BFA Life Podcast
By Black Forest Academy
BFA Life PodcastNov 24, 2023
Because of Longevity - Family Story
One of BFA’s core values is to play a role in keeping and mobilizing families on the mission field. We have learned and continue to see that longevity is a key factor in discipleship and loving others well. We are grateful for this story of a family that has served overseas for over 2 decades. In this episode, we also have the opportunity to hear how mentorship is an important aspect of our community.
Website: bfacademy.de
Facebook/Instagram: @blackforestacademy
SURRENDER - A chaplaincy overview.
Let's talk all about spiritual life here at BFA. On today's episode, our chaplain team gives us an overview of the programs and resources provided to students as they encounter questions regarding God and faith. Spoiler alert: this year's spiritual theme is SURRENDER.
Website: bfacademy.de
Facebook/Instagram: @blackforestacademy
Conversation about SEW: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/e9P0tYEwAEb
Older conversation with the chaplain team: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/uHxemZEwAEb
The Choice of One Family in the Midst of Transition
Each family that sends their children to BFA has a unique journey. In the midst of transition and the imminent needs of their daughters, this family chose BFA. While their story is unique, they represent BFA’s impact on students and their families and showcase how to be Jesus' hands and feet in their context.
Website: bfacademy.de
Facebook/Instagram: @blackforestacademy
Past, Present, and Future with our Head of School, Dr. Dow.
With 70 years of BFA on the horizon, our Head of School, Dr. Phil Dow, joins us for a chat about the worldwide significance of BFA's mission, the exciting season we find ourselves in, and the bright future ahead.
Website: bfacademy.de
Facebook/Instagram: @blackforestacademy
Book referenced by Dr. Dow: Saving Germany - James Enns
Alumni Influencing Their World - Katie in the Himalayas
We are connecting with BFA alumni who are influencing their world for Christ. Join us for a conversation with Katie who is working as a nurse in the Himalayas and hear how God is continuing to shape and equip her.
Gregory Coles - TCKs finding a healthy sense of belonging.
Thanks for joining us again with this episode. Today we present Greg Coles, author, speaker, and worship leader. www.gregorycoles.com
Our New Staff: 2021 (Part 2)
We are so thankful for these new members of our team! Below you can see who is included in this episode as well as what time they give their testimony.
00:56 - Dustin and Emily Peck
04:27 - Adam and Natasha Perryman
10:12 - Pippa Raiter
13:39 - Russell and Lori Rohleder
19:25 - Lorrie Ruh
23:58 - Sam and Salome Udaiyar
28:28 - CJ and Jenna Miller
34:08 - Molly Schubert
37:35 - Eric and Emily Choi
42:50 - Craig Olson
Our New Staff: 2021 (Part 1)
We are so thankful for these new members of our team! Below you can see who is included in this episode as well as what time they give their testimony.
02:05 - Christina Book
04:42 - Savannah Johnson
08:16 - Joy Richter
10:42 - Brandon and Jana Auman
14:38 - Andrew and Christine Betts
19:30 - Crystal Dashney
21:35 - Jon and Joy deTombe
26:05 - Estelle Erdmann
28:16 - Lucas and Rachel Fultz
33:50 - Roger Higby
36:56 - Cris and Dennis Hoover
41:53 - Karis Merritt
Tim Shuman - Equipped, Shaped, and Prepared by God
Tim Shuman is the Regional Director for International Schools at ACSI and a longtime friend of BFA and former staff member. Join us as we talk through how God prepared Tim through a variety of roles, joys and challenges to be equipped and ready for where he felt called.
Micah and Heather Powers - (Staff Feature)
Micah and Heather are longtime friends and colleagues who have served at BFA in multiple capacities and at multiple times. We sat down to learn how the Lord has allowed them to invest a big portion of their lives into the Kingdom and into the global community of BFA.
God in the midst of cancer - Stu Henderson (Staff Feature)
In this episode, we sit down with Stu Henderson and talk through his journey with cancer, joy in the middle of pain, and what it means to shine for Christ list a Honey Cake Horse. Confused about what that means? Have a listen and find out :)
Three Schools. Three Continents. One Mission.
In this episode, we called up our friends at Rift Valley Academy and Grace International School for a chat about all things missions and education. Be sure to check out their websites!
