Students Speak about the WOLBI staff

DISCLAIMER: No students were interrogated, forced, bribed or otherwise coerced in the obtaining of these quotes. Our staff are very blessed by the students God has brought to WOLBI this year!

"Even though it's only been 3 months, WOL and the staff members here have impacted my life so much.  They are so willing to talk, listen, and give their time and advice!"

"The Ward family have been a huge influence in the lives of us students.  If Mr. Ward isn't teaching us in class he is usually on the basketball court. He teaches us Bible Survey in class, biblical principles in chapels, and is a great example to us outside of class time in how to live a godly life. Mrs. Ward is my discipler and I have greatly enjoyed getting to know her better and the opportunity to meet with her once a week. She is a big encouragement to me and I learn a lot from just watching how she handles life situations and how she interacts with her kids. Their middle child, was my date to the banquet! I look forward to the rest of the year getting to know them more!"

"WOLBI has greatly ministered in my life thus far. The ministry of the staff, in particular the Reiders and the Wards , has greatly shown to me the love and devotion they have not only to God, but also to the students. My personal growth had been incredible under the discipleship provided and I can't wait to continue here in the New Year."

"For me I think the biggest blessing has been the opportunity to watch  and learn from godly women here at the BI. Being discipled in the kitchen and just interacting with the women here at the BI has challenged me to grow and has been such an encouragement to me! I really appreciate their desire to help me grow."

Students Speak about Chapels

DISCLAIMER: No students were interrogated, forced, bribed or otherwise coerced in the obtaining of these quotes. WOLBI very blessed by the students God has brought this year!

Each week we have 3 chapel services to look at God's Word in a more practical way than the academic environment of class. Wednesday is Director's Chapel with Gary Stairs, the Executive Director of Word of Life Canada and focuses on Encouraging students to commit all their lives to God. Thursday is a Guest Chapel Exposing students to personal testimonies of missionaries and pastors, missions and ministry opportunities around the world. Finally, Fridays are Deans' Chapels Exhorting students to practically apply the Bible truths they are learning throughout the week.
"A speaker was used by the Lord to change my life and I am daily reminded of the things I have been taught in chapel."

"The Deans' chapels have been on "when the pressure is on, what is on the inside comes out". Those chapels have been really encouraging to me and very applicable (especially having 3 roommates). The whole program at WOLBI gives lots of opportunities to put the things we have been learning in the chapels into practice."

"I really appreciated Mr. Stairs message on Matthew 15:32. The three tough questions Jesus asked His disciples. And it really touched my life when He said, "Little is much when God is with me". Thank you!"

"Chapel are great in teaching practical applications of scripture."

"Chapels are unforgettable!  I am permanently scared from Mr. Ward's "pressure is on" chapel!" (You'll just have to come and experience this one for yourself).

"Love wins. In one of our Deans' chapels, we learned that in order to be satisfied in relationships or marriage we must be satisfied now. Since this chapel I have shared this simple truth with many friends from home who are getting into relationships and it is changing their view on dating. It is awesome to see people respond to the truth we are being taught here."

Students Speak about Discipleship

DISCLAIMER: No students were interrogated, forced, bribed or otherwise coerced in the obtaining of these quotes. The Bible Institute is very blessed by the students God has brought this year!

Word of Life Bible Institute is not just about knowing the Bible but growing in our relationship with Jesus Christ. One of the ways we grow together here at WOLBI is personal discipleship. Whether you call it personal ministry, biblical counseling, mentoring or whatever, each student has the opportunity to volunteer to meet weekly with a staff member to talk, pray, and encourage each other in their faith. We currently have 31 of our 41 students involved in some form of weekly discipleship and accountability with staff members.

"Something that has been a big blessing for me so far in the year has been discipleship. There have been times where I feel like I am the only one struggling with the issue that I have. Through discipleship I have learned that this struggle is actually very common and the Bible has the exact answer for it. The more I get into God's Word the more I learn about the mighty God we serve."

Speaking of discipleship with a particular staff member, one student said, "He changed the way I used to think and taught me life-values from the Bible. He taught me how to make biblical principles for my life. He taught me how to act proper in the way I treat and act with my parents. He taught me how to deal with many bad situations."

"I have greatly enjoyed getting to know my discipler better and the opportunity to meet with her once a week. She is a big encouragement to me and I learn a lot from just watching how she handles life situations and how she interacts with her kids." 

