PRBI Trumpet - Fall 2014

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Celebrating 80 Years: Looking Ahead

Holding Forth the Word of Life

President’s Message With the decline and restructuring of many Bible colleges in Canada, the question gets raised, “Is there still a place for PRBI today?”

Yet recent studies regarding the spiritual state of Canada and our Christian youth answer the question with a resounding yes! Over the last 24 years, Barry Bowater, who is with the Adizes group, noted a 24% decline in church attendance.1 Some paint a far bleaker picture. Further, one in every three youth raised in Christian homes leaves the church.2 That is a startling revelation. Young people perceive church as more of a social club their parents attend but not a necessity for their lives.

They want to matter, they want to know they have something to contribute, and that their lives have meaning and purpose.

They look for impact between God’s Word and their lives.

Reflecting on these stats, we surely must acknowledge the gravity of Christendom in North America. The transitions young people experience 1

Waldie Neufeld

when moving away from home, along with establishing life on their own, are factors in furthering their disconnect with the church.3 Young people search for something more than simply, “That’s the way we do it around here.” The need for spiritual training becomes self-evident and very reminiscent of the beginnings of many Bible schools in the 1930s.

Mrs. Hattie Monge, sister to Fergus Kirk a founder of Prairie Bible Institute, planted the seeds of a Peace Country Bible School in one Walter McNaughton in 1933. She listed the lack of Bible education and the need to study the Bible in the Peace Country, as reasons for starting a Bible school.4 Need and opportunity always leads the way in starting a new adventure. We of course stand some 81 years after Hattie’s letters and Walter’s bike ride to the Peace Country and celebrate their obedience and achievement, but must look to the future to what we must do.

80 Years and Looking Ahead!

Bible colleges were introduced because there was a need for young people to learn about God and the Bible.

But along with learning about God, we need to be connected to Him and His community. That need still exists today.

The reality is we all long for community, we need community, because we are created for community (Gen 2:18). We need a relationship with God and others to thrive. We can only thrive and grow as individuals when we participate in authentic connections with God and others. Knowing God and His Son Jesus Christ is eternal life and Bible school offers a great opportunity to grow together in faith, where both of these needs converge and for faith to flourish.

Berard and company suggested we will re-engage our Christian youth through the power of conversation.

They need to be connected with people who have a vibrant faith.5 Jesus spoke of this faith in John 17:3, where He

stated, “And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent.� This type of knowing does not just mean knowing intellectual facts about God, but a knowing that is integrated into our lives, transforming us from the inside out. As we allow who He is and what He says to alter our perceptual universe, it will change our hearts, our thinking, and ultimately the way we live.

PRBI remains committed to providing young people with the opportunity to learn about God, but more importantly to know God and through Him to know others (John 17:3, 21).

Their world encourages them to create their own identity (watch facebook) or to look within to find their identity.6 But Scripture plainly lays out the fact that we are created by God to live with Him and each other, so identity arises out of His creation (Gen 2). Knowing God becomes an intellectual and spiritual journey, but 2

also an emotional one. I may know that an excellent opportunity for spiritual God loves me (John 3:16), the intellectual and emotional growth to take place. side, but until I Classes continue to had experienced provide the talking total acceptance points, the first steps by others, I was not of discipleship, and aware of the depth student work and of God’s acceptance sports continue to of me. We discover provide the exposure who we are (identity) points. Yes, student as we connect with work and sports tend God, His Word, and to reveal what we are others. The Word living by, providing and relationships opportunities to Walter McNaughton retracing his original expose the real us! speak to one another journey to the Peace Country ca. 1993.

Therefore we are in grace and truth. committed to His Word and relationships, Our dorms remain one of the better in order to grow to be more like Him! places for grace and truth to be exercised,

Community provides an excellent because of the relational friction and the environment for spiritual growth. We can corresponding opportunity to speak mature when we share our lives with grace and truth or receive it. others, being authentic about who we are PRBI remains committed to its and our needs, and receiving from them disciple-making vision for everyone, grace and truth. Our growth also requires whether serving Jesus on the job or in the speaking truth to others in grace, sharing church. Disciple-making provides, and in their pain, and bringing God’s Word and will provide, incredible opportunities for His Spirit in to the healing process. spiritual and emotional growth, but also

Even though our world is in a endless opportunities to serve our Lord constant state of flux, PRBI affirms the whenever and wherever. As we focus on importance of establishing an integral disciple-making, with its emphasis on relationship with God, growing in character spiritual and emotional growth in Christ, and commitment. we have seen a Young people will remarkable number change jobs a of students head multitude of times, into ministry at lessening the home and abroad value of degrees, and a remarkable but heightening number who serve the importance in their churches of character and or openly serve a relationship Jesus in their jobs. with God. Thus, For this reason, PRBI remains many mission reps, committed to a college environment with denominational superintendents, and classrooms, sports, missional activities, business leaders make PRBI a frequent student work, and dorm life, which provide stop in their recruitment travels. We have 3

had mission reps send their candidates on, and on! God’s investment dividends here for a two-year stint because of what are beyond comprehension. Thank you God does in their lives while here and non- for your consideration.

Christian business people say they want our students.

Under God’s vision, PRBI’s mission gathers momentum and strength through the various voices of alumni and friends.

