What is it about certain people that, when they are gone from us, we ask ourselves this question, “What makes their memory so persistent and their loss so sharply felt?” The Bible says, “the memory of the just is blessed”, Proverbs 10:7. This was vividly brought to my attention when one of our graduates, who is a veteran missionary, sat across from me in my office and said “I have been walking around the campus soaking up some good memories. The men I studied under were anointed.” The unshakeable commitment to the Word of God of his teachers had become a foundation plank in his own ministry over these years as he serves on another continent. The joy of any teacher is when his students travel further, dig deeper, rise higher and reach more people with the truth of God’s Word then ever the teacher did. John, the apostle, said “I have no greater joy than to hear my children walk in truth.”, 3 John 4.

Of all the joys a Bible School teacher could have, there would be nothing that thrills the heart more than knowing that the Word of God is being studied, lived and taught by those into whom he poured it. He then knows that they “… received it not as the word of men but as the word of God which effectually worketh also in you that believe”, 2 Thessalonians 2:13. The King James translators wanted their lives to be involved in translating the Word of God because they knew it would be valuable for time and eternity. They valued it as an “inestimable treasure” that would grow of itself. “….the preaching of God’s sacred Word among us; which is that inestimable treasure, which excelleth all the riches of the earth because the fruit thereof extendeth itself…”.

I recently attended a gospel concert with my wife and granddaughter and how my heart rejoiced as these gifted young men sang harmoniously, joyfully and worshipfully. Biblical principles were shared and, at one point, the stage cleared and the gospel was presented logically, clearly, and powerfully from an open Bible. It was evident to me from those young men that they treasured the Word of God. It was evident to me from that former student that he remembered NBBI because of the “inestimable treasure” it set before him and I could observe the “fruit thereof extending itself” in his ministry. Whatever we deposit to students as teachers in this age, may we leave them with the “Word of God” and it will “extend itself through a fertile life.”

John Hoag, NBBI Chancellor

Post by: John Hoag, NBBI Chancellor

This article appears in the February 2012 Open Bible Bulletin.  Click here for the pdf version.

Messages and challenges usually come from experience and from God’s working in the heart of the writer; so it is with this challenge. I’ve been studying the book of Colossians and at the end of chapter one, Paul speaks to the church people there about the ministry to which God has called him and, I believe, it serves as a challenge to each of us today.

He begins this section of the book in verse 23 when he simply calls himself a “minister.” This word was used to describe someone who waited on others or who served others. The first lesson I must learn in this challenge for living is that I am a servant – I am here to do God’s bidding and to “esteem others” above myself.

The apostle goes on in verse 24 to speak of his suffering for Christ and for them. Paul’s willingness to suffer for Christ’s sake and for the church has always amazed me. No one enjoys suffering and yet Paul patiently endured, to please Christ and bring the Gospel to his world. Likely I will not suffer as he suffered but I must be willing to endure whatever comes my way for the Gospel’s sake.

The next challenge for living that Paul mentions is the challenge of spreading the Gospel. He is compelled and commissioned by God to take the mystery of the good news to the Gentiles (verses 25-27). This commission still stands. We are responsible, as he was, to make known the way of salvation. I wonder how we are doing in that area.

Finally, in verses 28-29, the apostle challenges us regarding “the perfecting of the saints” or the teaching and mentoring of others with the idea of helping them to mature. He says, “…that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour…” The challenge, then, is to be involved with others with the distinct aim of assisting them in their pursuit of Christlikeness.

Paul was an example in ministry that we would do well to follow as we offer our lives for service to our Lord.

Robert Booker, NBBI Vice President

Post by: Robert Booker, NBBI Vice President

This article appears in the February 2012 Open Bible Bulletin. Please click here for a pdf copy.

The winter teen retreats are almost here…

Join us for February 17-19, 24-26, 2012!

Some of the most exciting events at NBBI have been our annual Teen Retreats held over two different weekends in February. Well over 400 teenager’s crowd our campus over the course of these two weekends to enjoy great singing, hear challenging messages from Gods Word, meet lots of new friends, hang out with our students, and play some wacky and wild games. Listen to what others are saying about our retreats.

