After a three-year break, James Joseph is back at Key-Way-Tin Bible Institute, this time as a married student. James first came to KBI in the fall of 2004. In a 2006 issue of Northern Lights he told of his growing up years in Abbotsford, BC, and of his struggles prior to coming to Bible school. “For ... years I was a self-serving man,” he shared, “but I’ve found my purpose in life. I want to live for the Lord.”

After two years at KBI he married Priscilla Linklater, who had been serving on staff. They moved on to employment in Slave Lake, then Valleyview, Alberta, where he apprenticed as a millwright, and Priscilla worked in a hospital.

James says it was while he was off work for a few days with an injury that he spent extra time reading the Bible and praying about their future. Some of their pastor’s sermons had caused him to consider returning to KBI to resume study of the Word.

There were other reasons, too. “Seeing the state of my family, and people out there needing God, made me want to study and grow in the Word to help others more effectively,” he says. Priscilla has been a big encouragement to him, he adds, and supportive of him coming back.

Now back in classes, he’s enjoying the teaching and discussions. “Things from two years ago are coming back to me, and things are coming together,” he says. He’s especially appreciating the study of Bible characters.

James believes that many people have heard the Bible stories, but do not know them well, and haven’t thought about the “purpose” of the stories. He’s realizing how human the Bible story characters were, how both their good and bad qualities are mentioned. They made mistakes, but God still used them. That encourages James, and these are thoughts he wants to share with others.

Daily morning chapels at Key-Way-Tin are a highlight for James, worshiping together with staff and students, and praying together. He says he’s learning to be a leader. Priscilla was able to transfer to work in the Lac La Biche hospital, and joins in for chapel and prayer meetings when she’s able. She enjoys her work, talking with people and living Christ before them.

James encourages other First Nations believers to consider coming to KBI. “Even if you have a good job, come if the Lord is leading you,” he says. “God is more important than anything else in this world. I let go of my job because God called me here. It’s important to be obedient.”

A Scripture especially meaningful to James is Luke 1:49-50: “For the Mighty One is holy, and He has done great things for me. He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear Him.”

(from Northern Lights Issue #518)