HOLDING ONTO HOPE FALL 2014 02 PRAIRIE HARVESTER

Finding The Anchor

MARK MAXWELL Photo by Mason Unrau PRESIDENT out. “Pay or not,” she says, “I need to be here for the kids.” When asked how terrified children respond to the alien- My earliest memories are of Africa, the land of my like appearance of medical childhood. Some are painful, but many are dear to me: workers in protective gear, she the natural beauty, the warmth of the people, the simplic- responds, “I begin to sing a ity of life. These days my heart breaks as I see a continent little song: Jesus loves the little torn apart by tribal conflict, political and religious clashes children, all the children of the and ravaging disease. Put these together with ongoing world…and pretty soon they crises elsewhere in the world and I am tempted, like start to smile.” Real hope many others, to despair. What can give us strength to results in practical love. And survive, the stamina to live, to wait for a better day? there I find reflected God’s Where can hope—the one thing we long for—be found greater love, the ultimate when trusted things are crumbling around us? gift from which nothing can I find it in my Bible where I read, “Happy is he… separate us. whose hope is in the Lord his God” (Psalm 146:5) May the stories of trust and I see that lived out in alumni like James Ngenda and perseverance in this issue (BC’89) of Liberia. In the midst of the Ebola epidemic, of the Harvester encourage he is mobilizing a prayer movement to intercede for his you to hold onto “the hope

@ marklmaxwell country because “our government cannot help us. We that lies before us,” the an- need an intervention from on High.” chor of our souls. I also sense it in our students and marvel at the miracles that bring them here (p. 10). Because of COMING EVENTS them, I am encouraged to believe that God still has plans for this world. October 31-November 2 Lastly, I have hope because of love. The apostle Youth Workers Conference Paul praises “faith, hope and love” but calls love the www.prairie.edu/purelycanadian greatest, for it not only endures into eternity but gives November 14-16 meaning to everything else in life. In an overflowing “Deeper” Youth Conference treatment center in West Africa health workers risk www.prairie.edu/event/deeper2014 their lives, overworked and underpaid, wondering who March 12-13, 2015 will succumb next to the disease. With hope in short Global Connection Conference supply, the radiant smile of a local pediatric nurse stands www.prairie.edu/gcc FALL 2014 03

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Cover photo Taking Jesus Home by Prairie Digital Media01 student 04Former refugee honored Mason Unrau

A New Day 08 Finding hope on the prairies Songs from the Heart 14 Music for a new generation High Hopes Waiting for the harvest 16

Phil Callaway 18 “says it right”

92 YEARS YOUNG! Faculty, staff and students gathered on a beautiful autumn day to celebrate 92 years of God’s faithfulness to Prairie. Special thanks to Mike Fox, Director of Prairie School of Mission Aviation, and Paul Sankar, Digital Media student, for making this photo possible.

MARK MAXWELL, PRESIDENT PAT MASSEY, EDITOR PETER MAL, MANAGING DIRECTOR – COMMUNICATIONS ELAINE MAXWELL, MANAGING DIRECTOR – DEVELOPMENT TWO 01 STUDIO, DESIGN 04 PRAIRIE HARVESTER

FRONT ROW (L-R) Golden Anna (Wegner) Gutowski, Kathryn (Baer) Kline, Kathleen (Miller) Johnson, Ella (Mittelstadt) Schindel, Geraldine (Volz) Hunt Memories ROW TWO

