RUN to WIN 02 PRAIRIE HARVESTER Photo by Mason Unrau

WINTER 2016 RUN TO WIN 02 PRAIRIE HARVESTER Photo by Mason Unrau

and personal distractions Weightless that would turn us aside from our God-given calling. It is tempting to carry extra MARK MAXWELL weight, which usually results PRESIDENT in unnecessary busyness and unproductive effort, or, as Paul would say it, “beating the air.” The email popped up and I groaned. What is our focus? We It was from one of our partners, alerting me to want to be a healthy commu- the fact that they had just been warned about the risks nity that is obedient to God of working with Prairie. Someone seemed intent on and purposeful in prayer. As a undermining our key ministry relationships. school, we want to be known Immediately I felt the weight of wondering what for excellence in Bible and the- this might mean for our school, how I should respond ology and create programs that and the time and effort it would take. I also recalled will allow our students to move a recent conversation with my wife Elaine where we confidently into ministries and agreed that we have just experienced our best semester careers after graduation. since coming to Prairie five years ago. God is noticeably Thank you, Father God, present and working among us! Programs are solid. Stu- for the race you have given dents are thriving. Staff and faculty are working in har- us to run! mony and donors have joined with us whole-heartedly. And thank you, our alum- I had to ask myself: Am I going to let this email derail our ni and supporters, for joining efforts to continue on the mission that God has for us? us—we could not do it without The athletes featured in this issue of the Harvester you. Together we are partners symbolize the greater race that we are all called to run, in a miracle—preparing young whether in ministry, career or home life. God lays a people to meet the world’s great needs. May we lay aside @ marklmaxwell particular path before us and asks that we travel it with humility, excellence, and purpose. whatever hinders and look to In 1924 a young Scot named Eric Liddell thrilled Jesus alone for the approval the world with his extraordinary achievements at the that truly matters. Paris Olympic Games. Even more extraordinary, how- COMING EVENTS ever, was his single-minded dedication to Christ and determination to live for the glory of God at all costs. March 4-5 Equip/Apologetics Conference Liddell is remembered as an outstanding athlete, but to www.BeReadyAlberta.ca him, that moment of glory was only a minor event and March 5 not the goal of his life. He laid it aside to pour out the Campus Preview Day rest of his days in service to Christ as a missionary to March 17-18 China, dying there as a Japanese prisoner of war in 1945. Global Connection Conference Paul reminds us in I Corinthians that we are to “run to April 10 win.” That requires discipline and a focus on the essentials. Steve Bell concert with Here at Prairie we have trimmed our spending to reduce Brian Doerksen waste, maximize our impact and further our mission. More April 22-23 than that, however, we also need to lay aside the spiritual Graduation weekend WINTER 2016 03

The Winning14 Team Latin American journey

PAGE New Degree Program04 19Phil Callaway Compassion meets action Where hope floats

Rocky Mountain 16Challenge Explore on the move

Right Time, Playing Right08 Place 11the Game A dream fulfilled Athletics at Prairie

Photos by Stephanie Willis

MARK MAXWELL, PRESIDENT PAT MASSEY, EDITOR ELAINE MAXWELL, MANAGING DIRECTOR – DEVELOPMENT TWO 01 STUDIO, DESIGN PRAIRIE BIBLE INSTITUTE PO BOX 4000, THREE HILLS, AB T0M 2N0 1-403-443-5511 WWW.PRAIRIE.EDU 04 PRAIRIE HARVESTER

Prairie Launches New Degree Program

“WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE OF YOU BUT TO DO JUSTICE, AND TO LOVE KINDNESS, AND TO WALK HUMBLY WITH YOUR GOD?” MICAH 6:8 (ESV) Used by permission of Samaritan’s Purse. Samaritanspurse.org

