiga and her husband, Gilbert, live in northern Maine. Amanda is a pastor’s wife, homemaker, and homeschooling mom to their three children: Charis, Andrew, and Nathanael. She and her husband were on staff for many years at Word of Life Africa Bible Institute in Uganda.
to all I do now – from the academic side, but more importantly the practical side of ministry. It gave me courage to lead as a prison team leader and to serve at Word of Life Florida. Forever grateful for this place.” – Weston White ‘95 Michael Harsh ‘95 and his wife, Jennifer, live in California, where Michael is an application support specialist for Shasta County. Kelly (Diffenbach ‘97) Sulter and her husband, Armand, live in Pennsylvania, where Kelly is the activity coordinator for a senior living facility. They have two children, Noah and Gracie. Andrew Priano ‘98 and his wife, Shelby, live in Pennsylvania, and they have three children: Samuel, David, and Noah. Andrew is a CPA and owns a tax practice. Jason ‘98 and Kelley (Mooneyham ‘98) Nix live in Virginia, and they have six children: William, Phoebe, Jacob, Evelyn, Ophelia, and Eliza. Kelley serves at Immanuel Bible Church as the director of student music. Jason and Kelley were part of the first class to graduate from Word of Life Florida Bible Institute. Alicia (Taylor ‘98) Roberts and her husband, Marshall, live in Virginia, and they have four children: Marshall, McKenzie, Micah, and Madison. Alicia works in education. Loretta (Owens ‘98) Freeman and her husband, Taj, live in Maryland, and they have a son named Korbin. Loretta is a middle school special ed teacher. Loretta was in the first class to graduate from Word of Life Florida Bible Institute. Jennifer (Thompson ‘98) Petrocelli and her husband, Kevin, live in Ohio, where Jennifer works as an office manager. At church, they are involved in youth ministry. Jennifer was part of the first class to graduate from Word of Life Florida Bible Institute. Renee (Stroud ‘98) Johnson and her husband, Brian, live in New York, and they have three children: Abigail, Alexis, and Seth. Renee serves at a small Christian school in rural western New York. Renee
Katie (Groman ‘98) Boggs and her husband, Josh, live in Texas. Katie is a biblical counselor; she serves as the president, founder, and counselor at Grace + Truth Project, a nonprofit organization offering free biblical counseling to the community. Katie was part of the first class to graduate from Word of Life Florida Bible Institute. Jamey ‘00 and Sara (Stelma ‘98) Stout live in North Carolina. They have seven children ranging in age from one to nineteen: Zoie-Grace, Sophia, Joseph, Daniel, Nehemiah, Lillian, and Andrew. Sara is busy raising their children and being a wife. She was in the first class to graduate from Word of Life Florida Bible Institute. Jason ‘98 ‘99 and Jenny (Weethee ‘01) Hubbard live in Texas. Jason is a youth pastor and an ordained pastor in the Presbyterian Church. He was in the first class to graduate from Word of Life Florida Bible Institute; after completing second year in New York, he served as a Resident Director for Florida. Ben Belanger ‘99 is married to Sarah. They live in Virginia, where Ben is on active duty with the U.S. Navy. Laura (Mattison ‘99) Rosenberger and her husband, Luke, have five daughters and live in North Carolina. Laura teaches K–12th grade music at a Christian school. Her husband works full time at a pregnancy resource center, and they both serve at church with the fourth and fifth grade students. 2000’s Michael ‘00 and Amanda (Sabourin ‘00) Luciano live in Staten Island, where Michael is the senior pastor at Gateway Church. They have two sons, Anthony and Isaiah. Andrea (Clark ‘04) Detweiler and her husband, Justin, live in Pennsylvania. They have five children: Emma, Isabelle, Eden, Ian, and Oliver. Nicole (Dillistone ‘05 ‘06) Stark and her husband, Kevin, have three children: Kaitlyn, Isaac, and Levi. They moved to Idaho from Canada in 2022. Nicole is a homeschooling
“Our many years at Word of Life shaped us into the people we are today. We
learned to be firmly grounded on Christ the solid rock! We still use the tools we were given to equip others to this day.” – Amanda Nkamwesiga ‘05 Andy Yoder ‘06 and his wife, Annette, live in Pennsylvania and have four children: Karina, Russell, Audrie, and Carson. Andy has been a pastor and has worked in the automotive field. He is currently working as a financial coach, helping others achieve financial harmony. He and his wife serve in the children’s ministry at their church. Blaise Chrzastek ‘08 is married to Melissa, and they have three children: Blaise III, Kenna, and Summer. Blaise is starting a handyman business on Long Island, and they are pursuing starting a new church on Long Island in the fall of 2023.
