The Inn Auditorium was packed out, the Collegians sang, the Board of Directors took their places on stage, and Jack Wyrtzen stood to welcome everyone to In auguration Day. It was a service to formally install George Theis as Executive Director, Jack Wyrtzen as Founding Director, and Harry Bollback as Senior Di rector of Word of Life. Dr. Lehman Strauss spoke of Jack and his faith fulness in morals, marriage, money, ministry, and model. " I wish some of that man could rub off on me," he said. He encouraged us to continue to pray for him however, that he would be found faithful. Then came the charge to the Director. Dr. Joseph Stowell III urged George,". . .be concerned about George Theis. Mr. Stowell challenged him to be a man of Biblical balance, to have a passion for per- sonhood, and to lead from the platform of respect. There was a standing ovation as Jack Wyrtzen of ficially introduced George Theis as the Executive Di rector of Word of Life. He shared 2 Tim. 2:1,2 — a challenge to train faithful men to teach others. . .to keep the chain going. In his Inaugural Address that followed, George gave :lorv - God all the glory for bringing him to the point he is at today. He said he was a "Turtle on a fencepost" ep somebody had to put him there. He thanked Jack for iving him encouragement and confidence. "Jack and arry will always be my mentors," he said, com menting that, "While Jack gave me vision, Hany gave me vision, burden, and courage." He spoke from 2 Kings 2, where Elisha asks only one thing of Elijah — a douole portion of his spirit. There was an incredible silence in the auditorium as the Director ended his address by saying, "I want a double portion so that the world, which is living in darkness. . . will know there is a God in heaven." His voice quavered with emotion as he concluded, in a whisper, AMay God grant it." WORD OF LIFE begins its second 50 years with George Theis as Executive Director
Appreciation Day
For fifty faithful years, since he was 16 years old, Harry Bollback has served Word of Life with Jack Wyrtzen. To celebrate this acheivement, Word of Life had a day of appreciation for Harry. His son Larry hosted the program, showing slides of Har ry and his wife Millie, and asking several close friends to share special messages of thanks to them. It was a bittersweet ending as the whole family gathered on stage, many of them crying, as they remembered the hard times, and the fun times throughout the past fifty years. Harry, we appreciate you!!
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