We want to thank you! Your conversations Waldie Neufeld, Ph.D. encourage young people to come to PRBI President and your financial investments afford them the opportunity to study and grow Waldie has been at PRBI for 24 years. He in Christ. I have appreciated so much the especially enjoys teaching the Gospel of Mark overwhelming willingness to contribute on disciple-making. He and his wife, Sharon, when I have called alumni and friends to have four children and 13 grandchildren. invest in student lives here at PRBI. Thank you!

Would you consider investing in [1] Bowater, “Introduction to Adizes Methodology,” PRBI’s students again this year or maybe Lecture, February 12, 2012. investing for the first time, in changing [2] Berard, Penner, & Bartlett, Consuming Youth, 29. lives for Jesus Christ? The investment [3] Ibid, p. 14.

[4] Thiessen, With Sails on His Bike, 71-72. happens in a moment but changes a life [5] Berard, Penner, and Bartlett, 96, 121. forever, and that life impacts another, and [6] Kuehne, Sex and the i World, 140.

Decade Reunions October 18 at 2 p.m.

The only one missing is you.

Visit www.prbi.edu to register.

From Our Faculty Of all the past PRBI presidents I have heard of, I think I best relate to Archie Ruark.

Though I never met him I am told that he had a great sense of humour. Mixed together with his quick wit was a sincere faith. Downstairs from my office in Ruark Hall is a sketch of his life here. One frame of the picture shows him standing in front of a newly constructed school building that had the words ‘Get Right With God’ printed over the doorway. I have always liked the simplicity of that phrase. It is direct and cuts to the core of what we need to do.

How do you get right with God? When Paul wrote to the Philippians, getting right with God was one of the key questions he addressed. In chapter three he warned his gentile readers about a group of teachers they encountered who taught that the way to please God was to meticulously follow the commandments and ceremonies of the Old Testament.

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Jason Gayoway

On the surface this does not seem like a crazy idea. I think un-churched people who read the Old Testament see a lot of rules and laws and conclude that the way to make God happy is rigidly follow them. Indeed, it seems hard to believe that following God’s Word could be bad advice. I think the answer is that God is not just interested in what we do but why we do it. We are a heart and not only a head.

Following the commandments without building a relationship with God makes us “legalists”. A legalist is someone who relies on their own good actions to make them right with God. It is a kind of pride. It is cold where real faith is warm.

It is uncaring and right, but not loving.

Legalism has to do with “me” – Me keeping the commandments.

Real faith has to do with God – knowing God and loving God. Moses was friends with God, not just a good man.

Opposite to that, David is held up

Pressing On In Philippians 3:4 he says that if there is anyone, and I mean anyone, who thinks that being born a Jew and following the law makes you right with God it is him.

This belief Paul calls ‘confidence in the flesh’.

What made him such a great example? He gives his credentials in two parts. The first proved that he was of the correct lineage as any Jew in Jerusalem might want. The second showed his religious devotion. Without getting into the details, the list was impressive. It mentions, for example, that Paul was perfect in his obedience to the commandments of the law that others could see. Verse 6 says, “. . . And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.” (NLT) That’s quite a boast. Keep in mind that according to Romans 7 he broke the laws that people could not see, Paul’s explanation So you can see the quandary Paul is like coveting, yet his ability to perfectly in as he tries to refute the legalists. He keep the outward laws showed a lot of does so by using himself as an example. discipline and courage. throughout the Bible as a model, but he killed someone (so did Moses). David also slept with another man’s wife. How can either of these guys be models? The answer is that real faith is not just being good, it has to do with being FOR God. Real faith means being forgiven and being in a relationship with God.

The legalism of that age got many things right, but the core things wrong. Are we to obey the laws of the Old Testament? Without getting into too much discussion of those laws that Jesus antiquated, the answer is mostly ‘yes’.

It is not like Paul is saying theft is okay now because we are all Christians. Yet obeying the law is not the same thing as faith either in the Old Testament times or the New Testament times.

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So, if anyone could say “I did it!” about the Old Testament, it was Paul.

Yet after He became a follower of Jesus he counted these accomplishments not just as unnecessary but as an obstacle to real faith. In verse 8 he says he speaks of Jesus his Lord, “. . . for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ”. That is quite a shocking change of thinking. He drew his entire identity from his proud birth as a ‘Hebrew of the Hebrews’ and unblemished keeping of the outward law for most of his life. Now, he speaks of it as something he must put behind him to pursue Christ.

Keep in mind that when Paul speaks of ‘forgetting what is behind’ in verse 13 he is not advising us to never deal with the issues of our past.

Sometimes we need to revisit the past in order to deal with the roots of our emotions before we are able to move forward. This is often a key part of our discipling work with students. Paul was not leaving behind his past as much as leaving the belief that all he needed to be right with God was his own good works.

the core of what he is talking about was obtaining deep knowledge of Christ.

Paul O’Brien notes that this is a personal knowledge which, “…clearly emphasizes that it is the only knowledge worth having, a knowledge so transcendent in value that it compensates for the loss of everything else.” His description of what he traded for is a crescendo of passion and faith.

One might imagine that knowing Jesus would make you dry and passionless.

Indeed, as I write these things I am sitting in the middle of our school library in summertime. Though I have the windows open, the books around me absorb all of the moisture from the air so it is as dry as a desert where I sit.

It is hard to imagine a more academic Christian environment.

Hundreds of the books around me have to do with Paul or his writings. His epistles are filled with detail and complexity that we are still grappling with.