THE BIBLE COLLEGE CLASS Linda (McKerihan-Baynton) McCaw, Jeraldine (Wilkinson) OF 1964 GATHERED ON Derksen, Rita (Ryburn) Egli, Eleanor (Corey) Guderian, CAMPUS IN APRIL TO Elsa (Bromley) Henderson, Arline (Bettis) Dixon, CELEBRATE THE 50TH Fern (Pierson) Carlson, Judy Canfield ANNIVERSARY OF THEIR ROW THREE GRADUATION. IN MEMORY OF Bonnie Friesen, Elizabeth Louise “Betty Lou” (Pitman) THOSE SCHOOLMATES NOW Gibbard, Jean Sokvitne, Ione (Lutke, Rainsberger) Galat, WITH THE LORD, THE CLASS Verna Aspray, Martha Thomsen, Lois (Bromley) Hammond, DONATED $16,450 TOWARD Marla (Ochenrider) Binet, Pearl (Healey) Keib, THE UPGRADE OF PRAIRIE’S Marcia (Grove) Hadfield STUDENT COMPUTER LAB. ROW FOUR THE NEW COMPUTERS ARE John Dixon, Ron Berg, David Johnson, Al Riediger, ON CAMPUS AND WILL BE Joseph Samy, Hugh Pierson, Dick Derksen, Walt Keib, INSTALLED BY MID-OCTOBER. David Thomas WE THANK THEM FOR THEIR ROW FIVE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION. Paul Kline, Jack Scrivens, Marshall “Dick” Chase, Phil Davis, Norm Harrison, Joe Gradin, Ron Guderian, Ken Foreman, Rodney Penner

TRANSFER CREDITS Are you a recent graduate of Prairie? Have you applied to another accredited post-secondary institution since that time? Did you ask for transfer credit? If so, we would like to hear from you. Please fill in our questionnaire (www.prairie.edu/registrar). It takes just a few minutes and will help us improve transfer opportunities for past and future students. Thank you! FALL 2014 05

Taking Jesus Home FORMER REFUGEE NAMED 2014 DISTINGUISHED ALUM

PRESIDENT MARK MAXWELL PRESENTS CINDY LUU WITH PRAIRIE’S DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD.

Prairie has named 1992 Bible College graduate global ministry aboard the Cindy Luu as its Distinguished Alumni for 2014. Cindy OM ship Doulos. Despite grew up in a country at war and when South Vietnam the horrific memories of her fell to the Communists in 1975 her family had little childhood, Cindy chose to choice but to flee. The young teenager was crammed return to Vietnam where, for into an over-loaded fishing boat with 700 other desper- the past fourteen years, she ate refugees and sent out to sea. Pirates attacked and all has demonstrated the love aboard suffered from exposure, lack of food and con- of Christ in practical and stant fear. Cindy had no idea what had become of the creative ways. By feeding the rest of her family. Six months later, through a chance hungry, providing Christian radio broadcast at a primitive camp in Indonesia, she daycare for the children of learned their whereabouts and mother and children poor families and building were re-united in . two homes for the destitute Even her new freedom, however, gave Cindy little elderly, Cindy continues to reason to live until she heard the testimony of a young reflect Jesus to the neglected student and met the Savior. In 1988 she enrolled at people of her homeland. Prairie Bible College and later spent two years in

Prairie Bible Institute The Prairie Alumni Association exists to encourage connections Alumni between you and Association your school. You are invited to participate through prayer, financial investment, recruitment of new students and the promotion of Prairie in your area. For a directory of Executive Council members as well as current news visit www.prairie.edu/alumniassociation or contact us at [email protected] 06 PRAIRIE HARVESTER

Family Album

HARVEY JESPERSEN 1940s Jespersen, Harvey (BC’42) and his wife Elsie founded the Bethany Homes for Children in 1948, caring for close to 750 needy children over the next 43 years. Elsie PHILIPPE & ILKA FAUVEAU ED & DAYLE LAUBER passed away in 1999 and Harvey resides in Wetaski- O’Donnell, Mike (BC’70) win, AB, where he was hon- 1970s and Deanne (Phillips, ored as the 2010 Pioneer of Fauveau, Ilka (Hanke, BC’70) are now in Phila- the Year. He is 96. BC’74) and Philippe have delphia, PA, after serving been living in France for with WEC in the Middle thirty-seven years. He is East for forty-three years. a pastor and she teaches They are stepping down 1960s French literacy classes to from regional leadership Dueck, Hilda (Riediger, immigrant women, many but continue to be involved BC’67) pursued music of whom are Muslim. with the mission and re- studies, teaching and writ- Ilka is excited about the quest prayer for adjustment ing and published a novel opportunity to see God to North American living. called “An Orphan’s Song.” touch hearts. In 1982 she and Ernie took over the family farm in Phillips, Max (BC’79) and and Hilda taught Lauber, Ed (BC’74) and Tamra celebrated their school for the next twenty Dayle (Vannoy, BC’74) 50th wedding anniversary years. They are retired in joined Wycliffe Bible in August near their home , AB, where Hilda Translators in 1975 and have in Nelliston, New York. Max continues her writing and been based throughout was a pastor with the C serves in music and leader- Africa since 1978. They have & MA. He is now retired, ship in their church. two grown sons and live works part-time as a school in Ghana where Ed is the bus driver and does pulpit Comprehensive Planning supply. Tammy enjoys car- McMindes, Dale (BC’62) and Coach for Ghana Institute ing for their grandchildren. Betty celebrated their 50th of Linguistics. wedding anniversary in May of 2014. Dale also graduat- ed from Toccoa Falls Col- FOLLOW OUR STORY lege where he taught in the School of Communications @prairiecolleges and assisted in building the original WRAF Christian SEND YOUR NEWS AND radio station operated by STORIES TO [email protected] the school. FALL 2014 07

