PRBI Spring Trumpet 2021

Trumpet S p r i n g

PEACE RIVER BIBLE INSTITUTE

2 0 2 1

“...she has done a

beautiful thing to me...”

Mark 4:6b

A Fragrant Offering My son, Silas, loves to sing. He sings all the time and usually knows most of the lyrics to the songs he sings. The key word in that last sentence is most. Here’s an example: ♫ I cast all my cares upon You, I lay all of my perfume down at Your feet ♫ Of course, the original lyric was burdens, but my wife and I just can’t find it in our hearts to tell him, because the word perfume is both too cute and remarkably fitting.

In the Gospel of Mark (chapter 14), just before Passover, Jesus was in Bethany when a woman came to Him with some very expensive perfume that she poured out onto Him as an offering.

Some who witnessed this act of service didn’t like it and in anger rebuked the woman for wasting this precious resource that could have been used in a more prudent manner. Jesus saw things differently and promised that her offering would not be forgotten. In contrast, the text ends with Judas, who was organizing a way to profit off of Jesus through betrayal. One is a story of extravagant sacrifice and the other is a story of evil self-service.

Just as Jesus promised, we are still talking about this fragrant Easter story regarding the perfumebearing woman today, during the Easter season of 2021. Her offering was important, it served a purpose. It was a gift that was all in, she didn’t hold back. Although this offering offended others, it possibly, hopefully, inspires us.

Perhaps the question for us is: Is there a perfumelike gift that we might offer our Lord this Easter?

Jeremy Johnston Director of Operations

Kim Cairns President

Kingdom Service When I study Jesus’ life, I marvel at His compassion for the crowds.

Despite the constant demand for His attention and the evil He encountered, Jesus did not become hardened or cynical but remained compassionate until His death. For Jesus, compassion was not merely deep inward emotion for the hurting, but it was a call to action, to feed the hungry, to heal the sick, to free the oppressed and to preach the good news of the kingdom to the lost. A familiar spotlight on Jesus’ compassion is found in Matthew’s gospel (9:35-38): “And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;

therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’”

38

In this scene, we not only find Jesus teaching and touching the crowds, but He is also recruiting and equipping workers to serve in His kingdom. His mentoring in matters of compassion is not just by example, but also by challenging His disciples’ perspective. The harassed and helpless were not simply a burden to be managed, but a plentiful harvest to be gathered. Jesus was training His disciples to see the crowds the way He saw them.

I ask myself, “Do I see the needs around me as a harvest to be gathered?” Maybe an even more revealing question is, “Do I see the needs around me, or have I become hardened to those in society who are harassed and helpless?” Rising Above is a local ministry that has prompted

me to see the hurt in our society with fresh eyes. Established in 2007 under the leadership of Mel Siggelkow, Rising Above has committed itself to minister to people trapped in addictions by helping them break their cycles of defeat. At our Circle of Friends event in February, Mel presented these sobering thoughts, “In this broken world in which we live we are experiencing an epidemic called addiction. It touches all of us. New research suggests that 25% of people have an active recognized addiction.

For every person addicted to alcohol or drugs, there are 3-4 people that have a relationship with the addict that are dealing with life-damaging effects.

Addiction is no longer a marginalized issue, it crosses economical, racial, and spiritual boundaries. It’s in our churches. The only hope for people trapped in addiction is the hope of Christ.”

One of PRBI’s core values is kingdom service. We endeavour to identify, develop, and use the resources Christ has given us to offer effective kingdom service, which is our contribution to a broken and hurting world. With this value directing us and the compelling need of addictions before us, we are entering a partnership with Rising Above to train workers for service in faithbased addiction treatment centres.

PRBI will offer theological foundation and training in practical ministry

skills. Rising Above will supply courses in addiction treatment and related subjects. We envision this training will be directed to the mature learner seeking vocation in faith-based addiction ministries.

We also see the opportunity to supplement the training of our pastoral, mission, and youth worker programs to better equip these students for service in the kingdom.

