From Achievement to Fulfillment Riley Hoselton’s Story Embracing the God of All Comfort Ester Warren's Story – Alumnus of the Year
Issue 21
CONTENTS
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A Note from Don Lough, Jr. Reverb Embracing the God of All Comfort: Ester Warren's Story – Alumnus of the Year Welcoming the New Alumni Class
A Note from Don Lough, Jr. As we step into another vibrant season at Word of Life, our hearts are filled with anticipation for the stories of transformation that will unfold as young people hear the gospel. Through your faithful prayers and support, you are so much a part of this. Notice Paul’s use of the personal pronoun “we” three times in 2 Corinthians 4:1: “Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.” Together, we reach this generation for Christ. In this edition of The Word of Life Experience , we celebrate the incredible ways God is moving within the Word of Life community. As you dive into these pages, I hope you are inspired by the remark- able stories of life-change that have been made possible through your fellowship and friendship in the gospel. Thank you for standing with us – your partnership is invaluable! Be encouraged to press on, moti- vated by seeing a lost world come to know Jesus as their personal Savior.
Alumni Updates Alumni Weddings Ministry Update: Word of Life Internship Pathway Global Report From Achievement to Fulfillment: Riley Hoselton's Story Dedications
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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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When the Gospel “Clicks”
Coming this fall, get ready for an all-night event packed with a professional sports game, intense games, unbelievable prizes, and great food until dawn! That’s not even the best part! We begin these incredibly fun, all-night activities by giving teens the gospel in a way they can understand and giving them a chance to respond. THE BEST EVANGELISTIC ALL-NIGHTER ON THE PLANET
“There was a young lady who came to Reverb with her youth group. She had been connected through a program that allows students to get out of school for a short while for religious instruction. When the gospel was presented at Reverb, she raised her hand and went back for counseling. She said she loved God but had never realized she needed to seek forgiveness from God for her sin. As Kris shared the gospel, something “clicked,” and she realized her need to ask for that forgiveness. That night, she asked for forgiveness and trusted Jesus as her Savior.”
Leaving the Act Behind and Trusting in Jesus
“A young man named Josh, who had just signed up to come to the Bible Institute next year, had been inviting students from his wrestling team to attend Reverb. One of the friends he invited accepted Christ during the event. He admitted that he was tired of the act he was putting on. After watching his Christian friend (Josh) and his strong testimony, he said he was tired of living a lie and accepted Christ. Josh and his elder then had the opportunity to counsel this new believer in Christ.”
Be on the lookout! More information is coming on how you can get involved in Reverb as an alumnus.
wol.is/reverb
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The Word of Life Experience
If it had truth tha took root ago on th
Embracing God the of All Comfort Ester Warren's Story – Alumnus of the Year
Kenny., Molly, Ester, Bailey.
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dn't been for the foundational at she was never alone, which t in her heart all those years he Island...
Our 2024 Alumnus of the Year, Ester Warren, was born and raised in Queens, New York, to Korean immigrant parents. From a young age, she was immersed in the teachings of the Bible, attending church regularly. Despite this strong Christian foundation, it wasn't until her Youth Pastor brought her youth group to Snowcamp in the winter and The Island in the summer that she began understanding what a personal rela- tionship with Jesus meant. During testi- mony sharing at the campfire night on The Island, a counselor shared that knowing Christ was knowing that he was never alone. That truth reso- nated with Ester. She knew she was a sinner in need of a Savior, leading her to accept Christ at the age of 13. From there, her life didn’t resemble the typical growing pattern of discipleship after salvation. Her early teen years were marked by a struggle with rebel- lion. Even through that, she sees how the Lord remained faithful to pursue her and protect her. Throughout her high school years, Ester found herself at rock bottom. In this hard place, she looked forward to her time at Word of Life Camps. At 16, she started working as part of STC (Camp Crew), which God used to grow her faith. After high school, she chose to dedicate a year of her life to studying God’s Word at Word of Life Bible Institute, graduating in 1991 where she also met her husband, Kenny. Ester says her year at Word of Life Bible Institute was transformative and greatly impacted her future.
After graduating from the Bible Institute, Ester and Kenny transferred to Liberty University, where they both completed their undergraduate degrees and got married. God brought an opportunity for them to move to Orlando, Florida, where Kenny would be a Bible teacher, basketball coach, and executive pastor, and Ester continued climbing the corporate ladder. They had their first child, Bailey, in 1999. When Bailey was two years old, his development regressed, and he became nonverbal. He was diagnosed with PDD-NOS, a form of autism. This diagnosis led Ester to leave her job to provide the necessary support for Bailey. If it hadn't been for the foundational truth that she was never alone, which took root in her heart all those years ago on The Island, the news of the diagnosis and the years that followed would have been a burden too great to bear. It turns out that the move to Orlando, Florida, was one of God’s many provi- sions for them, as Orlando has a Center for Autism Research through the University of Central Florida. Through that center, they were able to get early intervention services set up and receive help through the initial diag- nosis journey. Over the next year and a half, through speech and occupa- tional therapy, Bailey learned to talk and showed improvement in other areas.
