Admissions Team
Abigail Boyko
Drew Deshetsky
Drew Regan
Gaby Hackett
Kairo Oliveira
Kara Strahan
I had the privilege to grow up in a Christian home and came to know the Lord at a young age. After high school, I went on to Clearwater Christian College where the Lord allowed me to grow and develop in my relationship with Him. After college, I came to Word of Life Florida to work for a couple of years before meeting my husband and living in Indiana for several years before the Lord brought our family back to Florida. I now serve as the Recruitment Coordinator for both Bible Institutes and am so thankful for the ministry God has given me here.
Word of Life is a family. I think one thing that sets the Bible Institute apart from other schools is its size, and the ability for staff members and other adults to come alongside and encourage and disciple students in a personal way.
Brian Tanedo
I grew up in a broken home. My parents were divorced and not living for God and my childhood was full of difficulties. But, when I was 7, both of my biological parents came to know the Lord as their Savior! After that, I was constantly in church and started hearing the Gospel, or the good news. It wasn’t until I was in junior high when my Fellowship of Christian Athletes group at my public school took me to see a play called Heaven’s Gates and Hell’s Flames that I understood I had sin in my life.
I was angry at my parents for divorcing and bitter toward my dad and step-dad for their mistakes. I was lustful and jealous of others. God showed me that night that my sin would keep me from His presence in heaven and that I needed saving from His wrath for sin. I knew that I would be separate from God forever if I died right then! But God, graciously showed me as well that there is hope and I could have salvation that meant my sins were forgiven and my relationship with Him restored if I turned from my sin, put my faith in His Son Jesus Christ, and believed that God raised him from the dead.
I prayed that night to turn from my sin to Christ! It was the best decision I have ever made. After I graduated high school, I started attending a public community college, but through some terrible decisions, God showed me he had a different plan for my life. I attended the Word of Life Bible Institute in 2008-2009 and God radically changed my life! I knew that I had forgiveness, but it wasn’t until I was at the Bible Institute that I realized that I needed, and wanted, to give God my whole life, not just trust Him with my eternal security.
I ended up staying with Word of Life as an intern, I met my wife here and we eventually left to start a family. After serving several years in Admissions at WOLBI, I received a job at Cedarville University in their Admissions Department. A couple of years, and kids later, my wife and I accepted Word of Life’s offer to come back and lead the Admissions Department. I am so blessed to serve at the college that God used to change my life and my mission is to see every Christian find that deeper walk with God and I believe the best place to do that is at the Word of Life Bible Institute!
I think what makes Word of Life different is that the students are immediately putting their faith and learning into action through ministry. Every student is required to be in ministry and you learn very early on that ministry doesn’t mean just preaching. Anything in life that we do can be a ministry and can point people to God. I have been on platform ministries and behind the scenes ministries, and it all brings glory and honor to Him with equal opportunity to show people Jesus.
Kinga Vickery
The Lord allowed me to know Him from a young age. This gave a good foundation of knowing that even when we don’t think or feel that He is near, He is ALWAYS faithful, and my circumstances and current situations are working together to bring me closer to Him. My husband and I have 3 kids and we both serve with Word of Life in Florida. I have a deep calling to serve the International student community because I was one many years ago and feel that I have a special connection to them and can better relate to their needs.
Word of Life is a unique place where the students not only do life & academics together but ministry as well. This is the perfect soil for long-lasting deep friendships and accountability. As Staff we strive to make you feel at home, help you in your daily walk by discipleship and informal gatherings in our homes. We value true heart-change that lasts. Our school year ends after summer ministry, which is (in most cases) summer camp for kids or families on one of our own WOL properties. This allows our students to put into practice what they learned all year. Come join us!
