Fall_2017

Fall 2017

FACULTY
SPOTLIGHT

Jim Hofman - Following God Back to Ministry
Jim Hofman and his wife Tammy are the BA - Moody Bible Institute (1990)

parents of Joshua, a current senior, and Bec- Pastoral Studies

ca, a seventh grader. And while Mr. Hofman is MDiv - Western Seminary (1993)

now in his tenth year at SBA, he says teaching MEd - MidAmerican Nazarene

high school was not on his radar when he left University (2014)

seminary. “I was focused on pastoral ministry Emphasis in Technology-

and God opened the doors for me to pastor Enhanced Learning

a church in Sumner, NE and Storm Lake, IA,”

he says. “In 2005 I left ministry and my family Joined SBA faculty in 2008

and I moved to Manhattan, KS to be a part

of the EFCA’s recovery church program. While Teaches 9-12 Bible, Philosophy,

in that program Tammy and I attended Son- Psychology; campus pastor

scape Retreat Center, where we sensed God calling us back into ministry. I began

to send resumes out in 2007, but God did not open any doors for us. In April of

2008, I was told by my landlord we would need to be out of our house by July.

So one morning I typed in ‘Bible Teacher’ in a job search site, and Sunshine Bible

Academy came up.” The rest, as they say, is history.

As for what he enjoys most about teaching at SBA, Mr. Hofman says he enjoys

being a part of what God is doing in students’ lives. “As a Youth Pastor, I would

only see my teens two or three times a week, but here I get to live with them and

get to know them on a much deeper level. I also enjoy challenging my students to

think more biblically about the world around them and seeing them challenge the

ideas the world is trying to throw at them.”

2 | The Crusader

From Our Superintendent 4

A New Face 5

School Board Accreditation 6
Honduras 8

Tom Young, Chairman European Tour 10

Onida, SD My Summer in Ireland 12

Paul Beckwith, Vice Chairman How We Spent Our Summer 14

Pierre, SD Seek the Lord 16

David VanHeuvelen, Secretary Spirit Week 18

Emmetsburg, IA Homecoming 2017 20

Daniel Paul, Treasurer ‘50s and ‘60s Reunion 22

Carson, ND Clarifying the Mission 23

Gaven Banik Crusader Athletics 24

Hartford, SD Development Corner 26

Phil Hamburger

Seneca, SD

Andy Michaelis

Wessington, SD

Ken Shay

Pierre, SD

Brad Ufen

Miller, SD

God’s Truth for Today’s Youth. SBA Foundation 27

According to its Articles of Incorporation, Sunshine Giving 28
Bible Academy exists to provide “for the general
education of youth in the essentials of culture and in Making a Legacy Gift 29
the arts and sciences, giving emphasis to the Chris-
tian doctrines and the ethics revealed in the Holy SBA Family News 30
Scriptures; combating all atheistic, agnostic, pagan,
and so-called scientific adulterations of the Gospel; Front cover: The varsity volleyball team
unqualifiedly affirming and teaching the Inspiration reacts after defeating Aberdeen Christian on
of the Bible (both the Old and New Testaments); the September 8.
birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; His identi-
fication as the Son of God; His vicarious atonement Back cover: Some students and staff scraped
for the sins of mankind by the shedding of His blood paint off the old train depot in Miller on
on the cross; the resurrection of His body from the September 27.
tomb; His power to save man from sin; the new birth
through the regeneration by the Holy Spirit; and The Crusader | 3

the gift of eternal life by the grace of God through
faith in Jesus Christ.”

From Our

Superintendent
Iam pleased to share with you
that the 2017-18 school year has and pro-
started well. Exciting things have viding for
needs, rad-

happened at SBA in the past few ical chang-

months, and more exciting things es in students’ lives and examples

will, we hope, happen in the next of God working in ways that make

few months. You can read in the no sense from a human standpoint.

following pages about our ACSI ac- I wish it were possible to condense

creditation, a new mission statement into these few column inches some

and construction on new dorms. of those highs so that you could ex-

You can read about SBA students’ perience for yourself how lives are

experiences in Honduras and in being impacted through the work

Europe and about a staff member’s of Sunshine Bible Academy. It is not

summer in Ireland. I hope you read possible.

each page and that you join with us But I would like to encourage

in giving thanks to God for the way you to check out the SBA Face-

He is at work through this ministry. book page where, over the past

As with anyone in a position few months, we have been sharing

of leadership, I experience highs stories. These are stories of individ-

and lows as the superintendent of uals and families, past and present,

SBA. The lows are difficult at the whose lives have been impacted—

time, but they are a part of life. I and are still being impacted—by

do not dwell on them, though, and God through this ministry. Also, if

I am certainly not going to waste you would be willing to share your

time here telling you about them. story, I would love to hear it. You

But I have learned that God works could send it by e-mail or by postal

through the lows, too, and when we mail (sunshinebibleacademy@k12.

stop focusing on the unpleasant- sd.us). If you are willing to let us,

ness of a situation and check our we would also like to share more

perspective, we can find that what stories on Facebook so that others,

seemed at first to be a low can too, can be encouraged by your

lead to an unquestionable high. story.

