2018 - 2019
TABLE OF
staff 6-23
student life 24-67
mini stry 68-1 15
ministry teams 1 16-139
ROGER PEACE
“you’ve heard me say it over and over again, but i wanted to encourage you a final time - keep making much of jesus!”
you knew about the Bible and Theology, and now you’ve spent hundreds of hours learning and studying them both. You were placed in leadership for the first time, and it started a fire in your heart for servant leadership. You served one another in service assignments, and you learned the value of serving others before yourself. The list could go on and on, but all of these were “God Moments” that are for His Glory, your good and the joy of others. Paul reminds us in Philippians 1:6 to “be confident of this very thing, that he who began this work in you will be faithful to complete it.” You have grown and experienced so much already, but God is not done with you! He has many more “God Moments” in store for you. I encourage you to keep looking for opportunities to study His Word, to build into the lives of others, and to share your faith! You’ve heard me say it over and over again, but I wanted to encourage you a final time - KEEP MAKING MUCH OF JESUS! I can’t wait to see how you will continue to make His name known in the years ahead.
Dear Students,
I am amazed and humbled by your passion, your energy, and your commitment to studying the Word of God, growing in personal spiritual disciplines, and reaching your generation with the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Over the course of this year you have had the opportunity to experience many amazing “God Moments”. You got your feet wet during opening weekend and the first week of classes, launching your collegiate experience. You dug in deep into the idea of world missions at our annual Missions Conference, and many of you are considering serving on the mission field. During Snowcamp you were stretched, you made an impact on your generation, and many of you led someone to Christ for the first time. You learned that you did not know as much as you thought
You are loved, and we are excited to welcome you to the wonderful Word of Life Bible Institute Alumni family.
Making Much of Jesus,
Roger Peace President Word of Life Bible Institute and Camps
DON LOUGH JR.
Dear Students,
What an amazing year at the Word of Life Bible Institute! I commend you for your passion to learn and to live out the Scriptures. My frequent prayer has been that this would be a year of obvious growth and forward progress in your relationship with the Lord. God has clearly answered my prayers. As you take bold steps toward the Lord’s clear leading, remember that you can trust Him completely without holding back. He loves you more than you can imagine, intimately knows everything about you, and has an exciting and fulfilling plan ahead. Serve Christ courageously and do not allow past defeats and victories to define and derail you. Instead, keep “reaching forward to those things which are ahead” and “press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13). I look forward with great enthusiasm to all that God will do in and through your life in the days ahead. You have unprecedented opportunities to reach this world with the life-changing Gospel of Christ. This is your moment to step up!
Be assured of my ongoing friendship and prayers as you serve Him and hold forth the precious Word of Life wherever He takes you. Know that you are forever part of the Word of Life family . . . so come back and see us anytime. In His Service,
Don Lough, Jr. Executive Director & Chancellor
“serve christ courageously and do not allow past defeats and victories to define and derail you.”
“Wherever you are – be all there.”
– Jim Elliot
Staff
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Julia Amesbury Student Life
Michelle Ahl Academics
Rachel Arnold Camps
Ryan Arnold Director of Music
TC Barrs Discipleship Coordinator
Morgan Bennett Admissions
Teagan Bennett Café
Lauren Bidding Discipleship Coordinator
Allan Black Financial Aid
Mike Bush Alumni Director
Alan Cappella Librarian
Pamela Collins Marketing
Adam Cook Registrar
Adam Curtis Campus Life
Randy Curtis Dean of Men
Tom Davis Distinguished Professor
Christopher Dreger Assistant Dean
Craig Dreger Customer Service
Sylvia Eger Administration
Nathaniel Eichelberger Productions
Joshua Ely Director of The Lodge
Bethany Frazeur Enrollment
Sam Frey Ministries
Sally Gebensleben Marketing
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Matthew Goodrow Marketing
Carla Gray Assistant Dean
Jason Headlee Ministries
Audrey Hart Admissions
Brianna Hayden Marketing
Kyle Hayden Property Services
Abbianne Huizing Accounts
Tim Hunt Financial Aid
Paul Hussey Discipleship Coordinator
Daryl Jackson Culinary
Heather Johnson Culinary
Aaron Kelley Culinary
Todd Kinzer Dean of Students
Jodi Klinedinst Customer Service
Abbie Kuhne Admissions
Peter LaBarr Maintenance
Matt Landry Discipleship Coordinator
Matthew Layton Ministries
Jen Leckrone Administration
Rico Lopez Maintenance
Jonathan Louvis Enrollment
Kellie Louvis Marketing
Heidi Mahon Culinary
Justin Maldonado Marketing
Staff
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Michael Parker Culinary
Micah Melville Camps
Eric Messer Executive Team
Jonathan Parsons Health and Security
Joshua Paulhamus Marketing
Nathan Peace Campus Life
Tom Phillips Campus Pastor
Carolyn Raab Customer Service
Juliette Raissi Admissions
Shirley Richards Administration
Maggie Riordan Information Technology
Roger Peace Executive Vice President Bible Institute & Camps
Ethan Schenke Culinary
Jennah Skau Customer Service
Tom Sewall Camps
Karen Smith Dean of Women
Mark Strout Executive Dean & Professor, Global Bible Institutes