The Matthew 9 passage is often, appropriately, used to recruit workers for the mission field. PRBI is not backing away from raising up workers for churches and missions.

We are expanding our vision through Christ’s eyes so that we can identify more clearly the needs around us. Jesus was not only thinking of foreign fields when He challenged His disciples about the harvest.

The harassed and helpless are everywhere, at home and abroad, and they are a harvest waiting to be gathered.

Christ invites all of us to join in this harvest. As He directs, our role might be training or serving. Every one of us can pray! Let us hear Jesus’ challenge, “pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.“ It is a prayer God is waiting to answer!

Kim has served as a member of the PRBI faculty since 2009 and as President since 2019.

Balisky Memorial Wade Balisky was welcomed into the family of Bob and Ruth by three older sisters. The Goodwin family farm would be his home for 45 years. Wade lived for the outdoors; camping, snowmobiling, river boating, and flying were all pursued with passion. Wade loved water, snow, fires, guns, skeets, friends, a moustache, and teaching. He hated fire permits, the gun registry, missing a target, missing a party, and most recently, “COVID”.

Aubrey Warkentin was the first child of Don and Gayleen. Her four younger siblings would come to recognize her as an authority, a trailblazer, an example, and a loving sister. She loved the Creator, early

Don Warkentin mornings, sunrises, capturing a moment, wit, creativity, writing, and speaking. She grew up with a keen interest in almost everything about the farm.

In 2002, Wade convinced Aubrey to move two miles to the west and to reimagine farm life with him.

Together, they managed and grew the Balisky homestead, a place which they both loved.

Next to God, their greatest love would be for their five children: Chevey (16), Remington (14), Indya (12), Jewel (8), and Fleur (2). Together, they were stellar parents, who built a solid foundation in each of their children, with their life compass

In Memory of Wade, Aubrey, Jewel & Fleur firmly and constantly pointing to Jesus Christ.

Wade and Aubrey were very committed to God’s Kingdom work, generously and sincerely supporting many organizations. They visited numerous ministries in various countries. At home, they hosted the Peace Country Wilderness Camps rodeo and supported wilderness camps, the Pregnancy Care Centre Grande Prairie, Rising Above, along with many other local ministries.

Wade and Aubrey were also members of the Bezanson Community Church which they supported and served.

Wade and Aubrey both attended PRBI where they built meaningful and lasting friendships. Wade would

later serve on PRBI’s corporate board for several years, becoming an executive board member just months before his passing.

On January 1, 2021, a short homebound flight from a family function was intercepted. Wade, Aubrey, Jewel, and Fleur arrived at their final destination. The lights of the farm airstrip faded as the brighter lights of glory guided them home. In the presence of their most beloved Saviour, they are enjoying the unfailing and timeless beauty of realities that could never be captured on photo. In living colour, Jewel and Fleur are entertaining their larger family who had missed the gathering earlier that day.

2021 Graduates Garion Bell Arianne Bosma Jessyka Doerksen Melody Hagstrom

Jed Halvorson Corban Hunter David Le Goff Jessica May

Andrew Murray Kara Nelson Caitlin Neustaeter Josh Olson

Alyssa Reimer Troy Semenyna Ben Senft Timothy Thiessen

Avery Toma Rebecca Wicker

Please pray for the graduates of 2021.

In Memory of Lisa Purdey

Ashley Kruse

Lisa was a joy to be around. She was full of life and laughter. She had this beautiful auburn hair and a lovely smile. She was notorious for big earrings and many different scarves.

In the latter part of her life, you could always seem to find her sporting bold lipstick. However, Lisa was more than just her outer appearance. Lisa loved Jesus and Lisa loved people.

Lisa also loved to worship through music. She loved to be led in it and loved to usher people into God’s presence by both her singing and her playing of the piano. Her love of people and worship were tools that she used as she ministered at PRBI and also during her time overseas.

speak truth into the lives of others.

Lisa wanted others to know Jesus and to make Him known. Her time at PRBI, plus her heart for Jesus and people, enabled her to touch many lives for the sake of the Gospel.