On that note, I get to see and

hear exciting testimonies, powerful

examples of God working in lives

4 | The Crusader

A New Facever the summer SBA unexpectedly found

itself in need of a new agri-science

Oinstructor. “I was not sure we were going

to find someone within the amount of time we had
available,” Jason Watson commented, “but I got
online and started looking at resumes posted on
job sites.” Before long he found the resume of
Stacey Rickard, who seemed to be the perfect
candidate for the position, and contacted her
by e-mail. “I thought it was a joke when I first saw the e-mail,” Rickard
recounted later. “I started checking around online and discovered, ‘This is
a real school!’”
Rickard grew up in Illinois and was active in FFA throughout high
school and into college. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Ag-
riculture Education from Western Illinois University and then taught ag in
public schools for several years before realizing that she could not have
the ministry she wanted in a public school setting. She then taught for a
couple of years at a Christian school in Illinois but because the school did
not offer ag education she was teaching computers, biology and physical
education. “There are no Christian schools in Illinois, that I know of, with an
agri-science program,” Rickard said. “I had resigned myself to the idea
that I either could not teach in a Christian school or I could not teach ag,
which is my passion! So to find out about the position at SBA was a huge
surprise...and a blessing!”
Rickard and her husband, Aaron, moved to SBA in late July, though
Aaron did not arrive to stay until nearly a month later. She has stepped
into the positions of agri-science instructor and FFA advisor and is also
serving as head volleyball coach, something else she had done in the
past. “I am thrilled to be here, and we are so excited to be a part of this
ministry,” she said. Welcome, Mrs. Rickard!

The SBA FFA quiz bowl team took first
place at the Team Up to Safety Quiz
Bowl at the South Dakota State Fair
on September, 2. The team, made up
of (L to R) Evan Lopez (‘18), Andrew
Hoffman (‘17), Shelby Belmore (‘19)
and Christopher Hass (‘18) defeated
Viborg/Hurley 105-0 and Tri Valley
110-85.

The Crusader | 5

Accreditationiterally the day after the sum- Jason Watson

mer issue of The Crusader went mission and commitment to bibli-
cal truth, we can give up our state
Lto press we received word that accreditation and already have the
Sunshine Bible Academy had been ACSI accreditation in place.
granted full accreditation for five
ACSI accreditation is recog-
years by the Association of Chris- nized by the U.S. Department of
tian Schools International. This was Education for the Student and
exciting news that was the culmi-
Exchange Visitor Program, the Stu-
nation of years of work by SBA
dent and Exchange Visitor Informa-
faculty, staff and school board.
tion System, I-20 and I-17 forms,
Shortly before I came to SBA and also has various U.S. state, na-
the state
tional, and
of South
internation-
Dakota de-
al recogni-
cided that it
tions. But it
would rec-
is not simply
ognize the
a matter
accredita-
of saying,
tion of sev-
“We would
eral other
like to be
accrediting
accredited,
agencies for the purposes of South please” and they grant their stamp
Dakota High School Activities Asso- of approval.
ciation membership and participa-
The ACSI web site states that
tion. Previously, only South Dakota schools seek accreditation “to
Department of Education accredi- validate their quality and verify
tation had been recognized.
that they are striving for excellence
During my first year here, then, based on a solid Christian philoso-
the school board decided, with
phy of education foundation.” That
the recommendation of both Larry process involves a rigorous self-
Mehlhaff, my predessor, and me, study by the school in eight differ-
to pursue ACSI accreditation. The ent standard areas and the collec-
rationale behind the decision was tion of supporting documentation
that it would be wise to have the that demonstrates compliance with
ACSI accreditation in place so that each standard and sub-standard.
if the day ever comes that the state In addition, each teacher and
requires something for accredita- administrator has to obtain ACSI
tion that we feel violates our
certification, which adds a Christian

6 | The Crusader

philosophy of education compo- Character, Values and Spiritual
nent to the requirements of state Formation of Students, and Con-
certification. Then curriculm guides tinuous School Improvement. As
and unit plans must be prepared you can imagine, then, there was
for every unit of every course that no aspect of the school left unad-
the school offers, with each unit dressed!
plan indicating the content to be
taught, the materials to be used, The final element of the
the method of evaluation or assess- process was an on-site visit by
ment to be utilized and the biblical an accreditation team made up
integration for that unit. of administrators from four other
Christian schools. This three-day
SBA faculty spent one year visit gave the team the opportunity
preparing their unit plans. The next to evaluate for themselves every-
year, the entire faculty and staff thing that had been reported in our
was divided into eight committees self-study. The team met with the
to review SBA’s compliance with school board, met with a group of
one of the eight standards for parents, met individually with every
accreditation and to identify the member of the faculty and staff,
necessary supporting documenta- met with students, checked docu-
tion. During those years the faculty mentation and observed classes.
members who did not yet have it
were also completing the necessary The visiting team then sub-
coursework and writing assignments mitted a 60-page report to the
to obtain their ACSI certification. regional acceditation commission
The SBA school board also spent a which had to give final approval.
couple of years carefully working The report included this statement
through the board policy manual in its conclusion: “During its 66
to ensure that policies were written years in existence, SBA has gone
clearly, supported by Scripture through many changes, but the
when appropriate, and addressed motto has stayed the same, ‘God’s
all necessary topics. This process Truth for Today’s Youth.’ The phrase
also included adding an element is simple, profound, timeless, and
to the school Statement of Faith on everywhere. Every faculty/staff/
marriage and sexual identity. student/parent knows it. The school
continues to present God’s Truth
The eight standards of accred- which is never changing to a culture
itation include Philosophy and Edu- that is ever changing.”
cation, Governance and Executive
Leadership, Home and Community We praise the Lord for this
Relations and Student Services, independent verification of our
Personnel, Instructional Program school and trust that we will contin-
and Resources, Student Care, ue to present God’s Truth for years
to come.