“Hey!!! I just wanted to tell you guys that NBBI teen retreat was the best thing ever!!!! It really let me get close to God…I met lots of new people and can’t wait to see them again.”  Retreater

“My daughter attended the youth retreat the first weekend. I just wanted to tell you folks that she had an incredible weekend. She really enjoyed and learned through the teaching/preaching and she had fun with the activities as well. So, thank you NBBI for what you do and the work you all put into the youth for these retreats. She wants to go to NBBI when she is finished high school after spending the weekend there!” Mom of Retreater

NBBI is passionate about training young people in the truth of God’s Word. One of these retreats could be a life-changing experience for you. Are you willing to come and have God do a work in your life? Why not join us for a weekend!

Post by: Matthew Little, NBBI Faculty, Teen Retreat Committee

You can get more information about our teen retreats and sign up online by visiting this link.

http://nbbi.ca/teens

Terry Anger

Encouraging, equipping, and enlisting God’s people through the proclamation of the truth!
Terry Anger, NBBI graduate of 1991 writes:

Approximately two years ago, God led my wife and me to found Rhema Community Bible Church to the glory of God’s name. One of our desires was to give young men who sensed the Lord’s call to pastoral ministry, introductory training through hands-on mentorship, guidance in the development of their preparational skills of expositional preaching and teaching, and the opportunity to exercise their gifts in the pulpit. Now, Having been involved in teaching God’s Word in churches, conferences and colleges over the past 20 years, God led us to begin this ministry we call “Rhema On The Road” which has taken us throughout Canada and the Eastern United States. Due to the increasing demand, God has led me to place the home church ministry into other capable hands allowing me to expand the ministry on the road, fulfilling the requests of an increasing number of churches.

Rhema is committed to encouraging both leaders and layman through seminars and conferences dealing with a number of theological themes and issues congruent with church ministry today. Presently, we are planning an Eastern tour in the spring and fall of 2012. If you require additional information, please visit the Rhema On The Road Ministries Blog or by calling (519) 512-0330. I trust that God will allow our paths to cross in upcoming days. Thank you for taking the time to consider what the ministry of “Rhema On The Road” can do to help you in encouraging your congregation to discover the deeper truths of God’s Word.

Rhema on the Road Ministries
28 Woodley Rd. RR#4
Waterford, ON  N0E 1Y0
Canada

web: http://rhemaontheroad.com/

During the second week of March break (March 8-18, 2012) a group of fourteen students, under the direction of Mr. Al Cabral and Mr. Keith McMahon will be travelling to Texas. For more than a decade, teams from NBBI have been assisting Pastor Wally and Jane Morillo with their ministry to teens at both Grace Community Church in Pharr, Texas and HEB Camp located in Leaky, Texas. This spring camp, sponsored by Grace Community Church, largely targets unchurched teens who may be hearing the Gospel for the first time.

Pray with us that God would be pleased to use this outreach to call many to Himself.

February 1    Steve Ranni – Lincoln Baptist Church, Lincoln, NB
February 2    Alex Bourgoin – CEF of Maine
February 7-10    John Romano -  CEF of Maine
February 16-17    John McKim – Friends of Israel
February 21-22    Darel Tozer – The People’s Church, Somerville, NB
February 23-24    John Ward – Word of Life Canada
February 28    Roger Black – Living Waters Bible Conference
February 29    Gaston Jolicour – Gideons International

Alejandra Corts (‘11) to Shawn Andres (‘11) on July 9 , 2011.

Births

August 25, 2011 – to John (Assoc. ’00) and Shantelle Leslie, a daughter, Addison Grace.
October 27, 2011 – to Richard and Jennifer (MacRaild, Assoc. ’96) Agnew, a son, Theo William Paul.
November 2, 2011 – to Mark (ABM ‘09) and Alicia (Moran, ABM ‘08) McKeen, a baby girl, Kendra Lynn.
November 7, 2011 – to Jake (ABM ‘06) and Karen (McKeen, ‘05) Adams, a baby girl, Joy Leanne.

Homegoing

Edgar Garnett, grad of 1951, went home to be with his Lord on December 11, 2011. Edgar had been such a blessing to so many over the years, both in his home church in Rothesay, NB and here at NBBI as he faithfully attended conferences and brought cheer to our students, staff and conference guests.

