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In 1980, Rosie Ruiz shocked the running world by finishing the Boston marathon ahead of every other female runner. She had never won a major race before and was a complete unknown in running circles. Instantly, a medal was placed around her neck and she was swarmed by the media requesting her for interviews.
Sadly, her win was indeed too good to be true. After an eight day media storm, Ruiz was stripped of her gold medal, as it was discovered that she had departed from the course route and snuck in from the crowd to only run the final kilometre.
As we end another school year, the story of Rosie keeps coming to my mind. I have no ambitions of running a marathon. However, I can relate to Rosie’s desire to find shortcuts in life. I too, can be tempted to search for ways to win the race without needing to sweat, practice or fully participate in the run.
Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts for a life well lived.
Instead of seeking an easier path, we are encouraged to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)
As I reflect on this past year, I am so thankful for another group of students who spent the year running the race well. Students who put in the effort required to grow and change, and who invested 8 months in growing together as a community, practicing spiritual disciplines, studying scripture, and serving the people around them.
But while we should celebrate the effort and transformation of our students this past year, we also know that finishing a year of Bible College is not finishing the race. This year’s class has demonstrated their commitment to God. Now let us pray that as they move on, they would fix their eyes on Jesus and would continue to put in the effort required to faithfully follow him.
With Gratitude,
-- Nils Reuter
"There used to be a big separation between who I was in a church setting versus everyday life. Now it’s harder to keep that line or separation - which is a good thing."
- Brandi
"I’ve become a lot more willing to sacrifice and submit to those around me. I’ve learned to kill my pride."
- Nat
"This year played a big part in me discovering what my faith means for me and not just what it means for someone else."
- Chayse
"I feel more prepared to face the world as a strong Christian."
- Tess
"I’ve gained so much biblical, relational and service knowledge. I feel like I’ve learned more in the last year than in the previous 12 years of my life."
- Ruby
"Love is action and service. It’s not just a feeling that comes along, but a choice you make every day."
- Dawson
"I learned what it means to be obedient to God and what it is that He is actually asking of us. This matters to me because this was the greatest point of contention in my faith. I knew God, but I didn’t want to follow him."
- Katie
"One of the big things I learned this year is that faith is more than just a belief or a system of thinking. It’s a way of life, a heart posture, that should be reflected in everything you do."
- Ethan P.
"God is really patient and he’s patient with me. His love is astounding. I think I knew these things before, but during the year they became very real."
- Liz
"This year I learned that life is not about me. It’s about the people we can serve."
- Ethan D.
"This year has been the most impactful year of my life, as my life has drastically changed. I used to be much more distant from God than I am now."
- Caleb
"I have grown and changed into someone so different from who I was before Carmel. I’ve grown in my discipline, knowledge, understanding of service and dependence on God."
- Nevan
"Faith is not just something you have, it’s something you work at every day. This helped me realize that I can’t just live my life as a Christian passively."
- David
"I’ve struggled my whole life with making my faith my own. This year gave me space where I could grow and learn to follow God for myself. "
- Connor
- We rejoice with Katie and David Short on the safe arrival of baby Maxwell on February 27, 2026. While Katie ended the year on maternity leave, we are grateful that she and David are both planning to return as staff in the fall.
- Praise God for the large number of applicants we have received for next year. While a few enrollment spots remain available, we are busy preparing for a larger class in 2026-2027.
- We are in the process of hiring additional staff to support our staff team. Please pray for discernment and wisdom through this process.
- Many thanks to all of you who make our ministry possible through your financial support. If you would like to financially contribute to what God is doing through Mount Carmel, visit us online at www.mountcarmel.net/donate or by scanning the code to the right. If you have any questions about our finances, please contact our office. Thank you for your support.
For several years, we have organized a Camp Team as a way for our graduating class to pass on and use what they have learned during their year at Bible College by serving, teaching and leading others. This year, there was so much interest in this opportunity that we are running two separate camp teams, spending a total of 16 weeks at 12 different summer camps. The teams consist of Hanna Gurnett (Leader), Abi Sturge (Leader), Ethan Davis, Nevan Diepenbroek, Rebekah Gurnett, Sarah Gurnett, Sarah Lechelt, Dawson Pawlak, Ethan Petty, Connor Strydhorst, Ruby Vezina, and Elliott Wolfram.
Please pray for our team! They need encouragement as the days grow long and sleep runs short. Please pray for wisdom, energy and good health for our team and that they would extend love to their campers.
While Mount Carmel pays each team member a small stipend, they are raising their own support. You are welcome to support the team by sending a tax-deductible donation marked “Camp Team”.
We are in need of a few more housing options for our incoming students. If you have a house, basement, or room for rent in the area (or know of someone who does!), please contact Jeannie at
(780) 465-3015 or mail@mountcarmel.net.