“God used Word of Life to change my life. I was a mess. By God's love,
grace, and patience, my life was impacted greatly through the Bible, professors, ministries, and friends from Word of Life. I can’t wait for my three kids to attend in the future.” – Blaise Chrzastek ‘08 Derek Gilbert ‘08 and his wife, Sarah, live in the Southern Tier region of New York. They have four children: Ian, Leah, Michael, and Benjamin. Derek is a district manager for a convenience store chain, overseeing 13 multi-million-dollar locations. At church, he teaches Sunday school and fills the pulpit as needed.
11 The Experience
Katie (McClung ‘09) Hicks is married to Zack, and they are living in Georgia. Katie works for her in-laws running their business website. She is currently involved at a church where her husband is fulfilling the need for a part-time pastor. John Swan ‘09 lives in Georgia and is married to Tiffany. They have a daughter, Riley. John works as a bank teller. 2010’s George ‘11 and Emily (Sardano ‘12) Hossann live in New York, where George works for the New York State Police. They have three children: Mason, Logan, and Jayce. They are involved as volunteers at Grace Community Church. Jeremiah Chapman ‘13 is married to Leah, and they live in North Carolina. They have four children: Courtney, Arriah, Noah, and Hannah. They also have two grandchildren. Jeremiah teaches Middle Grades Bible, ELA, and History at Hillsborough Christian Academy. Rikki (Shingledecker ‘14) Shosey is married to Gregory, and they live in Michigan. Rikki is an associate at Benefit Profiles Inc. At church, they are part of the welcoming committee. Wesley Stagg ‘14 lives in Michigan, where he works for Phil Stagg Photography, is a singer and songwriter at Wesley Stagg Music, and takes photos at Wesley Stagg Photo. At church, he helps lead worship and takes photos for their social media. He also hosts a small group. Marchelle (Huggins ‘14) Johnson is married to Destin, and they have a son, Nasir. They are an Air Force family who recently moved from Japan to New Mexico. Marchelle works as a postpartum doula. Dakota Brinkman ‘16 and his wife, Sherah, live in Michigan. They have a daughter, Genesis. Dakotah works as a 911 dispatcher and serves as the youth director at church. He is a PhD student with Liberty University. Carolyn (Bidding ‘17) Templin and her husband, Caleb, live in Hershey, Pennsylvania, where Carolyn is a nursing home caregiver and cleaning lady. At
church, she is involved in youth ministry, the missions committee, and the worship team.
company, and Grace works as a student supervisor in the mailroom at Lancaster Bible College. 2020’s Josiah ‘20 and Madison (Sellers ‘20) Chase got married in May 2022. They live in Lakeland, Florida, where Josiah is a youth pastor intern at First Baptist Church of Floral City. Corbyn ‘20 and Helen (Imbrosci ‘20) Berna also got married in May 2022. They live in Indiana, where Helen is working at a hometown hardware store. John-Michael “Ryder” Harling ‘20 and his wife, Lindsey, live in Pennsylvania, where Ryder is an advanced EMT and a personal trainer. At church, he is involved in youth ministry, college ministry, and short-term mission trips. “I loved Word of Life, and I think it was foundational for studying the Word of God and being involved in ministry!" – John Michael Harling ‘20 Caleb Ssebunya ‘22 is a recent graduate of Word of Life Africa, an accredited teaching site of Word of Life Bible Institute. He is currently volunteering with an orphanage in Uganda (TWC Lord's Grace Orphanage). He is also teaching basic Bible lessons on his podcast channel, Be SURE.