Anna Stursberg Ministries
Amy Stursberg Mailroom
Teresa Stursberg Marketing
Christopher Tompkins Business Manager
Caroline Tompkins Ministries
Andrew Tyler Information Technology
Anna Van Horn Discipleship Coordinator
10 Word of Life Bible Institute
Deborah Wallace Administration
Paul Weaver Academics
Alyssa Webber Ministries
Caleb White Health and Security
John Yarosh Marketing
NOT PICTURED
Dan Arthur | NVP and Reliability Coordinator Doug Bensen | Projects Ralph Deshetsky | Projects Jen Headlee | Drama Evelyn LaBarr | Housekeeping Derek Maldonado | Maintenance David McClain | NVP Doug McLain | Director of Property Services Peter Montgomery | Electrician Pat Murphy | Maintenance Donald Oakes | Enrollment Ben Parsons | Maintenance Jeff Parrish | Productions Cathy Peace | Facility Enhancement Coordinator Jonathan Phillips | Marketing Adam Plagge | Purchasing Agent Laura Rew | Guest Services
Steve Roskidany | Technician Joe Schenke | Counseling Jason Skeffington | Information Technology
Dianne Spelter | Health Michael Steltz | Program Karl Storman | Pines Director Laurel Taaffe | Camp Crew Scott Taaffe | Projects
Brian Tanedo | Enrollment Stu Waples | Maintenance Jared Whitley | Information Technology Austin Worden | Property Services
Staff
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Andrea Aguilar Counseling
Ashleigh Adams Marketing
Brian Araujo Recruitment
Maggie Brower Marketing
Ally Burtis Athletics
Mackenzie Beasley Housekeeping
Suzy Butler Culinary
Katelin Davis Admissions
Peter Cate Culinary
Cassandra Dickhof Culinary
Daniel Ellis Revive
Cassidy Espinoza Marketing
Stephan Harness Camps
Tommy Grooms Maintenance
Mark Guzman Culinary
Caralyn Harrigan Academics
Chris Heimerle Production
Sophie Jahn Camps
Charlie Janho Counseling
Jackie Jiminez Admissions
Lee Lethers Marketing
Ethan Morin Camps
Mikayla Nolt Admissions
Jonah Paulhamus Marketing
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Jonathan Perkins Revive
Cameron Riggle Auto
James Schloss Culinary
Joe Stursberg Security
Noah Stoudt Revive
Elsa Tiemann Enrollment Secretary
Jacob Van Essendelft Camps
Adriana Nava | International Ministries Emmett Lorette | Events Eric Irizarry | Counseling Internship Hannah Stebner | Culinary Kortney Kirschner | International Ministries Stephanie Stewart | Camps Rachel Cone | Revive Jessica Monzon | Revive Jacob Buhler | Revive Jeremiah Knisley | Revive Caleb Wright | Revive not pictured
Staff
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GREATER by Paige Elise
I suppose it starts off small. A desire. A growing passion.
A forest fire contained in a tiny spark floating lazily in the night air. An ocean bottled up in a drop of morning dew asleep on the grass. The potential to accomplish something incredible waits like the silent cannons of a barricaded fortress. Untapped. Unmeasured. My feet could take me up jagged mountain peaks and through verdant jungles, but instead they are frozen to the floor, cold and unmoving. The gleam in my eye could tell stories better than my mouth and could learn to listen better than my ears, but I’ve turned my gaze towards the shad- ows again. My heart could spill forth treasures beyond compare, far too great to ever be stolen, but I’ve locked it and hidden the key. But that desire! It tugs on the half of my mind not won over by my idleness. It taps on the shoulder of my insecu- rity so that it has to pause and look back. It whispers into the ear of my late-night thoughts and I hear the subtle urgency of what I’m missing out on. There must be more!
I seek an escape through the trap-door known as blissful ignorance. But freedom cannot make a home where truth takes no residence. Where do I start?
I skim an attic-exiled box for an old friend. My eyes lock on the spine of a tattered book that has now become so coated in dust, you’d think it was an antique. But the ink is still fresh, and as I open it, my eyes begin to burn. The tears well up from the pain. The words are so sharp, it’s as if they were written yesterday. But these are ancient truths, ever new, and as my eyes fervently scan up and down the page, leaving no corner dog-eared or crinkle unfolded, I can hear my blood roar in my ears. My fingers shake. My feet begin to bounce in place. The gleam in my eyes comes to life again, and the lock on my heart bursts open. I could sit there for hours letting the ink-stained pages fasten themselves about my neck and yank me in closer, and the desire only intensifies. I remember. I want others to feel the burn. I want them to experience the rush of feeling alive for the first time. I want the forest fire to erupt and spread. I want the ocean to spill out. I want the fortress to open up its gates and send the army running. I’m ready. It’s time for my idleness to be laid to rest. It’s time for insecurity to make the jump. It’s time for me to wield those ancient truths. My desire is small. But the Gospel isgreater.
Staff
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TODD KINZER
“Our passion for you as students, who have been entrusted to us for this season of your life, is that your time at the BI would be just the starting point. We are praying that the foundational things you’ve learned here would take root and that your faith would flourish in the days ahead. Perhaps I could echo three brief pieces of advice that the Apostle Paul gave to Timothy in II Timothy 3 to help keep him on track spiritually: (1) choose your companions wisely, (2) expect opposition from within and without, and (3) stay close to God and His Word. If you’ll keep these three landmarks in view, it will help you be successful in the years ahead. If we can ever do anything for you, don’t hesitate to call or, better yet, come back and visit!”
