JONATHAN NAZIGIAN
“Marshal Jon”
|
Born into a family where both my parents were committed to following Jesus Christ and committed to one another, I have been truly blessed. Waking up one Saturday morning at the age of five, I went into our family room to watch Saturday morning cartoons. There I found my father doing what he so faithfully did every morning, his Quiet Time in God’s Word. I hopped up onto the couch and asked him what he was doing. He explained why he read the Bible and then turned the conversation to my spiritual life. Although very young, I became aware of my sin, my inability to save myself, and my need of Jesus Christ. That morning, I trusted in Jesus Christ to save me and give me eternal life.
Another fantastic blessing that God has given me has been the privilege of growing up surrounded by godly influences to supplement my godly home. Our family worshipped faithfully at a strong church where Christ was preached and the Bible was paramount. My parents spent their summer vacations serving at the Word of Life Ranch & Ranger Camp, a Christian, children’s camp in the Adirondack Mountains of New York, and as a perpetual camper, I not only enjoyed the fun and spiritual influence of the many speakers, counselors, and staff members, but joined the summer staff myself as soon as I was old enough. Finally, I have had the privilege of receiving a Christ-centered education for pre-school, elementary school, middle school, high school, college, and graduate school.
During the summer before my sophomore year in college, the Lord began to reveal to me that my vocational priorities were selfish and materialistic, and I committed myself to full-time ministry wherever He would lead. Though God had planted the seeds of lifelong commitment to Him over many years, it was that summer when I fully surrendered my will to His and let Him have full control over my life. From there it was a short step to youth ministry and His revealing to me that serving Him in Christian school ministry and summer camping ministry would be where I could make the most impact for eternity.
What a blessing it has been to spend every summer of my life, serving God here at the Word of Life Ranch & Ranger Camp!
As I continue to seek His face daily, and grow closer to Him, He continues to reveal His perfect plan in His perfect timing. My prayer is that I may daily echo the Apostle Paul’s words:
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. Acts 20:24
FAMILY
God has blessed me with a beautiful, godly wife, Debbie, and three wonderful boys: Christian (age 9), Ethan (age 6), and Luke (age 3).
Contact Marshall Jon: jonn@wol.org
Mark Bodlien "Buffalo Bodie"- Assistant Camp Director, Counseling & Program
Mark and Joanna, along with their daughters Bekah and Nicole, live on property at the Ranch all summer. Mark serves as the Assistant Camp Director overseeing the counselors and program staff. Mark and Joanna have both served in Word of Life camping ministry since 2000. Word of Life Ranch holds a special place in their hearts as this is where they met via a “Ranch Wedding” in 2001 (two years later they were married for real). In addition to a 2 year Bible certificate from the Word of Life Bible Institute, Mark has earned his B.S. in Religion from Liberty University. In the off-season Mark works in the Camp Promotions department at Word of Life and also serves as the Lighting Coordinator for Word of Life’s Gospel Productions.
Mark’s Testimony:
I was born in to an awesome home where both of my parents were Christian and lived out a great example to me. I became a Christian on August 9, 1987. Dr. Dale Linebaugh was preaching a simple Gospel message, that day he helped me realized that I was a sinner and that sin separated me from God. Only through faith in Jesus Christ, who paid my debt on the cross, could I have a relationship with Him. (John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10) I was 6 years old when I placed my trust in Jesus Christ. George Barna states that, “nearly half of all Americans who accept Jesus Christ as their savior do so before reaching the age of 13.” This is why I love that God has called me to children’s ministry, most children are ready to hear and accept the Gospel and to make other important spiritual commitments as well. The camp environment is a great setting for these decisions to be made. Mark 10:15 “I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
Contact Mark:
- Email: markbodlien@wol.org
- Twitter: twitter.com/markbodlien
- Facebook: facebook.com/bodlien
Butch Davis "Buckeye Butch"- Assistant Camp Director- Operations & STC
Phil. 3:13, 14 – "Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
I was privileged to be born & raised in a pastor’s home. My dad & mom were committed Christians who loved God & loved their children. I found myself at church every time the church doors were open. My Sunday school teacher taught on eternity and the reality of Heaven & Hell. I realized at a young age that I needed a Savior and asked Christ to come into my heart. I also was blessed with being able to attend a great Christian school from 4th grade through graduation. I went to summer camp every summer with a group of guys from my church and it was always the highlight of my summer.
It is amazing to see how God works in our lives and prepares us for our service for him. I was moving towards a career with a Fortune 500 company when God really shook my foundation and I recommitted my life to Him. Dr. Bruce Wilkinson came and spoke at a conference while at Cedarville and spoke on Joshua and as the leader of the nation of Israel & Joshua’s determination that he was going to serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15b). Yet after Joshua’s death…his grandchildren knew not the Lord (Judges 2:10)…I was struck with the need to be totally committed to Christ & His path for my life and to do what I could to make sure people knew about God and the amazing transforming power he brings to people’s lives. It has been an amazing journey, yet looking back on all that God has brought me through, I can see how it has prepared me for where I serve Him today!
My wife, Dawn, and our 3 children – Emma, Liam & Chloe are so excited about being a part of the Word of Life Ranch & Ranger camp this summer. I will be serving as the Asst. Camp Director overseeing the operations of the camp. My wife & I met while attending Cedarville College, now University. We have been married for 19 years (this August). When I’m not Buckeye Butch at the Word of Life Ranch I am the Assistant Dean of Ministries at the Word of Life Bible Institute as well as the Women’s basketball coach.
Contact Butch:
- E-mail: ButchD@wol.org
- Twitter: twitter.com/ButchDavisofTi
- Facebook: facebook.com/Butch.Davis