“I’ll always cherish all that the Lord taught me through His Word and through His people during
my time at the Bible Institute. The focused discipleship jump started my passion for biblical counseling and seeing the Word of God change lives as it is graciously and truthfully shared.” – Carolyn Templin ‘17 Keri (White ‘17) Gill and her husband, Christopher, have a newborn daughter, Elizabeth Rene. They live in Ohio, where Keri is a photographer and a stay-at-home momma. Her husband is a welder and builds fire engines. Katie (Trammell ‘17) Chalue is married to Dan, and they live in Massachusetts. Katie is self-employed. She serves in the nursery at church and volunteers at the Springfield Rescue Mission. LaMercie (Chaves ‘17) Marsh is married to Jonathan and lives in Texas, where she is finishing her degree in Early Childhood Education. At church, she helps with children’s church and is involved in a women’s Bible study. Abigail Folmsbee ‘17 lives in New York, where she works as an office manager at Perth Bible Church. Rebecca (Sisson ‘17) Wilkes and her husband, Tyler, live in Pennsylvania, where Rebecca works for Weis Markets. Caroline (Wehmeyer ‘18) Fuguet and her husband, Matt, live in Arkansas. Caroline is a sales analyst at JM Smucker Co. Nicole (Clark ‘18) Fisher and her husband, Daniel, live in Ohio. Nicole is a registered nurse. Annestasia (Cushman ‘18) Pasco is married to Tanner, and they live in Ohio. Annestasia is an artist and small business owner. She and Tanner lead worship at church and help out with youth leadership. Ian ‘19 and Grace (Urban ‘19) Grimm live in Pennsylvania. Ian works for Hoover Building Specialists, a Christian construction
"This far in my life, I am absolutely sure that joining the Bible Institute
is among the best decisions I've made." – Caleb Ssebunya '22
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Blaise ‘08 and Melissa Chrzastek (left)
Jeremiah Chapman '13
Gilbert Nkamwesiga and Amanda (Kilcollins ‘05)
Jonathan Marsh and LaMercie (Chaves ‘17)
Andrew ‘98 and Shelby Priano
What Is Your Favorite WOLBI Memory? "…working as a nurse assistant with Nurse Fran Ingersoll and leading a little girl to the Lord in the nurse’s station.” – Abigail Folmsbee ‘17
“I loved the opportunity to be involved in ministry, especially the music ministry (collegians, the musical productions down in Florida, and then Victory Ensemble)!” – Nicole Stark ‘05 ‘06
“Some of my favorites were climbing a tree in a hotdog suit, getting to counsel students at Snowcamp, truly understanding the gospel, owning my faith over first year, and learning to evangelize in New York City.” – Blaise Chrzastek ‘08
“Snowcamp is the best memory I have of teaching teens about Christ and enjoying their love for fun!” – Robyn Schenkenberger ‘74
Loretta (Owens ‘98) Freeman (below)
Marchelle (Huggins ‘14) Johnson (left)
John ‘09 and Tiffany Swan (right) Weston ‘95 and Michelle White (below)
Michael '00 and Amanda (Sabourin '00) Luciano (below)
Tanner Pasco and Annestasia (Cushman ‘18) (left)
Caleb Templin and Carolyn (Bidding ‘17) (right)
13 The Experience
Alumni Weddings
2022 February 26 Michael '16 & '17 and Ashley Escobar January 21 Brett and Lauren (Sink ‘12 ‘13) Barker April 2 Seth ‘18 ‘19 and Taylor (Hoogstraten ‘18 ‘19) Grunder April 3 Christopher and Keri (White ‘17) Gill May 28 Josiah ‘20 ‘21 and Madison (Sellers ‘20) Chase May 29 Grant ‘18 and Vaselea Mathias June 25 Ian ‘19 and Grace (Urban ‘19) Grimm July 9 Chad and Claire (Salser ‘19 ‘20) Sanderson August 27 Benjamin '19 '21 and Isabell (Martin '19) Storman September 10 Maurice ‘20 and Elisa Viola Wagner Collyn '17 and Kara Berna October 1 Taylor ‘21 and Brianna (Mieras ‘18 ‘19) Emmert October 2 Daniel ‘17 ‘18 and Emma Lopez October 5 William “Billy” ‘20 ‘22 and Alethea (Long ‘22) Genereaux October 7 David ‘20 ‘21 and Rachel (Barkman ‘20 ‘21) Parker October 8 Luke ‘22 and Lauren (Donnelly ‘22) Adelsberger Johnny ‘16 ‘17 and Ashley Armijo Luke ‘20 ‘21 and Rebecca (Sims ‘20 ‘21) Snyder November 5 Cyrus ‘21 ‘22 and Emily (Blake ‘21) Sprague November 13 Casey ‘20 ‘21 and Montana (Law ‘20 ‘21) Holt November 19 Peter ‘16 ‘17 and Hope (Trimble ‘20) Cate December 10 Philip ‘20 and Ellie Strayer
2023 January 7 Joshua ‘14 and Katrina Cook January 14 Reilly ‘21 and Katie Thomas
February 19 Noah ‘19 and Landri (Rasberry ‘19 ‘20) Schmidt March 4 Matias '19 & '20 and Hannah (Stone '19 & '20) Garcia
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Joshua ‘14 and Katrina Cook
15 The Experience
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Connect with Us! Hey There, Alumni Family!