On July 7, 2015, delegates from leading Christian Consultation delegates justice and humanitarian organizations gathered on strongly agreed on the need Prairie’s campus for a one-day consultation. “The pur- for both spiritually and pro- pose of the gathering was to gain a good understanding fessionally-trained workers of the world’s greatest social justice needs,” says Prairie’s and Allison Alley of Compas- president, Mark Maxwell, “and then define a course of sion Canada urged Prairie to studies that will prepare the next generation to address develop servant leaders who those needs.” are passionate advocates for The biblical mandate of Micah 6:8 resonates at the the poor and marginalized, heart of the program set to begin in September of 2016 eager to further God’s mis- with the goal of connecting timeless truths with current sion on earth and equipped to issues. The program intentionally includes biblical, theo- respond to issues of compas- logical and intercultural studies and is geared to produce sion and justice. servant-hearted, Christ-focused, culturally intelligent workers who can effectively solve problems and facilitate ministry in areas of conflict, despair and disaster. A highlight of the four-year degree, featuring If you have a desire to topics such as project management and leadership skills, realize God’s kingdom in the is a nine-month international experience during which hard places on earth, see students will observe a variety of ministries before www.prairie.edu/justice for immersing themselves in a six-month internship with a more information or contact Christian NGO at a location of their choice. [email protected] WINTER 2016 05

A new Sound

According to Director Brian Doerksen, it has been gratifying to see the talent in Prairie’s new Worship Arts program and how students are using their music to enhance the spiritual and community life of the campus. Applications continue to come in as the first class looks forward to graduating this spring. Particularly exciting for current students is is conducive to the creativ- the opportunity to perform with Brian at Breakforth ity of student, engineer and in Edmonton this January. producer and is capable of Renovations recently completed on the second achieving professional results. floor of the former faculty building have provided the We are excited to have Prairie Worship Arts program with a fresh new space and grad Mark Troyer (BC’06) room for innovation and growth. With the completion from Evergreen Sound in of the recording studio, second-year students have been Calgary sharing his experi- able to start producing their personal EPs that range ence and expertise with these from three to five songs, most of which have been writ- budding songwriters. ten during their time here at Prairie and represent their very best work. The studio is based around the industry standard, Learn more about ProTools, whose software is complemented by a variety Prairie’s Music and of microphones, keyboards, guitars and percussion in- Worship Arts program at struments. It is housed in an intimate environment that www.prairie.edu/worship

GLOBAL CONNECTION CONFERENCE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND REFUGEE CARE

March 17 & 18, 2016 Speaker: Dwight Lagore, SAM Ministries 06 PRAIRIE HARVESTER

Family Album

LEIGH & IRENE ROBINSON TERRY & CAROL THOMPSON 1960s Egli, Ben and Rita (Ryburn HS’60, BC’64) have retired Church in Gauteng and after over a decade of min- has had over forty years of istry to Iranians in BC. They pastoral, counselling and are very grateful for a godly teaching ministry. Out of his couple who will take over personal experience of loss leadership in the church and he has recently published they plan to move to Alberta the book “Journey with to be near their daughter. Grief.” For information contact [email protected] Thompson, Daryl (BC’68) ANDREW & DEBORAH WOOD and Earlynne (VonEhren- Thompson, Terry (BC’70) krook, BC’68) have just and Carol (Jespersen, completed forty-five years BC’69) were missionaries 2000s of ministry in Chile with to Argentina, Chile and Mosselman, Morgan Gospel Mission of South Uruguay for forty-two years. (BC’07) has been working America. That is their home They are presently in Florida as a Translation Consultant now and as health permits, where Terry is the General In-Training advising they hope to retire there. Director for Gospel Mission local translators in Isiro, They have three married of South America and they Democratic Republic of daughters living in Chile hope to return to full-time the Congo. He plans to and one son in the US. overseas service once again return to Canada this year. by January of 2018. Their three children are now mis- Wood, Andrew (BC’13) 1970s sionaries in Chile and they married Deborah Maxwell Robinson, Leigh (BC’71, have twelve grandchildren. (BC’13) on June 27, 2015, staff) and his wife Irene in Meaford, ON. After (Jensen, BC’75) live in South Tromsness, Ernie (BC’71, completing the Explore Africa. Leigh is the Senior GS’96) and Nancy (Coffield, program, they transferred Pastor at Rosebank Union BC’71) moved to Kansas to Intercultural Studies and City in 2014 after thirty-four spent last year travelling years of church planting with GlobeTREK. Their and teen camp ministry in six-month internship took SEND YOUR NEWS AND Ireland with Crossworld. place in Moshi, Tanzania, STORIES TO [email protected] They are now Events where Deborah taught FOLLOW OUR STORY Coordinators with their in a primary school and home office, assisting with Andrew worked at a home candidate orientation, con- for street children. They @prairiecolleges ferences, and re-entry of are currently in the last workers on home ministry year of Prairie’s BA in Inter- and are enjoying being cultural Studies and living close to family. in Three Hills. WINTER 2016 07

