Inside:

Bible Institute looks to open teaching site in Africa

se a sons of

connecting Word of Life Bible Institute alumni

VICTORYIssue 9, Spring 2014

connecting

Mission Statement Just as the Bible Institute provided a place for you to learn about God, to grow in your spiritual walk, and to connect with other Christians in true community, we want the Victory Journal to be a place where you can continue that journey. We want to build a community where you can find longtime friends, share testimonies of what God has been doing, encourage others with your stories of change, and learn how you, too, can be involved with the mission of Word of Life.

Be part of the Victory JournalWe want to hear from you! What is God doing in your life? How has He led, helped, or comforted you, even in small ways, since your time at the Bible Institute? If you have a story to share, email us at alumni@wol.org. Whether you have a testimony to give, a story tip to pass on, or would like to hear more about a part of Word of Life, we are here to help. We want to see you in the Victory Journal!

What we’re looking forThe Victory Journal features all kinds of stories about Bible Institute alumni, whether you have short pieces of alumni news or ideas for longer articles. Let us know if there’s something or someone you’d like to see. Fill us in on people or opportunities involved with alumni or Word of Life. And finally, tell us about yourself! If you have a testimony, remember when, ministry update, or feature article idea, please send it our way.

Are you trying to connect with other alumni?The Victory Journal will not only tell you stories about other alumni but will also help you connect with them. Periodically, we will let you know about different ways you can find old friends or classmates through events at Word of Life or perhaps in local church ministries around the country. But there’s also a place where you can always go when looking for fellow Bible Institute graduates. Contact alumni@wol.org or visit our Facebook group to connect with other alumni right now.

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Q&A with Rich Andrews

Testimony Cornerwith Dean Bruckner

The King’s Yomen

Engage: Teens Involved for a new generation

Reverb: Superbowl gets a new name

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Campus Update

Alumni News

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“Excuse me, sir … but do you know who you look like?” I hear it all the time — in airports, restaurants, and malls. Much to my chagrin, I am often mistaken for a well-known movie star. While I prefer to leave this person’s identity to your imagination, I must confess that I have been tempted to sign autographs on his behalf on more than a few occasions. Regardless of what people might think, my life is far removed from Hollywood stardom.

On the other hand, what a delight and encouragement it is when I am told that I resemble my father. My appearance, walk, and words are all strikingly similar to his. This is certainly no surprise, because from my childhood I learned from him and aspired to be like him in every way. Today, I consider it the highest compliment when a person identifies me with my dear dad.

In Ephesians 5:1, the Apostle Paul challenges the Ephesian believers with the command, “Be imitators of God as dear children.” Just like a child mimics his earthly father, Christians should strive to imitate their Heavenly Father in every way. This means learning how to walk in love as Jesus Christ did (5:2). It involves despising the darkness of this decaying and sinful world (5:3-14). It requires living wisely and leveraging every opportunity to serve and represent Him (5:15-21).

So … who do you look like, anyway? Do people clearly see an unmistakable resemblance to your Heavenly Father? Live out your true identity as a child of God.

Praying for you,

Don Lough, Jr., Executive DirectorWord of Life Fellowship, Inc.

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHANCELLOR

Don Lough, Jr. Chancellor

The Victory Journal is a publication of the Word of Life Bible Institute.The name “Victory Journal” comes from Jack Wyrtzen, the Founder of Word of Life, who used to sign his letters with the phrase “on the victory side.”

4200 Glendale RoadPottersville, NY 128601.800.331.9673wordoflife.edu

Chancellor: Don Lough, Jr.Executive Dean: Mark StroutAlumni Director: Mike Bush

“Holding forth the Word of life.”Philippians 2:16

The Victory Journal Is Now OnlineVisit us at wolvictoryjournal.blogspot.com to find everything you see inside the pages of the Victory Journal. We’ll keep the site updated with photos, testimonies, features, and columns by alumni and for alumni. You can also comment on articles and submit ideas for new pieces.

We want to get as many alumni as possible connected on Facebook. Can you help us reach our goal? Find us at wordoflife.edu/fb, and spread the word among other alumni you know.

Look for:Word of Life Bible Institute Alumni

Ideas? Suggestions? Contributions?Connect with Victory Journal: We strive for accuracy. Please contact us with any errors or questions.For reprints, back issues, and other information, contact us at:alumni@wol.org or 518.494.6000

© Copyright 2013 — Word of Life Fellowship. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from Word of Life Fellowship, Inc. To obtain permission, e-mail us at marketing@wol.org.

on the cover: Clockwise from top left: Snow Camp dedication cross; Superbowl; Cardboard sled races; Magi

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My wife happened to hear a fascinating comment on the radio when we were driving recently. She scribbled it down so I could look at it later.

“The key to success in life is how well you adapt to Plan B.”

That simple sentence holds a world of truth. So many of us go through life frustrated because we’re still working on Plan A. That’s the one where everything works out, your marriage lasts forever, your children grow up without any problems, you climb to the top of the career ladder, everyone loves you and no one hates you, and all your dreams come true.

