Happening Now: CAmpus Days

Yesterday night almost 20 individuals arrived on the BI campus to experience college for a couple days! They began arriving before supper and had an awesome time in the gym with the Resonate team who organized games and ran part of their ministry program. Students came out for the fun and to meet those who came out. At 9 PM, the everyone gathered in their dorms for evening devos. After devos, a large group played some basketball late into the evening but most went to the Mr. Ward's, Associate Dean of Students, house for fun and games. This morning Campus Dayers were able to participate in classes and Director's chapel. Right now they are on a tour of the campus and before lunch, they are going to have an info session with an opportunity to fill out applications to the BI.

There is still one more chance to come to the BI for Campus Days. For more info or to register, click here.

Word Studies: Ecclesiology

Class: Ecclesiology

Week #8: April 2-6
Professor: Pastor Bob Snell

Assignments: Read chapters 69-76 from Basic Theology by Charles Ryrie.

Pastor 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 and is a Corporation Member of ABWE Canada.

study of the Church, including organization, ordinances, purpose, destiny

What is the church? Many people consider the church as the a large stone building they go to every Easter and Christmas holidays. However, according to the scriptures, the church is much more than a building. The church constitutes not only the universal body of believers but also the local body. Pastor Snell seeks to help each student understand the different aspects of the church. The Spiritual gifts, offices, ordinances, types of government, mission, discipline and future of the church are detailed and explained so that the students are able to know what the Bible says about each aspect. One can appreciate the perspective with which the teacher approaches this class. Pastor Snell lists the Word of God as the first textbook to be used in the course. This emphasis on scripture shows his passion for teaching the truth. Pastor Snell left this message for the students:

"This past week, not only have I been impressed with the students and their maturity, I have also been blessed with the engagement in class fellowship and company. I enjoyed my time with the guys in devos and am glad I was able to be involved in the lives of the students."

- Pastor Snell, Waterloo

The students said:

"It was a very interesting to learn about the different church offices and the various styles churches have practiced. The varying views on communion helped me consider what scripture had to say about it."
- Ryan, Wyoming

"Ecclesiology was a great opportunity to gain a better understanding of God's purpose for the church. I really appreciated Pastor Snell's teaching and walked away with a new appreciation for my local church and my place in it."

- Heather, Owen Sound


Scripture needs to be the foundation not only for doctrine but also your life....

Get a foundation in God's Word at the Word of Life Bible Institute.

Word Studies: Theology

Class: Theology

Week: This class spans the entire academic year.
Professor: Mr. Doug Reider


Assignments: Read assigned chapters from Basic Theology by Charles Ryrie every week. Write one Theology Essay and one Position Paper per semester.

Mr. Reider was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and raised in Maryland. After high school, he attended George Washington University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. He later received a Master of Divinity at Capital Bible Seminary. He acted as Assistant Pastor at Fellowship Baptist Church in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Desiring to become involved as a missionary in Eastern Europe, Mr. Reider attended Word of Life Bible Institute, graduating in 1992. He was soon accepted as a missionary to Poland. After Mr. Reider and his wife, Sue, were married, they headed to Poland three years later. Because of medical difficulties, the Reiders returned in 1999. In 2000, Mr. and Mrs. Reider, along with their two children (Sam and Daniel), moved to Owen Sound to head up the Bible Institute project. Mr. Reider is our Academic Dean and one of our professors, teaching Systematic Theology and Greek.

This course is designed to study the biblical doctrines of orthodox Christianity concerning five areas of Systematic Theology: Bibliology (the study of the Bible), Theology Proper (the study of the Godhead), Anthropology (the study of man), Hamartiology (the study of sin),Christology (the study of Christ), Soteriology, Angelology, Pneumatology, Ecclesiology, and Eschatology. The desire is to take our knowledge of Scripture and from that come to understand what we believe and, therefore, discern the difference between truth and error.


“The Bible is the greatest of all books; to study it is the noblest of all pursuits; to understand it, the highest of all goals.”