Learning the Word: Leviticus

From WOLBRANOS

Dr. Tom Davis has been teaching the Book of Leviticus this week. Dr. Davis received his BS in Bible from Lancaster Bible College, an MDiv from Grace Theological Seminary, took Advanced Studies at Jerusalem University College and obtained his PhD from Nova Southeastern University. He is our Academic Dean of WOLBI and a Professor at the Schroon Lake, New York campus.
Here is what Dr. Davis has to say about teaching here in Canada this year:

"I believe this is the 20th time I have taught through Leviticus as a guest lecturer at a Word of Life campus. I am increasingly impressed with how the 5 offerings in Leviticus 1-7 parallel the 5 paragraphs of the "Suffering Servant" passage in Isaiah 52:13-53:12. I also enjoy thinking about how the first five holidays in Leviticus 23-25 parallel events in Christ's First Coming and how the second five seem to parallel what we know about Christ's Second Coming.  Personally it is awesome to think that we don't have to sacrifice any animals today but in Hebrews 12 we are reminded that we are to offer the "sacrifice of praise"!!"

One student was impressed with how, "It's interesting how Dr. Davis incorporates Greek and Hebrew words into his teaching, and learning the significance of all the sacrifices." Another said, "Talking about the Passover, Jewish holidays, the many ceremonial laws and how so many things were fulfilled in Christ was cool. It was great to see the reason for all of them."

A night before Christmas...Wolbi style

It was an amazing, festive night on Friday the 3rd when we all gathered together in the cozy classroom which had been transformed into a Holiday wonderland for the annual WOLBI Christmas Banquet. 

From WOLBRANOS

There was joy to the Campus and we were all dressed in our finest fashions; the guys in their suits and Christmas ties, and the girls in their white dresses with blue satin sashes...and other variations of beautiful Christmas dresses.
The evening started out with pictures of couples and friends in the foyer which had been dressed in Christmas splendor just for the occasion.

From WOLBRANOS
Then a holly jolly meal followed of roasted lamb and chicken, with twice baked potatoes, asparagus with cheese, and carrots. The best part was by far the chocolate fountain for dessert with all types of fruit and cream puffs to shower in melted chocolate!
Not only were our tummies filled, and hearts warmed, but we were greatly entertained by our fellowship with each other, and the spectacular program that was put on during the night.

From WOLBRANOS

"It was really great to spend a whole meal together with the whole class and all the staff.  We could act like a goof at the banquet and not be embarrassed by it cause we have become that close within three short months."

Laughter and yuletide cheer filled the banquet hall as a slide show was presented depicting each guy student with their Super Hero alter-egos. The student ministry team Testify did their special rendition of 'Jingle Bells', a zany skit was performed by the guy RA's, and awards were presented to those special athletes who had participated in the recent WOLBI floor hockey tournament. Even though only a few received the first prize trophy, lots of the other players felt like winners as they were recognized with admiration and love.

From WOLBRANOS

Many a teary eye watched and students and staff waved their hands to the beat of a special performance of  "Can You Feel The Love". We aren't sure if the tears were an indication that the performance was touching, or amusing.
Finally, a student council member read us her special  revised version of  the poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas". The words had been changed to appeal to the WOLBI audience. Names of students and staff were mentioned along with funny things we are all known for throughout the WOLBI community. We cheered and laughed as special class jokes and memories were alluded to through out the poem.
"I liked the entertainment, it was something that everyone could enjoy!"
One of the favorite events of the evening was when we all discovered our "Secret Santa"s and got to open our Christmas gifts! Shouts of comfort and joy filled the air as we anxiously tore through the wrapping paper.
Students, staff, and friends left happy and satisfied, ready to go tell on the mountain the happy memories newly made at our Christmas Banquet.

"So much fun!!  Never a dull moment!  It was one of the most unique banquets yet!"

"An evening filled with joy and happiness!"

Learning the Word - The Pastoral Epistles

From WOLBRANOS

Dave James is a co-founder and the ministry coordinator for The Alliance for Biblical Integrity. Dave served with Word of Life for 22 years and for 16 of those years as the founding director of the Word of Life Bible Institute in Hungary. He received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) from the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in 1980. He received a Diploma in Biblical Studies from the Word of Life Bible Institute in 1986 and a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies (MABS) from Dallas Theological Seminary in 1991.  He has been here for two weeks teaching the pastoral epistles.

Here are a few comments from the students and how they are enjoying the class this week:

"He is a very caring person; you can see that in the way he teaches."

"I learned that godly leaders are always looking for the next generation of godly leaders.  That is a reason to live lives qualified for those opportunities of leadership.  Its been encouraging to keep striving to potentially be a godly leader."

"I really appreciate his approach to doctrine and his conviction for others to see the right way to be living.  Its teaching us how to search for the truth and not just our personal opinion."