Northword • Fall 2010 1 Alumnews Gene Horst: Learning Through Adversity on Feb
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NorthWord A Publication of Alaska Bible College Fall 2010 ach May, Alaska Bible College celebrates the commencement ABC’s current involvement in Anchorage includes a Eof students who have worked diligently toward a goal of growing extension site at Grace Christian School, where Mr. obtaining Bible degrees. This fall, the college marked its own Ringger and Kevin Newman offer two classes each semester. “graduation”. ABC President Nick Ringger explains: Twenty-eight students were enrolled in the fall of 2010, and “I am pleased to announce that after several years and a that number is expected to grow as word spreads about Bible great deal of planning, together with SEND North, we have class offerings in Anchorage. The ABC board is actively accomplished the independence of Alaska Bible College. This, searching for an appropriate and affordable building in hopes of by design, will enable both institutions to more fully and freely setting up a campus in Anchorage or the Mat-Su Valley with pursue their unique purpose and calling. Our administration full degree offerings. and board of directors have worked diligently over the past two The future of the Glennallen campus also is exciting as the years to bring this to fruition.” college looks to expand the use of the unique facilities in a rural The ABC board of directors expects very little change in setting. Administrators are the day-to-day operations of the school. The most prominent planning a series of summer changes that the transition will afford is the transfer to ABC courses coupled with a of the 80 acres of land on which the school sits, and financial wilderness format. freedom allowing for fundraising and sale of assets without “We believe that we seeking permission of a parent organization. can maximize the unique Having obtained independence, the board of directors is outdoor opportunities that now looking ahead to the future of the college, Alaska, and the Copper River Valley a new generation provides through a summer program,” Mr. Ringger said. “Many places in Alaska still of ministry-minded They anticipate a Bible certificate program that integrates don’t know Christ. If we can believers seeking outdoor activities for use in ministry opportunities. reach more people by making Bible education. Mr. Online education is another area of growth into which adjustments, that’s a price I’m Ringger and the board ABC is delving. Stay tuned for future announcements about believe that God is the capability of taking classes from home through the use of committed to paying.” providing tremendous technology. — President Nick Ringger opportunities for The state of Alaska and the entire world are changing teaching and ministry rapidly. Forty-four years after Alaska Bible College first opened in more populated areas such as Anchorage and the Mat-Su its doors, the leadership is confident that the answer to the Valley. questions of life are still only found in Christ Jesus and His “Students trained in urban ministry and rural ministry Word. ABC will make the most of every opportunity to train are better equipped for future in Alaska as villages decrease in men and women to take the message of the gospel in every population and cities grow,” Mr. Ringger said. “Wisdom is being possible way to Alaska and the world. able to see further down the road. Ministry in 10 years will be “Many places in Alaska still don’t know Christ,” Mr. much different than it is today. My job is to prepare people for Ringger said. “If we can reach more people by making that ministry.” adjustments, that’s a price I’m committed to paying.” Northword • Fall 2010 1 AlumNews Gene Horst: Learning through adversity On Feb. 6, 2010, Prof. Gene Horst was on his handle being a Jon & MaryAnna Casey (‘05) welcomed roof when he fell and fractured his skull. His miracle. I had the their fourth child, Todd Clayton, on Sept. hospitalization and continuing recovery have opportunity to 12, 2010. He weighed 8 pounds, 1 ounce been a testimony to all who meet him. Here is meet and tell my and was 21 inches long. The Caseys serve an update on his progress in his own words. story to dozens of with SEND International in Tok, Alaska. I want to thank the ABC alumni for medical people. ministering to my family and me during My neck surgeon, Dave (‘05) & Jackie Cohen (‘98) stay our time of need. Also, thanks for visiting who didn’t believe busy at their home in Glacier View, me in the hospital even if I don’t know who in miracles, knew Alaska. They finalized the adoption you were. The nursing