ica, Decision Evangelistic Association, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale and ORC.

2000s MIKE & DEANNE O’DONNELL GUILLERMO & PATRICIA NOVOA Higashi, Kensaku (BC’06) completed seminary studies in March of 2014 and is now a pastor in Chita-city. 1990s The church was planted Carlaw, Dan (HS’90, BC’94) ten years ago and they are and Marilyn (Scarrott, trusting God for a building HS’90, BC’94) moved to of their own. Ken is thankful Prince George, BC, in 2013. MAX & TAMRA PHILLIPS for the impact that his time Dan pastors the Prince at Prairie had on his life. George Evangelical Free Yuen, Moses (HS’72) and Church and serves on Grace (Chan, BC’78) live Prairie’s Board of Directors. in , AB, where Marilyn is a full-time mom Moses is Chaplain of the to their boys Brendan (9), Remand Center. He also Marshall (6) and Grayson (3). enjoys mountain climbing and babysitting his two Miller, Paul (BC’95) recently LIVING granddaughters. Grace is had a children’s Bible story OVERSEAS? busy with teaching piano book published under the and Sunday school, singing, penname of Olin Edward Are you living in a coaching badminton and is James. In the Beginning, an artist for The Kids’ Birth- written in a “kid-friendly restricted area? Does day Party and a member of rhyming format” is the first your mail from Prairie the Calgary Festival Chorus. in the KathIrene Kids Bible take months to arrive? She is able to reach out to series, published by Life Sen- young people through ten- tence Publishing. Paul and Alumni living outside of North nis and squash activities. Christy and their two daugh- America now have the option ters live in Ashland, OH. of receiving a simple email notification when new issues 1980s Novoa, Guillermo (GS’96) of SERVANT and the Prairie Price, Steven (BC’81) and is senior pastor of Capilla Harvester are posted to the Joann are directors for Calvario Broward and serves Prairie website (www.prairie.edu). the WorldView Center in as Vice President of Oper- Portland, OR. During their ation Rescue the Children, As overseas mailing is becoming sabbatical from September assisting at-risk children and extremely costly for Prairie, you to November of 2013 they families in Latin America. He can help lower expenses for the walked the Camino de and Patricia have invested school by allowing us to send Santiago, a pilgrimage of over thirty years in various almost 500 miles (800 km) ministries through Prison your magazines electronically. across Spain, and visited Fellowship Colombia, AC- Contact us at [email protected] Hungary and Slovakia. TION Canada to Latin Amer- if you would prefer this method. 08 PRAIRIE HARVESTER

TEENS IN CRISIS FIND A SECOND CHANCE A NEW DAY story by PAT MASSEY photo by MASON UNRAU