After a brief time in Raleigh, North Carolina, Ester and her family would move back to Lynchburg, Virginia, near Liberty University. Throughout these next few years, Bailey experienced significant deficits. He struggled with transitions, social skills, and executive functioning. Through these hardships, the Lord challenged Ester’s heart with the question, “Do you trust me with your child?” Ester found solace in the words of 2 Corinthians 1:3–5, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ, we share abundantly in comfort too.” These verses became a cornerstone of her faith, reminding her that God's comfort in her afflictions was not just for her benefit but also to enable her to comfort others facing similar struggles. Ester eventually joined Liberty Univer- sity, where she has worked since 2008, including serving as the Dean of the College of General Studies. During that time, Bailey graduated from high school and decided to attend Liberty University.
...the news of the diagnosis and the years that followed would have been a burden too great to bear.
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The Word of Life Experience
Kenny and Ester Warren with Jack Wyrtzen.
Ester's STC (Camp Crew) Summer at Word of Life Inn.
Bailey Warren
That transition was very challenging. Through those difficulties, Ester often thought back to the days of the original diagnosis when specialists thought he would need help for the rest of his life. They weren’t sure whether he would ever be able to speak. Fast forward twenty years ahead, and he is academ- ically gifted and heading to college. Through his challenges at Liberty, including panic attacks and almost failing out of his program, Bailey began a deep dive with therapy to develop the necessary coping skills for him to succeed. Bailey worked very hard for the next few years to raise his GPA and successfully graduated from Liberty University in 2023 with a degree in computer science. The Lord used that painful experience to plant a dream in Ester’s heart to start something for the students with disabil-
ities at Liberty University. She envi- sioned a program that would help them transition well, be supported and loved, and receive the tools necessary to thrive. She took that step of faith, devel- oped a program, and presented it to Liberty University’s Academic Leader- ship. After a year, it was approved! She became the Senior Executive Director of Disability Accommodation Support and piloted a program for students with disabilities. The summer of 2023 was its official launch, and the program saw remarkable success, with 13 out of 15 students completing their first year of college. Throughout her journey, one constant theme has been God's faithfulness. From her formative years at Word of Life Camps to her impactful time at Word of Life Bible Institute, her corporate career, and her roles at Liberty University, she
has continually felt the nearness of the Lord. The foundation laid during her early years has been instrumental in navigating life's challenges, especially in supporting Bailey throughout his life. Ester's work at Liberty University continues to be driven by her passion for supporting students with disabilities. Her story is one of complete depen- dence on God and seeing Him use something so personal and painful to make a difference in the lives of others. Through her work, she continues to support students, helping them realize their potential and their worth in Christ. As she reflects on her journey, Ester remains committed to the mission described in 2 Corinthians 1:4 – to comfort those in any trouble with the comfort she herself has received from God.
Ester, Molly, Bailey, Kenny.
Bailey's Liberty University Diploma.
Summer Program Students.
Caption Here
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Pottersville, New York Join us on our New York campus for a memorable weekend featuring encouraging fellowship with our alumni family, a 40th-year celebration for the class of '84, and fun activities for all ages. We are also thrilled to present the Alumnus of the Year Award and interview this year’s recipient, Ester Warren, during the Friday night chapel. This exciting event is open to Bible Institute graduates, students, families, and friends.
Scan the QR code to learn more and register for Homecoming!
wol.is/nyhomecoming
@wordoflifealumni
@wolalumni
Florida Homecoming Recap This past April, Florida held their Homecoming, and it was a HUGE success! They welcomed Tom Phillips to come and speak. Tom and Fay Phillips spent 43 years in faithful ministry with Word of Life.
We rejoice over a joyous time had by all!
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The Word of Life Experience
ALUMNI ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD Do you know any high school students planning their next steps after High School? As an alumnus of Word of Life Bible Institute, you can be the encouragement a student needs to take the next step in their walk with the Lord.
WELCOMING THE NEW ALUMNI CLASS
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I first heard about the Bible Institute from my brother who is an alumnus. Since being here, I have learned what it means to have a life that is built with Christ as my foundation. I have also been poured into by wonderful staff and students who constantly point me back to the gospel – seeing how choosing the gospel every day is how to live for Christ. I would definitely recommend the Bible Institute! Here, you have the opportunity to grow even more equipped to live a life on mission no matter where you end up in life! – Sophomore, Brogan Reilly So many of our students end up at Word of Life Bible Institute through the testimony of an alumnus. We hope you’ll take full advantage of giving a $750 scholarship to a prospective student today! Find the detachable Alumni Encouragement Award in this issue between pages one and two. You can give out as many as you like (one per student). To get more, visit wol.is/encourage
We are thrilled to present the brand-new graduating class of 2024! We pray you will take the spiritual disci- plines, practical ministry training, and Bible and Theology education that you gained at the Bible Institute and share it with your corner of the world! Your learning is far from over. Our hope is that these two years have laid a sturdy foundation for you to build a life of continued learning and growth in your personal relationships with Jesus, and that you’ll share it with those God sovereignly puts in your path.
