PRBI Summer Trumpet 2020

Trumpet S u m m e r

PEACE RIVER BIBLE INSTITUTE

2 0 2 0

1

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven -Ecclesiastes 3:1

College Update The writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us that God has ordained a time for “every matter under heaven�, including those things that change the course of our planning!

With the departure of students in mid-March, our staff was faced with extra time on their hands. How could we make the best use of this gift? One way was to get an early start on fall planning. There are many unknowns about what the fall semester will look like because of COVID. We are preparing as best we can for whatever the Lord has for us in this next season.

Another area of redeeming the time has been noticeable. We have spent a day a week improving the look of our campus. We have tackled everything from cleaning out storage spaces to lawn care to painting and laying flooring. It has definitely brightened up the place and provided an opportunity for increased camaraderie among our staff.

God alone knows and controls what the fall will bring. Our plan at this point is to have students on campus ready to learn come Labour Day. We are working hard to be ready. Please continue to pray with us regarding our fall semester.

Jeremy Johnston Director of Operations 2

Something Better for Us Recently I was reading Hebrews 11, which is often referred to as the “faith chapter” of the Bible.

In the last verse a phrase caught my attention, “God had planned something better for us” (He 11:40a).

The context for this statement is a list of Bible heroes both named and unnamed who in the face of taxing circumstances showed their faith in God. The author of Hebrews wrote concerning the faithful, “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised” (He 11:39). He concluded, “God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect” (He 11:40).

Although our present circumstances may not be compared with examples found in Hebrews 11, I believe many people are finding these times trying because of social isolation, potential 3

Kim Cairns

financial losses, health concerns, or future uncertainties. As I reflected on the closing verse of the chapter, I asked myself, “Do I believe God has something better for us? Can I trust God in these days?” More explicitly in my context, “Can I trust that God has something better for PRBI when the year ahead holds so many unknowns?” The answer is yes! We can trust God in the face of uncertainties.

We can trust that God is good despite the troubles the pandemic is exacting from us. When the Psalmist was in danger of stumbling in his faith because he could not make sense of his circumstances (Ps 73:2-16) he declared, “Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart” (Ps 73:1). The Psalms are littered with declarations of God’s goodness (Ps 16:2, 23:6, 25:8, 31:19, 34:8, 100:5, 107:1, 118:1, etc.). So

often I have experienced God’s goodness, not the least His gift of salvation despite my sinfulness (Ro 5:8)! We live in a fallen world where pandemics and other evils flourish.

Let us not despair, for surely God is good to us!

orders and still offer an excellent learning experience? Will we make budget when so many are struggling financially because of the loss of employment, the closure of their business, or the downturn in the economy?

We can trust that a good God is in control. The pandemic has not caught God unaware, nor is the havoc being unleashed insurmountable to Him. A properly placed faith believes that God can bring good even out of evil. The Old Testament story that shows this principle is the familiar story of Joseph. Reflecting on what his brothers had done to him by selling him into slavery, Joseph declared, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Ge 50:20). The New Testament affirms, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Ro 8:28). Will we trust that God has something better for us because He can bring something good out of troubling circumstances?

My faith is being tested in new ways.

In moments when a spirit of fear threatens to overwhelm me, I am learning to take a deliberate pause, look away from my circumstances and focus on my God. I intentionally remind myself He is good, and He remains good despite the 24/7 news cycle about COVID-19. When I turn off the news reports and reflect on the history of God’s people as recorded in the Scriptures, I find peace of mind that God is in control.

No matter what challenges PRBI is facing, I can trust Him for something better even if I cannot see the outcome of this act of faith. As the ancients of old, it does not mean we will not experience hardship. Yet even in adversity God’s grace will prove enough (2 Co 12:9).

In an earlier Trumpet article (Winter 2020) I noted some challenges Bible Schools are facing. Now added to these are Alberta Health’s restrictions. So many questions flood my mind. Will we be able to have students on campus this fall? Can we make the adjustments which will be required by health

These are challenging times and people of faith are not excluded. I encourage you to reflect on a good God who remains firmly in control.

He has something better for us!

Keep the faith!

Kim Cairns President Kim has served as a member of the PRBI faculty since 2009 and as President since 2019. He is married to Kimberly and they have four adult children.

4

2020 Graduates Bradley Bergen Lacey Cornelsen Jonah Dillabough Alicia Harder

Les Harms Cristyn Hogue Madison Huckabone Corban Hunter

Aaron Knapp Agatha Neufeld Caitlin Neustaeter Emily Peters

Jessy Reimer Sam Retzlaff Chrissie Roberts Joanna Schmidt

Ryan Scofield Mark Thiessen Tyson Volkman Alex Wilbur

Please pray for the graduates of 2020.