You might have expected that the net result of his knowledge would have made the apostle an ivory tower academic who sees God as some sort of hypothetical construct to be mused over but not taken seriously. Instead we have Towards a knowledge of Jesus before us a man whose knowledge has So what was the former Pharisee getting led him to a night and a day in the sea, in exchange for his hard-won identity? forty lashes minus one, the loss of his What was he now moving towards? The status, and the heritage of his birth. As he next few verses are some of the most writes these things to the Philippians he is powerful in the New Testament. You get on trial for his life. Should he manage to the feeling that Paul was trying to explain avoid the death penalty he would forever something that he knew in his heart but have to dodge others who would gladly had trouble putting into words. I think kill him.

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It would be normal to see him how to get that first million or that great feeling defeated and broken – a man at vacation or the recognition and love of the end of his rope. Yet instead of regret those around me. here in this most hopeless place we find an Take a moment to think of where amazing zeal and passion for his saviour. you draw your identity from. Few of us He testifies that the can immediately say “He testifies that the sufferings he has without reservation gone through were that it is from our close sufferings he has gone not a waste of time with Jesus and through were not a waste walk but are listed as one our deep knowledge of time but are listed as of Him. Usually we are of the ways that he knows Jesus. To us one of the ways that he a mix of our faith and today this seems a the applause of those knows Jesus.” mystery. We easily we consider important. assume that when our circumstances are It cost Paul a lot to give that up. For us the good that we are in line with God’s will. If cost may be just as high but a marvellous life is rough, we must be doing something freedom awaits those who do so. wrong. Yet Paul shows us that the opposite is sometimes true as he famously writes that he knows Jesus through, “. . . the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; . . . ” (verse 10).

What’s more, Paul does not seem Jason Gayoway to be finished reaching for this knowledge Faculty and friendship with Christ. Unlike the legalistic righteousness he spoke about in verses 4-6, his pursuit of Jesus is ongoing.

No doubt he looked forward to his future resurrection from the dead (verse 11), but this is clearly not the only thing Paul is striving for. He seems to be aiming for a kind of perfect faith. He feels that he already has laid hold of Christ, but also that he is still trying to do so.

Paul needed to put away the pride he felt in his heritage and legalistic obedience in order to know Christ. For us today there may be other things that we draw our identity from and need to count as write-offs. It is kind of freeing to do this.

Once I give all of that up I am no longer in the rat race. I stop thinking of myself as being valuable because of my position, popularity, or education. I am no longer putting so much of my thoughts and my hopes in this world. I stop worrying about

Jason has served as PRBI faculty since 2008 and as Pastoral Ministries Chair since 2013. He is married to Jill and they have two children, Austin and Ethan.

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Time Flies Most of you will have filled in the “when you’re having fun” part of the title. Though I cannot really use “fun” to describe life – I’ve never really liked how our culture has made that word the determiner of all things – it is amazing how much time has flown. As I write this I mark five years since I was diagnosed with cancer and told that I would most likely not be around in two years. Only later did I understand the real prognosis was about nine months. By all accounts I am a survivor, though I have not had remission. I am living with cancer, the very thing I believe the Lord asked if I was willing to do early on during one of my chemo treatments. That realization is very significant, as we do not generally plan how to live in a debilitated state. We pray that it will not happen to us, we pray against anything that may look like it is going in that direction. We consistently pray against such things in another’s life.

Yet, here I am as a testimony to God’s plans. Proverbs tells us that the mind of 9

Darrell Gerber

man plans his way, but the Lord orders his steps. I must be honest, I have felt guilt when I see others, some, good friends, lose their battle.

Many thoughts flood one’s mind at such a milestone. I distinctly remember telling a student during a chapel getacquainted time in November 2009, that I expected to be in heaven in 5 years. As I seem to be doing fairly well at this point, I do not see that happening, though none of us really knows for sure. Therein lies the main truth I have had reinforced – our times are in the Lords hands. Whatever the horizon may seem to show, it is only the LORD who knows.

That realization should challenge our deepest thinking. While we celebrate God’s goodness in my life, we must also ask would God not also be good if the nine month prognosis had been true. Is God good in the situations of the many friends and acquaintances that have died from a variety of diseases and accidents,

newborn, some well on in years? Is God in control? Soon after my diagnosis, while my wife was struggling to come to terms with it, a friend seemed indifferent saying that none of us knows if we will be alive tomorrow. While the statement is basically true, it wasn’t the most sensitive thing to say. But more importantly, it begs the question, do any of us really live in light of eternity?

While anything can happen, we do not generally worry about that on any given day, unless of course we are just frustrated beyond belief, and want to be removed from the situation. Many days over the last five years I woke up wondering if this would be my last, or at least the beginning of the end.

In the spring of 2011 I took a turn for the worse and by the end of June I really doubted if I would see the end of August.

As I struggled through that myriad of thoughts and emotions deluging my mind, I thought of Paul’s words in Philippians 1 as he shared his own struggle – to die and be with Christ is far better, but to remain behind is more needful. That is how we are to live – caught between heaven and earth. As I look around, my fear is that we are simply caught in earth. We are busy about so many things, as Jesus chided Martha. Yes we must live, but we must first live for Christ.

