PRBI Winter Trumpet 2024

Trumpet W i n t e r

PEACE RIVER BIBLE INSTITUTE

2 0 2 4

Do All By Prayer “God does nothing but by prayer, and everything with it.”* In this powerful statement about prayer, the birth and life of the Peace River Bible Institute are vividly portrayed.

In 1933, God placed the desire for a Bible School to train Christian workers in the heart of a Hattie Monge. She reached out by mail to Walter McNaughton, a graduate of Prairie Bible Institute, to request his involvement in starting a Bible school in the Peace Region. At the same time, Walter, seeking divine guidance for his service, spent a pivotal day in prayer and scripture study. His conviction grew strong that clarity would dawn upon him the next day. When Mrs. Monge’s letter arrived the next day, Walter recognized God’s call upon his life.

Equipped only with unwavering faith in God’s promises, he journeyed northwards to start a Bible school.** While seeking God’s direction in prayer, Walter was directed to what would become the first site of

Kim Cairns President PRBI at Paul’s Corners near Berwyn, Alberta. However, obtaining the site was contingent upon the current occupants vacating the premises.

They pledged to leave, except in the event of impassable snow blocking their exit. Providentially, the day before the roads succumbed to snow, the occupants left, answering the prayers of many. Clearly, God was both guiding and providing.

Securing the building was just the beginning; the challenge of outfitting it loomed large. The financial estimate of $250 during the Depression era was substantial. However, prayers were raised, and even children sacrificially contributed from their limited resources. Miraculously, the Lord answered prayer and provided the funds to equip the house.

The school also needed students who sometimes came without sufficient funds. Two prospective students who had no money came to see if they could possibly attend.

It was agreed that they could. The staff prayed along with them, seeking God’s provision for their needs. Shortly after, an anonymous donation covering their exact needs arrived by mail—God’s provision through a donor unknown to the students or staff.

Prayer played a crucial role in the school’s inception and continues as a core value. Second in a list of proposed principles and practices of PRBI was the statement, “Do all by prayer and supplication.” PRBI was established by prayer and for 90 years it has been sustained through the fervent prayers of many.

Today, prayer remains a cherished core value at PRBI. We value Christ above all things. We exist because of Him, are transformed into His image by His power and depend on His provision for life and service.

Through prayer, we demonstrate our value. The staff pray weekly, and our board meetings always include prayers for the college. The Campus Encouragers meet monthly to intercede for the college, and we receive encouraging notes from supporters who are praying for us, which is greatly appreciated by the institution.

The history of PRBI is filled with countless stories of God’s provision in response to prayers. The timing

and generosity of God towards PRBI has been incredible. Recently, we completed a building project and $150,000 remained owing. A donor approached our Board Chairman and asked if there was a project that he could help with. Without knowing the amount or the project, the donor pledged $150,000. Praise the Lord!

Students still require funds and frequently seek the student aid graciously provided by donors. Our first response to them before giving aid is to ask them to pray and trust God for their funds. We suggest, “Let’s see what God does before we dip into student aid.” Often the student will see God move differently and many times their need is met without our help. More reasons to praise!

It is through prayer that God invites us into His work. Prayer in itself has no power. It is the God we pray to who guides and provides in ways that exceed our imagination. The legacy of PRBI, I am convinced, shall endure only through prayer, the foremost and most crucial action.

Following the wise words of the founders, our pledge is to continue to do everything by prayer and supplication. *Commonly attributed to John Wesley. ** All early anecdotes were taken from With Sails on His Bike by Evangeline Thiessen and from the Gold Book, In the Beginning, by Aaron J. Goertz.

College News 1940’s Progress has been made in past weeks in our remodelling of the Institute dining hall building. We are on the stretch to complete the all concrete, full basement, the new kitchen and dining hall arrangement and the extended auditorium.

Another Bible Institute recently described their building program as that “awful race against time.” So it is with us.

And with us it is a race for funds to keep pace with our building needs.

We are living a day at a time, seeing God provide just at the time of need. But we cannot impress too strongly upon Christian friends how desperately we need your help in the next few weeks. We must press the battle. This building must be usable for Fall Conference and for the school term.

D.E. Masterson President 1948-1958

To this end we submit frankly and plainly our needs: 1. We need as much manual help as friends can possibly give.

2. We desperately need funds to cover the following itemized building materials:

- Stoker heating unit with additional steam fittings.

- Finishing materials such as windows, doors, siding, flooring and wall board.

- Electrical materials for additional building.

God is with us, of this we are certain.

We go forward confident that He will raise up on every side the help we need. “Oh Lord, in Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail.”

