VOL.55 NO.04 APRIL 2014
New Brunswick
Bible institute GOD’S PURPOSE
OUR PASSION
FOCUS
WITH ROBERT BOOKER
Good Stewards. In the early 1900’s he sailed from Europe to Boston Harbour as an immigrant. He had been a watchmaker in Switzerland but did various jobs in the Boston area until finally he was hired by a wealthy couple as a caretaker of their estate. Over the years he proved so faithful that he became head caretaker with men working under him. Upon his retirement at age 85, the estate owners gave him a car and a house as a reward for his stewardship. His name was Ernest Eckhardt and he lived almost another 17 years after his retirement. He was not a well known personality but I knew him as “Granddaddy.” I can’t think of a better human example of a faithful steward than my grandfather. A steward, by definition, in the New Testament is an “agent” or an overseer or manager of another’s property. A steward is one who is faithful, hard working and accountable. Let’s look at three aspects of Christian stewardship. First of all, Peter tells us that we are stewards of “the manifold grace of
God.” In other words, we are to use the various gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit to minister to others. Peter goes on to say that for some, it is prayer; for some, fervent love to others; for some, hospitality; and for some, it is speaking of the grace of God. I think this means, as a steward, we are to give back to God whatever He has given us and to use everything at our disposal to minister to others for His glory. Secondly, a good steward is to be accountable. When Titus gives the qualifications of a church leader, he indicates that he must be blameless “as the steward of God” and then goes on to say some were not blameless and would be held accountable for that. In Luke 16, the rich man called in one of his stewards who had been accused of wrongdoing and held him accountable. In Genesis 15 and on, Abraham gives strict instructions to his steward, Eliezer, as he sends him to find a bride for Isaac. My responsibility as a Christian and a steward is to use the gifts God has given me to minister to others for His glory, knowing that one day I will stand before Him to give account of my service.
Thirdly, a good steward is faithful. Referring to the biography at the beginning of this article, I well remember the long hours my grandfather worked; the meticulous care he gave to the flowers, trees, lawns and buildings, and the evident beauty as a result for all to see. Paul says in I Corinthians 4 that faithfulness is “required” or must be sought after. We must, as stewards before God, faithfully exercise every talent, ability and gift in His service down here, realizing that our loving Father will some day require accountability up there.
VacationVision with a
June 29-July 4 & July 6-11, 2014 See page 4
Spring Bible Conference 2014 WITH DR. WENDELL CALDER May 1-4, See page 3
1
FIELD TRIP
WITH MARK & RUTH DANA To Our First Nations People
Mark Dana graduated from our Biblical and Theological Studies program in 1980. In June of 2013, Mark and his wife Ruth were appointed as East/Northeastern Field Directors with Northern Canada Evangelical Mission. Here is a clip taken from NCEM’s publication, Northern Lights, which explains a bit of what that ministry entails, “The Danas will oversee our missionary workers serving in the Maritime provinces, Newfoundland (Labrador), and Quebec. Mark, a member of the Penobscot First Nation (Maine, USA), joined NCEM in 1981. Ruth Anna joined the same year to serve in Manitoba and Yukon before their marriage in 1982. Together they initially served in New Brunswick, followed by ministry among French-speaking First Nations in Quebec. They will keep their home in RiviereRouge, Quebec, north of Montreal.” Congratulations to the Danas from your NBBI family. Please pray for Mark and Ruth as they fit into this position and assist in reaching this part of God’s great world for Christ.
2
PRESIDENT’S CHALLENGE
WITH MATTHEW LITTLE
with the presence of a risen, victorious Saviour living within us, empowering us every step of the way. God’s desire is to carry out His work through you and the life with which He has blessed you.