CHRIS DREGER
“There has never been a day where I have regretted following Jesus. However, there have been many days that I wished I would have been obedient to Him. One step of obedience after another step of obedience will lead to a path of joy for your life. It’s worth it to follow Jesus!”
RANDY CURTIS
“Christianity is more about what we pursue than what we try to avoid. Give yourself to pursuing God through His Word, prayer, serving in a local church, evangelism, and discipleship. Don’t make your entire walk with God about just avoiding ‘big sins’. Loving Jesus through obedience is better than living out the lies of sin.”
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MATT LANDRY
“My encouragement for the students would be that faithfulness is decisions we make each day to follow God’s Word both big and small. It is an encouragement for us because no matter what you are doing and where you are at, we always have the same opportunity and hope to glorify God in our lives. We ultimately have been given a purpose that lasts every day until we are with Christ! Praise God!”
TC BARRS
“When looking back at this year and what you have learned about the Bible, God, theology, church history, and putting faith into practice, I know that you’ll be grateful for the lessons you learned and the memories you made. Wherever God takes you next, the rest of your life is about living out what you have learned. Never stop learning and growing, but above all, keep growing in love (1 Peter 4:8). Remember that salvation is for all nations, and we are all called to be part of God’s plan for the nations. NO ONE is exempt from being part of bringing Christ to the people (Acts 1:8; Matt. 28:17-18). I pray that the Word of Life class of 2019 goes forth in love, catching the vision of God’s plan for the world, and that each one of you plays a part in bringing the Gospel to all nations!”
PAUL HUSSEY
“In discipleship, I must strive to instill a radically biblical epistemology to the point that a person is willing to even disagree with me in some areas because they are convinced by Scripture. If someone only holds to sound doctrine because they respect me and think I’m smart, then I have only delayed their apostasy until someone smarter and more respectable comes along to teach them something else. I must be willing to trust the Holy Spirit working through the Word to guide His children into the truth.”
KAREN SMITH
“A missionary couple who served for many years on the field shares their thoughts on contentment: A Prescription for Contentment ● Never allow yourself to complain about anything— not even the weather. ● Never picture yourself in any other situation. ● Never compare your lot with another’s. ● Never allow yourself to wish this or that had been otherwise. ● Never dwell on tomorrow. Remember that tomorrow is God’s, not yours. The interesting part of their story is that while they served faithful for many years they never saw much fruit. They saw other missionaries receive accolades for their work and be rewarded while they worked in utter obscurity. Their contentment principles helped them to trust God and live out what His calling was. No matter where God leads you, stay faithful. Keep trusting God’s sovereignty in wherever He leads and be excited that He wants to use you! The key to contentment is eyes on Jesus and a heart filled with gratitude. I think I would add another point to the prescription: Choose thankfulness. This is the key to contentment.”
CARLA GRAY
“F. B. Meyer has written, ‘Life is our school house.’ In life, we have the opportunity to pursue our own ways or pursue the heart of God. What does God want for us? ‘…to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with Him’ Micah 6:8. Spend time with Him each day, committing to obey His Word. It will change your life! Continue looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.”
JULIA AMESBURY
“Above all, love one another deeply.” 1 Peter 4:8a
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Word of Life Bible Institute
KELLY FACEMIRE
“The Gospel changes everything, and it will keep changing you. You will never outgrow it or graduate from it. So remember, the most mature person in the room is the one most aware of his desperate neediness of the Gospel for His grace, truth, and power.”
LAUREN BIDDING
“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24
ANNA VAN HORN
“Be aware in not getting caught in trying to muster up and copy what is perceived as ‘the perfect Christian life’. Ephesians 2:10 talks about walking in good works that HE has prepared. So be faithful to go forward and steward those opportunities. Jesus is the best example (Philippians 2). He showed that the best life is to live for others. Choose simplicity. Simply take God at His Word and trust that obeying Him is so worth it. You are not alone. Keep loving the Lord in the TODAY.”
Mr. Wendell Calder James, Acts
Dr. Rirchard Emmons Genesis 12-50
Dr. Larry Moyer Personal Evangelism
Dr. Jim Bjornstad Cults
Dr. John Barnett Revelation
Dr. Jeremy Kimble 2 Corinthians
Dr. Dan Anderson Ezra, Nehemiah
Lt. Gen. Loren Reno Christian Leadership
Mr. Bruce Scott Matthew
Dr. Marshall Wicks Contemporary Issues, Theological Methodology
Mr. Doug Reider 1, 2 & 3 John
Mr. Don Lough, Jr. 1 Peter, Spiritual Gifts
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Mr. Chris Katulka Leviticus
Mr. Kris Stout Discipleship
Dr. David Payne Hebrews
Mr. Randy Patten Counseling Youth
Mr. Gary Ingersoll Children’s Ministry
Dr. Steve Wilt Prayer
Mr. Phil Moser Titus, 2 Timothy
Mr. Chris Eppling Biblical Ethics
Dr. Doug Bookman Passion Week of Christ
Mr. Mike Calhoun Philosophy of Youth Work, Ecclesiastes
Mr. Brian Baker Evangelistic Public Speaking
Dr. Jim Jeffery Ecclesiology
Staff
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Dr. Terry Mortenson Creationism
Dr. Matt Vander Wiele Family
Dr. Emir Caner Islamic Evangelism
Dr. Mark Yarbrough 1 Timothy
Dr. Ray Pritchard Galatians
Dr. Ben Gutierrez Philippians
Mr. Glenn Amos Life Transitions
Dr. Thomas White Pneumatology
Mr. Joe Schenke Pastoral Counseling
Mrs. Joy White Women’s Ministries
Dr. Steven Viars Counseling
Dr. Dave and Mrs. Anne Rich Personal Finances
Mrs. Karen Smith and Mrs Carla Gray Christian Womanhood
Mr. Dave James Roman Catholic Evangelism
Mr. Tom Simcox Jewish Evangelism
Mr. John Bouquet 1 Corinthians
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Mr. Ric Garland Proverbs
Mr. Sean Pierce Church Planting
Mr. Tom Phillips Evangelistic Public Speaking, Christian Manhood
Dr. Matt McAlack History of Christian Education
not pictured Dr. Christopher Cone | Revelation 1-5
RESIDENT PROFESSORS
Mr. Mark Strout Genesis 1-11
Dr. Todd Kinzer New Testament Survey
Dr. Tom Davis Theology,
Paul Weaver Hermeneutics,
Old & New Testament Survey, Public Speaking
Dispensationalism, Zechariah, Romans
1 & 2 Thessalonians, Bible Study Methods
Staff
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“A keen sense of humor helps us overlook the unbecoming, understand the unconventional, tolerate the unpleasant, overcome the unexpected, and outlast the unbearable.”
