The Ripple Effect of Open-Air Evangelism Pete Ogilvie’s Story
God Doesn't Waste Pain John Nelson
Issue 22
Cover Image: Bible Institute student doing Open-Air Evangelism in New York City, December 2023; photo taken by Gracie Webb '24
CONTENTS
02 03 04 08 16 18 19 20 22 24 27
A Note from Don Lough, Jr. 85 th Anniversary Banquets The Ripple Effect of Open-Air Evangelism Alumni Updates God Doesn't Waste Pain Winter Camp
A Note from Don Lough, Jr. In Colossians 3:23–24, we are reminded: “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” This powerful truth speaks to the heart of what it means to live a life of simple faithfulness, all for the Lord. At Word of Life, we are continually blessed to see how God uses ordinary moments and faithful obedience to accomplish extraordinary things. Whether it's through camps, Bible Institutes, youth ministries, or international missions, God is transforming lives in ways we never could have imagined. In this issue of The Word of Life Experience , you’ll discover stories of everyday believers who bring the light of Christ to those around them. As you explore this issue, I pray you are encouraged to continue sharing the hope of Jesus in your own sphere of influence. Thank you for being part of the Word of Life family and for your commitment to the gospel.
Christmas Devotional Ministry Update Article Global Report Bible Institute 2024–2025 Theme Dedications
CONTRIBUTORS
Director of Word of Life Foundation – John Nelson Director of Marketing – John Yarosh Alumni Engagement Manager – Rebecca Berga ‘15 & ‘16 Head Writer – Tricia Hoganson ‘14 & ‘15 Designer – Jess Harbold Creative and Branding Manager – Teresa Stursberg '14 Copy Editor – Carrie Gulbrandsen Alumni Relations – Ken Hayden ‘86 Advancement – Kay Gross International Marketing Coordinator – Joshua Paulhamus ‘14 & ‘15 Social Media Manager – Noah Haneman ‘18 The Word of Life 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 life change, and learn how you, too, can be involved with the mission of Word of Life. ©️ Copyright 2024 — 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.
In His Service,
Don Lough, Jr. ’84 Chancellor, Word of Life Bible Institute President & CEO, Word of Life Fellowship, Inc.
wol.is/home
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Save the Date!
Word of Life Fellowship 85 th Anniversary Banquets
LOCATIONS AND DATES:
Join us in 2025 as we celebrate the countless lives transformed by God’s grace through the ministry of Word of Life over the past 85 years! Learn about our vision for the future of the ministry and how you can be a part of it.
Hudson, Florida – January 10, 2025 Lancaster, Pennsylvania – April 24, 2025 Columbus, Ohio – May 8, 2025 Hawthorne, New Jersey – October 9, 2025 Tampa, Florida – November 13, 2025
Experience an evening of dinner, a powerful message from Ray Pritchard, and inspiring music led by Michael O’Brian. You will also hear ministry updates from Don Lough, Jr. and the Word of Life leadership team.
To learn more and register, visit wol.is/85
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The Word of Life Experience
Pete Ogilvie’s Story
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Could a chance encounter on a cold December day in a small New Jersey town change a person’s eternal destiny and create ripple effects through generations?
If so, was it ever really by chance?
Raised Catholic, Pete Ogilvie was a young high school artist who dutifully checked off every box of religious obligations but lacked a genuine connection with God or any real fulfillment. While he faithfully followed spir- itual routines, he lived a life without God, seeking satisfaction in partying and the distractions of life. One day, while painting in his basement, he heard a song on the radio that moved him to cry out to God. He said, “God, if you’re real, prove it to me. I have no need for this religion thing anymore.” Soon after, while on a walk to decom- press from a busy day in his snowy, Christmas-lit hometown of Kearny, New Jersey, Pete walked by a local church handing out hot chocolate and coffee on a bitterly cold December day. There, he met Sam Frey and Bill Brown, who were both invited by the church to hold an Open-Air Evangelism event.
He said, “God, if you’re real, prove it to me. I have no need for this religion thing anymore.”
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The Word of Life Experience
Years later, Pete is now a full-time chap- lain and works for a hospice in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He is involved in leadership at his church, preaches, and teaches. Pete and his wife raised five children; two of them attended the Bible Institute, and one is attending this fall. Looking back on his life, Pete sees God’s sovereign hand in every area, from raising his family to love the Lord to his ministry efforts to seeing his own life progressively sanctified. The Holy Spirit began working in Pete’s heart all those years ago when he called out to God with a simple prayer. Little did he know that prayer was just the beginning! God placed ordinary people in his path to offer a free cup of coffee and news that would change his life forever. That day, God made Himself real to a man who wanted to believe that He was. From a not-by-chance encounter on a cold December day to a life dedicated to serving God, Pete's story shows just how much God wants to save His people and how desperately He wants to use us to do it. Few things are more beautiful in a life spent following Jesus than seeing God use the investment of time, energy, and resources to make an impact in a lost world. That investment could start with something as simple as serving free coffee.
Sam Frey’s journey into this unique form of ministry began during his senior year of college when he traveled to New York City. There, he witnessed a group of evangelists passionately sharing the gospel in the South Bronx in December. Through this experience, Sam was struck with the realization that many people in his own country had never truly heard the gospel. For Sam, that was the moment God called him to this ministry. He realized that while he might not have been natu- rally inclined to stand on street corners and preach, the need for people to hear the gospel was too great to ignore. His introverted nature had to take a back seat to the urgency of the mission. As Sam describes it, "I don't have the luxury of fulfilling my natural personality because there's a job to be done, and greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world." This conviction has kept Sam engaged in open-air evangelism for decades, driven by the belief that the message of Christ must be shared, no matter the cost or the personal discomfort. This encounter with Sam was pivotal for Pete, as it not only introduced him to a new way of thinking about evan- gelism but also connected him to the very ministry that would shape his own journey of faith. Sam's dedication and the tangible impact of open-air evange- lism became a significant part of Pete's spiritual formation, eventually leading him to a life dedicated to ministry and service.
a conversation about Christ and Christmas. Eventually, she asked if he had a personal relationship with Jesus, and Pete confessed that he did not. He then walked over to listen to the presentation by Sam Frey from Open Air Campaigners and another man named Aaron. Pete listened so care- fully; he was struck by their zeal. He thought to himself, “It’s freezing cold out here; what could possibly be so important about this?” In the cold, bitter air, the woman's question about a personal relationship with Jesus reso- nated deeply with him.