I would like to take this milestone of celebration in my life to challenge us all to live for eternity. At this point I am doing okay. My cancer seems to be held at bay, last week’s CT scan showing no significant change, but no deterioration either. My

blood is struggling to cope with the trial drug and it falters some months, but strengthens others. As I live with cancer, I am seeking to find purpose for my life, for the days that remain. An insightful man asked me a few days ago, how I was doing, being caught in such limbo. He really understood. I was thankful for that.

My greatest fear was that I would fizzle out, and that seems to be the course at this point. But I seek to find what the Lord would have for me in these days. He has a purpose, for He does nothing without one. May you also seek and know what His purpose is for you as well, beyond the daily grind or struggles that you face. I am grateful for all the prayers and support I have received, and continue to covet those things. Pray that I may know what the Lord desires of me specifically, and pray that for yourself as well. May we all live our remaining days to the glory of God and the building of his kingdom.

Darrell Gerber Faculty (Medical Leave) Darrell has been on staff at PRBI since 1995. He and his wife, Sharron, have two college-age daughters.

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Tough Questions Why should I participate in the local church?

The first step in answering this question is to define “church.” The church has two distinct identities which sometimes conflict – the church spiritual and the church institutional. The challenge is to see the church as Christ views her.

The church spiritual is Christ’s body and bride (1 Co 12:12-27; Re 19:6-9).

The church institutional is primarily a political/legal organization comprised of tax laws, voting members and the like. The institutional church exists to serve the spiritual church (Ac. 6:17). Unfortunately, (as McDougall notes) even our vocabulary regarding “church” “…conspires to restrict our thinking to the apparent church rather than the true church of which the Scripture speaks.”1 In fact, the very question, “Why should I go to Church?” seems to reflect an institutional rather than a spiritual view of church.

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Faculty

The church is the pillar and foundation of the truth (1 Tm 3:15). Its mission and purpose is to glorify God (Ep 1:3-14) by making disciples of all nations (Mt 28:18-20). The remarkable thing is that you and I have been given the “solemn and exciting privilege of assisting in the process of preparing the bride of Christ for her wedding day. Getting her cleaned up, dressed up, made up and ready for her husband!”2 As the apostle Paul states, we want to “. . . present everyone fully mature in Christ.” (Cl 1:28 NIV). God has graciously extended to us the invitation to participate in this process and that is why we should go to church.3 Dustin Burlet Faculty [1] Colin S. McDougall, C:1. Copyright 1993.

[2] Ibid., C:5.

[3] Recommended Reading: Church: Why Bother? by Philip Yancey

Do my doubts about God mean that I am unsaved?

What tough questions are students asking?

Years ago I read that depression is the common cold of the mind. It is a malady that many of us will go through. In the same way I feel that doubts about one’s salvation are the common cold of the evangelical heart. So do doubts mean that I am not saved? Well, yes and no.

No - Feelings come and go.

Years ago I was taught an illustration about how we should rely more on the facts of our salvation rather than our feelings. The illustration was a picture of a locomotive labelled “Facts” pulling a car called “Faith” followed by the “Feelings” caboose. Got it? The fact is that Christ saves us when we trust in Him. That is where we must place our trust, not in ourselves. We have faith in that fact and then somewhere later our feelings will follow.

Yes - Feelings can tell us things that our conscious mind is unwilling to face. They may point to sins that are hidden and need to be repented of or they may point to the fact that you do not really believe in Jesus. Perhaps your belief is so small it is hardly there at all and you have managed to mask that through the outward duties of religion.

There are many reasons for our doubts. Some of them are legitimate while others are generated by our feelings of inadequacy or our lack of trust in authorities. Lynn Anderson’s book If I Really Believe, Why do I Have These Doubts has more information on this common cold of the heart.

A question I am often asked by my students is, “How is knowing about history relevant for my life?” The stereo-typical history course is an unimaginative study of dates and events that usually needs to be memorized for an exam, only to be soon deleted from memory. When history is reduced to a list of facts, students fail to grasp its significance for their lives. To their credit, students want to know that what they are studying is meaningful for their Christian life and vocation. Introducing them to the people of history and their stories goes a long way to achieving an interest in learning about the past. As students reflect not only on the strengths and sacrifices of historical characters, but recognize that God used people in spite of their human shortcomings, they begin to realize that God can use them too. History does not have to be a dreaded study of dusty information, instead it can become a study that inspires them to engage their world in important ways as they ask God to work in them and through them for His purposes.

Kim Cairns Faculty

Jason Gayoway Faculty Email: prbi@prbi.edu to submit your questions.

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Development Message This past year a post about two cows trended on social media that sought to define economic philosophies through the concept of owning two cows. A few examples: - Socialism: You own two cows. You give one to your neighbour.

- Communism: You own two cows. The state takes both and gives you some milk.

- Capitalism: You own two cows. You sell one and buy a bull (plus tax).

- Monarchism: You own two cows. The King takes some of the milk.

Of course the list goes on, but the point is clear – just because you own two cows does not mean that they are yours in their entirety. Social justice, social programs, state taxes, and sovereign 13

Jeremy Johnston

Kings all make that share of your two cows a little smaller even though you own them, no matter where you live or what economic philosophy is dominant. In a sense, this is also true in God’s economy, but even more so since God is the owner of all (Ps 50:12, 24:1-2). The two cow equation in God’s Economy would be: You are the steward of two cows, but God owns all the cows (Ps 50:10). How true.

