The Experience Magazine - Spring 2017

The Experience Magazine - Spring 2017

F R O M Don Lough, Jr.

I

believe God has strategically placed each believer on planet earth to be bold in sharing the transforming, miracle-working truth of the Gospel of Christ. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 3:20 that it is His power that works in us to accomplish His work. In this first issue of The Experience (formerly The Victory Journal) for 2017, we are focusing on God’s gracious blessing in the worldwide ministries of Word of Life. Every day I receive fresh reminders that the God we serve is still working miracles – through changed lives, through the provision of resources and through the everyday circumstances of our lives! The Dedication of the Bollback Student Life Center at Word of Life Bible Institute is a recent example of the hand of God at work – providing incredible opportunities for students to grow in discipleship and in their relationship with fellow students and the wonderful God we serve. As an alumnus and/or friend of Word of Life, it is our prayer that you will sense some of what God is doing in this ministry and that you will be encouraged to engage with us in – Holding Forth the Word of Life. With a grateful heart, – DON LOUGH, JR. Executive Director

ISSUE 1 / SPRING 2017 the experience

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BOLLBACK STUDENT LIFE CENTER DEDICATION A LIFE OF EXAMPLE SNOWCAMP 2017 MISSIONS CONFERENCE 2017 TESTIMONY CORNER THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF CHARLES RYRIE CAMPUS UPDATES SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES SPECIAL ALUMNI OFFER FAMILY CAMPS SPEAKERS & PREFORMERS ALUMNI NEWS

The 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 change, and learn how you, too, can be involved with the mission of Word of Life. ©Copyright 2017—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 from Word of Life Fellowship, Inc. To obtain permission, email us at [email protected] .

COVER STORY

The Dedication of the Bollback Student Life Center

FOR most of us, the morning of January 25, 2017, began as a typical day, nothing profound or particularly memorable about the day. However, for the students and staff at the Word of Life Bible Institute campus in Schroon Lake, NY, the morning of January 25th dawned with the same kind of excitement Christmas morning brings with it. The night before, the Class of 2017 ate their dinner meal in the 47-year-old dining room, as had every class before them. But when the students woke up the next morning, they would make their way to the brand new Bollback Student Life Center for breakfast.The cold winter morning did not deter the students and staff who lined up outside the doors waiting for their breakfast. As the doors opened and the students entered, some were silently awestruck at the 8,000-square foot dining room with its polished, heated floors, its 500+

seats, and the floor-to-ceiling windows which framed a breathtaking view of Schroon Lake. Others could not keep their emotions and excitement quiet as they took in the spacious and expanded food line area with its food and beverage stations, gorgeous woodwork, TV’s mounted on the walls, and the spacious open table arrangement. The students and staff will long remember January 25th as the day the Bollback Student Life Center changed the face of Word of Life Bible Institute. Tom Davis (’72), Academic Dean and Professor at the Bible Institute since 1978, described the significance of the new Bollback Student Life Center in this way: “Twenty years from now, those of us still able to reflect on the history of the Bible Institute will talk about the ‘pre- BSLC’ and ‘post-BSLC’ days.” For Executive Dean, Mark Strout (’82), the experience that first day seemed pretty incredible.

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friends and churches about their incredible weekend, I am sure many will talk about the new building.” In addition to the new dining room and kitchen, the Bollback Student Life Center also adds two private dining rooms, two supplemental classrooms, another student lounge, the campus bookstore, and café as well as the student post office. Both the lounge and café have massive stone fireplaces, comfortable seating, great views of the lake, and plenty of natural light. The café and campus bookstore are open to each other creating a modern bookstore feel. The building opened for business in January 2017, but the official Dedication happened during the annual Founder’s Conference April 7-9. On Saturday, April 8, scheduled tours led guests through the building. Harry spoke and addressed the students and conference guests. At 92, Harry’s words delivered a spiritual punch that only years of experience can bring, and he shared that wisdom with the students.The meeting came to a grand finale with a video and the Collegians singing “Hold Forth the Word.” After the meeting, students and guests gathered at the doors of the Bollback Student Life Center for the official ribbon cutting ceremony which was followed by a cake and punch reception in the dining room. The physical, tangible gift is the building, but the more significant contribution will be the eternal works accomplished within its doors.