He realized his prayer was being answered.
Pete started attending the church and got involved in its activities. The pastor, who was connected with Word of Life, introduced him to The Island, Word of Life New York’s teen summer camp. That summer, he attended the camp, where he encountered a type of enthusiasm for knowing Jesus that he had never seen before. This ignited a spark in him, and he decided to attend the Bible Institute in September 1997. In September, Pete and his friend, Bill Brown, embarked on this new crazy adventure in Pete’s Volkswagen Rabbit. He stayed in Turkey Dorm and became the photographer for the year- book. That summer, he spent time with Open-Air Campaigners at the Jersey shore and New York City with Sam Frey and other Word of Life guys – the very same ministry that brought him to Christ.
After meeting Sam and Bill, a woman from the group engaged Pete in
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Open-Air Evangelism Today Today, Open-Air Evangelism (OAE) continues to play a vital role at the Bible Institute. Even after 40 years, Sam Frey still leads OAE in New York, while Del and Maryann Benner have faithfully led the program in Florida for the past 31 years. Every year, all freshman students at both the New York and Florida Bible Institutes participate in OAE as a key part of their ministry training. Word of Life remains deeply committed to OAE because we believe in the Great Commission to share the good news of the gospel. Although we may not fully see the impact of our efforts this side of heaven, stories like Pete's remind us of the countless lives touched through this ministry – stories that will one day be fully revealed.
Sam Frey
Pete Ogilvie Then
Pete Ogilvie Now
WOLBI Students doing OAE
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The Word of Life Experience
Alumni Updates All the latest news from our Bible Institute graduates! 1970s
Steven Martin '08 and family
Ministries Worldwide from 1989 until 2021. They are now living in Pennsylvania, where David is doing custodial work and Andrea is helping at church and working in senior care. They have four adult children: David III, Philip (in heaven), Andrew, and Samuel. Signe Ann (Bush ‘79) Thrift and her husband, John, live in Maryland. Signe is going on 16 years as a singer in the National Christian Choir. Daryl ‘79 and Marian (Kreider ‘79) Groff are retired and are traveling in their RV full time. They are meeting friends all over the country and making new friends wherever they land. They have three adult children: Dedra, Chelsea, and Preston. Ronald Larson ‘79 and his wife, Barbara, live in Michigan. Ron is retired. They have two adult children: Tyler and Ashley.
“It’s not the grades you get; it’s the person you become.” – Ronald Larson ‘79
Linda (Garrity ‘71) Yearsley lives in New York. She is a dietician and is currently working part time as a healthcare aide. Paula (Manoogian ‘74) Cole and her husband, Errol, live in Massachusetts. Paula is retired from the USPS and as a part-time church secretary. She is currently the head of the senior women’s drill team at the Peabody Senior Center. At church, she serves in the choir and handbell ministry. Robyn (Forrest ‘74) Schenkenberger is married to Tom, and they live in Tennessee. Robyn is retired from a career in accounting and is involved in the children’s ministry at church.
David Holden ‘79 is a self-employed barber/stylist in New Hampshire. He has two adult children: Costica and Annika. Denise (Yost ‘79) Stahl is retired. She and her husband, Norman, live in New York. They have two adult children: Christopher and Kelly. Mike ‘79 and Tanis (McAlpine ‘79) Macinsky live in New York. Mike is a retired Heavy Highway Superintendent. Tanis is a nurse and a retired city bus driver. At church, Mike is a deacon, and they are both involved in children’s ministries and Awana.
David ‘79 and Andrea (Gainsford ‘79) Brunner were missionaries with Biblical
Elizabeth (Kelly ‘79) Tallau and her husband, Steve, live in Tennessee. Elizabeth
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Darlene (Schellenberg ‘79) Neufeld is married to Ed, and they live in British Columbia, Canada. Darlene is retired after 40 years of teaching and administration in Christian schools and is now tutoring one- to-one part time. She is active at church in children’s ministries and women’s Bible studies.
Phil Weber ‘84 is married to Lorrie, and they live in New York. Phil is a self-employed carpenter. When he was at the BI, Phil was part of the Word of Life Quartet. At church, he is a song leader and a discipleship leader. Dennis ‘84 and Tammy (Paul ‘85) Gray live in Pennsylvania. They have two adult children. Dennis is a bivocational pastor and a chaplain for Compassionate Care Hospice.
works at Volunteer State Community College in the business office/student accounts. They are new to the area and are exploring Tennessee. Allen ‘79 and Darleen (Sawyer ‘79) Bacon live in North Carolina. Allen is a licensed clinical mental health counselor and is the owner of Great Expectations Counseling. They have six adult children: Christine, Carolyn, Benjamin, Daniel, Candace, and Jonathan. Nate Richmond ‘79 lives in North Carolina where he is a self-employed aircraft mechanic. Mikel Murray ‘79 and his wife, Deborah, live in Rhode Island. They have six children: Holly, Jamie, Jodie, Hannah, Nate, and Gabby. Mikel works in IT support for DoD. Jennifer (Madeiros ‘79) Smith lives in Pennsylvania, where she teaches eighth-grade English in a public school. She also serves in the church choir and drives a college van. Jeanie (Fortune ‘79) Barfield and her husband, Robert, live in Virginia. Jeanie owned and operated a catering business for 20 years and still occasionally caters for events. She has worked for Hobby Lobby for the past four years.