Martyn Lloyd-Jones once retold a story about a farmer with two cows in Studies in the Sermon on the Mount. The farmer raised these two cows as his own and decided when the time came to sell, he would donate the money from the sale of one of the cows to the Lord’s work. A few months passed, and the farmer was shocked to find that one of the two cows was dead. Saddened, the farmer exclaimed, “The Lord’s cow is dead.” Which is true, God is the owner of all. But what the farmer meant was that his donation to the Lord’s work was dead too.

Practical Work at PRBI.

A Tale of Two Cows

Though it is easy to condemn the farmer for his response to the dead cow, the farmer is a relatable character.

He is not the only one who struggles with the concept of ownership versus biblical stewardship.

Biblical stewardship’s foundation is based on the principal that God is the owner of all things because all things were created by Him and for Him (Ps 24:1, Co 1:16). The very first words in the Bible assert God’s ownership – “In the beginning God created…” (Ge 1:1). He spoke, and the heavens were made (Ps 33:6). Currency (Hg 2:8), animals (Ps 50:10-11), and everything on earth belongs to Him (Ex 19:5, De 10:14, 1 Ch 29:11, Ps 50:12, 95:5). “All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being” (Jn 1:3). In other words, we have nothing that is absolutely ours.

We have received everything from God (1 Ch 29:14), every good thing (Ja 1:17) to enjoy (1 Tm 6:17). He knit us together (Ps

139:13). Even our ability to make money comes from Him (De 8:11-20), our oxygen too (Ac 17:25)! He is Adonai. Thus, we cannot claim true ownership of anything!

But oh how we like to claim ownership! Yet the reality is that our homes, cars, paychecks, jobs, businesses, savings, really everything is the Lord’s. The church in Acts had a good understanding of this theology and how it plays out. “. . . the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them.… For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need” (Ac 4:32, 34-37). When God is viewed as the True Owner, we can freely give because we understand it is not ours in the first place.

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One of the contributors for the monthly devotional magazine, Our Daily Bread, once wrote about an old store owner who had a large parking lot that was not used on Sundays. Next to the parking lot was a growing church in need of some extra Sunday morning parking. One day a church member asked the owner if the church would be permitted to use his parking lot. The store owner graciously agreed, with one exception. “Feel free to use my parking lot for 51 weeks of the year, but on the 52nd week of every year, I’ll chain it off.” The church member was pleased, but curious, “What happens on the 52nd week?” Smiling, the old store owner replied, “Absolutely nothing! I just want you to remember that it’s not your parking lot.” God, much like the old store owner, uses His Word to remind us that it is not our parking lot, so to speak. He is the Owner and we are all just stewards. The farmer with two cows reminds us that we often get that confused!

Through the last 80 years, PRBI has been blessed with faithful donors who understand well the theology of God’s Ownership. Our donors sacrificial giving

has kept PRBI afloat through many of the hard years.

Speaking of sacrificial giving, a story about a farmer with the two cows is told about one of our donors too. The only difference is how the story ended.

This story ends with the farmer giving up the living cow to PRBI and having his family drink powdered milk for the winter. Amazing! Good theology leads to generous giving! I would like to both thank you for your partnership with us and invite you to continue investing in the lives of young people at PRBI by giving financially. Your investment is yielding growth!

Jeremy Johnston Director of Development Jeremy (g ‘09) has been on staff at PRBI since 2009. He and his wife Leah have a one-year old son, Jasper.

Fill out the survey on the envelope to help us make the Trumpet even better!

2014-2015 Freshmen

Please pray for the Freshman class of 2014-2015.

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Financial Update Peace River Bible Institute Statement of Operations and Budget July 2013 - June 2014 Revenue

Income To Date

Annual Budget

Student Fees & Other Programs

1,002,856

1,076,000

56,966

33,150

Rental Income

200,159

194,000

103%

Donations - Undesignated Donations - Designated Total Donations

692,263 102,302 794,565

786,500

101%

Sales & Non-Program Fees & Services

93%

Special Projects

98,725

Interest Income

15,727

9,950

158%

Total Revenue

2,168,998

2,099,600

103%

Expenses

Expenses To Date

Annual Budget

% of Budget To Date

Academics

442,531

449,185

99%

Student Life

322,926

270,913

119%

Food Services

205,734

230,641

89%

Promotion & Development

303,068

290,177

104%

Admissions

147,541

154,553

95%

Administration

551,660

501,916

110%

Facilities & Maintenance

162,018

201,865

80%

Special Projects

100,933

Total Expenses

2,236,412

2,099,250

107%

Net Income (Loss) Excludes Amortization Expense 17

% of Budget To Date

(67,414)

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Admissions Some of the most entertaining scenarios unfold while on the road recruiting. Ask anyone who has ever represented an organization at an Education Fair or a conference, and I’m sure they will be able to tell endless tales of the characters that have entertained (or scarred) them along the way. Although I often leave an event amused (or alarmed) by many of the interactions, I am also encouraged and energized by many others! God has a way of bringing people along at just the right time.

Some of the most intimidating moments to be standing next to a banner proudly displaying “A Bible College For Life”, are during a primarily secular event. I find that these moments call for a continuing surrender and reliance on the Holy Spirit. And me sometimes repeatedly chanting “I am not ashamed of the Gospel” (I try to keep the chanting inside my head).