BY THE TIME not only to learn new skills ministries and after working JAKE STEVENS ARRIVED AT ROCK and go back to school, but to with young people for twenty SOLID REFUGE, find a whole new way of life. years, they found it a natural A RESIDENCE FOR The love and acceptance he progression to move right TROUBLED TEENS was finding made him feel like onto the site south of Swift IN SOUTHERN God himself had opened the Current. As the Blocks and SASKATCHEWAN, DESPAIR AND door and welcomed him in. their four children enter into ADDICTION WERE Years earlier another the daily lives of the students, DESTROYING THE young man had watched as they help to create a sense of 16-YEAR-OLD AND his parents reached out in family that some of the teens HIS FAMILY. God’s name to neglected have never known. people, particularly foster “Some of them come He’d agreed to give the children. “I learned from willingly with a strong program a try simply because their example,” recalls Dallas support system,” says Dallas. there was nothing else left to Block, “that we don’t exist “Others come out of tragedy lose. Watching now from a just to serve ourselves.” When or broken homes and really grassy hillside as a car grew the young pastor and former don’t want to be here. Our small in the distance, he Prairie student (HS’89, first challenge is to help them thought how his parents’ visit BC’90) learned that there acknowledge their need for had been much the same as was no long-term Christian help and change. Once that always: hesitant, awkward—as rehabilitation for addicted happens, we see progress. At if past disappointments were teens anywhere in Canada, first we lead by authority and cautioning them against false the vision for a year-long consequences. But our goal is hopes. And yet, although Jake residential program was born. for them to be led by influence, couldn’t quite put his finger on A founding board mem- working on changes from the it, something had felt different. ber, Dallas became Executive inside out and taking initia- One thing he did know Director in 2011. He credits tive for their own lives. That’s was that here on these sixty his wife Marla (Ward, HS’88, the biggest indicator of how acres of peaceful prairie, he BC’91) for being his valued successful they will be after had been given an opportunity partner through all of their they leave the program.” AlumniFALL 2014 09 Spotlight

Many of the young people and yet it was happening. the long grass and suddenly find Christ at Rock Solid Ref- New attitudes and actions the thought came: was that uge, thanks to its intentional were slowly replacing the old. what was different about his spiritual emphasis. According But more than that, Jake was mother and father? Their to Block, while the program learning to embrace a Love hearts had been broken again is intended to free youth from that didn’t let go even in the and again, but now—that look addictions and help them become contributing members “HOW COULD THEY TRUST WHAT of society, it’s really a year-long SEEMED TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE?” discipleship program where the power of God makes the ultimate difference. That had weak moments and failures. in their eyes as they hugged certainly been true in Jake’s life. And there was peace and new him goodbye, half afraid to The sun was setting strength to fight temptations, trust what seemed too good to as he stood to his feet and glimpses of the life God had be true—was it…hopeful? Jake headed back to the residence. intended for him before the skirted a nearby gopher hole It had been so hard in the darkness took over. and quickened his pace. Maybe early months to believe that A startled quail broke cov- there would be a new day after anything could really change er as the boy shuffled through all—for all of them.

DALLAS &

andMARLA their family BLOCK make a home for teens in transition. Learn more about Rock Solid Refuge at www.rocksolidrefuge.com 10 PRAIRIE HARVESTER

Chanel Fresh Edmonton, AB I have a desire to be an author someday, but coming out of Faces high school I didn’t know exact- ly what I needed to do. I sensed THE MEN AND that a year of Bible before other WOMEN GOD education would be a good BRINGS TO PRAIRIE thing so I enrolled in Prairie’s REMIND US OF 1-year Certificate in Bible. HOW HE LEADS People talk about seasons of AND PROVIDES IN faith and since coming to Prairie, AMAZING WAYS. I feel like I’ve moved from winter WE ASKED SOME to spring. Intentionally looking OF OUR FRESHMEN into Scripture and focusing on STUDENTS TO TELL my prayer life have definitely US THEIR STORY. encouraged my spiritual growth.

Collin Airdrie, AB

Ever since high school I’ve been interested in media arts and film so I began looking for college options in the city. At same time, I also had a desire to go to Bible college. One day I googled ‘Christian College and Digital Media’ and Prairie popped up first on the list. I was surprised, not only because Prairie offered both of the things I wanted, but that this school I’d never heard of was only an hour from where I lived! It was definitely a “God thing” and I love the community here. It’s like a family and challenging at times, but I’m also solidifying what I believe, why I believe it, and how to take my passion for digital media and use it for God’s purpose.

