2018 BATTALION ALUMNI NIGHT PREVIEW

It will be the 13th Btln Alumni Night on December 27th, 2018! It is always a different mix of guys, but is always a lot of fun! We will play some games in the gym and then like last year, move down to the youth room to hang out afterwards. So many good men and so many good memories! I can't wait to see who will be at the 13th Annual Btln Alumni Night!

Anyone in grade 11 or 12 and all Btln Alumni are invited!


Dec. 27th at the G.C. at 7:00 p.m.


THE CAPTAIN



BTLN BIRTHDAYS - DECEMBER

We are almost halfway through December and I am finally getting caught up on the blog! So many good things happening in December! We had the Three B's early in the month and we still have Christmas and then there is Btln Alumni Night on the 27th!

Happy Birthday and may God bless you again this year!


MIKE TRAINER - December 4
COADY WALT - December 6
KEVIN HAYASHI - December 9
DEVIN CHURSINOFF - December 10
DYLAN ZORN - December 19
LUKAS BOSCHMANN - December 19
CALVIN PETERS - December 21
STEPHEN LAWRENCE - December 23
REESE HOGARTH - December 25
JEREMY MARTENS - December 28
ZANE LAWSON - December 31

THE CAPTAIN



BTLN UPDATE - THE THREE B'S 2018

Congrats Deshawn! This was Deshawn's second Helmet of the Btln season! Mike was in the final two with Deshawn. Both Deshawn and Mike were taken down on the final round, Deshawn making it farther across the gym than Mike, taking the Helmet and the win!

Last year we made the switch to Jones Soda with custom Btln labels! Once again, the Btln Jones was a big hit! Most of the guys took the Bottles home to put on display.

This year there were 36 guys at the Three B's! The guys devoured 8 large Battalion Baconator pizzas, 3 cases of Jones rootBeer, over 100 Bonuts and two huge pots of Beans!

At the Three B's we are always short on time, but we always make time for Murderball! This year we played four games and my team lost every game! Better luck next year?

Thanks to my mom for making the Bonuts!

Special thanks to all the leaders who have helped out so much in the First Half of the Btln year! We could not have Btln without you!


The Second Half of the Btln year begins on Wednesday, January 9, 2019!


THE CAPTAIN



BTLN PREVIEW - THE THREE B'S

This week is the Three B's Btln Christmas party! Like in the past, there will Be the Btln Baconator pizzas, Beans, rootBeer and Bonuts! Can't wait to party Btln style!

Wednesday, Dec. 5th at 7:00 p.m.


THE CAPTAIN



BTLN BIRTHDAYS - NOVEMBER

Last Day of the month and I am finally getting this done! It is good to look back at these pictures and remember all the good times that we have had together over the years!

Happy Birthday and may God bless you again this year!


MITCH BRON - November 6

MATT BARG - November 9

DAN TRITHARDT - November 9

LUKE MARTENS - November 10
NATE KLASSEN - November 17

DEVAN ENGLAND - November 19

NATHAN BALL - November 20

  

THE CAPTAIN



BTLN UPDATE

Congrats Riley! This was Riley's second Helmet of the Btln Season! Riley has now won two Helmets in the last three weeks, making a late charge in the race for Winston!

This week we played Stickball for the second time this year. I am always amazed how easily the guys are confused when we play Stickball. The confusion adds an element of humour to the game. This time around Isaac's and Dolan's team were tied. We used Rock-Paper-Scissors to break the tie, Dolan winning for his team!

Stickball Final Scores

Dolan's Team - 8

Isaac's Team - 8

Riley's Team - 6

Luke's Team - 4

In Bible study our topic was the Compassion of God.

Matthew 9:35-36   Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Matthew 15:32    Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.”

Mark 6:32-34   So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

Luke 7:11-15   Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.”Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

Jesus was and is still is compassionate! Jesus healed everyone that asked, fed them, taught them and even raised them from the dead! Jesus has compassion on us as well! That is why he died and rose again for our sins!

THE CAPTAIN

BTLN UPDATE - THE 24TH BATTALION OLYMPICS

Congratulations to Isaac Holitzki! Isaac is the 2018 Battalion Olympic Champion! In the five events Isaac finished with a first, three seconds and a third place finish for a total of 25 points! After finishing second last year, Isaac was able to win it all in 2018!
This year we had 19 competitors in the 24th Battalion Olympics! Three out of the five event winners were first time winners. Riley, Caleb and Josh were all first time winners. Deshawn recaptured his Football title and Isaac won Arm Wrestling for the first time. (Isaac has won Football in the past.)