FRONT ROW: NAOMI (PARVIN) RODRIGUEZ, ANNETTE (BRYCE) MURRAY, GERALDINE (REES) LEITH, SHARON (SNYDER) TYMO, EUNICE (DAVIDSON) SCHULZ, LOIS (SHELTENS) SIMMS BACK ROW: ED KAUFFMAN, VERNON CHARTER, LEONARD HARTZLER, JERRY HARVEY, JOHN GALDAMEZ, GERRY BEFUS

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS RE-UNITE Twelve alumni of the High School Class of 1965 returned to Prairie for a 50-year-reunion from August 2 to 4, 2015.

Former students came from as far joining a worship service with the Prairie away as Georgia and Arizona to share Tabernacle congregation, exploring the memories and life stories, to laugh and old high school building and visiting grieve together, and to visit familiar places Mr. Adolph Pauls, who taught math and on campus and witness the changes. physics at PHS fifty years ago. Highlights of the celebration included

LIVING OVERSEAS?

Are you living in a restricted area? Does your mail from Prairie take months to arrive? Alumni living outside of North America now have the option of receiving a simple email notification when new issues of SERVANT and the Prairie Harvester are posted to the Prairie website (www.prairie.edu). As overseas mailing is becoming extremely costly for Prairie, you can help lower expenses for the school by allowing us to send your magazines electronically. Contact us at [email protected] if you would prefer this method. 08 PRAIRIE HARVESTER

RIGHT BETHANY BOSCH TIME, with PAT MASSEY RIGHT PLACE SEA AND SKY MELDED INTO A SINGLE CANOPY OF DARKNESS THAT SURROUNDED ME.

Stars twinkled above and the picture of energy and futility. was sold. The one thing I had lights from my boat nearby In 2002 I arrived at pursued for so long was finally created stars beneath me. I was Prairie College to pursue my mine, but it was useless. swimming through the stars. dream of becoming a pilot. I Less than six months later Could anything be more wanted to make a difference the economy took a downturn glorious than this moment? and help change the world. and I lost my remaining Bethany Bosch stroking her Then I learned that my loans source of income. Shortly after way across the English Chan- wouldn’t apply to a Canadian that, a perfect storm envel- nel! My life to this point had flight program and my dream oped my personal life. In that felt like one long cycle of un- came crashing down. Deter- dark time I had nothing to of- fulfilled dreams and failures. I mined to pay back those loans, fer God except a desire to love recalled my younger brother I returned home to Rutland, him and trust him with all of racing in a swim meet one Vermont, and was soon work- me. He, in turn, showed me summer. He thrashed at the ing several jobs, including one water, expending every ounce at the local airport where I of energy—but basically going was able to take flight lessons. “My life had felt like nowhere. If ever a moment But the week after I earned one long cycle of perfectly foreshadowed my life my pilot’s license, the flight unfulfilled dreams after high school, it was that school closed and the plane and failures.” Alumni Spotlight

