Charge to the Graduates 2010

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It is always a privilege to deliver the Challenge to the Graduates at the graduation ceremony of the Word of Life Bible Institute. It was a great day and a blessing to send off another class of students to know and serve the Lord. A special apology to visitors for all the inside jokes.

The school year began with fear, excitement and wonder as syllabus after syllabus, assignment after assignment, text book after text book and a crazy kind of oppressive Student Handbook full of rules to follow poured out before you. If it had not been for our very first teacher sharing the invaluable mantra “I will not quit, by God’s grace, I can do it!” some of you may not have.

But you survived; You survived the crazy Newbie Bible Survey prof who handed out heart-attacks with his first major test. Hearts pounded and almost came to a stop at the first announcement of “Today you will take 2 tests - 1 in Bible Survey and 1 in honesty...”

We learned genealogies and God’s plan for people. We also learned that we all seem to be related to each other sooner than Noah in a Family Tree of another kind. And the fact we all have problems, issues, well “it’s a heart issues.” It has finally been seen, documented, and evidenced in gym class and this summer – Paul can run...it’s not pretty...but it’s possible. We saw it.

Then came...the CRUCIBLE...Open Air Evangelism – a week of sleeping on a floor, irregular shower access, cramped spaces and having to talk to strangers. It hardly seemed like it could get worse. At one point I thought I’d lose Nate on the streets of his own city (even though I was right with him), or I thought Matt would get arrested and we’d be chased off the streets of Canada’s largest city for good. But you survived the crucible sharing your faith with over 1500 people and seeing 14 people accept the message that Jesus died and rose again for their sins and it that made it all worth it. Relationships were forged that that week that never be forgotten.

In fact, this class has been marked by friendship. Facebook will never be the same as constant communication flies through cyberspace. Friendships and the constant chatter they offer will last for life and be a constant source of comfort just as it was a constant source of consternation to teachers in the classroom. In fact this is probably the quietest this group has sat together and the longest time without talking. Mer, mer, mer...

Few schools or even years here at the BI have the honour of boasting a ratio of 2 to 1 guys to gals and it has been a privilege to train and lead so many men this year. 26 guys in a dorm that uncomfortably holds 24 was not an easy calling this year, survival was unsure at times, but the sacrifice has not been forgotten as 120 more Snow Campers heard the Word of God. Recharge held little of its name for our staff and students as the busy season of ministry and study took its toll. But you survived, and 49 teens trusted God’s Son to save them from their sin. Many other decisions were made and by God’s grace you made it. We served together. We studied together. We laughed. We cried. We drank Monsters together.

Now, here we are, after the final test of summer ministry, you have passed. You have survived over 500 campers. But not only survived, thrived and were blessed to see 108 youth trust Jesus. You did not quite and by God’s grace (alone) you did it. But is this the end, a plaque on a wall, a head full of facts or does this day mark more than the finishing of a program and the acquisition of knowledge?

Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

 It is my prayer that this year has shown you three things – 

               1) God is worth knowing and getting to know (how little we know), 

               2) God diligently rewards and blesses those who serve Him (how little we've done), and 

               3) WOLBI is just the beginning of lives that are now dedicated to pursuing these great truths.

May this year NOT be a religious accomplishment but the beginning of a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ who gave Himself for each one of us.

The Bible Institute is a great place to start but it should not, it cannot be the end! Students, don’t let this be the end!

...and Congratulations, you may now call me “Jon.”

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