“I’D WALKED THROUGH THE BUILDING WHILE IT WAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION DOZENS OF TIMES, BUT WATCHING IT TRANSITION FROM AN EMPTY BUILDING TO ONE FULL OF LIFE WITH THE STUDENTS ENJOYING TIME TOGETHER IN THE NEW DINING ROOM WAS A SURREAL EXPERIENCE.” Second-year student, Clayton Moore (’16), described his first meal there this way: “The table set-up is great; it feels like a family meal when you sit down. When it is warm enough to eat outside on the lakefront patio, it will only get better.” Damien Cordero (’16) also a second-year student, said: “The new student center makes the whole campus feel brand new.” Three days after opening, 400 campers and leaders descended on the campus for Snowcamp and enjoyed the new dining room. Even with this added number of people eating meals, the food lines moved quickly, and seating was plentiful. Tommy Sewall (’09), Snowcamp Director, said this about the impact the Bollback Student Life Center had on Snowcamp weekends: “The new building raises the overall standard of experience the campers have at Snowcamp. As the campers and youth leaders return home and tell their

THE BOLLBACK STUDENT LIFE CENTER JANUARY 2017

Dedication of the bollback Student Life Center 05

COVER STORY

AN INTERVIEW WITH HARRY & MILLIE BOLLBACK A LIFE OF EXAMPLE

HARRY & MILLIE AT THE GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY MAY 2015

HARRY & MILLIE AT THE GRAND OPENING RIBBON CUTTING APRIL 2017

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HOLDING FORTH THE WORD OF LIFE; THAT I MAY REJOICE IN THE DAY OF CHRIST, THAT I HAVE NOT RUN IN VAIN, NEITHER LABORED IN VAIN. ” – PHILIPPIANS 2:16 “

H arry and Millie Bollback’s front door has opened hundreds (if not thousands) of times over the years to welcome visitors, friends, and students with grace and warm hospitality. Their morning routine has not changed very much over the years. They share coffee and breakfast together and read their Quiet Time scripture outloud. They rehearse their monthly Bible verse, sing a song and pray. On the date of this interview they were quoting Isaiah 12:2, “I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD Jehovah is my strength and my song.” Imagine for just a moment that you are sitting with Harry and Millie on their front porch enjoying the breeze off the lake and a warm cup of coffee. Imagine you are having a conversation with them about their life and ministry at Word of Life and are soaking up the insight and personal glimpse into their hearts. WHAT WERE YOUR THOUGHTS WHEN YOU LEARNED THE BOLLBACK STUDENT LIFE CENTER WOULD CARRY YOUR NAME? Millie and I were both humbled when we heard the building would be called the Bollback Student Life Center. Lord willing, we will celebrate our 69th wedding anniversary this year, and to talk about my life is to talk about Millie’s as well. God has been so good to us that sometimes I worry we have received so many good things here on

earth there won’t be anything left to receive in heaven!

our international ministry. God also opened a door for me to use music and drama to reach people for Jesus. Over the years, more than 2 million people attended the musical presentations of the Gospel, and many thousands came to know Jesus. Everything was beyond what we could have ever imagined. All I can say as I look at my life is that God opened doors, and we walked through them. God is interested in my obedience, not my opinion. Psalm 139:16, “Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in Your book and planned before a single one of them began.” I still write a ‘To Do’ list each day, but now I pray and ask God what things He has planned for me to do because I want to make sure I am doing the things He has already planned for me to do. What advice would you give to the young people of this generation who will walk the halls of the Bollback Student Life Center? God loves people. He uses people to reach people. In the New Testament Jesus sat down and ate with people. He talked with people. Right now, it is easy to get caught up in the beauty of the new building, but take the time to look past the building and see the opportunities to meet with people. Sit back and talk with each other. Life change can happen in those moments.