The Crusader | 7

Honduras Samantha Rogers (‘16)
raveling to a different country
is challenging; traveling to a boarded the flight and traveled
down to Dallas, Texas, then over
Tdifferent country for a mission to Miami, Florida, and finally we

is difficult. You are unsure of many landed in San Pedro Sula. When

things: the food, the water, what we landed, we met up with more

the people will think of you...You people in our team from South

name it, we had it running through Carolina. We spent the night in San

our minds as we boarded the Pedro. The next morning we head-

plane in Sioux Falls. ed over to La Entrada de Copan,

You think you are prepared for where the camp is located. We

a mission trip, prepared to see how arrived at the camp and unloaded

the people live, prepared for what all of our things. We got ready

God has in store for you, but in all for the week, unpacked all the

honesty, you are not. There is ab- Vacation Bible School equipment

solutely nothing that can prepare and set it up. We had a Vacation

your heart for the love, the pain, Bible School for the first week. We

the joy, the sadness of those that picked up kids from a local ele-

live in a third world country. Noth- mentary school in La Entrada. We

ing can prepare you for what God had it twice a day with different

has planned. Nothing can pre- groups each time. We taught them

pare you for the lives that you see the Fruit of the Spirit, did crafts,

changed, for the people you fall and played games.

in love with, only to have to leave That Saturday morning, we

them behind. Sometimes it’s not had a group of teens come and

only their lives, but your life being they stayed until Sunday after-

changed. You see things in a differ- noon. When they got to the camp,

ent light. You come back home and we helped them unload and move

realize just how much stuff you their things to their rooms. We then

have. Sometimes it makes you think played some ice breakers with

about how much you need and how them. Then we went outside and

much you have. If you’ve ever been split into four teams. We played

on a mission trip, in country or out, some team games and went on a

we can all agree that we come mountain hike as a team. On that

home changed--whether that is a hike, we stopped by a cross and

good or bad thing. had a lesson. We told them that

On May 28, a group of twelve Christ came to this earth to save

of us left for San Pedro Sula, Hon- them. We told them that through

duras, at seven in the morning. We Christ, they can be reborn into the

8 | The Crusader

family of Christ and if they accept- his past consisted of, God forgave
ed Christ as their personal Lord him, and no matter what his future
and Savior, they will have eternal holds, God knows what it is.
life. A few of the students came to
know Christ at that cross. Not only did God work in
the lives of those kids, but he also
There was one student I worked in our lives. God works in
specifically remember, Louis. He mysterious ways. We planted a
came to the camp a non-believer seed in those kids’ lives. We don’t
and left having placed his faith in know what God has in store for
Christ. His story is truly amazing, some of them. We pray that God
but I can only share part of it. He lets that seed grow in those kids.
speaks perfect English and perfect When traveling out of country to
Spanish. He lived in the States for go on a mission trip, we had no
a good part of his life. When he idea how God was going to work.
came to the camp, his teachers had I know that God worked in some
to drag him into the bus; he did not way those two weeks that we were
want to come. On Sunday after- down there. We planted a seed
noon, right before the teens left, not only in those teens’ lives but
he gave his life to Christ. When in the kids that we ministered to
you listen to his testimony, he calls the week we were there. Whether
himself “a spawn of the devil” and that seed has grown or not, only
says that he is “unworthy of God’s God knows. We all came home
grace.” We are all unworthy of changed, hoping that we had
God’s grace, yet He gives it freely! made a difference in someone’s
Louis realized that no matter what life.

The Crusader | 9

Europe Tourhad a unique opportunity this sum- Renee Seaman (‘18)

mer to travel around Europe. Mr. Queen’s residences. Though many
were exhausted, our chaperones
IKevin Waller, the Sunshine Bible kept us up until nine with a walk

music director, nominated me for through the parks of London in an

the Midwest Ambassadors of Music. attempt to help the time change be

They take students with a passion for easier. The next day, our tour guide

music on a tour to European coun- Deborah showed us Buckingham

tries so they can share their passion. Palace, the Tower of London, Picca-

Previous Sunshine students that have dilly Square, and so much more. That

gone are Samantha Rogers (’15), evening, the entire group went to

Erin Sybesma (Rogers ’13), Andrew the musical “Wicked” in the London

Shumake (’14), Daniel Seaman (’14), Theatre. The choir performed at the

and Ethan Hammer (’12). Mr. Waller first Wesleyan Church and the band

has gone for five trips as a chaper- performed in a park in a smaller

one and was an invaluable help in town. That night, we got to pick out

keeping me organized and showing what we wanted to do and many

me the best ice cream shops. went to ride the London Eye or look

There was both a choir and around Piccadilly Circus, but I joined

band section to my travel group so the group going to the “Phantom of

with students and the chaperones, the Opera”, which was fantastic!

we numbered over two hundred. Mr. I loved London and wished we

Waller assisted the participating could have stayed longer, but we

Miller students and I in practicing crossed the English Channel into

our music before the trip. Before we France after only three full days in

left for Europe, we had three days London. The French countryside was

of intense music practices at SDSU gorgeous and when we first reached

in Brookings to prepare for our trip. Paris, I almost wished we could go

Mr. Waller helped with the band back. There was trash everywhere

and led a clarinet sectional. On June and homeless sleeping under the

26, we had our home concert for bridges. As we went deeper into the

parents and family. Some students city, we saw the famed beauty and

went straight from the concert onto got to enjoy it, but it was enlighten-

a red-eye flight from Minnesota but ing to see Paris’ rougher edges.

Mr. Waller and I were happy to be The food in Paris was fantastic

in the group that departed from and the Eiffel Tower was gorgeous.