Navid Plymouth, MA

I grew up in a Muslim family but became a Christian five years ago. I had an interest in attending Bible college and through an Internet search I stumbled upon Prairie, but quickly brushed it aside. A couple of years later I was researching flight schools and Prairie came up again. I con- vinced myself that I wouldn’t be accepted so I didn’t even apply. Last year, I went to visit a college in Seattle, WA. The student that hosted me had two family members attending Prairie and encouraged me to go! I knew this wasn’t a coincidence, but I still ignored it. This summer while on a missions trip to Haiti, I sensed that the Holy Spirit was directing me here. Up to this point, I was always seeking my own path but now that I’m here, it feels like home and I am using this time to seek the next steps that God has for me. FALL 2014 11

Amy Charlottetown, PEI

The year got off to a rough start as I was faced with a number of tragedies. A close friend of mine was killed in a car accident and another committed suicide. Then a dear family friend died in a small plane crash. My world felt like it was caving in and I was thousands of kilometers away from home, but the community at Prairie surrounded and supported me even though we had just met.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO INVEST IN THE FUTURE OF STUDENTS LIKE THESE, WHY NOT CONSIDER MAKING PRAIRIE PART OF YOUR REGULAR GIVING? REFER TO PAGE 19 FOR DONATION OPTIONS.

ACCESSING THE GLOBAL CLASSROOM Prairie expands eLearning opportunities

On August 1, Prairie In addition, we have also eLearning launched launched Intro to Psychology Theology 100, a free one- and Thinking & Writing as credit online course that well as Apologetics. Other can be taken anywhere. The courses are currently in only requirement is having development. a computer or tablet that By harnessing the reach connects to the Internet. of the Internet and We’ve had good response convenience of eLearning so far with close to 100 tools, we hope to equip students enrolled. They will learners around the globe as be able to build seamlessly they continue in their current upon the one-credit jobs or ministry roles. course by completing two additional credits on the Learn more about our same platform. options and sign up for the free Theology 100 course at www.prairie.edu/elearning

Photo by Rabecca Witzke 12 PRAIRIE HARVESTER

With the Lord

Backer, Byron (HS’55, BC’58) and his wife Mary Lou were missionaries in ADRIANA BOENDER ROY BUTLER Puerto Rico from 1962 to 1997, then ministered to Spanish-speaking prisoners After serving with CSSM in Finsaas, Raymond (BC’51) in South Carolina through the Peace River District and went home to be with the Bible Correspondence pastoring near , Lord in Fergus Falls, MN, courses. Byron went home Molly and her husband on August 16, 2014. He had to be with the Lord on May served on Prairie staff for served in Zimbabwe with 13, 2014, in Greenville, SC. more than thirty years. She TEAM as a church planter, was 105 at the time of her superintendent of schools Boender, Adriana (former death in Calgary, AB, on and builder of mission staff) taught in Iowa and June 3, 2014. homes and churches. In Kentucky and was a gradu- 1972 he and his wife Myrtle ate of Fort Wayne Bible Col- Edey, Lillian (former staff) (Dahl, BC’51) returned to lege. From 1975 to 1990 she of , AB, passed the US where Ray pastored taught fourth grade at Prairie away on September 17, churches in Minnesota and Elementary School. After 2014, after a three-week Montana. He was ordained retiring to Hospers, IA, she battle with leukemia. She with the Conservative Bap- volunteered with Bibles for and her husband Gordon tist Church. Missions, the Bible League were on Prairie staff from and the American Legion 1983-96. They spent Foster, Kenneth (BC’62) and Auxiliary. Adriana passed several years in Papua New his wife Marilyn (McElheran, away on March 15, 2014. Guinea building missionary HS’59, BC’63) ministered to homes and travelled to the children of missionaries Butler, Roy (BC’53) was mar- Kenya in January on a under SIM International in ried to Phyllis (Falkenberg, construction project with Nigeria, GMU/Avant Min- BC’52). In 1958 they returned Christian Mission Aid. istries in Ecuador, and for to Prairie where Roy began twenty years at Black Forest over four decades of service Ewing, Margaret (Fell, Academy in Germany. After in the Institute’s power, heat- BC’50) took secretarial train- retirement they worked ing and physical plants. He ing and attended Toronto with Mercy Ships Interna- was dedicated to his family, Bible College before coming tional and later at Elijah’s church and community and to Prairie. She joined staff Retreat, serving families a valued contributor on Prai- and married Tom Ewing dealing with autism. Ken rie’s campus and throughout (BC’48) after graduation and succumbed to cancer on the Three Hills area. Roy was the long-time secretary June 2, 2014, in Rusk, TX. went home to be with the of the Prairie Tabernacle Lord on March 3, 2014. Congregation. She was Hoel, Karen (HS’62, BC’66) an active volunteer in her began serving as a mis- Davidson, Amelia “Molly” retirement and was 89 at the sionary nurse with SIM in (Oelke, BC’33) married time of her passing on April Ethiopia in 1972, then went Delbert Davidson in 1934. 24, 2014, in Innisfail, AB. to Ghana and in 2001 re- FALL 2014 13

