The Voice » Blog Archive » Student Leaders

Student Leaders

Introducing your Student leaders for 2006-2007 and what they have to say…

Apathy VS. Compassion
Brittany Rice – Student Council President

In the world we live in today there are many needs. No one can deny that. Even just looking around the EBC campus we can find that there are many needs. There are also a variety of needs that we run into daily. Someone is hungry, someone is thirsty, someone is cold, someone is sick, someone is lonely, or someone cannot find joy. The list goes on and on. We are bombarded with these needs day in and day out. So much so that we have decided that there are too many needs. Because there are too many needs we have found that we cannot meet them all. Because we cannot meet them all we have stopped trying. Because we have stopped trying, we have stopped loving. We have become completely numb to the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs that surround us. We are apathetic to all these needs. Enough. When will we give priority back to suffering people? We have forgotten what compassion really is. Compassion is not just seeing someone who is needy and thinking “That’s too bad. I hope something changes for them”. I think real compassion is much more than a feeling or a passing thought. When you see someone in true need and you allow that feeling to actually go past the initial step of “that’s too bad”, it moves into deep desire to help that person. Not to make everything all better, because we as humans are not capable of truly healing others. But to help the person by meeting their physical, emotional or spiritual needs. Meaning if the person is hungry, give them something to eat or help them find a place to get food or to get it themselves. If a person is cold, give them something warm. If a person is lonely, visit them or listen. In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus tells us the parable of the sheep and goats. The point of the parable is that “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mind, you did for me [Christ]” (40). So by caring for the needs of people and truly serving them, we are serving Christ. And by not serving people we are neglecting Christ. I am just as guilty as anyone. I have often found myself saying, “I’ll help people later in life, when I have more time or money”. Enough. I do not know about you, but I cannot go on any longer like this. Just writing all this down is stirring up a passion within me. Let’s work together to find that true compassion for others. I cannot even imagine what Christ will do and how he will work in us if we open ourselves up to loving others and truly serving them. I have had enough of apathy; it’s time for true godly compassion. Will you join me?

Josh McClement – Social Concerns Committee Head

The Social Concerns Coordinator is responsible for understanding the social injustice that happens in our society and around the world. They then bring this information to the students and provide an opportunity to serve in that area. The social concerns committee is responsible for the same tasks because this job requires more than just one person. This year what I hope to do is to start a sandwich run. A sandwich run is where the students of EBC make sandwiches and then distribute the sandwiches to the homeless of downtown Kitchener. I also hope to be a part of reaching out into our community. Clean sweep, which does not happen until April, is where we take garbage bags and clean up areas around this community. We also have a “buy nothing” day and we organize Operation Christmas Child. We will also be organizing other events as you will see throughout the semesters. I look forward to working with my committee and the students of EBC.

Brandon Meyers – Spiritual Life Coordinator

To all EBC students: new and returning, young and old. God has sent all of us here for a purpose. Mine at the moment, is to lead on the student council as the Spiritual Life Coordinator. What is my role here? I am in charge of organizing Bible studies, worship times, outreaches, and other types of spiritual events; quite simple sounding in its definition. Except let me ask you this question; why do we live? Our ultimate creator is the only reason we have the ability to live in the first place. We live because Yahweh created us to love and obey Him. Yet it is so easy to be sucked into the path of least resistance and live a life of mediocre Christianity. My role on this campus is to lead by Christ’s example, live for Him, change lives in the process and grow toward my loving Savior. My role on this campus is to have God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
God’s standards are high and all of us fall short of them. We need to be different from the world and stand out for Jesus so that He can work through us and change lives. Let’s not prepare for the mediocre, but instead have Jesus as our focus and follow what he wants. Let’s build each other up and encourage one another when we are stumbling. I look forward to this coming year and being able to disciple, mentor, and learn from all of you.
Blessings,
Yours in Christ,
Brandon Meyers

Jason Edgar – Encouragment Committee Head

Welcome, Welcome, Welcome!
It’s time for another year of EBC or for some, their first year! It is amazing to listen to all the stories that accompany people back to the campus-some amazingly awesome, and some completely horrible. The good news is that God is with us and regardless of our circumstances; He continues to draw near to us as we draw near to Him.
I am excited to see what God has in store for you and me, and for this school as a whole this year! I just want to encourage you all to get closer to God this year. Make sure to schedule time for Him. If you don’t, you will find yourself missing God because of papers, or developing relationships, or doing ministry on ministry teams. Get plugged in somewhere so that you may be an active role in the body of Christ. Seek God first, and the rest will fall into place. God Bless!

