B ULLETIN THE OPEN BIBLE
MISSIONS TRIP UPDATE STUDENT TESTIMONIAL
PASTOR WAYNE HEIKKINEN GRAD OF 1979
Never Alone
By Matthew Little - President
The world we inhabit is vast, and it’s easy to feel like just an insignificant speck amidst the billions of people. Despite our incredible means of communication today, the personal touch often seems to be lacking. We celebrate individuality, yet it appears that the masses often move together like cattle herded by a rancher. We may be surrounded by others, but we often find ourselves feeling alone. In the creation narrative of Genesis 1-2, God deemed everything in His perfect creation as good, but His first mention of something not being good was loneliness. In May 2023, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, MBA, accurately called loneliness a public health epidemic. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) reports that, as of early 2024, 30% of adults have experi-
enced feelings of loneliness. Regardless of what the world may suggest or how you might feel, know this: God loves you—not in a vague or impersonal manner, but specifically and in ways that are uniquely yours. Consider the encounter in Luke 19:5: “And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, ‘Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house’.” Many may overlook the significance of this moment. As Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem to fulfill His divine mission on the cross, the crowds were overwhelming. In his effort to catch a glimpse of the Messiah, Zacchaeus climbed a tree, hoping for a distant view. Instead, Jesus recognized him, calling him down and choosing to dine at his home.
Nova Scotia Missions Trip
By Mike Grant - Dean of Men
Long but rewarding days can summarize the nine days the five NBBI students and I spent in Nova Scotia during NBBI’s March break. Like last year, we partnered with The People’s Church in Truro to run a VBS program each morning from 8-12. This year, we were thankful to have One Hope missionaries Gary and Christina Long to help us. The Longs have 35 years of camp and VBS experience and Gary currently serves as the Director of Sandy Cove Bible Camp and is also part-time faculty at NBBI. Prior to the trip, we met weekly with the Longs to prepare, and it was time well spent. Gary chose a country theme for the VBS, which was “Driving Home Ques-
Never underestimate your worth; you are not just a random number in this vast world. God desires a personal relationship with you. He knows everything about you—your fears, hopes, passions, and disappointments. Just as He saw Zacchaeus, God sees you and wants you to experience the richness of fellowship with Him. Deuteronomy 31:8 reassures us, “And the Lord, He it is that doth go before thee, He will be with thee, He will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.”
If you’re reading this and feeling isolated, remember that the Creator who made you will never leave you alone. He is a thoughtful companion and a very present help in times of need (Ps. 46:1). Embrace the truth that you are known, valued, and never truly alone.
tions and Rounding Up Answers”. Between 51 and 71 kids attended each day and it was a thrill to see them practically run into the church each morning. The morning was divided between Bible time, crafts, missionary story time, games, singing, and of course, snack time. Roughly half of the kids that came don’t attend church. Will you join us in praying for each life and the hope that was presented?
In the afternoons and evenings, we traveled to the Spryfield/Halifax area to aide Pastor Andrew Ardern and Wayfarers’ Church Plant in different activities. We spent the first afternoon praying for the community. Other activities included baking muffins for a local
school, picking up garbage at the local arena and hosting a free public skate, volunteering at S.O.S (a family help centre), and street evangelism. One highlight of the trip was touring the only Gurdwara in Atlantic Canada where we learned about Sikhism, the fastest growing religion in Canada. We wrapped up the trip by attending the Sunday morning service at Wayfarers’ Church and were encouraged to see the growth in the church since last year.
What a blessing it was to spend March break in these two churches with likeminded believers. It was a thrill to see the body of Christ serving together!
Final Words
By Gary Stairs - Part-time Faculty
That day, in a palliative care unit, my dear mother-in-law called me to her bedside and shared some heartfelt, final words! Time seemed to stop! Those moments, those few words, are precious still even though a quarter century has passed since they were spoken. They have marked my life, experience and memory.
