Our Students: Stories & Reflections | Mount Carmel Bible School

Alana

"I didn't know that Christian community could change me and my life so much. I have felt God's love through my classmates and teachers... I have grown so much because of their influence." ♦ MCBS 2009-10

Angelique

"I would never have guessed how things would pan out on the first day, but we really did become a family. People I don't get along with very well are still like brothers and sisters to me. I've definitely never felt more accepted anywhere. Teachers included." ♦ MCBS 2009-10

Beau

"I see that Carmel has started to pull the iron walls off my heart. Through that I have enjoyed life again, something I have not been able to do for quite a while... The most valuable thing that I believe Carmel has to offer is the idea of true relationship." ♦ MCBS 2008-09

Beverly

"I came to Mount Carmel wanting a foundation for my faith and that is what I got. I know more about God from coming here and I have more of a relationship. I’m learning to know what it means to live out Christianity... I’ve also grown a lot in my self-confidence and learning how to be myself." ♦ MCBS 2008-09

Brandon

"I truly knew nothing of the Bible before this year and I think I will be a greater contributer in my church because of Carmel." ♦ MCBS 2009-10

Caleb

"The year has made me feel uncomfortable with the things of Christianity. It has pushed me out of my comfort zone to the point where my comfort zone has expanded immensely. My faith is more real than it has ever been." ♦ MCBS 2008-09

Camille

"Everyone grows in a different way... I've see girls and guys really try to be more involved with people, when they'd rather be at home alone. I've seen people sit and study, or perform a spiritual discipline, or go to IMPACT every week, when they would rather not care or do more fun things." ♦ MCBS 2009-10

Carter

"[At Carmel] you spend so much time together, experience so many things... it encourages you to grow in ways that you would never grow otherwise. Many things that we had to do pushed me way out of my comfort zone, but I think I am better because of it." ♦ MCBS 2009-10

Christie

"Next stage of growth is to live my life with faith and God at the center, trusting him. Seeing where he leads me." ♦ MCBS 2009-10

Collin

"I find myself questioning some of the things I do that I would never have questioned before. I realized that I [have] spent all my life looking out for me with never one thought toward God, who I should be living for. I have changed a lot in this year at Carmel and I am very thankful." ♦ MCBS 2009-10

Daniel

"I have felt God, learned about him, and generally gotten to know him better this year... Mount Carmel has encouraged me to question – this has been so good. The books we have had to read have been a huge asset to my life." ♦ MCBS 2008-09

David

"Most of what has changed [for me this year] is my desire to become devoted to God, [and] the realization that what I do really, really matters." ♦ MCBS 2009-10

Erin

"This place has been amazing for me, I really feel at home [here]. There'd be days that I would be feeling really sad and the second I'd step in the door I'd just light up. The people have helped me change and helped me realize... that God loves me no matter what." ♦ MCBS 2009-10

Hilary

"I think what I believe, I believe not just because of my family or upbringing, etc. I've had a real change of attitude that I hope to live that out more--that it's not about me." ♦ MCBS 2009-10

Jackson

“Toward the end [of Carmel], I discovered I was doing many things out of guilt… After memorizing Colossians 3 and taking it from words in my head to scripture in my heart, I started seeing something else. I’m serving God. GOD!” ♦ MCBS 2009-10

Jamy

"Mount Carmel has let me serve others that I probably wouldn’t have. It gave me a chance to get to know God, in amazing ways, I also got to know me too!" ♦ MCBS 2008-09

Jared

"This community has really taught me the value of community... The fact that the teachers are always open for conversation, whether surface or with depth, and seeing past graduates come into the school and be met with open doors really enforces that." ♦ MCBS 2009-10

Jonna

"My love for God and willingness to do his work is even stronger and I now feel more prepared to take what I have learned and apply it in places like my work." ♦ MCBS 2009-10

Julia

"At Mount Carmel I’ve learned that God does not fit into any box, so don’t try to stick Him in one. Yeah, he’s love, but he’s justice, wrath and He gets jealous too. So what do we do with that?" ♦ MCBS 2008-09

Karisa

“I have become more aware that I need to listen to God and what he wants instead of just talking ‘to’ him.” ♦ MCBS 2009-10

Katherine

"This year at Mount Carmel I’ve learned how to be a real Christian. I’m not there yet, but I’m learning and working on it. The whole relationship thing is something that I have struggled with for a while and this class has taught me how to love each of them as my brothers and sisters... I’m amazed at how I’ve grown in my relationships with people and with God." ♦ MCBS 2008-09

Kendra

"The Mount Carmel staff are such an example to me, showing what it means to really live the life Christ wants us to... Understanding that the Christian faith is reasonable was a huge relief to me." ♦ MCBS 2008-09

Kevin

"I walk away from this [year] filled with knowledge about the Bible and faith that I didn't have before this year started... I think that with this I am more secure about my faith and telling other people about it." ♦ MCBS 2009-10

Kyle

"[Through Carmel] I think I have become more confident in myself. I am not as scared to lead or talk in front of people. I am more aware of how I live. I think more about the impact of my actions and why I do what I do." ♦ MCBS 2009-10

Liz

"[Mount Carmel] has been a huge place of encouragement and growth. People here have really invested into me, as I have invested into them. It has made a huge impact on my faith and my sense of who I really am." ♦ MCBS 2009-10

Matthew

"[The IMPACT program] has been the best thing for me. Through it I have come to see how much a life well-lived is one given to serving others." ♦ MCBS 2009-10

Nathan

"I've seen love truly grow in this place. Throughout the year, I don't think there's been a point where anyone was stand-offish. I've felt a loving hand of friendship extended towards me throughout the year, and it's been a continuously growing thing." ♦ MCBS 2009-10

Nathaniel

"What I want to stick with me is my desire to live like Jesus." ♦ MCBS 2009-10

Scott

“Carmel has made me see that Christianity is not just about myself but about others. Jesus’ command for my life is to love Him and others. My moments of joy, happiness, and where I have found purpose in life is in following this command.” ♦ MCBS 2009-10

Scott

"I walk away with a faith that is real, that is my own… I’m beginning to slowly realize that life isn’t about me, it’s about God.” ♦ MCBS 2009-10

Stephanie

"Carmel has given me an opportunity to grow in my relationship with God. Doing the spiritual disciplines of praying and reading my Bible have greatly helped with that... Carmel has helped me reflect more on what God is doing in my life and making more aware of our purpose in life. Our trips throughout the year, such as Vancouver and High Level, have been ways to realize that I can do these things of loving the poor and learning a great deal. If I didn’t experience this in Carmel I’m not sure I ever would have." ♦ MCBS 2008-09

Tanner

“The year gave me a chance to discover my passions and gifts when previously I didn’t think I had a passion for anything.” ♦ MCBS 2009-10

Tom

"This year has made me 'feel' everything. At Carmel I’ve been brought to tears, brought to my knees, stood in awe at the power of God, the grace of God. I’ve had to stand up and apologize for my sin... but ultimately I’ve seen love, experienced love and tried my hand at this love thing." ♦ MCBS 2008-09

Travis

“I actually want to serve now. I better understand how to live for Jesus. I also realize the importance of the Bible now.” ♦ MCBS 2009-10

Zach

"I enjoyed the classroom this year... I think the biggest influence on me was the teacher's emphasis on living well [as a Christian] and loving people." ♦ MCBS 2009-10