Be Praying: February Ministries Schedule.

Snow Camp season is upon is, and many other ministries are in full swing at the New York campus. See some of what's happening in February, and pray along with us.

Snow Camp
Feb. 7-9: Snow Camp Weekend 4
Feb. 7-9: Snow Camp Remote in Newburgh, NY
Feb. 14-16: Snow Camp Weekend 5
Feb. 21-23: Snow Camp Weekend 6
Feb. 28-March 2: Snow Camp Weekend 7

Basketball
Women's team: Games Feb. 4 and 18.
Men's team: Games Feb. 11 and 18, and a tournament Feb. 20-22.

Support Ministry
Feb. 1-2: International Ministry in Springfield, Mass. Four students will be involved.

Alumni gatherings: Come say hello.

We are planning Word of Life Bible Institute alumni gatherings this winter and spring. Join us, connect with other graduates, and hear what is new and happening at the Bible Institute. For information and to RSVP, please visit http://wordoflife.edu/alumnigatherings.

A special alumni event: The Creation Museum.

The Word of Life Bible Institute alumni association is sponsoring a Word of Life event April 25-27 at the Creation Museum in Petersburg, Kentucky, just across the river from Cincinnati, Ohio.

Arrive Friday evening and spend Saturday (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Sunday (12 p.m. to 6 p.m.) at the museum. Word of Life is planning a special time for alumni on Saturday at 6:15 p.m. Alumni are welcome to enjoy dinner and time with Word of Life Executive Director Don Lough, Jr. and Redemption, a music group made up of alumni. A worship time is also being planned for Sunday morning at Calvary Baptist Church in Covington, Kentucky.

Special Feature: Anyone registering as part of the Word of Life group will be invited to a behind-the-scenes tour of the amazing new Noah’s Ark project. The cost for a two-day pass (Saturday and Sunday) and dinner Saturday night is $15 for anyone 13 years and older, and free for those 12 and under. Register now by clicking here.

We have negotiated special rates for accommodations. Contact them directly to make reservations.

Country Inn and Suites
759 Petersburg Rd.
Hebron, KY 41068
859.689.0700
Daily Rate: $85 — standard room (two queens or a king)
Daily Rate: $100 — suite (one bedroom, two queens or one king, pullout sofa)
countryinns.com/hebron-hotel-ky-41048/ohcinprt

Indian Springs Campground
3306 State Line Rd.
North Bend, OH 45052
888.550.9244 or 513.353.9244
Daily rate (Good Sam Club or AAA member):
30 amp: $36
50 amp: $41
Daily rate (no discount):
30 amp: $40
50 amp: $45
http://indianspringscampground.com/contact.html

Plan now to bring the whole family, friends, or your church youth group. Pass the word to other churches and make this exciting weekend a highlight of your year.

Check out the Creation Museum at creationmuseum.org.

On a mission with Andrew Day.

Andrew Day’s bags are packed. It’s a routine the 2008 Bible Institute alumnus has down pat — he’s been traveling nonstop for the past year. With everything ready for his big trip tomorrow, he adjusts his hat and sits down to catch up through Skype. Sitting in his temporary bedroom in London, it’s the last time he’ll have a reliable Internet connection for the next several months.

He’s leaving tomorrow for Africa, where he’ll work to share the Word of God in the northwestern countries of Senegal, Mali, Niger, and Chad. It’s the concluding trip of a year spent traveling around the world spreading the Word with the esteemed George Verwer, founder of the Christian missions organization Operation Mobilization.

Andrew realized he wanted to be a missionary at the age of 5, the same year he trusted Christ as His Savior. More than a decade later, as he sat down to write an admissions essay on what his plans were after graduation, his answer was easy: missions. Young Andrew wrote that he’d love to spend a year learning from a veteran missionary.

Two years later, God dropped that very opportunity in his lap. A Word of Life Bible Institute graduate and student at Moody Bible Institute, Andrew sat awestruck listening to Verwer as he spoke at Moody’s annual Missions Conference. The missionary seemed to Andrew to be “the most transparent, real guy I’d ever seen.” He was just the kind of man Andrew had always wanted as a mentor.

Andrew’s intuition that Verwer was a powerful presence in missions was correct. Verwer started the work of Operation Mobilisation (OM) with a goal of inspiring young people around the world to live and share the Gospel of Jesus. The organization today has more than 6,100 people working in more than 110 countries. Each year, Verwer selects one recent graduate to travel country-to-country with him, visiting different OM sites. It’s an assistant role known affectionately as a “gofer.” It’s a competitive position — and one Andrew knew he had to have.

