VBS with Saugeen!!

Sunday, March 20, 9 WOLBI students arrived back on Campus a week early from their March break. No, not coming back to start a week early on our studies, but to take part in an intensive week of children's ministry.
We had been recruited to do a five day VBS Children's program at a church at the Saugeen Native Reserve.
After months of planning and practicing Bible stories, crafts, kid's praise songs, and games for these native children in need of the gospel, we re-gathered to begin a grand adventure. We had heard before hand that the kids would be rambunctious, but we really had no idea what awaited us during this week of ministry.
Clad in our custom-made tie-dye staff shirts, we started out on our journey on Monday afternoon. Our first day was held at the Saugeen Recreational Centre gym. We set out the snack and prepared as the kids were being picked up from school. Our whole program was going to be held in different corners of one big gym.
25 kids burst through the doors and our program began. Kids were running rampant, and parts of our program didn't run as smoothly as we had hoped, some things we planned didn't even happen at all because of the state of mass chaos that we were in. Some kids were quick to listen to our instructions, but unfortunately, some decided to do their own thing and didn't like being told what to do. To most of us, day one was rather a blur and one of the team members who had worked with these kids before commented "It was actually quite funny to see your expressions. Everyone was walking around with this bewildered look of shock."
Day two, we held our program at the church instead of the Rec Centre. At first we were still unsure what to expect, but we found that the program ran a lot smoother with individual rooms for each session (crafts, story, etc.). This was encouraging.

From WOLBRANOS

As the week wore on, the kids gradually started to get used to us, and some even made friendships with us, though some still kept us at arms length and would rather act up and get into trouble. Some kids needed almost constant supervision, getting into any trouble they could. They would climb things, eat things, spill things everywhere, and fight with each other.
The kids LOVED piggy backs, sitting on our shoulders, and wrestling with us. I don't think that any of us were without children on our backs at any one time. As soon as one was done their piggy back ride, another little one would run up and say "My turn!". We concluded that this meant that under their energetic exteriors, they really just wanted love.

THE activity of the week - Piggyback Rides!!

From WOLBRANOS

As we got to know some of the kids individually, we started to learn more about their home lives. Like many kids in our culture, these native kids also came from broken homes. They carried around a lot of anger and bitterness at their home situation. Knowing this helped us to understand that they really weren't bad kids but didn't know how else to react to what was happening in their lives.
As we got to share the gospel and the truth of God's word more and more, we did see some growth in some of the kids' lives. Some of them grew in their obedience skills, some developed a thirst to read the word of God on their own. We learned to love the kids with Christ's love. We would have failed at loving them if it was just by our own strength.
By week's end, 7 kids accepted Christ! Two of these from one on one conversations.
On Friday, as VBS ended and we drove the kids back to their houses, many of them were in tears and didn't want the week to end. We had mixed feelings, as we were exhausted from the week, but we had grown to love these kids and didn't want the week to end either.
We learned so much from this week. It was really great to see how God used us to impact these kids' lives and to show them Biblical love.

Please be in continued prayer for these kids. They are hungry for God's truth, and need a lot of love, more love than a week long VBS program can provide them with. It was great to see kids come to know Christ and we were privileged to be able to be good Godly examples to the kids. We are trusting that the impact we made will last a lifetime and that God will continue to do great things on this native reserve!

Some students who took part in this VBS ministry commented:

"This week really opened my eyes to the needs that are in our own country. There is a need for consistent Christ-like-love in nearby communities. I learned a lot about being unselfish and it definitely was a memorable week!" 

"I loved working with the kids and watching them grow in Christ by the end of the week."

"Showing the kids even just a small example of godly love really went a long way. I was really sore and tired at the end from all the running around and such but I wouldn't trade that week for anything!"  

"I learned that we can't give up on loving people just as Christ doesn't give up on us, even when it gets difficult." 

AP

Learning the Word: Daniel a book of prophecy

From WOLBRANOS

Mr. Doug Reider was born in Pennsylvania and grew up in the Washington, DC, area. He received a BS in Electrical Engineering from George Washington University and his Master of Divinity from Capital Bible Seminary. He also served as Assistant Pastor at Fellowship Baptist Church in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Desiring to be a missionary in Eastern Europe, Mr. Reider attended Word of Life Bible Institute’s 2nd year and was accepted as a missionary to Poland. While raising support, he met another missionary heading to Poland and they were married in 1993. Because of medical difficulties, Mr. and Mrs. Reider moved to Owen Sound to head up the Bible Institute project in 2000.
It is sweet to have one of our very own resident professors (Mr. Reider also teaches Systematic Theology -throughout the Academic year-, Homiletics, & Greek) teaching us the book of Daniel.  It is a book full of prophesies and is awesome to see God fulfill His promises and to know that He will continue to keep all of His promises.  It was great to learn so much about this significant and controversial book!