campus at noon the next day. We We got to take a boat ride on the

took a flight straight from Minneapo- Seine River and visit Montmartre and

lis to Heathrow Airport in Windsor. Notre Dame. The architecture in Paris

Our first stop in London was was gorgeous and it was always an

Windsor Castle which is one of the adventure. We did not perform in

10 | The Crusader

Paris but spent our time touring. we got there, our Venetian tour
Switzerland was next on the guide took us around the city and
brought us into a Venetian glass
itinerary, and it was one of the store where we saw a glassblower
most fantastic experiences I’ve ever create a vase in front of our eyes.
had. We went from big cities to a During our free time before per-
small town where we were met with forming in St. Mark’s Cathedral, I
welcome signs and kisses. wandered the city with some of my
Students could wander around the Miller friends and we explored the
city in groups of threes and have winding streets.
picnic lunches. We got to see the
Matterhorn in Zermatt and bought Our seventh and final coun-
boatloads of chocolate (I had to try was Germany. On our way to
make three different chocolate Rothenburg, we stopped at Dachau,
shopping trips because I kept eating the location of the first concentration
the chocolate I had bought as gifts). camp. It was a sobering experience
The choir and band performed for to walk freely where so many had
the community of Crans-Montana, died. Even amid that sorrow, there
but they performed for us also and was hope. On the premises were four
taught us traditional dances. I even different churches/memorials that
got try to play an Alpine horn (like in held services.
the Ricola commercials).
Our lodgings in Germany were
Thankfully, we didn’t leave the in Rothenburg, a sixteenth century
mountains and our next stop was styled town. Yes, it was a tour-
Austria, though we stopped in Liech- ist town, but it was one I greatly
tenstein for a quick lunch. Seefeld enjoyed. We could travel in small
was also another smaller town and groups and shop to our hearts’ con-
we got to go down the mountain to tent. It was a charming city with so
Innsbruck and tour the Swarovski many enchanting shops.
crystal store as well as watch a ski
jumper practice. We performed All trips must come to an end,
twice in Austria. Once was in a though, so we loaded up early on
gorgeous church in Innsbruck where July 12 and drove to Frankfurt to
we sang only for the pigeons and catch our flight home. I love adven-
the priest. In Seefeld, we sang in an tures and I loved this one. Many,
old stone church that had incredible many thanks go to Mr. Waller for
acoustics. Though we didn’t have taking me on this trip and my par-
piano accompaniment because of ents for allowing me and for God
technical difficulties, we still were for making it all go smoothly. We
able to entertain the audience with traveled so much and saw so many
our a capella music. sights that even now I have a hard
time grasping the idea that I was
While in Austria, we took a day there. I would love to go back and
trip into Italy to see Venice. We had spend more time in Europe, digging

to enter the city by boat, but once deeper into the culture.

The Crusader | 11

My Summer in Ireland

Brittany Arkema in these two communities, we hosted
a barbeque open to the public in
Ireland? Missions? You’re kidding an effort to give them a positive ex-
me.” perience with the Church. (Many of
“Nope!” the people have ill feelings toward
The Republic of Ireland and church and Christians because of the
Northern Ireland have been divid- Troubles and the pain left by them).
ed for years in disagreement over
nationality. The Troubles, though The pain and need of reconcilia-
nearly 20 years in the history books, tion is deeply felt in Derry, Northern
still divide families, neighbors, cities, Ireland. We spent our last two weeks
and nation. The need for the Gospel in Northern Ireland in this city doing
and its power for reconciliation are ministry with a local church. Each
grossly needed in that land. evening during the first week we
hosted a sort of youth group gath-
My desire this past summer was ering for the locals. The students and
to be part of that reconciliation, to staff would go out to parks during
be part of the Gospel reaching out the day to find teenagers and invite
and healing the people in Ireland.
June 10, I began my summer with
Reign Ministries in a hay field in
central Wisconsin. For three weeks
I trained to be our team’s medical
senior staff member. After those
soggy three weeks we flew to Dublin,
Ireland, where we were bussed to
our first site in Coleraine, Northern
Ireland. At this site, the students and
staff disciplers went out several
times, in groups, to talk to the people
of the town. They went out with the
goal of sharing the Gospel and
building relationships with locals to
foster more conversations. We also
worked with a surfing ministry, The
Surf Project, based in the nearby
town of Portrush. We spent a couple
days learning to surf; after we had
caught some waves we helped The
Surf Project host some camps for the
local youth. At the end of our time

12 | The Crusader

them to these gath- are a few things that settled deep
erings. The second in me over the summer.
week we helped
the church host a 1) An encounter with God de
Holiday Club (VBS) mands a response.
for the local kids.
Some teens we had 2) Even in the most hopeless
built relationships places, there is hope when
with the previous you have Christ.
week continued to
come by and spend 3) What are we willing to risk
time with our team. for our relationship with
When our time in Christ? What are we willing
Derry was complete to risk for others to know
we headed to the London area for Him? We need to live with
a week of debriefing to prepare the total abandonment to Christ.
students to go back to the States.
Thank you for reading, praying
As with any experience, expec- and giving.
tations are different than reality.
This summer proved no different for “Go raibh maith agat!” (Thank
me. What little I had expected was you!)
turned upside down. Simply being
in Wisconsin challenged me in ways
I didn’t see coming. I was pushed
out of my comfort zone and as so
often we do I pushed back with all I
had. I fought to be comfortable. But
comfort isn’t where growth is found.
I’m still processing all I learned and
experienced this summer, but here

Opposite: At the
Giant’s Cause-
way in County
Antrim on the
north coast of

Northern Ireland.
Above: Brittany
Arkema (second
from right) with
her Surf Project

team. Left: Peace
Bridge in Derry.

The Crusader | 13

How We Spent
Our Summer!