“I feel that in order to be successful in ministry — to lead well — you must follow well. I saw this “gofer” role as the perfect opportunity to do that, so I could be a servant for George. Then, hopefully, that would shape me into the leader that I want to be,” Andrew says.

The recent graduate felt like he’d been lifted from a crowd when he was selected for the position. Now, after a year spent as Verwer’s gofer, the Bible Institute alumnus says the night at the Missions Conference when he first heard Verwer speak feels like ages ago. The past 12 months have been spent reaching others for Christ, in the furthest corners of the world — from England, Ireland, and Africa to India and Thailand — alongside a mentor Andrew calls “incredibly wise.” Drawing a familiar analogy, he says traveling with Verwer is like “walking in the dust of the rabbi.”

“There’s definitely no ‘normal schedule’ as a George ‘gofer,’” Andrew says. A typical day could include anything from spreading the Word of God with a small village in India to church planting in North Africa.

Although each trip has brought new perspective to Andrew’s journey with God, he points to his time in India as the most transformative.

“George is like the Billy Graham of India, I like to say,” Andrew says, laughing. “It was really challenging to see the need in India. It’s a paradoxical place because God is working there, and you can see that in the fact that [Christianity] is growing. But there’s still a great need — especially among Muslim groups.”

Andrew emphasizes that Christians need to have love for Muslim people. These are people for whom Christ died, and it’s the responsibility of Christians to spread that good news.

Through it all, Andrew says he is so thankful for the solid biblical training he received at the Bible Institute, including lessons that prepared him well for some of the world’s darkest places.

The passion for evangelism he developed at the Bible Institute became especially important. He says in his first year, in Florida (he spent one year at each U.S. campus), the focus was mainly on evangelism. He smiles as he remembers the days he and his friends would take out what they called the “evange-van” and witness.

Last year, with so much time spent on buses, airplanes, and trains traveling from city to city, Andrew put to use what he’d practiced in Florida.

“I try to share Christ with every person I sit beside,” he says.

He remembers the first chance he got to share his testimony on the journey, with a young German woman named Tina. She said she knew the Lord as her Savior but admitted she’d strayed from the Word. Andrew shared one of Verwer’s books with her, and she promised it would keep her company during her three-hour layover.

Aside from giving him the opportunity to witness, the gofer program has compounded Andrew’s biblical training.

“I’ve definitely gained a bigger perspective of what the Lord is doing around the world. I’ve learned about humility, repentance — just so much,” he says. “It’s incredible to see God’s work firsthand.”

Andrew says he’s often thought back to Joe Jordan’s discipleship class as he works with Verwer around the world.

He says, “That’s my heart — church planting, and training future Christian leaders.”

Andrew’s journey to Africa will be the start of his new role as a “gofer” graduate. His time with Verwer was so impactful that he’s decided to extend it for another year. During this time he’ll work with different missions organizations to take the Word to new populations, research where help is needed, raise money for special projects, and more.

Although Verwer won’t be physically present to guide Andrew through his time in Africa, the former “gofer” knows Verwer is still there to disciple him.

“We’ll be lifelong friends,” he says. “George is more than just a mentor — he’s a close friend for eternity.”

Andrew is right — Verwer still keeps in touch with all of his former “gofers,” a number that now reaches more than 60 people. After a year spent spreading the Word in such extreme situations, a powerful bond is formed between Verwer and his “gofers.” For Andrew, it’s a bond so strong that he would like to do more traveling with his mentor sometime again.

“George loves trains,” he says. “I’d love to visit him and go on a train trip somewhere together — I think that’d be pretty neat.”

Andrew doesn’t know what he’ll do after he completes his year as a “gofer” graduate, but he figures he’ll find out in Africa. Until then, he’s set on doing his part to spread the Word.

“We talk of the second coming,” he says, pausing, “but half of the world has never heard of the first.”

Where Are They Now: Guest Lecturers.

One of the best parts of the Bible Institute is the wide variety of guest lecturers students get to learn from each year. Many of these guest lecturers are also involved in ministries and schools where Bible Institute alumni are now. Here’s a rundown of this year’s guest lecturers for the different campuses, including where they’re coming from and what they’re teaching. You may be able to make a connection.

