VOL.55 NO.01 JANUARY2014
New Brunswick
Bible institute GOD’S PURPOSE
OUR PASSION
FOCUS
WITH KEITH McMAHON
QUEBEC TEEN RALLY REPORT
PRESIDENT’S CHALLENGE
What’s New? Out with the old and in with the new! So goes the saying. Many in the world around us will be looking to this new year with thoughts of anticipation. They hope that this will be a better year, perhaps a more profitable, healthier and happier year; a year without disappointment; a year to look back on without regrets.
M. LITTLE, K. McMAHON & MANIFEST
WITH MATTHEW LITTLE
On Friday, Nov. 8, through Sunday, Nov. 10, I (Matthew) led a team of students to the great province of Quebec for a weekend of ministry. Mr. Keith McMahon and our Manifest team (formerly known as SEM), along with myself and two other students, travelled a total of 14 hours and 1,426 kilometers to take part in a special youth rally.
Sometimes we look to the new year for new opportunities, new experiences, new friends, new routines and new personal achievments. We often set our hopes on “the potential of the new.” Just thinking about what “could be” inspires us to move beyond what “has been” when we have come through a time of failure or dissatisfaction, or discouragement in our lives. The apostle Paul recognized the value in
On Friday night we hosted a night of skits, games, music and a biblical challenge to a group of 141 youth. The rally was hosted by the English-speaking Fellowship churches in and around Montreal and was held at Snowdon Baptist Church. We were also pleasantly surprised to have some believers from Philippino, Chinese and Caribbean churches join us. Our students represented
New Year- Same Powerful God Isaiah 64:3-4 says, “When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence. For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.”
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What are your expectations for 2014? Are you looking for some powerful Godorchestrated things to take place? Are you anticipating God to break into your life of mediocrity and do something extraordinary? Isaiah is dealing with his people who were rebellious and ripe for God’s judgement; he peers through the portal of time and sees
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second semester highlights MODULE 4 JAN 13-FEB 7
JOE THIBAULT Third year student from Halifax, NS
decision to come to NBBI was a constant “ Mybattle between my own pride and allowing
God to take control. One of the best things I have ever done is allowing God to grow in and through me, allowing me to mature in a deeper relationship with Him.
”
SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT WEEK JAN 13-17
MEN FOR GOD JAN 24-25 EXAM DAY FEB 8 MODULE 5 FEB 10 - MAR 21 ENCOUNTER WEEK 1 FEB 14-16
ENCOUNTER WEEK 2 FEB 21-23
MARCH BREAK MAR 1-16
EXAM DAY MAR 24 MODULE 6 MAR 25-APR 22
COLLEGE FOR A DAY ROUND 2 MAR 27-29 SPRING BANQUET & PROGRAM APR 5 EASTER WEEKEND APR 18-21
EXAM DAYS APR 23-25 SENIOR CLASS PICNIC APR 26 CONFERENCE PREP APR 28-30 SPRING BIBLE CONFERENCE MAY 1-4
GRADUATION MAY 4 1
FOCUS CONTINUED
“forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,” (Philippians 3:13). For believers, maybe this will be the year our Lord returns for His Bride! Maybe this will be the year that we see a loved one come to Christ. Could it be that this will be the year that broken relationships in our lives will be mended? Will this be the year that we enjoy more consistent victory over habitual sins that plague us? After all, it has been said that the victorious Christian life is a series of new beginnings. This January marks a new beginning on our calendar... why not let it mark a new beginning in our Christian life? What if we were to truly live our lives in light of what God says is “new?” The Bible has plenty to say about things “new.” God likes new. Consider just some of the new things that God has for His children to enjoy.
ALUMNEWS
WITH CHRIS LUPPINO IN CLERMONT, FLORIDA Chris and Nancy Luppino came to NBBI as married students and both graduated from the Biblical and Theological Studies program in 1981. Chris has been in full-time ministry for about 32 years and is presently the pastor of the Chapel Baptist Church in Clermont, Florida. Chris writes, “I just returned from my eleventh trip to India. While there I preached at a prophesy conference at the Bharat Bible College. Bharat is structured very much like NBBI and is similar in size. While being introduced to speak in one of the sessions, I could not help but think of NBBI and how my time there put in place a foundation for my Christian life and ministry. I thank God for the teaching and example of a godly, committed staff and for our years at NBBI which made a life-long impact upon us.” Chris generally travels to the mission field twice a year to teach national pastors. He has been to India and Tanzania on several occasions and has also ministered in Romania, Argentina and Mexico. Chris and Nancy have five children. One is a Christian school teacher, one a deputy sheriff, one an assistant pastor, one a Christian daycare worker and one is a first year student at Pensacola Christian College. They have two grandchildren.