Unfortunately, Plan A rarely pans out. Life isn’t that simple or that easy. Check out Exodus 13:17-21. When the children of Israel left Egypt, God did not lead them to the Promised Land by the shorter coastal route. No doubt there was grumbling and murmuring. Why go the long way? Answer: The Philistines lived along the coast, and God wanted to spare the Israelites from having to fight them and be tempted to return to Egypt. What seemed like a detour turned out to be for their benefit. In this case, Plan B was better.

Meanwhile, people who are frustrated by the failure of Plan A are overtaken by the folks who have decided to make Plan B work instead. What’s Plan B? It’s the reality that your divorce is final, and your marriage is over. Your first career choice was a mistake, and now it’s time to start again. You don’t have the money to buy the bigger house you want. It’s the truth that you have cancer, and your future is uncertain. It’s knowing some of your children are far from the Lord. It’s the reality that your dreams aren’t going to come true, at least not in the way you expected.

What will you do now?

Here are three suggestions for those who feel a bit overwhelmed by circumstances: First, embrace change as a natural part of life. Solomon says as much when he writes, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under Heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). If you live long enough, you’ll eventually see it all — birth and death, war and peace, building up and tearing down, winning and losing, loving and hating. You can fight change, but you can’t stop it.

Second, embrace your circumstances and make the best of them. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Life is hard for all of us, but it’s much harder when we grumble because we don’t like where we are.

Finally, embrace the only Person Who never changes. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Leaders, friends, and children come and go, and our careers take many twists and turns. But Jesus Christ never changes! Anchor your life in Him, and you can face the future without fear.

Is Plan A not working out? Don’t give up. Jesus loves to help Christians who use Plan B to serve Him.

Dr. Ray Pritchard serves as president of Keep Believing Ministries, an Internet-based community serving Christians in 225 countries. He pastored churches in Los Angeles, Dallas, and Chicago for 26 years and has written more than 25 books. He and his wife, Marlene, have been married for 39 years. They have three sons, two daughters-in-law, and four grandchildren.

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Fellow alumni,

As we welcome the warmth of spring with the busyness of summer right around the corner, we want to celebrate another great season of connecting with each other.

This winter, many of you had a chance to attend an alumni gathering or get in touch with Alumni Director Mike Bush. We love seeing so many familiar faces and look forward to hosting more events to encourage you wherever you live, especially if you can’t make the trek to where we are to say hello.

Many of you also had the opportunity to see the Magi productions this winter, witnessing Word of Life back on the road. This new Tours experience is exciting, but it’s also made some of us nostalgic. We’ve started talking about our memories from Tours, whether via a Word of Life road trip or with Gospel Productions in Florida. The stories and photos are flying in, and we’re ready for more! If you have thoughts, stories, photos, or anything else you’d like to share about your involvement with the Bible Institute’s Tours ministry, send them our way at alumni@wol.org for a future issue.

There’s plenty to talk about right now, too. A couple of ministry events with which many of us are familiar — Superbowls and Teens Involved — are getting makeovers soon. Word of Life Florida has a new director, and the Bible Institute is looking to expand to the continent of Africa. And, as always, we’ve got news from all kinds of alumni, as well as special events planned for alumni looking to come on home this spring and summer. Visit wordoflife.edu/alumnigatherings or follow our alumni Facebook page or blog for more information on upcoming events.

We hope to see you soon, but until we do, take a look at what’s happening in the alumni family right here in these pages.

—Jen Slothower, Victory Journal editor

P.S. Yes, that’s your author up there in that photo. I had the privilege of traveling with the Passion Play as a kid, as did my sister (Rachel, pictured with Ginny Newton) and brothers ( JohnMark and Tim). While I carried memories of my experiences with the Bible Institute students for years, the real star of the show on those journeys was my granddad, George Slothower, who famously drove the Word of Life coach all over the United States.

EDITOR

Learning to thrive with Plan B living

BY RAY PRITCHARDFROM THE

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[Q& A] with Rich Andrews

What was your first connection with Word of Life? A Word of Life staff member brought a group of Bible Institute students to my home church, Bethany Baptist Church in Mount Clemens, Michigan, and did a Vacation Bible School-style event. I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior at that event.Whose life has impacted yours the most spiritually, and why? God has allowed me to be mentored by several great men, but the biggest impact was made by George Theis. Our relationship began on my first Collegian tour, when he confronted me about talking while he was talking and followed it up with this statement: “You and I are either going to be the best of friends when this tour is over or the worst of enemies.” I’m so glad I chose friendship! He and his wife, Joan, continue to be a great encouragement to me and my wife, Lynn.How were you impacted as a camper? My first week of camp was in 1981 at Word of Life Ranch, and I hated it, missed home, ate too much candy, and was

just miserable. When I was 14, though, I dedicated my life to the Lord on Kenya Hill. How were you impacted as a student? My first year was 1991-1992, and God used that year to change the direction of my life. I was involved in Collegians and developed a love for the technical side of theater. Through that, I decided to stay for another year and travel with the Impact Singers.What is unique about the Word of Life Florida Youth Camp? One of the unique aspects of the Florida Youth Camp is the number of church groups that come. We have very few individuals, so there’s a great dynamic between the youth leaders and pastors and our staff. It’s been called the “best camp in the universe” by some, but I think what makes all the Word of Life camps unique are the Bible Institute students serving as counselors. It’s very unique in the Christian camping world to have so many trained young people as counselors.