“My best memory is the impact of each teacher – whether on staff or weekly.
Bud Chaney ‘86 lives in Michigan where he is self-employed.
I use what I learned there every day! Learning to do Quiet Time was so impactful. You learn to serve and serve to learn!” – Darlene Neufeld ‘79 1980s Laurie Graham ‘80 is retired and living in South Carolina. She sends out handmade greeting cards to encourage others, is on the VBS prayer team each summer, and contributes to the Wednesday night ladies' Bible study. Leon Whitehead ‘81 and his late wife, Rhonda, have three adult children: Holly (in heaven), David, and Sara, five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Leon retired after serving with Word of Life in New York for almost 30 years. He lives in Virginia, where he is actively involved at church as a deacon and in the nursing home and prison ministries. John Knaus ‘84 and his wife, Kristel, live in Virginia. They have four adult children who are graduates of WOLBI: Rachel Hoagland ‘11, Ben ‘13, Bethany Goldsmith ‘16, and Grant ‘18 . They also have 12 grandchildren. John has been the Director of City on a Hill Youth Theater for 13 years. He is an elder and adult Sunday school teacher at church. Lisa (Fuller ‘84) Yoder and her husband, Tim, live in Texas. At church, Lisa is involved in food distribution, missions, member care, international students, and young adults.
“One of the greatest years of my life.” – Bud Chaney ‘86
Lynn (Crouse ‘87) Hunt and her husband, Rob, live in Oklahoma. She is a retired nurse, and they have three adult children: Traci, Andrea, and Dylan, and two grandchildren. She works in children's church and runs a Life Group home Bible study.
“I didn't appreciate it like I wish I would have. The last thing I did was go on
the Revelation Tour. It was the best experience! If given the opportu- nity, I'd love to do that year all over again!” – Lynn Hunt ‘87 Trena (Mullins ‘87) Wilbur lives in New Brunswick, Canada. She has three sons: Trenton (26), Clayton (22), and Coleton (22). She works for TIP Fleet Services, Ltd., as a Mobile Service Coordinator, making sure that their rental trailers all over the Atlantic Provinces get repaired. At church, she is a small group co-leader.
John LoFaso ‘79 is retired and married to Susann. They live in Delaware.
Kathleen (Smith ‘79) Moser is retired and living in Upstate New York.
Karen (Deyo ‘79) Guthrie is married to Aaron. They live in Pennsylvania, where Karen works in IT Healthcare. She was previously a Labor and Delivery Nurse. They have two adult daughters: Alyssa and Kendra. Ingrid (Teijen ‘79) Klansek is married to Michael. They live in South Carolina and have three adult children: Aaron, Jordan, and Lauren. Ingrid is a Hospice RN. Donna (Ulrich ‘79) Bernheisel and her husband, Jim, live in Pennsylvania. They have three adult children: Brandon, Bryan, and Erika. Donna owned and operated a salon for 40 years and is now retired and taking care of their seven grandkids. At church, she works in the nursery, volunteers for VBS, plays the organ, and fills in where needed.
“WOLBI was the greatest experience! I absolutely loved being in the choir and all the
places we went to sing.”
– Trena Wilbur ‘87
1990s Amy (Compton ‘96) Fowler is married to Steven, and they live in New Jersey. They have three children: Sarah (20), Caleb (17), and Savannah (12). Amy works in IT as a SharePoint Administrator and Microsoft Suite Administrator.
“It was a transformational year in my life. The Bible teaching was amazing. I still
can remember most of my profes- sors. I made some amazing friends! It was a huge blessing.” – Lisa Yoder ‘84
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The Word of Life Experience
Chris ‘97 and Laurie (Gledhill ‘97) Finchum planted Citywalk Church in Yuba City, California, in 2019 where Chris is the Lead Pastor and Laurie is the Women’s Ministry Director. They have three children: Austin (22), Juleah (19), and Kate (10). Chris also serves as a police chaplain. Rebekah “Becky” (Spedden ‘98 ‘99) Wilson is married to Lawrence, and they live in Pennsylvania. They have a son: Joshua (18). Becky has been a homeschooling mom until their son graduated this year. Meegan Pratt ‘99 ‘00 lives in Maine, where she manages a group home for elderly disabled adults. At church, she serves in the youth group, small group discipleship, and as a deacon. 2000s Robert ‘00 and Carol ‘00 DeWitt were married off-campus students when they attended the Bible Institute. They live in Michigan, where Robert is a retired pastor and is still involved in teaching. Andrew ‘00 and Kellie (Herendeen ‘00) Nesbitt live in Indiana and have two children: Olivia (14) and Camden (12). They own a construction company, Nuway Construction, in Goshen, Indiana. Andy has worked there since 2003, and then they bought it in 2018. Their whole family is involved at church: Andy is the Head Elder and works tech; Kellie is the church administrative assistant, preschool lead, and event planner; Olivia is a preschool helper; and Camden is a sign interpreter for worship. Matt ‘01 and Betsy (Navarro ‘01) Hickok live in Michigan and have two children: Matthew Jr. (20), who is finishing his associate's degree in Michigan, and Liberty (18), who is serving in Camp Crew at Word of Life Florida as kitchen staff this summer and will attend the BI there in the fall. Matt and Betsy are wrapping up their season as a lead pastoral family at Community Evangelical Free Church and are becoming missionaries with IMI/SOS International, who will travel the U.S. to give pastors sabbaticals from their church.
