A Word from the Superintendent

Wayne D. Bond

Dear Patron Families,

As superintendent, one of my responsibilities is to arrange for chapel speakers. Being new, I made inquiries of individuals as to people whom they would recommend I should ask to speak. Over and over, as I met the individuals before they spoke, I would learn that they were an alumnus of BMS. These are individuals clearly committed to Christ and passionate followers who are serving Christ wholeheartedly for the cause of the Gospel. They are a testament to the investments made by their parents, BMS, and their churches. Unfortunately, many will attest to going through the motions while attending BMS, but more importantly, they are emphatic that their walk with Christ is inextricably tied to being a student at BMS. What a ringing endorsement for the value of a Christian education

About a month ago, I was exploring the website of a Christian college for some needed information, when I decided to see who was on the Board of Trustees. To my shock and disbelief, one of them was a gentleman by the name of Daniel Rutsinoya. This was a young man who, as a student at Northwestern College, drove me about crazy as I interacted with him as Dean of Residence Life. He was an arrogant, defiant young man who went out of his way to be annoying and to break the rules. I almost dismissed him as a student on two occasions. I couldn't help but give him a call to let him know how thrilled I was to hear that he was walking with the Lord. As we spoke, it was clear that God was doing some amazing things in and through him. He told me that he believed that it was the secondary and post secondary Christian education he received that has made that possible. So much so, that he was serving on the Board of Trustees of both institutions. What a blessed testimony his life is to the power of the Gospel and the value of a Christian education.

It is a Christian education that will give students the foundation they need as they face an everincreasingly difficult world in which to be a believer. The individuals discussed in this article bear testimony to the important impact that a Christian education can have on lives. May we press on with renewed vigor as we work to secure a future for Belleville Mennonite School so lives can be impacted in the same way.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." Galatians 6:910

In His Service,

Wayne Bond

Superintendent