RVA: https://rva.org/
GIS: https://www.gisthailand.org/
How did we get here... during a pandemic!? - Veronica Gerace and Preston Flynt
We are starting off this story with two of our HR team members. In this episode, Veronica and Preston walk us through how God brought staff and students here to BFA in the midst of COVID-19 restrictions. Also, Veronica is not an old lady and Preston likes ice cream. Don't we all?
Our New Staff: 2020 (Part 2)
A second group of our new staff share stories of how they made it to Germany amidst the global health crisis brought on by COVID-19. God's hand moved mightily to bring them here and we hope these stories strengthen your faith.
Our New Staff: 2020 (Part 1)
We are back at the beginning of this school year with stories of how our new colleagues made it to Germany amidst the global health crisis brought on by COVID-19. God's hand moved mightily to bring them here and we hope these stories strengthen your faith.
God in Disappointment - Jiska (Student Feature)
Jiska is a senior this year and a leader of the worship team here at BFA. She recently shared the disappointments she's experienced since the beginning of the COVID-19 response and the beauty of trusting God through it all.
Bayley (Student Feature)
Listen to Bayley's profound appreciation for the role BFA has had in her life. Join the discussion about TCKs and MKs at https://anchor.fm/michele-phoenix
Athletics at BFA
Nathan chats with Caleb, Lisa, and Sam about the ways BFA's athletics programs raise the value of the BFA student experience.
Citizens of the World - A conversation about MKs and TCKs with Michèle Phoenix.
Listen to this compelling conversation with a leader in the field of educating, training, and caring for missionary families and their children. We talk about the unique perspectives and challenges that face missionary kids as well as ask many of our students about their lives as global citizens. If you would like to contact Michèle Phoenix, please visit www.michelephoenix.com.
"Transitions and God's Faithfulness Therein" with Art and Beckie Melli
Listen as Josh and Nathan glean wisdom and insight from these two long-time BFA former staff members. We will talk about the origin of some of BFA's core programs, transitions in vocational ministry, and about how God has led Art and Beckie over the years. If you would like to reach out to them, you can email artbeckiemelli@mac.com
Enriching Experiences - A Synopsis of Class Trips at BFA
Each year students get to visit WW1 trenches, a WW2 concentration camp, the beaches of Normandy, Florence, Rome, and Venice. Listen to students and staff reflecting on the field trips that contribute to the academic, social, spiritual, and philosophical development of our student body.
Introducing the New Staff of 2019
We gathered as many testimonies as we could with our new staff sharing about their journeys that ultimately brought them to BFA this year.
Andi Custer, Jen Custer, and Shawn Newby (Alumni Feature)
For the last 3 years, Andi Custer and Shawn Newby have served BFA during our annual Spiritual Emphasis Week. Andi has been the speaker and Shawn has brought a worship team with him to lead our community in worship for the week. Nathan and Josh got to sit down with them, along with Andi's wife Jen to talk about their experience having been BFAers in the early 2000s, their passion for the Gospel, and their heart for the current generation of BFA students.
Spiritual Life at BFA - Get to know the chaplain team.
Josh sits down with our chaplains for the 2019-2020 school year to get insight into how God is reaching BFA students, and how they've been called to partner with Him.
Micah and Emma (Student Feature)
In this episode, get to know these sisters as they reflect on their upbringing, navigate transition, and dream about the future.
Kat (Student Feature)
In this episode, we sit down with Kat. She has a love for God, her friends, her family, and her island.
Gavin Brettenny (Staff Feature)
He grew up as a white, christian male in apartheid and has given his life to reaching the world for Christ through education. Get to know the new Black Forest Academy Head of School who began his term service this past academic year.
Graduating From BFA - A Conversation With Liz and Abby
In this episode we unpack the meaning of graduation here at Black Forest Academy. Our guest speakers are Abby, class of '17, and a current senior named Liz.
Service Project Trips - Student Reflections (Part 2)
In this episode, the students who participated in Service Project Trips unpack their experiences and process how life might change as a result.
Boarding at BFA - Introducing The New Directors of Boarding
BFA has been blessed for many years with Rich and Lynn Peachey as directors of our boarding program. In this episode we get to know the amazing new directors who will be stepping in at the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year, Trey and Randi Israel.
Service Project Trips - Student Reflections (Part 1)
BFA offers annual springtime opportunities for students to participate in a service project in locations all over the world. In this episode we ask six of our students to reflect on their experiences in places like Uganda, Russia, and Thailand.
Becca (Student Feature)
From the tribe to the classroom. In this, our first episode, we give you an inside peek into a life of a BFA student.