New York, First Year

• Dr. Wendell Calder, founder of Local Church Evangelism, evangelist,
  conference speaker (James)
• Bruce Scott, field ministries director for The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry (Matthew)
• Dr. Larry Moyer, founder and CEO of Evan Tell, Inc. (Personal Evangelism)
• Dr. John Master, professor emeritus at Cairn University, Langhorne, Pennsylvania (Leviticus)
• Dr. Jimmy De Young, evangelist and conference speaker (Revelation 6-22)
• Dr. Doug Bookman, director of student recruitment, professor of New Testament at Shepherds Theological Seminary (Passion Week)
• Rev. Bill Boulet, senior pastor of Heritage Baptist Church in Lakeland, Florida (Revelation 1-5)
• Dr. Chris Gnanakan, executive director of Outreach To Asia Nationals in Winchester, Virginia (Acts)
• Mr. Don Lough Jr., executive director of Word of Life Fellowship (1 Peter)
• Mr. Mark Strout, executive dean of Word of Life Bible Institute
  (Bible Survey, Daniel)
• Mr. David Payne, associate pastor at Spring Hill Bible Church in Brooksville, Florida (Hebrews)
• Dr. Dan Anderson, president of Appalachian Bible College, Mount Hope, West Virginia (Ezra)
• Dr. Ray Pritchard, author and conference speaker, president of Keep Believing Ministries (Galatians)
• Mr. Mike Calhoun, special assistant to the director for ministry development, Word of Life Fellowship (Ecclesiastes)
• Rev. Dave James, conference speaker, The Alliance for Biblical Integrity (Church History 3)
• Rev. John Bouquet, senior pastor at Bethel Baptist Church, Savannah, Ohio (1 Corinthians)
• Rev. Ric Garland, vice president of Word of Life Local Church Ministries (Proverbs)
• Dr. Ken Cleaver, associate professor, Church History and Theology at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia (Church History 1)
• Dr. Marshall Wicks, associate academic dean at the Bible Institute’s Florida campus (Eschatology)
• Dr. Terry Mortenson, lecturer, researcher with Answers in Genesis (Creationism)
• Dr. James Jeffery, president of Baptist Bible College (Ecclesiology)
• Dr. Ben Gutierrez, professor at Liberty University (Philippians)
• Dr. Charles Scheide, former pastor and former associate academic dean at the Bible Institute’s Florida campus (Pastoral Epistles)
• Dr. Thomas White, president, Cedarville University (Pneumatology)
• Dr. Steve Viars, senior pastor and Nouthetic counselor at Faith Baptist Church, Lafayette, Indiana (Counseling)
• Mr. Gerald Franz, former college librarian and professor at Hodges University (Church History 2)
• Dr. Tom Davis, academic dean, Word of Life Bible Institute (Theology)

New York, Second Year

• Dr. Richard Emmons, pastor and professor at Cairn University
  (Genesis 12-50)
• Mr. Mike Calhoun (Philosophy)
• Dr. Jim Bjornstad, former professor at Cedarville University (Cults 1 & 2)
• Mr. Bruce Peterson, founder of Total Life Management (Leadership)
• Dr. Dan Anderson, president of Appalachian Bible College, Mount Hope, West Virginia (Nehemiah)
• Mr. Gary Ingersoll, professor at the Bible Institute’s Florida campus
  (Children’s Ministries)
• Dr. Marshall Wicks (Contemporary Issues 1, Theological Methodology)
• Dr. Jerry Johnson, president of Criswell College in Dallas, Texas (Contemporary Issues 2)
• Dr. Tom Davis, Executive Dean Mark Strout, Dean of Students Joe Schenke, Dean of Men Jeff Lewis (Contemporary Issues 3)
• Mr. Kris Stout, vice president of Word of Life International Ministries (Discipleship)
• Dr. Steve Wilt, general director of Fellowship International Mission, Allentown, Pennsylvania (Prayer)
• Dr. Matt McAlack, professor at Cairn University (History of Christian Education)
• Dr. Wendell Calder (2 Corinthians)
• Rev. Doug Reider, associate academic dean at Bible Institute’s Owen Sound campus (1 John)
• Dr. Russell Woodbridge, professor at Kiev Theological Seminary, Kiev, Ukraine (Personal Finances)
• Mr. Don Lough, Jr. (Spiritual Gifts)
• Mr. Sean Pierce, director of Northeast Church Planting in Schenectady, New York (Church Planting)
• Mr. Tom Phillips, director of Youth Camps and Music, Word of Life Fellowship (Christian Manhood)
• Rev. Glenn Amos, pastor at Heritage Baptist in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania (Life Transitions)
• Dr. Emir Caner, former Muslim and president of Truett-McConnell College (Islamic Evangelism)
• Rev. Tom Simcox, church ministries training coordinator at Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, Bellmawr, New Jersey (Jewish Evangelism)
• Dr. Larry Moyer (Evangelistic Public Speaking)
• Rev. Frank Eberhardt, founding director of Gospel Outreach International to Roman Catholics (Roman Catholic Evangelism)
• Dr. Charles Scheide (Local Church Administration)
• Mrs. Joy White, adjunct professor at Cedarville University
  (Women’s Ministries)
• Dr. Randy Patten, executive director, National Association of Nouthetic Counselors (Counseling 2)