Amanda Gray – Missions Task Force Head

I would like each one of you to stop for just a moment and think how many times today you have ranted or complained about something? How about this past week? Month? Summer? Think about that for just a moment. Now, think about how many of those things that bothered you, you could have done something about? How many of those things could you have changed, or made right? How about things that you believe or agree with that were being compromised or ridiculed? How many times did you stand up for an injustice that you felt strongly about? How many times did you allow God to use you to make an impact on this world?
My purpose in writing this is to challenge each and every one of you to stand firm in the Word of God and use it as the foundation for all that you do. Even more than that, I challenge you to stand up for what you believe in, what you feel strongly about. Do you believe that one person can make a difference? Do you believe that one person can really make things better here on earth? Not alone they can’t. But with God we can do anything that brings glory to Him, and all we need to do is believe. So what do you want to stand up for? Do you have a problem with Christian artists acting no different from any other musician with regards to money? If so, stand up against the consumerism that has taken control of the Christian artist ministry. If not, than what cause is worth it? What cause are you willing to stand up for, be ridiculed for, or become an outcast for? What cause do you want to make a difference with? Are you sick of the injustices of this world? Are you sick of the wars that are going on around the world because Satan has such a stronghold on the lives of so many people? Are you sick of seeing starving and homeless people on the streets of Ontario? Are you sick of the way your church has become so complacent and stuck on traditions that they won’t allow any change to occur? Are you sick of those people who call themselves “Christians” but act no differently than someone who lives for the world and for themselves instead of living for God? Are you just plain sick of this world?
I am not telling you to chain yourself to a pole in the middle of the freeway and start a giant protest because you disagree with something. I am, however, challenging you to think about the things that you have a problem with, and take the appropriate steps to see that something is done about it. I believe that is something that we all, especially myself, can work on and strengthen throughout this coming year, and for the rest of our lives. Please, if there is something you feel strongly about that does not contradict God’s Word, or goes against what He has told us, then stand up for it! You are already going to be persecuted for being a Christian, why not be persecuted and exiled for having an impact in the name of Jesus, in the name of the One who sacrificed it all just so that you and I can live eternally with God? Why not sacrifice a bit of our pride, a bit of our popularity, a bit of ourselves in order to bring glory to our Creator? Why not be willing to give a little to the One who gave it all?
What’s stopping you?

“Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil.” Romans 14:16

Taryn Wiley – Recreation Committee Head

For the past two years there has not been a recreation committee at EBC. This year I am hoping that the committee can come together and start to develop a good recreational program for the EBC community. There are a few events that I have already begun to plan. I would appreciate feedback from people regarding the activities; I would also like your opinion about what activities you would like to see.
There are two big events that we are looking at having this year. The first event is the retreat to Sherkston Shores on September 22-24. The other big event that we are currently looking into is a winter trip on February 17. Otherwise the only other activity that is scheduled to happen is intramurals. Intramurals will be held Wednesday nights starting on September 20. The first sport that we will be playing is softball. The game will start at six at Idlewood Park. This year we will also be playing soccer, ball hockey and basketball for intramurals.
I am going to need your help this year so please help me out whether it is by joining the recreational committee or by letting me know what you would like to see this year. Thanks.

Rachel Neumeister – Student Publications Editor

The Voice is a way to connect the community of EBC together, as well as keeping everyone informed of the school’s activities and students. I am the power behind The Voice! I spent many hours working on what you see here. But of course, I can’t do it alone. Any current student of Emmanuel is welcome to contribute. (Scroll up to see a list of ways and how YOU can get invovled.)

