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 7), Ethan (age 4), and Luke (age 1). 

Contact Marshall Jon: jonn@wol.org

Mark and Joanna Bodlien (Buffalo Bodie), 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 add

ition to a 2 year Bible certificate from the Word of Life Bible I

nstitute, 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

Jason grew up in Michigan but moved to Schroon Lake with his parents in 1997 when they accepted a full time position with Word of Life Fellowship. After attending Word of Life Bible Institute and serving as a counselor at Word of Life Ranch in 2001 he moved on to Cedarville University and completed his studies, graduating with a B.A. in Human Resources Management in 2003. 

 Jen grew up in California and came to Word of Life Bible Institute in 2005, attending two years of classes there.  She worked both summers as a student on the Word of Life Island with the counselors and has stayed on to work for the Word of Life Bible Institute since 2007.

 In 2004 Jason came back on staff with Word of Life Bible Institute as a Discipleship Coordinator and also served as the Camp Counselor Coordinator for Word of Life Ranch.  It is during this time that Jason met Jen at the Bible Institute.  They were married on August 25^th, 2007. Currently Jason serves as Campus Life Coordinator for the Bible Institute and Assistant Director of Camp Operations at the Word of Life Ranch.  Jen serves as an Event Coordinator in the Bible Institute’s Ministries Department and as the Aquatics Director for the Ranch.

Contact Jason: jasonheadlee@wol.org