in January you celebrated your 92nd birthday, and for 76 of those years, you have worked in the ministry of Word of Life reaching your generation for Christ. Is it possible to select a few of your favorite memories as you look back over your life of ministry? Wow! So many memories, so many stories! When I think of my life, I see different time periods, and each section had its notable moments because ALL of it was a miracle. Jack Wyrtzen and I were young men with no experience in things like this, and we had no clue about the things God had planned for us! When I reflect on the beginning years in New York City, we had evangelistic meetings, a radio program, and street meetings. We only had 8-10 people on staff and no computers, yet we had over 30,000 people come to a rally in Madison Square Garden! Only God! In 1950, Millie and I went to Brazil as missionaries to the Xavante tribe of Indians. When my co-worker, Harold Reimer, and I traveled by canoe to make contact with them, they shot arrows at us trying to kill us. By God’s grace there are now 40 churches in the Brazilian jungles pastored by Xavante men. When Millie and I returned to the States, I worked at the Headquarters of Word of Life in Schroon Lake developing

A life of Example 07

2 0 1 7 SNOWCAMP

Imagine climbing into a 10’clear inflatable ball and rolling head-over-heels down the tubing hill at a high rate of speed and coming to a stop only after you rolled up the towering snowbank at the bottom of the hill. It may sound like a nightmare to you, but for the young, energetic snow-campers who discovered Zorb Ball at Snowcamp 2017, it was a dream come true. According to Snowcamp Director, Tommy Sewall ’09, “It quickly became the campers’ favorite activity.” That dizzying experience was just one of the many exciting and challenging events snowcampers participated in over their action-packed 44 hours of camp. Other crazy events included the annual highly-competitive cardboard sled race, the snowboard demo, snow tubing, the ice chute, snowmobiling, hockey, paintball and both indoor and outdoor sports tournaments. The traditional Polar Bear Swim took a refreshing twist with campers taking the plunge at 11:30 at night! The number of campers who enjoyed the “GameDay” themedSnowcampweekends this year was 2,357! Scholarships given by generous individuals allowed 226 campers to attend who would not have been able to participate without their financial help. The campers were spiritually challenged through the spoken Word, music and

drama to faithfully run the ‘race of life’ God has called each of us to live. The crazy and fun antics that started each meeting were aimed to draw the campers in and break down barriers that might have kept them from being open to hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The contemporary Christian music spoke lyrics of truth, grace, hope and love, and by the time the Word of God was opened and preached, the young people were ready to hear about God and to discover for themselves what He offered to them. 314 teenagers were counseled by Bible Institute students and were led in prayer to trust Jesus Christ to be their Savior. Many of the campers who came to Snowcampwere already believers in Jesus, and they were challenged to ‘run the race’ faithfully. 1,867 young people responded to the invitation to live a dedicated life. Throughout the seven weekends of camp, the Bible Institute students rotated from being counselors, to running the program activities, to working in operations. Snowcamp is always exhausting, but seeing lives changed by the Holy Spirit of God energized the students, and they finished well.

2,357 CAMPERS • 1,867 DEDICATIONS • 314 SALVATIONS

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Snowcamp 2017 09

MISSIONS CONFERENCE 2017

22 in New York 11 in Florida

$30,184.33

282

MISSIONS CONFERENCE 2017 FAITH PROMISE TOTAL

MISSION BOARDS REPRESENTED AT THE CONFERENCE

NUMBER OF COMMITMENT DECISIONS

CROSS CULTURAL INTERNSHIP 71 STUDENTS PRESENT YOUTH MINISTRY INTERNSHIP 56 CURRENT STUDENTS EXPRESSED INTEREST IN NEW PROGRAM