At Word of Life, we believe that biblical community is a pivotal way God encourages people in their spiritual walk. That’s why we want to do everything we can to support you through each step of your life journey. Check out all the ways you can get connected with your Bible Institute alumni family! Visit Our Website Find easy access to all things alumni in our webpage designed just for you. Send Us an Update Fill out a simple form to change your address, announce life updates (wedding, baby, retirement, etc.), or just share how you have seen God working lately.
wol.is/alumni
wol.is/alumniupdate
Connect with Us on Social Media
With social media platforms created specifically for our alumni family, you can connect with your classmates, view upcoming events, and get an inside look at how God is working through Bible Institute alumni around the world.
Group: wol.is/alumnifbgroup Page: @wordoflifealumni
@wolalumni
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PhilanthroCorp A Biblical Solution for Estate Planning Do you have peace of mind about your estate documents? Many people find that their documents don’t agree with how they thought they planned their estate. Sometimes, this results from not checking beneficiaries on insur- ance policies and retirement accounts. Other times, the way assets are titled creates confusion. Word of Life Foundation offers to review your documents with complete confidentiality and absolutely no cost to you. If you do not have estate documents in place, you can join hundreds of other friends of the ministry by using Word of Life’s estate planning service. Word or Life partners with PhilanthroCorp to help you get your documents in order. They can help you set up your charitable giving, refer you to a Christian attorney, and simplify each step of the process – all from a biblical perspective.
Contact Bob Brown,at Word of Life Foundation, and he will set the process in motion to help you as you steward the blessings God has entrusted to you.
bobb@wol.org / 518.494.6205
“We are so thankful that Word of Life introduced us to PhilanthroCorp. Thanks to our parents, we have had the opportunity to experience firsthand how important estate planning is and especially the medical power of attorney documents. Our age and experience in caring for our parents’ health needs and estate settlement encourage us to do the same for our children. The hardest part of the process was making the first initial call to begin the process. We didn’t even know what questions to ask. Our first conversation with Dave Keesling, PhilanthroCorp’s Executive Vice President, encouraged us and helped to begin the thought process of putting a plan into action.
Estate planning is an act of love!”
– Gary and Lola Hixon
If you would like to learn more, scan the QR code and fill out a contact form.
17 The Experience
Students Reaching the Next Generation How Word of Life Is Training Interns for Effective Youth Ministry
Seth Grunder and his youth group at Word of Life Pursuit Camp 2023
Word of Life has always been
Whether through Bible colleges or camps, youth groups or mission trips, evangelizing and discipling young people has been the heartbeat of the ministry since its inception. Over the past several years, however, a brand-new opportunity has emerged that is helping students with a heart for young people to launch into a thriving, fruitful ministry. The program, called the Youth Ministry Internship (or YMI), allows Bible Institute graduates to spend two years in an apprentice-style partnership with an established youth group or children’s program. By serving alongside seasoned veterans in youth ministry, interns gain invaluable experience and training in the field while completing their education online.
committed to reaching the next generation for Christ.