God, establishing churches and working with Aborig- ines in Taiwan. Following retirement to Aromas, CA, Donnel served as a prison chaplain and did jail visitation and other local ministries. He passed away on January 9, 2014. AMELIA DAVIDSON KATHY JANZEN Rohnke, Ralph (HS’43, BC turned to where she and joined Prairie staff after u’43) went home to be with continued to have a ministry her marriage to Karl (BC’61, the Lord on December 2, with international students GS’98). They were accepted 2012, in Rosetown, SK. He at the U of A and through for cross-cultural ministry was a journeyman mechanic her home church. Karen had under Canadian Baptist and worked with Western been living in a retirement Ministries in 1975. Kathy Sales from 1963 until his residence in Leduc, AB, and taught sacred music at two retirement. Ralph was pre- went home to be with the seminaries in Brazil, having deceased by his wife Phyllis Lord on August 19, 2014. earned her ARCT (piano (Archibald, HS’43, BC u’43). teacher), degrees in reli- Hosie, Errol (BC’56) served gious education and church Wheatley, Nadine (former for thirty years as a Baptist music, and an MA in Ethno- staff) passed away in Lee’s pastor in Australia, then musicology. They retired to Summit, MO, on August 6, as chaplain in a Brisbane Vernon, BC, in 2003. Kathy 2014. The Wheatleys served hospital. He passed away on passed away at home on pastorates in the eastern February 10, 2014, after bat- September 7, 2014. US and were on Prairie staff tling Alzheimer’s for many from 1986 to 2000. Nadine years. Errol is survived by his Lowen, Irene (HS’46, worked in the Prairie Junior wife Margaret. BC’50) died in Chilliwack, High library and hosted BC, on August 1, 2014. She college girls in her home Hungerpiller, William was a missionary to Japan while Gerald (BC’53) taught (BC’50), administrator and with OMF from 1955 to in the college. professor at Carver Bible 1960 and with JEM/TEAM Institute and Immanuel Bible from 1966 to 1986. Yontz, Orvel (BC’47) and his College, was also president wife Hazel were missionaries of Carver for twenty-eight Matthews, Edith “Verna” under UFM/Crossworld to years. He was Secretary/ (Beers, BC’52), of Rock- Brazil. After retirement they Treasurer and President of wood, ON, was called to represented the mission in the Southern Accrediting her Savior on March 7, 2014. western Canada and worked Association of Bible Institutes Predeceased by her hus- with International Student and Colleges and co-found- band David, she leaves three Ministries. Orvel was 92 at er and Director of the Carver children, four grandchildren the time of his passing in Foreign Mission, encouraging and one great-grandchild. Calgary, AB, on July 18, 2014. African-Americans to serve in missions. He died on April McLean, Donnel (HS’47, 20, 2014, in McDonough, GA. BC’51) pastored with Japan THANK YOU Evangelical Mission. In TO SO MANY WHO Janzen, Kathleen (Hilde, 1960 he and his wife Venda HAVE INCLUDED PRAIRIE BC’57) trained as a nurse joined the Assemblies of IN THEIR ESTATES. 14 PRAIRIE HARVESTER HIGH HOPES EXPLORE STUDENTS WITNESS FAITHFULNESS IN ACTION

