The Open Bible Bulletin - September 2026

THE OPEN BIBLE

BULLETIN

VOL.67

ISSUE 9

SEPTEMBER 2026

FIRST SEMESTER EVENTS

W.O.W. SPEAKER

This Great Endeavour of Ours

By Keith McMahon - Acting President Our theme for this school year, as aptly suggested by our Acting Vice-President, Mike Grant, is “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” from Ephesians 4:3. This excites me, because it is such a practical statement and goal for our staff and students alike.

We don’t have to create unity within the Body of Christ here at NBBI. The Holy Spirit already does this when, upon placing our faith in Christ, He baptizes the believer into the Body of Christ. Note Paul’s words on this matter. “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one spirit we were all baptized into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free – and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many” (I Corinthians 12:12-14).

In the Church, the Body of Christ, there is an organic unity, because of the Holy Spirit’s ministry. He places the many believers into one Body, of which we know Christ to be the Head. Within the Church, and indeed the ministry of NBBI, our responsibility is to recognize and celebrate this organic unity by humbly seeking to relate ourselves to one another in a manner that is consistent with our calling to salvation. This is why Paul tells us to “…walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1-3).

This organic unity that the Spirit has provided can be beautifully showcased by our organizational unity, as we seek to be united in

our care for one another as God’s people right here on the hallowed ground of this little campus.

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit means we will seek to be intentional in our humble, patient love towards one another. It is as we relate lovingly with one another that we will not only be at peace with one another, but we will experience the peace of God that He desires for us.

My challenge for you is that you also endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace as you relate to fellow believers right where you are.

Weekend of Welcome Guest Speaker Jeff Eastwood was born in Saint John, NB and raised in Liverpool, NS. He is a graduate of Northland International University (B.A.) and has been in pastoral ministry since 2003, serving in both Independent and Fellowship Baptist churches in Waterloo, Ontario and Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. He presently serves as the Lead Pastor of Grace Baptist Church, Charlottetown, a multi-staff, multi-ministry church with a passion for biblical preaching and local and regional mission. Jeff is the blessed husband of Melanie and the proud daddy of four beautiful children, Esther, Titus, Elias, and Lydia.

Keith’s Upcoming Itinerary Sept 18-19 White Head Baptist Church, White Head, NB - Missions Conference Sept 20 First Baptist Church, Houlton, ME - AM service

Congratulations, Josh and Katelyn!

NBBI’s incoming Assistant Business Manager, Josh Banks (Assoc. ’26), married Katelyn Lewis (BBS ’24) on July 4, 2026, in beautiful Marshfield, Prince Edward Island.

We celebrate this joyful new chapter with Josh and Katelyn and wish them a lifetime of happiness together. We also look forward to welcoming Josh and Katelyn to the NBBI staff in September!

READ ONLINE!

nbbi.ca

Faith Plus Nothing

By Mike Grant - Faculty/Acting Vice-President Paul Flemming, the founder of New Tribes Mission (now Ethnos), was known for saying, “faith plus nothing.” Paul’s statement resonates with me, and I passionately believe that as believers, we must live by faith. My life verses are Colossians 2:6-7, which state, “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: rooted and built up in him, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” Faith is essential (Hebrews 11:6), first for salvation (Eph. 2:8-9), then as the basis for the Christian life.

As you know, we are starting this year with changes in faculty and staff. The hats that many of us wear

have changed. I am reminded of John 21. The disciples had fished all night and caught nothing! Jesus told them in John 21:6, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” Being experienced fishermen, they could have leaned on their own knowledge and understanding. However, even after all they had seen, learned, and experienced, they recognized their need to continue following the Lord’s instructions.

Luke 5 records a similar event.

Three years prior, after toiling all night and catching nothing, Jesus told them to launch out into the deep! I love how Peter, the experienced fisherman, said, “Neverthe-

less at Your Word I will let down the net.” It is interesting to parallel these two stories. In Luke 5, the disciples began following Jesus by faith and submitted to His Word. In John 21, three years later, after all they had seen, learned, and experienced, they still had to lay aside their knowledge and experience, trust Jesus’ words, and follow His instructions.

As we begin another academic year at New Brunswick Bible Institute, with its changes and added responsibilities, I look forward to seeing what the Lord does as we depend on Him for wisdom, trust Him, and follow His leading.

Thank You for Sharing in the Mission The students on campus today are here by God's grace and through the faithful prayers, encouragement, and support of His people. Thank you for sharing in the mission of preparing the next generation to know God's Word and serve Him faithfully. If you know young adults who may be considering their next steps, or would like resources to help share about NBBI, contact Colby Long at c.long@nbbi.info or 506-323-2825.

September

23

Harvest Fest

Ladies Of Grace

Games, food and fun! Students enjoy time spent together getting to know the freshmen.

Can’t wait to see all the Lord has for us as we explore how we “Called” by studying Romans cahapter 8.

5

October

November

nbbi.ca/ladies

College For A Day This FREE event is for Grades 11 and up. Come sit in on classes and tour our campus!

nbbi.ca/cfad

26

FAMILY FILE BIRTHS

Lydia (Worster – Assoc. ’20) and Mesfin Butera, a girl, Zenaiah Tiruye, on May 17, 2026..

HOMEGOING To Joel (BTh ’20) and Sarah Frost, a boy, Thorrin Alden, on June 21, 2026.

Kimball (“Kim”) Walden (’76), on July 8, 2026 at his home in Greenville, ME. Kim’s happiest years were spent in Papua New Guinea with his wife, Vivian, and their children, Philip, Zachary, Schuyler, Emily and Olivia (deceased in 2007). He traveled all over the island of New Britain, building houses, clinics, schools and several airstrips in remote jungle regions. He later worked stateside doing construction and helping to train young people in a missionary training center. Most important to Kim was his faith in God and his family (including 9 grandchildren). He is remembered as a kind, gentle and strong man who was an encouragement to many.

MARRIAGES

To Jonathan (BTh ’20) & SarahAnn (Blackburn ’19) Swanson, a boy, George David, on June 11, 2026.

LADIES OF GRACE T-SHIRTS Pre-orders end Sept. 15th!

Get yours at nbbi.ca/ladies.

PRAY FOR NBBI

Follow Us!

• Gary Long (Part-time Faculty) : For wisdom as he considers how to adjust the Christian Education course after his first year of teaching it, and for wisdom, direction, and creativity as he combines the Children’s Ministry course, which he has taught, with Youth Ministries, which he has not, into a new course called NextGen Ministries.

• Talitha Grant (Registrar & Secretary to the President) : For wisdom and discernment in evaluating and communicating with prospective students, and for diligence, focus, and attention to detail in managing study permit paperwork and the many responsibilities of administration.

Apply Now!

Give Online: nbbi.ca/donate Give by e-transfer: nbbibusiness@ gmail.com For additional options: Call us toll-free at 1-800-771-NBBI (6224)

Giving by mail: Canada New Brunswick Bible Institute 2335 Route 103 Victoria Corner NB E7P 1C7

U.S.A East Hodgdon Bible Church Attn: NBBI Fund PO Box 828 Houlton ME 04730-0828