Link to Edgar Garnett’s obituary.

Below you will find pdf copy of the February 2012 Open Bible Bulletin. If you would like to see all the online articles from our monthly Open Bible Bulletin (current and past) please visit this link:

http://nbbi.ca/category/open-bible-bulletin/

February 1, 8, 15, 22 – Jacksontown Baptist Church – Jacksontown, NB – Extension Classes

JACK CARON

February 8, 15, 22 – The People’s Church – Somerville, NB – Bible Study

MATTHEW LITTLE

February 10-12 – Word of Life – Owen Sound, ON – Winter Retreat

Below is the pdf copy of the January 2012 NBBI Open Bible Bulletin. We will be posting the individual articles separately in the coming days.

(Updated: December 31, 2011)

“Thou art worthy, O Lord”, “Thou art worthy…” and “Worthy is the Lamb…” These three phrases are found in Revelation 4 and 5 and are appropriately called by C.I. Scofield, “Universal adoration of the Lamb who is King.” As I thought about these phrases and about this season, I was reminded of the adoration given the baby Jesus by those present at and near His birth.

Luke records these instances of praise. The first is found in Luke 1:46 where Mary, Jesus’ mother, sings and prays with joy that her Saviour will be born. She calls Him mighty and merciful at a time in her life when she was still learning to trust and at the same time questioning how this miracle could have occurred. He is worthy of our praise even when we don’t fully understand His will.

The second instance is found later in the chapter and records John’s father’s voice of praise. Zacharias blesses God for salvation in the house of David and for his son, John, “the prophet of the Highest.” Adoration and praise to Jesus should be given for those faithful servants He raises up for His glory.

In Luke 2, the shepherds were the next recorded ones to worship Him. After the angels appeared to them, they travelled to Bethlehem and testified of the One they had seen. (Luke2:20) “And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, …”

The overflow and result of our love and adoration for our Saviour should be the telling of the good news of salvation.

Simeon, the temple priest, praised God as he held the child Jesus and called Him God’s light and salvation to Jew and Gentile.

May we, during this season of celebrating Christ’s birth, be careful to love, praise and worship Him. He is the One who eventually died and rose again to pay the penalty for our sin so that we might live for eternity in Heaven. Let’s celebrate the season for what it really is – the birth of God’s greatest Gift.

This post is by: Robert Booker, NBBI Vice-President

The above article appears in the December 2011 Open Bible Bulletin.

Robert Booker, NBBI Vice President

“The doctor said we are having a boy!” So went the conversation as our daughter-in-law phoned my wife with this exciting news. Then she said, “Are you sitting down?” as she broke the wonderful news that they are having not just one but two boys! Twins! I cannot describe the joy that overwhelmed us as grandparents upon receiving this great information.

As I thought about this Christmas challenge, I reconsidered the good news of the Gospel – of Christ’s birth. The prophet Isaiah said, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:…” The angel of the Lord declared to Joseph in Matthew 1:21, “and she (Mary) shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus:…” Later, when Mary began to understand what God was doing and what this Son would do, she sang a joyous song of praise which is recorded in Luke 1.

You see, we don’t know what our twins will accomplish or how their lives will impact mankind or in what way they will be used by God for His glory, but we do know what God’s Son, Jesus, has done and how God’s will has been fulfilled through Him.

Jesus was born to die. While His comparatively short life on this earth was full of meaning and full of teaching and training, His death and resurrection satisfied the demands of our Holy God in that Christ’s death was the price or “wages” paid for the penalty of the sins of the whole world. Anyone who realizes that he/she is a sinner, and repents and places his/her faith in Christ and His substitutionary death will be saved from eternity in hell and to eternal live in heaven.

During this season, much will be said, printed and preached about the miracle birth of God’s Son. Will you allow this good news of Jesus’ love make this the greatest and most meaningful Christmas you have ever experienced?

Post by: Dr. Robert Booker, NBBI Vice-President

This article appears in the December 2011 Open Bible Bulletin.

As our students arrived on our campus in September, it was not long before the bats, balls and gloves came out for our annual softball league. Our league happens to be the most diverse in all of Carleton County. We boast  students from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Argentina, Ecuador, South Korea, Bolivia, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. We haven’t noticed any major league scouts in the crowd, but it is competitive and fun none-the-less.