Clockwise from top: Rianna Banik (‘19)
worked as a receptionist at Luxury Auto Mall
in Sioux Falls; Faith Owens (‘18) took a family
vacation to Lake Texoma on the Texas/Okla-
homa border for some serious fishing; Cassidy
(‘21) and Owan (fifth grade) Watson visited
the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum
in Springfield, IL; Hannah VanHeuvelen (‘18)
made a new friend during the missions trip
to Honduras; Hannah (front, ‘18) and Taylor
(second, ‘20) VanHeuvelen with siblings and
cousins at a family reunion at Lake Okoboji
in Iowa.
14 | The Crusader

Clockwise from top: Bradley Hunter (8th

grade) playing baseball; Savanna Roghair

(‘18) working cattle; Maria Roghair (‘20)

competed for Rodeo Queen; Camrynn Wagner

(‘18), due to a broken ankle, spent a lot of

time doing nothing; SuengJae Cho (‘20)

traveled with family to Danang, Vietnam; Cailey Banik (‘17), Lauren Banik, Rianna

Banik (‘19), Willie Anderson (‘19), Leigha Banik, and Sterling Holland (‘17) did some

off-roading in the Black Hills. The Crusader | 15

Seek the Lord
Cassidy Watson (‘21)
give our hearts to God because we
This year for Spiritual Life Em- are dependent on Him.
phasis Week, we had the privi-
lege of hearing from Ken Toews Wednesday evening continued
of Kadoka, South Dakota. During from the morning session with the
the summer Ken and his wife Karen theme of searching for God like
direct Victory Center Bible Camp in searching for gold nuggets. We stud-
Ft. Pierre, SD. Mr. Toews’ theme for ied Proverbs 2:1-6 and I encourage
the week was Seek the Lord, with the you to do the same. This passage
key verse being Jeremiah 29:13. talks about searching for God like
searching for hidden treasure. Mr.
Mr. Toews started out Monday Toews used the following “R” words
night with an introduction to seeking to summarize the passage: Receive,
the Lord. We learned that on our Remember, Recognize, Respond,
own, not one of us is righteous; no Request, Realize and Results.
one seeks the Lord. God has giv- Thursday morning we learned how
en us all a hunger for Him, but we to boil a frog or, more simply, the
sometimes try to satisfy that hunger danger of compromising in the little
with our own desires. God is the only things. We looked at the life of Lot
One who can satisfy that hunger. and how the small choices he made
Mr. Toews ended the night by giving led him into a life not pleasing to
us the assignment to read Joshua 9 God. At the end of the message we
and find the verse that talked about
seeking (or not seeking) the Lord.

On Tuesday morning Mr. Toews
taught us that seeking God is a dis-
cipline, something that takes effort.
He also told us that we should seek
God’s direction about everything, no
matter how easy the decision seems.

We did not have chapel Tues-
day night because of volleyball, so
Wednesday morning the topic was
seeking the Lord with all your heart.
Mr. Toews told us that God is our
greatest treasure, nothing is more
important than He is. Because of
this, we need to desire God above
everything else. Lots of things are
calling for our hearts, but we need to

16 | The Crusader

divided up into our House Groups earth. Some things will last, and oth-
to discuss together the lessons we ers will not. Lastly, God Himself will
learned from Lot’s life and how we be the inspector of our work.
can apply what we learned in our
own lives. Mr. Toews concluded on Friday
morning by giving us some practical
Thursday night, Mr. Toews told ways to seek God through His Word.
us that God is building His Church
and He needs builders, a foundation, I really enjoyed SLEW this year.
materials and an inspector. We, as While I have attended Victory
believers, are the builders, and our Center Bible Camp several times, I
lives build into each aspect of the had never heard Ken Toews speak,
Church: the individual church, the lo- so I really liked hearing from him. In
cal church, and the universal church. closing, I want to share with you one
Jesus is the foundation of the Church. of my favorite points from SLEW:
The materials we use to build the “You must come to the place in your
Church are the things we do on Christian walk where you are not
satisfied with where you are.”

Opposite: Ken Toews speaks during SLEW. Above: Victoria Paul (‘19) leads her House Group
in discussing lessons learned from the life of Paul. Below: Margaret Kondra (‘20) and Rebecca

VanBockel (‘21) reflect on the discus-
sion questions on the life of Lot. Below
right: It got hot during the week; this
was the thermostat in the chapel after
Wednesday evening’s session!

The Crusader | 17

Spirit Weeks always, the week of Home- day’s theme. For overall best-
dressed in the junior high, eighth-
coming included lots of fun grader Jakki Burma was the winner.

Afor SBA students. For the For overall best-dressed among
week’s dress-up days, the student
council selected Camoflage Day, Ha- student council members it was Ever-
waiian Day, Switch ‘Em-Change ‘Em ett Paul (‘21) and for faculty/staff
(selected by the stu-
Day, Decades Day
dent council) it was
and School Spirit Day.
Miss Lindsey Hettich.
Students and faculty/
Hannah Appel (‘19)
staff alike had fun
was selected the
dressing up according
winner for camo
to these themes.
day; Taylor Michae-
On Wednesday
lis (‘21) for Hawaiian
evening, following
Day; Renee Seaman
chapel, the traditional
(‘18) won switch
Burning of the S took
‘em-change ‘em day,
place. The classes
and Rianna Banik
took turns singing
(‘19) was chosen for
the SBA fight song,
decades day.
various cheers were
After the winners
led and, of course,
were announced
Mr. Pedersen sang the
there was one more
chicken song.
activity. Organized
Thursday after-
by Benita Engle,
noon featured the
four students (Ever-
Spirit Week pep rally.
ett Paul, Iver Paul,
Coaches for the three
Teigan Clark and
fall sports took turns
Willie Anderson)
providing updates on
wore large photo
their seasons after
faces of four SBA
which there was a
faculty members
relay race between
for whom this would
the classes involving
be most out of character (Lisa Deal,
football helmets and balloons. The
Jason Watson, Jamie McClain and
junior high won the race.
The winners of the dress up days April Teel) and danced to a musical
were announced after the relay. SBA medley. Needless to say, everyone
found this highly entertaining--so
faculty and staff voted throughout
much so, that it was repeated Friday
the week on which students they
thought had best exemplified each night at the supper and program!

18 | The Crusader

Opposite: The Burn- Dress-Up Days
ing of the S and Mr.
Pedersen singing the
chicken song. This
page: Top (L to R):
Hannah Appel on
Camo Day; Taylor
Michaelis on Hawaiian Day; Middle:
Jakki Burma as Rosie the Riveter
on Decades Day; Bottom (L to R):
Lindsey Hettich on Decades Day
wearing a dress her mother made
while in college in the seventies;

Rianna Banik
on Decades
Day.

