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INfocus
by Frank Ward
Key-Way-Tin Bible Institute staff (and former student)
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I was raised in the Cree community of Loon Lake, northern
Alberta, which had received the Gospel around 1956 through (C&MA)
missionaries, Clarence and Ruth Jaycox. By the time I was born, there was
an Alliance Church established.
I always knew in my heart that there was somebody higher
than me; I just didn't know who He was. Then KBI alumnus, Julia Noskey,
began a Bible club. There, in my early teens, the Word of God convicted me
of sin.
I believed, but in my mid-teens I struggled to know God
through His Word. At age 17 I watched a Billy Graham evangelistic meeting
on television. That's when I decided that there would be no turning
back. And this is the way I've chosen to live.
I started attending the local Alliance Church, and I also
craved fellowship with Christians my own age. My sister had attended
Key-Way-Tin Bible Institute and recommended it to me.
Change is hard, and it was difficult for me to leave the
Reserve, but I knew I had to start somewhere.
After my graduation from KBI, I served in my home church
for one year. During this time I began the process of applying to be a
missionary with NCEM. My first assignment in 2002 was filling in for some
missionaries while they were
on furlough. Everything was new to me there. I had never had full
responsibility in a church before.
There was also a short-term assignment in northern Manitoba. Then for one and-a-half years I learned the importance of being
mentored by an older Christian, Bill Jackson (Cree pastor/missionary).
Bill allowed me personal freedom in my ministry. I was assured during that
time that God wanted to use me.
People would ask me, "You gonna be the next Bill
Jackson?!" But I learned that you can't mold your Christianity
solely after another person. There's only one Bill Jackson, and there's
only one Frank Ward.
Ever since I graduated from Key-Way-Tin, I've had a
desire to come back as a teacher. It seems God is always in the process of
preparing us for ministry, to accomplish what He wants us to do.
Proverbs 16:9 says: "Many are the plans of a man's
heart, but the Lord directs his steps." It took four years for that
desire to be fulfilled. God has also granted my desire for a wife to share
my ministry.
My desire before the Lord is to serve Him in faithfulness
and finish well ... start well, and finish well.
Frank married NCEM missionary, Lori Hildebrandt, in April
2005.
Lori serves in the KBI office.
Click here to meet other
Key-Way-Tin students and staff
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