MIA (Ministry In Action): Recharge Update

Recharge has been over for almost a month now. The snow has completely melted and spring is on its way. This is the time to thank God for all the work that He did during snow camp and to look forward to the ministry coming in the months ahead. It is possible to go and on about Recharge, but why not hear from the one's who experienced it first hand! Here's what some of the students had to say: 

"I learned that we can serve and glorify God in any area He puts us in"

 - Esther, Quebec 

"Recharge was one of the greatest ministries to be involved here at Word of Life. It didn't even feel like ministry; it was like a party all the time!"

- Nathan, Goulais River


 “It was so spiritually uplifting! I feel so much closer to God. It really changed my life. Thank you so much.”

 “It was a great weekend of fun, but also being challenged in the Word of God was amazing. The sessions were great, and had lots of meaning in them and the speaker was amazing.”

Scott Foreman and Tyler Oldrieve present campers with truth of God's Word

“I brought my friend from school to Recharge this weekend and by the grace of God she got saved! This is a weekend that both of us will never forget so thank you.” 


“It was a really good time, great speakers, good food, and fun games!”


“I think this weekend was a great experience for me. It taught me to trust in God more than trusting in other things.”


Every weekend of Recharge saw campers and leaders make decisions.

56 Salvations
18 Assurances
243 Dedications

To the only wise God our Saviour, 

be glory and majesty, 

dominion and power, 

both now and ever. 

Amen.

Jude 1:25

It is strange to think that in just a few months, campers will be arriving for summer camp on property here at Word of Life. Please keep the students and staff in your prayers as they prepare for this life-changing ministry.

Word Studies: Biblical Counselling

Class:

Week #16: January 16-20
Professor: Mr. Joe Schenke


Assignments: Read and give a book report on the book, Psychobabble by Dr. Richard Ganz and the What To Do When… counselling pamphlets by Jay E. Adams.

Mr. Joe Schenke was born in Chicago from a Polish Catholic background. He trusted Christ as a teenager. Mr. Schenke attended Word of Life Bible Institute and later received a BS from Trinity College and an MA in Biblical Counselling from The Masters College. Mr. Schenke served as Campus Pastor and Dean of Students at Word of Life Bible Institute in Schroon Lake, NY, for over 20 years and as a pastor of counselling and family ministry at Fellowship Bible Church in Sewell, New Jersey, and is once again the Dean of Students at the NY campus.

"Going into the week of Biblical Counselling, I went into it not thinking that I would really get anything out of it. Mr. Schenke was very encouraging and he challenged me that I can counsel people wherever I am, even if it's just being a good friend and being willing to listen to someone who just needs to talk."
- Monica, Sebringville

Biblical Counselling gives the students here at WOLBI an integrated study of how the Bible should be the foundation of life change. Instead of turning to music, seclusion, friends or medication, which is the world's answer, one needs to turn to God's Word when faced with any situation. Mr. Schenke takes principles from the Bible and makes them applicable for each student.  Biblical counselling is not just for the pastor or counsellor, but every believer needs to be prepared to share the truth found in God's Word with others. This class was able to prepare the students for Recharge Snow Camp, where counselling needs come up very often, and also summer camp when counselling is a major part of the weekly ministry.

"Now we exhort you, brethren,

warn them that are unruly,

comfort the feebleminded,

support the weak,

be patient toward all men."

- 1 Thessalonians 5:14

BW

Word Studies: II Peter/Jude

Class: 2 Peter/Jude

Week #6: October 17-21
Professor: Mr. Matthew Little
Assignments: The epistles of II Peter and Jude need to be read once before the classes start on Tuesday morning.
The sections of Be Alert (Warren Wiersbe) dealing with II Peter and Jude are to be read.

Mr. Little is a graduate of New Brunswick Bible Institute (NBBI). Completing four years of training in 1998, he served in pastoral ministries across Ontario and New Brunswick, along with his wife and three children. He is involved in hospital chaplaincy ministry and serves on the Canadian Board of Biblical Ministries Worldwide. In 2008, Mr. Little joined the NBBI faculty as a full-time staff member.


II Peter and Jude are two epistles which cannot be compared to any other books of the Bible. The intent of each book is to expose and condemn false teachers. When one reads these two books, they may seem extremely harsh and unforgiving. However, Peter and Jude are discussing teachers who deserve the condemnations found in these letters. They have no respect for the Word of God or even the Author Himself and teach doctrine directly adverse to what the Bible says. Because of this egregious assault on truth, Peter and Jude seek to warn believers about these false teachers and teach believers discernment and understanding in fighting for the standard of truth found in God's Word.

As Peter and Jude did in these small yet powerful epistles, Mr. Little also seeks to warn the students of false teachers and give them an understanding of truth versus falsehood.

The teacher and some students shared some thoughts on the subject.