teachers that were brought in for us were legends. It was only after I got into pastoral ministry that I began to realize how blessed I was to have teachers like Charles Ryrie, Renald Showers, Ken Ham, and others.” – Matt Hickok ‘01 Mark ‘02 and Cindy (Hall ‘02) Harvey live in Virginia and have five children: Abigail, Bella, Paisley, Wyatt, and Charlotte. Mark is the Senior Pastor at Barnhardt Baptist Church, and Cindy is very involved in the children’s ministries. Beth (Sharp ‘02) Cerminara and her husband, Patrick, live in the Buffalo, New York area. They have two children: Jack (13) and Renee (10). Beth is active in the Buffalo area, providing resources and alternatives for women seeking abortions. Amy (Hepler ‘05) Twigg is married to Curtis, and they live in Pennsylvania. They have three children: Amiyah, Titus, and Libby. Amy is the administrative assistant at Grace Baptist Church where Curtis is the associate/youth pastor. She serves alongside her husband in youth ministry and is also involved in the worship ministry, children’s ministry, and women’s ministry. Steven Martin ‘08 is married to Bethany, and they live in Alabama. They have two boys: Emmett (3) and Bradley (2). Steven works as a firefighter, and Bethany is a high school math teacher. At church, they serve in the nursery and VBS. 2010s Mary (Anthony ‘12 ‘13) Lippert is married to Allen, and they live in Michigan. Mary is the Assistant Barn Manager at Albion College. Jessica (Klaus ‘12 ‘13) Tzou and her husband, Sam, live in Ohio. She is a stay-at- home mom to their three children: Madison (5), Sydney (3), and Elijah (1). For ministry, she is involved in Bible Study Fellowship, volunteer nursery work, Young Life Action Team, and using her sourdough hobby to support a missionary friend. Jillian (Query ‘14) Dixon and her husband, Matthew, live in Ohio. They opened a cleaning business and are cleaning commercial properties, while Matt also works for UPS in the mornings.
“I loved it all, but being a camp counselor during Snowcamp and being a
camp counselor on The Island during the summer was my all-time favorite memory.” – Jillian Dixon ‘14 Noelle (Ferris ‘15) Badilla is married to Alejandro. Noelle is a nurse, and they are full-time missionaries in Costa Rica with Mission Quest. They are working with youth and with the church. Noelle also serves alongside an organization that takes care of women and their medical needs during pregnancy. Victoria “Tory” Tanner ‘17 ‘18 is living in Florida, where she is in the process of raising support and preparing to serve with MissioSERVE in Togo, West Africa. Her goal is to be there by the fall of 2025. She will be in French language school in France in August 2024. Prior to this, she served with Word of Life as a recruiter for the Bible Institute for two years. Aubreanna (Anderson ‘18) Schafer is married to Dakota, and they live in Michigan. She is the Sponsored Ministries Manager at Grace Adventures and is involved in camp ministry full time. 2020s Brian Gaucher ‘20 lives in Ontario, Canada, where he is a Signals Officer in the Canadian Armed Forces. He is currently studying computer engineering at the Royal Military College of Canada. Brian attended Word of Life Bible Institute in Owen Sound. For ministry, he works with YA ministries as their lead to the RMC campus, providing or organizing rides to local churches and local Christian events for the cadets/students, organizing Christian events on campus, and ensuring cadets are connected to the Christian community on campus. Mildred Najjemba ‘20 is a graduate of Word of Life Africa Bible Institute in Uganda. She is currently on staff with Word of Life in Uganda, serving in Marketing and Camps.
“The memory that always flashes back in my mind every time I think of my year
“I had no idea at the time how incredible an education I was receiving. The
at WOLBI is the internship period. Everything was moving smoothly and
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my team and I were enjoying serving with the team at Good Shepherd's Fold when they told us to go back home because of Covid.” – Mildred Najjemba ‘20 Meena Norton ‘21 lives in Pennsylvania, where she works at the front desk of a hotel and helps with church events.
Noelle Badilla '15 (top center)
Jillian Dixon '14 (top right)
Mildred Najjemba '20 (middle right)
“My favorite memory from my time at WOLBI would probably be hammocking
with my friends down by the lake! Some of the best conversations came from those hammocks! Core memories made!” – Meena Norton ‘21 Sage (Yeatts ‘22) Earp is married to Christian and lives in North Carolina. Sage works in a coffee shop and enjoys doing Bible studies with her co-workers.
Mark '02 & Cindy '02 Harvey (middle)
Rachel (King '22) and Tommy Startup '22 (bottom left)
Matt ‘01 and Betsy (Navarro ‘01) Hickok (bottom right)
11 The Word of Life Experience
Word of Life Bible Institute Class of 1979 45-Year Reunion
In May, the Class of 1979 celebrated its 45th reunion in Lancaster County, Penn- sylvania. The event was meticulously planned, coordinated, and executed by alumnus Daryl Bollinger ’79, his wife, Diane, and his sister, Bonnie. Approx- imately 45–50 alumni, along with their spouses, former WOLBI staff, and family members, attended the reunion, traveling from 13 different states. This marks the sixth reunion organized by Daryl since 1999. In appreciation, his classmates honored him with a plaque and a plant. A Memory from Word of Life Bible Institute, Pottersville, New York, September 1978 A couple hundred students arrived at the “BI” for the year, ranging from 17 to a retired couple, representing diverse countries like the USA, Canada, Japan, and more. Little did they know the year ahead: assigned seats at meals, strict schedules, required study and exer- cise, and a dress code regardless of the cold. No PDA, no single dates, and daily classes on wooden benches with tablet arms. Christian Service Assignments and job duties were part of the routine, while media was strictly off-limits – leading to a surprise when a teacher mentioned the Pope's death, which we hadn't heard about!