24th BATTALION OLYMPICS (Final Scores for the top three)

(#1) Isaac Holitzki  - 25 - OLYMPIC CHAMPION
(#2) Joshua Martens - 21
(#3) Jacob Colin - 20


ARM WRESTLING CHAMPION
Isaac Holitzki

BASKETBALL CHAMPION
Riley Leighton

BENCH WRESTLING CHAMPION
Caleb Tomilin

BOX HOCKEY CHAMPION
Joshua Martens

FOOTBALL TOSS CHAMPION
Deshawn Dennis


Congratulations to all the winners!


THE CAPTAIN





BTLN 3739 OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS

BTLN 3739 OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS and margin of victory

Courtney Friesen - 1995/96 - 1 point
Courtney Friesen - 1996/97 - 3 points
Aaron Friesen - 1997/98 - 1 point
Aaron Friesen - 1998/99 - 1 point
Derek Taylor - 1999/00 - 5 points
Justin Bekker - 2000/01 - 4 points
Justin Bekker - 2001/02 - 0 points
Justin Thompson - 2002/03 - 4 points
Dan Neufeld - 2003/04 - 0 points
Ben Jepsen - 2004/05 - 2 points
Ben Jepsen - 2005/06 - 2 points
Cam Thompson - 2006/07 - 0 points
Devin Chursinoff - 2007/08 - 5 points
David Podovinikoff - 2008/09 - 1 point
Zach Gobbett - 2009/10 - 1 point
Dalton Shore - 2010/11 - 4 points

Zach Gobbett - 2011/12 - 3 points

Gerrald Nicholson - 2012/13 - 1 point

John Van - 2013/14 - 2 points

Lukas Boschmann - 2014/15 - 3 points

Zach Donovan - 2015/16 - 3 points

Jacob Speta - 2016/17 - 2 points

Luke Martens - 2017/18 - 2 points

What name will we be adding to this list? Can't wait to find out! Good luck to all!

 

 

THE CAPTAIN





BTLN UPDATE

Congrats Riley! This was Riley's first Helmet of the 2018/19 Btln Season! Another close finish in Bulldog! It looks like we are going to have another close race for Winston!

This week we played Murderball. It is not often that my team is dominant, but this week my team won the first two games before losing the third. Still winning the series 2-1! We should play Murderball more often!

We often mix the message of salvation into the Bible Study, this week we took a direct look at it. The Roman's Road was our focus. I didn't want anyone to leave Battalion not knowing how to be saved from their sin!

Romans 3:23-24   For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Romans 6:23   For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 5:8   But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 10:9-10   If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

It is so simple, we have all sinned, and the wages of sin is death, but while we were still sinners Christ died for us! All we have to do is believe that Jesus died and was resurrected for our sins!

Acts 16:29-31   The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”



THE CAPTAIN


BTLN UPDATE

Congrats Danny! This was Danny's first Btln Helmet ever! So many firsts this year at Btln! It is so good to see someone win for the first time!

This week at Btln we played Handball for only the second time this year! Because we still don't have lines on the gym floor, we decided to try something different this time around. The Basketball key is usually reserved for the goalie and his defenseman. This time we made two long lines across the gym instead of the key. This meant that most of the play was on the outside, and passing was more important. Not sure that I liked it better than the old way, it was just nice to put a different spin on an old game. We played last goal wins and my team managed to get the winner! (Can't remember who had the winning shot.)

In Bible Study our topic was "God is still in control".

Job 1:6-12   One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”

Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”
Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”
“Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”
The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.”
Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.


2 Corinthians 12:7-10   Because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.


In both of these stories God allowed Job and Paul to be tormented. It is hard to understand why God would allow us to be tormented until we read the end of the second passage. Paul tells us that God told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” When we allow God carry us through the tough times in life, then we allow God to show his power in our lives!


Philippians 4:6-7   Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.




THE CAPTAIN



BTLN BIRTHDAYS - OCTOBER

October has been over for nearly two weeks and I am finally getting the October birthday post done! (I just can't keep up anymore!) So many good friends and so many good memories!

Happy Birthday and may God bless you again this year!


HARLEY KOVACS - October 1

TALON HARSHENIN - October 4

TYLER COUPLAND - October 5
DALTON ERIXON - October 6

DREW BROWN - October 6

ROBBIE WARK - October 6

DARTAGNAN BUTCHER - October 12
KENNY JOHNSON - October 14

JOSHUA MARTENS - October 14

KAYLON SIEBEN - October 15

CAM VOIKEN - October 17

TYSON SOOBOTIN - October 19

SPENCER HENDERSON - October 23
GERRY NICKEL - October 31

  

THE CAPTAIN



BTLN UPDATE - ROYAL RUMBLE 14

Congrats Neighbour! Isaac Holitzki is the 2018 Royal Rumble Champion! Nineteen guys competed in the fourteenth Royal Rumble!