– Billy Graham
Student Life
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David Abraham
Esther Acheampong
Nathan Alexander
Sarah Al-hasnawi
Isabel Amador
Abigail Anderson
Abrianna Antillion
Mary Arnett
Thomas Arnett
Jaliyah Arroyo
James Ashley
Corey Austin
Ryan Azevedo
Adam Baity
Colin Baker
Jacqueline Barnes
Karina Baughman
Mark Benitez
Olivia Grace Benna
Lindsey Beverly
Katarina Biasuz
Owen Bidding
Hannah Bonifas
Gabrielle Bouquet
Peter Brandel
Isabelle Bridleman Daniela Burgos Hormazabal
Emma Butler
Karla Camilo Tejeda
Devin Cave
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Word of Life Bible Institute
STUDENTS
JuHyuk Cha
Jacob Chace
Emily Chauhan
Eunkyeon Choi
Hunter Crick
Rebekah Cunningham
Maria Curtis
Hannah Cushman
Patience Czelusniak
Mary Dalrymple
Max Davis
Bryden Deardorff
Marcelo Diez Lourenzo
Christina Ditmer
Hannah Dohner
Titus Domes
Emily Doucet
Reece Dube
Sophia Dupuis
Brian Durbin
Mary Dusett
Emily Eason
Lauren Elliot
Hannah Ellis
Jessica Elmer
Samuel Farrow
Kelli Fedora
Timothy Gainey
Matias Garcia
Edrick Gil Andujar
Student Life
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Julia Gregory
Luke Grimes
Zachary Good
David Green
Jesse Greer
Jill Greer
Katrina Haldeman
Andrew Hammond
Natalie Hansen
Benjamin Harker
John-Michael Harling
Nichole Harsh
Chloe Headings
Adrian Hernandez
Kolby Holden
Collin Hoover
Josue Ibanez
Rachel Jacobsma
Francisco Jimenez-Robertson
Samantha Jefson
Nathan Jenkins
Tawny Jodie
Hannah Jahn
Nathan Jalbert
Olivia Johnson
Tywan Johnson
Alexis Juilleret
Madison Kearney
Julianna Johnson
Kristine Johnson
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Word of Life Bible Institute
Derrick Kenyon
Joshua Kinyanjui
Sadie Knepper
Fiona Kostusyk
Destry Krepps
Trinity Kupe
Benjamin Lamberton
Adam Lay
Alyssa La Marche
Melissa Lacy
Justin Larabee
Isaiah Lasche
Adam Liebler
Hannah Limpias
Andrew Lintner
Seamus Loewen
Josiah Lemay
Brianna Liebenow
Aaron Lorette
Anna Lougheed Tiare Luzuriaga
Grace Long
Justin Long
Calvin Loppies
Nathan Marland
Isabell Martin
Leah Matone
Ian McAllister
Melody McCusker
Twila McGlynn
Student Life
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MaryAnn Mella
Henrique Medeiros de Lima
Leslie Meyers
Robert McKinney
Kelsey McMahon
Mikayla Meador
Abigail Moore
Shannon Morgan
Gregory Morris
Faith Miller
Kamryn Miller
Amanda Moffitt
Cecile Aimee Ngankam Yonkeu
Breanna Morrow
Ren Murakami
Nathaniel Myers
Jenna Natalie
Kristina Newell
Shane Novak
Simon Obunde
Christina O’Keefe
Oscar Niccum
Erica Nichols
Lee Nicholson
Sarah Pinckard
Paige Phillips
James Pilcher
Kairo Oliveira
Brianna Patterson
Royden Pearson
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Word of Life Bible Institute
Emilie Pomerleau Mason Powell
Rachel Rabe
Landri Rasberry
Emily Ray
Claire Reynolds
Patrick Riedinger
Bailee Riess
Jacob Rink
Debbie Rosales Mena
Kristen Roseman
Shay Russell
Krystel Schwab
Samantha Shippee
Gabriella Russo Christa Salvatore
Noah Sartin
Nathan Schmidt
Vivienne Sohmer
Kaylie St.Ours
Ethan Shope
Monique Silva
Grace Simpson
James Sleys
Hannah Stone
Benjamin Storman
Kailyn Stankovich
Jessica Stanley
Walton Stanton
Hayley Stewart
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Kenneth Strand
Mickael Stout
Samuel Taylor
Benjamin Thomas
Gracelyn Taylor
Joshua Taylor
Sarah Thompson
Magdalena Tobin
Luisa Torrejon Vasquez
Noah Torres
Maya Tuls
Grace Urban
Joseph Villatoro
Andrew Weber
Abigail Whipple
Rachel Whitehorne
Breanna Whiting
Grace Vecca
Hope Whitridge
Anton’e Williamson
Jacob Wise
Benjamin Wisser
Katherine Wixtrom
Chelsea Yarosh
Brianna Young
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Word of Life Bible Institute
SPRING STUDENTS
Jennifer Bollinger
Daniel Cabrera
Courtney Donaldson
Andrew Ferrier
Michele Jones
Jonathan Meshack
Luke Paulhamus
Amanda Rivera
Erik Stiansen
Hope Trimble
Alice Zagonel
not pictured
Gabrielle Amedore Tyler Appell Nevin Beasley Corinne Bent Olivia Cutting Tyler Drake Micah Goepfrich Ian Grimm Marshall Grimm
Braden Ireland Aaron Jaros Christopher Knell Ana Koefender Rachel Kunce Jacob Kwak Josiah Markwell Mark Migliore Matthew Nesgoda
Emma Peters Josephine Rice Luke Schmidt
Tyler St. Dennis Joshua Stillman Ethan Stroup Jacob Underwood Holly Wiggins Parker Wooton
Travis Heady Anna House
Raphael Palao SungEun Park
Student Life
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Dylan Adams
Morgan Adams
Valeria Aguilar Ortega
Hannah Allen
Cassandra Arnold
John Austin
Orion Aviles
Kerrie Barone
Esther Bone
Joseph Brotzman
Cody-Allen Brown
Madeleine Brown