I heard about Word of Life Bible Institute from my parents who both attended and met here. This year, I have been learning more about what it means to depend on, abide in, and trust the Lord for today and the future. I would absolutely recommend the Bible Institute! Personally, I did not know how to study the Bible or what it looked like to walk with the Lord daily before I came here, and I have been so blessed by how much I have learned here! – Sophomore, Grace Webster This year at the Bible Institute, I've learned a lot about forgiveness. Before I came here, forgiveness was just a word to me. I'd say I tried to forgive people, but I often held onto grudges in my heart. However, after this entire year of experience, forgiving and forgetting has become so much easier. Understanding that forgiveness entails making a promise to never bring up that sin again has truly guided me throughout this year. – Freshman, Hecsarah Ramirez
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The Word of Life Experience
Alumni Updates All the latest news from our Bible Institute graduates! 1970’s
Kesha Miles ('09) and family
1980’s Harry Brady '80 and his wife, Barbara, live in Ohio where Harry is a County Commissioner for Huron County. At church, he is an Awana leader. David Compton '80 lives in New Jersey and is a retired USPS mail carrier. Bryan Broomfield '82 lives in Ontario, Canada, where he works as a manager for Karis Disability Services. Anthony "Tony" Rizzo '82 '83 is married to Rebecca (Norris '82) , and they live in Pennsylvania. Tony is an evangelist and Executive Director of Youth Action Ministries. Marguerite (Yannetty '84) Sousa and her husband, Leo, live in Massachusetts. They have two adult children: Victoria
startling to us all. Dr. Didden was quite calm and remarked something to the effect that he did not usually accompany his lectures with sound effects.” – David Miller '74 Mason Hughes '75 lives in Arizona where he is the pastor at West Phoenix Baptist Church. He has been a pastor for 42 years. He and his late wife, Kelli, have three adult children and five grandchildren. He was a Word of Life singer in 1976 and was one of five singers who toured with Jack Wyrtzen. Richard '77 and Peggy (Neff '77) Hendricks live in Pennsylvania. They are both retired and have eight adult children and twenty-two grandchildren.
David Miller '74 and his wife, Patricia, live in Webster, New York. They have three adult children: Nathan, Allison, and Jenny and five grandchildren. David is a retired pastor and continues to volunteer as Pastoral Care for Care and Counseling and is a per diem hospital chaplain.
“The most prominent memory is from the spring of 1974 with Dr. Clarence Didden. That
spring, the snow had accumulated several feet on the roof of Council Hall. While he was teaching us from Reve- lation and expounding on the judge- ments being poured out on the earth, a huge section of ice and snow slid off the roof and demolished the entrance way. Needless to say, it was quite
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Kelly (Cluff '87) Nelson is married to Brad, and they live in Kansas. She has two adult children: Devon and Megan. Kelly works in customer service for an insurance company, and she serves in various areas of ministry at church. Tom and Shannon (Snell '87) Carroll live in Virginia. They have two adult children: Daniel '16 (Florida teaching site) and Jessica '20 (Jeju teaching site). Shannon is on the faculty of Liberty University School of Nursing as a Support Coordinator in their Residential Programs. Mari (Dean '89) Martin and her husband, Mike, live in Virginia. They have an adult daughter, Sara Michelle. Mari provides in- home care for a gentleman who lives with them. 1990’s Tim Kirschner ‘90 is married to Kelley (Hillard ’90) , and they live in Pennsylvania. They are the parents of five children, four of whom are also alumni: TJ ‘12, Kortney ‘15 ‘16, Kassey, Kara ‘21 ‘22, and Titus ‘22 ‘23 (now a Davis College student). They have two grandbabies they hope will also be future alumni. Tim is a Missionary Pastor with Village Missions.
and Zach, and a granddaughter, Holland. Marguerite works in Member Services at Massachusetts Nurses Association.
Mariah. David works for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
“Grateful for a foundational theological grounding.” – David Cucchi ‘92
“Too many great memories to mention. It was truly one of the best years of my life.” – LoriAnn Boyer '84
Melody Ball ‘93 went back to school when she was in her 40’s and got her Bachelor's degree in behavioral health and then her Master's degree in school counseling. She is currently the school counselor at Fordland Elementary in Fordland, Missouri. She is also a certified school psychological examiner and administers all of the IQ and academic testing. Janet Ballos ‘95 is a Mental Health Residential Assistant for Arbor Housing in Corning, New York. She works direct care with adults with mental health issues in a transitional housing community residence and a RITE apartment program. She assists in giving support, teaching daily living skills and coping skills, monitoring medication self-administration, case management, and offering an art/craft group to mentally ill adults, helping them gain independence and be able to live and function on their own. Lisa (Broestler ‘96) Lewis and her husband, Doug, live in Nebraska. She is a Community Based Mental Health Therapist. “Meeting so many amazing people. Snowcamp was always my favorite. I was so exhausted at the end of the weekend, but it was always worth it” – Lisa Lewis ‘96 John ‘96 and Sharon ‘96 Valley were married students when they attended the Bible Institute in 1995/96. They are living in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and have two children: Kaylyn (22) and Ryan (19). John works for a vending company and Sharon for a food delivery service.
Leilani (Danigelis '84) Hulst is married to Bill, and they live in Michigan. Between the two of them, they have nine adult children. Leilani works in the medical field and owns a business. She and Bill are involved in a re- marriage and blended family ministry. LoriAnn (Cardoza '84) Boyer lives in South Carolina and has an adult son, Stephen. She is a Senior Leader with Wray Ward, a marketing, advertising, and communications company, heading up their talent acquisition and human resources department. Hudson Vanderhoff '84 '85 and his wife, Patti, live in Arkansas. They have nine biological children and have adopted another nineteen, most with special needs, and they have six grandchildren. Hudson is a Global Data Privacy Attorney. They attend Ozark Baptist Church and Indian Fellowship of Northwest Arkansas where Hudson is involved in teaching at both churches and preaches about twelve times a year at the Indian Fellowship. Sharon "Cathy" Garber '85 is retired after serving for 47 years with Children’s Bible Ministries. She lives in Pennsylvania and continues to volunteer with several CBM camps. Aaron Karr '86 and his wife, Debbie, live in West Virginia. Aaron is the Lead Pastor at Calvary Baptist Church.