The Crusader | 19

Homecoming 2017
Friday, October 6, started off
cloudy and cool, but the mercury Lopez and Savanna Roghair run-
climbed, the sky cleared and it ners-up and Joshua Hofman and
turned out to be a beautiful day for Renee Seaman king and queen.
Homecoming 2017!
The SBA choir then performed
At 11:00 a.m. Student Body two numbers: “Let All Things Now
President Savanna Roghair (‘18) Living” and “He Has Never Failed
strode to the podium in the event Me Yet.” Coronation was followed by
center to welcome everyone to coro- a parade around the teardrop. The
nation. She commented on the size of royalty led the way in a convertible
the crowd, and there was Mustang, followed by the seniors,
indeed a sizable group in
the bleachers and on chairs
to witness the crowning of
this year’s king and queen.
Superintendent Jason
Watson introduced each
of the eleven candidates
for the crowns, including
their names, their parents’
names, their favorite smell
and their favorite passage
of Scripture.

Following a perfor-
mance of the Homecoming
Song, Mrs. Heidi Seaman,
Student Council Advisor,
provided a short devotion
and then announced the
runners-up and the king
and queen. Sterling Hol-
land and Cailey Banik, the
king of queen from 2017,
were on hand to crown the
winners. The high school
students elected Evan

20 | The Crusader

juniors, sophomores, freshmen, alums Second?” routine by Abbott and
and then a special trailer with alums Costello. Ashley Ritenour updat-
from the classes of the 1950s and ed the audience on Phase II of the
‘60s.
Vision for the Future,
After lunch De- including the sched-
velopment Director uled start of dorm
Ashley Ritenour construction in Oc-
led a tour of the tober! Gaven Banik,
campus for those co-chair of the
interested and then building committee
the Crusaders took closed the evening
on the Crazy Horse in prayer (though
Chiefs in football. It the real conclusion
turned out to be a of the evening came
great game for the after his prayer,
Crusaders, as they with a reprise of the
won 55-8 behind strong rushing per- dance routine from the pep rally on
formances by Evan Lopez (‘18) and Thursday).
Teigan Clark (‘20) who combined for If you would like to see more
311 yards
rushing pictures
and eight of Spirit
touchdowns. Week and
Demonstrat- Homecoming
ing their festivities
prowess on be sure to
both sides check out
of the ball, the SBA
Lopez and Facebook
Clark also page; there
combined were more
for 43 tack- than 500
les, with 15 and 28 respectively. pictures of
the week uploaded there in various
Supper had the theme “Timeless albums! And mark your calendar
Classics” and the decor was in the now to join us for Homecoming 2018,
style of a 1950’s diner. Following scheduled for Friday, Septmeber
the meal, Hofman and Seaman 28. The classes of the 1970’s are
gave their speeches after which the already taking about their reunion!
All-State octet performed “America
the Beautiful.” Seaman and Hannah Opposite: Renee Seaman and Josh Hofman
VanHeuvelen (‘18) then presented an (top), Savanna Roghair and Evan Lopez; This
SBA homecoming-themed twist on the page, top: Teigan Clark closes in on one of
classic “Who’s on First, What’s On his 28 tackles; bottom: the supper crowd.

The Crusader | 21

‘50s and ‘60s Reunion

The SBA classes of the 1950s and ‘60s held
a joint reunion over the weekend of SBA’s
Homecoming. The main event of their reunion
was a brunch and program held at Com-
munity Church of St. Lawrence on Saturday
afternoon. A number of former faculty and
staff members were on hand as well. Below,
Cork Hawkins (‘60) served as emcee; Dave
Reimer (‘63) led a time of worship and
Jack Magness (‘63) provided a devotional
message. Pictured at the bottom are former
faculty, staff and school board members. Top
to bottom at right are alums from the classes
of ‘53-’56, ‘57-’60, ‘61-’63, ‘64-’66 and
‘67-’69 respectively.

22 | The Crusader

Clarifying the Missionast spring the SBA school board

began considering a revision

Lto the Sunshine Bible Academy
Second, because we are a K-12
school, it is today’s youth that we are
empowering at any given moment.

mission statement. There was nothing We have empowered thousands

wrong with the schools existing mis- of yesterday’s youth over the past

sion, but it was long and wordy. No sixty-five years and, Lord willing, we

one could recite the whole thing and will empower thousands more in the

it was not something that could be years to come. But this year, this day,

presented or explained quickly. at any given moment, it is today’s

It was clear to all that there youth that we are privileged to work

was no desire or need to change alongside. The beauty of that, of

the school’s mission, simply a need course, is that today’s youth are also

to clarify it and word it succinctly. tomorrow’s adults, so we are simulta-

The school’s motto, God’s Truth for neously empowering both.

Today’s Youth, was easy to remem- Third, it is ultimately God’s

ber, catchy and hinted at the school’s truth that we want to empower our

purpose, but more was needed. students to apply. God’s truth is not

In August the board approved confined to the Bible. We see it—

a new mission statement: The mission and SBA teaches it—in every subject

of Sunshine Bible Academy shall be area and in all aspects of life. God’s

empowering today’s youth to apply design is seen in science, His order

God’s truth. The school’s mission is and precision in math, His providence

clearly and concisely presented in in history. He has chosen to commu-

that short sentence. nicate with us through the written

First, SBA exists to empower stu- Word, so English is important. We

dents. By definition, empower means can praise God with music and art

“to give authority or power; to and we can honor him with creativity

enable.” Our task, as an educational and hard work in designing, building

institution, is to enable students. We and repairing things. Most impor-

provide them with the knowledge tantly, we can live our lives in such a

they need and the wisdom to use way as to demonstrate the love of

that knowledge. We provide that God and to point others to Him.

knowledge in a vast array of subject So, please understand: noth-

areas, from fine arts to industrial ing about SBA or its mission has

arts, English to math, science to histo- changed. Now, however, we can

ry and, most importantly, Bible. We state quickly, succinctly and clearly

do not want to simply pour informa- what our mission is: we are empow-

tion into students’ heads, though; we ering today’s youth to apply God’s

want them to know how to use it. To truth.

apply it. We want to empower them.