Furthermore, Rutland, Hours later, darkness fell Vermont, has been called but I kept on. When the tide “America’s heroin city” and has turned just miles from my goal, come to symbolize the cor- it swept me back out to sea. ruption of picturesque, small- town America with drugs and My nose and throat burned violence. My passion to make from the salt water and I be- a difference in the world was came violently ill. But I wasn’t re-ignited, not for people in done. I am not leaving this huts in Africa, but for those in Channel, I thought, until I have need in my own back yard. given everything I have to give. I realized that my success At 4:30 am, the sand could empower others with hope and determination and moved under my fingers. I I knew God had created me stood and walked onto the for this time, in this place. My beach, lifting my arms high swimming opened up a media in unspoken gratitude, fulfill- platform to draw awareness to ment and joy. For 17 hours the needs in our community and 39 minutes the tides had and a campaign began to build pulled me over 41 miles in an aquatic center in Rutland. water averaging 63 degrees, that I was loved, not for my Finally, on the morning of but I had realized my dream. achievements, but just for who August 31, 2014, I stood ready I was. As my hurting heart with the cliffs of Dover behind When the celebrations began to heal and my lost job me and the shores of France died down, it would be time was transformed into a stable ahead. Three years of hard to ask: What’s next? The details career, a new contentment and work had prepared me and my might be uncertain, but the strength took over. I began faithful crew. I wouldn’t focus answer would not be. I knew to swim, simply for the joy of on the cold or the pain, but on now that I could persevere to- my goal, on the people who it and to celebrate the peace ward the new vision that was inside. To my surprise I found had loved and inspired me. taking shape. God had been myself drawn into the world of marathon swimming and guiding my life all along and back to a childhood dream: to would continue to do so as I swim the English Channel. made his name great in the Preparing was difficult place I call home. The seeds without a year-round swim- had been planted and in God’s ming facility in Rutland. time, the harvest of change Getting up at 3:00 am and would be great. driving over an hour to a training center brought home to me very clearly the lack of Bethany at Dover Harbor: good, affordable recreational realizing the dream. Follow her facilities in my home town. at www.intrepidathletics.org “I have struggled with things that happened during my Afghanistan deployment. This book is the best I have read on the subject of post-combat-related issues. I highly recommend it.” “Josh,” SSGT, Marine Corps Special Operations

Tending the Warrior Soul

L ouis Harrison served as a hospital corpsman in the soul damage and to provide US Navy from 1958 to 1961. During his service in the support, encouragement, Philippines, he was lovingly welcomed and discipled by biblical counsel, spiritual chal- missionaries with the Overseas Christian Servicemen’s lenge, and helpful resources Centers (OCSC), a relationship that would have to our wounded warriors and life-long ramifications. Following his discharge, Lou those who care for them.” studied at Prairie Bible Institute in Alberta, Canada, The book has been graduating in 1966. With his new wife, fellow Prairie heartily endorsed by senior alum Linda (Bruce, HS’60, BC’65), he himself became military chaplains and a missionary with OCSC, now known as Cadence combat leaders like retired International. For nearly fifty years, the Harrisons Colonel David Hale, U.S. have shared their lives, their home and the gospel with Army: “I have PTSD and the military community in Vietnam, the Philippines, have received superb treatment Thailand, Germany, Italy and the US. (physically, emotionally and The past fifteen years of ministry have been spiritually) that allows me to be especially focused on those who have carried the highly functional and happy,” burden of combat on behalf of our nations. Out of this he says. “I believe this book experience of listening and learning, Louis has written will be a help to psychiatrists, a book called Tending the Warrior Soul as a resource for chaplains, counselors, pastors, soul-damaged warriors and those who care for them. lay people and family members “The war-harmed soldier,” says Harrison, “may be who labor to enable a warrior helped back to his feet physically and emotionally, and to heal successfully.” restored to the fight, or to his home community, while a hidden battle still rages irreconcilably within him. I believe that the deepest and often the most devastating PLEASE SEE THE result of war is the spiritual struggle that is kindled ENCLOSED ENVELOPE within the soul of the combatant—a trauma that cannot TO ORDER YOUR COPY be healed by even the most excellent psychological care, OF THE BOOK “TENDING medical intervention or official support programs. The THE WARRIOR SOUL.” mission of this book is to advance understanding of this Offer available until May 31, 2016.

SAVE The events of Re-grad and QUEST will now THE be combined into a new event taking place in DATE September. Details for 2016 will be coming soon. WINTER 2016 11

From children using a wad of plastic bags as a soccer ball at an orphanage in Nicaragua to the custom basketball courts In the Game in El Salvador, the thrill of IMPACTING THE WORLD THROUGH SPORT the game provides a connection between people where RANDY STEWART, PRAIRIE ATHLETICS DIRECTOR Christ’s love and message can naturally flow. TheSports Ministry & From an early age my passion for athletics led me to Management program provides believe that one day I might make a career in the arena of students with the opportunity sport. That dream has taken many twists and turns. From to study God’s Word and its 2002 to 2005 I attended Prairie College where I compet- application to their lives within ed on the basketball team and was among the very first the realm of athletics. They also students in the Sports Ministry & Management program. receive specific tools and certi- Along with my training, I discovered the huge potential of fications that will equip them athletics and all the different paths that were open to me. to address the deep needs of After a time on staff as Prairie’s Athletics Director, the world both at home and I became the Recreation Program Supervisor at the abroad. Through practical, YMCA in Toronto. The skills I gained at Prairie served experiential learning climaxed me incredibly well in a community that was very di- by an international practicum, verse, both culturally and spiritually. they will be able to broaden Now I’m back on campus as Athletics Director and their horizons of ministry with coordinator of the Sports Ministry program. I’ve been eternal goals in mind. privileged to go on several international trips where sport development and ministry were the primary focus. I have seen countless doors open around the world to share the Learn more at good news of Jesus Christ through the medium of sport. www.prairie.edu/sport

