Open Air Week Student Response

After a great but intense Open Air Week on the streets of Toronto and Hamilton sharing our faith, sleeping on the floor of a church, and showering at a local swimming facility it is good to take time to reflect on what God has done despite the discomforts.
In Director's Chapel a couple weeks ago, WOLBI students shared what the week meant to them.

"I really realized there is no 'Plan B.' If we don't tell people about the gospel, who will? On the first day I got to lead two people to Christ. I was just obeying what Christ wants me to do. Whether people get saved or not, I need to just be obedient."

From Drop Box

"I was talking to someone about the gospel and they had to take a call. I walked away discouraged. A few minutes later I got a tap on the shoulder. The guy I was talking to asked, "Hey, can you finish what you were saying?" I finished sharing that Jesus died and rose again to pay for our sins and he wanted to accept Jesus' payment for his sins!"

From Drop Box

"God showed me how everyone is lost [without His truth] and that I need to share God's message of love every chance I get."

"I realized we don't have the power to save people. Only God can save people and He is a God who saves!"

From Drop Box

Some students experienced real persecution for their faith being told to "shut up," "go away," being yelled at, intimidated, spit at, cursed at, and even verbally wished dead. Regarding a particularly discouraging day, one student remarked, "They're not rejecting you but what God is saying to them. We can't make people listen."

Another student summed it up for all of us when they said, "The whole week was an amazing experience."
We praise God for using us to share His Word and teaching us so many lessons in the process. Ministering to others impacts our lives far more than our lives impacts those we minister to!

Do you want to grow in your faith and relationship with Christ? Start sharing your faith and serving Him!

If you are interested in joining us for next year's incredible Open Air Ministry Week, talk to Admissions to reserve your space in the WOLBI class of 2011-2012!!

Cultural Contradiction Rant

Open Air Week with WOLBI is always a bit of a culture shock. Each year we pack up the entire student body and some of our staff and head to the streets of Toronto and Hamilton for a week to talk to people about faith and life. Often we have great opportunities to share our faith and once again our students did an incredible job initiating conversations and boldly sharing God's truth. I am always amazed as I leave the Christian "Bubble" where I work and live for this extended period of time. One of the things that struck me this year as I wandered the streets watching out for students was a very obvious contradiction in our North American culture.

As I was walking down past crowds of people waiting for buses, I saw two guys talking. Something caught my eye and as I focused on the distraction, I discovered a pair of gloves decorated in spiderweb with a very prominent spider on the top of each hand. "That's interesting," I thought to myself, "Never seen anything like that..." In the seconds it took to discover all this I realized that the guys were looking at me with a weirded-out-are-you-some-kind-of-creeper type of glare. Somewhat offended by their expression of offense I probably blushed slightly as I quickened my pace to get away.

A constant media barrage communicates messages of, "Be your own person," and, "Stand up and stand out." There is nothing wrong with being a unique individual but c'mon, if you are trying to stand out, don't be surprised if you stand out! I personally like wearing a hat that is unique or different but I understand that when I do, people will notice, look (sometimes stare), and even comment. If you are seeking to 'stand out' then please be prepared for the attention you receive.