PRBI Winter Trumpet 2023

Winter Trumpet2023 Trumpet

Reflections from Impact Week

By Jeremy Johnston

For Impact Week this past November, we were excited to welcome 15 mission and ministry personnel representing 13 different organizations. Our theme was “Compelled,” based on 2 Corinthians 5:14-21. Students were challenged through chapel messages, worship, workshops, and personal interaction to consider how the love of Christ is compelling them to live for Him and prepare themselves to be ambassadors however and wherever He may lead them. As I have reflected on this week, I would like to share three observations with you.

God is sending out our alumni to the mission field, 5-10+ years after finishing at PRBI. Perhaps in earlier years in our history, students would finish their studies and head out to the mission field, if not right after graduation, then soon afterwards. The Sexsmith train station was key, as they all came and went from there. But nowadays, students tend to not go straight from the graduation platform to the airport runway. They tend to go home, continue to grow and explore their passions, and then head out later, in their 20s or 30s. As I am writing this, just yesterday, we have had 2 alum leave for the mission field, both going to Africa, and both after significant time away from PRBI.

Missions Conference (Impact Week) is about scattering seeds.

I will hand it to our mission reps, they have really seemed to have latched onto this reality over the last several years. Recruitment success is less about the names they capture while on campus and more about the connections they make that will be developed over the next decade.

The Mission Reps (Mobilizers) are united. It is a beautiful picture of the body of Christ when a united group of mission reps come to campus, ready to share with our students the needs of a hurting world. I think technology has helped with this, since the Mobilizers can now all get into a Zoom call together and meet several times virtually faceto-face before ever setting foot on campus. They not only meet on Zoom to connect, but to also plan meaningful content and activities for our students. When they arrive on campus, they are happy to see each other and work together.

While PRBI Missions Conferences have changed over the years, what has not changed is that students still learn about God’s heart for the nations and are presented with opportunities to be a part of God’s harvest. Join us in asking the Lord of the harvest to send out workers.

Transforming Culture

In the previous Trumpet, I wrote about the different ways Christians respond to culture. I concluded that accommodating culture can provide short-term relief, but the long-term consequences can be devastating. Fleeing from culture may be suitable for a season, but a complete withdrawal ultimately hinders the fulfilment of Christ’s mandate to love our neighbour. Resisting evil aspects of our culture is proper, but Christ’s call is not simply to do battle, but to follow His example in engaging the world in order to transform it.

What is needed to become a transformer of culture? An important first step is that we must develop a critical stance on our own culture and dispel the myth that it is Christian. The church in the Western world has lived for a long period without serious

Kim Carins President

opposition to biblical values. One consequence is that we have been slow to question the agenda of the secular culture that surrounds us. Our ease with culture has not produced thoughtful ways to engage it with the purpose of transforming it.

In addition, not only is our culture not Christian, neither is it neutral. “The humanistic faith of the West is a powerful religious faith that brooks no rivals. But it has a smiling face: it offers peace, privilege, prosperity and a place in the sun to those who will accept its terms for life in the public square.”1 Paul’s exhortation, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect“ (Ro 12:2) remains pertinent today.

Where do we begin then, in critiquing our culture? We don’t begin with culture, but with gaining a sound understanding of the gospel and its power to transform. Transformation must begin in us before we will see the effects on our culture. We resist the mould the world is trying to press us into and choose instead to embrace the gospel which has the power to renew our thinking leading to change in our actions.

However, the gospel is not simply for personal transformation, but for all people. We must share Paul’s conviction that the gospel “is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Ro 1:16b). Our culture would have us believe that there are many ways to God, but Scripture is unequivocal in its stance that there is only one true way and that is through Jesus Christ. The Bible has the overarching story for all people. In a society that wants to mute the power of this truth, we must live our lives in such a way that will counter our culture and show a better way.

Once grounded in the gospel’s truth, we can take the next step to analyze our culture so that we can be effective in sharing the story of the Bible. Just as a Christian views life through the lens of Scripture, others view life through their own lens, such as secularism, individualism, naturalism, or some other non-Christian worldview. It

takes study and practice to learn how to tell the gospel story in a way that our culture understands.

At PRBI, we are committed to training students who can affect change in our culture. Our starting point is to expose them to the transforming power of the Word of God through their Bible courses. In our discipleship, they are encouraged to apply the Bible and allow it to transform their thinking and actions. Of course, this assumes a willing participant.

In our worldview courses, students learn how to articulate a Christian worldview and how to analyze culture to expose the worldly assumptions it is pressing upon us. With diligent study, a student can discover how to engage people with the exclusive truth of the gospel and how to live it in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Our culture no longer values the axiom “is it true” and they have replaced it with “does it work for me.” It is upon all of us then to learn the truth of the gospel and it is equally important for us to live the gospel to show that it works. Christ is at work transforming our culture through the lives of those committed to living His truth!