― Charles C. Ryrie

Part of the mission statement of the Word of Life Bible Institute is that each student comes to intimately know the Word of God. One cannot go through life believing something without foundation to what he believes. Theology class provides each student with that foundation. Mr. Reider teaches through the basics of Systematic Theology, scratching the surface of the major doctrines. Later on in the year, several guest lecturers come on campus to teach Eschatology, Ecclesiology and Pneumatology which allows Mr. Reider to teach through the book of Romans in the spring semester. Theology class helps students not only understand the Bible but able to apply doctrine to practice. This class also helps students come to an understanding regarding why they believe rather than just what they believe. Here's what the students had to say:

"Mr. Reider's enthusiasm makes class fun and engaging!"

- Nick, Arthur

"Theology class with Mr Reider definitely sparked my interest in theology. Before coming to the BI, I never knew much of what theology was or why we study it, but going through it I learned many things My favourite areas to study were Angelology,  Hamartiology and Eschatology, I can now recognize many different beliefs and am now able to clarify what I believe and why I believe what I believe."

- Jaramie (Alumni), Muskoka

"Going through theology with Mr. Reider has given me the opportunity to see all the view points on major issues facing the Christian in the world today. Furthermore, I now have clearer and deeper understanding of the Bible and better knowledge of Christ."

- Lucas, Wyoming

Want to know more about Word of Life? Discover Word of Life Ministries on Facebook!

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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: Bible Survey

 Class: Bible Survey

Week#: This course spans the entire academic year.
Professor: Mr. Jonathan Ward

Jonathan and Melissa Ward blog. facebook. wol.

Assignments: Read through each book of the Bible by the assigned class period. Write one chapter title, a sentence of 3-10 words, for every chapter in each book (except for 1 and 2 Chronicles and Proverbs). Write one research paper and one reflection paper per semester. Complete five maps for both the Old Testament and the New Testament.


Jonathan is a graduate of New Brunswick Bible Institute and a former Word of Life Impact Team member (1997-99), and Melissa is a graduate of Lancaster Bible College. Together, they coordinated Word of Life Canada's Impact Team ministry from 2001-2006, with Jonathan training and discipling the Team members and hundreds of speaking opportunities each year. Jonathan now serves as the Dean of Men and is Professor of Bible Survey at the Owen Sound Campus of the Word of Life Bible Institute.

The primary purpose of Bible Survey is to introduce the student to the major people, places, events and teachings contained in both the Old and New Testaments. This course is designed to provide a framework for understanding the rest of biblical truth as well as identify the unique characteristics of each book of the Bible.

Fall Semester

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"

2 Timothy 3:16 

As it states in the above scripture, the Old Testament is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. Every book was divinely inspired, or God-breathed, even books like Numbers and Leviticus and life application and lessons can be gleaned from their pages. Mr. Ward seeks to make this truth a reality for each and every student. The class is taught everything about the book. Themes, outlines, distinctives and surveys of every book are explained in detail as well as specific and unique attributes.

"Bible Survey has consistently stretched me when it comes to studying the all 66 books of Bible. The amount of knowledge we can learn from studying these books is immense. I really like learning about the history of the books of the bible and digging a little deeper into each one after reading it."
- Kyle, Kitchener

Spring Semester

In New Testament Survey, the students learn about the theme, outlines, and the surveys just like Old Testament Survey; however, Mr. Ward begins the New Testament differently. First, he takes the students through a series of lessons on the historicity of the Bible. After that he teaches through the gospels, expounding on the four pictures of the Son of God presented. As they make their way through the epistles and ending in Revelation, Mr. Ward shows how Christ is the theme of all 29 books. By the time the class has reached completion, the students will look back at what they have covered in the past nine months and be amazed.

"Bible Survey has been a great class. At the beginning of the course, I was unsure about it because history wasn't one of my best subjects. I have learned so much about the importance of context and true interpretation. Having studied the Old Testament in the Fall Semester, I find it is so much easier to understand the New Testament now that I know the basis it's built on!"
- Sarah, Midland

Want to check out Bible Survey for yourself? Come to Campus Days!

Word Studies: Galatians

Class: Galatians

Week #5: February 27 - March 2
Professor: Pastor Ken Fillmore


Assignments: Read a portion of Galatians corresponding with the lessons every day starting on Monday.

