Ivan Flannery

The summer prior to my senior year of high school was filled with many decisions. Being an athlete in high school provided me with options as to where I would receive my college education. Little did I know that my first time visiting Silver Birch Ranch for High School Camp would make that decision much more difficult. My mindset went from thinking I knew where I was going in life to realizing God had other plans for my future. At High School Camp I heard many great things about a one-year Bible program focusing on studying and learning about the Bible. For the first time in my life, I consistently prayed for two weeks, asking God what He wanted me to do next in life. He answered those prayers loud and clear and I chose to attend NBI as part of the class of 2011-2012. This opportunity was a true leap of faith, as my family wasn’t initially supportive of my decision, and would have rather had me attend the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point to play baseball. Nonetheless, they became supportive, and I am glad they did, because it was one of the best years of my life. 

During my year at NBI, I deepened my knowledge of the Bible by studying God’s Word. In addition, I learned how to serve others and realized how selfish I was. I learned to love God and love other people, which I later realized are God’s greatest commandments. I developed many relationships with fellow classmates and families at camp. Many of those relationships are still active and growing in my life today. Throughout that year, my faith grew to a level I never thought was possible. For that, I am forever grateful.

After NBI, I decided to attend the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Forestry. Another piece of NBI I will never forget is meeting my wife, Elise. God placing her in my life when He did has been one of His greatest blessings to me. We now have a one-year old son, Braxton, and we currently live in Antigo, WI, where I am self-employed as a certified forester. My year at NBI is one that I will never forget, and I can honestly say that it has been one of my favorite years of life thus far.