"Teaching the Book of Daniel has been amazingly fun for me. It’s odd how things I already know can sometimes strike me in a wholly new way. For example, reading Daniel 9 really hit home. In 9:2, Daniel describes how he is reading the prophet Jeremiah. Apparently, he is reading Jeremiah 29:10-14, where it is written…

“For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.”

Daniel then immediately prays, confessing Israel’s and his own sins. What struck me is how often I fail to do the same. I read Scripture but fail to immediately turn to the Lord and discuss with Him how it applies to me. I expect the Lord to communicate to me through His Word, but my prayer often fails to reflect that. My prayer can be disconnected from what His word is teaching. Let’s put the two together. Read God’s word, rehearsing what we see needs to change by bringing it up immediately in prayer with Him. Without a two way conversation—no wonder our prayer life can sometimes feel very “dead”."

"Daniel is such a great example of how we are supposed to act and stand up for God in an ungodly world."

NW

P31: Women's Conference!!

It has long been known that girls just want to have fun, but this past weekend at an all-girls, all-nighter event called P:31, it was really proven to be true! As the 170 teen girls and youth leaders poured into the church for registration, tons of energy also poured in. The excited girls chattered away with our female Bible Institute helpers and other staff, and friendships were formed even before the event had fully started. We had some lady staff join us from the Word of Life campus in Schroon Lake, New York. Hayley Miller and Ellen Garland were the speakers. These two ladies, along with some other female staff, do ladies conferences in the US, and it was a privilege to have them join us in Canada for our first ever girl’s all-nighter event! The theme this year was “Metamorphosis.” Many butterflies decorated the church to remind us of the beautiful transformation that can happen in a life devoted to God.

            The night kicked off with some fun “Minute to win-it” style activities and oodles of prizes were given away. Then, our opening session began with some praise and worship, a thought provoking skit, and a challenging message spoken by Hayley Miller. She tied the gospel into a message about contentment in our materialistic world. Some of the girls responded to a gospel invitation, and also to a challenge to make God the source of contentment in their lives.

The Praise Team was formed from Bible Institute Alumni from BOTH our Sherbrooke, PQ and Owen Sound, ON campuses!

From P 31

            This session was followed by a short break, and then a split session for Sr. and Jr. High ages. Ellen Garland spoke to the Jr. High girls, while Hayley continued with the Sr. Highers. An evening snack of pizza followed this second session, and then our final session of the night in which Ellen exhorted the girls to learn wait for God’s timing as she spoke on the value and virtue of patience.

            After the sessions were over for the night, the activities began! Different rooms in the church were set up for different types of "girly" fun. There was a room set up like a beauty salon in which the girls could get their hair done. There was a nail painting room, a jewelry making room, a pedicure room, a flip flop decorating room, and even a candy room in which girls could indulge in all the candy, popcorn, and pop their little hearts desired! A favorite was of course the inflatable obstacle course, on which many shrieks could be heard, and many a hair stood on end, due to static. The energy never ran out. Even into the wee hours of the night, the girls were singing loudly at “Don’t forget the Christian Lyrics” and laughing uncontrollably.  It was a great bonding time for the girls to get closer to their youth leaders. The fun environment also made it less intimidating for some of the girls to talk to their leaders or the women staffing the event about things that were troubling them in their lives and their walks with God. It certainly was a blessing to be surrounded by other sisters in Christ, to encourage each other, and praise God together. Many girls heard the gospel, and were reminded how much God loved them.

            Over all, the event went smoothly, it was a great time, and God’s word did its work in many lives!

"It was great to reconnect with girls from snow camp, and was awesome to be able to counsel the girls and to see them go from darkness to light when they started to understand the Gospel.  It was sweet to see that the change in them was actually genuine.  I just loved it because this is the type of ministry that I want to be in!!"

From P 31

"This past weekend was a great time to see God work in the lives of young girls.  Some conversations that we had with them led to the Gospel and opened up opportunities to minister to them and strengthen them in their faith in Christ.  It is sweet to see that even at a young age you can grasp the peace of God."

"It was amazing to be surrounded by other young women all night and be able to just show Christ's love to them!  I loved being able to hear only voices of my sisters in Christ when we were singing during praise and worship time!"

The P31 WOL Staff/Alumni Crew

From P 31

And finally, a big thanks to our Local Church Ministry staff wives, Amy Speck & Lindsey Lyons for coordinating this great night together!