SERGIO MARTINEZ, GUEST SPEAKER WORD OF LIFE MISSIONARY TO SPAIN

J. D. GREEAR, MAIN GUEST SPEAKER (‘92) PASTOR OF THE SUMMIT CHURCH IN RALEIGH–DURHAM, NC

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Testimony corner with sean LANGILLE

where i WORK I oversee the marketing strategies for social media platforms and coordinate multimedia coverage for the Washington Examiner . I also freelance for FOX News, where I have worked for over three years as an Associate Producer. I also helped launch the FOX News First daily email newsletter which is now the Halftime report. AFTER THE Bible Institute Following my time at the Bible Institute, I went to Liberty University where I earned a degree in Biblical Studies in 2008 and pursued a Master’s Degree in Communication Studies. During that time I worked as a Production Director for Spirit FM. Shortly after graduating, I came to DC and began working for the Laura Ingraham Show and eventually became its Executive Producer just before the 2012 elections. In 2013 I began a short stint working on Capitol Hill with the Washington Times and eventually joined Fox News that summer to launch FOX News First. After two years at FOX, I scaled back my role and began working with the Washington Examiner . I had never planned on coming to DC, but it’s where the Lord opened doors for me. When I left Virginia and my safe Christian radio job, I was fearful and apprehensive, yet God orchestrated all these moves carefully. I’m amazed every day how I can use this position as a ministry platform. There is so much dark and negative news, but it is encouraging when I can interview figures like the niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and she makes an appeal for the Gospel to bring unity back to the country. The Bible Institute helped me prepare to be in a place of influence and to approach it from a Christian worldview.

“WORD OF LIFE BIBLE INSTITUTE PROVIDED A SOLID BIBLICAL FOUNDATION IN DEVELOPING MY CHRISTIAN-WORLDVIEW. IT ESTABLISHED THAT THE GOSPEL IS AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING I DO AND THAT MINISTRY DOESN’T JUST TAKE PLACE BEHIND THE PULPIT OR ON A MISSION FIELD. MINISTRY OCCURS WHEN THOSE RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH USE IT TO ENGAGE THEIR WORLD AND THOSE AROUND THEM.”

- SEAN LANGILLE Alumnus & Digital Engagement Editor for the Washington Examiner

Testimony Corner & Missions Conference 11

the life and legacy of charles ryrie

by PAUL D. WEAVER

Dr. Charles Ryrie, the Theologian who left the greatest mark on my spiritual and theological development and that of countless other Word of Life Alumni, went Home to Glory last year. Shortly before his death, Dr. Ryrie graciously allowed me to interview him twice in preparation for a research paper entitled, Charles C. Ryrie: The Man, His Ministry, and His Method. What follows is an excerpt from that paper. Dr. Charles Ryrie was one of the most influential Theologians of the 20th century. Ryrie was a tenured professor, prolific writer, bold pioneer, ardent apologist, and ordained minister. THE PROFESSOR AND PRESIDENT Young Ryrie began his academic career the summer following his graduation from Dallas Theological Seminary. He first taught at Midwest Bible and Missionary Institute. In 1949, Ryrie joined the faculty of Westmont College and eventually became the Department Chairman of Biblical Studies and Philosophy. Shortly after the death of one of Ryrie’s mentors, Lewis

Sperry Chafer, (the first President of Dallas Theological Seminary), Ryrie returned to teach at Dallas Theological Seminary. Ryrie remained at DTS for five years. At the young age of 33, he became the President of Philadelphia College of Bible. He remained President until 1962. In 1962, Ryrie returned to Dallas Theological Seminary to become the Chairman of Systematic Theology and the first Dean of Doctoral Studies. Ryrie retired in 1983 but continued to teach as an Adjunct Faculty member at various schools (including Word of Life Bible Institute). THE PROLIFIC WRITER Dr. Ryrie is remembered most for his prolific writing; he wrote a total of thirty-two books that have sold more than 1.5 million copies. That number does not include the Ryrie Study Bible , which has sold 2.6 million copies alone. Ryrie’s writings were diverse in their scope, writing in seven vastly different arenas, and the impact of his pen is immeasurable. Ryrie wrote at a level understandable by