The Crusader | 23

Crusader Athletics

The 2017 Lady Crusaders volleyball team. (Back, L to R): Shariah Brockel, Rianna
Banik, Lindsey Wilken, Bethany Konechne, Ruthe Lopez, Dryeann Schuelke, Evelyn
Jones, Taylor Michaelis. (Middle, L to R): Victoria Paul, Alexa Kohn, Kate Roghair,
Maria Roghair, Hannah Appel, Jakki Burma, Liza Konechne, Becca Hofman, Win-
nie Red Bird. (Front, L to R): Abby Haun, Savanna Roghair, Susan Wilken, Cassidy
Clark, Dori Brockel, Trinn Connell. Not pictured: Lisa Lowman. The Lady Crusaders
are coached by Stacey Rickard and Lindsey Hettich.

The 2017 Crusaders cross country squad. (Back, L to R): Everett Paul, Christo-
pher Hass, Travis Hass, Samuel Pedersen, Jace Burma, Dylan Hass. (Front, L to R):
Renee Seaman, Alexa Kohn. Not pictured: Gage Davis, Taylor VanHeuvelen, Han-
nah VanHeuvelen. The cross country team is coached by Greg Pedersen.
24 | The Crusader

The 2017 Crusaders football team. (Back, L ro R): Grady Davis, Aaron Hoffman,
Vlad Eischens, Jade Burma, Joshua Hofman, Jace Burma, Travis Hass. (Middle, L
to R): Ross Engle, Colton Ward, Garrett Davis, Willie Anderson, Ben Deal, Evan
Lopez, Teigan Clark. (Front, L to R): EJ Big Eagle, Iver Paul, Everett Paul, Titus
Deal, Joel Underwood. Not pictured: Jeremy Kim. The Crusaders are coached by
Jamie McClain and Jason Burma.

Above left: Christopher Hass gives it everything he has in the September 16 cross
country meet in Gettysburg. Center: Lindsey Wilken blocks the volleyball in the
September 8 game against Aberdeen Christian School. Right: Ross Engle passes
over the defense in the September 1 game against Tiospa Zina.

The Crusader | 25

Development www.cat.com
Corner Ashley Ritenour

Building sustainable relationships for
the mission of Sunshine Bible Academy

As I write this article, I am very thankful for
all of you. Your interest in the new dorms’ project
is so encouraging and I’m excited to share that
between the Lord’s provision and your continued support, Phase II construction
of the first dorm will begin in October 2017. As you can see from the graphic
below, Phase II looks like a large V with two dormitory wings and the large
open space for the kitchen/dining hall/commons area.

A few changes were recently made on the Phase II building plan:
• The two wings of the dorm will be mirror images of each other. They
will include three staff apartments (one three-bedroom, two one-bedroom),
one “sick room” and sixteen dorm rooms with a capacity of four students
each (64 students total per wing) giving SBA a future capacity of 128
boarding students.
• The boys’ dormitory will be built first – starting October 2017
SBA leadership, staff, and students are excited to begin this much need-
ed project and the plan is to have the shell up before snow flies and steadily
work through the winter on completing it. We are nearly at that first $1.2m
needed for the boys’ dormitory so please pray that the Lord would provide
so that we can keep raising the funds to then begin building the girls’ dorm
and kitchen/dining hall as soon as possible.
If you are interested in helping this project continue, please consider
making a financial commitment to the future of SBA; you can truly make an
eternal impact! Call me if you have questions at 605-870-1659 or email
[email protected]. 1 Peter 4:9 “As each man has received a gift, use
it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” (ESV)
26 | The Crusader

www.cat.com SBA Foundation David Paul

Anumber of years back the SBA Foun-
dation held a super meeting in Bison,
South Dakota. Our agenda for the
evening was to promote the cattle program
and we had a speaker there outlining the
do’s and don’ts of estate planning. (Most-
ly the do’s!) The topic of the necessity for
Sunshine to be moving ahead in building
new dorms came up. Ted Brockel, long time supporter of SBA, whose four
daughters graduated from SBA, in his usual direct manner, loudly made this
statement: “I’d like to take a D-8 Cat up to the north end of that girls’ dorm
and just shove it all in a pile and then build a new one!” Well it is not going
to happen quite as dramatically as Ted envisioned that it could. The old girls’
dorm will need to stand until a new dormitory is built.

Preparation for building the new dorms began more than a year ago
when a gravel fill was put into the old football and track area. Now, with
the building committee’s plan in place and enough money to begin, the SBA
school board has given the nod to the contractor to begin construction!

The SBA Foundation’s role is in holding and accounting for all money
given to the building fund, making sure that each dollar spent goes to the
building process correctly.

The building of new dormitories is really something for the whole Sun-
shine family to get excited about. There currently is a source of money that
will double your gift. Give
Development Director Ashley
Ritenour a call 605- 853-3071
ex. 266 for more information.
Let us all get behind Ted
Brockel to push and shove
to get these
dorms built!