“I met my spouse at WOLBI and so did two of our children!” – Tim Kirschner ‘90
Michael Moser ‘91 lives in Portland, Oregon, where he serves as a Project Manager with a ministry that helps clients fix critical home projects that they couldn’t afford. David Snyder ‘91 is married to Mary, and they live in Tennessee. They have six children: Wyatt, Aaron, Austin, Kaylie, Brenna, and Ian and two grandchildren. Eduardo Gonzales Jr. ‘92 and his wife, Lorilie, live in Texas. They have three children: Zachary, Orlando, and Nathan. Eduardo is a Forklift Operator/Inventory Control Specialist for DHL Legos. At church, he serves as Assistant Pastor of Praise. He is looking to go to Dallas Theological Seminary to get his Master's in counseling. David Cucchi ‘92 and his wife, Richelle, live in Pennsylvania. They have five children: Gabrielle, Sabrina, Joshua, Mason, and
“Best, hardest year of my life.”
– Aaron Karr '86
Karen (Rock '87) Cook is married to Dan Cook '88 , and they live in New York. They have four adult sons: Joshua '14 , James, John Mark, and Joel, and they have one grandson. Karen is a bus driver and at church, she serves as a Sunday school teacher and on the fellowship and missions committees. Dan is a deacon and trustee and also serves on the missions committee and the pastoral search committee.
“We had a great year at WOLBI! It was an awesome place to be able to learn the
Bible more in depth. Our ministry there was Open Air Evangelism, which was a wonderful experience in itself! We also were happy to be there while Jack Wyrtzen and Harry
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Lekesha “Kesha” (Sanders ‘01) Miles and her husband, Anthony, live in Tennessee. They have five children: Malachi (18), Isaiah (16), Sophianna (11), Annaliese (9), and Joey (5). Kesha is a Severe Abuse Investigator with the Department of Children’s Services. At church, she is a standby worship leader for the recovery ministry.
Ben Allison ‘08 and his wife, Megan, live in Virginia. They have two daughters: Olivia (5) and Sophia (1). Ben serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the American Association of Christian Counselors, the world's largest and most diverse Christian counseling organization. As a licensed attorney in Virginia and MBA graduate, his primary role is to protect the organization both legally and operationally. He is also a speaker and writer on the topic of personal finances for individuals and couples. Craig Gornall ‘08 ‘09 and his wife, Elizabeth (Peer ‘08 ‘09) , live in South Carolina. They have four children: Leah (10), Jude (9), Jackson (3), and Chloe (1). Craig is a Lead Technician at Rapid Repairs.
Bollback were still up there and teaching! Great year to be there.”
– Sharon Valley ‘96
Julie (Weertman ‘97) Wilding and her husband, Mike, live in Texas. They have three children: Emma (18), Abbi (16), and Jase (10). Julie works at The Village Church as Senior Director of Next Gen Ministry. Brent Manuel ‘97 lives in Virginia, where he works in IT for an investment company based out of Richmond. He has four children: Skylar (25), Khoi (9), Ezra (6), and Xander (5).
“My year at the BI was a blessing. It was especially memorable because I got to
share it with all my friends from the STC (now Camp Crew) programs on The Island.” – Kesha Miles ‘01
“WOLBI was a great place for me to get a firm foun- dation on God's Word and
Ashley Casey ‘02 lives in Michigan where she is working as a nanny.
“In my two years at WOLBI, I was offered the opportunity to be involved as an RA and
promises.”
Samuel Jeanrichard ‘05 is married to Mirjam (Schubert ‘04) , who graduated from the Bible Institute in Germany. Samuel also did his first year at the Bible Institute in Germany and then did his second year in New York. Currently Samuel is a pastoral intern at Faith Church in Lafayette, Indiana, where he is also going to seminary for his second Master’s degree, his MDiv. They are preparing for ministry in Berlin, Germany, with plans to return there in 2025. Shelly (Tiffany ‘05) Lambert is married to Scott ‘05 , and they have two kids. They live in Washington, where Shelly works in human resources for a real estate investment company. At church, she teaches Sunday school and works with the youth. Dana (Papin ‘06) Mai is married to Tan, and they live in Pennsylvania. They have a son, Benjamin (8). Dana is a homeschool mom and an at-home piano teacher to 13 students. Her side gigs include her own Color Street Stylist business and selling wreaths as an Etsy shop owner. At church, she serves as a pianist, decorator, event planner, and with Vacation Bible School, the missions committee, and as a Sunday school teacher. Amanda (Klaus ‘08) Poe is married to Kyle, and they live in Michigan. They have four children: Adelyn (10), Noah (9), Lucas (5), and Esther (3). Amanda is a homeschool mom, Ambassador for Plexus Worldwide, and is on staff at church as a First Impressions Champion. She also serves in the kids' ministry and small groups at church.