ATHLETIC CENTRE and community intramural leagues and is TO UNDERGO transformed on a regular basis into an auditorium UPGRADE for conferences, concerts and graduations. After over twenty-three years of continual use, Named in honor of former the hardwood floors are showing their age and Prairie president Rick Down, need to be sanded down and refinished in order himself an avid sports fan and enthusiastic to provide a safe playing surface. As funds come supporter of Prairie and community athletics, the in, the bleachers will also be replaced. Rick Down Athletic Centre, with its three full-sized courts, is a vital center of campus life. We want to begin work this summer in order to maintain the RDAC’s reputation as one of Central Home to the Prairie Pilots college basketball, Alberta’s premier gyms. Will you help make that volleyball and indoor soccer teams, the RDAC possible? Please see the insert to donate. is also the site of summer sports camps 12 PRAIRIE HARVESTER

pastored Emmanuel Baptist Church since 1989 and is With survived by his wife Cathy of Nipawin, SK, two daughters the Lord and their families.

Axelsen, Colin (BC u’97) and Dueck-Barkman, Margaret his infant daughter Madeline (BC u’87, former staff) passed of Wetaskiwin, AB, suffered away on January 4, 2015, in a fatal car accident on Abbotsford, BC, at the age of BILL COMMYS July 12, 2015. Colin was a 96. She was predeceased by teacher and athletic coach her husband Peter. at Pigeon Lake Regional School. He is survived by Elliot Gren, Elisabeth (How- his wife Leanne and sons ard, BC u’49) entered the Emmett and Benjamin. Lord’s presence on June 15, 2015. She had been Bauman, Carol (Park BC’51), a missionary in Ecuador former missionary to Japan among the Quichua and with Japan Evangelical Auca Indians and was a ELISABETH ELLIOT GREN Mission, passed away in May noted speaker and author of 2015. Her husband Elmer throughout her lifetime. Odland, Dorothy (Powell, resides in Greer, SC. Her influence on the lives HS’71, BC’75) went home of many at Prairie is recog- to be with the Lord on July Berck, Donna (BC’62) served nized in the Elisabeth Elliot 20, 2015. She and her hus- as a missionary in Alberta Prayer Chapel on campus band Paul loved the Rocky for thirty years under the (see page 3). Mountains and raised their Canadian Sunday School four children in Banff, AB. Mission (One Hope Canada) Hodges, David (BC’71) and and was known for her love his wife Rosalie served the Payne, Eleanor (Anderson, for children. She died of church in Ethiopia under BC’47) went to South Africa kidney failure in Aurora, NE, SIM from 1987 to 1994. in 1948 under TEAM. She on October 31, 2015. They returned briefly after and her husband Geoffrey Dave was treated for a brain spent many years minister- Bradley, Earl (HS’65, tumor and then moved to ing in Swaziland, Zululand BC’69) died in his sleep on Edmonton, AB, to work with and throughout SA. Eleanor September 5, 2015, at his international students. He was living in Renton, WA, home in Cochrane, AB. He died on September 4, 2015, at the time of her death on had worked as a purchaser at the age of 66. April 19, 2015. with major oil companies and loved the outdoors, Jacobsen, Morris (HS’45, Percival, Dorothy (BC ‘57) his family and his church. BC’49) served from 1949 to had a long-time ministry in He leaves behind his wife 1997 in Japan where he in- Brazil, including 29 years Marjorie, two daughters and vested his life in the training of pioneering work along their families. of pastors and building up the Amazon. She returned the church. He passed away to Canada at age 70 and Commys, Bill (BC’84) on March 23, 2015, and is was active in the Three went to be with Jesus on survived by his wife and Hills community. She went February 13, 2015, after a ministry partner Betty who home to be with the Lord fall playing hockey. He had resides in Minneapolis, MN. on May 6, 2015. THANK YOU

TO SO MANY WHO HAVE INCLUDED PRAIRIE IN THEIR ESTATES.

