Working the Game Plan: Bethany Bible Institute convention

Hepburn, Sask.

It was a busy weekend at BBI with the convention, a volleyball tournament and a drama workshop providing interesting people-watching opportunities: Sweaty students in sports gear, eye-stopping artificial injuries on participants of the drama workshop and groups of "off-campus" people wearing stick-on Hello tags.

The convention started with a call for captains and explanation of the rules as two gentlemen in black and white referee shirts, Harry Heidebrecht, Alberta MB Conference moderator, and Henry Braun, Saskatchewan MB Conference moderator, emerged as co-moderators of the convention. They opened the convention with sports humour, prayer and a warm welcome.

Sports lingo permeated the meetings. The moderators called a time-out for refreshments mid-morning. When the whistle blew (literally), the meeting was brought back to order.

Spiritual reflection

In the morning session, Steadfast, the drama ministry team, gave an inspired demonstration of Christ's victory over sin using black and white scarves to illustrate the various choices people make. This was followed by a devotional focus from Rick Schellenberg, who introduced his challenge by asking "Is Bethany a storm shelter? With the winds of change mirrored in our churches, is a Bible education as practical as an 8-track cassette? How can Bethany launch out into the storm in a fragile canoe?" Schellenberg proposed that God's Word provides an anchor point. He challenged the leadership of BBI to invest time with Jesus, making Him the centre of the curriculum. "Learning the Bible is not just learning information but it is life changing. God'sWord comes to us wrapped in people." Bethany longs to create an oasis that refreshes the person and also is a fountain that touches people world-wide. Bible education calls us to partner together for a vision where people connect with God through discipleship and missions, he said.

The afternoon session opened with a devotional musical focus from the chorale directed by Phil Siebert. One song was particularly thought-provoking: "Lord, whatever you ask, I want to obey you. I know you can give me the wisdom and courage to equal the task." Scholarships were presented to Brandon Friesen, Coaldale, Alta., and Jeffrey Froese, Lanigan, Sask. Four people were recognized for their years of service at Bethany: George Dirks (31 years), Harry Unger (30 years), and Derek Mueller and Erna Fehr (each 5 years).

Edgar Dueck, board chair, presented the Executive report indicating that president Doug Berg has resigned but will remain on as faculty member. He also cited areas of policy development and financial support as frequent agenda items at board meetings.

In the interest of brevity, reports contained in the convention manual were only highlighted by the chairs of the individual committees. Faculty member Ben Wohlgemut itemized a number of curriculum priorities: Introduction of an English course, review of Bible and theology courses for biblical centrality, identifying ministry skills, evaluating a three-year degree program and a joint discipleship program with Camp Evergreen.

Ruth Wallace, dean of students, reported on student life at Bethany. Her involvement encompasses a broad area, including hosting an ice cream social, driving students to appointments and praying with students. Two new initiatives, Career Services and a part-time on-campus doctor, Ron Wall, have been added to the services offered to students. New team members to Bethany are: Lisa Braun, athletics; Cam Priebe, associate dean for male students; and Daphne Plett, associate dean for female students. Wallace identified her goal as discipling students to allow them to be who God wants them to be.

The report from the resources department took an energetic and creative twist via video when Gerry Letkeman realistically "interacted" with the ever-elusive Derek Mueller. Bethany has increased its visibility through numerous BBI publications such as the Bethany Connection, The Contact, camp booklets and music, as well as through recruitment and alumni activities.

In the Alumni report, new chair Rob Braun thanked outgoing chair Donna Andres for her energy and enthusiasm. He also listed the activities that are building relationships between alumni and the school: Alumni weekend with a volleyball tournament and alumni musical evening; alumni hockey and golf tournaments; and a cross-Canada bike-a-thon as well as regional events.

Ken Isaak, Finance Commission, reported a $12,000 surplus in the budget this year, but also expressed concern about paying off the remaining $246,000 debt on Bethany Place. He encouraged delegates to report back to their churches that the debt needs to be eliminated so that other projects such as rebuilding the music buildings, expanding the library and improving the men's dorms can be started. Finance manager Jim Vincent reviewed the past year's financial statement and presented the budget for 1998/99 based on 147 students.

President Berg, in a power point presentation, walked through the Accreditation and Strategic Planning Report. He identified Bethany's mission, core values, mandate and vision. Berg also listed several strategic issues: adequate access to information, alumni connection and a broader financial base. He continued by laying out a five-year plan in the areas of student life, resources, academic concerns, personnel, facilities, enrollment and development.

The 1998/99 budget for $1.3 million was approved; and the 1999-2000 pro forma budget was accepted as provisional until the next annual convention. Four Board members were accepted by acclamation: Wes Braun and Howard Wall for Saskatchewan, and Aaron Stout and David Benke for Alberta.

And suddenly the convention was over for another year, an hour ahead of schedule.

Personal reflection

I was impressed by the professional quality of the convention manual and the creativeness of the moderators and presenters. The atmosphere of the school was inviting, as well as a people place humming with activity. Let's remember to pray for Bethany, who with age, is working on bifocal vision—an oasis that refreshes and a fountain that touches people world-wide. Pat Van Nes

* 91 churches were visited by BBI ministry teams

* resources department has produced 5 books and 5 music tapes/CDs

* BBI offers 29 scholarships

* giving in 1998 increased by $25,000

* highest enrollment in the last 20 years was 1980-81 with 198 students; lowest was 1987-88 with 105 students. Present enrollment is 152

* male enrollment has been higher than female enrollment only 6 times in the past 20 years

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