– Brent Manuel ‘97
captain of the men’s ministry soccer team my second year. I made friends for life and met my wife the second half of our second year. One of my favorite memories from my time was being interviewed by the local newspaper about the soccer team’s involvement in the prison ministry. I was able to share my testimony in that article.” – Craig Gornall ‘08 ‘09 Crystal Seiler ‘09 lives in Missouri, where she works at the Child Evangelism Fellowship International Headquarters as the Guest Services Manager. She is also involved in a Good News Club and is the youth girls' discipleship leader at church and teaches children’s church. Julie (Canfield ‘08 ‘10) Eichelberger is married to Andrew ‘07 ‘08 , and they live in Pennsylvania. They are the parents to two boys: Cody (4) and Malakai (2). Julie is a stay-at-home mom and at her church serves with tech for sound and PowerPoint
Fred Boyer ‘98 lives in Michigan with his wife, Rachael, and their three children: Alexandra (20), Ean (18), and Colin (15). He is retired from the military and serves with Samaritan’s Purse Disaster Relief. Onan ‘99 and Leah (Lopez ‘99) Coca live in Dallas, Georgia. They have three children: Corban (16), Charlotte (14), and Sophia (13). Onan is the Communications Director for the Cobb County School District. At church, he serves as an elder/pastor. Brent Tanner ‘99 and his wife, Leanna, live in Virginia. They have three adult children: Haley, Jayden, and Sydney. Brent is a massage therapist and owns his own business. Caroline (Johnson ‘99) Samson and her husband, Daniel, live in Gasport, New York. They have three daughters: Lydia (19), Rachel (16), and Elizabeth (16). She is a Universal Pre-K teacher in a public school and a kids' church teacher at church. Matthew Finchum ‘99 is married to Cassie. They have two children: MJ (6) and Selah-Michelle (4). Matthew is a chaplain for Caris Healthcare in Tennessee. 2000’s Lyle Wallace ‘00 and his wife, Nicole, live in Texas. They have four children: Haydn, Emersen, Finley, and Charlotte. Lyle is the Senior Pastor of Talty Baptist Church.
“Being a counselor on the Ranch will always be a favorite memory, although
there are so many good ones to choose from. Summer camp was definitely my favorite time of the year. There was lots of time outside playing with the campers, getting
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Dennis ‘19 and Ange (Nduwera ‘17) Obiero both attended Word of Life Bible Institute in Uganda. They are now on staff with Word of Life Kenya serving in the Local Church Support Ministry training and equipping youth leaders and pastors on how to have an effective youth ministry. Alex Ford ‘18 ‘19 lives in Virginia and is in his support raising year as a missionary with Ethnos360. He is headed to the field of West Brazil, hopefully in January 2025. He is helping with the youth group at his church and plays acoustic guitar for the worship band.
them from activity to activity, and just building relationships with them. The summers always felt like they were going to be long but then would fly by! I’ll always have a special place in my heart for WOL summer camp!” – Julie Eichelberger ‘10 2010’s Nikki Bacon ‘10 lives in Virginia where she is an account manager for an education research and technology firm. She volunteers with a refugee settlement in the area and leads a Bible study in her home. Grayson Gantz ‘11 and his wife, Hannah, live in Ohio and have four kids. Grayson currently works for a lawn care company. At church, he serves as an usher and deacon. Drew ‘11 and Shannon (Morse ‘11) Landgren live in Hudson Falls, New York. They have two children: Lily (8) and Cam (5). Drew is the Kids and Sports Pastor at New Hope Community Church, and Shannon is a stay-at-home mom. “The community that I had helped me find my calling to full-time ministry, as well as the discipleship from my RA! I also met my eventual wife there!” – Drew Landgren ‘11 Sarah Wilkins ‘13 lives in New Hampshire where she is working in food service at the local high school. Benjamin Knaus ‘13 and his wife, Ashley, live in Virginia. They have four kids all under the age of 5. Ben works as an American Sign Language Interpreter. He also serves as a deacon at church and leads the youth group. Sergei ‘14 and Kelci (Williams ‘14) Li are both graduates of the Jeju teaching site in South Korea. They live in Ontario, Canada, where Sergei is the Executive Pastor at Hespeler Baptist Church. Rebekah (McCarthy ‘15) Jordan is married to John Jordan ‘15 , and they live in South Carolina. They have a son, Samuel (10 mos.). Rebekah is a Counselor with Foundations Christian Counseling Services.
“We loved serving on the Ranch Posse, painting faces, bringing the petting zoo
animals, sharing the gospel with kids. We had a great laugh when the pig got loose during the Halloween event in Glens Falls. He wasn’t allowed to travel with us again!” – John ‘15 & Rebekah ‘15 Jordan Emily (Hix ‘15) Keith and her husband, Scott, live in Virginia. Emily works in a little town in Southwest Virginia at a recovery center alongside her husband. They work with recovering addicts who are just starting the process of getting themselves clean from addiction to drugs and alcohol and beginning a life of sobriety and recovery.
