Interview with Dale Nolan Jr.

I was raised in a Christian Home, my parents worked for Word of Life since before I was born. I put my trust in Christ at a young age. I loved God, but as I got older I started putting other things before my relationship with God. One of those things being skateboarding, it consumed me. I never fell into a lot of so called “terrible sins” but I wasn’t living for God or promoting him at all. Just trying to live a life without God, and not get in trouble basically. And then we moved to a different church because we had problems in the other church we were in. I received a lot more discipleship and started to change my heart, getting involved in ministry with the youth group. Then I went to Word of Life Bible Institute and have been continually growing. I’m still no where near being any type of Bible scholar. I still have a lot to learn.

Q: What inspired you to go to Word of Life?

1. Their is a few reason I decided to go to WOLBI. First off, the reason I decided to go to a Bible college at all was because, partly I don’t know what I want to do with my life, and the other reason is because before I go to a secular school I wanted to get on the right track with God, get a good Biblical foundation.
2. After looking at other Bible colleges this one seemed like the most ministry focused, it seemed like it put you out in ministry more then other colleges. Plus, my dad does Local Church Ministry, through Word of Life. So I grew up knowing WOL pretty well. I knew how Biblically strong they are, and their focus on ministry.
3. Money wise they are pretty affordable compared to other colleges too. I had a couple scholarships towards WOLBI from doing their Creative Discipleship program.

Q: Describe to us exactly what your job was this summer?

Well this summer, I worked on the Ranch, as a Dishpit Supervisor. My job was to supervise, train, and work with the STCers washing dishes, etc. But that wasn’t the only part of my job. My job went further then that, it was also about discipleship. The councilors have one week with their kids, I had the whole summer to disciple and to get to know my kids.

Q: What was it like working with a group of teenage boys everyday?

At times it was a lot of fun. I felt like a kid at times. However at times it was really stressful, when you have to confront teens about stuff, or they don’t want to work when they are supposed too. It could be frustrating, but it was really great hanging out with them after work, and hanging out in the cabins.

Q: In your opinion, what was the most challenging part of your job?

The most challenging part of my job. Probably being patient with a few of the STCers. I want to be their friend, but at the same time, I have to discipline them, and I don’t want to have to do that.

Q: What was the most fun part of your job?

The most fun part would being able to just be with young teenagers, and talking to them, discipline them, seeing them grow.

Q: In what area of your life did you grow the most this summer?

I grew a lot, I grew in patients, I learned better on how to work with teenagers. I learned that God can use me in ways I didn’t know, that I can have a huge impact on people, positive or negative. I also have to be patient in discipleship. Everyone won’t grow or just get what your trying to teach them. In my head it’s hard to understand why they don’t understand and make the decisions they make. But I have to realize they are at a different point in their life. I also have a lot of growing to do, and when I let my guard down I screw up in areas I haven’t struggled with in a while. You have to keep your eyes on God at all times, and depend on Him, keeping your focus on Him, so you won’t fall short. And when you do, He truly forgives you, every time.

Q: Where do you feel God leading you next?

Ministry? I’m not really sure, but some type of ministry hopefully.