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Seth Grunder is a Youth Ministry Internship graduate who serves as the student pastor at Movement Church in Port Charlotte, Florida. Every week, middle school and high school students flock to the church to enjoy fellowship and discover biblical truth. After Seth presents the discussion topic of the evening, he and the youth leaders divide the students into groups based on grade and gender. They play dodgeball and other icebreaker games to build unity and trust with their small groups before diving into a meaningful discussion time. Through this Wednesday night youth program, along with discipleship and community outreach throughout the rest of the week, Seth is working with his church to further the gospel in Port Charlotte and around the world. When asked what led him to pursue youth ministry, Seth responded, “Ever since I was a teenager, I felt a pulling of
the Holy Spirit toward student ministry.” He explained that God used the Bible Institute, with the opportunities to serve in teen camp ministry, as a catalyst that amplified his desire to impact youth. “The Bible Institute taught me how to engage with students in a way that breaks down walls and penetrates the real and deep issues they are facing in their lives. It taught me how to share my faith in a practical and meaningful way. It gave me opportunities to travel the world to share the message of hope, freedom, life, and forgiveness that is offered in a relationship with Jesus.” Claudia Motyl also attested to the impact of the Bible Institute in cultivating her desire to work in youth ministry. Claudia is currently in the Youth Ministry Internship program; she is serving at Movement Church with a focus on children’s ministry. “I’ve always wanted to do children’s ministry ever since I was in middle school,” she said, “but I
wasn’t sure exactly how I was going to do it. When I came to Word of Life, there were so many amazing opportunities for missions.” She first heard about the Youth Ministry Internship while she was counseling campers at The Coast (Word of Life’s summer camp based in Hudson, Florida). “I wanted to do the YMI program because I wanted to be discipled by people who already had experience in the field before I started out on my own.” For students like Claudia, the internship bridges the gap between the Bible Institute and a vocation where they can impact youth for Christ. In reflecting on the Youth Ministry Internship, Seth emphasized the benefit of being able to finish his degree at a discounted rate. “Because of the extravagant generosity that funded this opportunity, I was able to achieve a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies and theology through Clarks Summit
“I wanted to do the YMI program because I wanted to be discipled by people who already had experience in the field before I started out on my own.”
Seth Grunder '18 & '19
Claudia Motyl '21 & '22
19 The Experience
Seth Grunder and his youth group at a pro-life walk
Seth Grunder teaching at a youth event
University. I have been able to use that degree and the knowledge I gained to pour into students.” Not only does Word of Life’s Youth Ministry Internship allow students to complete their degree online, but it also enhances the education journey by allowing them to apply their coursework through lived experience. Claudia shared, “It has been really cool to see how the classes I’m taking directly correlate with what I’m seeing in ministry. I’m able to take what I’m learning in class and apply it in everyday life.” It is this real-world connection that makes the Youth Ministry Internship such an effective learning experience; an intern could write an essay about elementary teaching methods one day and lead a Scripture memory activity in children’s church the very next morning.
Beyond the academic aspect of the Youth Ministry Internship, students get to experience firsthand what it’s like to serve in full-time ministry. For instance, Claudia shared how the Youth Ministry Internship involves community investment beyond the four walls of the classroom. Last year, she had the unique opportunity to serve local families during the aftermath of Hurricane Ian: “While I might not be able to put a roof on someone’s house, I could help them pick up debris in their yard, and I could play with their kids while [the parents] cleaned.” She emphasized how these experiences are shaping her perspective on youth work: “Ministry is not a set of tasks; it’s more about relationships. It’s not just a job; it’s about people and how you can point them to Christ.”
While interns get to experience life on the frontlines of youth ministry, they are by no means alone in this process. Each intern is paired with an established mentor, who commits to helping them learn and grow during the two-year program. “At the beginning of the YMI process, I spoke with the children’s director at the church I now work for,” Claudia shared. “Every time I talked to her, I could hear the passion for kids in her voice. I could hear how much she cared about not only impacting the kids in the church and community, but also how much she wanted to pour into me.” As students experience discipleship in the local church setting, they learn by example how to build authentic, life-on- life relationships with the youth in their ministry. Seth shared how his internship
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Students Reaching the Next Generation
Claudia Motyl serving at a children's ministry event
“Ministry is not a set of tasks; it’s more about relationships. It’s not just a job; it’s about people and how you can
For over 80 years, Word of Life has been engaging a constantly shifting culture with biblical truth that never changes. In a world marked by isolation, the Youth Ministry Internship has emerged as a timely
point them to Christ.” mentor played a vital role in where he is today: “Spending almost every day working with him, serving with him, doing life with him, and learning from him made him not only a mentor and teacher, but also one of my closest and most trusted friends. Much of my ability to step into the role of student pastor is due to his guidance, leadership, teaching, and friendship.” Because of this relational aspect of the internship, graduates like Seth are coming away from the program rooted and established in ministry.
resource to nurture community and discipleship for college students who are passionate about reaching the next generation. Only time will tell what the future holds in the changing climate of student ministry. Nevertheless, Seth's and Claudia's stories are an inspiring reminder that God continues to use faithful believers to impact the youth of the world.