The Crusader | 27

Gifts

MEMORIALS
Gift Given By In Memory of

Given to General Fund

Janis Brockel Oliver Oswald

Rachel Barnes Brag Scott Runge

Kelly & Gwen Hettich Ken Stephan



Given to Scholarship Fund



Joe & Barb Warner Brenda Eller



Given to Building Fund



Cheryl Kosakowski Brenda Eller

Rich & Millie Richer Brenda Eller

Sigmund & Diane Fidyke Tom Kosakowski

Sigmund & Diane Fidyke In Honor of Tom & Cheryl Kosakowski’s 38th Anniversary

Tom & Judy Brady Jeffrey Hurlbut

Tom & Judy Brady Steven Brady

Rachel Barnes Brag Sylvan Kruse



Given to SBA Foundation



Joe & Barb Warner Dwayne & Verda Hofer

Given to the SBA Foundation in memory of Brenda Eller:

Steve & Margaret Frusher, JD & Julie Hewitt, Tom & Joanne Young, Dean &
Susan Christianson, Mark & Kristy Foster, Phil & Vicki Hahn, James & Tere-
sa Durbin, Donne & Marian Schuldt, David & Janet Paul, Joe Taylor, John &
Sandra Jean Walter and Ed Eller Family


28 | The Crusader

Making a Legacy Giftne of the easiest ways to make a gift to SBA after you pass

away is through beneficiary designations. Beneficiary designa-

Otions are a great way to make a charitable gift at death without

having to change your estate plan. IRAs and other retirement plans, life
insurance, and many other financial accounts can be transferred to loved
ones and/or Charity using beneficiary designations (sometimes called
pay-on-death or transfer-on-death arrangements).

SBA partners with MB Foundation (MBF) to help alumni and friends
of SBA with estate and gift planning. MBF can help an individual estab-
lish a gift plan by using beneficiary designations on their Traditional IRA
accounts. MBF
will distribute
the donor’s gift
to SBA and any
other minis-
tries, based
on the donor’s
instructions,
by utilizing a
Donor Advised
Memorandum
for Charitable
Distribution
(DAMCD). The
paperwork to
establish the gift is simple. Through this arrangement, a donor is able to
give more to SBA and the ministries God is calling them to support be-
cause there will be no income taxes on the Traditional IRA funds that are
directed to charity.

Would you consider making a legacy gift to help SBA continue its
mission of “Empowering Today’s Youth to Apply God’s Truth”? To learn
more about using beneficiary designations or other ways to give to SBA,
please contact Development Director Ashley Ritenour at 605.853.3071 x
226 or by email at [email protected] or contact Garvie Schmidt,
Planned Giving Advisor with MB Foundation at 800.551.1547 or by
email at [email protected].

A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others

will himself be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25

The Crusader | 29

SBA Family News
MARRIAGES BIRTHS
Laramie (‘11) and Sawyer Strand
Kaylee Goeringer (‘13) married Arik welcomed Tyce Stephen at 12:50 p.m.
Williams on July 7 in Spearfish, SD. on August 11, arriving at 6 lbs 13 oz
Kaylee and Arik reside in Spearfish and
Kaylee is studying cosmotology at Black and 20” long.
Hills Beauty College.

Cole McClain (‘12) married Alison Lam- HOMEGOINGS
mers on July 9 in Denver, CO. Cole and Sylvan Kruse (‘76) went home to be with
Alison live in Denver. Cole teaches high the Lord on July 18. After graduating
school history at KIPP Colorado Schools from SBA he attended Frontier School
and Alison is a nurse. of the Bible. In 1978 he returned to the
Badlands and began ranching. From
Elisa Hahne (‘14) married Evan Erick- 1978 to 1995, Sylvan was an active
son on September 4. Elisa and Evan live and dedicated member of the Interior
near Aberdeen, SD. VFD. Sylvan served on the board of di-
rectors of the Stable Ministry in Kadoka
ENGAGEMENTS and served as an elder for the Kado-
Tyson Brockel (‘09) got engaged to ka Presbyterian Church from 1985 to
Christina Franco on July 27 in Sioux Falls, 1991. He volunteered his time to many
SD. Tyson serves as Worship Leader at different church ministries over the
Embrace Church - Tea (SD) Campus. course of many years.

NEWS Karen (Bitterman, ‘64) Spiczka passed
SBA alumna Terrie Todd (‘77) launched away on September 5. Karen and her
her third inspirational/historical novel, husband Frank were married for 51
“Bleak Landing,” on August 15. Her de- years when he passed away in 2016.
but novel, “The Silver Suitcase,” recently Over the years she worked for the USPS
won the 2017 Word Guild Award for and Lincoln County Extension Office.
historical fiction! Visit her author page She also served as a foster parent. She
on Amazon or check out her blog at was a member of St. Dionysius Catholic
http://terrietodd.blogspot.com/ Church and the American Legion Aux-

iliary.

AJ and Klarissa (Sybesma, ‘99) Backes We want to hear from you! Please
have been accepted to Team Expan- send all information and updates
sion. They completed their required to [email protected].
training in Kentucky and returned to

Tanzania on September 25.

30 | The Crusader

Calendar

Upcoming events...

OCT Servant Days Trips

18-20 (Senior Trip: 10/14-10/20)

OCT State Cross Country Meet
21 Rapid City

OCT All-State Choir and Orchestra
28 Sioux Falls

OCT BEST Robotics Game Day
28 SDSU - Brookings

NOV SBA Day of Prayer
1

NOV Thanksgiving Break -

20-24 No School

DEC Annual SBA Auction
2

DEC Wrestling Tri at SBA/Parents’ Night
5 6:00 p.m.

DEC Christmas Concert - 7:15 p.m.
8

DEC Basketball Quad at SBA/Parents’ Night
15 6:30 and 8:00 p.m. (varsity games)

DEC End of First Semester
20 Last day of school before Christmas break

JAN Second semester begins
3 School resumes

The Crusader | 31

SUNSHINE BIBLE ACADEMY Non-Prot
Organization
400 Sunshine Drive | Miller SD 57362 US Postage
Address Service Requested.
PAID
Madison,SD For more information:
Permit No. 32 www.sunshinebible.org | 605.853.3071