Campus Update: Bible Institute moves across U.S., into Africa

By Dick Dray, Associate Executive Dean, New York campus

For many years, Jack Wyrtzen would introduce Word of Life’s radio program as being from high, high, high in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. He also would say at times that Word of Life was reaching youth both around the corner and around the world. This past December, through the Bible Institute, we saw exactly that happen.

In the last issue of The Victory Journal, Bible Institute Chancellor Don Lough, Jr. talked about student groups heading to New England and the southeastern United States for various music and drama tours, including the new original presentation Magi as well as a Collegian group and the ensemble Redemption.

During the nearly two weeks these groups were out, they shared the message of God’s Word through music and drama in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Ohio, West Virginia, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Maine. We saw God work in bringing in more than 18,000 people in attendance. More than 100 people made decisions for Christ, and we made many great contacts with alumni and potential future Bible Institute students.

At the same, we saw God working “around the world.”

Bible Institute Executive Dean Mark Strout headed to Uganda to connect with Thomas Obunde (Class of 1995, 2000) and David Kirabira (2005, 2007) to work on plans to open another Bible Institute campus there, on the continent of Africa, this fall. At this time, a one-year program is planned, with 25 students anticipated to start the inaugural school year this September, although the campus as is can hold up to 50 students.

Teaching will be provided by resident lecturers from Uganda and surrounding countries, as well as some professors from the U.S. campuses, and additional options will be considered for ongoing training at the school as the Bible Institute looks to train up future leaders for Africa.

It’s been a packed fall and winter so far, but we’re only get started as we continue to watch God work both here around the corner and out around the world.

Testimony Corner: Benjamin Ward, Class of 2005.

In my time at Word of Life, I learned the value of accountability, methods for Bible study that I still put into practice, and so much more. I met several godly men who have become my best friends. We still keep in touch to encourage and pray for each other — which is a huge asset to ministry — even though we live on different continents.

Right now I live in Kpalimé, Togo, West Africa, and I just finished studying the Ewe language. In August I will probably move back to Ghana, West Africa, where I will be involved with children, youth, sports, evangelism, and discipleship ministries. It is exciting to see how the Lord has helped me acquire the language, and I am looking forward to the months ahead and all He has planned.

Camp at Word of Life taught me patience in ministry, self-sacrifice, and how to handle tough situations. These lessons continue to guide me today in my life and ministry, as living in a foreign culture and communicating in a language I am still learning takes a lot of patience sometimes. But the lost must hear! I also appreciate having godly friends back home that I can talk to and ask for advice.

The list could go on and on for how my years at Word of Life and on the Impact Team help me in life and ministry, but it can all be summed up in this: Those two years are still the best years of my life, and I would never trade them for the world.