Besides loving Jesus, people, and worship, Lisa also loved discipleship.

She was always up for a coffee and a chat. To the best of her abilities, Lisa would try to actively listen to those who she was talking with. Lisa cared about those who she was in a relationship with and she sought to

As much as my heart aches for Lisa to be here for her family, for her friends, and for myself, I can’t help but think that as alive as Lisa was on earth, she has never been more alive than she is at this very moment. She is with her beloved Saviour, singing His praises all the day long.

Even though Lisa’s time overseas may seem like it was short, the Lord accomplished much through her.

During her years in Turkey, Lisa fully functioned in not just one, but two languages. Lisa had friends and family in the Turkish community, the Farsi community, and the expatriate community. The loss of her runs deep. As they would say in Farsi, her place is empty.

College Update in Pictures

The State of Christian Teens in Canada Are we losing our Christian teens?

While a lot of stats seem to come from the States, I have also seen some Canadian-based surveys that point in this direction and have heard reports that teens are leaving the church after high school. Recently the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada released two publications analyzing the results of a survey of Canadian Christian teens that sheds more light on this issue. The survey was called the “Young Adult Transition Research study” (YATR). To quote them, “YATR is a multi-phase research project that began in 2015 and includes a literature review, 26 interviews with ministry experts, 40 interviews with young adults, a national survey of 1,998 young adults, and

Jason Gayoway Faculty

a national survey of 1,570 ministry experts.”1 In this article we will look at the results of the survey and their recommendations for the future.

So rather than making you wait until the end of the article, let me ask you right at the start, what percentage of teens do you sense leave church after high school? Keep in mind that the survey they did was a bit artificial since they only surveyed ‘more-thannominal’ teens, meaning kids who regularly went to church. We are therefore talking about teenagers who were either quite interested in regular church attendance or whose parents made them attend on a regular basis. Regardless, what would your number be? Before

writing this, I did a quick survey of four (4) adults on this question. All four of them said the church would retain around 19% to 30% of these teens. In fact, the numbers are much higher, “We found Catholics keep 55% of their more-than-nominal teen affiliates into young adulthood, Mainline Protestants keep 53% and Evangelicals keep 64%.”2 Again, that is speaking of the youth who were fairly connected to the church in the first place, and although retention is not much more than half, it still seems like better news than we might have expected.

The rest of the report, as well as a related report on Christian education in Canada, seek to clarify these results and offer solutions. The writers do not seem content to simply trust that it will all work out in the end.

They also explore several strategies for mitigating these numbers. The first solution they offer is almost as surprising as the above survey result – having a mentor.

No doubt there are many definitions of the word ‘mentor’, from a YouTube persona who models a certain lifestyle to a wise friend who is a constant part of one’s life. The survey didn’t go into detail concerning how much contact is needed before one is considered a mentor, but I’m not sure it has to be too high. It seemed that the main characteristic they were interested in was the

willingness and ability of this trusted person to guide the youth to their next faith community. They note, “Young adults are roughly three times more likely to connect with a new church after moving out of their parents’ home if someone from their home congregation tries to make a connection for them. Similarly, young adults going on to postsecondary studies are four times more likely to connect with a Christian campus group or chaplaincy if someone from their home church tries to make a connection for them.”3 The actual numbers are even starker, with only 16% of those surveyed joining a campus group without a ‘mentor’ versus 66% joining if they had one.

These transition times are crucial for the faith of youth. The analysis went into some detail regarding what a transition point is and how it is in these times that people decide what they will do for the next phase of their lives. When I was that age, the next phase was adulthood, but not so for the current generation.

It was interesting to see that a new stage of life has emerged since the eighties, ‘emerging adulthood’. I will not go into detail here, but in short, adulthood has been delayed by 5-7 years as this stage has squeezed itself in between that and the teenage years. Nowadays, young people area apt to float around, figuring out who they are in addition to gaining a role in society.