Florida

• Dr. Ray Pritchard (James, Daniel)
• Mr. Tom Phillips (Judges)
• Mr. Mark Strout (Genesis 1-11, Eschatology)
• Dr. Larry Moyer (Personal Evangelism)
• Rev. Bill Boulet (Revelation 1-5)
• Dr. Tom Davis (Leviticus, Revelation 6-22)
• Mr. Bruce Scott (Matthew)
• Dr. Steve Wilt (1 Peter)
• Rev. John Bouquet (John)
• Mr. David Payne (Hebrews)
• Dr. Wendell Calder (Acts, Galatians, Ephesians)
• Dr. James Jeffery (Ecclesiology)
• Dr. John Master (Philippians)
• Dr. Jerry Franz (Church History 2)
• Mr. Mike Calhoun (Ecclesiastes)
• Dr. Dan Anderson (Ezra)
• Rev. Tom Simcox (Church History 3)
• Dr. Steve Viars (Counseling)
• Dr. Charles Scheide (Pastoral Epistles)
• Rev. Ric Garland (Proverbs)
• Dr. Ken Cleaver (Church History 1)
• Mr. Adam Christmas, professor at Trinity Baptist College in Jacksonville, Florida (Pneumatology)
• Dr. Marshall Wicks (Theology)
• Mr. Gary Ingersoll (Bible Survey)

Owen Sound

• Dr. Wendell Calder (James)
• Rev. John Cross, evangelist, author (Evangelism)
• Rev. Steve Hobbs, pastor, Vincent Baptist Church, Chester Springs, Pennsylvania (Haggai/Malachi)
• Dr. Ken Gardoski, professor, Baptist Bible Seminary (1 Corinthians)
• Rev. Dave James (Church History)
• Dr. Jimmy DeYoung (Revelation )
• Rev. Ken Fillmore, pastor, The Peoples Church, Truro, Nova Scotia (Galatians)
• Rev. Steve Faulkner, pastor, Emmanuel Bible Church, Simcoe, Ontario (Proverbs)
• Rev. Bob Snell, pastor, First Baptist Church, Waterloo, Ontario (Ecclesiology)
• Rev. Frank Roe, representative , ABWE Canada (Acts)
• Rev. John Boyd, pastor for more than 40 years in the Maritimes, Ontario, and the U.S. (Ephesians)
• Rev. Paul Harbourne, pastor, Fellowship Baptist Church, Collingwood, Ontario (Hebrews)
• Rev. Matthew Little, president, New Brunswick Bible Institute (2 Peter/Jude)
• Dr. Gary Gromacki, professor, Baptist Bible Seminary (Genesis)
• Rev. Jeff Eastwood, associate pastor, Grace Baptist Church, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island (John)
• Dr. Ronald Gibson, retired professor, Lancaster Bible College (Daniel)
• Rev. Mark Lowrie, pastor, South End Fellowship Baptist Church, Owen Sound, Ontario (Judges)
• Dr. Wayne Strickland, provost, Multnomah University, Portland, Oregon (Church History)
• Dr. Charles Scheide (Pastoral Epistles)
• Dr. Tom Davis (Leviticus)
• Dr. Marshall Wicks (Pneumatology)
• Mr. Gary Stairs, former executive director, Word of Life Canada (John,
  Church History)
• Mr. Mark Strout (Eschatology)
• Mr. Scott Foreman, executive director, Word of Life Canada (Matthew)
• Mr. John Fogle, academic dean, Word of life Bible Institute Philippines (Joshua)
• Rev. Joe Schenke (Counseling)