[1] Goheen, Michael W. Introducing Christian Mission Today: Scripture, History and Issues. Pg. 299.

Partnering with the Local Church

My wife and I have been pastoring in the Peace Country since 1996. LaGlace Bible Fellowship (LBF) is only 30 kilometres from Sexsmith, which allows us to have many connections with the school during the academic year. As well, a number of staff and faculty have been part of our church over these years. The benefits have run in both directions.

Benefits to PRBI Students

Our church is small, and it reminds many of them of their home church so far away. Students have been able to do their Field Education at our church and serve in other ways such as on worship teams and in Sunday School. This gives them an opportunity to explore and test out their gifting in a local church.

One of the unique benefits we offer are pastoral internships at our church. We expose interns to as many aspects of ministry as possible. Internships give students a chance to test out their gifting and calling in a supportive setting. While not all interns have gone on to pastoral

Nelson Senft Board Member

ministry, serving an internship is of significant benefit to any student.

Benefits to LBF

We have tried to be as welcoming as possible. We love having students in our homes and have spent many pleasant Sunday afternoons together. As a pastor, I have had the opportunity to teach at PRBI and I have enjoyed getting to know students and encouraging them on their journey of faith.

We love to meet new students and appreciate the enthusiasm they bring to our church! Some of them marry and settle in the area, and we are then blessed to have families sharing in our ministry. Later in life, they serve on our Elder Board and in other capacities, and that enhances the maturity and stability of our church.

I encourage you to consider how your church has benefitted from the existence of PRBI. Where would your church be without PRBI and its influence? We do thank God for this school!

College Update

Thank you for your partnership with us and for taking the time to stay connected. For the latest news visit our website (www.prbi.edu/) or find us on Facebook.

Student Engagement

We have had a strong start to the year. Students settled in quickly and we are very pleased with their engagement and maturity. Already, some students are talking about extending their studies an additional year. This is a positive indicator for us. We likewise have a great group of student leaders who have been diligent in setting the tone on campus. Overall, our students are intent upon learning and growing in their faith in a Jesus-focussed environment. It is exciting to witness both the students’ growth and their desire to learn more about Christ.

Community

Nonetheless, there are definitely challenges that face our students

Jeremy Johnston Director of Operations

and us as we walk alongside them. Anxiety, homesickness, and learning to live in community are three of the most significant ones. We have been encouraged by how the students have sought counsel on ways to deal with these struggles in a Christ-honouring manner. Please continue to pray for our students as they navigate life on their own and in community.

Estate Gift

In October, a long-time supporter of PRBI blessed us with the gift of a fourplex. Praise God with us for this generous gift and pray that we will be able to use it for the furtherance of our ministry.

Acadeum Course Sharing

This semester we are test driving a course-sharing network called Acadeum. This network enables like-minded schools to share online, self-study, and similar courses with one another. In our case, a group of

our students will be able to take a youth ministry course as part of their program.

Faith Based Addiction Track

We continue to partner with Rising Above Ministries to offer our Faith Based Addictions Treatment track. So far, 14 on-campus students and 25 community members have taken courses. Starting on January 10, a new course taught by Mel Siggelkow, Addictions Related Issues, will run on Tuesdays from 3:15 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. We are looking forward to seeing how God will use this training to help people in our communities break cycles of defeat. If you are interested in taking this course, please contact the college.

Sports

Our competitive mixed volleyball team plays in the Grande Prairie league and has recently moved up a division. For students who want a less competitive level of sports, we hold intramural sports nights a couple of times a month. Involvement in sports is a great way to work on physical, relational, and spiritual fitness.

Fundraising Campaign

We are getting ready for our February fundraising campaign. More information will be coming via letter, radio, and social media. During the month of February,

check out our Facebook page and listen to the morning show on Reach 96.3 FM (on your radio or online) to hear short testimonials about how God has impacted people through the ministry of PRBI. Please help us reach our goal of $150,000.

Reach Missions Trip

After being unable since 2019, we, Lord willing, will send a small team of students to the Philippines in May with Action Ventures. Our mission teams have been a draw in recruitment, so it is encouraging that we can send students out again.

Performing Arts Tour

Again this year, several of our students are preparing to serve on a tour team. They will be visiting churches in late April and early May. If your church is interested in hosting a team, please contact us at prbi@ prbi.edu.

90th Celebrations

PRBI will celebrate its 90th anniversary in the fall of 2023. We will be creating various opportunities for us to come together and rejoice in 90 years of God’s faithful provision to PRBI and, Lord willing, many more years to come. We are already anticipating the festivities! Watch for more details about some exciting connecting times.

As we begin a new year, will you consider giving a financial gift?

MAINTENANCE FACILITY CAMPAIGN

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 Service, 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, sta , 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.