The Second Generation: John and Kimberly (Neve) Lingelbach

Little did we know that a short conversation on a dreary October afternoon in Pottersville, New York, would forever change our lives.

We had both come to the Word of Life Bible Institute from similar backgrounds and for the same purpose. We had both grown up in Christian homes, but as we came to the end of our time in high school, we were weary of nominal Christianity. Our relationships with God were fractured by compromise and disobedience. Tired of “churchianity,” we were starving for God’s truth and came to the Bible Institute to find it — not in the teachings of men, but in the pages of Scripture. Just “good enough” was no longer good enough — we wanted to live for more.

During that introductory conversation after lunch, we became instant friends, and within two months, we were dating. After graduating from the Bible Institute, we knew we wanted to be together for the rest of our lives. We married in 1989, determined to put God at the center of our relationship and implement the principles we had learned at the Bible Institute.

Fast forward through 23 years of marriage, three children, and a career as an officer in the U.S. Air Force. We have seen God’s faithfulness all along despite our shortcomings. Time and time again we hearken back to what we learned 25 years ago at the Bible Institute, and those principles remain applicable today, perhaps more than ever before.

Because we saw what God had done for us, and because we believe so strongly in what God is doing at and through Word of Life, we insisted that all of our children attend the Bible Institute before starting their own families and careers. Consequently, each of our children has attended the Bible Institute, and currently our youngest daughter, Taylor, attends the Florida campus.

No, little did we know that a short conversation on a dreary autumn afternoon would forever change our lives. But at the time, we also lacked an understanding of how God is at work through the ministry of the Word of Life Bible Institute. When we first left after graduation, we were inexperienced at life, but we believed that if we would follow God’s Word, He would do amazing things through us. He has. And after all these years we are even more excited about what He has yet to do. We still believe.

Click here to read about the Lingelbachs' daughter, Taylor, Class of 2013.

For more second generation stories, click here.