5

Financial Update Peace River Bible Institute Statement of Operations and Budget July 2019 - April 2020 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

781,500

1,050,600

74%

157,504

115,831

136%

165,536

205,755

80%

658,207 132,458 790,665

775,261 196,200 971,461

85% 68% 81%

1,895,205

2,343,647

81%

Expenses To Date

Annual Budget

% of Budget To Date

cademics

Academics

340,345

406,139

84%

tudent Life

Campus Life

246,210

364,561

68%

225,106

277,282

81%

ood Services Food

Services

evelopment

Promotion & Development

236,963

305,683

78%

dmissions

Admissions

139,699

226,720

62%

490,211

603,202

81%

150,123

139,060

108%

dministrationAdministration

Maintenance

Facilities & Maintenance

tudent Aid

Special Project

5,000

6,000

83%

tudent Aid

Student Aid

5,108

15,000

34%

thers

Others Total Expenses Net Income (Loss)

398 1,839,163 56,042

2,343,647

78%

-

Excludes Amortization Expense

6

7

College Update in Pictures

8

The Effects of the Pandemic on Churches Hi there. How are you doing?

Are you wondering if it is safe to come out yet? The last two months have se en his toric changes in our world. Some have commented that the reaction to the COVID-19 virus has been the most disruptive event since World War Two. Churches have been closed, malls have been shuttered and individuals told to stay away from each other.

This forced separation is a new experience for Christians, eve n t h o s e u n d e r h o s t i l e governments. What centuries of persecution have not been able to accomplish, a virus managed to do within a few months. Today we will look into the reaction of congregations and pastors to this event and ask if this has changed the way we do church forever.

9

Jason Gayoway

How churches responded A little less than two months ago, I got an email advising that the students would have to pack their things and be off the campus in the next 48 hours. I knew that we might be headed towards this, but it all felt so sudden at the time. There were to be very quick goodbyes, little chance to prep students for the completion of the year and no grad until the fall. I spent the first week after they left collecting my wits and trying to get oriented to this new reality. In a matter of hours our school switched to being an ‘online’ college, and similar to us, every church in the area had to figure out how to bring the word, worship and fellowship to their congregations without actually congregating.

It seems funny now, but back in March I thought ‘zoom’ was the sound a car made when it went past you. You might have thought the same, but most of us now see it as the main way we have church services. When I preached on Zoom for the first time, I found the experience to be seamless.

Our worship leader purchased an electronic kit to hook up his guitar and keyboard to the USB port of his laptop. The result was a surprisingly clear sound.

Anthony Bulmer of Grande Prairie Alliance Church wrote to me that his church purchased 5 Zoom accounts and runs everything from Sunday school classes and elders’ meetings to weekly prayer summits using the software. I especially liked hearing of the creativity a youth minister showed when he used the platform to play board games with cloistered students. However, he closed his email on a note of caution, “With all that said, people are Zoomed out and seem to be slowly moving apart. If anything this has proven that we are not to forsake the gathering together of the brethren.”

Student Responses At the tail end of our school year, I asked the students in my Pastoral Ministry class to write a response paper to the crisis. Their papers

seemed to focus on the need to show care to others by the means left to us. One student, Josh Olson, quotes a psychologist named Haney who said that, “Deprived of normal human interaction, many segregated prisoners reportedly suf fer from mental health problems including anxiety, panic, insomnia, paranoia, aggression and depression.” Josh concludes that, “In a time of mass isolation, we can be a light that shines into this particular area of darkness.” Jesus seems to sound the same note in John 13:35, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Without a chance to show that love though, people begin to wither.

Overall, however, the restrictions have had a positive effect on church attendance. More than half of churches report Zoom meetings have a higher attendance than regular Sunday mornings, but that may be changing. By the first weekend of May it had dropped for churches across the board (based on findings from Barna Group researchers). Only 1 in 4 churches said it was higher. Giving has roughly followed the attendance figures and is now softening as well. Perhaps the novelty of online churches is indeed wearing off.

10

I think part of this change of thinking at the lockdown as something we is from the end approaching. We all needed to get through until have waited a long time to resume life could resume again, like a normal life, but a realization is power outage. dawning that while crowds can gather again, they must do so I never thought of it as something wisely. I have seen people relax in that might change the world and Christian ministry long their use of PPE, but once we can go out “It feels like we are term, but maybe it is. again I think the sense heading into another He feels we need to step into this moment of caution will return. season of change, since we are being Certain questions though it is given a platform we linger in the air: How will kids’ ministry a necessary step.” did not have before.