We had six teams compete for the coveted championship trophy and the teams gave it their all. In the end the Little’s Legends prevailed against the Muir’s Marlins in the championship game. The players on the winning team were: Devin Groff, Philippe Bélanger, David Hoag, Jared Long, Brianna Redlon, Adam Clark, Young Oh, Justina Barter, Jean-Michel Briere, Natalie Paterson and Christina Johnson.

We also wish to acknowledge Tom MacIntosh, one of our married students, who took upon himself the unpopular task of heading up our umpiring squads. Thank you for your work Tom and thanks to students and staff alike for the memorable year.

Post by: Matthew Little, NBBI Sports Director, Faculty

This summer I worked for six weeks at Living Waters Bible Camp. It was a busy and amazing summer. One of the weeks, I had a cabin of five girls, all of whom I had the previous year, two which were not saved. During the week, with the meeting and devotional times, I could tell the were thinking because of their questions but they had made no decision for Christ. They did not understand the gospel and it was frustrating because I was trying to explain it and they just could not get it. All I could do during that week was pray that God would work!

On Thursday night during campfire, after the gospel was shared again and the invitation to stay was given, all my girls stayed behind and three rededicated their lives to the Lord. One of them just listened to the gospel being presented again but did not make a decision that I know of. The other girl, Danielle, believed the gospel and got saved that night. It was amazing to see God work in her life and also to realize that I can only proclaim the gospel but God does the work in the lives of people.

Natalie is the daughter of Colby (’87) & Lesa (Hosford, ’87) Holmes, grads serving in Argentina, and grandaughter of the late Ronald Holmes (’57) & Margaret (Scott, ’57) Holmes Gualtieri who also served for years in Argentina.

Post by: Natalie Holmes – NBBI Senior Student

Greg and Lily Muir and sons, Patrick, Andres and Josh, are living here in Victoria Corner while home on furlough. What a privilege it is to have them close by and participating in our school chapels. Please pray for them as they travel this year, for their family and the boys’ schooling.

Post by: Bob Booker, Alumni Committee

Editor’s note: Lily Muir recently shared her testimony at our Ladies’ Conference. Click below to listen:

Heidi Clark (ABM ’11) to Tyler Hill (’11) on October 8, 2011.

BIRTHS

September 9, 2011 – to John and Karen (Towle, ABM ’01) Partridge, a daughter, Ruth Lindsey.
September 17, 2011 – to Carson (’99) and Sarah Younker, a daughter, Sherry Rebecca.
October 25, 2011 – to Ricky (’09) and Emily (Wheaton,Assoc. ’08) Mitton, twin boys, Andrew Dwayne and Joshua Herman.
October 31, 2011 – to Bill (’95) and Maria Mooney, a son, Joseph Patrick.
November 1, 2011 – to Tom (Assoc ’10 and current senior student) and Deborah (Assoc ’10) MacIntosh,a daughter, Kyllah Lisa-Marie.

HOMEGOING

Winnie Mitchell, wife of graduate, David Mitchell (’73), went home to be with her Lord on October 21, 2011. Winnie also worked in our kitchen at NBBI in 1972-1973.

December 14 – The People’s Church – Somerville, NB – Mid-Week Service

JOHN HOAG

December 1,8,15 – Dumfries Community Bible Study – Dumfries, NB
December 4 – Open Bible Campus Church – Victoria Corner, NB – Morning Service

MATTHEW LITTLE

December 4 – Coldstream Baptist Church – Coldstream, NB – Morning Service

Last night I received a phone call from a friend whose aged mother was in the hospital, living her last few days on this earth. My mind quickly drifted and fond memories of times spent with this friend flooded my mind. I would love to share a couple of those humourous stories with you but space does not permit. We don’t spend much time together anymore, but the Christian bond that had been made in those early days of our Christian lives will never be broken. I will always remember my friend!

November, of course, is the month US we set time aside to remember those who gave their lives for our freedom. World War I and World War II seem so distant now. There are few living who experienced those most difficult days and we are so quick to forget their sacrifice. Last summer, as I was browsing the web, I came across my grandfather’s attestation papers for the Naval Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force. He made it in just as the first world war had ended. As many in his day, he had a great desire to fight for freedom. Many of our friends will remember the Korean War and the Vietnam War, and still quite fresh in all of our minds are “Desert Storm,” the Gulf war, “9-11,” the destruction of the Twin Towers and our continuing struggles in Afghanistan and Iraq. We have all been touched by those who gave of their lives. We will always remember our friends!