What’s new for summer 2014? In 2014, we’re working hard to grow the Bible Institute as well as the Youth Camp. We’ve had several projects take place over the last year that have added so much to the property, and now we’re working to get the word out about this incredible ministry.What types of ministries are the Bible Institute students involved in? The Bible Institute students are involved in children’s evangelism, drama, praise band, and ensemble as well as Open Air Evangelism and ministering to groups that come to the Youth Retreat Center. We also were part of the new traveling tour Magi. We had 20 of our students travel with us for the production during the Christmas break.How can we pray for your ministry? You can pray for me personally as I balance my time between my family and ministry and that God would continue to grow the ministry of Word of Life Florida. We believe there are great days ahead!

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Rich’s Word of Life historyCamper, Word of Life Ranch (1981, 1986-87)

Camper, Word of Life Island (1988-1991)Bible Institute student: first year (1992)

second year (1995)Camp staff, Island (1992-1994, 2000)

Impact Singers (1992-1993)Impact Team (1993-1998)

Camp director, Ranch (1995-1999)Camp staff, Word of Life Florida (2001-2013)

Camp director, Florida (2005-present)Director of Ministries, Florida

(May 2013-present)

Wife: Lynn Fahning Andrews (Class of 1994); married for 19 years

Children: Gavyn (15), Javen (13), Lynneah (11)

Director of Ministries, Word of Life Florida

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The King’s YomenWhen Adam Bottiglia, Class of 1998, graduated from high school, he had two choices: Study engineering, like his father, or study what his heart truly longed for. The answer, he says, was easy. “If you’re going to study anything your first year out of high school, why study anything but (the Bible)?” he asks.

Dean Bruckner, Class of 1981

My year at Word of Life Bible Institute was one of the best three years of my life.

As a 17-year-old believer in Christ, I sensed a calling to the secular world

as an engineer, military officer, or both. I asked God for wisdom. Our family friends David and Billy Giles (Class of 1978 and 1979, respectively) strongly recommended my brother Lee and I attend the Bible Institute. So we did, along with their sister, Victoria.

The three of us arrived in mid-September 1980 to picture-perfect chalets, hard benches, and the daily Quiet Time diary — the Word of Life experience. Thirty guys push-starting our 18-wheeler in Canada on Collegians winter tour, a missions conference that a hundred of us missed with the flu in the days before vaccinations, watching Dean of Men Ray Namie doing doughnuts in his van — with his family inside — on the frozen lake, and a two-week trip to Israel, Jordan, and Egypt all are indelibly stamped in my memory. But even more than those memories were the lifelong imprints made by the Word of God on the deepest part of who I am.

Life. The Word. That’s what Word of Life is all about. From where I stand, a more coherent, practical, comprehensive one-year presentation of the Bible, integrated into preparation for life, does not exist. For me, it came at exactly the right time, and it equipped me for all that was to come.

Since then, I’ve sailed the coasts of North America,

Adam was no stranger to ministry at 18 years old. He’d found his own unique way to spread God’s Word three years earlier when preparing for a high school talent show. “I knew that if they were going to give me the chance to get

up on stage, I was going to preach,” Adam says. But he knew his peers wouldn’t connect with the message unless he made it fun.

It was 1995. Adam’s solution? Yo-yos.The skit he and a friend performed

earned them first place at the talent show, and they eventually became

a drama team known as The King’s Yomen – a ministry that Adam still continues with his wife, Crissy (Ramey), 25 years later.

If water sustains life, then the yo-yo is The

King’s Yomen’s well. It’s merely a tool for spreading the

larger message of the Word of God.In the play, a lonely, broken man

discovers he has a special talent: yo-yoing. He meets the devil soon

after his discovery and makes a deal to use his skill for evil. Once the man realizes what

he’s done, he finds Christ and is set free when he learns he can

still yo-yo – for the glory of God. “Think of it as a sermon with a yo-yo mixed

in,” Adam explains.It’s an unusual twist, but one that seems to

appeal to all audiences. Adam says that’s because every generation

can identify with the toy, and it’s nonthreatening. “No one takes the yo-yo seriously at first,” Adam says.

“You shouldn’t – it’s a yo-yo.” But, he says, it’s a way for him to win people over, opening up a new avenue for discussion about Jesus Christ. “If people will truly hear me – really listen – when I have a yo-yo in my hand, then give it to me.”

Adam started his yo-yo ministry before attending the Bible Institute, and he kept right on going when he arrived on campus. In fact, fellow alumni may remember some of his halftime performances. After graduation, Adam says the training he received further helped his ministry. Spreading the Word is something he’s never been able to get away from – skit writing is a “constant” for him and Crissy.

The two met in their high school’s youth group and attended the Bible Institute together, where Adam says they “lived and breathed” the Bible. Though they always knew the Bible Institute was an important part of their Christian foundation, Adam says they are just now starting to realize what a truly perfect fit it was.