Mason Brown
Isabel Cate
Hananel Champion
William Chelette
Hyeln Cheon
JinWoo Choi
Brianna Clarke
Claire Clifford
Davita Cochran
Charity Cody
Hannah Cousins
Adrianna Croteau
Jessica De Lany
Christian Dill
Nathanael Domes
Justin Crow
Marquiece Dabney-Drummond
Aida Gabriela de la Rosa Salazar
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Word of Life Bible Institute
STUDENTS
Brendan Doonan
Justin Dorough
Lindsey Eason
Elijah Elmore
Katie Emmert
Michael Emrick
Ellora Franklin
David Freeman
Elizabeth Ferrier
Anthony Flamer
Alexander Ford
Hannah Ford
Ana Gorri Dias
Seth Grunder
Randi May Fuller
Connor Futch
Iveth Gaona Cabrera
Lizbeth Gaona Cabrera
Christopher Hale
Brandon Hawkins
Taylor Hoogstraten
Braydon Hoover
Robert Hoskinson
Antione Jalbert
Sarah Klugh
Mae Kolln
Mikayla Kupé
Cody Lang
Daeun Lee
Justin Kirchberger
Student Life
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Clara Lindemann
Ashlyn Lough
Leia Lowe
Victoria Loy
In Hwan Lee
Andres Lella Morcos
Amber Maxwell
Michiah Maxwell
Brianna Mieras
Luke Moffitt
Carmine Monteforte
Emily Morris
Kaszey O’Maille
Luke Paige
Emma Phelan
Sarah Poludniak
Emma Porter
JungMin Park
Dakota Reinhardt
Hannah Robison
Heather Powell
Abigail Radcliffe
Braydon Rasberry
Alanna Redmond
Claire Salser
Brandon Santos
Julia Scheftic
Josiah Sealey
Hannah Seaton
Éliakim Rodier
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Word of Life Bible Institute
Patrick Shores
Grace Sexton
Joshua Spicer
Monique Sullivan
Meaghan Thompson
Katelyn Trammell
David Trujillo
Julia Tuason
Joshua Uhl
Allyson Van Prooyen
Laura Walsh
Rachel Watrous
Faith Whitridge
Emily Winslow
Matthew Winslow
Stacy Wyatt
Michaela Yoder
Mizuki Yokota
not pictured
Hannah Adams Elijah Carter William Cosgrove Micah Lawson
Aaron Loving Isaac McLean Cindy Stearns
Yewon Youn
SPRING STUDENTS
Cameron Edwards
Kaylee Goad
Ariel Hidalgo Burgos
Daisy Jackman
Oriol Lopez Perez
Joash Sathyadass
Student Life
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OPENING
WEEKEND
Student Life
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There were so many emotions surrounding opening weekend. One by one, packed cars pulled into the parking lot of the Jack Wyrtzen Center, and eager students began to make their way to the registration line. They piled their arms high with luggage, pillows, and boxes, while parents smiled and tried to stifle their mixed feelings of sadness and excitement. All at once, we experienced a whirlwind of information, important papers, and introductions. It wasn’t long, however, before students could be seen hanging out in groups, and we began to adjust to our new surroundings. For many of us, opening weekend at the Bible Institute marks the starting line of a new era as we leave home to spend a year digging into God’s Word. Eventually, students and parents said their bittersweet goodbyes, and while the weekend had come to a close, the adventure was just beginning. THE ADVENTURE BEGINS
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Word of Life Bible Institute
“My favorite part of opening weekend was seeing all the new faces coming to Word of Life, moving into my dorm and seeing my friends from The Island again!” TAWNY JODIE | FIRST YEAR
“It was really good to see how the perspective I came with changed over the weekend.” BAILEE RIESS | FIRST YEAR
“Opening weekend was fun! It was great!” JOY YOUN | SECOND YEAR
“Everyone was friendly and welcoming... It was an exhilarating experience.” BEN STORMAN | FIRST YEAR
“Campus clash was really fun! We won!” GRACELYN TAYLOR | FIRST YEAR
“My favorite part of opening weekend was getting excited at campus clash.” DAVID TRUJILLO | SECOND YEAR
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A CHALLENGE TO MOVE FORWARD
The student body had a campfire on Kenya Hill at the beginning of the second week of classes, and it was a very special event for everyone. Our campus pastor, Tom Phillips, gave us a challenge to give our all to God and make a decision to go wherever He leads us. There was an opportunity at the end of his message for students to come forward and throw a stick in the fire, symbolizing their decision to surrender their lives to the Lord. “With every stick we lay on this fire, the flames will grow,” Papa Tom said, as a flood of students came forward. Sparks crackled
and danced in the night air and the flames seemed to glow a little bit brighter every time another stick was tossed in. It was certainly a night
that will hold a unique place in the heart of many students for years to come.