Pastor Fillmore is a graduate of New Brunswick Bible Institute and has been a pastor for 24 years. Pastor Fillmore is currently serving as Senior Pastor at Peoples Church in Truro, Nova Scotia.

"The teacher was amazingly engaging and he brought life to the book of Galatians."
- John, Mount Forest

"Pastor Fillmore gave me a whole new understanding of Galatians. This class helped me understand the application that can be found in this amazing letter."
- Whitney,  Proton Station

Pastor Fillmore loves God, loves people and loves teaching. He wants the students to personally apply the text to each of their lives and to be different people at the end of the week for the glory of God. Galatians is Paul's treatise on the freedom we have in Christ. Paul begins the book with an interrogation of sorts of the churches in Galatia. He asks them why they have departed from what he himself taught them when he first preached the gospel to them. The Galatians had begun to pervert the gospel into a works-based salvation instead of the grace-based salvation Paul had originally taught. The core doctrine taught in Galatians is justification. The definition of justification is the following: the act of God whereby He declares the believing sinner to be righteous in Jesus Christ. God does this out of His infinite love towards us and because of His amazing grace. The Galatians were trying to achieve righteousness by their own merit and works. Paul says, "I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain"(Gal. 2:21). If the believer lives by his own works and not by the grace of God, he is throwing away Christ's sacrifice. As Paul states, this is foolishness (Gal. 3:3). Pastor Fillmore does not just teach the facts of the doctrine, he also teaches the effects this doctrine has on the believer's life. His purpose in teaching the class is for each student is to be able to live out the truths found in this portion of God's Word.

"It was a great week of getting deeper into the book of Galatians with Pastor Fillmore. I learned that its so important to remember that it is not by works like the Judaizers but of faith alone we are saved. What a promise and what a Saviour we have!"
- Lucas, Wyoming



Want to learn how to apply the Word of God?  Why not come to Campus Days here at the Bible Institute? Check out some classes and meet this year's students. Find out if the Word of Life Bible Institute is your next step.


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Word Studies: Philippians

Class: Philippians

Week #4: February 20-24
Professor: Mr. Ric Garland


Assignments: Read the book of Philippians four times by the morning of the exam.


Ric Garland is the Vice President of Word of Life Local Church Ministries. He has served with WOL for thirty years; twenty-five of those years have been spent with Local Church Ministries and five years as the Vice President of the Word of Life Bible Institute. He is passionate and purposed in helping others to live biblically-principled lives. His ministry includes speaking and teaching around the world, discipling, leading, and developing. Ric is married to Ellen, his partner in ministry and the love of his life. He has three amazing children, Nicole, Eric and Shannon.

In this epistle to the church in Philippi, one can easily discover Paul's joy, love and passion in ministry. His joy in all situations. His love for the church. His passion for Christ.



Awaiting trial, Paul writes this letter from prison in Rome. Paul writes about joy and contentment while chained to a soldier night and day. His own example of joy in suffering speaks volumes without even writing one word. But Paul knew it was necessary to communicate these truths through this letter. His purpose in writing was not only to teach the church about joy, but he also wanted to thank them for labouring with him in the work of the gospel. The generosity of the Philippians displayed their willingness to give whatever was needed for ministry. Paul's gratitude flows throughout the letter and his love spills from its pages. Lastly, Paul, as in all his epistles, puts forth the attitude that each believer should have. Through word and deed, Paul teaches passion for the Saviour.

"I love how Philipians 2 shows Christ's servanthood.

It reminds me how much He has done for me,

which displays what I need to be doing for others,

so ultimately He can receive the honor and glory."

- Sarah, Alberta

Sacrifice becomes easy when the church's focus is eternal rather than temporal. Paul says that Christ needs to be our everything. The things of this world become nothing in light of Jesus and what He has done for each person. Two men, Epaphroditus and Timothy, are given as examples of self-sacrificing and Christ-centered lives. If only each believer gave up self and sought Christ, the world would be radically changed for glory of God and it starts with you.

"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:"- Philippians 1:16


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