He explains that while at the Bible Institute, “Whenever my mind was idle, it was going back to Christ.” It was the first time he’d been in an environment that encouraged an all-encompassing study of the Word – and Adam loved it. “Everyone else (at the Bible Institute) was on the same page. And still, to this day, when Crissy and I are around fellow alums, we fit in better than anywhere else.”

Maybe that’s because Bible Institute alums understand his mission, from which his biggest takeaway is a lesson in humility. He admits he never set out to have his legacy be tied to a yo-yo – it’s simply what God keeps asking him to do.

“(The yo-yo) has taught me to take whatever opportunity God gives you to minister, even if it’s humiliating,” he says. “I mean, why not put a yo-yo and the Gospel together?”

It works.

from Nova Scotia to the Panama Canal, to Alaska’s farthest Aleutian Islands, and to the Arctic Circle. I’ve been to 20 foreign countries and studied five languages. I’ve lived a year abroad, earned a Ph.D in electrical engineering, and became a licensed professional engineer. I was the lead system integrator for flight tests of the GPS and inertial navigation systems of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. I got married and have three school-age children, served in eight churches and military chapels, and now teach industrial and systems engineering at Ohio University.

What does all this amount to? Absolutely nothing, in light of eternity, except what was done for Christ and His kingdom. That is the debt I owe to Word of Life. In that year, my spiritual navigation instruments and library of life charts were fitted for the long haul. If God’s hand has held my life on course during everything that’s followed, if He’s used it to touch others, if He and His Word are better known and loved in my wake, it will be due in great measure to what I received in the spiritual “shipyard” on the shores of Schroon Lake.

What amazes me is that it was such fun, too. It truly was one of the three most joyful years of my life, along with my honeymoon year of marriage and my year as a young commanding officer of the U.S. Coast Guard radio station near Istanbul, Turkey.

The Turks have a saying: “A tree can be shaped when it’s young.” That was Word of Life to me.

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Bible Institute Alumni Share Passion for Saving Families

There’s something about the Bible Institute experience that brings alumni together – no matter how many years pass between graduating classes. Just ask Laura Grosvenor Squier, Class of 1982, and Rachel Fetterhoff Pratt, Class of 2003. They’re the forces behind Care Net of Northeast Pennsylvania, a free crisis pregnancy center that serves women facing unplanned pregnancies. Laura and Rachel didn’t know each other before Care Net, but as Bible Institute alumni, they knew they had a shared mission: serving God by saving families.

Laura, Class of 1982, says her involvement with Care Net began with a call to action. In church one Sunday, she and her husband listened as the pastor encouraged the crowd

to take “baby steps” for God by volunteering with Care Net. Deeply motivated by the sermon, Laura began what would be a long journey with the organization, first as a volunteer, then as a board member, a position she held for three years.

After dedicating many hours as a volunteer, Laura took some time off. But it wasn’t the last she’d see of Care Net.

Like most Christians, Laura says she loves watching “the way the Lord works.” She had one of those classic moments that reminded her He is in control one day after her time on the board ended. She was washing dishes, contemplating getting involved with Care Net again. As she explains it:

“I’m sitting there washing dishes, thinking, ‘If I’m going to get back in that ministry, I’d want to be working with the girls. Not in a board room.’ And what do you know, it was at

that moment the phone rang.” On the line was the chairman of Care Net’s board. Laura

couldn’t believe it.“I was so amazed, because the Lord had just prepared me

for this moment,” she says. “He asked if I would come be the executive director.” She didn’t hesitate to say yes.

Three years later, Laura says she’s experienced “tons of personal growth” from her time at Care Net. Being able to apply Scripture to situations involving people with no concept of Jesus Christ is more powerful than she’d ever imagined. She and her staff work hard to marry grace and truth. As she sees it, “Truth without grace can be very harsh, and grace without truth can just be compassion.”

Rachel’s attraction to the pregnancy center was similar to Laura’s.

“God has given me a passion for (those who are hard to reach) – the people that aren’t necessarily going to come to church on their own,” she explains. “They’re in desperate need ... the need to know they can be loved even though they’ve done something (they may view as) unforgivable.”

Her perspective was shaped in part at the Bible Institute, which she says she appreciated for being very ministry-focused – a philosophy she holds today.

Rachel looked to make her work her ministry when she moved to Northeast Pennsylvania, and it wasn’t long before she found a place where she could do just that. Rachel began a part-time job at Care Net, working one day a week reaching out to local high schools.

With time came the expansion of Care Net, and a new position opened for Rachel – to lead a Care Net branch in

Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania, a half-hour away from Laura’s location in Montrose.

With Laura and Rachel leading the way, Care Net is providing Christian services

to hundreds of women who desperately need to hear the Word of God. Laura remembers one case in particular.

A young woman who had just moved to the area was afraid she was pregnant and turned to Care Net.

“She kept saying, ‘I can’t do this. I don’t want to be pregnant,’” Laura explains.

Pregnancy test results were confirmed, and Laura walked the woman and her boyfriend through the baby’s development. After a lot of coaching, the couple decided to carry the baby to term – but they were considering putting it up for adoption.