One such event occurred last November. As I stood anticipating the arrival of High School students, I prayed a prayer that God would bring along the right people to my table – whether that meant someone needing encouragement, needing to hear the Gospel, or a potential student. I interacted with countless youth, some curious, some mocking, and some treading in the waters of what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

A girl in grade 12 approached my table both interested and surprised. With thoughts of life post-high school on her mind, she began to ask questions. She had recently been throwing around the idea of attending a Bible college rather than immediately pursuing her education in the medical field. Unsure of what her

parents would think about her change of plans, she began to unpack her ideas of why she thought gaining a foundation at a Bible college was valuable before pursuing further education. Although I had the privilege of answering her questions it was clear that the Holy Spirit had gone ahead and prepared her heart for our little encounter. It is also apparent that the Holy Spirit was at work in her parents’ lives as well! We are now anticipating her arrival as a student this September!

Would you continue to bring young people before the Lord as they make decisions about their futures? Pray that the hearts of youth would pursue the idea of who they want to be, not just of what they want to do.

Sandra Ford Admissions Manager

Coming to a Town Near You!

While in your area our Admissions Team would appreciate an opportunity to share about PRBI with your group or individual(s). If you are interested contact: admissions@prbi.edu or 1-800-959-PRBI (7724).

September 23 – October 5

Central and Southern Alberta and Central and Southern Saskatchewan

October 26 – November 9

Okanagan, Shuswap, and Northern BC

November 3 – 9

Edmonton, Calgary, and area 18

PRBI Team Members 2014-2015 Back Row: Kate Potter, Jason Gayoway, John Bell, Shane Dell, Dustin Burlet Third Row: Shelley Martindale, Wanda Penner, Adeline Willems, Jill Gayoway, Brad Cowie, Eddie Hall, Kathryn Wood, Janet Gibbs, Hanna Bussemeier Second Row: Sharon Neufeld, Waldie Neufeld, Darrel Schmidt, Jeremy Johnston, Ron Reynolds, Kim Cairns, Nolan Dyck Front Row: Emma Hanet, Sandra Ford, Rebekah Brisbin, Camille Demers, Megan Deal, Ruth Willis, Brody Klassen Missing from Photo: Darrell Gerber, Caleb Semenyna Moving In and Moving On Welcome Megan Deal (Cook), Camille Demers (Resident Director), Janet Gibbs (Business Office Manager), Brody Klassen (Head Cook), and Caleb Semenyna (Presidential Administrative Assistant) to the PRBI Team.

Thank you Warren Charlton, Ise Grohmueller, David Stauffer, Meadow Teele, and Justin Worthington for your excellent service on the PRBI Team. God bless you as you continue to serve Him elsewhere.

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PRBI presents

Global Ministries Conference

Hands and Feet October 16-18 Go to www.prbi.edu for more details.

College News SUMMER PROJECTS

Our summers at PRBI are always filled up with various maintenance projects. This summer is no exception! Take a look…

Our campus is looking particularly attractive these days thanks to the gardening efforts of Louise Von Zuben.

The Gym foyer’s flooring was replaced which drastically improves the look of this area.

We have developed a suite for married guests to stay in while they check out our campus.

Much needed plumbing upgrades in the women’s dorm as well as new dressers have put smiles on the ladies’ faces.

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The 96th Street houses have been given a fresh coat of paint.

Trailer #12 was sold! PRBI is officially trailer free.

MISSION TEAM REPORT

Moni Onsi! (Hello Everyone!) This August we had the opportunity to send a team of four students and three leaders for three weeks to Malawi, Africa. They spent most of their days ministering in villages, running programs for children, women and youth, as well as making home visits. Ron & Brett were given the opportunity to preach the Gospel.

According to the team, they were all challenged in many ways as they stepped out and served in areas unfamiliar to them. One part that the team found difficult was to see how poor the people were knowing they had so little to offer them. Even though many Malawians live in poverty, the teams was incredibly blessed by their joy, even though by our standards they had so little.

The team is very thankful for the opportunity to have served the people of Malawi, and deeply appreciated the prayers and gifts of all those who supported them. Mulungu Akudalitseni! (God Bless!)

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GYM PROJECT UPDATE

The Gym project continues to move forward. Scheunhage is in the final planning stages of the engineered drawings. At this point we are in the process of hiring a contractor that will begin construction as soon as possible. We are looking forward to having this project underway.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS UPDATE

This year we have one member stepping off and one member coming onto the Board of Directors. Terry Balisky is moving off the Board of Directors after 36 years (13 of which he was chair) but will stay on the Corporate Board. Terry has been an integral part of the Board of Directors for many years and Marcy, his wife, has also been involved, especially in prayer. He has often been willing to step into decisions with clarity and purpose, guiding the Board in the process. His wisdom has helped us as we have journeyed with students, affirming the need to focus on relationships rather than how things may look. Thank you Terry and Marcy for your undivided attention in serving on PRBI’s Board of Directors.

A new member joining the Board of Directors this year is Ruth Enns, one of founder Walter McNaughton’s daughters. Ruth certainly has a passion for PRBI. She has been faithfully involved in the ministry since she was a child. Thank you for coming on board.

The Board members are: (Top) Abe Braun, Les Derksen (Board Chair), Ruth Enns, Don Warkentin, Dennis Landis (Bottom) Travis Toews, Richard Smith, Graham Plett.