“My favorite part of WOLBI was being on the travel band my first year. Ryan
Arnold impacted my playing/leading worship. He always reminded us how we aren’t playing for our own glory but God's.” – Alex Ford ‘18 ‘19 Grace (Sexton ‘18 ‘19) McClung is married to Dominic, and they live in Ohio. She teaches English as a second language and helps in the office with this program. They serve and teach people from all over the world who have come to the U.S. for many different reasons. She helps out with the youth group at church. Jaliyah (Arroyo ‘19) Louthan is married to Jaritt, and they live in Ohio. They have a daughter, Lila (9 mos.). She is a stay-at- home mom and event planner. 2020’s Carrie Kennedy ‘19 ‘20 and her daughter, Riley (15), live in Port Richey, Florida. Carrie is the Assistant Activities Director at an assisted living facility. Alida Babcock ‘20 ‘21 lives in Maine, where she is working in a coffee shop and is getting married in June 2024! Rosemarie (Mallon ‘21) Haberlin is married to Evan ‘20, and they live in New Jersey. Rosemarie works at a middle school as a paraprofessional with special needs children. At church, she is involved in the youth, children's, and tech ministry.
Adele Schenk ‘16 is a full-time missionary with Word of Life in the Czech Republic.
Travis Emmett ‘16 and his wife, Bonnie, are missionaries with the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and will be serving as missionaries in Karamoja, Uganda, where Travis will be a facilities manager. Previously, Travis served as a missionary with BCM International at Camp Sankanac for 6 years as a development and communications manager. They have four children: Clayton (4), Adalyn (4), Jackson (2), and Dawson (6 mos.). Julia Spelter ‘17 is a Missionary Nurse to Madagascar with International Mission Board. She teaches local doctors and nurses about healthcare and English.
Jonathan Risoldi ‘17 lives in Pennsylvania, where he works for Verizon Wireless.
Steven ‘17 and Kate (Gregory ‘17) McDougall live in Scranton, Pennsylvania. They have two daughters: Evelyn (2) and Eloise (3 mos.). Steven is a Ground Manager for FedEx, and Kate works part time as a server at Olive Garden while also being a full-time mom. At church, Kate serves in the nursery and sings on the worship team while Steve serves in the tech booth. Hannah (Stebner ‘17 ‘18) Harness and her husband, Stephan ‘16 ‘17 , live in Rhode Island. They have a daughter, Vivian (1). Hannah is a full-time mom, works part time, and is a youth group leader at church.
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What Is Your Favorite WOLBI Memory?
Samuel Knaus '21 and his wife, Jeanehli, live in Virginia. Sam works in IT and does photography/videography on the side. At church he leads a young adults class on Sundays and teaches an Awana class with Jeanehli on Wednesdays. Molly Huebner ‘22 lives in Elkhart, Indiana, where she is working as a nanny/domestic helper and youth mentor. At church, she is involved in youth ministry, worship, social media, and sound tech. Olivia Wing ‘23 lives in New Hampshire, where she is attending NHTI for Early Childhood Development and is working at a daycare. At church, she serves in kids' church, nursery and youth groups. Allie Alcala ‘23 lives in Pennsylvania, where she is working full time as a caretaker at an assisted living facility. Anna Rhoades ‘23 lives in Ohio, where she is working in the kitchen at The Bellevue Hospital. Ella Sharpless ‘23 lives in Florida, where she works at a private Christian school as their personal professional photographer and social media manager.
“Cold walks along the lake to class and meals, Open Air Evangelism in NYC, talks
with my DC (Discipleship Coordinator), Aaron Spoonhour, spiritual conversations
with friends and roommates, and filling our dorm with live trees for a winter wonderland theme
for the Christmas dorm room competitions (which we should have won, haha).”
– Travis Emmett '16
“I made some wonderful, lifelong friends. WOLBI is where I learned that I could sing and loved music.”
– Marguerite Sousa '84
“I loved playing in the band for The Island. It was so electric and amazing to see teens worshiping the Lord. Watching them respond to the invitation was always
overwhelming."
– Dana Mai '06
Shannon Carroll '87 (top)
Hannah Harness '18 (middle)
Craig Gornall '08 (bottom)
David Cucchi '92 (bottom right)
14
Drew '11 & Shannon '11 Landgren (top left)
Ben Allison '08 (top right)
Caroline Samson '99 (middle right)
Lisa Lewis '96 (bottom right)
Hey Alumni Family!
“I really loved serving on the media team! The
summer I supervised was both challenging and rewarding, and I loved every minute. If
God’s design for His people is for them to walk in commu- nity 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 webpage 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
it wasn't for Word of Life's training, Dylan Franklin, and Sam Catlin, I wouldn't be doing what I am doing right now! I am so thankful and blessed!” – Ella Sharpless '23 “The classes and professors were always amazing. I loved being surrounded by like-minded Christians and being encouraged to
constantly grow! I also have a lot of positive memories of meeting my now husband and beginning our dating life
at WOL. So, Word of Life holds a special place in our hearts as it brought us closer to our Savior as well as brought us together."