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academics, pastors, and the layperson. His Basic Theology textbook was translated into twenty-one different languages and is used in Bible institutes, colleges, and seminaries around the world. THE PIONEER Ryrie wrote several works that blazed a new trail or met a pressing need, sometimes even before that need surfaced. Ryrie’s Ph.D. work on the subject of ‘women’s role in the church’ is a case in point. Ryrie’s Dispensationalism Today , written in 1965, was also a significant groundbreaking work that helped define the term ‘dispensationalism’ and respond to many false characterizations of it. It still is the go-to reference work on the subject. The Ryrie Study Bible is another example of work that set the stage and tone for generations to come. Ryrie wrote his Study Bible prior to the popularity of Study Bibles. THE APOLOGIST Ryrie became an able spokesperson and apologist of conservative evangelicalism in responding to the teachings of neo-orthodoxy and the inerrancy of Scripture. He became the defender of the historical understanding of women’s role in the church, wrote to guard against abuses of the Gospel, and became the capable representative of classic Dispensationalism. He also became an ardent defender of the plain/normal/literal interpretation of Scripture, which has a wide range of implications relating to creationism, Israel, the church, the covenants, and prophetic literature, just to name a few. THE ORDAINED MINISTER While Ryrie’s greatest influence was with the pen, he also had a substantial ministry in the pulpit of First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, as well as an itinerate preaching/teaching ministry in various churches around the United States. Ryrie taught a Sunday school class of over 100. Before each quarter, he would also teach the curriculum to the other Sunday School teachers. At one point, he also conducted a service for teenagers who were in the ninth through twelfth grade. For a while, he was preaching to 200-300 teenagers every Sunday. Charles Caldwell Ryrie was indeed one of the most influential Theologians of the Twentieth Century. He was known as a careful and consistent interpreter of Scripture. He was an exegete that was honest with the text and humble in his presentation of it. He had great clarity and charity. He was a Theologian enamored by the grace of God and desired for the glory of God to be known by all. For these reasons and more, Charles C. Ryrie’s life and ministry are worthy of investigation and replication.

CHARLES RYRIE

TEACHING AT WORD OF LIFE BIBLE INSTITUTE

PAUL WEAVER (‘96 & ‘97) Appalachian Bible College Th.B.; Dallas Theological Seminary Th.M.; Nearing completion of PhD at Baptist Bible Seminary

Paul Weaver’s passion is to know and teach the Word of God. He grew up in a broken home and was invited to a Word of Life Bible Club. For the next six years Paul was active in Word of Life Clubs and attended the Word of Life Ranch and Island. It was during a week of camp on The Island that Paul felt God directing his steps to attend the Bible Institute before studying at a university. While at the Bible Institute, God called Paul into full-time vocational ministry. Paul, his wife, Jill Anne Weaver (’05 &’06), and their daughter, Caroline, moved to Schroon Lake in the fall of 2016. Paul is the International Faculty Coordinator and the Associate Academic Dean at the Word of Life Bible Institute. In addition to teaching in Bible Institute classrooms around the world, Paul also has an extensive writing ministry. For more information on Paul’s books, you can visit his website PAULDWEAVER.COM/BOOKS .

Charles Ryrie Tribute 13

word of life bible institutes

C A M P U S U P D AT E S

Florida Three new cabins are under construction; these will provide additional housing for male students, Camp Crew, and will also increase the number of campers. Hungary Eighty students from 16 countries have filled the school to capacity. Pray for an Assistant Dean of Women. South Korea Improvements in the effectiveness of the Admissions Office have been implemented. Pray for a new full-time Theology Professor. Ontario A new traveling ministry team was launched. Pray for several prospective staff members who will need to raise support. Québec The main classroom recently underwent major renovations. Pray that God will lead other French-speaking believers to serve on staff. New York The Bollback Student Life Center opened in January. The official Dedication of the building was held during the Founder’s Conference. Uganda Current students come from Uganda, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, and South Africa. Pray for much-needed scholarship funding to assist needy African students. Brazil Applications were submitted to extend first-year accreditation to the Bible Institutes in Sao Paulo, Recife, and Belem by February 2018.