Johanna Snider – RA of Upper Warder

To the ladies of Upper Warder,
I am so excited that you are all here this year. I have to admit that I was nervous (probably still am) before you all came because, lets face it, you all are a high number of girls compared to just moi! However, I know that it’ll be an amazing, astonishing, remarkable, fantastic, fabulous, spectacular, wonderful (and all other positive adjectives…) year. I am thrilled for each of you and what you have to bring to the residence, as well as to our floor and each other. I am really looking forward to getting to know each of you better, as well as for the growth that I know will happen between all of us personally and spiritually. Let’s take this year to focus on God and His will for us for our time here at EBC.
On more of a personal matter, if you at all want or need to talk to me, please know that I am here for you. Come find me, or just knock on my door. Here’s to an adventurous upcoming year.God bless you all! I am praying for you!

Sarah Graham, Beth Payson, Crystal Nippard – Community Life Coordinators

Hello EBCers! To the returning students we say Welcome Back, and to those new to EBC this year, Welcome and we’re excited for what’s ahead. We are the Community Life Coordinators and I guess you’d all like to know a little something about each of us, right? Well…

Crystal Dawn Nippard: I am entering my second year here and am enrolled in the Diploma program. I really love the people here at Emmanuel and find this to be a great place to meet new people from many different backgrounds but one common ground… a passion for Jesus Christ and a desire to serve Him in whatever form that may take on. In my time here I have met some extraordinarily gifted, amazing people and built lasting friendships. The professors are extremely down to earth and really want to see their students grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ first and foremost, as well as gain a greater understanding of God’s plan for our lives and how we can fulfill God’s purposes in this world. Enough of my babbling; I hope to have the opportunity to talk to all of you this year whether it be while out for coffee (whoot, whoot for Tim Horton’s!), during chapels, or at different events throughout the year. God Bless and good times…

Beth Payson: I am really excited about starting my fourth semester here at EBC in the diploma program. There are many things that I love about going to school here, almost too many to mention. But one of the things that stands out most in my mind is the sense of community centered on Christ that is here. From praying at the beginning of class, to daily chapel, to connecting with fellow students throughout the day, this is more than just a place to get an education. I am really excited about being a CLC this year and getting to know as many of you as I can and sharing the year with you. There are so many opportunities to connect and to serve here together and I hope you choose to get involved in as many as you can!

Sarah Graham: Wow, I am so blessed to be a part of the CLC team this year! To have team members that are so excited about being here and glorifying Jesus’ name is fantastic. This is my last year of studies here at EBC and my second year on the Student Leadership Team. I must say that this year is certainly the most fun filled and packed year that I have ever encountered. I know that those who make the effort and choose to be involved will be super blessed. I look forward to getting to know all of you and sharing this year with you.

Here’s what we hope to accomplish this year at Emmanuel:
We would like you all to feel free to come see us at any time. We want this to be an environment where we encourage one another to grow spiritually and in relationship with others here at the college. We will do our best to keep you all as informed as possible on upcoming events throughout the year. Be sure to check out the EBC website for all our planned events or the Events Board in the Lower Admin Building. There will be many opportunities for you all to get involved this year at EBC so come on out and be part of what’s happening here. Our desire is that you would all leave EBC, whether it be in a year from now or 18 years from now (trust me… people have loved this place so much they’ve been here that long!), feeling that you have been blessed to be part of something so amazing and have taken every opportunity to be involved and be a part of the wonderful legacy that Emmanuel Bible College has left for the future generations. May God look down on us this year and smile!

Ten Ways for both Residence and Off Campus Students to build community at Emmanuel Bible College:
1. Talk with fellow students on breaks or in lines
2. Go to Chapel
3. Join a committee
4. Come on the Student Retreat (September 22 to 24th)
5. Join an athletic team or intramurals on Wednesdays at 6pm
6. Attend morning prayer in the chapel at 8 am
7. Come to prayer day on November 8th
8. Invite fellow students out to eat
9. Attend pot luck meals the third Monday of every month (we meet at the chapel doors at 5pm)
10. Come to major outings

Speechless SLT members:

Erin Morley – Vice President of Student Council and Finance Officer