1. Believers experience a new birth through faith in Christ. (John 3:3) 2. Because of the new birth we are reminded that we are new creatures in Christ, old things are passed away. (II Corinthians 5:17) 3. As new creatures we are given the privilege of being ministers of the new covenant, the gospel. (II Corinthians 3:6) 4. We can be credible ministers of the new covenant only as we obey the new commandment, to love one another, as God loves us. (John 13:34) 5. Our obedience to the new commandment will become very practical as we put on the new man. (Ephesians 4:24) 6. Putting on the new man will result in a new walk. (Romans 6:4) 7. This new walk will lead us to boldly and prayerfully enter the presence of God by a new and living way. (Hebrews 10:19-20)
MEN FOR GOD
THIS MONTH, JANUARY 24-25
E.M. Bounds once said, “The church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men.” God is looking for men of faith and family; men who are leading the way and not following behind; men who are making their mark for Christ. Satan would like nothing more than to destroy Christian men by weakening their testimony, influence and impact for Christ. This is one of the reasons we host our Men for God Rally. It provides an opportunity to be surrounded by hundreds of other men who share your same struggles and can support and encourage you in your walk with the Lord. This year’s theme will be “Pioneer Men” and it promises to be a powerful weekend. Here are some of the details.
8. One day we will enjoy eternity in the holy city, new Jerusalem and in the new heaven, where God has promised to make all things new! (Revelation 21:1-5)
Speaker: Mr. Greg Sanford is the US Director of Mobilization and the Director of New Tribes Mission’s Wayumi program in central Pennsylvania. He ministered for many years among the Yanomami people who live deep in the Amazon rainforest. He will share with his audience many of his experiences among that tribal group. Greg will provide solid biblical challenges along with riveting stories that will awaken your passion for serving Christ and the true adventure it really is.
May God richly bless you with an awareness of His presence in your life this new year, and may you be renewed in the spirit of your mind today and in the days ahead.
Music: Never-Too-Late, a local Carleton County men’s group, was formed in April, 2009 with the purpose of sharing God’s message of salvation and love through music. They are based out of Centreville and are sought after by many churches and ministries throughout the Maritimes. You are sure to enjoy their ministry in music. College for a Day 2013
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QUEBEC TEEN RALLY REPORT CONTINUED
the Lord well by challenging these teens through drama, testimony and singing. We are trusting that God may lead some of them to study at NBBI where they can learn and grow along with us. On Saturday we were able to tour Montreal with Jordan Wood, youth pastor of Snowdon Baptist, as our guide. Montreal is a city with deep, rich “religious” roots. They are so close to the cross yet so far from Christ. It is a dark city that needs the glorious light of the gospel to shine on it. Pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who minister for the Lord in this setting.
On Sunday we were able to share in two different churches, Onward Gospel Church and Greenfield Park Baptist Church. The entire weekend was a tremendous blessing to our team and we were encouraged in many ways. We met some wonderful believers in Quebec but also realize it is a very needy province. Pray, along with us, that God’s light will continue to dispel the darkness and that God will continue to expand His Kingdom through the faithful work of His people.
ENCOUNTER 2014
FEBRUARY 14-16 & 21-23 Teens...Get ready for excitement and challenge! Encounter 2014 is a popular annual event held on the campus of New Brunswick Bible Institute, specifically geared for teenagers. Meet new friends. Enjoy great games. Be stirred by relevant challenges from God’s Word. Join us for a weekend of fresh encounters. Visit our website for more details or call us at (506)375-9000. Speaker: Pastor Greg Sparkes
As a former correctional officer, Greg will bring a real-life perspective to Scripture. Before becoming a lead pastor, Greg also worked as a personal care worker and an associate pastor to youth. He is connected with life in the trenches, where the youth of today live and walk. While pastoring, he has continued to be involved in youth and family work. He has appreciated the privilege of staying connected with the youth culture through speaking at various youth venues, including Bible camps, Sunday Night Live, and Springforth. Greg likes to ski (water and downhill), play hockey, baseball and basketball, hunt and fish, golf and he enjoys family time. Greg’s style of preaching is contemporary and challenging. His prayer is that youth will come expecting an encounter with God that will revolutionize their lives! Greg has been married to Rachel for twenty years and has three teenage children. They live in Geary, New Brunswick where Greg has been the lead pastor of the Geary Baptist Church for fourteen years. Top Left & RIght: Caleb Kelly (pink) and Richard Loignon (blue) leading worship at the rally. Bottom: View of Montreal.
