Moody Bible Institute - Arch Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

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6 Deans are OO wo A series of childhood memories that will always linger with me grew out of the still vivid and turbulent years of World War ll. We were living in Washington D.C. and the nation's capital pulsated with the war effort- great military parades down Pennsylvania Avenue, servicemen and public figures in our home, air raid drill, Ublack-outs on Sunday night during church service, the celebration of VE Day in the shadow of the White House. A sense of patriotism, a love of country and trusting in the sovereign, caring God were nurtured in me in those days. Dr. Robert Woodburn Academic Dean There are sights, sounds, smells. There's that first fish you caught, homemade ice cream and Sunday picnics at the lake, tenting in the backyard, the county fair and scrambling for the spent cartridges at the cemetery on Memorial Day when the Veterans fired their salute to the valiant dead. But upon reflection, one of my fondest memories is the atmosphere of appreciation for history which prevailed in our home. As a child, l would rather fish, ski or play outdoors than sit still long enough to read a book. During the evenings, mother often read aloud from the rich tales of the past. Once, when l had seriously injured my ankle in a skiing acci- dent, she read for hours until sleep prevailed over my pain. This sensitivity to history was not only engendered by reading and recounting the past but also by the idea that the present held historic significance. l will never forget the final few days of World War ll. lapan was about to formerly sur- render. Final arrangements were being made. For almost two days my brother and l were instructed to stay nearby so we could be called in by the old Philco radio in our living room to hear the report of the historic moment of lapan's surrender. We protested, l'Why do we have to be here to hear that? Mom responded for possibly the tenth time, Someday you will understand how important this day is in history. l want you to be a witness to it. Today I am grateful for that sense of history and the historical perspective it engendered. Dr. Howard A. Whaley Vice President and Dean of Education My early memories are of the Andes Mountains and of a small village on a mountainside in Bolivia where my parents were missionaries. l had many brothers and sisters because our home was where all the missionary children lived while attending the mission school. These are precious memoriesg jesus Christ and His salvation message was the center of my home. Dr. l. Lindley Steere Assistant Academic Dean

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confessed my faith in lesus Christ while still a boy. To the best of my ability, I opened my life to Christ. But like so many others, I was selfish and rebellious to the teaching of Scrip- ture. Ego was king in my life. I had my owri plans and was determined to see them through. That August over four decades ago, in special church meeting, I agreed to do the wil? of God. I vividly recall that I had a strong urge to be alone where I could talk and listen to God and seek whatever plan He might have for me. I spent a few minutes with the pastor, talking about God's will for my life. To get to my home meant a bus ride of aa least ten miles and an additional three-mile walk. The ride and walk were different that night, I felt carried along by the thrill and excitement of my decision. That bus ride and walk gave me time alone with God. My mother was the kind of person who nev- er went to bed until all of her six children were home and settled in bed. That night she seemed to intuitively understand that some- thing important and beautiful had taken place in my life. She talked warmly about the things of Cod and then committed me to the Lord's care. My bedroom was a small, unheated area of our house that once had been an attic. That night in my room, as I knelt alone in prayer, I wrote down some goals. Although I was an average teenager, four goals came to mind that have intensified over the passing years. They are: 1. Seek, above everything else, to bring glory to God tlCor. 10:30 2. Cultivate the inner life Q2 Peter 3:l8l 3. Disciple as many people as possible IMatt. 28:19-2Ol 4. Win as many people to lesus Christ as possible tProv. 11:3Ol Today, forty-seven years later, those are still my goals. As I knelt, aglow with love and enthusiasm, I vowed to be a witness. My commitment was, to the best of my ability, a total commitment. Dr. George Sweeting wwihmfmif,,,,,::w.t,,,,,...,,,,5,,M,,2.s. st, ,...... ,W .BM ,,

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Vice Presidents aseioilli Childhood Memories s an eight-year-old boy, I was confined to bed for a year with rheumatic fever. My dad made a special large table for me to go over my bed, allowing me to play with my cars and to color. That act of love was very special, and I will never forget it. My dad set a great example for me, and I continue to thank the Lord for him. james A. Gwinn Vice President for Public Ministries pleasant memory to me is that of an unexpected op- portunity to go to camp at Word of Life at Schroon Lake, New York. It was a great week of participating in sporting events, meeting other kids from different areas, studying the Bible and ex- periencing a deeper relationship Memo with the Lord. This was all made possible by a Christian business- man who demonstrated love and concern by providing the needed funds. This act of generosity has continually been a source of in- spiration and gratitude for me. Donald P. Leach Vice President and Treasurer aving been raised in a small resort town in Wisconsin, you can imagine that l have many pleasant childhood memories, however, among those the most vivid are the experiences and va- cations that we had as a family. In addition to my parents, I had three sisters and one brother. We always looked forward to the summer, particularly to our annual summer vacation. These were planned in detail as a fam- ily. The vacation, no matter where it was or what we did, was always the highlight of the year. Holidays also were a time when we got together with rela- tives. We played games, sang, and had special times around the table during meals. My wife, Pat, and I try to build into our family experiences and memories that will endure just like those we have of our childhood and family experience. Fred Rudy Vice President for Administrative Services was a six-year-old cowboy that March 15 evening in 1956. Happily riding the range in the liv- ing room on the back of my trusty steed factually our couchj, my perch brought me eye-level to a painting on the wall. It depicted jesus knocking on a door with no handle. My two older brothers and my father were out that night, so I asked Mom about it. She explained that the door was the door of my heart and that the only handle was on the inside. If jesus was going to come in, I would be the one to open the door. I don't remember having thought symbolically before that, but somehow I understood. She helped me memorize Revelation 3:20 and prayed with me. There was little drama, no turning from a life of deep sin, but a transaction took place. I would learn and grow and even rededicate my life later, but I was saved that night. I remember it 31 years later as if it were yesterday. 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me fRev. 3:20, NASj. jerry B. jenkins Vice President for Publishing