Over 2,000 years ago, God the Father sent His only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to this earth to fight a battle which would bring freedom forever! Humanly speaking, it didn’t seem like much of a battle. Even while He was being betrayed by one of His own, Jesus Christ calmly told Peter to put away his sword and then healed the enemy’s guard whom His disciple had wounded. He gave hardly any defense when accused by the authorities. He didn’t even struggle when being led to his death. I suppose secular historians of that day would have said His final defeat took place when He was nailed to and crucified on the cross, but just the opposite was true. In Romans 5:8 we read, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” When Jesus Christ died on that cross, He paid the penalty which was set by God Himself as the punishment for our sin (Romans 6:23). Three days later, when He rose from the dead, Christ conquered the grave, He conquered Satan and He conquered death itself to bring new life to those who would receive it (1 Corinthians 15:51-58).

In 1973, I received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. After listening to my brother explain the wonderful news of salvation, later that night, I knelt beside my bed and accepted God’s free gift of salvation. Christ became my Saviour and my closest friend. I will always remember this Friend! Will you?

Post by: Larry Rushton, Open Bible Bulletin Editor

It is obvious that the world system is in great turmoil. It doesn’t take many newspaper subscriptions or news broad- casts to confirm the Apostle Paul’s statement in Philippians 2:15 that we live in the presence of a society that has turned away from the Truth. With that in mind, we must be more determined than ever to stand firmly on the truth of the Word of God which is the only perfect and reliable standard.

I am reminded of Paul’s exhortation in Ephesians 6:11- 14 where he used the word “stand” or “withstand” four times. Evidently, those who follow Christ are expected to stand firm in these days of chaos and are cautioned that it will be absolutely necessary. “Stand” or “withstand” here means to be firm, established, and to resist evil and twisted thoughts and actions.

The new “deacon”, Stephen, in Acts 6 and 7, is a notable example of standing for the faith. He had just been appointed, with others, to handle some business matters in the new church and while preaching and teaching was brought before the authorities who, as he stood there looking up into heaven and declaring the glory of God, murdered him in their anger and twisted thinking. What a cost to stand!

I am reminded of the apostle’s declaration in 1 Corinthians 15:1 concerning the Gospel preached. He said that they should stand in the Gospel they received. What a positive note – to stand firm in the glorious Gospel that saved us!

These are difficult days to live in this world system, but our God is all powerful and He honours those who steadfastly live and witness for Him.

We at NBBI pledge, by God’s grace, to stand squarely on the true, holy Word of God and to teach it faithfully in the classroom and in life to those who entrust to us their preparation for service.

Post by: Dr. Robert Booker, NBBI Vice President

I would like to pay tribute this month to a young couple who impacted NBBI over the past few years and served well while on our staff at NBBI, Matt and Marcy Larabie.

When Matt first joined our team in 2006, he held the position of Registrar and at the same time managed the sports’ department and oversaw the music department. He later ministered as our Dean of Men. For a year, Marcy worked in our bookstore and then became a full-time mom to their twin daughters, Alexis and Victoria, whom we all adopted.

Post by: Robert Booker, NBBI Alumni Committee

MATTHEW LITTLE

November 7,14,21,28 – Lincoln Baptist Church – Lincoln, NB – Extension Classes

November 13 – Coldstream Baptist Church – Coldstream, NB – Sunday Morning Service

November 19 -  Marston’s Corner Baptist Church – Lewiston, ME – Extension Classes

November 20 – Winterport Fellowship – Winterport, ME – Sunday Morning Service

November 4 – Dr. Jeff Tuttle – Calvary Baptist Theological Seminary

November 8-9 – Marty Frisk – Christar

November 10 – Mark Rockwood & Brian Ritchie – Berean Baptist Church

November 15 – Don Longworth – SIM

November 17-18 – Pete & Carly Nichols – New Tribes Mission

November 21-22 – David Schmidt – ABWE

November 29 – Marsha Boyd-Mitchell  – Christian Action Federation

This audio message was recorded at the NBBI Transforming Faith Ladies’ Conference on the afternoon of October 22, 2011.  In this message, Gracia Burnham (NTM Missionary) shares about her year long captivity at the hands of the Abu Sayyaf Muslim extremists in the Philippines and how God is using that experience to transform people through faith in Jesus Christ.