Front Row, left to right: Daryle Bollinger (on table), Nate Richmond, Allen Bacon (both kneeling) Second Row, left to right: Denise Yost Stahl, Linda Ramsey Wollbrink, Andrea Gainsford Brunner, Tammy Champlin Buffington, Cyndi Van Sant Eichler, Karen Deyo Guthrie, Jennifer Madeiros Smith, Marian Kreider Groff Third Row, left to right: Darleen Sawyer Bacon, Jean Edge Wofford, Patti Lauderbaugh Roberts, Andrew Roberts, Dave Brunner, Tanis McAlpine Macinsky, Liz Kelly Tallau, Debbie Sanville Fanus, Tim Kramer, Daryl Groff, Brenda Namie Back Row, left to right: Mike Murray, Mike Macinsky, Dave Holden, Mark Trostle, Ron Larson, Bert Britt, Dale Rittenhouse, Ray Namie
Word of Life Bible Institute property, 1978
But many of us will tell you that, despite the strict rules and the crazy busy schedule for a solid year, it was one of the best years of our life. We were immersed in the Word of God, learning from esteemed teachers like Jack Wyrtzen, Harry Boll- back, and Dr. Charles Ryrie. We deepened our faith in various classes, forged lifelong friendships, and attended six class reunions over 45 years. We learned to hold forth the Word of Life, embracing its call with unwavering dedication.
Were we crazy to sign up for this? The world would tell us yes.
– Patti (Lauderbaugh ‘79) Roberts
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Word of Life Bible Institute Class of 1974 50-Year Reunion
This past June, we had the privilege of hosting a 50th-year reunion for the Word of Life Bible Institute class of 1974! We had over 60 attendees, including class members, spouses, and former staff members. Our guests enjoyed tours of Word of Life properties, ministry updates, and Biblical encour- agement from their former professor and Academic Dean, Paul Brownback. It was a great time of reconnecting with old friends and reflecting on God’s faith- fulness over the years.
L–R kneeling: James Colon, Ken Fort, Dr. Paul Brownback, Jan Reimer (Redcay) , Sharon Beiler (Kreider), Judith Williamson (Kessler), Tammy Roe (Reed), Bob Barton, Marshall Wicks L–R standing: Chris Miller, Brian Nester, Terry Van Schoick (Felska), Bryce Donley, Rosemary Schoellkopf, Dave Feltz, Joann Feltz (Scurlock), Dennis Riffle, Robin Gushee (Lubrich), Gina Lies- veld (Barreca), Carla Gray (Jacobsma), Elizabeth Nelson (Bollback), Carl Gibbs, Gennene Johnson (Dikeman), Gay Van Court, Hal Bennett, Nancy Bennett (Bower), Vickie Todd, Sharon Prutzman, Robyn Schenkenberger (Forrest), Terry Manahan, Deborah Kimble (Dinstel), Vanessa Wicks (Perrine).
13 The Word of Life Experience
Brian Gaucher '20 (top left )
Tory Tanner '17 '18 (top right)
Hey Alumni Family!
Dennis '84 & Tammy '85 Gray (middle left)
Chris '97 & Laurie '97 Finchum (middle right)
Beth Cerminara '02 (bottom)
God’s design for His people is for them to walk in community and be encouraged. Check out all the ways you can get connected with your peers from the Bible Institute! Visit Our Website Find easy access to all things alumni in our web page designed just for you. wol.is/alumni Send Us an Update Fill out a simple form to change your address, announce life updates (wedding, baby, retire- ment, etc.), or just share how you have seen God working lately. 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.
Facebook Group
@wol.is/alumnifbgroup
@wordoflifealumni
@wolalumni
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Alumni Weddings 2023 December 15 Peter and Emma (Phelan ‘18 ‘19) Petracca December 31 Michael and Lauren (Shambaugh ‘11 ‘12) Heckman 2024 March 15 Matt and Sofia (McCutcheon '23 ) Katwaroo March 23 Nathaniel '21 and Ileana (Camilo ‘15) Goad May 2 Ethan '21 ‘22 and Dilan (Parenzan '21 ‘22) Rehn June 2 Thomas ‘22 and Rachel (King ‘22) Startup June 7 Cade ‘21 and Jourdan Paddock Jackson '23 and Kylie (Hart '23) Grubbs June 15 Regis and Alida (Babcock '20 '21) Cunningham June 22 Obadiah ‘23 and Mackenna (Cartee ‘23) Czelusniak June 28 Benjamin '16 and Shannon Ely July 6 Isaac '22 and Amber (DeLong '22) Gilpatric July 13 Matthew ‘21 ‘22 and Angel Brennan July 18 Jean-Luc '14 '15 and Sophie Schieferstein July 19 Macalyster ‘22 and Kiera (Pipeling ‘22) Perry July 27 Carter '23 and Morgan (Phillips '21 '22) Sgambato Brad '20 '21 and Katie (Dominique '21 '22 ) Crowe July 28 Joshua '20 and Grace (Vecca '19 '20) Cappella July 29 Andrés ‘23 '24 and Carmen (Ceballos ‘23 '24) Bravo August 2 Luke '22 and Mollie (Franklin '22) Huebner August 3 Connor and Millie (Coats '22) Smith Malachi '24 and Maggie (Vander Wiele '24) Cooper August 10 Andrew '21 '22 and Abby (DeYoung '23 '24) Beaty Maykel '21 and Emily Mariano August 23 Bryan '21 and Mikeila (Silva '21) Fernandes August 24 James '23 '24 and Victoria (Aseltine '23 '24) Howard August 25 Dylon ‘10 and Alexis Beamer Timothy '21 and Myriam Shea August 30 Ethan '23 '24 and Cassidy (Reilly '21 '22) Fowler August 31 Christian '24 and Sarah (Snellenberger '24) Grimes Donny '14 '15 and Audrey (Hart '11 '12) Oakes
Nathaniel '21 and Ileana (Camilo ‘15) Goad
15 The Word of Life Experience
When your phone rings in the middle of the night, it is rarely good news.
A few years ago, I received one of those calls. I learned from my son, Benjamin, a newlywed of nine months, that his wife’s parents and her four-year-old brother had been in a horrific automobile accident. Her father and brother perished immediately. Her mother was in the hospital, clinging to life. To further complicate the situation, my son and daughter- in-law were living on another continent, serving as missionaries in Europe.