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Word of Life Bible Institute
It is very appropriate that the Adirondack Marathon happened early on in our year at the BI, because the theme for this year is “Forward.” Watching all of those exhausted runners “press on” in their race reminded all of us of the endurance we need in order to be a Christ-follower. We had the privilege of meeting their physical needs by handing out water and Powerade, and we even helped with their emotional needs by cheering for them as they passed by. Many of the runners later commented that the portion of the race going through the BI campus was their favorite part of the entire marathon! For us as students, it was truly an exciting ministry opportunity and great metaphor for what it means to move forward in our relationship with the Lord! the race forward
Student Life
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PAPA
TOM
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Word of Life Bible Institute
A CHALLENGE TO THE GRADUATES It has been such a blessing to work with all of you this year. I’ve enjoyed worshiping with you, praying with you, encouraging you, and praying for you. I love the theme this year! My charge to you is: “Keep moving forward”! It’s been so much fun to watch all of you grow this year. Don’t let yourself get in a place where you stop growing. Take the next step. In Exodus 14, the Children of Israel had just left Pharaoh and Egypt and were on the edge of the wilderness when God told them to camp by the sea. God was getting ready to lead His people across the sea, but He needed to prepare them. While they were camping, Pharaoh’s army came after them. God said through Moses, “Don’t be afraid. See the salvation of God. The Lord will fight for you.” In Exodus 14:15, God told Moses to tell the Children of Israel to move forward. God has been preparing you all year to move forward. He wants to use each of you to do great things that you’ve never even dreamed of. The “secret” is to move forward WITH GOD. We love all of you and will be praying for you as you leave. Keep moving forward, and God will do amazing things in and through you.
For His Glory,
Papa Tom Campus Pastor
Student Life
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‘TWAS THE WEEK BEFORE VACATION
‘Twas the week before vacation and all through the school, Not a student was studying; the Bollback was full! The decorations were hung in the dorms with great care, In hopes that some visitors soon would be there. Wrapping paper on doors and trees on the beds, While a million Christmas lights dangled above our heads.
And with all of this clutter in the room like a trap, We could be certain that no one would nap. Then away to the Bollback we flew like a flash, Where we found a sweet treasure: a huge cookie stash!
At the photo booth we had to gather around, To get the best snapshot, with friends to surround. As the night came to an end, the RA’s gave a whistle, And away we all flew like the down of a thistle.
When what to our wondering eyes should appear?
But we heard Roger exclaim as we disappeared from sight,
But the ugliest sweaters with elves and reindeer!
“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”
48 Word of Life Bible Institute
Student Life
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& A
with joe schenke
Q: What is your favorite part about your job? A: My favorite part is interacting with the students. The two things I most love to do for the Lord are counseling and talking about counseling.
Q: How has your experience in Biblical counseling shaped who you are as a person? A: We often say that the best counselor is a good counselee. There’s a lot of self-confrontation in counseling, so there’s no doubt that counseling has impacted my own personal life. And here’s why: Because every time I open the mirror of the Word, both the counselee and myself are looking into it. So there’s a lot of self-examination. Q: What is one major reminder you would give to those pursuing a career in Biblical counseling? A: If Biblical counseling is about the Bible, then the more Biblical training you can get, the more effective you’re going to be. Biblical counseling training itself has a lot to do with methods. That gives you width, but knowing your Bible gives you depth in your counseling. Q: How does the Gospel affect your view of your workplace and your role? A: The Gospel is not merely good advice. The Gospel is transformational to life. So, speaking the Gospel into your life every day impacts all of those venues. Q: What should our focus be when trying to reach hurting people? A: Comfort through the nearness of God. I may not be able to fix their suffering, but if I can bring them to a better understanding of the fact that God is near and God is with them, then that is a positive goal. My desire is to connect them to the compassions of Christ. Q: How would you encourage students who are coping with fear as they move forward? A: Whenever we’re afraid, God promises us His presence. Isaiah 41:10 says, “Fear not, for I am with you.” It’s not just telling us to stop being afraid as though He’s getting after us. He’s comforting us with the reason why we don’t have to be afraid: the very fact that He’s near us. A helpful picture of this came when I was babysitting my grandson, and he woke up afraid. So I went into his room to comfort him, and I said, “Don’t be afraid... Poppy will be here until you fall asleep.” He found comfort that I was going to be there. We find comfort in our fears in the fact that God is present. That’s why we don’t have to be afraid. Q: What is your favorite ice cream flavor? A: Maple walnut. I love anything maple. The two best things in life are maple syrup and bacon.
