The Bridge: September, 4 2026

A Note from Brian Baker

Hello parents! For some of you, sending a student to college is a new experience. We are praying for you as you adjust at home. Lynn and I are also praying that this is a life-transforming year for your child. It is an amazing experience to watch your children spread their wings and soar. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions or concerns.   
  
This is going to be a great year! To God be the glory. 

New York 

Latest News

We’re so excited to kick off a new year at Word of Life Bible Institute! If you can’t be here in person, we’d love for you to join us online. You’ll be able to watch key events throughout the weekend via livestream. Can’t make it? Videos will be available on demand for replay at your convenience.

Livestream Events: 
• 9/4 Friday Night: Welcome Meeting – 7:30 PM 
• 9/5 Saturday Morning: Parent Orientation – 10:30 AM 
• 9/6 Sunday Morning: Worship Service – 11:00 AM 

Upcoming Events

Welcome Week

• Our first week on campus includes various orientations for your student, lots of on-campus activities, and our first day of classes on Tuesday, September 8! We are so excited to start off a new year with your student!   

Adirondack Marathon

• Our first major local event in the community is the Adirondack Marathon! This Marathon is a yearly tradition here in Schroon Lake, and it brings hundreds of Boston Marathon qualifiers right to our campus! The track runs through the Bible Institute Campus, so our students will have the opportunity to cheer the runners on! We bring such great energy to this event that it’s a local favorite. 

Homecoming

• October 9-11 is our Homecoming Weekend here in New York. If you’re an alumnus of Word of Life Bible Institute or you just want an excuse to come visit your student, come see us during Homecoming Weekend! It’s a great time that’s packed with fun and fellowship. Register below! 

Meet Our New York Academics Team!

• Todd Steltz, our Dean of Academics, is always happy to serve your student and give them any help that they may need!  Email: tsteltz@wol.org   
• Dan Skau, our Registrar and Institutional Effectiveness Coordinator, is our behind-the-scenes wizard who loves helping our students succeed in any way he can! Email: dskau@wol.org 
• Jon Lough, one of our Associate Professors, teaches Theology for both our freshmen and sophomore classes. Jon loves helping our students tackle the hard questions that come with studying Scripture. Email: jonathanlough@wol.org  
• Jared August, our second Associate Professor, teaches Old and New Testament Literature, along with Hermeneutics. Jared is passionate about Scripture, and his door is always open to students. Email: jmaugust@wol.org  
• Grace Bergeron, our Academic Office Assistant, leads our student tutors and organizes make-up exams and many other administrative tasks.    

Please note that our Academics Department must comply with FERPA regulations regarding student information. We can only discuss information concerning students if they have given us permission to do so.  

Florida

Latest News 

Student Leadership Training (August 24-28)

• We had about 45 candidates here to be considered for our Dorm Resident Assistants or our Team Leaders in work areas.  

Opening Weekend

• A great event with many parents here! We shared our heartbeat for the students as they take their next step with Jesus here at the Bible Institute. Watch the Welcome Meeting livestream below.

Student Orientation

• A successful student orientation in Academics, Student Life, Health, and Security.  

Welcome Week (August 30 – September 4)

• Featured a Campfire Dedication service on Sunday, Devos on Monday, Crews Lake Cookout on Thursday for lunch, and a Worship Night on Thursday evening.

Upcoming Events

Ministry and Evangelism Orientations (September 12–14) 

• We will take the students to share the gospel with people at the flea market, beach, and parks.     

Meet Our Florida Academics Team!

• Chip Nightingale – Executive Dean of the Florida Bible Institute – Email: ChipNightingale@wol.org    
• Mark Strout – Executive Dean of Global Campuses and the Bible Survey Resident Professor – Email: markstrout@wol.org  
• Daniel Fahning – Associate Academic Dean and Systematic Theology Resident Professor – Email: dhfahning@wol.org  
• Marissa Hawkins – Academic Assistant – Email: mehawkins@wol.org   

Just a friendly reminder that we can discuss your child’s academic issues only if they have completed a FERPA form authorizing us to do so.