Looking Ahead From the very first realization that there should be a Bible school in the Peace River country, God has sovereignly guided His work and His servants. The Peace River Bible Institute is a unique school. Its origin is unique; the geography is unique; the ministry in all its phases is unique. An especially unique feature of P.R.B.I. is the way in which the life of the school is so vitally tied to the surrounding community.

As we look to the future we can see how much more vitally P.R.B.I. can be a part of the ministry of God’s people in the local church.

It is our goal to become a more useful arm of the church abroad and in the communities surrounding us.

Our goals involve a number of areas. The upgrading of our academic proficiency, rather than isolate us should make us more effective servants of the churches for the Lord’s sake. The goals set for rebuilding the campus are very nearly reached, helping to set the stage for our entering new horizons in the work of God. The aims of increased enrollment almost invariably set new records, school

C.W. Johnson President 1967-1980 year by school year. The greater opportunities opening for our students to become involved in practical in-training programs are exciting. The growth and the outreach of conference ministries guide us into greater awareness of the importance of providing increased ministry and facilities for this aspect of the P.R.B.I ministry.

Several more radio broadcasts are covering communities in southern Manitoba and northwestern British Columbia, with blessings and challenge to do more.

We envision potential ministries, should the Lord tarry—ministries too numerous to mention in this short space. It is more than exciting— it is sobering to realize that there is so much more that ought to be done and the charge has come to “Occupy Till He Comes.”

The need to keep in focus the why of all our pursuits is the greatest urgency! It is indeed that Christ Himself might be glorified above all. This concern must be realized in every life personally so that Christ may be glorified in us as individual servants of His. Then through this testimony He will be glorified in the work around us.

College News - 90th Celebration In late November, friends from across the Peace Country and beyond celebrated a momentous occasion, PRBI’s 90th Anniversary!

This commemoration stands as a testament to the grace of God and the enduring spirit of many who have gone before us.

The walls of the McNaughton foyer were transformed into a gallery of the past nine decades of our rich shared history. Over the course of two days, more than 500 attendees gathered to reminisce, renew acquaintances, and share their stories of how God touched their lives through PRBI. Through narration and music, the record of God’s purpose and plan was presented, including PRBI’s part in it. Three choirs, representing the past (Alumni Choir), the present (PRBI Student Choir), and the future (Alumni Children’s Choir), filled the air with praise to our great God with a sense of unity and joy.

A highlight of the festivities was a thought-provoking panel discussion where committed alumni shared their experiences and insights.

One particularly memorable story emerged from the panel—an account of unwavering faith in God

in the face of financial challenges.

Amid soaring interest rates and compounding debt, two board members put their assets on the line, signing a personal guarantee for a bank loan. Their courage and trust in God to provide served as a wonderful encouragement to those gathered.

This anniversary weekend was a God-honouring event that brought the community together in a spirit of overflowing joy and gratitude resulting in a generous offering of $80,000—an outpouring of support that goes beyond monetary value.

This generosity speaks volumes about the belief that God is still at work at PRBI and the enduring commitment of our alumni and constituents to the values it instills in each generation.

As we fondly reminisce about the 90th Weekend, we are reminded not only of the college’s rich history, but of God’s continued presence with us as we remain committed to His purpose for us of training students to encounter Christ in ways that transform their lives, energize their churches, and impact their world.

We are grateful for all who have gone before us and to all who continue to walk with us in this endeavour.

Brad Cowie Bible School Still Matters Academic Dean Bible colleges like PRBI seem to some to be antiquated or out of sync institutions. Many former Bible colleges have transitioned to general colleges or universities, not necessarily abandoning their Christian vision but still altering their programs to keep pace with current post-secondary expectations.

Additional factors such as the cost of college, the pressure to pursue career training, the availability of online teaching, and the attractiveness of gap year alternatives, have prompted many young adults to forego Bible school. This is not a criticism of Christian universities, which fill a legitimate position in the Christian higher education landscape, or of young Christians who choose a different path of personal or spiritual formation. Yet despite the

challenges and alternatives, Bible schools like PRBI continue to offer unique discipleship and training opportunities that can strengthen Christians and churches in an increasingly secular culture.

Biblical literacy in an age of pluralism. Bible schools offer a foundation of biblical truth in an era where we have more opinions and ideologies than ever and yet seem less equipped to address them. Recent surveys of North American Christians suggest that many professing Christians no longer have a basic understanding of the Christian faith. I am not talking about difficult theological issues or doctrinal differences; I am talking about core beliefs like the deity of Christ, the authority of the Bible,

basic Christian morality, the meaning of Christ’s death and resurrection, or what sets Christianity apart from other faiths and religions.