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& THE
“The café is a nice, quiet, and peaceful environment. And coffee is amazing.” MAE KOLLN
The possibilities of what can be accomplished over a good, hot cup of coffee are nearly endless. Therefore, it shouldn’t come as a surprise when one walks into the Café and sees study groups scattered all about the room, huddled over books or laptops and sipping steamy lattes. From long discussions about interesting classes to listening through books on Logos, the Café always provides a quiet and peaceful spot for students to get their work done while spending time together and learning and growing as a body. In today’s society, coffee is becoming less of a social beverage and more of an energy drink that we chug down before anyone dares to talk to us. We students feel this shift more than anybody, as late nights of studying and early morning classes can leave us yawning and trying to motivate ourselves not to take a “power nap” during class (hey, we’ve all done it at some time or another). However, coffee still has such a special way of bringing people together for fellowship. Certain settings are simply incomplete unless there is a hot cup of coffee! I suppose the same could be said of the Gospel. The Gospel unites us. It draws us together and creates fellowship between us as believers. It even keeps us going when we’re worn out, tired, and ready to quit. Philippians 4:13 reminds us, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” And hey, a cup of coffee doesn’t hurt either!
“My favorite thing to do in the cafe is study with friends, grab a cup of coffee, study more, and grab more coffee!” JOSHUA TAYLOR
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may not be
hebrews 6:12
AMERICANS AND COFFEE
Drink at least one cup of coffee a day
64%
Drink at least FOUR cups of coffee a day
11%
Cups of coffee consumed per year
102 billion
Cups of coffee consumed per day
280.5 million
Student Life
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GLOBAL PRAYER
READING GOD'S MAP
If you went outside and began looking for the lines and boundaries found on a map of the world, it wouldn't take long for you to realize they don’t appear on the ground like they do in our navigational tools. Those boundary lines were created by humans for the purpose of maintaining borders and showing where things are located on the earth. What the maps don’t show, and yet what's far more real than man-made lines, are the cultural differences of people groups that comprise the body of believers in the family of God. Just as lines separate physical places on a map, God’s Church, though one, has many diverse needs that we may not even know about or be able to offer direct help with. However, we have the most powerful tool in our arsenal, one that we commonly fail to use in this battle against the forces of the enemy: prayer. Too often we treat prayer as “the least we can do.” We buy into the lie that if we can offer no hope, then prayer will
just have to do. We forget that interceding on behalf of others is the greatest way to concern ourselves with their needs, bending our will to God’s and pleading for the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ. The Global Prayer Sessions created an opportunity for students to band together and lift up the needs of Christians in specific countries before the throne of the Almighty God. Seven groups met every couple of weeks and highlighted different countries, with group leaders doing research to find specific ways to lead their fellow students in prayer. Each week focused in on another location and set of needs. Think of how much of the map we were able to cover in prayer as a student body! Prayer is never the “second best” way to concern ourselves with the needs of others- in fact, it is the very bes t!
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With all the persecution going on and all the churches getting closed down, it might seem that the enemy is winning, but we know that in the end, You are victorious. I pray, just in the midst of it, that these people would draw close to You, Lord, and that You would reveal your truth to them.Thank You that You are working everywhere. I pray that we would be faithful to pray for the churches all over the world and not just be so focused on our little “Word of Life” bubble. Bless them and keep them safe. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Student Life
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GOD’S MISSION IN MOTION
“FINALLY, BROTHERS, PRAY FOR US, THAT THE WORD OF THE LORD MAY SPEED AHEAD AND BE HONORED, AS HAPPENED AMONG YOU”
2 THESSALONIANS 3:1
Student Life
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MISSIONS CONFERENCE
“Every Christian a global Christian... every global Christian a mobilizer.”
Our world is so much more than just a planet spinning through the vast expanse of outer space. Our world is home to 7 billion people – men and women created by God and designed to have a personal relationship with Him. Sadly, of those 7 billion people alive today, only about 2 billion profess to know Jesus Christ as Savior. This means that 5 billion people on earth right now still need to hear the good news of the Gospel! It is this statistic that fueled Todd Ahrend’s argument for why more missionaries must rise up and take the good news where it is needed most as he spoke during this year’s missions conference. Todd mentioned what is known as “the 10/40 window” several times over the course of the weekend. The 10/40 window is the region of our world that is the least evangelized, including India, much of Africa, and the Middle East. Todd went on in further discussion to explain that if the need to go to the 10/40 window wasn’t already great enough, people from many of these countries are now coming to us by attending universities in America. This is an incredible opportunity to reach the 10/40 window without ever having to lift a foot off American soil! Don Lough later shared his passion for the global unreached. “We think small,” he stated. “But God thinks about the whole world.”
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Outside the conference sessions, students were able to form connections with missionaries from all over the world. Each of these missionaries are working with a wide variety of different organizations, with unique goals and initiatives for spreading the Gospel. These missionaries were able to share their hearts through breakout sessions, missionary mixers, and time in the dorms with students during nightly devotions. It was such a blessing to be a part of this amazing weekend and to see what God is doing globally. The students even had the opportunity to take part in God’s mission by making a commitment at the final session to give all to God and to move forward with Him.