 Jeju

• Rev. Ric Garland (James)
• Dr. Gary Gromacki (Genesis 1-11)
• Mr. Brad Quackenbush, Apt to Teach Ministries (Exodus, Judges, Ruth)
• Dr. Randy Faulkner, senior pastor, Metropolitan Baptist Church, Oklahoma City (Joshua)
• Mr. Bob Anderson, founder/director of Trail's End Ranch (Matthew)
• Mr. Steve Nicholes, associate dean at the Bible Institute's Jeju campus (Leviticus)
• Mr. David James (Hebrews)
• Dr. Jeff Billingsley, former pastor and teacher for Walk Thru the Bible (Acts)
• Mr. Joe Schenke (Biblical Counseling)
• Dr. Paul Holritz, Biblical Ministries Worldwide (1&2 Timothy/Titus)
• Mr. Mark Hall, missionary director for Word of Life Bermuda (1 Peter)
• Mr. Mark Strout (Ephesians, Bible Geography, Israel Study Trip)
• Dr. David Dean, professor of Bible and Systematic Theology at Yan Fook Bible Institute, Hong Kong (Daniel)
• Dr. William Ki, professor at Yan Fook Bible Institute (Church History)
• Dr. Mike Eiras, senior pastor, First Baptist Church, Dent, Ohio (Galatians)
• Dr. Jerry Kroll, pastor emeritus, Heritage Baptist Church, Lynchburg, Virginia (2 Peter/Jude)
• Dr. Wendell Calder (Philippians)
• Pastor Dave Merkh, missionary, Word of Life Seminary, Atibaia, Brazil (Proverbs)
• Dr. Charles Savelle, adjunct professor, Criswell College, Dallas, Texas (Revelation)

Treating bodies, spreading the Word: Dr. Dick Stagg.

When God called Dr. Richard Stagg and his family from their small Midwestern town to the crowded streets of southern Bangladesh, he knew he’d need as much spiritual training as he could get. He and his wife prepared their hearts for the journey at the Bible Institute in New York, graduating with the second-ever class in 1972.

“Leave your country and your people,” God said, “and go to the land I will show you.”
(Acts 7:3)

“Very seldom have I had a verse grab me by the throat like that,” Dr. Richard “Dick” Stagg says.

He came across the Scripture during his Quiet Time, just two days after finding out he’d have to leave the office where he practiced family medicine. It was the final push he needed to accept God’s call to enter the mission field.

Stagg first considered medical missions four years prior when Dr. Viggo Olsen of the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism (ABWE) visited his town of Paulding, Ohio. When Dr. Olsen visited again just two months before that life-changing quiet time, Stagg asked him to speak at his church and invited him to stay with his family. The doctor once again challenged Stagg to talk with God about serving overseas.

“He asked me to pray about it, but I knew I was where the Lord wanted me to be (then),” Stagg recalls.

However, the verse in Acts — on top of a notice to vacate his office and the visit from Dr. Olsen — soon convinced him otherwise. Stagg and his family were headed to Bangladesh.

He was excited to follow the Lord to Bangladesh, but to be a successful teacher, counselor, and missionary, Stagg knew he needed the depth of Scripture immersion that few places can provide. He and his wife, Carol, enrolled in the Bible Institute and moved their family to Schroon Lake, excited to delve into God’s Word.

At the Bible Institute, Stagg could practice Word of Life’s discipleship, ministry, and personal growth approach without distraction.

“I had nothing to do but study God’s Word,” he recalls. “It was very enjoyable and satisfying — something I never thought I’d be able to do.”

The Stagg family also helped with Snow Camp and spent the following summer on staff at the Inn. Then it was time to load a plane to the Middle East.

Stagg, his wife, Carol, and daughters Kathy, Karen, and Kristen were thrilled to begin their new lives as missionaries. The girls — ages 11, 10, and 7 at the time of the move — had been included in the prayerful decision-making process of entering the mission field and were excited for the adventure of a new home thousands of miles away.

The country, about the size of Wisconsin, was home to approximately 75 million people when they arrived. “It was one of the poorest countries in the world and the most crowded,” Stagg notes.

He, Carol, and the girls adjusted to a new culture, different customs, and not having a mall or grocery store nearby. They spent 15 years abroad with a furlough only every four years, during which they’d stock up on everything from birthday cards and anniversary gifts to clothes and shoes for their growing daughters.

Though the cultural difference was significant, Stagg says adjusting to his role as a missionary doctor was his greatest challenge.

“Once, six men came in from a machete fight in which they’d crushed one another’s skulls,” he recalls. “I was in surgery from nine that evening until noon the next day. Five of the six lived.” Considering the injuries, he adds, “I thought that was pretty good.”

The country’s turbulent nature challenged Stagg’s evangelistic efforts as well. Many of his patients were antagonistic to the Gospel. But he connected with Bangladeshis through the common Bengali language and, starting with a doctor-patient relationship, was able to open hearts to God’s truth.

“People knew their physical need, and by addressing it in a kind, loving, and competent way, they were then more willing to listen about the spiritual need they hadn’t been aware of,” he says.