– Kate McDougall '17
Connect with Us on Social Media Facebook Group: wol.is/alumnifbgroup
@wordoflifealumni
@wolalumni
15 The Word of Life Experience
Alumni Weddings
2023 January 16 Aaron and Holland (Dykstra ‘21 ‘22) Zolnosky September 2 Allen and Mary Kate (Anthony ‘12 ‘13) Lippert September 24 Jacob ‘22 and Noelia (Santillan ‘22) Hatchell October 12 Andrew ‘16 ‘18 and Celine Reeser October 27 Frantz and Hannah (Rice ‘16 ‘17) Fabien December 17 Christian and Sage (Yeatts ‘21 ‘22) Earp
2024 February 24 Rich '21 '22 and Jessica (Morton '21 '22) Gonzalez March 9 Samuel '21 and Jeanehli Knaus March 18 Colin ‘21 ‘22 and Micaela (Mendoza ‘22 ‘23) Sears March 23 Zachary '19 and McKinley Good Jordan ‘17 and Abigael Bermudez March 26 Caleb ‘18 and Cosette Wright April 13 Wyatt ‘21 and Grace (Ramsey ‘22) Deleon Caleb '22 and McKennah Drexler Owen '19 '20 and Julie (Scheftic '18 '19) Bidding April 27 Brandon “Willis” ‘23 and Sarah Jeffers Christian ‘21 and Emma (Tennant ‘21 ‘22) Webb May 4 Silas '18 and Meghan (Gabriels) Parschauer May 11 Isaak '21 '22 and Alexus "Lex" (Edwards '21 '22) Mayhew Alex '13 '14 and Kayla Warren May 24 Paul and Vanessa (Carpenter '21 '22) Kelsey May 25 Nicolas '21 '22 and Ally Yates May 26 Silas '23 '24 and Nevaeh (Molinaro '23 '24) Tuls Todd and Faith (Wilkins '02 '03) Burness
Zachary '19 and McKinley Good
16
New York and Florida Missions Conference Combined into One!
Are You Ready for Missions Conference Like You’ve Never Seen It Before?
It will be bigger and better than ever, as New York and Florida Missions Conference will be combined into one!
At this unforgettable event, you will meet missionaries from around the world and discover how God is working through global missions to reach every people and nation. It is gearing up to be an incredible celebration, and we would be thrilled to have you with us! Don’t miss hearing how the gospel is spreading out all over the world! Join us October 25–27, 2024
17 The Word of Life Experience
Legacy Planning – A Burden or a Blessing?
Most people don’t like to think about wills and estate documents. In fact, this kind of planning is one of the most procrastinated decisions people make, yet it is one of the most important decisions they will make. Why? Because every person will leave a legacy. Your legacy isn't just a matter of assets; it's the story you leave behind, the impact of a lifetime. Turning legacy planning from a burden into a blessing isn’t just possible; it’s a gift to those you love.
To help you make your planning easy, Word of Life is offering a free resource to you. Through our ministry partner, PhilanthroCorp, you will receive this planning service without cost or obligation. Your only costs are the fees an attorney charges to draft your documents to put your plans in place. And if you don’t have an attorney, PhilanthroCorp will refer you to a Christian attorney in your area.
The most prominent barrier to establishing my estate plan was a lack of understanding. I did not know where to begin or who to ask. When I incurred some health issues, I knew I needed to get something in place. PhilanthroCorp assisted me in the most beneficial ways, and I am tremendously grateful I did not wait any longer. I crafted my will to be exactly how I wanted it, and now I feel immensely secure.
– Cathy
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.
wol.is/philanthrocorp
johnn@wol.org / 518.494.6217
18
Take Your Leadership to the Next Level October 15, 2024
Presented by Word of Life in beautiful Hudson, Florida, The Portion Conference is a faith-defining experience for teachers, ministry directors, pastors, or anyone in a leadership role! Come ready for engaging worship, practical breakout sessions, and encouraging seminars for both men and women.
These are just a few of our amazing speakers!
Jarrod Gunter Next Generation Pastor New Direction Christian Church Memphis, TN
Lt. Gen Loren Reno Professor of Management Cedarville University Cedarville, OH
Phil Stacey Worship Pastor Central Community Church Wichita, KS
Dr. Corey Abney Lead Pastor Bell Shoals Church Brandon, FL
To see the full speaker lineup and learn more about The Portion Conference, visit wol.is/portion or scan the QR code.
Carol Kent President (Author, Speaker, Coach) Speak Up Speakers Bureau Lakeland, FL
Brandon Elam Head of School Northside Christian St. Petersburg, FL
19 The Word of Life Experience
Internship
Pathway
Did you know
students do not have to leave Word of Life to complete their college degree?
After completing the first and second-year program at Word of Life Bible Institute, students can choose to serve in one of our many internships. By participating in a two-year internship, they can finish their degree online and while receiving a 50% tuition discount at one of three affiliated schools.
That means huge savings and four years of practical, hands-on experience, greatly benefiting them as they pursue work after graduation.
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The Pathway:
Step 1: First Year at Word of Life Bible Institute.
Step 3: Two-year Word of Life Internship while taking college courses (discounted 50%).
Step 2: Second Year at Word of Life Bible Institute.
50% OFF
To learn about the internships and schools available to your studetnt, visit wol.is/internship .
In a world where employers and ministries value experience just as much – if not more – than education, our internship pathways are a great option for any student.
21 The Word of Life Experience
Ukraine Amidst the turmoil of a full-scale war that initiated over two years ago, Matias Radziwiluk (Director of Word of Life Ukraine), his family, and his team stand as a beacon of hope in Ukraine. Despite the adversity of war, they have reached over 15,000 people across the country, shining a light in the darkness with the gospel. Their ministry includes satellite camp programs across cities for community and support, a Bible Institute welcoming 15 students for ministry preparation, and a touring Christmas presentation, “In Search of Light,” reaching 16 cities and over 8,000 people with hope. Despite war threats and missile attacks, they continue their mission, also ministering to front-line soldiers with meals, prayer, and the gospel. Matias's team thanks the global community for their support and seeks continued prayers for safety and normalcy restoration in Ukraine.