What a blessing it is to have a place where emerging adults can process and form core beliefs, learn to study the Bible, and gain insight into a spiritually healthy life and relationship with Christ. Even one year at PRBI provides students with biblical and theological foundations, essential Bible study skills, spiritual formation, and training in Christian service and mission. Bible schools support and partner with local churches in the shared cause of helping young adults get pointed in the right direction. In an age of relativism and skepticism, Bible schools anchor students to the unchanging truths of God’s Word.

We explore ideologies, trends, values, and claims around the Word of God. In doing so, we prepare young men and women to engage our diverse world with confidence and conviction.

We also help curb an equally dangerous counter-reac tive extremism. It is tempting for Christians to become militantly narrow-minded, blinded by fear and anger and unable to distinguish the unchanging truths of God’s Word from well-meaning but misguided traditionalism or legalism. One of the benefits of being a non-

denominational Bible school is that we draw from multiple Christian traditions. Students encounter other students who, while still solidly Christian, hold different viewpoints on various secondary matters. They must learn to listen and to speak, to reason and to love, to form and to hold convictions, and yet extend grace and freedom in disputable matters. This can foster skills like critical thinking, clear communication, and honest, gracious dialogue. This skill set not only equips students to interact with fellow believers of various traditions, but also prepares them to engage the larger world of ideas with truth and grace.

Biblical community in an age of isolation. In addition to biblical training, Bible schools offer something else that is becoming increasingly rare and valuable: deep community. More than one student has experienced a level of community at Bible school that they had never encountered before.

There is something powerful about journeying together. Students discover that they are not alone.

While online and independent learning initiatives offer wonderful opportunities, there is something about in-person learning in a face-toface community that is difficult, if not impossible, to duplicate. Add to that the impact of after-class discussions

in the dorm rooms, hallways, gymnasium, dining hall, and even in a car driving to McDonald’s for a late-night snack. Throw in doses of serving together, worshipping together, and praying together.

And, just for good measure, put students in rooms with roommates where they must learn how to communicate, negotiate, tolerate, resolve conflict, consider others, and extend grace. We hear testimony after testimony of defining moments that took place not in the classroom but in the rhythms of daily life.

Jesus said the unmistakable mark of disciples is our love for one another.

Experiencing and building Christian community is an indispensable part of following Jesus. A face-to-face Bible school environment provides a way to experience and develop one’s capacity for biblical community that is difficult to duplicate. Our prayer is that students will experience a level of community here that positions them to model and create strong Christian fellowship in their home churches.

Training in an age of mission.

Unless the memo went to Spam, as far as I know, the Great Commission is still ongoing. So, the vision to equip lay leaders, pastors, and missionaries still motivates us. Bible school provides exposure to missions that God can use to call students to

the field. Bible school also provides pastors for churches. A large number of pastors are in the second half of their ministries, and more churches— especially small and rural churches— are finding themselves in need of a pastor. Christian universities pursuing program diversity may not prioritize pastoral training, and some seminaries may be more invested in producing scholars and theologians than local pastors and foreign missionaries. It may be that the few Bible schools remaining will provide a disproportionate percentage of missionaries and pastors. In addition, students trained at Bible schools who do not enter Christian vocational ministry often end up being key lay leaders— elders, teachers, volunteers, board members—in their local churches, and missionaries in their workplaces and communities. And, as the mission field increasingly becomes our own backyard, we will need all the equipped servants of the Gospel we can find.

Are Bible schools like PRBI the only way to accomplish these ends? Of course not. But if you are looking for a place to get grounded in the Word, anchored in your Christian life, and equipped for Kingdom service, Bible schools are still a great option.

Brad, an alumnus of PRBI (1984-88), has been a faculty member since 2008, teaching 23 different courses during his 15-years.

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Financial Update Statement of Operations and Budget July 2023 - November 2023

Total Revenue

Income To Date 643,796

Annual Budget 1,660,277

% of Budget To Date 39%

Total Expenses

745,715

1,784,889

42%

Net Income (Loss)

(101,919)

(124,612)

82%

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REFER A STUDENT Peace River Bible Institute is recognized as a degree-granting Bible College by the Province of Alberta. Building on Christ as our foundation, PRBI values Biblical Training, Authentic Relationships, Kingdom Ser vice, and Strategic Partnerships. Our vision is that every student encounters Christ in ways that transform their life, energize their church, and impact their world. We are a Bible College for Life!

For more information on our Mission, Vision, and Values, go to www.prbi.edu.

The TRUMPET is the magazine of Peace River Bible Institute. It is comprised of contributions from faculty, staff, alumni, and students who are passionate about making disciples in their churches and communities. If you have any comments, please email us at development@prbi.edu. Printed in Canada.

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3477169 3477169