Stagg deems this outreach the most satisfying aspect of his time in Bangladesh. The doctors, nurses, and physical therapists he worked with shared this commitment to ministry, and the group helped one another stay focused on their goal of shining Christ’s light in the predominantly Muslim area.

“Being so oppressive, it drew us all together,” Stagg says. “We were forced to depend on God and each other, which strengthened our spiritual resolve.”

Realizing the need for biblical training of Bangladeshi Christians, Stagg took a leave of six weeks from his medical responsibilities to help establish an institute for biblical learning. He began by teaching the book of Romans at both Memorial Christian and at ABWE’s headquarters in Chittagong. Today, the school is known as the Baptist Bible College of Bangladesh and has campuses in both Chittagong and Malumghat.

Stagg recalls a young student named Provanjan, who came to know the Lord through a nurse who worked at Memorial Christian. Provanjan had grown up in a Hindu family but fervently embraced the hope of the Gospel. He was handpicked to attend the Bible college, and in addition to studying, working full time, and caring for his family, he traveled to a nearby village at least once each week to witness. He eventually started teaching Bible classes and helped establish a church in the village. Stagg says he’s never met anyone more committed to serving God — and Provanjan was the first person he met who tithed his time as well as money.

The Stagg family returned to the U.S. in 1988 when Carol’s failing health became worse, and Stagg began working as an emergency room doctor at a hospital in Ohio. Within five years, ABWE was in his life once again. The international ministry had moved its headquarters from Cherry Hill, New Jersey, to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and its president offered Stagg the part-time, unpaid position of medical director.

“Of course I said yes,” Stagg says, chuckling.

He worked at a local hospital and was ABWE’s medical director for 17 years, retiring in 2010 at age 72. He now lives in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, with his second wife, Linda, whom he married four years after Carol passed away.

Upon his retirement, Stagg returned to Bangladesh for the first time in more than 20 years. He and Linda were thrilled to find Bangladeshi Christians further spreading the good news to a community in great need.

“It was so satisfying to see nationals running the school and teaching the classes,” Stagg says. “I never thought I’d see spiritual fruit in Bangladesh in my lifetime.”

After such a clear sign to pick up his family, work through intense Bible study, and go to the mission field, Stagg has also seen the obvious proof that God was ready to bring a harvest.

Editor’s Note: Word of Life is aware of allegations concerning ABWE. Dr. Stagg’s ministry is not a part of any of these allegations.

RV Park: A great option for community.

We told you a little about Word of Life Florida’s RV Park in previous issues. Here’s some more from two Bible Institute alumni who have made the RV Park their home. If you’re reaching retirement age and are looking for a Christian community to be a part of, visit http://flconference.wol.org/content/rvpark.

Bob and Suzanne Hazard have been involved with Word of Life since 1974, when they spent a week’s vacation at Word of Life Inn shortly after getting saved. They enjoyed their time at Word of Life so much that, 10 years later, Bob resigned from his job in law enforcement and moved with Suzanne and their three children to New York to attend the Bible Institute.

Bob and Suzanne loved their year at the Bible Institute, where they became grounded in the Word and grew close to many people. They even considered moving overseas to Australia, but that door did not open, and they instead settled in southwest Florida. After seeing two of their children attend the Bible Institute (and meet their spouses there), they looked into Florida’s RV Park as retirement neared.

Bob and Suzanne say they could not have retired to a better place. "It's like being at the Bible Institute all over again," Bob says. RV Park members can hear all the world-class speakers who come to Word of Life, attend Bible Institute classes, and use the recreational facilities.

Bob and Suzanne are also active outside the RV Park community. They joined Idlewild Baptist Church, and Bob rides a motorcycle, a lifelong passion, with friends from church and the RV Park. Suzanne leads a water aerobics class and has made many new, like-minded friends. It has been the perfect setting for their silver years.

Refresh: There really is a tree.

Whether you serve in ministry or have a secular job where your everyday work is a form of ministry, we can all become discouraged at some point. It could be a pastorate or mission field where it’s difficult to find anyone open to Christ. It may be a career or project that remains incomplete or just never turns out right.

Many of us, day to day, are waging the battles not only of flesh and blood but also against the pressures of time, the opinions of people, or the limits of human ability in a fallen world. We wonder how much of what we do will last or make any difference. Often, we fight competing desires, and we wonder why we have to deal with circumstances that come up rather than doing what we think will make a difference for God.

I recently heard someone share a story about a moment of doubt for J.R.R. Tolkien as he was writing his famous Lord of the Rings series. Tolkien had undertaken a monumental task, albeit with great intentions — he hoped his tale would tell the story of his God in a way that would reveal truth to many people who wouldn’t otherwise consider the message.

