JoyAnn Dahl Testimony

Class of 1989

My personal experience at AFLBS was one of making lifelong friendships and realizing the importance of continuous learning and study of God’s Word.

My favorite classes were taught by Pastor Phil Haugen. He was very meticulous while teaching, and he took apart each chapter verse by verse. He helped me learn a new perspective on HOW to study God’s word and in turn, WHERE and WHEN to apply it to everyday life. A big part of attending AFLBS was realizing my responsibility for being part of the body of Christ and in doing so, being willing to work in my congregation in various positions.

Attending AFLBS gave me a solid foundation to base all of my other upon, whether it is work, relationships, study, or everything in between. When life becomes difficult, the Word of God is unchanging and unfailing. Learning how to apply His Word to my life gave me a path to follow and promises to encourage, strengthen and rely on each day.

Currently, I teach full time in a public school as an Autism Specialist/Special Education teacher, and work casually at Sanford Health in Thief River Falls. I also attend Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls.

“My hope is that I would be the hands and feet of Jesus to others. I pray for my students (and their parents) as well as the paraprofessionals that assist me in my classroom. They are all very precious in His sight.”

JoyAnn and her husband have now seen all of their children through AFLBS, and this is what it’s been like watching another generation receive the same Biblical training she received years before. – “How do you put into words the importance of being grounded in your faith and watching your kids chose the same path? It’s been a privilege and an amazing journey to watch them grow and change as they get into the Word. This is powerful and something that is indescribable.”

2 Corinthians 3:2-3

“You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone, but on tablets of human hearts.”  (NIV)