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come see before you decide. eview 2015 March 5-7 Grade 10+ sford@prbi.edu

Alumni & Staff News BIRTHS

BOETTCHER, Randy (g ‘14) & Valerie (nee: Ward, ug ‘12) We are happy to announce the birth of our daughter, Gabrielle, born January 10, 2014, at 5:05am and was 7lbs. 10 oz. Our lives are forever changed and we could not be happier! She is truly a blessing to us and brings us such joy. We are thankful for our friends and family who have helped us, prayed for us, and give us wisdom on being new parents. We appreciate prayer for the future! Thank you!

BOURGET, Josh (g ‘11) & Merry (nee: Brown, g ‘08) welcomed their firstborn daughter, Iris Monica Hannah, born January 19, 2014. Josh is working in plumbing wholesale in Grande Prairie, Alberta, and Merry is enjoying her maternity leave from working at the QEII hospital as an LPN.

KUNZ, John (g ‘09) & Alaina (nee: McEwan, g ‘06) and big brother Carter are excited to announce the arrival of Judah Robert weighing 8lbs. 13oz. and 21 ¼ in. long.

We welcomed Judah into this world on May 21, 2014, at 2:11pm. The Kunz family currently reside in Clairmont, Alberta.

THIELMANN, Andrew (g ‘13) & Anna (nee: Neudorf, g ‘13) We are happy to announce the birth of our baby boy, Joshua Andrew. He was born on March 16, 2014, weighing 8 lbs. 4 oz. and 21 in. long. We are so grateful for this energetic, happy son that God has blessed us with. Our prayer is that Joshua would have a deep love for the Lord and that he would be a godly leader as he seeks to further God’s kingdom. Andrew is currently finishing an internship at Hillsdale Baptist Church in Regina, Saskatchewan. We are prayerfully considering what direction to go once his internship is completed.

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VIEL, Dan (g ‘04) & Heather (nee: Derksen, g ‘05) Kendall Susanne was born January 19, 2014, weighing 8 lbs. 8 oz. and 19 3/4 in. long. She joins her big sisters Maddison & Brooklyn, who were excited at her arrival and enjoy every smile and kiss that they can get from her. Life with 3 girls is never dull but we thoroughly enjoy our girls and the excitement and challenges that they bring to our lives.

UPDATES

CHARLTON, Warren (Staff, ‘05-’14) & Ellen Transitions in life are not always simple or easy and we have experienced that during this past year. The Lord has faithfully directed our steps back into the pastoral ministry at the Two Hills Fellowship Chapel in Two Hills, Alberta. Many people have helped us through their prayers, and many who had the opportunity, with their hands. We give the Lord all the praise for the love of his people for us. We thank our Saviour for your prayers over the nine years we were at PRBI. If you think of us in the future, please pray for us and for the spread of the Gospel in and around the town of Two Hills. Two Hills is a unique community and we “want to be all things for all people that we might save some.”

GURNETT, Merv (g ‘12) & Lorie (nee: Moir, ug ‘00) I am the Student Life Director at Rock Solid Refuge. My wife, Lorie, and I live on site with our children, Logan and Aurora. We have been with this organization for almost two years. We work to bring God’s transforming love to teens from across Canada who are dealing with drug use, anger, behaviour problems, etc. Lorie, as the part-time Administrative Assistant, gets many calls from hurting parents who do not know where else to turn. My position is similar to the Dean of Men at a Bible school. I oversee daily program operations.

This is the hardest, most difficult, and most draining thing I have ever done; yet, it is the most rewarding.

MCPHEE, Dave (g ‘03, Staff, ‘03-’12) & Janna (nee: Goulet-Jones, ug ‘03) Following the Lord’s call in 2012, our family (children: Hudson [8], Hope [5], Liberty [3]) made an international transition in our disciple-making ministry. After nine beloved years teaching at PRBI, we were led from the well-known into the unknown when we began serving as missionaries in Northern Uganda. We now live and work with a ministry called Restoration Gateway – which exists to join Christ in restoring peace, and healing wounds among vulnerable children and war-torn people of the north. Our role here focuses on the area of spiritual formation, where we get to participate in medical outreaches, seminars for local pastors, choir/corporate worship, and my personal favorite - teaching a “Discipleship and Life Skills” class in the Restoration Gateway School. As we approach the tail end of our two-year term we look to our Lord for all He has in store for us – and give Him thanks!

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PAQUETTE, Tim (g ‘96) & Katrina (ug ‘96) (Children: Jamie, Morgan, Dylan, Spencer) Tim has been a youth pastor for 11years as well as a church planter for five years. Most recently he has been the Camp Manager for Sunnybrae Bible Camp. Tim says that Sunnybrae has enjoyed a significant relationship with PRBI in that they have experienced spectacular growth in partnership with what God was doing at PRBI. “We attribute our growth to your good students partnering in our ministry.”

STAUFFER, David (g ‘01, Staff, ‘01-’03, ‘04-’14) & Jennifer (nee: Lobb, g ‘05) Jen & I have decided that it is time for a new adventure. We have been a part of the PRBI family for 15 years (including the years I attended school). We were married in 2005 and have three children: Maryn (7), Marie (5), and Finlay (3). After many thoughtful conversations with mentors, friends, family, and PRBI’s leadership, God has provided a freedom to pursue new opportunities for serving Him. I plan to finish up here at the end of September, and then take some time to rest, reflect, and listen for God’s leading. We would like to remain in Sexsmith, Alberta, and continue our involvement in our home church and community. We would appreciate your prayers as we step into where God might have us next.