It was then that Laura and her team started working with the young couple every week. They connected the father with assistance to get his GED and receive career training so he could support his family, and they worked with the mother

on parenting, life skills, and more.

In the middle of working to ease the couple’s crisis and support them, Laura and her team were able to do many Bible studies to help them find the strength in Christ they so desperately needed.

“For many (clients), no one else is providing a positive

message in their life,” Laura explains. “To see the Lord peeling the layers away from their heart, as they built trust with us and started to understand Who God was and how much He cared for them ... was incredible.”

It was Laura’s first “abortion-vulnerable” couple – and one she’ll never forget. The woman and her boyfriend, after receiving Care Net’s coaching, decided to get married and raise the child together as a family.

After their baby was born, the couple came straight to Care Net to share their joy with Laura.

“To know that baby had been given a chance at life – and a chance at eternal life – it was amazing,” she says.

Care Net’s ministry has more than doubled since Laura took over as executive director – it’s clear that the demand for Christ’s love is as present as ever. Laura and Rachel both envision Care Net continuing to expand its reach each year. Right now they’re even working on developing a jail ministry.

They each say they’ve already experienced tremendous personal growth serving their shared mission – and they agree it’s all the better with a fellow Bible Institute alumnus by their side.

“They’re in desperate need ... the need to know

they can be loved.”

“To see the Lord peeling the layers away from their heart ... was incredible.”

Baby Steps

Rachel and her husband, Dustin, with their children, Lexie and Teagan

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Teens Involved: A brief historyTeens Involved started in 1973 with the vision of

finding a way to help students realize their potential and purpose by using their gifts for God’s glory. Paul Bubar realized there was a need to help students discover their God-given talents and consider using those talents in ways they never imagined.

Dr. James McDonald was one such student. A youth leader encouraged him to enter the preaching category of Teens Involved, and through that process, he first sensed God leading him to preach the Word of God and later pastor.

Just 32 students came to the first National Teens Involved week on Word of Life Island. That eventually grew to several thousand students in three locations each summer during nationals alone. The number of students participating in Teens Involved has since declined, though, and it was time to talk to youth pastors and leaders, look at the way culture is changing, and reevaluate the purpose and implementation of the event.

Why change the name?As Word of Life looked to make major changes

to the event to more effectively reach the current generation, it was decided that a new name would best communicate that this is a completely different event, even if it’s designed to accomplish the same purpose as Teens Involved.

Why Engage: Discover. Develop. Deploy.The purpose of Engage is to help students discover

their spiritual gifts, develop those gifts through training and instruction, and deploy them for use in the local church. We want students to know God has given them incredible abilities to make a difference and to learn to use those abilities effectively in the local church.

What’s newThe biggest changes are focused on making the

event more practical for local church ministry. As Teens Involved developed over the decades, rules were added for clarity or to help with fairness, but they made students’ entries more difficult for real-life use.

This generation also is more interested in working as groups than as individuals, so categories have been adjusted to welcome that.

Some of the major changes:• Simplified rules• Providing a scenario each year for churches to

develop (2014 will be a Student Evangelistic Event)• A youth group can create a whole meeting to put

on together, from stage decor to the message• Smaller categories:

Visual Design, Meeting Opener, Crowd Interaction (ice breakers, creative announcements, etc.), Music Leading, Transitions and Introduction to Message, Speaking

• Judging will be more similar to America’s Got Talent, and judges may confer

• Missions trip offered during the summer• Elimination of Area Level as it is now

Teens Involved has been extremely successful over the years, and we are looking forward to how new methods of accomplishing the same purpose will continue to help students discover, develop, and deploy their God-given abilities.

Teens Involved  Engage.

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Two familiar events are getting new names and new looks. Read on through page 15 to learn about exciting new changes coming to Superbowl.

For more information, visit engage.wol.org.

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The origin of SuperbowlSuperbowl started in the mid-1970s as Bowl-a-thon, an

all-night bowling party with an evangelistic message. In 1985, Doug Bagg added a sporting event and Gospel rally in front of the bowl-a-thon, and the first Superbowl was born. Since then, Superbowl has had more than one million people in attendance, and more than 100,000 have recorded decisions for Christ.

Why change the name?Superbowl has changed over the years. Events now begin

with pro or college sports or interactive rallies with games and prizes. After the Gospel presentation and invitation, students spend the rest of the night at a wide variety of entertainment venues in the area, including local university athletic facilities, go-carts, and laser tag – not just bowling. Bowling is still part of many events, but it’s no longer the focus.

The Super Bowl is also very close to our title and a highly protected trademark of the National Football League. Because the names are so similar, it’s possible that as we grew, we could have been required to change the name, possibly with very short notice.

We also want to continue to reach out to new churches, and the name “Superbowl” can be confusing to those who aren’t familiar with the event. Our first step when talking to new churches was almost always to explain that our event was in fact not a football game.

Why ReverbReverberation is the persistence of sound in a particular

space after the original sound is produced. A reverberation, or reverb, is created when a sound is produced in an enclosed space and causes a large number of echoes to build up and then slowly decay as the sound is absorbed by the walls and air.