The video of this session can also be found at: http://www.ustream.tv/user/nbbi/videos

This audio message was recorded at the NBBI Transforming Faith Ladies’ Conference on the morning of October 22, 2011. In this message, Gracia Burnham (NTM Missionary) shares about her year long captivity at the hands of the Abu Sayyaf Muslim extremists in the Philippines and how God is used that experience to bring about healing through forgiveness found in Jesus Christ.

The video of this session can also be found at: http://www.ustream.tv/user/nbbi/videos

The video of this session can also be found at: http://www.ustream.tv/user/nbbi/videos

This testimony was given by Tilly Grant (Missionary wife serving in Bolivia with New Tribes Mission) at our Transforming Faith Ladies’ Conference on October 22, 2011.

The video of this session can also be found at: http://www.ustream.tv/user/nbbi/videos

This testimony was given by Lily Muir (Missionary wife serving in Bolivia with Pioneers) at our Transforming Faith Ladies’ Conference on October 22, 2011.

The video of this session can also be found at: http://www.ustream.tv/user/nbbi/videos

This audio message was recorded at the NBBI Transforming Faith Ladies’ Conference on the evening of October 21, 2011. Our speaker is Gracia Burnham with New Tribes Mission. In this message, Gracia shares about her year long captivity with the Abu Asayyaf Muslim extremists in the Philippines and how that experience helped transform her.

This audio message was recorded at the NBBI Chapel on the morning of October 21, 2011. Our speaker is Gracia Burnham with New Tribes Mission.  In this testimony, Gracia shares about her year long captivity with the Abu Sayyaf Muslim extremists in the Philippines and what God is doing since that time.

The video of this session can also be found at: http://www.ustream.tv/user/nbbi/videos

What are the dreams that you have for your life? What are the plans that you have already you to where you want to be? Where are the decisions that you have planned for your life going to take you? Who are you listening to for advice? Where does God fit into all of this, if at all?

In Exodus 2, we are introduced to a man that had the miraculous written all over him. In his childhood, he most certainly would have died had God not intervened and spared his life. He was destined to be poor had God not, through the sparing of his life, seen fit to put him into the king’s palace. His life from conception to manhood had the fingerprints of God all over it.

This man’s name was Moses. Moses was born a poor Israelite, a slave in Egypt. But soon he found himself in the palace of Pharaoh. He had it all. He had, in the palm of his hand, what most people spend a lifetime only dreaming of; fame, power, fortune and respect. Scholars believe that, by the time of the events of Exodus 2, Moses was an experienced military man having probably led victorious campaigns against other enemy nations. He lived in the most important home of the most powerful nation on the planet at that time. He was the prince of Egypt, the wealthiest, most cultured and most advanced society in the known world of that time. He was highly educated; he was trained at what was known as the Temple of the Sun, the most outstanding university of the day. He was exposed to all the wisdom of Egypt. In fact, in Acts 7:32, we find out that Moses was a man mighty in “words and in deeds.” We might say he was as prepared as man could possibly make him. Yet, in Exodus 2:15, we find him on the backside of the desert having just killed an Egyptian.

As Moses sits down by this well, he can’t understand where it all went wrong. You see, all of the training that Moses received in Egypt did not prepare him for the divinely anointed task of delivering
God’s people.

Before he killed the Egyptian, Exodus 2:12 says, “…he looked this way and that way…” That is, he looked around but he never looked up. Had he looked up, he would have found the answers that he so desperately needed.

He spent forty years having men train him to be the most intellectual, successful, powerful, influential and effective person, but none of it helped him become what God wanted him to be. Now he is on the backside of the desert and God has enrolled him in the Divine Institute of Learning. It was a bachelor’s program. But not lasting 4 years; it took 40. Someone once said, “Moses spent 40 years thinking he was a somebody; he spent another 40 years learning he was a nobody; he spent his final 40 years learning what God can do with a nobody.”