"We have to be on guard against apostasy and be firmly grounded in the truth. We have to be proactive in teaching others."
- Mr. Little, New Brunswick

"I've always known the dangers of not being firmly established in the Word, but so far, all through II Peter it stresses how dangerous are the ways of the world and how we need to be aware of false teachers. The book is a giant call to be holy and to know God's truth. It just seems neat to me to be learning about reasons to study God's Word while at the BI."
- Cameron, Mt. Forest

"This week in the II Peter and Jude class, I am learning that we should know our faith well, so we will not be deceived by false teachers. Also, Jesus is coming and we should be prepared."
- Sophia, Waterloo

The year at the Bible Institute is an intense training session from opening weekend to Open Air Evangelism all the way through Word of Life Youth Camp for summer ministry. However, without studying the Word of God the students would be without the firm foundation they need to withstand "the wiles of the devil" (Eph. 6:11). II Peter and Jude teach this principle of the study of truth. Without a knowledge of truth, how can one defend the truth? In today's world, believers need to know, trust and defend the truth of God's Word.

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"

- 1 Peter 3:15

BW

Upcoming Word of Life Events

Word of Life Fellowship is putting on some fantastic events in the very near future. Be on the lookout for an event on site near you. For information on all Word of Life events in Canada, click here.

Some of the events to look forward to include:

       - WOL Superbowl - This is an all-nighter packed with games, food, prizes and the Gospel.  It's a great night to bring your whole youth group. In Ontario, WOL Superbowl takes place in Mississauga on November 4. Register now!





- Word of Life Bible Institute Campus Days - Come to the Bible Institute campus to check out the school including classes and student life. Stay overnight in the dorms and participate in cool activities. Most importantly, learn more about the year that could change your life.


- WOL Youth Camp Recharge - Register your youth group for an amazing weekend that will not only be outrageously fun but also spiritually uplifting. Recharge Snow Camp is one of the highlights of youth ministry among many of the churches in Central Ontario. Taking place right on the campus of the Bible Institute, Recharge provides an oppurtunity for youth to be changed by the Word of God.

With each and every one of these events, students from the Bible Institute will be taking a major part serving in all areas of the ministry. Word of Life Events are always exciting to be a part of. For more information regarding Word of Life events click here and if you would like to be a part of the ministry by giving financially, click here.

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SUMMER CAMP 2011 WEEKS ONE TO THREE UPDATE

FROM TEEN TO JR. HIGH SPORTS CAMP... 

...STUDENTS  WERE  MAKING  SIGNIFICANT  DECISIONS  OF  LIFE  CHANGE!

  

218 campers joined us for our first three weeks of camp, and during our teen weeks we saw a 24% increase in camper attendance (over 2010).  That's something we were very excited to see.  Scott Foreman was privileged to share with the week 2 campers during 'Bible Hour' from the book of 1 Thessalonians.  In our study together we saw that believers can live for Christ in the midst of persecution, and that we need to live godly, pure lives while we wait for the Rapture.  Gary Stairs was our week 3 speaker and shared timely messages from the timeless life of Daniel.  Gary spoke on the importance of a Word-centered life and choosing the right friends.

We also conducted a guy/girl split session during the first two weeks of camp.  In the guys' session we discussed the importance of personal purity as men.  We had testimonies from our staff on how they have been able to live out the Word of God in this area of life.  It was awesome to see guys stand at the end of the session saying they wanted to live a sexually pure life.  Rachel Foreman shared with the young ladies the importance of a life that finds total security and contentment in Christ.  Many of the young ladies were able to identify with the themes Rachel presented having to do with self-image and adopting a perception of self that aligns with the Bible.  

One young lady made this comment to Rachel after the session:  

"I attended week 1 and 2 summer youth camps and I really found your talk on searching for security very helpful. I realized that I had been trying to find security in things other than Jesus Christ. I had been going to friends, guys, and things I really shouldn't have."

As we shared the gospel on Monday nights of weeks 2 and 3, 21 teens called on Christ to save them!  Praise the Lord!  Also, 42 campers dedicated their lives to the Lord at our Campfire Dedication services.  We also saw 25 students make a decision to stay sexually pure. 

What a privilege it has been to be a part of what God is doing in the lives of Canadian young people!

Introducing Word of Life Youth Camp!

Since 1946, Word of Life Camps have been helping young people understand that their full potential in life is through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Through games, age-appropriate lessons and one-on-one interaction with their college counsellor, campers will experience the love and acceptance that you would expect from a Christ-centered camping experience.  All of our counsellors are current students or alumni of the Word of Life Bible Institute who are seeking to share God's Word taught to them with the youth entrusted to their care.

The Camping Philosophy of Word of Life is based on 1 Peter, where Peter speaks of a faith that KNOWS Christ, GROWS in Christ and SHOWS forth Christ.  That's the scriptural backbone behind what we do throughout the week.  We share with the kids the importance of knowing Christ, growing in Christ and then going home and showing forth Christ.

Questions?  Email us at info@wol.ca

Check out our website

Or...

Also see Summer Camp 2011 Teen Camp Week #1 

What is Word of Life Canada?