Discipleship. What comes to mind when you hear that 12 letter word? It tends to be a buzz word in Christian circles today, often thrown around like a toy in a toddlers’ day care, or like a frisbee at a church picnic. Discipleship courses abound and “How To” seminars are all too common. But really, what is discipleship? I hope it is more than a catch word you slide into your spiritual holster and are quick to draw out when the right moment comes along. People confidently speak of “discipleship” yet few know what it really is. Colossians 1:27 says, “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” As a believer, God dwells in you and so Christ’s life becomes your life. As you and I face the challenges of our daily lives, we do it
Every day, our mission does not revolve around the acquisition of facts (which are, no doubt, important because we will not behave right if we do not believe right) but the implementation of our faith in whatever life experiences God may thrust our way. “Christ in you” practically demonstrated in the daily grind of life is how God wants to make known Who He is to those who are lost and to those who have just begun their journey with Jesus. Although our programs, books and meetings certainly do not hurt, at the root of discipleship is learning to give Jesus complete and unreserved access to and control of our lives. It is bringing people from the place where they are striving to live the Christian life to the place where they are allowing Christ to live His life through them. Discipleship is not telling somebody what they need to
know, how they are to face struggles or what expectations God has for them. It is allowing them to step back and examine what difference Jesus is making in their life. What difference is “Christ in you” making in our families, our work, how we handle money, how we respond to crisis, where we go, what we believe and how we behave? As I examine my own journey with the Lord, I must admit, what propelled me forward in my relationship with Jesus was not the deep truths that others imparted to me. It was seeing the practical difference Christ was making in the lives of the people I most respected. Discipleship is more tied up in who we are than it is in what we say. If our faith is not seen in how we live then it will matter little what we say! “Christ in you.” What does that look like as people examine your life? Remember discipleship is not simply “truth dictated” but “transformation on display.”
STUDENT TESTIMONY
JESSICA SMITH, Third Year Student
the children, I learned as well. Satan is always looking for ways to discourage us from being an effective servant of God. That week reminded me that I needed to put on my armour. The theme for teen camp was “Lego Control”. It was a play on words that meant “let go control”. This was the main message for all of the chapels. Each week of camp was different, but the theme of letting go of control continued. The days when I let God have control, I saw a lot of good things happen. The campers were enjoying themselves, behaving well and listening
intently to the chapel messages. The days I did not let God have control were mostly chaotic and discouraging. I found it interesting, looking back at the trip, how the weeks of VBS were preparing me for teen camp. The first VBS helped me remember that I was serving God and the Word of Life staff. I was not there just to have a great time but I was there for a purpose. The second VBS helped me see that the armour of God was what I needed to put on in order to stand and prevail against Satan’s attacks on the work of God during the weeks I served in Bermuda.
Last summer, I went to Bermuda for eight weeks working with Word of Life, Bermuda. We did three different Vacation Bible Schools and four weeks of teen camp. I taught lesson material covering two different themes. During the first VBS, I covered the theme “serving others”. This was encouraging because it helped me keep my focus on why I was there, to serve God and others. The second VBS had a medieval theme and the lessons I taught were about the armour of God found in Ephesians 6. As I was preparing the lessons to teach
SPRING BIBLE CONFERENCE
WITH DR. WENDELL CALDER, MAY 1-4
As the end of our school year approaches, staff begin to plan for our Spring Bible Conference and students start to get excited as they anticipate graduation. Our Bible teacher for conference this year is Dr. Wendell Calder, a grad of NBBI and long-time friend. Various missionaries and mission representatives will also be on campus, sharing their vision and ministry experiences from the field. Students and guests will be challenged to take up the torch and reach our world for Christ. Our Keynote Speaker, Dr. Wendell Calder was born again at an early age in his home church, North Road Baptist Church, on Campobello Island, New Brunswick. He is a 1959 graduate of New Brunswick Bible Institute and began his pastoral ministry the week following graduation. Wendell pastored a total
of 16 years. During this time, he also founded and directed Living Waters Bible Conference in 1970, a ministry which continues to reach all ages with the gospel of Christ. He founded their present ministry of Local Church Evangelism in 1975. This ministry has taken him to six continents sharing the gospel message. In May, 1982, Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga, TN
conferred on him an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree. Wendell and Joan reside in Newport, Maine. This conference will end with our graduation exercises which will be held on Sunday afternoon at 2:00. Accommodations and meals on campus are free-of-charge for the entire conference. Plan to join us!
SPRING TOURS
MAY 6-18, BOOK NOW!
If you are interested in having one of our music or drama teams visit your church, please call and let us know how we can accommodate you. Our tour dates this year are May 6-18 and we will be traveling through the Maritimes, New England, Quebec and Ontario. Call 506375-9000 for further information. Book now before it’s too late!