This is ultimately our goal for “Word of Life Reverb Night.” We want that sound, the Gospel, to be shared

Superbowl  Reverb

Robert and Martha Ray did not attend the Bible Institute, but they began a family tradition by encouraging all five of their children to go. Robert Ray, Jr. was the first to attend, and now the third generation is making it a habit. Check out the many generations, pictured at Bethany (Ray) Edwards’ wedding (left to right): Justin Ray, Shawn DeGraff, Travis DeGraff, Tyler Ray, Matthew Edwards, Bethany (Ray) Edwards, Matthew Ray, Martha Ray, Robert Ray, Sr., Robert Ray, Jr., Bernice Ray, Zachery Ray, Kristin Elie, Quinton Ray (plans to attend), Tammy Knights. Not pictured (but also Bible Institute graduates): Mark Ray (son of Robert and Martha) and Joshua Knights (son of David and Tammy).

Another Multigenerational Bible Institute Family

loud and clear to the students who attend and then continue to reverberate out from the arena. We invite students to come to Christ, and we challenge Christian students to share their faith when they go back home.

What’s newDespite the new name, Reverb will still be the same great

event, carrying on the tradition of Superbowl. We will continue to add dates and locations. In addition to the fall tour in November 2014, we will also be offering a winter tour in 2015 with dates mid-January through early March. Reverb will continue to kick off with a high-energy, fun-filled rally, then deliver a clear Gospel message with an opportunity for students to respond before celebrating all night long at premium local venues.

To better reflect its mission, Superbowl is now Reverb — a night when the Gospel reverberates out into a world that needs to hear.

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CampusUpdate

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 time, 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 teaching site 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 as many as 50 students.

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

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

Around the Corner, Around the World: Bible Institute ministries expand across U.S., into Africa

By Dick Dray, Associate Executive Dean, New York campus

Nathan Myers (’75) remembers the great time counseling at camp.

Glenda Martin (’78) remembers choir tour, God Country Decency, great Bible teaching, great times, when the snow blocked the dining hall windows, and the minus-23 temperatures one Snow Camp weekend.

Christian Kendig (’78) remembers getting to know Marge Wyrtzen and seeing how spiritual she and her husband, Jack, were.

Linda (Ramsey) Wollbrink (’79) remembers there was a skunk who liked to enter the dining hall and her dorm room over the dining hall!

Abby (Winkler) Rettstatt (’87) remembers eating Shirley Richards’ caramel popcorn while grading papers for a work assignment. She makes Shirley’s recipe every Christmas!

Tammy Brown (’80) remembers when the Collegians stopped at a travel plaza in the middle of the night. There was only one waitress on duty, so everyone helped out with the cooking, serving, and cleaning up. Then they sang a song!

Jackie (Laub) Osborn (’80) remembers a tornado on opening weekend and no power for two days.

Janell (Murray) (’81, ’82) Frazier remembers Word of Life being “home” to her when her dad was on staff. That is where she met her husband, Mark!

Ron Glessner (’84, ’85) remembers Joe Schenke believing in him and making him the sheriff of Word of Life Ranch. God worked in his life in ways that even today challenge him to continue to grow in his service to God.

George Theis inspired him to have a heart for God and showed him how a leader should interact with people in a godly way.

Laura (Snyder) Parke (’88) remembers the first snow arriving on October 3 and the Revelation winter tour.

Adam Bottiglia (’98) remembers working and singing in the dish room.

Courtney (Bingman) Stephens (’00) remembers watching people wipe out on the ice! She also remembers there was a boy who sang with his guitar from his dorm balcony. Her first day there, he mortified her by singing about her skirt that was too short! She did not like him but got “stuck” on Word of Life Island with him. To this day they are great friends. She was in his wedding, and he sang at hers!

Jordan Miller (’03, ’04) remembers years of great growth, when he decided to follow the Lord, and when he was challenged in his relationship with God.

Paige (Emond) Johnston (’08, ’09) remembers that she and her friend Beth bought inflatable boats when it was flooding in the spring and just floated around! The next day there was an announcement that no one was allowed in flooded areas. Oops!

Jonathan Poole (’11, ’12) remembers six big guys in his four-seat car, and it didn’t break down!

Aaron Spoonhour (’11) remembers returning from Missions Reality and discovering that his roommates had accidentally burned his towel and bed sheets.

Have a “remember when” you want to share? Send your thoughts to alumni@wol.org, and feel free to include a photo!

Remember When

DAVID KIRABIRAClass of 2005, 2007

THOMAS OBUNDEClass of 1995, 2000

We want photos from YOU!Let us see what’s going on in your life. Post your photos on our alumni Facebook group, or send them to

alumni@wol.org to be printed in the Victory Journal. We welcome any photos of you and your family, although we’d especially love to see you meeting up with

other alumni or saying hello at a Word of Life event.For print publication, please send photos that are one megabyte or larger as attachments.

1918 VICTORY JOURNAL VICTORY JOURNAL

10s

00sThe Victory Journal is here to keep you up to date on alumni weddings, births, ministry opportunities, or other life changes. Contact us at:alumni@wol.org.

