Erin (Eaton ’99) Pierce lives in Michigan, where she works in accounting and serves in children’s ministry at Lakeshore Baptist Church. 2000s Christopher Balint ’00 ’01 serves as the youth pastor at Neighborhood Church of Chico in Northern California, where he invests his time and heart into discipling students and leading them closer to Christ. He and his wife, Rhonda, are raising their two children: Carsten (16) and Brielle (13) and are grateful for the opportunity to serve together in local church ministry. Reflecting on his time at Word of Life Bible Institute, Chris shared a defining memory that continues to influence his ministry today:
attended Word of Life Bible Institute in Hudson, Florida, before continuing his studies in Spanish at the Word of Life Bible Institute in Argentina, where he studied the Word of God in Spanish for three years. The Paynes are grateful for the Lord’s faithfulness throughout their journey and the joy of raising their three children: Aniston (16), Mason (13), and Micah (10) – to love and follow Him. Danielle (Christ ’02) Foster and her husband, Chaz, make their home in New York City, where she serves as a high school humanities teacher at Manhattan Christian Academy. Danielle and Chaz attend Apostles Church Uptown, where she serves in kids ministry and also volunteers with Love Kitchen NYC. Jessie (Smoker ’04) Holbert and her husband, Jamie, make their home in the countryside of Pennsylvania, where they are raising their five children: Abigail (16), Benjamin (14), Jackson (11), Emily (4), and Annalise (2). Amy (Hall ’06) McConnell and her husband, Elliot, live in Alabama. She is a stay-at-home homeschooling mom and homemaker to their two children, Asher and Victoria. “We got to tour the campus this summer. It was such a joy to show my kiddos the place where the Lord really grew my heart for Him and others!” – Amy McConnell ’06 Brett Owen ’06 ’07 lives in Michigan, where he works as a rebate analyst for Gordon Food Service. He faithfully serves at First Baptist Church of Newaygo, contributing in several key areas of ministry. Eric ’08 and Jessica (Brickey ’08) Whitt live in Michigan, where Eric works at Jer-Den Plastics as a trimmer, and Jessica serves as a paraprofessional with Saint Louis Public Schools. At church, Jessica is part of the worship team and leads a kids club, and together they serve as small group leaders. They have four children: Tommy (10), Liam (6), Braedyn (3), and Adelayde (3).
“I remember being on the Ranch first aid team. While driving the night meds
van, Eric would volunteer to be the second adult in the van with campers. Eventually, I told my best friend and roommate that Eric was stalkerish and creepy – it turns out he just had a crush on me! That went unrequited for many years. She still reminds me of that to this day, and Eric and I have now been married for 12 years.” – Jessica Whitt ’08 Marques Pauley ’09 lives in Georgia, where he works as a program manager at Camp Westminster. He and his wife, Alyssa, have two children: Aubriana (7) and Micah (4). Travis Smith ’09 ’11 and his wife, Jen, live in Florida with their two boys, Kairos and Atlas. Travis works as an instructor at the National Aviation Academy. They attend Radius Church in St. Petersburg.
“I loved managing a site for a Super Bowl [now called Reverb] outreach in Provi-
dence, Rhode Island. I learned that I could handle large numbers, carry responsibility, honor team members, practice sharing the gospel with youth, and see the excitement on their faces.” – Chris Balint ’00 ’01 John ’00 ’01 and Joy (Crisman ’02) Keene live in Pennsylvania, where Joy works as a registered nurse at Guthrie Lourdes Hospital. She serves on the Med/Surg floor with a focus on oncology and hospice care, bringing both medical excellence and deep compassion to her patients and their families. The Keenes attend South New Milford Baptist Church, where Joy serves on the Tech Team and is also involved in biblical counseling. They have three children: Kahlan (13), Declan (8), and Caleb (1). Allen ’00 and Annette (Quinn ’04) Payne serve together in ministry at The Tabernacle in Danville, Virginia. Allen is the youth pastor, while Annette serves as the children’s ministry director. Together, they oversee all ministries for children and youth at The Tabernacle – something they describe as both humbling and incredible. Beyond church ministry, Annette also serves as a high school girls’ Bible teacher and varsity girls’ basketball coach at Westover Christian Academy, her alma mater. Allen
“It was a season to focus on my spiritual disciplines and growth.”
– Travis Smith ’09 ’11
2010s Dalton Ruzicka ’10
serves as the community and discipleship pastor at Lux Digital Church. He and his wife, Emily, live in Wichita with their four children: Ezra, Addison, Joanna, and Sloane. He also works as a graphic designer. “My favorite memory at WOLBI was how the school backed us using our gifts and talents to reach people for the Lord.” – Dalton Ruzicka ’10 Drew Bolylston ’12 lives in Florida, where he works with Loomis Armored. He has a son, Michael (7). Brandon ’13 ’14 and Mackenzie (Young ’12 ’14) Good live in Pennsylvania with their three children: Caroline (7), Jackson (4), and Amelia (2). Joel ’14 and Haley (Leatherman ’14) Osborne live in Indiana with their four children: Carson (8), Jameson (6), Evie (5), and Nathan (1).
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