Bridge Campaign Case Statement

Bridge Campaign Case Statement

Pivoting... Transforming... Advancing...

I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

– John 10:10b

Story of Life Change . . . Dennis was an arrogant

The Bridge Campaign

16-year-old who grew up in a religious home, but he didn’t care about God or the Bible. He was able to attend camp at Word of Life Island because a scholarship was provided. At the Wednesday night campfire, he was completely overcome by the Gospel . . . an entirely different message than what he heard at his home church. He accepted Christ as his Savior, and that night his life was changed! His friends and family noticed he had a new demeanor. Later, Dennis enrolled at Word of Life Bible Institute, and the foundation of his faith grew. The most important concept he learned was to give his life to what is eternal . . . the Word of God and the souls of men. Now, almost 20 years later, Dennis desires to give others the opportunity to hear the Gospel. Today Dennis is the lead pastor at Steamtown Church in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He also serves as a chaplain for the local police and fire departments.

During recent months we have seen our culture mired in uncertainty, and young people have often been filled with anxiety and loneliness. As this current generation faces an unknown future, the need to encounter the One who created us and knows us is vital! Our mission is to help young people experience life change through the power of the Gospel! Though some of our physical doors have been closed for a season, our mission to reach this generation with the Gospel remains . . . and we are moving forward! We have sensed the Lord’s guidance to focus on three areas to bridge the next 18 months and remain strong for the future. These areas are: Transforming, Advancing and Pivoting.

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A Pivoting Season In recent months, difficult decisions were made as a result of COVID-19. At Word of Life Bible Institute, students quickly transitioned to remote education to finish the spring semester. Guests at Word of Life’s New York family and youth camps received the disappointing news they would not be able to attend summer camp. Summer camping for youth attending our Florida Youth Camp was also cut short after five weeks. These changes affected direct ministry in lives and have also created financial challenges. After prayerful consideration, we initiated the hard step of reducing operating expenses, including staff, by 33%, and budgets were rewritten for the second half of 2020. Funds to bridge the ministry through this challenge will provide resources to maintain facilities, care for staff, and prepare for the planned reopening of the Bible Institute campuses and the New York and Florida camps this winter and next summer. Ultimately, these resources will enable Word of Life to remain organizationally strong and ready to receive campers and students in the months ahead. Note: Some friends of the ministry have already provided gifts through an International Field Relief Fund to help our overseas fields who have special needs due to COVID-19.

Goal: $ 1,860,000

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A Transforming Opportunity A primary ministry focus at Word of Life is helping students experience life change through their personal daily walk with the Lord. At Word of Life Bible Institute, young people discern the will of God for their lives as they study the Word of God. The result is change at the heart level . . . students develop a passion to serve God wherever He leads them. With a sensitivity to the financial impact this season is having on current and potential students, we are investing resources to help these students take the next step. Each year almost 90% of the student body needs some financial assistance. Requests for additional scholarships are increasing by almost 50% due to the economic impact of the pandemic.* WOLBI CARES provides additional scholarships and discounts to students with financial needs due to the COVID-19 impact. This fund will also help provide financial incentives to students who had planned to be a part of our summer camp staff.

Story of Life Change . . . You have selflessly invested in a stranger, and I cannot express how grateful I am. Being at Word of Life Bible Institute has changed my life. God has changed my heart and desire to live for Him, and now I am sold out for Christ . . . and you have helped make this possible!

Goal: $1,540,000

*Provided by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA).

– Kaitlyn

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Paul Bubar: 1933 - 2020 Known for his contagious enthusiasm to share Christ, Paul Bubar left an indelible mark on the ministry of Word of Life.

An Advancing Initiative Word of Life’s passion centers on reaching people with the Gospel. In fact, with God’s blessing and the efforts of our worldwide team, more than 100,000 people made salvation decisions in 2019. If there ever was a time in history to prepare and mobilize students to share the Gospel, the time is now. This generation craves reality and hope. We know that life change only occurs through a personal relationship with Jesus. While outreach may look a bit different after COVID-19, we have set a goal to present the Gospel to an additional one million people worldwide over the next year. To help accomplish this vision, we are launching the BUBAR MEMORIAL EVANGELISM FUND in honor of Paul Bubar, whose heart was passionate about sharing this Good News (see sidebar) . Teaming up with Word of Life Bible Institute students on 16 campuses and young people engaged in numerous events and outreach activities worldwide, we are praying and positioning to make this next year one of even greater impact in reaching this generation for Christ by leveraging: • Internet platforms and social media channels for personal testimonies and evangelistic presentations and posts. • Expanded evangelistic outreach using technology in multiple language formats that allows for online discussions, phone calling and text messaging. • Open Air initiatives with staff, students and local churches. • Expanded evangelism training enabling students to engage in Gospel conversations with their peers. Goal: $1,000,000

Paul pioneered Local Church Ministries in

1959 and for many years influenced thousands of young people to receive Christ and to grow in their walk with the Lord. He also led the International

Ministries Division and the conference

ministry at The Lodge. In recent years he served joyfully as a ministry representative, engaged in evangelism and encouraging pastors and business leaders to reach their communities and peers with the Gospel.

“. . . he that winneth souls is wise.“

Proverbs 11:30b

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Building a Bridge . . . Would you join us in building a bridge to help the ministry move forward in the training of students to share their faith and to proclaim the only message that truly changes lives – the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Pivoting_ _________________ $1,860,000 Transforming______________ $1,540,000 Advancing_ _______________ $1,000,000

Number of Gifts

Amounts

Total

1 1 1 1 1 1

$ 2,000,000 $ 1,000,000 $ 500,000

$ 2,000,000 $ 1,000,000 $ 500,000

$ 250,000 $ 100,000 $ 75,000

$ 250,000 $ 100,000 $ 75,000

4 7

$ 50,000 $ 25,000

$ 200,000 $ 175,000

Many

Various

$ 100,000

Total

$ 4,400,000

Deb Nightingale / 518.494.6210 wol.org