Scan the QR code to watch a video promo for the Youth Ministry Internship!
21 The Experience
Summer Fun FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!
Are You a Bible Institute Alumnus? Join Us This Summer!
During summer camp season, our Alumni Department hosts weekly gatherings on our property in Pottersville, New York. This FREE event is the perfect time to connect with other Bible Institute graduates and hear how God is working through the ministry of Word of Life.
Stay tuned for more information on our alumni social media pages!
Florida RV Park Adult Guests When you book your stay at the Florida RV Park, you can see firsthand how God is working through the ministry of Word of Life as you enjoy encouraging fellowship with other believers. Pack your RV and join us for one season or the entire year! Plan your next retreat or conference at Word of Life Florida! With comfortable accommodations and meeting spaces to house groups of any size, you and your group can enjoy a relaxing getaway on our beautiful Florida property. Florida Retreat Center Group Reservations
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The Ranch Grades 1–5 Located in Pottersville, New York, The Ranch is a fun and safe camp experience for elementary students. Campers at The Ranch step into a Wild West adventure, where they discover biblical truths in an engaging way. Elementary students will make lasting memories in a week of nonstop fun at The Ranch! The Ridge Grades 6–8 Located in Pottersville, New York, The Ridge allows middle school students to take their camp experience to the next level. Campers enjoy high-energy activities like mountain biking, trail riding, paintball, and ziplining. Plus, the applicable Bible lessons help students navigate the rocky terrain between elementary and high school.
The Island Grades 9–12 Located on a 49-acre island in the middle of Schroon Lake, New York, The Island is a teen camp like no other. Campers on The Island dive into team-building activities, dynamic worship, and new friendships as they’re challenged to take the next step in their faith.
The Coast Age Group Varies Located in Hudson, Florida, The Coast offers junior weeks and teen weeks so every student can have the camp experience of a lifetime. Whether at the pool, in the worship rally, or during camp activities, students will be encouraged in their faith at The Coast.
The Pines Individuals and Families
Located in Pottersville, New York, The Pines is the perfect camp option for those seeking a relaxing and Christ-centered vacation. Every week at The Pines features delicious food, renowned biblical speakers, and activities for all ages to enjoy. You and your family are sure to build memories to last a lifetime!
Scan the QR Code or visit wol.is/camps to learn more!
23 The Experience
Catch a glimpse of how God’s Word is changing lives around the world!
Mexico The following testimony is from José, a current student at Word of Life Bible Institute in Mexico: “My father passed away when I was eight years old, and twelve years later, my mother passed away from cancer. During the period from eight to twenty years old, I was involved in an environment of gangs and drugs. God spoke to me through a missionary and rescued me from all the misery... In this year, God has been molding my character and has given me the opportunity to serve Him with children as well as young people. It is wonderful how God has been training me to be able to serve Him.”
Philippines Word of Life Philippines recently hosted the very first Youth Ministries Conference in the Indo-Pacific region. Youth leaders and missionaries attended from various countries to strategize effective ways to reach their communities with the hope of Jesus. It was so encouraging to see young pastors and leaders who are passionate about serving and discipling students!
Ukraine During the Christmas season, the Word of Life team in Ukraine created a children’s musical to use as a platform for the gospel. God opened the door for them to perform this production throughout Ukraine; they distributed shoebox gifts to children and shared the hope of Jesus with thou- sands of displaced families.
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Restricted Access Country Over the past five months, Word of Life staff on a restricted access field have been rejoicing over the opportunity to disciple a young doctor who is a new believer in Christ. This doctor is so excited to share his newfound faith with others that he is going on a medical mission trip to share the gospel with people in the Middle East!
Togo, Africa Word of Life missionaries recently had the opportunity to run a camp for teens in Togo, Africa. This was the fourth time they ran this camp, and they are praising God for the lives that were changed. They saw 260 teens attend, and 83 of them accepted Christ!
25 The Experience
Thank You for Being a Part of Life Change. We are beyond grateful for all those who pray for and support the ministry of Word of Life. Thanks to your faithful friendship, students are encountering the gospel, churches are being strengthened, and lives are being changed for eternity! If you would like to learn more about ways you can support Word of Life, please contact our Development Team at 518.494.6000 or development@wol.org .