Bill and Joan (Mardis) Kline (’93) have three children: Keith, Colette, and William. Bill is the coordinator for their church’s Seasoned Saints Information Center, and Joan counseled at a detention center for six years.

Dawn (Wayson) Martin (’95) just married Phil Martin (’98, ’99) and works at the Word of Life Inn & Family Lodge.

Brent Manuel (’97) works in software training. He enjoys computer programming, traveling, golf, basketball, and softball.

Joshua Snyder (’97) is an elder, a praise team leader, a keyboard player, and a youth leader at his local church. He is also a city carrier for the United States Postal Service. He enjoys camping and fishing. This winter was his first time back on campus in 15 years. He says it is still a great place, centered on God’s Word, with the exciting atmosphere he remembers.

Jonathan Steel (’93) is a corrections officer, is involved in youth ministry, and has three children.

Beth Gallant (’99) works at Sunshine Corners Day Care as the pre-kindergarten teacher. She codirects the 2- and 3-year-olds at Calvary Monument Bible Church.

Amber (Vidal) Baker (’00) is married to Shawn Baker (’98, ’99) and is a stay-at-home mom to their four children: Savannah, Austin, Sebastian, and Aurora.

Margaret A. Truxell (’01) is studying business administration and finances through Liberty University distance learning and is working as a chef at the Bible Institute’s Florida campus.

Jessalyn (Pitzer) Powell (’02, ’03) works at Hobby Lobby and is a featured reporter at the Kokomo (Indiana) Herald.

Josh (’04) and Amanda (Goodrow) Mellinger (’06) have a daughter, Evylyn (3). Josh works as a chef.

Nicole (Rank) Weidman (’05) is working at an immunology lab. She loves spending time with her husband, Phillip, and scrapbooking.

Jason (’06) and Martine (Renaud) (’06, Quebec) Goudy are missionaries with Parole de Vie (Word of Life) in Sherbrooke, Quebec. Martine also works as a nurse at a local hospital.

Laura Evison (’07) (Owen Sound) serves as a graphic design artist at the Bible Institute’s Owen Sound campus.

Caleb Hamm (’07) is working at Word of Life in the photography department.

Alex Smith (’07) worked as an intern at the

Bible Institute’s Florida campus in 2012-2013.

Brian Berger (’08, ’09) is a youth pastor. He’s excited that three girls from the youth group were saved at Snow Camp recently.

Kurt Goglin (’09) and his wife, Amanda, along with their two sons, Elijah (8) and Ezekiel (4), were recently appointed missionaries with the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism to Lima, Peru, to minister through Biblical counseling, theological education, and church planting. They live in Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania, where they teach in the youth group, lead Bible study, and do biblical counseling.

Daniel (’10) and Sonia (Johnston) Bacon (’09) are moving to Northern Ireland and are expecting their first child. Sonia recently qualified as a phlebotomist but is not yet working.

Josiah Brondyke (’10) is a discipleship coordinator at the Bible Institute’s Florida campus.

Kendra Burch (’10) is working to pay off loans and raising support to go back to Brazil.

Amber Ruhstorfer (’10, ’11) lives at home and is working at a home for mentally challenged adults. She is involved in the youth group and the nursery and is a gym leader in a kids’ program.

Rachel Petz (’10, ’11) is at Baptist Bible College, studying early childhood and elementary education. She hopes to head into missions after graduation.

Virginia Johnson (’11) is a manager at McDonald’s. She’s working to be free of debt so she can go to the mission field full time.

Rachel Hope Knaus (’11) is teaching English as a second language while studying at Liberty University.

Nathan Barrett (’11, Owen Sound) is a second-year student at the Bible Institute’s New York campus. He encourages any alumni who haven’t done second year to do so.

Rebecca Clark (’12) is a missionary intern with Word of Life Poland. She encourages alumni to stay in the Word.

Benjamin Powell (’12) is involved in full-time vocational ministry.

Devin Olmedo (’12) is studying criminal justice at Liberty University.

Leah Reist (’12) is studying business and is involved in student leadership as a resident assistant at Liberty University.

alumni@wol.orgALUMNI NEWS

90s80s

70sCarla Gray (’74) is the assistant dean of women at the Bible Institute’s New York campus. She is thankful the Bible Institute taught her to schedule her Quiet Time each day, which has changed her life.

Marshall Wicks (’74) is a resident professor at the Bible Institute’s Florida campus. He encourages alumni to send students.

Rick (’74) and Linda (Bollback) Warken (’75) have served with Word of Life for 37 years. Their recent interests involve grandchildren and family!

Nathan Myers (’75) is retired and working in the sound room at church. He is married to Joyce.

Glenda Martin (’78) is a wife, mom, grandmother, and registered nurse. She is involved in women’s ministry. She and her husband, Wayne, have two grown daughters: Stephanie Orlowski and Kristin Buird.

Dana Towle (’78) is a youth pastor at Midway Bible Church.

Dennis Ulrich (’79) and his wife, Joyce, have three children: Brian (25), Lynne (24), and Emily (21).