Verhagen, Adrian (BC’72) and his wife Pamela (Campbell, BC’72) worked with Gospel Recordings for several years. Adrian lived a positive life despite suffering from a debilitating brain disorder. He was living in Oshawa, ON, when he died BYRON PORRITT RUBY POWLES suddenly on May 1, 2015.

Phibbs, Paul (HS’59, BC where Eric ran several small Westfall, James (HS’75, u’61) was a member of the businesses. He was an able BC’80) enjoyed a ministry in Calgary Police Force for 29 handyman and remained publishing and design with years and had keen interests active until his sudden pass- different missions in several in photography, history, ing on March 14, 2015. countries and in multiple trains and criminology. He languages. He and his wife passed away on May 20, Seely, Art (BC’49) and his Ruth (Mountain, BC’80) 2015, and is survived by his first wife Florence were made their home in Carlisle, wife Miriam (Maxwell, HS’59, career missionaries with England, where he died BC’63) and extended family. TEAM in Japan. He was peacefully in his sleep on one of the founders and April 9, 2015. Porritt, Byron (HS’93), son long-time General Manager of former staff members of the Pacific Broadcasting Wilson, Elizabeth (staff) was Stan (BC’71) and Donna Association. Art passed a missionary for many years (Lindahl, BC’73) Porritt, away on November 10, in India where she married completed a courageous 2015, and leaves behind his John Wilson in 1967. After five-year battle with cancer children and wife Carolyn of retirement she became on September 4, 2015. He is Abbotsford, BC. an active volunteer and survived by his wife Caroline enjoyed the ministry of hos- and children Jackson and Snyder, John (BC’61) and his pitality in Three Hills. Eliza- Katherine of Calgary, AB. wife Marlene went home to beth passed away on July 6, be with the Lord together in 2015, at the age of 93. Powles, Ruby (Webster, BC a fatal car crash in February u’48, staff). After forty years of 2015. After attending Co- Wong, Richard (HS’77) died on Prairie staff, Ruby and lumbia Bible College in SC, suddenly on September 29, her husband Jack retired in they worked with a mission 2015, while working out at Three Hills before moving to in Kentucky and then moved the gym. He and his wife Abbotsford, BC, where she to Alaska to help plant a Christine lived in Sai Kung, maintained an active corre- church in Kenai. They were Hong Kong. spondence with missionaries retired and living in Michigan. around the world. Ruby Yeo, Naomi (BC u’2013) passed quietly into the Lord’s Strom, Dorothy (Carmack, was born in Kenya and presence on April 20, 2015. BC’46) served under TEAM adopted to Canada at the in Japan with her husband age of nine. She studied at Reimer, Eric (BC’51) was Vern. They returned to Can- Red Deer College and the a missionary with SIM to ada in 1987 and eventually U of A until a brain tumor Nigeria where he met Laura, retired to Calgary, AB. Dor- was diagnosed. Naomi met his wife of 46 years. In 1958 othy passed away on April her Savior face-to-face on they returned to Manitoba 25, 2015, in Surrey, BC. April 19, 2015. 14 PRAIRIE HARVESTER THE WINNING TEAM

A t the beginning of May, Prairie’s former Athletic Di- rector James Fraser and students from the Sports Ministry & Management program embarked on a journey to Santa by PAT MASSEY Ana, El Salvador. There they linked up with the More Than Conquerors Church and Pastor Melvin Vasquez who reaches out to his communities by teaching sports and biblical values in local schools. Over a two-week period, the Prairie athletes visited eight different schools, putting on clinics, teaching gym classes and competing against local teams as they shared their skills and the gospel with over one thousand students. Unlike in North America, they were invited into the classrooms, even in non-religious schools, to share their faith and found the opportunities to speak about Christ seemingly endless. The team was challenged by the depth of worship ser- vices in the church. Even without the language, they could still sense the passion and excitement of local believers. WINTER 2016 15