For more P:31 pics and info check out the Facebook page

AP

Learning the Word: Ecclesiology

From WOLBRANOS

Pastor Bob Snell grew up in New Brunswick in a godly pastor’s home and was converted as a young boy. From 1972 – 1976 he attended the University of Guelph where he received an Honours BA in sociology and history. Between 1977 and 1980 he studied at London Baptist Bible College and Seminary graduating with his Masters of Divinity. In August of 1980 he was married to Joanne Higginson in Meaford, Ontario. He has pastored for more than 30 years in southern Ontario at Emmanuel Bible Church in Simcoe and First Baptist Church in Waterloo, where he currently ministers. Pastor Snell has been privileged to travel worldwide to places like Bolivia, Israel and the Philippines in service for the Lord. He has spoken often at conferences, retreats and Bible Colleges. He also serves as a member of the Word of Life Canada Board of Directors as well as on the Advisory Council of ABWE.

Pastor Snell shared with us that:

"In examining the Scripture teaching of the “church” we learn that it is a purely New Testament truth. Used 114 times in the New Testament it is referred to in terms of ‘the church which is Christ’s body’ as well as a group of believers locally gathered together in worship to the Savior and committed to the spiritual disciplines of the Acts chapter 2 Jerusalem church. Praise God that the church (Ecclesia) of Jesus Christ is a unique body of people believing in His death, burial and resurrection having been called out of darkness into His marvelous light  (1 Peter 2:9). Let us therefore live as the church is admonished to-----as children of light."

Students have said:

"I love learning the biblical principles behind church leadership."

"I always wanted to learn what the church is exactly and how church leadership should work.  I enjoyed hearing what Catholics believe and what a mission field we have."

Recharge Recap - What God has done!!

From WOLBRANOS

We have seen 22 youth groups come to Recharge this year.  That is around 530 campers and leaders. 530 + lives touched by the Word of God and the testimonies of staff and students right here on the WOLBI campus. As I have been reading the comments written by leaders and campers over and over again what stands out is how much they appreciated the sessions and the positive influence the students and staff have been on the teens.  Out of 530 people we had 31 Salvation decisions, 7 were counseled for assurance of their salvation, and over 400 teens dedicated their lives to God.

Students also had opportunities to minister off-campus at 3 Satellite Snow Camp locations.  We traveled to Huntsville, Cochrane, and Goulais River, Ontario to share God's Word through testimonies, skits, music, and messages from God's Word.  It was incredible to share God's Love with 100 teens and to see 7 young people trust Jesus as their Saviour.  God also prompted 21 teens to dedicate their lives to serving Him.  What a great ministry season it has been!  Praise God!!

"It was so awesome and incredible to be part of the snow camp ministry this year!!  Being able to watch each week what God is doing in the lives of the youth was such a blessing.  It was so sweet to be able to minister to the girls and to show Christ's love to them, and it also showed me that we all have different skills and we can work together in an organized body.  I learned that its always for God's glory and that we should never do it for the reward."

"It was a great chance to practice what we have been learning and I loved meeting the new girls and getting into their lives.  I just love camp!!"

Be sure to register early for Recharge 2012 or if you are too far away, contact us for a Satellite Snow Camp near you.

Learning the Word: Proverbs

Last week our Guest Lecturer was Pastor Steve Faulkner.  Pastor Faulkner received his BA from Tennessee Temple University and his ThM from Dallas Theological Seminary.  He has ministered as Youth Pastor, Police Department Chaplain, and Pastor in the US and Canada.  Currently he serves as Pastor of Emmanuel Bible Church in Simcoe, ON.
We have loved to have Pastor Faulkner here and to be learning about Proverbs because they are so practical for everyday life.

"He taught us to be able to make our own outline for Proverbs and really emphasized that the fear of the Lord is what gives us wisdom."

"His explanation of the fear of the Lord helped me to really see what that looks like or should look like in my life."  

"During the class, God showed me some verses that I may not have noticed before and that helped in working on the issues in life.  Its so sweet how He reveals truths to us as we are in certain situations."

"It was really neat learning how to better study the book of wisdom especially since we didn't get to go through it all since there is so much in it.  I liked having to make our own Bible studies from Proverbs."

Recharge Weekend Six!

Our final Recharge weekend has come to an end and what an amazing weekend it has been.

This past weekend we had 72 campers and leaders visit our campus.  Among those 3 accepted Christ and roughly 60 dedicated there lives to the Lord.

Seeing hearts changed and lives impacted by God’s Word is great.    

Here are a couple of comments made by teens and leaders this past weekend:

“Praise God for two salvations in our Youth Group this weekend! Thank you for your ministry!”

“This was a really good weekend. I had so much fun and the sessions were really good!”

“Loved the zip line! Food was amazing...! Thank you!!”

“It was an amazing time and all the staff were great! The message taught me a lot and was relative to what I am going through.”

Thank you for all your prayers and support during the last couple of months. It was really encouraging knowing that people were praying for our staff, students, and campers.

God bless 

KD