But Tolkien was struggling to get the work done, and as time and the bombings of Britain in World War II closed in, he fell into despair, wondering if he would finish or if all would go to waste.

Tolkien took a break in that darkness and wrote a short story about a character called Niggle. Much like Tolkien, Niggle had embarked on a project: a painting of a beautiful landscape that was taking him a long time to complete. As he got older, though, Niggle feared he wouldn’t finish the painting before he died.

Niggle had tried to be diligent, but other people had needed his help. Rather than spending his time devoted to the painting he thought had so much worth and beauty, Niggle was regularly distracted by the everyday needs of people around him. His schedule was not his own, and his days were sidetracked by giving others a hand. He ended up dying with the painting only partially finished. Of all his attempts, just one perfect, intricate leaf survived from the tree at the center of what was to be a beautiful work of art.

The worries of Niggle’s life, though, where he spent so much time concerned that his work would not be finished, vanished when he arrived in Heaven. There before him was his painting — his complete tree. The time he had spent pursuing the calls for help that God put before him had turned into eternal reality, where the picture he could only imagine on earth turned into real, forever worth.

“There really is a tree,” the person said of the many visions and hopes we all have but fear will never see completion on this earth.

There really is a tree. There really is a hope — a God Who knows our hearts and motivations. While we often labor without knowing whether our work has impact, God promises something more. This God sees fruit where we see only planted seeds. This God smiles at results where we know only fleeting conversations. This God sees trees where we have only blank canvases.

“Do not tire in doing good” (Galatians 6:9).

Or, as I tell myself instead these days: There really is a tree.

Jen Slothower, Class of 2006, is the editor of The Victory Journal. She writes for the New England Sports Network in Boston.

Campus Update: New York campus renovations.

The New York campus was in the midst of a mini-makeover this summer. Here’s a look at some of the changes:

• South America dorm: new bathrooms, carpet, fixtures, and furnishings
• Hungary dorm: interior painting and all new flooring
• Chile and Turkey dorms: new furnishings
• Scotland dorm: roof replacement
• Council Hall: new windows and ventilation system
• Fieldhouse: interior repainting
• Student lounge: new furnishings, carpet, and fireplace
• Snak Shak: new furnishings, wood flooring, large-screen TVs
• Kitchen and Snak Shak: equipment upgrades
• Jack Wyrtzen center: parking lot resealing
• Dorm security upgrades
• Emergency electrical backup improvements

Be Praying: January Ministries Schedule.

The New York campus is in the thick of winter ministry. See what's happening in January, and pray along with us. 

Snow Camp
Jan. 17-19: Snow Camp Weekend 1
Jan. 24-26: Snow Camp Weekend 2
Jan. 31-Feb. 2: Snow Camp Weekend 3 

Church Support Ministry
Each week students travel to local churches to help with children’s ministry, youth ministry, and other aspects of the church. Students help at these churches on a weekly basis:

Cornerstone Alliance Church in Ticonderoga, N.Y.
Faith Bible Church in Chestertown, N.Y.
Grace Bible Fellowship in Olmstedville, N.Y.
Grace Fellowship in Latham, N.Y.
Horicon Baptist Church in Horicon, N.Y.
Lake Champlain Bible Fellowship in Port Henry, N.Y
Lakeside Regional Church in Hague, N.Y.
Maranatha Bible Church in Glens Falls, N.Y.
NorthStar Church in Clifton Park, N.Y.
Perth Bible Church in Amsterdam, N.Y.
Pine Knolls Alliance Church in South Glens Falls, N.Y.
Saranac Lake Baptist Church in Saranac Lake, N.Y.

Where Are They Now? Dr. John Whitcomb.

About Dr. John Whitcomb:
*Taught from 1981-2012 on the New York campus
*Also taught in Florida, Owen Sound, Philippines, Brazil, Germany, Argentina

Get to Know Dr. John Whitcomb:

What did you enjoy most about teaching at the Bible Institute?
The enthusiastic response of the students to the teaching of the Word of God.

What are some of your favorite memories from the Bible Institute?
Young people being illuminated, encouraged, and enlightened to take the message of God’s Word all over the world, and international students coming to the Bible Institute who then took God’s Word to their country.

What makes the Bible Institute different from other schools?
It’s very biblical and not compromised in any area — creation, eschatology, and everything in between! God is Alpha and Omega and everything in between.

What has been your favorite part about teaching God's Word throughout your lifetime?
The fact I don’t have to prove the Bible. The Holy Spirit does the work.

What do you enjoy most about your current time of life?
Staying at home a little bit more to catch up on my desk work. Being able to do radio and the writing of articles and books from home.