I could hear the pain in my son’s voice as he said, “Dad, I feel so unprepared for this.”
Even though thousands of miles separated us, the agony of that moment was as real as if we were in the same room. I struggled to share a few words of comfort and a short prayer. As a father, I wanted to fix it, but there was nothing I could do. Within a few hours, Benjamin and Karen were on a plane traveling home. Upon arrival, they learned that Karen’s mother was brain dead and was being kept alive as an organ donor.
God Doesn’t Waste
By John Nelson
Author’s note: The circumstances and events shared above accurately reflect what actually occurred. At the request of my son and daughter-in-law, their names have been changed.
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The following day, as I sat at the airport waiting to board a flight, I cried out to God, “This isn’t about me, but I feel so helpless and desperately need You. How can I help Benjamin and Karen when I don’t know what to say or do?” We tend to think that terrible things only happen to others, not to those we care about, especially those who are serving the Lord. Karen’s parents were teachers at a Christian school. They were simply traveling home after a busy day when their car was struck broadside by a speeding driver. During the next few days, I helped make arrangements, write an obituary, and plan a celebration of life service. While the busyness was cathartic, I strug- gled to cope with the reality that had occurred. It seemed so random and, most of all, so meaningless. Growing up in ministry and serving for over 40 years, I have studied the Scrip- tures and heard many sermons about the sovereignty and grace of God. Intellectually, I knew what to say when believers experience difficult times. I had also experienced loved ones dying early in life. One of my childhood friends died in an automobile accident when he was 19, and my mother died of cancer at the relatively young age of 61. However, this time it was different. Loved ones aren’t supposed to die in groups. And why a child? The “why” question haunted me. At the celebration of life service, a eulogy was read that Karen had penned. One of the things she wrote was: “God doesn’t waste pain, and I am clinging to His love because of my parents’ example.” God doesn’t waste pain – the words ran through my mind. As I reflected on that statement, four things surfaced that are more meaningful than ever before. First: God is infinite – we are finite. The
accident reminded us that God allows pain in our lives that we often cannot understand. His thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8). In our human condition, we want to find out why things happen to us. My friend Ray Pritchard says, “God is God, and we are not.” Some- times, we simply cannot understand the pain in our lives because our finite minds cannot process His plan. Our response must be: God, I trust You. When the light of eternity shines on the lives of those who love God, the painful, devastating, and seemingly meaningless events of our lives will make sense. Second: Jesus wept over one thing – people. Scripture records our Savior expressing deep grief over the death of His friend Lazarus (John 11:35) and over the rejection of His people (Matthew 23:37). Jesus grieved for those He loved, and God’s heart was touched by His Son’s grief. Third: Heaven is the destination – earth is the journey. We often forget that we are not home yet. The apostle Paul tells us we are aliens on earth. When loved ones die in the Lord, they have reached their destination – they are home. This truth was reflected in the celebration of life service through the song Home- sick by MercyMe, which spoke to the emotions of longing to be reunited with loved ones. You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times, And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for you, But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry, Is how long must I wait to be with you? I close my eyes and I see your face, If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place.
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow, I've never been more homesick than now.
Fourth: God is good in all circum- stances – our pain is part of His good plan. As I sat at the gate in the airport, I turned to Psalm 119:65–72. In verse 68, the psalmist writes: “God is good, and He does good.” As I thought about Karen’s statement, God doesn’t waste pain , I returned to verse 71: It is good that You brought pain into my life, so I will be open to the lessons You want to teach me. God uses what appears to be meaningless tragedies to make us open to His creative touch. My mother was an artist. After she died, my father gave me one of her Bibles. Inside, I found a note that read: “God is the Master Artist who paints the events of our lives, one stroke at a time. We do not always understand why He paints certain scenes into our lives.” This anecdote was even more poignant as I thought about a creative technique she used when she did “chalk talks” at our church when I was growing up. She would do a chalk drawing about once every year, usually in an evening service. The lights were dimmed, and she would draw scenes in a picture that did not always make sense. However, when the drawing was complete, she would turn on a fluorescent light, and suddenly, the picture would look almost completely different. Unknown to those watching, my mom had drawn a beautiful picture that only became understandable to her viewers when the light revealed all that she had drawn. When the light of eternity shines on the lives of those who love God, the painful, devastating, and seemingly meaning- less events of our lives will make sense. Thank you, God!
17 The Word of Life Experience
Winter Camp: THE BEST 44 HOURS OF WINTER!
Special Alumni Discount: Alumni who are currently in college can register for Young Adults Weekend for just $99! Alumni who are not in college can enjoy a 10% discount on registration.
Register for Winter Camp or Young Adults Weekend Below!
wol.is/intersect
Winter Camp: In one weekend, students ages 12–18 can experience mind-blowingly fun activities, make meaningful friendships, and be challenged by God’s Word to deepen their relationship with Jesus. Young Adults Weekend: Come experience a spiritual retreat like no other, with two new locations this year! Tailored for ages 18–28, this weekend offers an incredible blend of adventure, community, and spiritual growth! Whether you're looking to connect with others or dive deeper into your faith, this is the perfect weekend.
INTERSECT CAMP Miamisburg, Ohio Cold Springs, California Jaffrey, New Hampshire
wol.is/snowcamp
SNOWCAMP Pottersville, New York
wol.is/pursuit
PURSUIT CAMP Hudson, Florida
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A 25-DAY JOURNEY TO THE MANGER: Advent Devotiona l
This holiday season, sign up for a free digital copy of Word of Life’s Christmas devotional, A 25-Day Journey to the Manger: Advent Devotional . From December 1 through Christmas Day, you’ll receive daily encouragement celebrating the birth of our Savior, delivered directly to your email inbox!
NEW THIS YEAR For those who love the feel of a book in hand, you can also purchase a hard copy!