“We often didn’t understand what was going on,” said one student, “but there was no shortage of the presence of God. It was unbelievable how the Spirit could still move and work in your heart.” Learning to be flexible when plans were changed, playing on small outdoor cement pads with very little equipment and adjusting to the different pace of El Salvadorian time as well as the hot, humid weather all made for an intensive time of learning and growing and understanding things from a new perspective. Not only were the students experiencing the possibilities of sports ministry first-hand but they were learning how to accomplish it in a cross-cultural setting. “Doing this outside of their own culture,” says James, “shows them how their passion for sport can be used around the world and how God can work through them in different places. It was a real bless- ing as well to see the small but important impact we were able to make in that church by encouraging their ministry and also by opening new doors for them and strengthening relationships that they had already been building.” It was a win-win situation all around. Two months after returning from El Salvador, the team received a vivid reminder of the importance of giving God our best in the place and time he allots to us. On July 29, 2015, their friend and teammate, twenty-year-old Grace Harken, was struck by a car and killed while biking near her home in Iowa. As a student at Prairie, in her personal life “Even when we and on mission overseas, Grace lived her life to the full and didn’t understand was passionate about letting others see the beauty of Jesus what was going reflected in her. As the trip drew to a close, she had written on, there was no in the team blog: Even after we leave, God is still very present shortage of the here and very real. He’s the reason we came and just because we’re leaving, that doesn’t mean he is. His work will continue long after presence of God.” we’ve gone home.

A SCHOLARSHIP IN MEMORY OF GRACE HAS BEEN SET UP FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN USING THE VENUE OF SPORT TO MINISTER TO OTHERS. DONATIONS TO PRAIRIE CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE GRACE HARKEN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP.

Learn more about Prairie’s Sports Ministry & Management program at www.prairie.edu/sport 16 PRAIRIE HARVESTER

Explore Program on the Move DENNIS LANDON

A fter seventeen successful years at Camp Bighorn carry the vision for the pro- in Montana, Prairie’s Explore Outdoor Leadership gram to this new location.” program is off to a great start in its new location at Explore has just begun Frontier Lodge in Nordegg, Alberta. The fall semester its first winter semester activities included rock climbing, mountain biking, in the Canadian Rockies. canoeing and going deeper into each student’s relation- “It can be challenging,” ships with God and each other. Dennis admits, “but God The concern in this major transition was that the often teaches us through our heart of what made the program so meaningful in the challenges if we are open to lives of its students would be lost, but the opposite learn.” Students will experi- appears to be true. “The heart of our program has been ence Wilderness Advanced strengthened by this move,” says Director Dennis First Aid, backcountry ski- Landon, “because it has forced us to deeply evaluate our ing, ice climbing and winter training and make sure it is conducive to the type of survival as they learn more growth we want to see in our students. This was made about God, community and possible because of a great team at Frontier Lodge and effective leadership in this also because of an amazing intern team who helped upcoming term.

PRAIRIE RADIO For Prairie College chapels, local events, interviews, sports and the best in praise and worship music, choose Prairie Radio. Streaming live all day, every day at www.prairie.edu/radio

Address questions or comments to: [email protected] 403-443-3017, ext. 3689 WINTER 2016 17

The 2015 Story 280 in Numbers ON CAMPUS

2014 $2.09 MM 37% 2015 $2.87 MM Increase How You Gave How You

Recording Bathrooms 18% Studio OVER OF OUR UPGRADES $300,000 FRESHMEN RECEIVED THE STUDENT ALUMNI REFERRAL

What We Did What We FINANCIAL AID Painting DISTRIBUTED BURSARY Oven Projects

Revenue Expenses $8.45 MM $7.59 MM = $859,857

THANK FOR 48% Education 74% Education YOUYOUR 34% Donations 16% Facilities 12% Facilities 5% Scholarships SUPPORT 6% Other 4% Fundraising The Big Picture 1% Other

Full Annual Report available online at www.prairie.edu and by request. 18 PRAIRIE HARVESTER