story and photo by DENNIS LANDON FALL 2014 15

Jagged peaks loom above us as our hiking party makes its interactions, conversations way down from the high pass we had hoped to reach. After and business dealings. It may being groomed on the culture and customs of the local people, be years before a seed takes we had set out on a backpacking trip into the Himalayas, but root, perhaps not even in the attempt has been a failure due to avalanche conditions. The their lifetime. elevation creates a throbbing in my temples that is compound- I watch my students pick ed by a head cold I picked up on the trail a few days earlier. their way through the rugged The descent is not difficult, however, and allows me time boulders and wonder if we to reflect on the past two weeks that we have spent in Central can even begin to grasp the Asia. Prairie’s Explore students learn their wilderness skills vision that this sort of per- in the Rocky Mountains of Montana and are no strangers to sistence requires. We live in extreme challenges. This year we added on a unique overseas a culture that knows little of experience and found ourselves in isolated and rugged terrain how to wait and persevere; a that literally almost “took our breath away.” world of instant-everything. Several years ago my friend “Mark” and several companions How does one keep planning, chose to uproot their comfortable lives in hopes of bringing praying and just plain living, love and light to this remote mountain world. While the people day after day, year after year, are strong, rugged and very kind, even in our short time here, preparing the soil for the seed of the gospel with no sign of a harvest? “God gives the increase,” says Paul (I Cor. 3:6,7), WE SOON SENSE A DARK AND VIOLENT reminding me how depen- UNDERSIDE TO THE CULTURE. dent we are on our Lord to accomplish his purposes in THE GOD OF PEACE IS MISSING AND this world. The key is submis- HIS ABSENCE IS OBVIOUS. sive obedience regardless of how impossible the situation may seem because we serve a God who can resurrect and redeem even from the grave. I we have sensed a dark and violent underside to the culture. The am encouraged by the faithful God of Peace is missing and his absence is obvious. The area is witness of these brothers and closed to the gospel with no evangelical churches and almost sisters who, in great hope, no Christian witness, so the group limits their activities to com- continue on in a context that mercial business ventures. seems to offer none. Why does this small band stay on when there is so little hope of making a difference? Is it because, even with evange- lization strictly outlawed and freedom of expression severely LEARN MORE ABOUT THE limited, they have a deep conviction that they are exactly where EXPLORE PROGRAM AT God has called them to be? “Presenting Christ” is strictly WWW.PRAIRIE.EDU/EXPLORE forbidden but “representing Christ” is another matter and Mark FOLLOW THEIR BLOG AT and his friends faithfully carry the life of the Spirit into all their EXPLOREBLOG.PRAIRIE.EDU 16 PRAIRIE HARVESTER

The former faculty Songs building is being renovated as a home for the music from the heart program. Classrooms, offices and practice rooms are being PRAIRIE’S NEW MUSIC PROGRAM completed and future plans GETS UNDERWAY include a recording studio. We are working on a second study track that will even- tually allow for two streams of students. Depending A new academic year brings the excitement of fresh on their gifts, abilities and faces and a brand new start. We have been eagerly ministry aspirations, they anticipating the launch of a new Music and Worship Arts will have the opportunity program under the leadership of singer/song-writer to apply for either a general Brian Doerksen and the first class of students has now music and worship arts lead- arrived on campus. ership track or a specialized Brian’s songs are sung in churches around the songwriting track. world and we are excited to welcome him to Prairie and Glynna, a first year student, to this new phase of his work. “I’ve been very blessed to values her teacher’s leadership do what I do as a career and ministry,” he says. “In this and experience and finds him season of life it’s about giving back—mentoring and “very real and in tune with encouraging the next generation.” himself and what God has In addition to their studies in Bible and Theology, called him to do.” students will be challenged to grow musically, particularly in the areas of songwriting and arranging. The first-year TO LEARN MORE teacher is finding his pupils full of energy and ideas and ABOUT THIS admits that it’s a lot of fun. “This is an incredible oppor- INNOVATIVE tunity to use their creative gifts to give their generation fresh, biblical songs of worship, justice and relationship— PROGRAM, GO TO the songs that the world really needs to hear.” www.prairie.edu/worship

Songs for the Journey: Volume One is the newest offering from Canada’s

beloved Brian Doerksen. Photo by Jason Zacharias On this debut album with the SHIYR Poets, we find the world’s most loved and ancient songbook made new again. As they paraphrase the Psalms and set them into modern folk-rock tunes, the SHIYR Poets express the human longing for God with poetic artistry and emotional force. See the form on page 19 to order your copy. FALL 2014 17