I think if nothing work if we need to keep our social distance? How else this has pushed us to develop will we manage the main service if expertise in digital ministry, but is we have to stay separated by two it part of God’s plan to change the metres? It feels like we are heading conversation in the world? I don’t into another season of change, have the answer to that, but I like the idea of us changing our prayers though it is a necessary step. from a focus on preservation to asking the King of kings to bring A Different Perspective The most out-of-the-box thinking I people out of materialism and into have read on the effects of the crisis His kingdom. comes from author Mark Sayers.

He notes that in history there Jason Gayoway is always some tragedy or crisis Faculty before renewal. What if everything up to now is a rehearsal? What if Jason has served as PRBI faculty since 2008 and as Pastoral Ministries Advisor God is working and causing this since 2013. He is married to Jill and disruption? I liked his thought on they have two adult children. the cause of change, “Renewal comes from people coming to the [1] http://churchpulseweekly.org/2020/05/ end of themselves.” mark-sayers-2/ accessed May 8th, 2020.

[2] Ibid.

Sayers’ comments surprised me. Up until that point, I had been looking 11

News & Updates WITH THE LORD SCHLICHTING, Esther (g ‘46, staff ‘46-’55) was born near Waldheim, Saskatchewan on June 30, 1922. She was the third of five children born to Cornelius and Mary Wiens. Esther became a Christian at age 12 and was baptized at age 14. She attended the Peace River Bible Institute from 1943-46, after which she went on staff. For nine years she conducted a radio Sunday School class and was very thankful for the all the kids she was able to shepherd and teach. She moved to Kelowna in 1960. She joined the Kelowna Gospel Fellowship and was active in the Pioneer Girls Club. She worked as a practical nurse at the Still Waters Private Hospital, and later at the Kelowna General Hospital. Shortly after retiring, in 1990, she married Bill (William) Schlichting and was a wonderful support and partner to him until his death in 2016. She adopted his family and supported his children in whatever way she could.

BIRTH Surbey, Brett (g ‘18) & Kayleigh (ug ‘14) are delighted to share the news of the birth of their daughter, Lillian Ella Mae, on October 15, 2019. Brett is currently Yard Supervisor at Kakwa Stone and Landscaping Products while Kayleigh is at home with Lillian. Lillian brings a lot of joy to our lives with her infectious happiness and smile. We are so blessed.

BROWN, Jimmy (ug ‘14) & Jenny (ug ‘15) welcomed their firstborn, Wesley David, on December 10, 2019.

Jimmy is installing flooring for a living, while Jenny is busy at home with baby. Wesley is full of smiles and is bringing so much joy to their lives!

KRIEGER, Conner (g ‘17) & Ella (g ‘16) are thrilled to announce the arrival of their baby boy, Dawson Conner, who came into the world on February 19, 2020. They are living in Valleyview, AB. Conner is working as a field operator for Murphy Oil and Ella is staying home. Every single day with their sweet babe is a new adventure—no two days are ever the same! 12

13

COVID-19 AND YOUR ESTATE These challenging times can create some uncertainty and anxiety about whether you actually have your house in order but before you create your Will, it is important to plan well...

ASK YOURSELF > How do the new rules for RRIFs affect me and what are my options? > How do I create or update my Will while in isolation? > How do I deal with US Stock or Real Estate ownership in my Will? > Would a family trust benefit my estate? > How do I choose the right person to be my Executor and what do they need to know?

Our partners at Advisors with Purpose can help you answer these and any other of your estate planning questions. They will help you ensure that you have taken into account any tax implications, discussed options for the best way to pass on your stuff, thought about who would be the best executor, considered your specific situation and then create a personalized plan that reflects you and your decisions.

This service is free, confidential, there is no obligation and no one will ever try to sell you anything.

Contact them today at 1.866.336.3315 or plan@advisorswithpurpose.ca

GET INVOLVED MONTHLY GIVING

BE A PRAYER PARTNER

SCHOLARSHIPS & BURSARIES

REFER A STUDENT

LEGACY GIVING

WWW.PRBI.EDU/GIVE

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 disciplemakers 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.

Our vision is 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 His Word.

Like Us On Facebook! www.facebook.com/acollegeforlife

PRBI - Peace River Bible Institute

If you know of an alumnus who has passed away, please let us know.

Contact Us www.prbi.edu

prbi@prbi.edu

780-568-3962

COMING EVENTS April 18 Graduation - Postponed

September 11 Water Balloon Mania - Cancelled

June 6 Alumni BBQ - Cancelled

February 5 Circle of Friends

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. If you would have any comments please email us at development@prbi.edu. Printed in Canada.

14

Apply for Fall 2020 Today prbi.edu/apply