WIEBE, Andy (g ‘90) & Lynette Lynnette and I live in Carseland, Alberta. I have been the pastor of Bow River Alliance Church for the past six years. Our two daughters are both students away from home. Taryll is at the Vancouver Film School in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Rynnelle is at Tyndale University College in Toronto, Ontario. I started out as a youth pastor in Edmonton, Alberta, and am now in my third rural church as the solo pastor.

I enjoy the challenges of being the only pastor in a small church. One of the joys of the past couple of years has been to partner with a few others to help plan a new church in Langdon, Alberta. I love rural church ministry and am one of the founding leaders of the Rural Church Pastors Network. One of the things I really appreciated about PRBI that has shaped my ministry in a large way is the commitment to the Bible and to biblical preaching.

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WEDDINGS

KEIM, Jesse (g ‘13) & Autumn (nee: Teele, g ‘09, Staff ‘09-’12) Jesse and Autumn were married in Alberta on May 24, 2014. They are living in Fort St. John, British Columbia, for the summer where Jesse is working in construction and Autumn is recovering from Lyme Disease. They are living simply and enjoying the time of rest God has given.

WIEBE, Richard & Chelsie (nee: Cassidy, ug ‘13) were married June 7, 2014, in Taylor, British Columbia. We are settling into married life well, living and working in Fort St. John, British Columbia. Richard is working as a mechanic for a logging company and Chelsie is working in reception and accounts payable for Horizontal Directional Drilling.

We currently attend and serve at the Fort St. John Alliance Church and look forward to getting more involved in the future. We have been enjoying the journey God has brought us to throughout the past year and look forward to what He has in store for us in the future.

WILLIS, Norwin (nee: Bussemeier, ug ‘14) & Ruth (Staff, ‘13-present) Norwin and I were married on July 19, 2014. We are settling into a house not far from Sexsmith, Alberta, which is close to our families. I am continuing as head cook at PRBI while Norwin continues working on a farm near Bezanson, Alberta. Webster Church has been a big part of both of our lives and we continue to attend and be involved with the church body there. We are not sure what exactly we will be doing in the near future but we feel God is leading us towards starting a farm. We look forward to the plans He has in store for us.

WOOD, Hunter (g ’08, Staff,‘11-’13) & Kathryn (nee: Bienert, g‘08, Staff,‘11-present) We are pleased to announce our wedding, August 16 ,2014! We feel so blessed that after years of being students and co-workers together at both PRBI and David Thompson Bible Camp, God led us to become friends and then led us into marriage. Perhaps this comes as no big surprise, as we have heard the phrase “It’s about time this finally happened.” over and over since dating and on our wedding day! Out of the blessing of PRBI and the work of Christ, we have been able to be involved in our churches, camps, and the school for many seasons. It is with delight that we look forward to sharing with others the gospel and loving them through discipleship now as a married couple. A big thank you to all those who have supported us over the years. With love, the Woods.

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WITH THE LORD

THRONESS, Harald Norman (g ‘50) September 2, 1928 - August 5, 2014. Harald was born to Bjarne and Olava, the sixth of nine children, in La Glace, Alberta. In 1952, after training at PRBI from 1946 to 1950, he married Edna Peters, also a PRBI grad, and left the family farm for ministry with the Shantymen’s in Tofino, British Columbia. Thereafter he served with the Christian and Missionary Alliance as pastor of 11 churches over the next 50 years throughout western Canada. By his own estimation, his signal accomplishment was to establish, in 1980, Strathcona Christian Academy in Sherwood Park, Alberta. This K-12 school now has 1,100 students.

He was the father of five fine children: Leon, Laurie, Lyndon, Trevor, and his ‘special girl’ Kathy, grandfather to thirteen grandchildren, and in February, became a great-grandpa. He was predeceased in 2007 by Edna, whose loss he mourned to the end, and is survived by brothers Oswald, Lloyd, Dean, and sisters Mary and Myrtle.

Harald was an able, practical preacher, characterized by humility and integrity, with a passion for hard work. He dedicated his life to make known the gospel of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, leaving a legacy that enriched the lives of thousands. He enjoyed a full and wonderful life with his beloved Edna, and his children will always be proud to call him ‘dad.’

October 16–18

80th Year Celebration Global Ministries Conference

January 30

Circle of Friends

February 14

Marriage Enrichment Seminar Part 1

March 5–7 eView

About PRBI About PRBI: PRBI is a Canadian Degree Granting Bible College in Sexsmith, Alberta, founded in 1933. PRBI is known for quality academics and its highly relational culture that purposefully fosters an atmosphere of spiritual growth. PRBI has a distinct commitment to train students in a thorough knowledge of the Word of God and to train students to become disciple-makers whether at home or abroad. PRBI’s educational model purposefully integrates the academic learning experience with an experiential learning component making us a Bible College for life.

Vision Statement: To train believers to become disciple-makers who know God, model His character, and are able to build into others the life-changing principles of God’s Word.

CONTACT US www.prbi.edu prbi@prbi.edu 780-568-3962

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The TRUMPET is the magazine of Peace River Bible Institute that is comprised of contributions from faculty, staff, alumni, and students who are passionate about making disciples in their churches and communities. Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are from the Holy Bible, New American Standard Bible (Copyright 1995 by The Lockman Foundation).

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