ROUND 2
Thought College for a Day was good? Get ready for
March 27-29
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staff itineraries
MATTHEW LITTLE
DAVID DOHERTY
JOHN HOAG
JAMES GOODE
JANUARY 16,23,30 Open Bible Campus Church Victoria Corner, NB Prayer Meeting
JANUARY 8,15,22,29 Faith Bible Church Olamon, ME Extension Classes
JANUARY 8,15,22,29 Faith Bible Church Olamon, ME Extension Classes JANUARY 16,23,30 Dumfries Community Bible Study Dumfries, NB JANUARY 17-19 Faith Bible Baptist Fellowship Sussex, NB Extension Classes & Sunday Services
JANUARY 21 Greater Houlton Christian Academy Houlton, ME Chapel JANUARY 22 Devon Park Christian School Fredericton, NB Chapel JANUARY 29 Colchester Christian Academy Truro, NS Chapel
KEITH McMAHON
JANUARY 18 Bradford Baptist Church Bradford, ME Seniors’ Luncheon & Youth Rally with Manifest JANUARY 19 Bradford Baptist Church Bradford, ME Sunday Morning Service with Manifest
JACK CARON
JANUARY 17-19 Faith Bible Baptist Fellowship Sussex, NB Extension Classes & Sunday Services JANUARY 26 Open Bible Campus Church Victoria Corner, NB Morning Service
PRESIDENT’S CHALLENGE CONTINUED
the second coming of Jesus Christ who will return to save His faithful remnant, the Jews. But there are two statements of interest that I feel compelled to draw to your attention. First, the exploits of God on behalf of His people down through their history were things which Isaiah says “we looked not for” (vs 3a). Is it so sad that the nation of Israel did not live with a spirit of expectation. God’s mighty acts were met by faithless people who did not believe God would show up in power. Will you be shocked to learn of
have to teach us. But the Christian is more than a student, more than a philosopher. He is a believer, and the object of his faith makes the difference, the mighty difference. Of all persons, the Christian should be best prepared for whatever the new year brings. He has dealt with life at its source. In Christ he has disposed of a thousand enemies that other men must face alone and unprepared. He can face his tomorrow cheerful and unafraid because yesterday he turned his feet into the ways of peace and today he lives in God. The man who has made God his dwelling place will always have safe habitation.”
SPRING BIBLE CONFERENCE
DON’T MISS IT, MAY 1-4
A. W. Tozer said, “I do not advise that we end the year on a somber note. The march, not the dirge, has ever been the music of Christianity. If we are good students in the school of life, there is much that the years
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New Brunswick Bible Institute 2335 Route 103 Victoria Corner NB Canada E7P 1C7 Phone: (506)375-9000 Fax: (506)375-1800 Website: nbbi.ca Email: nbbi@nbbi.ca
KEEP UP WITH OUR GRADS WEDDING Rebekah Wilkinson (‘06) to Jean-Daniel Larose on December 29, 2012. BIRTH September 30, 2013 - to Yoshito (’06) and Emi (Yokota, ABM ’05) Toida, a son, Casey.
CHAPEL SPEAKERS JANUARY 14
David Storey Miramichi Valley Church JANUARY 21-22 Greg MacWilliam Parkside Ranch JANUARY 28
the great things God is going to do this year or are you confidently anticipating them? Second, verse 4 reminds us that those who wait upon God will witness that which surpasses their wildest dreams. Would it not please God to find us looking for the manifestation of His mighty power; confidently and quietly waiting for Him to do “...exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think...” (Ephesians 3:20a)?
FAMILY FILE
Kirk Hubick Going and Sowing Ministries JANUARY 29-31 Atlantic Missionaries CSSM Atlantic This year we have Dr. Wendell Calder, founder of Local Church Evangelism, as the speaker for our annual Spring Bible Conference. Be sure to make room on your calendar for what will be another great time of fellowship and biblical challenge.
editor........................................Larry Rushton writers........NBBI Faculty, Staff & Students typist.........................................Brenda Cabral layout & design................................James Goode copy proof..................................... Rose Meed printer....................................... Merritt Press
Longtime friends of New Brunswick Bible Institute have passed into the presence of their Lord, Doris E. Wilbur (April 20, 1936 - February 21, 2013) and Edward Douglas Wilbur (May 8, 1933 - April 10, 2013).
NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE! issuu.com/nbbi