NEW YORK CAMPUS

Argentina Dorm

The newest girls’ residence hall opened September 2017 on the New York campus. Eric Cordis (’84), Word of Life Engineer since 2000, designed the dormitory building and managed the project. The building is 9,000-square feet with 4,500-square feet on the main floor. It features a key swipe entry and houses 32 girls in eight suites with a central lounge. The building is high efficiency with LED lighting throughout, individual room heat control, redundant high-efficiency boilers, and a high-efficiency water heater with a recirculating loop so there is instant hot water in all the rooms. Each room has a continuous air exchanger which brings moist air out of the bathrooms, runs the exhaust air through a heat exchanger to recover heat from the air stream, and returns outdoor air which is warmed by the exhaust to each sleeping area. The bottom floor contains campus security offices and a laundry facility. The fire sprinkler system installation was donated by Scott Treverton (’85), and longtime volunteer, Kevin Caswell , donated the rough plumbing install. The building crew was mostly alumni: Eric Cordis (’84), Doug Bensen , Ralph Deshetsky (‘ 96 &’97), Pat Murphy (’05 & ’07), Carl Rambow (‘08), AustinWorden (’13), Nate Cousins (’15), Tom Sobek (’96)*. * Not pictured

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WE NEED YOU

JOIN THE CREW Camp Crew is a nine-week program that allows high school students to serve in various areas of our different camps, while also enjoying their own camp experience. You could be a lifeguard, work in the Snack Shack, help out in the health center, or much more. The opportunities are endless! Yes, you’ll work hard, but don’t worry – Camp Crew is much more than just a summer job. You’ll get to experience the nonstop crazy awesomeness of summer camp, as well as being a part of a ministry that sees lives impacted by the Gospel every single day. Who knows? It might even change your life. Come and spend an amazing summer with us as part of our Camp Crew summer staff. Don’t wait, apply today! Do more with your summer. Be a part of something BIG. For more information on the biggest summer of your life, check out CAMPS.WOL.ORG/CAMP-CREW/ for an application and more information! SPEND SOME TIME HELPING US OUT We are opening The Island early this year for work teams to help prepare the facilities for summer camp 2017. If you have a few days available, come stay at one of our youth and family camps and volunteer your time! Housing and meals are provided. Bring your family, friends or church group.

C h e c k o u t o u r camp s

CONTACT EMAIL [email protected] TO APPLY FOR CAMP CREW FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT VOLUNTEERING OR TO SIGN UP EMAIL [email protected]

WOL.IS/ CAMPS

Summer Opportunities 15

discounted prices only for wolbi alumni

50% AT THE LODGE for Alunmi and Families applies to all weeks during Summer 2017 (except Week 5) OFF

25% AT THE ISLAND for Alumni children grades 9-12 applies to all weeks during Summer 2017 OFF

New York Family Camps summer 2017 SPEAKERS & performers

JUNE 25 – JULY 1 MARK YARBROUGH & KEN WHITTEN

JULY 23 – 29 ERWIN LUTZER & H.B. CHARLES

JULY 2 – 8 KERBY ANDERSON & JOEL ROSENBERG

JULY 30 – AUGUST 5 RAY PRITCHARD & ERIC MOUNTS

JULY 9 – 15 CRAWFORD LORITTS & RICHARD BLACKABY

AUGUST 6 – 12 TEDD TRIPP & PHIL MOSER

JULY 16 – 22 COREY ABNEY & STEPHEN DAVEY

AUGUST 13 – 19 JOHN BARNETT & WENDELL CALDER

WOL.IS/ FAMILYCAMPS

JUNE 29 THE SKIT GUYS JULY 6 MATT HAMMITT JULY 13 AARON SHUST JULY 20 JASON GRAY JULY 27 DAVID PENDLETON AUGUST 3 DENNIS SWANBERG AUGUST 10 JASON WILSON AUGUST 17 SIGNATURE SOUND