Plugging in PRAIRIE EXPANDS ONLINE EDUCATION

T wenty-two-year-old Theo Devries of Courtney, participate in discussion BC, leads the junior high and young adult ministries as forums and engage with the a staff intern at his church and volunteers as a hockey thoughts and ideas posted by instructor at a local high school in his spare time. He is other classmates as well as also a part-time college student. While working with their instructor. Youth for Christ, Theo began studying for a Youth Eight media-enhanced Ministry degree through Prairie Distance Education online courses are presently because he saw it as an opportunity to learn and apply available and the college that knowledge directly to his ministry. hopes to produce twenty “I’d like to be a pastor one day,” he says, “and I hope more in this academic year to adequately prepare myself intellectually, mentally and to flesh out the Certificate spiritually for this task as I work through my studies.” in Bible (Encounter). The Thanks to the world of remote learning, Theo is getting goal is to mirror campus an education without having to leave his current em- curriculum and eventually ployment or relocate. have the Associate of Arts in General Studies, Bachelor Prairie has offered “college without of Arts in Ministry (Pastoral boundaries” since the early 1960s. and Youth) and Bachelor of Arts in Intercultural Studies He is not the first. Prairie has offered “college available online as well. without boundaries” to non-campus students since the early 1960s. Paper-based, mail-in correspondence courses have gradually given way to online education No matter what your age or location, learning that makes it possible to watch videos of the instructor can be a life-long journey. in action and listen to audio clips about foundational Why not get started today? concepts. Multi-media curriculum creates the opportu- See www.prairie.edu/distance nity for relationship and dialogue, not just assignment for available courses, including submission and grading. In some courses, students can our free Theology 100.

ISRAEL TOUR 2016 Experience an in-depth two-week study tour of Israel in partnership with Prairie College, CREST leadership and Jerusalem University College. Open to Prairie students, family and friends. Can be taken for credit. For additional information, contact Dr. Dan Reinhardt at [email protected] PRAIRIE HARVESTER SPRING 2014 19 WHERE by PHIL HOPE CALLAWAY FLOATS

In November I helped lead a group of 130 pilgrims Scrolls were discovered in cave to Israel together with my friends at Back to the Bible number 4 (pictured above, just Canada. As we swam in the Dead Sea I remembered behind my left elbow). George Burns’ famous joke: “When I was a boy the Not far from Golgotha, Dead Sea was only sick.” But nothing lived there, even we visited the Garden Tomb. when George was a boy. You’re surrounded by desert, A sign on the door reads: “He floating along at 1,400 feet below sea level. is not here. He is risen.” Each “Hope floats,” I said as my wife tried in vain to year 300,000 people come to push me under. “Lowest point of my life,” I laughed. see something that isn’t there. But in truth, it was one of many high points on this Nearby are two signs. One Holy Land adventure. says, “Let anyone who is thirsty How can you read the Bible the same way after come to me and drink.” Less watching a storm rise in seconds while you’re sailing the than a foot away is another Sea of Galilee? Or enjoying the shade of a 2,000-year- sign: “Water not for drinking.” old olive tree (still bearing fruit) in the Garden of Geth- But it is for drinking. And semane? The only disappointment was the Church of the those who drink deeply are Nativity where a gaudy star marks the spot of our Savior’s filled with peace and hope. birth. Our guide, in a hurry to be elsewhere, employed his In a dark world where commando voice: “There’s the baby, there’s the manger, fear seems to be winning, I out!” No nativity set prepares you for this. think often of that quiet spot We had just arrived at the Jordan River when I in a garden where a revolu- heard someone call my name. It wasn’t the Lord, but tion of love began. Where it was close. Joel Freeman and I grew up together in hope shone through. In a Three Hills back in the ‘60s. We’ve stayed in touch world where we push past the by phone, but hadn’t seen each other in twenty years. Baby and hurry on with our In the winter of ’71 Joel started hitchhiking around lives, he is still to be found. North America. Charged with vagrancy in Portland, And he is still changing lives, Oregon, he did a three-week stint in Juvenile Hall, like Joel’s and like mine. then stuck out his thumb again and headed south. But before long, God got ahold of Joel in Maine. PHIL CALLAWAY “I’m a certifiable Maine-iac,” he says. But he’s also is the host a successful writer, speaker and entrepreneur. We ran of Laugh into each other again twice—once at the traditional site Again Radio. of Golgotha and again at Qumran where the Dead Sea Check it out at philcallaway.com PRAIRIE HARVESTER PO Box 4000 Three Hills, AB T0M 2N0 Canada

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