Alumni visits
“Alums” return to visit Holsby from both far and near! It’s a joy to renew acquaintance and witness God’s continuing work in their lives. Two such visits were a part of our experience in June.
Beebe – Hagen clan
A large family group graced the campus early in the month. Pam Hagen Beebe, from 1982-83, came with her whole family and some of her extended family (which included Swedish relatives from a nearby village, who have even sent their kids to Holsby for confirmation camps). “It was such an amazing experience,” she stated. There were 21 of them altogether. Their time was limited, but after enjoying a tour of the campus, they even eagerly managed to conquer the adventure course. “That will certainly be a memory for all of us,” Pam shared. “Your staff was so gracious and patient as our group struggled through each segment of the course.”
Pam (Hagen) Beebe 1982-83
Pam reflected about her Bible school year: “I attended Holsby between my high school and college years, hoping to get deeply rooted in God’s Word and gain a global outlook on Kingdom work before I set out to prepare for my vocation. When I returned to the States, I became a teacher and a pastor’s wife. Now we are enjoying a season as the presidential couple of Westmont College in California, and I continue to see the many ways that my time at Bible school prepared me for our ministry.”
Gayle Beebe with their kids – eagerly awaiting their turn on the adventure course
During their visit, Pam met Morgan McCornack, the daughter of one of her Holsby classmates (Scott McCornack). Morgan is on summer staff after being a student here this past year. Maybe there will also be a “2nd Gen” student from the Beebe family in the future. “It is my great hope that one of my own children might return for their own experience at Holsby,” Pam concluded.
Wally Schoon, Pam Beebe & Morgan McCornack
A church group from north of Gothenburg was here for a week of family camp at the end of June. They’ve been coming to Holsby every summer for many years. One couple in the group is Dag and Gun Linwik (formerly Dag Wikström). Dag was a Holsby student way back in 1978-79. His story is an amazing one of God’s love and grace.
Dag (Wikström 1978-79) & Gun Linwik
One day on a business trip, Dag picked up a couple of young people who were hitchhiking! They were Holsby Bible school students, who were bold to share their faith. What they said piqued Dag’s curiosity – so much so that he located Holsby and came for a visit on his next business trip. It was spring break, and so not many were around on campus. But there just happened to be someone there when he drove in. They directed him up the hill to the Schoon house.
On the way up, Dag stopped to ask further directions of someone who just happened to be walking the hill – who just happened to be a student, and who (at that precise moment) just happened to have left (because of cat allergies) the neighbor’s house where Wally and Donna were having “fika”!! Dag parked the car, knocked on the neighbor’s door – and we all soon learned his reason for coming to Holsby. A deep conversation ensued – of what it meant to really know and love Jesus Christ. Of course, the neighbors had to listen too.
Wally & Donna with Dag & Gun
Eventually the dialogue moved to the Schoon home. Sometime after midnight, Wally asked a key question of Dag: “What keeps you from receiving the Lord Jesus into your life?” And so in those early morning hours, a new life was born into the Kingdom of God! That autumn, Dag came to Holsby as a student so he could grow more deeply into his new-found faith in Jesus Christ! All these years later, Dag and Gun have an active faith within their church fellowship and its surroundings.
Things don’t just happen in this life of walking with the Lord! God had all the pieces in place long before they were put into action to bring Dag to Himself! I do not remember if those students who witnessed to the life of Jesus ever knew the results of Dag’s response to the Lord in his heart. But eternity will reveal their faithfulness in sharing the life and love of the Lord Jesus within their everyday circumstances!