I am thankful for the students that God has brought our way this year. Students, who like Moses, need God to do a preparatory work in their lives that the world (Egypt) can never accomplish.

Post by: Matthew Little, NBBI Faculty, Dean of Men

This article appears in the October 2011 Open Bible Bulletin.

Robert Booker, NBBI Vice President

Sixty-seven years and counting! We have begun our 68th year of existence here at NBBI and it has been a good beginning. Pastor Garnett Chute from Hermon, ME challenged us at Staff Retreat regarding our relationship with one another, with our students, and with our God. We came back to campus after Staff Retreat and spent two days (some, more) working together preparing the buildings for our students.

At Weekend of Welcome, Pastor Dave Storey from Miramichi, NB encouraged us all, staff and students, regarding our personal quiet time and then our “going with the Gospel.”

I have thoroughly enjoyed the first days of classes and many students have spoken about their appreciation for teachers and classes.

My challenge for this month is to ask you to pray for NBBI. Please pray for our board, staff and students that we might be sensitive to God’s moving and leading, that we might seek to glorify Him in our lives and that we might reach out to our needy world.

Our theme this year is prayer, our motto is, Going Forward On Our Knees, and our key verse is James 5:16, “The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

The theme, prayer, is important for us to consider because of a two-fold aspect – private, quiet, intimate prayer individually before God, and, time spent in the corporate prayer of praise, worship and petition.

The motto, Going Forward On Our Knees, is the promise and desire of all of us for the year. We want to continually and steadily move forward and grow in grace, while making necessary changes that keep us in God’s will. Of course, the only way to do both is through prayer.

The key verse adequately expresses our pledge. We want to be righteously energetic as we petition our God to accomplish much in our lives and on our campus.

Please covenant with us to “pray without ceasing.”

Post by: Dr. Robert Booker, NBBI Vice-President

This article appears in the October 2011 Open Bible Bulletin.

Dan and Diana McKeen

I read this in Dan (ABM ’00) and Diana McKeen’s newsletter recently and thought it was worth sharing. Praise the Lord for this grad’s ministry in Equador with CrossWorld and pray for continued fruitfulness. – Larry Rushton

“I have lived in Borja for 55 years,” stated Elsa. She continued, “This is the first time someone has come into my house to explain the Bible.” Elsa’s husband, Luis, needs three valves replaced in his heart but due to complications doctors have sent him home for the remainder of his days. Those attending the weekly Adult Bible study in Borja requested Dan visit Luis and Elsa  knowing Luis’ situation was grave. It was a fruitful visit as both Luis and Elsa received Christ after a clear presentation of the Gospel. They wept, realizing their sinfulness and eagerly accepted God’s forgiveness and then expressed it was too bad their parents did not have anyone to teach them. Borja is a town full of people who need to be taught the truth of God’s Word. Please be praying God will continue to draw people to Himself through opportunities we have to share God’s Word.

Summer maintenance involved mainly working on one of the girls’ dorms “Liberty” which involved demolishing the old shower room then starting from scratch, building all new, with six showers, tiled floors, finished ceiling and walls, new modern lights and tile on the walls. Also, a washroom was added to the bottom floor. This involved taking part of the storage/boiler room and putting in a 13×12 washroom. In it are two toilets and three sinks. On the first floor new counter top, sinks and taps were installed. A new handicap shower was installed. Also, new kitchen cabinets were installed in the lounge area. On the second

floor a new three piece tub was installed along with new counter top, sinks and taps. Also new flooring was installed in two rooms.

I would like to thank all those who came on campus during June to help to get these projects started. Your help is greatly appreciated. I hope this is an encouragement to the young ladies.

Post by: Paul Long, NBBI Maintenance Director

BIRTHS

June 16, 2011 to Steve (’08) and Abby (Rice ’08) Gordon, a son, Judah Jeffrey.

July 14, 2011 to Matthew and Marsha Collicott (Dickinson, ABM ’03), a daughter, Sofia Faith.

October 4 – Curtis Steward – Gospel Mission of South America

October 6 – Missionary Reps from: Avant, SEND, OMF, HCJB, Wycliffe, NCEM

October 12-13 – Al Cabral – Restoration Ministries