The book’s next recommendation has to do with using this time. The survey viewed the idea of a ‘gap year’ highly. Many of those surveyed who took such a year went to some form of Bible school. No breakdown is given for what percentage used that year in gainful education but the overall result was glowing. A variety of positive outcomes were reported, such as an increased chance of that person going on to regularly attend church as an adult as well as being more likely to find one of those mentors the authors speak of elsewhere.

A companion volume was released that covers the outcomes for those youth who spent at least one year at a Canadian Bible school of some sort. The results are encouraging.

They took the same sample of teens that regularly went to church and broke them down into two groups.

One group went on to Bible school/ Christian university or discipleship school (the Christian Higher Education Canada (CHEC) students) and one group did not (the Main sample). They made a number of comparisons for how each group fared in adulthood, but the key number is whether they continued with their church attendance in adulthood. The way the analysis set this number up seemed to make it their ‘gotcha’ moment even though the phraseology felt a bit weak, “Five

in six (83%) CHEC respondents who moved out of their parents’ home connected with a new local church after moving out compared to just over one third (35%) of Main sample respondents.”4

Even though there were some bright spots, I found that looking over those stats was quite a sobering experience. I want every teen that goes to church to end up there as an adult. Perhaps that will not happen, but we can make an effort towards that end. Jesus writes in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” I think that providing mentorship and faith-based gap year experiences can further that end and this is part of what we do here at PRBI.

Jason has served as PRBI faculty since 2008 and as Pastoral Ministries Advisor since 2013.

[1] Blackaby, Dueck and Hiemstra, Renegotiating Faith, 15.

[2] Ibid., 13.

[3] Ibid., 12.

[4] Hiemstra, Competition for Character Education, 48.

Financial Update Peace River Bible Institute Statement of Operations and Budget July 2020 - January 2021 Revenue

tudent Revenue Student

General Income Sales

Fees & Other Programs

& Non-Program Fees & Services

esidence Rental Rental

Income

onation - Undesignated Donations

- Undesignated - Designated Total Donations

onation - Designated Donations

Total Revenue

Expenses

Income To Date

Annual Budget

% of Budget To Date

389,718

665,600

59%

233,544

154,550

151%

125,821

151,985

83%

487,189 78,875 566,064

775,000 196,200 971,200

63% 40% 58%

1,315,147

1,943,335

68%

Expenses To Date

Annual Budget

% of Budget To Date

cademics

Academics

171,203

303,221

56%

tudent Life

Campus Life

145,646

314,226

46%

124,250

219,018

57%

159,670

297,257

54%

35,891

123,736

29%

393,618

704,780

56%

110,324

154,192

72%

5,000

6,000

83% 0%

ood Services Food

Services

evelopment

Promotion & Development

dmissions

Admissions

dministrationAdministration

Maintenance

Facilities & Maintenance

tudent Aid

Special Project

tudent Aid

Student Aid

-

15,000

thers

Others

-

-

Total Expenses Net Income (Loss) Excludes Amortization Expense

1,145,602 169,545

2,137,430 (194,095)

54%

News and Updates PRBI NEWS We wish to express our gratitude to God and Katherine Kroeker and the Katherine Kroeker Charitable Gift Fund for the substantial grant given to PRBI. As per the criteria of the grant, $200,000 of this grant will be used for the Kroeker Education Fund to provide student bursaries and $100,000 of this grant will be used towards the highest priority needs of PRBI. At the time of receiving the grant in January, the highest priority need was our general fund. The funds will be an incredible benefit to the college as we invest the $200,000 into our endowment fund to provided Kroeker Education Bursaries for many years to come.

BIRTHS PLANT, Andrew (ug ‘09) & Jessalyn (Aitken, g ‘13) are happy to announce the birth of Oliver Jonathan, born November 25, 2020. The family is currently living in northern BC. Jessalyn is on maternity leave from her position in the HR department at a credit union and Andrew is working at an IT company. They are so thankful for this beautiful blessing from the Lord.