WOL.IS/ CONCERTS

Special Offer & Family Camps 2017 Info 17

alumni News

1970’S

Mark Cabeen (‘71) & Betty (Chambers) Cabeen (‘71) live in Ringgold, GA. Their four children, Benjamin, Bethany, Mary Anna, and Aaron, are grown. Mark is now a carpenter, and Betty enjoys reading and gardening. They attend Wood- land Park Baptist Church in Chattanooga, TN. Joe (‘75) & Nora Correia (‘75) are living in Danby, VT. Joe is retired, and Nora is a special ed assistant in the local high school. John T. Dale (‘78) and his wife, Kathleen, have two adult children, and John pastors North Country Bible Fellowship in Speculator, NY. Jean (Lehman) Wolf (‘75) lives in Sylvania, OH with her husband, Bob. She taught for 37 years at Emmanuel Chris- tian School in Toledo, OH and is now a certified ACBC Coun- selor at Emmanuel. Ann Wood (‘72) has two adult children and works as a school bus attendant. Her husband, Jim, went Home to be with the Lord in 2011. She is a member of the Gideons and volunteers frequently at Word of Life NY. 1980’S Jeff Apthorp (‘86) , his wife, Robbyn, and children, Valarie, Alan, and Kenneth, live in Charlotte, NC. Jeff serves with BBN Radio and attends Calvary Church in Charlotte, NC. Carl Benedict (‘84) , his wife, DeAnne, and children, Cara 19, Colson 17 and Chloe 15, live in Alabaster, AL. Carl is As- sociate Pastor at Southwest Baptist Church and also a school bus driver. Bryan Broomfield (‘82) lives in Ontario and works for Christian Horizons. Vonda (Kenyon) Cranfield (‘86) is married to David, and they live in Poestenkill, NY where Vonda owns and runs the Olive Ewe Shop – Country Home Decor & More. She and her husband have three adult children. Eleece (Pilarczyk) Parker (‘83) and her husband, Skip, live in Fort Mill, NC. Eleece is retired from the US military and serves in children’s ministries at Sisk Memorial Baptist Church. Bill Pierce (‘85) & Merilee (Lubrich) Pierce (‘85) live in Spartanburg, SC. Their children are Callie (Pierce) Blalock, Billy, David, Caitlin, and McKenzie. Bill is VP of Sales at a local company, and Merilee is a Teacher’s Assistant with Spar-

tanburg’s Hearing Impaired Program. They attend Mt. Calvary Presbyterian Church PCA. Colleen (Kilby) Price (‘83) , husband, Rodney, and chil- dren, Kyle 27, Colin 25 and Adrianne 20, live in Pelzer, SC. They attend Grace Church. Kathy (Howland) Roughton (‘84) is married to Charles and lives in Kentucky. She works at Oneida Baptist Institute, a boarding school for 6th-12th grade students. Two out of four of their children attended Word of Life. Their oldest, Stephen ’07, attended both the Bible Institute in NY and Argentina. He has been a missionary in Mexico for eight years. Their daugh- ter, Rebekah (Roughton) Self (’14 & ’15), attended the BI in Florida and second year in NY. She is married to Jonathan Self (’14). Gerald (‘89) & Kristin (Kenyon) Ziemer (‘89) and their children, Michael (’15), Corina (‘17), Zachary 16 and Brianna 13, are missionaries with Titus International and serve in Ro- mania. Christine (Platania) Bubb (‘99) and her husband, David, have two daughters and are expecting a third in July! She is a stay-at-home mom and lives in PA. Noah Escue (‘98) is married to RobynSue, and they have a four-year-old son, Judah. He is employed as a carpenter and drives a bus for his church. Orvin Feliciano (‘97) is Senior Pastor of Jones Road Bap- tist Church in Jacksonville, FL. He is married to Sheri. Carrie (Largent) Gray (‘91) and her husband, Spencer, live in Williamson, GA with their children, Caroline 20, Sarah 17, William 12, Winston 7 and Laura 6. Carrie teaches chil- dren’s choir, attends Bible Study Fellowship, homeschools their children and enjoys travel. They attend Carriage Lane Presbyterian Church. Melissa (Leyva) Sivertsen (‘91) and her husband, Art, live in Fayetteville, GA with their children, Ella 20, Julia 13 and Ava 12. Melissa is a Regional Relationship Manager for Drayer Physical Therapy Clinics in GA. Sherman Stoltzfus (‘95) is married to Heather and they have two children, Grace and Deanna. Sherman is the Senior Pastor at Allensville Mennonite Church in PA. 1990’S