Word of Life Board of Directors Officers Dr. Donald H. Lough, Jr. President & CEO
Mr. B. John Nelson Vice President/Treasurer
Lt. Col. Walter R. Price, Ret. Secretary
Directors Dr. Mark L. Bailey Dr. John S. Barnett Mr. Mark R. Berardelli Mr. Andrew C. Brown Mr. Bob G. Brown
Mr. Roger L. Burdick Mr. Robert C. Doll, Jr. Mr. Andres N. Fernandez Paz Dr. Christopher Gnanakan Mr. Cory J. Hansen Mr. Robert L. Horst Mrs. Riley P. Hoselton Mr. Joseph J. Hunt Mr. Robert L. [Bobby] Lanyon Mr. Chad J. Lubke
Dr. Ronald D. Moore Rev. Philip A. Moser II Mr. John M. Page
Mr. Jonathan H. Price Mr. John H. Reimer, Jr. Mr. Brian M. Smoker Mr. Kristopher M. Stout Capt. Dane C. Swanson, USN Ret. Mr. Ronald D. Wyrtzen
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In Memory of:
Linda McGettigan Maria Men Gloria Nykiel Bob and Jeanne Schneider Jack and Mary Ellen Schneider Judith Verdich c/o The University Press Lori Gradwell Bob and Sue Brown
Lisa Anderson Lee Ann Anderson Brett and Stephanie Bellesheim Cathy Cagle Tami Carr Michael and Patty Choate Scott, Mary Alice, and Kaeden Edwards Glenn Gordon Earl Hancock Dave and Earlene Livingston Jessica Parrott Rains Insurance Agency Anthony and Leeann Cooper c/o Ring of
Reverend Waylon Moore Bob and Sue Brown
Jerry Pipol Denise Pipol Connie Rogers Bob and Sue Brown
Joanna Adele Scheide Philip and Judy Brodsky
James Griffith Charlotte Ross Lillian Grundler Bob and Sue Brown Delroy Heiser Deb Nightingale Joan Henrikson Scott and Dee Crozier
Bob and Sue Brown Mike and Amy Bush Russell and Barbara Cornatzer Tom and Mary Coughlin Donald Lund and Edward Noyalis Oxford Baptist Church Joy, Judy, and Jeremy Slavin Dan Sprinkle Bob and Sue Brown June Steward Bob and Sue Brown H. W. Trayer Douglas Trayer Daryl Umbower Bob and Sue Brown Tony Clouse Marvin and Deanna Cross Harvey and Shirley Hansen Ray and Pamela Patterson Robert and Joyce Sackett J.C. and Katharine Schrock Daniel and Ana Umbower William Warner Jane Love Kurt Dahlberg Gerry and Jeri Magrath Winslow Edmond Whitten Scott Whitten Mary Williamson Steve and Cathey Hare Michele Landry Kyle and Deborah Parent
Faith Ministries Vernon Sherrill Allen and Rhonda Tompkins Rich Ahl Bruce Peterson Elijah Beaty Lee Ann Anderson Norma Von Lanken Joel and Karen Silos Sunday Cool, LLC Jeffrey and Maria Turner Darlene Harnig Brotzman Ellis and Ruth Brotzman Merle Brown Grace Baptist Church of Greater Daytona Paul Bubar David and Priscilla Chesbro Dan Busby Bob and Sue Brown
Andrew J. Horner Bob and Sue Brown Stefani Leann Brewer King Robin Brooks Rick and Vi Brooks Veronica Kruppenbacher Keith and Kelly Canary Brian and Meghan Clemente Frank and Sally Clemente Good Shepherd Fold Church Lori Guyette Deb Nightingale Teri Lopez Steve Oswald Frances Martin Samuel and Allison Amico Patricia Andaloro Shirley Bertonazzi Robert and Jeanne Boarts Enrico and Maryann Coraluzzo Jeffrey and Pamela Johnston Albert Maccani William and Helen Nimohay David and Susan Romeo
Lela Collins David Collins Paul and Silvia Jurado Dendrinos Grace Ramsey and M. Watson Robert A. Frank David Betten James DeFronzo Mark and Leah Jewett and Family In Honor of:
Paul L. Chesbro’s 85th Birthday David and Priscilla Chesbro
Jack and Taylor Price Lisa McClure
27 The Experience
We Would Love to Connect with You!
Learn more about the ministry of Word of Life: wol.org
Follow us on social media:
@WordofLifeFellowship
@wordoflife
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