We always start the Royal Rumble with the Lightweights. The final two in the Lightweight Division were Zach and Danny. We finished the Lightweight Division with the "Ropes Down". It never takes long before we have a winner with "Ropes Down". Danny pushed Zach out of the ring to take the win and earn a spot in the Heavyweight Division!

Congrats to both Danny and Zach!

In the Heavyweight Division we didn't have the numbers that we have had in the pass, but that doesn't mean that it wasn't a battle. Getting from three guys down to two can take a really long time. This year was not any different! Isaac, Riley and Josh battled it out for a long time, before Josh was removed, setting up an all grade twelve final! I love the "Final Two-Ropes Down" tradition that we started a few years ago. Everyone is watching and cheering for the Final Two! There isn't any place to hide when the ropes are down, making for an exciting finish! In the end, Isaac was able to push Riley out of the ring for the win! My highlight is always when everyone rushes the new Champion!


Congrats to both Riley and Isaac, it was an amazing finish!


2018 Royal Rumble Champion - Isaac Holitzki

2018 Lightweight Division Champion - Danny Macmaster

Special Thanks to Ryley, Ben, Jason, Coady and George for all of their help! The Royal Rumble is not possible without your help!


THE CAPTAIN



BTLN PREVIEW - ROYAL RUMBLE 14

Royal Rumble 14 (Wrestling) is this Wednesday! Will one of the grade twelves win the Belt? Or is there someone that can surprise us? I can't wait to find out! Remember, the final two will be Ropes Down! Have fun and good luck to all!

There are two weight classes. The Lightweight division, grades 7-9 and The Heavyweight division, grades 10-12.

 

Make sure that you are early, and bring a friend! (6:45 p.m. Wednesday Night)

ROYAL RUMBLE CHAMPIONS
2005-06 BEN JEPSEN
2006-07 JASON HAYASHI
2007-08 DEVIN CHURSINOFF
2008-09 DREW BROWN
2009-10 SAM SCHIESSER
2010-11 STEVIE LAWRENCE
2011-12 ZACH GOBBETT

2012-13 MAXWELL NICHOLSON

2013-14 MAXWELL NICHOLSON

2014-15 TYLER COUPLAND

2015-16 NOAH MAKORTOFF

2016-17 PHOENIX THOMSON

2017-18 LUKE MARTENS

 

 

 THE CAPTAIN





BTLN UPDATE

Congrats Josh! This is Josh's second Helmet of the Btln Year! It was an epic battle this week between Josh and Deshawn! There were five rounds with the final two, before Josh outgained Deshawn on the final round to take the win!

This week we played Murderball for only the second time this year. Before we got going, I thought that my team looked like the stronger of the two, but I was definitely wrong. Ben's team won the night, winning the series 3-1!

In our Bible Study this week, we took a look at Samson.

Judges 13:1-5   Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, so the Lord delivered them into the hands of the Philistines for forty years.

A certain man of Zorah, named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, had a wife who was childless, unable to give birth. The angel of the Lord appeared to her and said, “You are barren and childless, but you are going to become pregnant and give birth to a son. Now see to it that you drink no wine or other fermented drink and that you do not eat anything unclean. You will become pregnant and have a son whose head is never to be touched by a razor because the boy is to be a Nazirite, dedicated to God from the womb. He will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines.”


God picked Samson to deliver his people from the hands of the Philistines, even before he was born! This got me thinking about the amazing things that God has picked for us to accomplish for him, even before we were born! We will not be given super strength like Samson, but God has equipped us to complete the tasks that he has put before us!


2 Timothy 3:16-17   All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.


Ephesians 4:11-13   So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.


Hebrews 13:20-21   Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.




THE CAPTAIN



BTLN UPDATE - SERGEANT INDUCTION NIGHT

Congrats to Isaac Holitzki, the 31st Sergeant of Btln 3739! Isaac officially became Sergeant this Wednesday night at Btln! Bruce Jepsen (1984), Lance Martens (1990), Jason Hayashi (2007), Sam Jepsen (2010), Zach Gobbett (2012), Gerrald Nicholson (2013) and Luke Martens (2018) were there to present Isaac his Jersey! Isaac is the 19th Sergeant to receive his jersey.