staff were amazed he was looking of Malachi, 12, and Brooke, 7, last that so many young men visited me. That at one, and commented that we should December, and continue to open their group usually doesn’t do hospital visitations. thank the people who had been praying for home and hearts to numerous foster What a great testimony, guys! I have a me before the fall, because that’s the only children. better appreciation for the Body of Christ reason I am here and in such good shape. since I experienced it meeting my needs My life has been changed forever, but my Ryan Radford (‘05) and his wife, Rachel, even when I couldn’t quite understand what faith is growing in new ways. are expecting their first child next June. all was going on. I am still going to Anchorage for two They live in Glennallen, Alaska. Some things are only—or best— days of therapy almost every week. At learned though adversity. My fall was some point I will begin a yearlong process Dan (‘77) & Lillian Hoobyar (‘79) a humbling experience. Instantly, my life of grafting bone and putting implants in work at the home office of CrossWorld was out of my control and in the hands my upper jaw to repair my missing teeth in Kansas City, Missouri. Dan is of others. God showed me that He is and jaw. Please pray that my neck will turn International Director for Brazil, Mexico indeed sovereign and when I am weak He enough that I could drive again. After that and West Asia, and Lillian is an appointee is strong. I was humbled by the prayers we can start work on my jaw and teeth. coach for new members of CrossWorld. mentioned above, my dependence on You can also pray for me as I get back into After serving for 12 years in Boa Vista, others, hallucinations, hunger & thirst, the classroom next semester; teaching Brazil, “[we] have come to see an even a stomach tube, personality changes and Doctrines II and team teaching Integrated bigger picture of what God is doing in the M word—“miracle”. In my four years Theological Seminar. Praise the Lord! the world through His servants. We feel of Bible college and another four years In His sovereign grip, very privileged to be serving the servers... of seminary, I never was taught how to Gene Horst encouraging the downhearted, running alongside the swift and strong, lifting up the arms of the weak and generally being Wedding bells ring for former ABC staff a listening ear.” d Anne Bennett (Staff ‘06- Darlene & John Lee Windsor (‘90-‘92 ’10) married Noah Sherman & ‘01-‘03) are happy to announce the Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010, in release of John’s third CD. He describes Athens, Mich. it as a “rockin’ country album I believe you will love.” You can get in touch with Karla Letellier (Staff c him through his Facebook artist page. The ’03-’04) is engaged to Windsors have one daughter and live in Bob Klooz. Their wedding was Texas. Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010, in Pierre, SD. They will reside in Sargent, Neb. We need your help! Alaska Bible College admits qualified students We would like to keep in contact with our of any race, sex, color, and ethnic origin. alumni. Please send your e-mail address and NorthWord is a publication of news to [email protected] so we can add you to our upcoming alumni e-letter! If you’d like to spread the word about ABC and want brochures to hand out, please let us know. We John Lee Windsor and his band just will soon be unveiling a redesigned website, P.O. Box 289 • Glennallen, AK 99588 released the single “Boots on the Ground”,and you can join us on Facebook, so there are (907) 822-3201 • 800-478-7884 • Fax (907) 822-5027 a tribute to the men and women serving plenty of ways to find out what’s going on at [email protected] • www.akbible.edu in our military. your alma mater! Editor: Michelle Eastty, [email protected] 2 Alaska Bible College New staff members join the ABC team Scott Yahr Christy Fletcher summer mission trip. Scott is our Christy comes to “I came for a summer and never resident sci-fi us from Houston, looked back,” she said. “I love working fanatic and new Texas. She is with the people of the Copper River dean of men. serving as the Valley.” His passion for assistant librarian. Locally she is involved in the proclaiming After visiting planning of the Copper Basin 300 sled the gospel to the ABC campus dog race. She comes from a long line of Alaskans is this summer on a Detroit sports fans, and has been known rivaled only by church missions to stand out in subzero temperatures his desire to prepare students for the trip, Christy felt a calling to pursue cheering on the Glennallen and Kenny ministries into which God is calling them.