Scan the QR code below to join us on A 25-Day Journey to the Manger .
wol.is/christmasdevo
19 The Word of Life Experience
Word of Life Florida A LEGACY OF IMPACT & TRANSFORMATION FALL 2024 VOLUME I / NO. I HUDSON, FLORIDA Featuring The We Believe Campaign & The Build Campaign
A Quick Walk Through History Word of Life Florida began with a dona- tion of 500 acres in 1985. The Confer- ence Center welcomed the first guests in January 1990 and the Youth Camp opened six months later. Since then, lives have continued to be reached and changed for eternity. Thanks to the prayer and financial support of donors and the grace of God, The Build Campaign and the We Believe Campaign were launched to increase the effectiveness of the Florida campus even more.
• 1985 Word of Life Florida began with a donation of 500 acres
• January 1990 Conference Center opened
• June 1990 Youth Camp opened
• November 1995 RV Park opened
• 1997 Bible Institute opened
• January 2017 Pursuit Camp opened
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Rendering of Student Life Center
Celebrating The Build Campaign A New Era for Summer Camps It is exciting to share the final projects of The Build Campaign are complete... a new pool, and snack shack, and restroom/changing area. These facil- ities not only help campers have fun in the warm Florida sun, but also serve as a tool of interaction, evange- lism, and discipleship. One counselor shared, “The pool has been an incred- ible blessing. I’ve had so many deep conversations about faith and life with campers while sitting by the water. It’s amazing to see God at work in such a simple setting.” "It's definitely made things easier. I was a camper here years ago, and we would have to walk all the way up to the other end of the campus to go to the pool and walk all the way back." – Camp Counselor "It's absolutely amazing and I'm thankful for it." – Camp Crewer
effective ministry in the years to come. In July, the groundbreaking for a three- story, 48,000 square foot Dormitory and Student Life Center took place. This building will provide quality dorm rooms for Bible Institute students, staff offices, a library, student lounge, and exercise facility. RV Park and Lanai Upgrades The We Believe Campaign also includes the expansion of the RV Park by 300 sites and a clubhouse. This will provide a place for more guests to enjoy their winters in Florida’s gulf coast. Many find godly friendships, volunteer in areas of interest, lead small groups, and encourage Bible Institute students. Additionally, the poolside Lanai is being refreshed to better serve conference center and retreat guests.
millions of people around the world annually. At the very core is evangelism, disciples making disciples, and leaders training leaders. We look forward to new facilities with space to support projected growth and effectively carry out training, coaching, counseling, and missionary care. A Vision for the Future We give God the glory for His provision and extend gratitude to the friends of the ministry who have helped make this a reality. As we remain committed to the vision and heritage of the past 85 years, we commit to faithfully steward these resources to further the work of the worldwide ministries of Word of Life. Psalm 118:23 “This is the Lord’s doing, it is marvelous in our eyes.”
Next Step: We Believe Campaign Phase 2 Global Mobilization Center
We Believe Campaign Phase 1 Increase Student Capacity
Word of Life became an international ministry in 1955 when Harry Bollback and Harold Reimer began the ministry Brazil. Now, more than 1,600 mission- aries on six continents are touching
God has graciously provided the resources to transform our facilities and allow us to grow and have more
Student Life Center groundbreaking on July 26, 2024
21 The Word of Life Experience
Here’s just a snapshot of what God is doing all around the world!
Brazil
In response to severe flooding in Rio Grande do Sul, Word of Life has been at the forefront of relief efforts. Their 35 years of ministry in the region allowed them to quickly become a hub for volunteers. Over the past eight weeks, they mobilized 250+ volunteers, served 30 churches in 15 cities, distributed 20 tons of supplies, and cleaned nearly 70 spaces, while providing spiritual support. By the grace of God, they launched Day Camps, impacting 577 youth affected by the flooding, and seeing 53 salvation decisions.
US Camps
difficult experiences he had been through. Trey encouraged him that because of Jesus and his new relationship with Him, he is free from sin and its burden. After the next rally, Jay ran to find Trey, saying that after their conversation, he felt a weight lifted and had hope for the future because of Jesus. This moment reminded Trey daily that despite the challenges and problems, the gospel is being shared, and God is changing lives.
The Word of Life team in the United States is praising God for a fruitful season of summer camp in New York and Florida. Below is one of many testimonies from campers whose lives were forever changed: A counselor at Word of Life Coast, Trey Brandon, described that when he shared the gospel with his campers, it wasn't always well received. One of his campers, Jay, shared his story and the
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Our Newly Approved Word of Life Missionaries January – June 2024
Kazuaki ‘11 ‘12 & Mana ‘09 ‘10 Shiobara – Japan
Takaaki Shirakawa ‘23 – Japan
Casper ‘18 ‘20 & Sara Lorenzen – Vanuatu
Chris Sandford ‘20 ‘21 – Australia
Daniel Palenkas ‘20 ‘21 – Australia
Keith & Diana Edwards – Youth Ministries
Josiah ‘16 & Vivian Overly – Taiwan
Daniel & Lyslaine Hirschfeld – Aruba
Enoch Umpeng (WOL Philippines) ‘22 ‘23 – Papua New Guinea
Seth & Marcela Fagerland – Panama
Arnas (WOL Hungary ) ‘22 & Gabriele (WOL Hungary) ‘21 ‘22 Valentukonis – Lithuania
Zelalem Dereje Yitbarek – Ethiopia
Are you interested in hosting a Word of Life missionary or missionary family while they travel to raise support? Visit wol.is/host to sign up!
Brazil
S
Vanuatu
Two missionary couples, Asher and Kaylee Thompson, and Casper and Sara Lorenzen, have pioneered a new Word of Life ministry in Vanuatu. They have immersed themselves in the local culture, making strides in learning Bislama and engaging with key leaders. Their inaugural "Word of Life Share Day" event was a significant milestone, fostering collaboration with local evangelical leaders. Additionally, they translated the “Colors of Life” gospel tool into Bislama (the national language of the Republic of Vanuatu), enhancing their outreach efforts. With strong community support, the couples are optimistic about their mission’s future impact on Vanuatu's youth.