Congrats also to Dolan on his first Helmet of the Btln Season! Keegan was in the middle for Bulldog, making difficult for anyone to make it across the gym! It was so good to have Keegan, Kaylon amd Bryce at Btln again!

This week we played Mike for the first time this year. Often times the scores are close when we play Mike, this time it wasn't even close. Nathan's Team were ahead early and never gave up the lead, winning big!

Mike Final Scores

Nathan's Team - 94

GeRRald's Team - 79

Mike's Team - 71

Jason's Team - 67

In Bible Study this week our topic was Thanksgiving.

1 Corinthians 15:57   But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 2:14   But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18   Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 3:15   Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Ephesians 5:19b-20   Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God has done so much for us, we have so much to be thankful for! We have victory through Jesus Christ!

THE CAPTAIN



BTLN UPDATE

Congrats Caleb! This was Caleb's first Helmet ever! I never get tired of watching guys win the Helmet for the first time! Bryce was there at the end with Caleb, but Caleb would not be denied his first Helmet!

This week we played Mike 23! In Mike 23 the lead changes from round to round. The team that has the lead gets picked on the next round. I didn't share the scores for the last two rounds so that the teams would not know who to pick on. Isaac's Team coming up big in the last round to take the win!

Mike 23 Final Scores

Isaac's Team  12

GeRRald's Team  10

Luke's Team  5

Jason's Team  -4

In Bible Study our topic this week was Freedom.

Where can we find Freedom?

John 8:34-36   Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

2 Corinthians 3:17   Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Only Jesus can set us free!

What have we been set free from?

Romans 6:17-18   But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

Romans 6:22   But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.

Hebrews 2:14-15   Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

We have been set free from sin and everything that is a result of our sin, like guilt and shame. We have also been set free from the fear of death. Freedom from sin means that we have inherited eternal life!

THE CAPTAIN



BTLN UPDATE

Congrats Neighbour! This is Isaac's first Helmet of the Btln Season! We now have a four way tie for first in the race for Winston!

This week we played Stickball for the first time this year. I think that we will be playing Stickball more this year. I love the strategy involved with Stickball. The more that we play Stickball, the better the games will be. This week Isaac's Team tied Dane's team so we broke the tie with a round of rock/paper/scissors. Isaac winning two out of three!

Stickball Final Scores

Isaac's Team - 7

Dane's Team - 7

Ben's Team - 5

Ryley's Team - 4

In Bible study this week our topic was Contentment.

1 Timothy 6:6-8   But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

It is hard to imagine being content with just food and clothing. In reality that is all that we need.

Philippians 4:12-13   I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

In this passage Paul tells us that he knows the secret of being content in any and every situation. The secret is to allow Jesus to have control of our lives in any and every situation. Only Jesus can give us true and lasting contentment.

Read: Acts 16:16-34 (Paul and Silas are content after being falsely accused, flogged and thrown into prison!)

THE CAPTAIN

BTLN BIRTHDAYS - SEPTEMBER

It is the last day of September and past time for the birthday post! What an amazing group of men! I am so blessed to know these men and to be able to call them friends!

Happy Birthday and may God bless you again this year!


Nathan Klassen - September 1

Zach Gobbett - September 3

Jonathan Fojt - September 9

Lance Martens - September 13

Ryley Heppner - September 16

Sam Jepsen - September 17

Noah Makortoff - September 17

Charlie Langis - September 20

Sam Podmoroff - September 23

Bruce Jepsen - September 24

Cam Tyssen - September 25

Cam Thompson - September 25

David Podovinikoff - September 26

 

 

THE CAPTAIN



BTLN UPDATE - POOL PARTY

Congrats Caleb! Caleb is the Btln Belly Flop Champion! Caleb is the first Champion to win the Btln Belly Flop Competition three years in a row! Isaac, Josh, Alexei and Charlie joined Caleb in the Belly Flop Final with awesome flops in the first round. Isaac and Josh both had good flops in the second round, but Caleb would not be denied, winning for the third year in a row!

There was Menno on the BBQ and ice cream cake from DQ, chips and pop in the basement after we were done swimming.



Btln 3739 Belly Flop Champions
Jordon Walsh - 2005
Jordon Walsh - 2006
Drew Brown - 2007
Andrew Eyre - 2008
Sam Schiesser - 2009
Ben Nicolson - 2010
Zach Gobbett - 2011
Dartagnan Butcher - 2012
Maxwell Nicholson - 2013
Jonathan Fojt - 2014
Nathan Mckenny - 2015
Caleb Hiebert - 2016
Caleb Hiebert - 2017

Caleb Hiebert - 2018



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