Kitchen Project

Prairie’s dining hall kitchen, designed to feed 500+ students at each meal, is roomy and allows abundant work space. However, much of the equipment it hous- es is now several decades old, increasingly inefficient and, in some cases, no longer serviceable. Today’s commercial kitchens contain stronger fans, stainless steel surfaces that resist the growth and spread of germs and equipment that can be easily repositioned as necessary. Our long-term goal is to renovate this area to a smaller footprint with a much more efficient dish pit and cooking space. A carefully designed kitchen is in the planning stages and could be ready for renovation FOR AN ITEMIZED within the next three years. LIST OF EQUIPMENT, There are urgent needs now, however, to purchase some items that will fit into the long-range plans for VISIT the kitchen but can be put to use immediately. The www.prairie.edu/ estimated cost of the upgrade is $80,000. givingprojects

BENEFIT CONCERT On October 30, 2014, Brian Doerksen and his band, The Shiyr Poets, presented an intimate evening concert in support of this project.

A dessert reception was held in the Maxwell Atrium, followed by a concert in the newly- renovated Parable Place. Guests enjoyed the sounds of the ancient Psalms coming to life as these gifted musicians shared from their new album Songs for the Journey. All proceeds were given in support of upgrading aging dining hall equipment. 18 PRAIRIE HARVESTER

by PHIL CALLAWAY MY WORD

“But despite all this, While I was growing up at Prairie, thirty-nine overwhelming victory is things prepared me for a career in writing. Hiding ours through Christ who behind bushes with Gary Kirk so we could jump out at loved us... For I am con- unsuspecting passersby taught me to accept criticism. vinced that nothing can Test results in school helped me deal with disappoint- ever separate us from his ment. The sting of rejection letters was lessened because love. Death can’t, and life Beth Freeman rejected me in sixth grade. And seventh. can’t. The angels won’t, Dad helped manage the Prairie Book Room and and all the powers of hell Mom wrote books, so I developed a love for words. Dad itself cannot keep God’s might said, “Dear, let’s absquatulate through the vomi- love away. Our fears for tory so we can canoodle.” I was confused for years, until today, our worries about a dictionary informed me that he was inviting her to tomorrow…nothing will exit the room so they might kiss. My brothers Dan and ever be able to separate Tim had vocabularies light years beyond my own. They us from the love of God said things like, “Don’t bloviate or they’ll put you in demonstrated by our the hoosegow.” They said this meant Mom needed help Lord Jesus Christ when preparing supper. But they were wrong. I looked it up. It he died for us.” meant over-talking could land me in prison. We learned other groovy words too, like “swell” and “far out, man.” I read these words to my wife “Fiddlesticks” was a term Mom used when she and we wiped tears. “Honey,” dropped a carrot. “For the love of Pete!” she employed I said, “come here. I need when Prairie Heights kids entered her garden and ate all to canoodle.” her carrots. My parent’s generation used confusing terms: “There’s more than one way to skin a cat.” This we said PHIL CALLAWAY when Dad wouldn’t let us have a dog and we’d go ask (HS’79, Mom, prompting her to draw upon the strongest language BC u’82) I ever heard from her: “You stinker!” Man, that was swell. is host of Words. They can bring laughter. But they can Laugh Again shatter your world. Radio. We’ve compiled When our daughter Rachael called from Germany a special CD of his favorite with news of her miscarriage, tears came quickly. We 4-minute broadcasts. Request didn’t expect our first grandchild to beat us to heaven. a copy through the form on Before we left to visit, I picked up The Living Light, a the next page. devotional my dad read at breakfast years ago. The cover Phil is hosting an Israel is faded and stained with peanut butter. The words are tour in May. For info, visit alive and filled with hope: philcallaway.com PRAIRIE HARVESTER SPRING 2014 19

WHEN YOU GIVEyou allow us to equip students with a biblical foundation and practical skills to share the gospel and help meet the greatest MY TO PRAIRIE, needs of the world. Thank you for your generosity!

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NICK Class of 2012 Pastor, Manitoba

www.prairie.edu