OntoDryLand Dearfriends, WearesaddenedtobeleavingtheInstituteforChristianStudiesafteroneyearofourcopresidency. WeareinspiredbythemissionoftheInstitute.Wewereguidedbythedesiretoadvancethemission whileworkingtosecureasustainablefinancialfutureforICS.Weworkedwithfaculty,staff,andmanyin thesupportingcommunity.Togetherweaccomplishedalotinouryearhere.However,atthispoint,the presidentsandtheICSBoardofTrusteeshaveagreedtopartways. TomhasbeenpreachingonthestoryofJonahinOntariochurchesinthelastmonth.Alltheseworship occasionswereafterwehadsomeportionofthenewsregardingstepswithintheboardproceedings. Wehavefeltthestormandexperiencedthebellyofthefish.Duringthesetrials,weprayedtheprayer, sangthesong,ofJonah,concludingwithSalvationcomesfromtheLord.TheJonahpassageendswith, AndtheLordcommandedthefish,anditvomitedJonahontodryland.Welookforwardtodryland. Ourcopresidencywasanexperimentthatsucceededinmanywaysbutnotineveryway.Wewere recruitedtoapplytoICStogetherbecauseICSneededbothourknowledgeandskillsets.Wehave enjoyedworkingasateamandhavegrowninloveandrespectforeachother.

Weworkedstrategically todeveloptheprogramsofICS,includingthestartofaMasterofWorldviewStudiesinUrbanMinistry taughtinCentralAmerica.Weworkedtoadvancerelationshipswiththesupportingcommunitiesof members,supporters,churches,andeducationalpartners.Weworkedveryhardonthebudgetand financestoensurewecouldrecruitstudentsthispastfall.Wehaveeachspentconsiderabletimethis yearinsomeofthemostcomplexworkofourcareersthatwebelievedwashelpingtheInstituteto advanceitsmissionandleadICStowardsustainability. WehavesoughttohelptheInstitutebetheuniqueChristian,Biblical,Reformational,practical, interdisciplinary,timely,global,graduateschoolthatitis.WehearthecalloftheChristiancommunity toengagecontemporaryscholarshipandsocietywiththegospel'smessageofrenewal. WeechothewordsofDr.DougBirdsallwhenheleftashispresidencyhadjustbegunattheAmerican BibleSociety,Therearetimeswhenthevisionandstyleofanewleaderdoesnotmeshsatisfactorily withthecultureofanestablishedorganizationorwiththeexpectationsofaboard(ChristianityToday, Gleanings,October,2013). WelovetheInstitute,weloveToronto,andweloveCanada.Weenjoyednewrelationshipswithfaculty, students,staff,membersofthecommunity,andeducationalpartners.WewishtheInstitutewell.There aresomepossibilitiesforfuturesustainability,andwearesorrywewillnolongerbeworkingwithICS towardsuchends.WearegratefulfortheICScommunityandthetimewehavespenthere. Wearesorryifweletyou,theICScommunity,down.Wedidourbest.Wewerefaithful.Wefeltcalled tothisnewadventureinGodsservice.WenowwillwaittoseewheretheLordcallsus,whatthedry landisandevenourNinevehmission.WeaskyoutojoinusinprayerforGodsgraceandguidancefor ICSandus. CalSeerveldwrotethelyricstotheSongofJonahpublishedinthehymnaloftheChristianReformed Church.Ithasbeenacomforttosingthatsong.Stanzafourdeclares, Inthetombforthreedaysburied,Christhadgonetofacetheworst.

JustasGodtookcareofJonah,GodraisedJesusasthefirst. AllwhoknowtheHolySpiritshalldefeatthegripofsin. ChristhasconquereddeathandSatan:letthejubileebegin! Jonah2:810

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ThosewhoclingtoworthlessidolsturnawayfromGodsloveforthem.

ButI,withshoutsofgratefulpraise,willsacrificetoyou.WhatIhavevowedIwillmakegood.I willsay,SalvationcomesfromtheLORD.
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AndtheLORDcommandedthefish,anditvomitedJonahontodryland.(NIV)