From the unpleasant confines of a prison in Nero’s Rome, a parchment letter was written to young Timothy, the “dearly beloved son in the faith” of the Apostle Paul. It was Paul’s final recorded words to his young protégé. Perhaps a tear stain was even visible in the corner of the page! I am sure that as Timothy read and re-read the contents of this intensely personal letter, his heart was filled with memories. Paul laid bare his heart! His words gently reminded, encouraged, and exhorted his young protégé to “go on” and walk confidently into a future of perilous times even though their special relationship would no longer be available to depend on for guidance, comfort and wise counsel. Timothy, who trusted Paul and viewed him as his spiritual father, was now face-toface with these final, inspired expressions of godly advice. They left no doubt that the apostle believed Timothy could go on without him. In fact, Paul felt Timothy must! Much depended on it!
Timothy was encouraged to remember the past! (2 Timothy 1:3-5)
The imprisoned mentor reminded Timothy to remember his heritage as he faced the uncertainties and challenges ahead. That saving faith and godly example that he witnessed in his mother and grandmother were to be gripped firmly. Their faith, shared with him in years gone by, was real. Instead of being ignored or discarded, it was to be embraced. The lessons and fundamentals of that faith would anchor him in the troubled world in which he lived The past was valuable for life in the present. Timothy was encouraged to not be imprisoned by the past! (2 Timothy 1:6) He must serve in the present (1:6), stir up his gifts, and not rest satisfied on the blessings and decisions of the past.
The rewarding life is one lived now; in the present. Don’t let work for the Lord get stagnant or your life will stagnate! The gifts God has given must be kept active or they will atrophy and life will waste away.
Paul had been Timothy’s stir stick, his agitator for spiritual growth and ministry. So, he says to his younger son in the faith that it was now up to him to accept personal responsibility and keep using his gifts for the Lord!
Benjamin Richards LifeQuest Graduate
Attending New Brunswick Bible Institute has truly been a blessing and a privilege. Before coming, I had heard great things about NBBI and had been told many times by different people that it would be good for anybody to go for a year. About three weeks into my first semester, I started thinking and saying that same thing to others! No matter what kind of background you’re coming from or what you plan on doing long-term, even just one year at NBBI will be so beneficial towards either building or further solidifying the foundation on which to build the rest of your life.
Timothy was encouraged to be strong and soldier on! (2 Timothy 2:1-3)
The days ahead would be perilous but Timothy was challenged to be strong and “endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” Loyalty to the Saviour, focusing on His cause and pleasing Him were to be the driving passions of life. The cost had to be counted, personal ambitions had to be surrendered, and a life of disciplined obedience had to be pursued. The spiritual and life challenges that would come were to be handled by trusting confidently in the commander-inchief, Jesus Christ!
Paul’s words in 2 Timothy written so long ago have relevance today! We must remember our heritage, serve in the present, and soldier on into the days ahead! May we allow our lives and experience to be marked by Paul’s “final words” as we engage these challenging times and by God’s grace, move confidently into the future.
I am not the same person that I was when I first stepped foot on campus. I thank God that I have become so much more equipped to study God’s word, apply it to my life, and confidently share it with others. I am forever thankful that I have been able to spend all this uninterrupted time under sound biblical teaching (and amazing teachers), which has resulted in my love for God and my zeal for the gospel having been forever changed. I eagerly look forward to continuing my studies at NBBI for the next few years!
FAMILY FILE
M. Wendell Calder (’59), on March 25, 2025 in Leesburg, FL. Wendell dedicated his life to serving his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and sharing His message across the globe. He founded Woodland Baptist Church in Woodland, ME and Living Waters Bible Conference in Weston, ME. His passion for teaching led him to serve with Word of Life Ministries around the world. Perhaps most nota-
STAFF ITINERARIES
bly, he founded Local Church Evangelism, a ministry now in its 50th year. Wendell is also remembered for his personal motto: "I will not quit—by God's grace I can do it." He is survived by his wife, Joan, daughter, Laurie (Paul) Harsh, granddaughter, Kristen (Chad) Bell, and great-granddaughters, Kerrigan & Keagan Bell. Wendell’s celebration of life service was held on April 12, 2025 in Lady Lake, FL and may be viewed at the following link:
https://tinyurl.com/3se696eb
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Mike Grant Keith McMahon Matthew Little Tim Leubner