BRUNESKI, Kevin & Caitlin (Wilson, g ‘07) are thrilled to announce the arrival of Annika Eleanor Rose, born December 29, 2020. Caitlin is at home, with Theron and Annika, managing her company. Kevin is a pipefitter/ drafter and runs the day-to-day operations. They are thankful to be settled in at home after a brief stint in the NICU and enjoying getting to know their little girl!

KLASSEN, Joseph & Karissa (Stevens, g ‘13) welcomed Mark Wilfred into their family on January 5, 2021. Joseph and Karissa have been full time missionaries at Ness Lake Bible Camp working as the Facilities Manager and Follow Up/Discipleship Coordinator. They are enjoying spending time as a family of 3, and so thankful for this precious gift from God!

KRUSE, Tristan (ug ’08 ) & Ashley (Braun, g ’10 ) welcomed Hazel Lisa Marie into their family on February 19, 2021. Hazel is already so loved by her two big brothers, Henry & Oliver. In April of 2020, Tristan and Ashley drove across Canada to start their new lives in St. Catharines, Ontario to be a part of the Christar Canadian office. As of January 2021, Tristan has transitioned into the position of Director of Christar Canada. They look forward to seeing what the Lord will do in the future, as well as how He will grow and use their new addition, Hazel.

WEDDING SCOFIELD, Ryan (g ’20) & Sarah (Anderson, ug ‘19) were married on November 28, 2020. They are living in a little basement suite in Sexsmith. Sarah is an EA for the Grande Prairie Public School Division and Ryan is working at Mark’s Work Warehouse. Having each other to uplift and be uplifted by is a huge blessing that has come with their marriage.

WITH THE LORD FUNK, Harvey Peter (g ’76) went to be with the Lord on November 19, 2020 at the age of 89 in Burns Lake, BC. Harvey worked for the department of highways most of his life, but years later, he felt God’s call to attend PRBI. In the fall of 1974, as a family of eight, the Funks moved to Sexsmith. After many hours of study, Harvey graduated in 1976. Harvey looked back on these years with very fond memories.

Erickson, Doris (g ’80) came to PRBI in 1977 after her 2 sons were grown. She came one semester at a time, not knowing if there would be enough finances for the next one, but always going before the Lord in prayer.

God provided, and she graduated in 1980.

Doris was an encourager, a dorm “Mom”, ready to soothe a sore throat with some honey and hot water.

As part of her gratis she cut many heads of hair.

In 1980, Doris and her good friend, Vikki Lukasewich, served in short term missions with Northern Canada Evangelical Mission in the village of Carmacks, Yukon. Doris returned to Yukon in September 1980 to pursue a career in missionary service to the Tutchone and Tlingit people. In 1988, Doris was transferred to Chilliwack, BC where she ministered among the Sto:lo people in urban situations until about 2015.

Doris loved the Lord deeply and sought to follow Him in daily dependence with all of her heart, soul, strength and mind. Her gentle friendliness, kindness, and supportive spirit ministered to many people.

UPDATE Neufeld, Waldie (Staff ‘90-’19) writes: I have written a book on what the Lord Jesus has taught me on disciple-making through teaching from the Gospel of Mark over twenty years and discipling for over forty years. The book is called “Teaching Stones to Love: Jesus’ Methods of Disciple-Making” and is available on Amazon in book form or kindle. In typical fashion I ask, “Did Jesus intend churches to use programs to make disciples? Then, why did Jesus invite his followers to be “with him” 24/7? Why not be like the rabbis and just teach them in a class all week? Notice how in being in each other’s space, Jesus used real-life situations to stretch their thinking, expose their hard-heartedness, encourage compassion, and grow them into worldchangers. In doing life on life with Jesus, they found out what it meant to be loved and to love, to be cared for and to care, and to be empowered for service.

If Jesus commanded disciple-making, then he left a model to follow. Through his model as found in the Gospels, he invites us into a relational, though messy, down to earth, life on life, process of disciple-making accomplished through Christ’s love and the power of the Holy Spirit.”

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ABOUT PRBI Peace River Bible Institute 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.

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