“WORLD EVANGELIZATION REQUIRES THE WHOLE CHURCH TO TAKE THE WHOLE
GOSPEL TO THE WHOLE WORLD.”
JOHN STOTT
CROSS CULTURAL INTERNSHIP One of the highlights of missions conference was being able to meet, pray with, and support the BI graduates who are involved in the Cross Cultural Internship program. They have devoted two years of their life to serving in missions work in another country. Many of these interns shared their heart and passion for the work they are involved with, the worry and fear it brings, and, for some, the joys of being finished and discovering the next step in their journeys! 1.2 million international students and scholars are studying here from 188 countries of the world. Right now we have 65 interns working in 19 different countries. “THE QUESTION ISN’T WHERE IS MISSIONS... THE QUESTION IS WHERE IS IT NOT?” TODD AHREND
FROM THE 10/40 WINDOW
CHINA
235,597
INDIA
96,754
SOUTH KOREA
70,627
SAUDI ARABIA
55, 806
TAIWAN
21,867
JAPAN
19,568
VIETNAM
16,098
TURKEY
11,278
Student Life
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& A
with rachel arnold
Q: How does your job allow you to utilize your passions? A: Snowcamp and The Island were my favorite seasons of my whole BI year. So, when Tommy approached me about taking this job helping with camps, I agreed with excitement! Through camp, we’re able to touch the lives of youth leaders, campers, camp crew, BI students, and even BI staff. It’s one of the only ministries through which lost people voluntarily come to us to hear the Gospel. That’s the biggest passion I have that my job allows me to utilize. Q: What life truth sustains you on the long, difficult days? A: The Lord has taught me that living for Him is very practical and simple. It’s “layman’s faith”. It’s normal people saying “I trust you to help me today.” I have to remind myself first that “It’s not about me,” and second, that “I don’t make it happen.” I’m faulty and human, and if something goes wrong, I have to remember that I gave my best to the Lord. Q: What was one thing you learned through your time as a student at the BI that has stayed with you? A: If it weren’t for my time at the BI, I would not have the relationship with God, the marriage, or the job that I do. I especially wouldn’t have the joy that can be mine day to day if I hadn’t learned how to have a consistent quiet time. Before I came to the BI, I didn’t have that in my life, and I’ve seen the Lord change my heart in incredible ways through learning how to meet with Him every day and desiring that time.
Q: What word of encouragement would you share with students taking their next step in life? A: Don’t sweat it. God’s really good at directing His children, and He is already preparing you for what He has prepared FOR you.
Q: How does the Gospel connect you with those you interact with on a daily basis? A: I work with people and interact with students who all acknowledge their need for Jesus and love talking about that. That’s not real life, and it’s such a blessing to note that the people who are here chose to come because they acknowledged that they need Jesus. We, through the Gospel, chose to step into this community, and it’s the best community imaginable. All we need is the Gospel to be unified.
Q: What’s one funny request you’ve received while at work? A: One day, Tommy Sewall came into the office and asked us for ideas of what we could do with 1,000 rubber duckies.
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Banquet was an opportunity for the student body to celebrate the end of an incredible year of growth, life change, and friendship. While the ladies pulled out their loveliest dresses and heels, the gentlemen dusted off their bow ties and suit coats. Dressed to the nines, the student body shared a fantastic time of delicious food, hilarious student awards, and bonding over memories shared.
It truly was an unforgettable night!
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most likely to be caught sleeping in class | patrick shores
class clown jacob wise
best dressed anton’e williamson
most likely to be wolbi staff benjamin storman
most likely to need a ride to glens cameron edwards
most sick days justin long
greatest servant will chellette
most oblivious Jaliyah Arroyo
most encouraging michiah maxwell
most deserving of the random award thomas arnett
strangest sneeze amanda rivera
most accident prone nathaniel domes
most likely to own their own coffee shop | jenna natalie
the next roger peace owen bidding
biggest social media junkie anna lougheed
mvp of wolbi sports micka stout
most likely to be a jungle missionary madaleine brown
best person to be stuck on an island with | edrick gil andujar
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“Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter.” – Charles Spurgeon
Ministry
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12 HOURS FOR ETERNITY
Twelve straight hours of food, games, challenges, and all around craziness typically isn’t the experience students plan on having during their year at the BI, but it was just one more of the awesome opportunities we have to share the Gospel! Teenagers arrived packed into buses and vans and ready to have a fun-filled night starting with a hockey game and followed by crazy games on the ice and activities at two other locations, such as bowling alleys and sports centers. The most important part of each event, however, was always the Gospel message shared right after the hockey game, where we got to see many salvation decisions made! We got
to be the hands and feet of Jesus while running around the ice rink being wild, serving pizza, playing games, and building connections that may have had lasting impacts on kids and teens! This fall we traveled over 2,000 miles to make it to our Reverb locations, amounting to about 90 hours of driving total. It’s amazing that our big God even chooses to use the silly and ridiculous things of life to draw lost souls to Himself. It’s even more amazing that we get to be a part of that process! So while Reverb was physically and mentally exhausting, the benefits of what came out of that experience still impress and excite us today.
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““I ENJOYED COUNSELING FOR SALVATION. IT WAS VERY STRETCHING BECAUSE I WAS HARDLY AWAKE AND I DIDN’T HAVE HALF THE RIGHT WORDS TO SAY, BUT GOD USED ME ANYWAYS.” CHRISTIAN DILL
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