Linda (Miller) Davenport (’79) and her husband, David, a pastor, have three children: Amber (28), Craig (27), and Ryan (25). She teaches children’s church and serves with AWANA. The Lord laid on her heart to organize outreach

at the fair, where they have seen many come to Christ.

Mark Trostle (’79) is a missionary with Wycliffe Bible Translators in Papua New Guinea. He and his wife, Estella, have two children: Tim (16) and Micah (13).

Tamera (Champlin) Buffington (’79) works in accounts receivable at the Step Lively Foot and Ankle Center. She and her husband, Scott, have two children: Levi (14) and Jesse (10).

Linda (Ramsey) Wollbrink (’79) and her husband, Larry, have two children: Joseph (20) and Chris (18). She is an instructor at Centra College of Nursing.

Diane (Boyer) Dorman (’80) and her husband, David (’78, ’80), have three children: Katie, Laura, and Andrew. Diane works in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and for United Road Services and Insagenix. She volunteers in her community.

Melody (Urban) Harper (’80) is a registered nurse. She and her husband, Ronald, have five children: Joshua (25), Rebekah (23), Zachariah (22), Josiah (20), and Melody Joy (18).

Deb (Grube) Garner (’81) is involved at her church with the women’s committee. She and her husband, Keith, are involved in the young adult Sunday School class. She enjoys Bible study and being available for friends.

Keith Taylor (’81) works as a youth director in his church. He and his wife, Carol, have four children: Tricia (24), Luke (22), Jessica (21), and Kimberly (19).

Dwight (’82) and Ruby (Murphy) (’82) Stone have two children: Aimee (26) and Amanda Everett (23). Dwight is a youth worker at Heritage Baptist Church and is a self-employed home improvement contractor. Ruby is a teacher’s assistant for special needs students at a local elementary school and is involved in children’s ministry at her local church.

David (’82, ’84) and Becky (Wood) (’82) Wing have two children: Courtney (Wood) Wing (27) and Hanna (21). David is working as a glass manufacturer. Becky works part-time for a local chiropractor and has also spent time in a county group home as a house parent, serving at-risk kids. David and Becky love spending time with their grandson.

Naomi (Janho) Etchison (’83) is an international student coordinator at Aurora Christian School. She and her husband, Scott, have four children: Ruth (19), Kelly, (17), Mary (16), and Noah (13).

Phil Moser (’86) is serving at Fellowship Bible Church. He is married to Kym, and they have four children: Ashlyn (20), Adam (16), Anna (14), and Asa (7).

Karen Taylor (’86) has worked in food services for the Pennsylvania Turnpike

for 25 years. She likes to travel and does volunteer work at her home church.

Kelly Lanette Easton (’88) is involved in her local church, singing in the choir and helping with the Word of Life Gopher Buddies program. She has two children, Andrew (18) and Keagan (4), whom she leads and teaches with the Word of God.

Patti (Norton) Christian (’90, ’91) is a full-time mom to Cole (11), Brett (9), Kaeli (7), and Luke (4).

Woodbury Davis III (’90, ’92) works with young people at his church.

Jeffrey Dowling (’90, ’92) is an amusement park mechanic in Ocean City, New Jersey, and is involved in children’s ministry in his church.

Lorri L. (Aguiar) Astillero (’91) has been a full-time missionary in the Philippines since 2001.

Albert (‘91) and Marisa (Mosely) (‘83) Irizarry have two children, Eric and Megan. Albert works in radiation protection at a nuclear power plant, and Marisa is a homemaker.

Steve (’93) and Tracy (Miklos) (’93) Cole have four children: Caleb (17), Elizabeth (16), Ben (14), and Kate (9). Steve works for Alex Lee Inc., and Tracy works at a pregnancy care center.

Word of Life FellowshipP.O. Box 600Schroon Lake, NY 12870

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDWord of Life

STEWARDSHIP& you:

Bible Institute students today face those same financial challenges. Just as others helped provide for you, you can be God’s instrument now to make the difference between a student staying and going back home. The Adopt a Student scholarship has been established to help bridge the gap.

Sara* has a great heart for the Lord. After serving four summers on Word of Life Island, she thought she was all set to attend the Bible Institute. Then her mom had a heart attack and her dad lost his job. The money that had been saved for Sara to go to the Bible Institute would now have to be used to pay hospital bills and living expenses. Sara had to put her dream on hold until God provided the funds.

Every year, we have young people like Sara who have planned and saved, but, because of circumstances

beyond their control, need some extra help to attend.Did you know that giving just $50 per month could

help determine if students like Sara attend? Has God provided for you so you can be His blessing in the life of a current student?

Will you consider Adopting a Student? Use the attached form to indicate your support. You will receive information about students who have been “adopted,” the impact of your support, and the progress of those assisted by your generosity.

Contact Howard Leach at 518-494-6214 or

howardleach@wol.org

*Name has been changed

By Howard Leach

Remember when you were a student at the Bible Institute, and you or someone you knew were wondering how God would provide for your financial needs? I’m guessing you were amazed as God provided … perhaps through a scholarship.