18 The experience spring 2017 edition

2000’s Sheri (Baughn) Arnold (‘02) , her husband, J., and their children, Mara-Jade 8, Liam 6 and Penelope 3, live in St. Au- gustine, FL. Sheri is homeschooling their children, loving their neighbors and serving together at Grace Community Church in Jacksonville. Josh (‘09) & Lynette (Radebaugh) Carpenter (‘09) live in Rhode Island and have three children, Zachariah 5, James 4 and Elizabeth 2. Lynette is a stay-at-home mom, and Josh is a control valve technician. Kat (Bulka) Compton (‘06) and her husband, Elmo, are church planting missionaries in Lima, Peru. They have one son named Elmo the 5th, but they call him Cinco (which is 5 in Spanish). Daniel (‘99, ‘00) and Eirana (Allen) Doyle (‘01, ‘02) and their children, Eva 12, Annika 11, Audra 10, Ivy 7, Eden 5 and Isabella 3, are missionaries with ABWE and serve in Nicaragua. Paul (‘08) & Colleen (Clancy) Ferguson (‘08) live in Grapevine, TX. They are praying about transitioning out of the private sector and into full-time missions. Paul is working in the mortgage industry in Dallas, and Colleen is a multi-unit operations manager for Starbucks at DFW airport. Kyria Laurens (‘08, ‘09) lives in Palm Harbor, FL and works in Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab. Nicole (McNamara) Locke (‘08) , her husband, Andrew, and daughter, Alivia 8, live in Jasper, GA where they attend Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Heather (Jacobs) Peterson (‘02) is married to Joel, and they have two children, Chloe 3 and Jaden 8 months. They live in Illinois and are involved in the children’s ministry of their church. Jessica (Rudd) Riveria (‘02) , her husband, Jose, and children, Michael 14, Gavin 11, Ella 4 and Daniel 3, live in Mul- berry, FL where Jessica is a stay-at-home mom. Danese (Phillips) Rikenbach (‘05) , her husband, Wil- liam, and their children, Oliver 6, Paisley 4 and Vivian 1, live in Charlotte, NC. Danese is active with the NarroWay Christian Theater and is a stay-at-home mom. They attend Northside Baptist Church.

2010’s Brooke Arruda (‘16) attended the Owen Sound Campus and is currently serving as an Intern there. Kenneth Borgia (‘15) , his wife, Jennifer, and children, Ja- cob 15 and Aaron 12, live in Spring Hill, FL. Ken serves as Assistant Principal at Grace Christian School in Hudson. Steve (‘15) and Karen Botham (‘15) were part of our off-campus community on the NY campus. They are living back in Ontario where Karen is an x-ray technologist, and Steve is a factory worker. They have a one-year-old son, Colton. Kylie Dawson (‘15, ‘16) is attending Moody Bible Institute in Washington State. Meghan Edwards (‘16) is a student at Northeastern Bap- tist College and is involved in her church. Meghan is engaged to Tyler and plans to get married in August. Alyssa (Weigand) Gardner (‘12) is married to Chris, and they live in Jacksonville, FL. Nathan Legault (‘15) is working in a retirement home with people who have dementia. He teaches Kid’s Club and Sun- day School at his church. Amanda Luckner (‘15, ‘16) lives in Kings Park, NY and stays busy as a worship leader, youth leader and barista. Benjamin Mock (‘15, ‘16) lives in Jasper, GA where he is working at a restaurant. He is enrolled in community college and is helping in the youth group at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. FIND US ON FACEBOOK! LOOK FOR WORD OF LIFE BIBLE INSTITUTE ALUMNI AND WORD OF LIFE FELLOWSHIP UPDATE YOUR ALUMNI PROFILE ONLINE AT WORDOFLIFE.EDU/ALUMNI WHAT IS GOD DOING IN YOUR LIFE? HOW HAS HE LED, HELPED, OR COMFORTED YOU? IF YOU HAVE A TESTI- MONY TO GIVE, A STORY TIP TO PASS ON, A ‘REMEM- BER WHEN,’ OR MINISTRY UPDATE, WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR ABOUT IT! WE CAN ACCEPT HIGH-QUALITY PHOTOS, 300DPI OR HIGHER. E-MAIL US AT [email protected]

Alumni News 19

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