23 The Word of Life Experience
INTRODUCING THE THEME FOR THE 2024–2025 WORD OF LIFE BIBLE INSTITUTE YEAR: SOJOURNERS & EXILES A CHOSEN GENERATION / 1 PETER 2:9–11
ALUMNI ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD Do you know any high school students who are planning their next steps after graduation? As an alumnus, you can encourage a student to attend Word of Life Bible Institute and give them a $750 scholarship toward their tuition! To download a printable version of the Encouragement Award, visit wol.is/encourage . You can give out as many as you like (one per student).
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We may live in a polarizing world, but there has never been a more exciting time to serve Jesus Christ. The opportunities to proclaim His name are plentiful. Our 2024–2025 Bible Institute theme and verse for the year remind us that God has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. This world is not our home, and, therefore, the ways and things of this world should not be our pursuit. While He has not called us to be of this world, we have been called to carry the light of the gospel in this world. We should not isolate ourselves, but, instead, we must insulate ourselves with the truth of the Word of God and actively share this truth with the world. Please pray for the faculty, staff, and students of Word of Life Bible Institute. Pray that we will all discover and live out these truths this year.
Because of Grace,
Brian Baker Vice President of Bible Institutes
25 The Word of Life Experience
Ease Your Mind & Heart
Have you considered how your decisions today could bring peace of mind and heart to your family after you're gone? Most of us avoid thinking about our mortality, yet we all will face death someday if the Lord doesn’t return first. With proper planning, you can have the satis- faction of knowing that the goals important to you will continue to be pursued through your family, church, and the ministries you care about for years to come. You and your family will find peace of mind knowing that you have prepared for the future. Word of Life partners with PhilanthroCorp, a trusted ministry, to offer customized legacy planning as a free service to you without cost or obligation. Your only expense will be the attorney fees to draft the documents and put your plans in place. If you don’t have an attorney, PhilanthroCorp can refer you to a Christian attorney in your area. Regardless of the size of your assets, Philan- throCorp will help you create or update your legacy plan. Eliminate the nagging worry and stress of the unknown by contacting Philan- throCorp.
wol.is/philanthrocorp
Scan the QR code or contact John Nelson, Director of the Word of Life Foundation, to begin this vital journey towards hassle-free estate planning.
johnn@wol.org / 518.494.6217
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In Memory of: Ron Boss Del and Mary Ann Benner
Dick and Bernice Graser Del and Mary Ann Benner
Pam Johnson Louise Delyte Morris
Don Stoffel Every Child Inc.
Ethel Bradford Bruce Bradford Adam Forthun Nick and Dana Johnson Arthur Muller
Thea Guenther Dawn Evans Joleen Moe
Caroline Llarena Juliana Staas-Llarena
Joan Sturgis Del and Mary Ann Benner
Art and Ruth Nazigian Jon and Deborah Nazigian
Paul Sturgis Dale Sanville
Royce Hartsough Dean and Christine Brewer Kevin and Susan Cullen Michael and Laura Edwards Ken and Marilyn Figg Durral and Suzanne Hale Peggy Magers Jerry and Carlene Rowe
Gary Bradford Bob and Sue Brown
Leah Reylea Del and Mary Ann Benner
Steve Sullivan James Sullivan
Misty Calhoun Mike and Betsi Calhoun
Amy Rose Patricia Ackman
Roger Twidt Del and Mary Ann Benner
Alan Cappella Raymond Wright
Dolly Rouser Del and Mary Ann Benner
Katherine “Kitty” Wright Marjorie Cotterill Kim Hinkley Barbara Lane
David Hillis Mary Hillis
Byron Chute Bob and Sue Brown
Lewis Schaub Norman and Lori King
Jeremiah Horton Gerry and Kim Horton
Judy Yorke Del and Mary Ann Benner
Margaret DeBiase Bob and Sue Brown
J Carolyn Skoglund Ron and Susan Elenbaas
Ruth Hrinda Charles Bielecki
Ron Stansbury Del and Mary Ann Benner
In Honor of:
Rick Eaton Michelle Gordon
The Good Family Fellowship Bible Church
Robert Hinkley Christine Pratt
Dr. John Norris Thomas Meachum
Raymond Namie '72 1944–2024
Alexandria Raymond Namie, a devoted follower of Christ, loving husband, father, and grand- father, passed away peacefully on June 9,
leading to his lifelong commitment to his faith.
and at Word of Life Bible Institute. Despite enduring significant personal losses, including the death of his son, Stephen, in 2013, Ray remained steadfast in his faith, living with a balance of joy and sorrow. Known for his infectious laugh, mischievous grin, and the ability to make everyone feel special, Ray's life was characterized by his deep love for God and others. Ray is survived by his wife, Brenda, his children Tim, Marc, Paul, Crystal, Bethany, and Aleya, their spouses, and 16 grandchildren. His legacy is one of unwavering faith, love, and dedication to spreading the message of Christ.
Ray dedicated his life to spreading the gospel, asking people about their eternal destiny, and sharing the message of salvation. He married Leslie Taliaferro after returning from Vietnam and had six children. Trag- ically, they lost their son, John, to leukemia and Leslie to a brain aneu- rysm. Later, Ray married Brenda Robinson, a widow with two children, blending their families and affection- ately referring to themselves as the "Brady Bunch."
2024, leaving behind a legacy of faith and love. Born on June 25, 1944, in Louisiana and raised in Michigan, Ray was just shy of turning 80. One of nine children, Ray faced a challenging childhood, which instilled in him a resourceful and hardworking nature. After high school and tech school, he joined the Air Force and served in Vietnam, where a fellow serviceman introduced him to Jesus,
Throughout his life, Ray worked in various roles, including as a policeman
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The Word of Life Experience
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