Who are some people who have been an encouragement to you? Why? What have they done?
Tom Davis and Marshall Wicks, who were former students of mine. They are now staff at the Bible Institute, and they encourage me every time I see them. Can I mention one more? Jack Wyrtzen! (big chuckle) He was bubbly, glowing, and loved sharing the Gospel. He acted like he loved Jesus!

What is one thing you want to leave with the next generation of Bible students and future Bible teachers?
My life verse, 2 Timothy 2:2: “The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

Dr. Whitcomb is considered a key spokesman for the modern biblical creationism movement, a pursuit that began after he was brought up learning the theory of evolution but was convicted that those teachings did not line up with the Bible. He used his breadth of knowledge in history and the Old Testament to teach and write extensively on the topic, including his books The Early Earth, The World that Perished, Esther: The Triumph of God’s Sovereignty, The Genesis Flood, and Coming to Grips with Genesis: Biblical Authority and the Age of the Earth, which was written in his honor.

Dr. Whitcomb also has a particular passion for global ministry, stemming from a childhood in Asia and service in World War II. He helped establish a church in Puerto Rico and did missions work in Peru and China. He was president of the Board of Spanish World Gospel Missions for more than 40 years.

After earning his bachelors at Princeton University, Dr. Whitcomb received his masters and doctorate at Grace Theological Seminary, where he also taught theology for nearly 40 years. He is the founder and president of Whitcomb Ministries.

Click here for some memories of Dr. Whitcomb from the associate academic dean at the Bible Institute's Owen Sound campus, Doug Reider. 

Dr. Whitcomb: Leaving an impression on the Owen Sound campus.

Memories about Dr. John Whitcomb from Doug Reider, associate academic dean of the Bible Institute's Owen Sound campus

*Dr. Whitcomb taught Genesis 1-11 for eight years.

*Even during the SARS outbreak, while he was still recovering from chemotherapy, he was willing to come to Ontario.

*He greeted students from foreign countries in their own language, showing his amazing ability to remember languages.

*At one point, I discussed with him that I had been looking to read Darius the Mede, which was out of print and very hard to find but is universally referenced when discussing the book of Daniel. He jokingly said it was the worst-selling book that Zondervan ever published. The next year, he brought his last copy for me to read. For as technical a book as it was, it was amazingly good to read.

*Dr. Whitcomb’s fantastic ability to remember people and details really set him apart. Many Owen Sound alumni would comment to me that he remembered them when he saw them at second year in New York. Clearly, he would get to know the students in Owen Sound a bit better due to the class size, but he would also ask me about certain students the next year. He might not have immediately recalled the name, but he would remember the people.

Click here to read The Victory Journal's "Where Are They Now?" with Dr. John Whitcomb.

On the road again: A message from the chancellor.

Remember the words from the popular 1980s song, “On the road again — I just can’t wait to get on the road again?” While this song came long after the Apostle Paul’s time, he certainly would have identified with the lyrics. If such a thing existed, Paul would have qualified as a charter member of AAA or even as a platinum frequent flyer.

Paul covered more than 9,000 miles on his missionary journeys. Venues like synagogues, markets, and even Mars Hill provided him with a platform to reach people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He did not wait for people to come to him — he went to them.

Following Paul’s example, Word of Life is increasing our road presence. Our goal is to leverage new opportunities to join with you and with local churches across America in getting the Gospel out. If you attended Word of Life rallies or traveled on tours with Jack and Harry, you know the value and impact of “hitting the road” and reaching people where they live.

This December we launched our brand-new Christmas production Magi.

Also, after a wildly successful pilot phase, Intersect Camps are now preparing for a new season of impacting thousands of young people in major cities across the Northeast. These one-day events are designed to take Word of Life camp to the cities of America. We have already seen more than 160 people trust Christ at these events. Check our website for more details and dates on these road initiatives. Get involved with us!

As we take some big steps forward, we can hardly wait to see you “on the road again.” In the meantime, thank you for your faithful prayers and friendship.

Bible Institute: Stay Up-to-Date.

Wondering what's happening at the Bible Institute around the world? Take a look at wordoflife.edu. The website has been greatly enhanced, including everything a prospective student needs to know, as well as a page that shows all the key dates for each of the four campuses.

Victory Journal Issue 8: Online.

You can find all the articles from the latest Victory Journal on this blog, but if you'd like to see a PDF version of the actual magazine, click here.

Also, if you are not receiving the print copy, please send us your updated contact info at alumni@wol.org, and we'll get you on our mailing list.