Jeju, South Korea Seven teens from Jeju, South Korea, experienced a life-changing encounter with the gospel at a Word of Life camp a few years ago. Today, these same teens decided to plan and lead their own camp through their church. The Word of Life Korea team offered them support and resources, and they ran a successful church camp week with 40 campers in attendance. Their journey from unsaved campers to starting their own Bible camp highlights the power of God working in and through young hearts. Let's continue to pray for these teens, Korean churches, and the ministry of the Word of Life Korea team in Jeju as they pursue further growth and life change.
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Portugal
Here’s just a snapshot of what God is doing all around the world!
Portugal Word of Life has joined forces with DADCAMP to address a critical need within families – the vital role a father’s presence has on a child’s development and future. This partnership aims to combat the issues arising from disengaged fatherhood through gospel- centered guidance and practical parenting tools. Since its inception, the initiative has seen remarkable growth, from launching three DADCAMP weekends in 2022 to planning for ten in 2024, touching the lives of hundreds of fathers and children. Testimonies from participants reveal profound personal revelations and strengthened father-child relationships, highlighting
the irreplaceable role of fathers in their families and society. Through these efforts, Word of Life Portugal not only nurtures stronger, Christ-centered familial bonds but also instills hope for the future generations of the nation.
23 The Word of Life Experience
What defines your sense of worth? What achievements hold the most signifi- cance in your life? For Riley Hoselton, the answers to these questions evolve with each chapter of her journey. Her story begins in a place of longing. Riley was raised in a non-Christian home and found herself struggling from the loss of her father at a young age. While searching for connection, meaning, and value, Riley had a friend who relent- lessly invited her to church. Riley even- tually gave in to this persistent friend, and at the age of 11, she encountered the life-changing message of salvation and put her faith in Jesus.
FROM ACHIEVEMENT to Fulfillment:
Riley’s Story of Life-Change
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Riley Hoselton at her college graduation.
Riley’s journey was far from easy and far from over. Growing up in a financially strained household, she was stuck on the belief that accomplishments and determination would get her out of her situation, but even more, that achieve- ment equated value. So, what did she do? She achieved everything she could – and it worked! She graduated as the valedictorian of her school, among other successes. Despite this success, Riley found that her relationships were a struggle, and she fought a constant sense of inadequacy. How could that be? After high school, she decided to attend a Christian college, and in the summer, she worked at a Christian camp. At this camp, Riley encountered an entirely different kind of productivity. Serving as a camp counselor revealed an affinity for young people, building relation- ships, and working together with the common goal of seeing souls saved. Her summer camp experience sparked a desire to pursue teaching, and Riley spent eight years teaching junior high and high school students, impacting lives far beyond the classroom.
Throughout her teaching career, Riley knew she was not the best teacher in the world, or even in her school. However, she believes God allowed her to see life's purpose extending far beyond personal success, and that changed her life. It was through serving God by serving her students that she learned true fulfillment. After her teaching career, she and her husband, Drew, started an insurance agency within their family-owned car dealership. Riley spearheaded and now manages that new venture. Their goal of each business being a people-first business is part of what led Riley and Drew to get involved with Word of Life. Riley's connection to Word of Life began when a friend invited her and her husband to a Director's Summit. Initially unaware of the ministry's scope, they were inspired by its emphasis on youth and global outreach. The thought crept back in; how else can we use our car dealership to impact people’s lives?
Despite initial reservations and uncer- tainties, Riley recognized the opportu-
Drew and Riley Hoselton, married in 1991.
Riley Hoselton at her high school graduation.
25 The Word of Life Experience
We cannot hustle our way to true fulfillment. True fulfillment can only be found in God.
nity to impact the lives of teenagers in a profound way. Through their dealership, they began sponsoring their employees' children to attend camp, offering them an experience to encounter the life- changing gospel of Jesus. For going on three summers, Riley Hoselton and her husband have sent a busload of students to Word of Life Youth Camps to experience the goodness of Jesus. Today, Riley serves on the Board of Word of Life, bringing her unique perspective and passion for youth outreach. Her story serves as a reminder that ministry can manifest in various forms, from
camp counseling to teaching in a class- room to sponsoring a child's life-altering camp week. God wants to use us no matter where we are! For Riley, every interaction is an oppor- tunity with eternal weight. Every inter- action is an opportunity to love others with the love of Jesus and, ultimately, impact them with the gospel. We cannot hustle our way to true fulfillment. True fulfillment can only be found in God. Riley Hoselton looks back at her life story, now on the Board of Word of Life Fellowship, and she is so thankful for
do-overs and second chances. She is so thankful to have met her Savior, who gave her the grace to shed the idea that life is a battle and that the path to meaning is to grow bigger and be better. Drew and Riley Hoselton at their son Dane's wedding to his wife Anne Shirley, with their other son, Randon, and his wife, Amanda. (Top) The students they send to camp from their dealership, Hoselton Auto Mall, in East Rochester, NY. (Middle) Riley and Drew Hoselton and their two sons, Randon (right) and Dane (left), finishing the last climb of the 46 Adirondack high peaks. (Bottom)
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26 The Word of Life Experience
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