3
Dave teaches Expository Preaching at NBBI and is also involved on the Northern Maine Wilderness Day Camp Committee. He enjoys anything outdoors (hunting, fishing, hiking, snowshoeing, ATV riding), reading history and his family. Pray for Dave as he continues his pastoral ministry in Perham and helps give direction to our school as an NBBI board member. Continuing with the introductions of our NBBI board members, we would like you to meet Dave Goupille, our Vice Chairman. Dave joined our board in October, 2010 and was appointed Vice Chairman on June 2, 2011. He resides in Perham, Maine where he pastors the Perham Baptist Church. With his shepherd’s heart, Pastor Dave says, “These are the greatest people in the world to shepherd!” He is married to Lisa (Violette), an NBBI graduate of 1984. Dave also graduated from NBBI in 1984 and then finished the Advanced Biblical Ministries program in 2012, graduating with a Bachelor of Theology degree. Dave and Lisa have three children, two are married, Josh, Ben and Lydia, and Kristen and Tony. Pastor Dave shares his testimony, “I grew up in a family where my parents loved the Lord and their children, and as a result of that, I heard the gospel from as far back as I can remember. When I was very young, I made a profession of faith after attending children’s meetings at the church where my Dad was pastor. Over the years I began to wonder whether a child could really make that decision at such a young age. The more the Lord revealed of His salvation to me, the more I began to see how fantastic that it really is. At the age of 17, at an NBBI Teen Retreat, the Lord let me know that little children could come to Him as soon as they understand their own sin, that Jesus died on the cross to save them, and that they need to personally believe
4
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
VACATION WITH A VISION
JUNE 29-JULY 4 & JULY 6-11, 2014
Are you looking for a practical opportunity to serve The Lord? Maybe you would like to be involved in a mission trip but can’t afford it. Well NBBI has the solution for you. Each summer we host Vacation with a Vision, a projectsbased mission’s opportunity for you, your family, youth groups, churches and anybody else who would like to come. With a campus our size, projects always abound and whether you are skilled or not we can use your help. We will feed you, house you in our dorms, put you to work and provide wonderful opportunities for fellowship and fun along the way. Join us for a day, two days, or a week. Prayerfully consider joining us this summer. We have lots of work that needs to be done.
FAMILY FILE
KEEP UP WITH OUR GRADS
HOMEGOING Gladys (Hicks) Bennett, NBBI graduate of 1968, wife of David Bennett, also a grad of 1968, passed into Glory on February 24, 2014. She struggled with cancer for 12 years. Gladys loved working in children’s ministries. David lives in Stockton Springs, Maine.
editor........................................Larry Rushton writers........NBBI Faculty, Staff & Students typist.........................................Brenda Cabral layout & design................................James Goode copy proof..................................... Rose Meed printer....................................... Merritt Press
STAFF ITINERARIES
David Doherty
April 2, 9, 16, 23 East Hodgdon Bible Church East Hodgdon, ME Extension Classes April 3, 10, 17 Open Bible Campus Church Victoria Corner, NB Prayer Meeting April 12 Lincoln Baptist Church Lincoln, NB Leadership Seminar April 13, 27 Open Bible Campus Church Victoria Corner, NB Worship Service
Keith Mcmahon
April 12-13 Faith Baptist Chapel Lunenburg, NS Youth Rally & Worship Service
Matthew Little
April 7, 14, 21, 28 Springfield Community Church Springfield, ME Extension Classes April 13 Machias Valley Baptist Church Machias, ME Sunday Morning Services
John Hoag
April 2, 9, 16, 23 East Hodgdon Bible Church East Hodgdon, ME Extension Classes April 3, 10, 17 Dumfries Community Bible Study Dumfries, NB April 7, 14, 21, 28 Springfield Community Church Springfield, ME Extension Classes
CHAPEL SPEAKERS
April 4 Tim and Shelley Kaiezer Miramachi Valley Bible Camp April 15 Bill Powell Village Missions
NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE! issuu.com/nbbi
Canadian publications mail product sales agreement #40012001
DAVE GOUPILLE, Vice-Chairman of the Board
in Him. I had understood that at a very young age. The same grace of God that saves people out of lives of sin can keep people from ever getting deeply in lives of sin. I’m amazed and thankful for that grace in my life.”
Printed in Canada
OUR NBBI FAMILY