Master of Laundry Love
Transcription
Master of Laundry Love
Fall 2O11 carry on. Connecting Alumni and Friends CARRY ON AT THE CAMPUS The Learner-Centered Classroom From your home in Washington, Oklahoma, or North Carolina, you may wonder who is teaching the next generation of leaders at Life Pacific College? Why are they there? What do they find as they engage students in the classroom? In the next several issues of Carry On, we’ll introduce you to some amazing professors and share their perspective of the 2020 leader. A 1976 graduate of L.I.F.E. Bible College in Los Angeles, Terry Samples was a youth pastor, district youth pastor, and pastor. However, his great love of learning, inspired by beloved professors such as Sam Middlebrook and Don Pickerill, kept bringing him back to the path of education. “I found myself wanting to make a contribution to the Church and the Body of Christ in a different way,” said Dr. Samples. So he continued his studies at Azusa Pacific University, receiving a PhD in Religion and Social Ethics Studies, which equipped him to serve the Body through academics. Dr. Samples says, “A formal education gives the minister a diverse set of tools. Studying under different teachers gives people a broader perspective as they approach life and empowers them to create solutions to the problems they will face as they minister CON'T. INSIDE w FROM THE PRESIDENT Carry On In Reaching The World CARRY ON IN THE CHURCH Master of Laundry Love A 1996 graduate of LIFE Bible College, Amy (Bates) Snyder is wearing a lot of hats these days: wife, mother, preacher, church planter, children’s minister, church administrator, business owner, community liaison, student, and Master Launderer. Seriously! CON'T. INSIDE w Just when I thought that it couldn't get better at LPC, the 2011-12 school year launched. Wow! Amazing returning students. Amazing incoming students. A move of God on campus. All that, and we get to be Foursquare too. Some of the highlights around here include an approximately 10% increase in the number of incoming students. I believe this speaks of a new level of partnership and trust between LPC and the local church. Secondly, our campus diversity is growing with a 33% CON'T. INSIDE w Master of Laundry Love CON'T. FROM FRONT After serving as youth pastors in Washington and Oregon, Jason and Amy Snyder planted a church in Vancouver, Washington, a city they have always loved. After seeking the Lord for His plan, the answer came in the summer of 2010 as the Lord provided the opportunity to purchase a laundromat in the heart of the poorest part of Vancouver. “It was old and run down. It was vandalized, and yet, it seemed to be a central place for that neighborhood to congregate. As we began remodeling, we met so many people who just wanted to share their story with a pastor,” says Amy. Steadily the place was remodeled and by December of 2010, they opened their first Laundry Love Project (LLP), an initiative founded by Greg Russinger. Amy explains, “Two times a month we have free wash and dry nights. It has also become a 7-day a week proximity place--a place where we as a church can hang out, meet people, and build relationships. Our newest family that attends our church was a family we met there. They are newly committed to Christ and walking through recovery from addiction.” “The biggest lesson I have learned is that God has called ME--not the me I wish I was [but the me I am]. I feel free to minister with- Carry On In Reaching The World in my personality and God-given gifts.” Amy went on to say that LIFE was an integral part of her personal and ministry formation. It was while at LIFE that she gained a high value of the Word of God and learned to study and articulate the Bible. But wait, there’s more! Amy is a part of the first cohort of master’s degree students at Life Pacific College. “I had always wanted to pursue a master’s degree. When I heard that LPC was offering its first master’s program, everything in me knew it was finally time!” According to Amy, “It has proven to be everything I hoped for. It has been insightful, engaging, challenging, and manageable. It has surprised me how connected I feel to my cohort and professors when we only see each other through discussion boards every week. It has been a huge benefit to be paired with such a diverse cohort. I have fellow students who are pastors of mega churches and church plants, some have pastored for 30+ years, and others are just starting out. We have youth pastors, and marketplace ministers.” She finds the combination of such vast experience and viewpoints a real strength to the educational experience. “It has already been fruitful for my ministry. It has brought a renewed vigor while informing me of current trends and organizational studies.” Amy has found that, “Everything I study is applied to what I currently do as a pastor and a business leader.” From the classroom to the laundry room, each day is another opportunity to share God’s love with a hurting world. CON'T. FROM FRONT Hispanic population among our new students. My prayer is that our campus will look more and more like the world we are trying to reach with that beautiful multi-hue of heaven. We're getting there. We've also gone through an extensive re-branding process with a fresh logo and look. You’ll notice a familiar old name is new again as we’ve embraced a piece of our heritage in our new name for this publication: Carry On. As with many of the early influences in our movement, this originated as a military term. It was the phrase used by senior officers as an order to the soldiers to resume or continue doing their work, to continue to do what they were trained to do. Our heart is to honor our amazing past as well as boldly and innovatively march into the future as we all Carry On. Office Lastly, let me say thank you. Wherever I go and speak, I hear and feel such affirmation of the role of Life Pacific College in training and raising up the next generation of leaders. Add to that our exploding Masters in Strategic Leadership program that enables leaders to raise their leadership quotient while serving in the field…well, this thing is just getting downright fun! Thank you for your love, prayer, and financial support. Together, we will effectively Carry On in reaching the world. of Advancement and Alumni Relations 9O9 599 5433 x 313 [email protected] Please email us if you would prefer to receive this publication electronically. FROM YESTERDAY TO TODAY L.I.F.E. Bible College Phil '54 and Millie (Hay '54) Starr faithfully served the Foursquare Church in active ministry for 52 years including many years as missionaries. Most recently, in their “retirement,” they led a large medical team to war-torn Sri Lanka. Seventy people from five different countries partnered with a large Sri Lankan team to serve the medical needs of thousands of devastated, displaced and hopeless victims impacted by the 25-year long civil war in the northern part of Sri Lanka. In all, 11,000 people were lovingly and compassionately treated and cared for. Glen'66 and Sharon (Scruggs '68) Pummel have ministered for over forty years in Costa Rica, Chile, Nebraska and Colorado. Currently, they live in San Antonio, Texas and serve in the Mid-South District Office of Foursquare Churches. They have two sons, John and Jeremy. Jeremy and his wife, Amy, pastor the North Rock Church in Thornton, Colorado. Dennis Robbins ’69 is living in Riverside, California and serves as the Director of Facilities Management at Azusa Pacific University. Bethany Loucks ’76 works as an emergency room counselor in Port Townsend, Washington. She has two children, Laurie, who has two boys, and Larry who has two girls and serves as a youth pastor. Carl Mosser ’95 lives in Thorndale, Pennsylvania with his wife Elisabeth and six kids: Hannah (12), Josiah (9), Patience (7), Calvin (5), Silas (3), and Simeon (1). Carl serves as an Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies at Eastern University. Mount Vernon Bible College Oscar '67 and Barbara (Bradley '66) Shepherd have served in churches in the Mississippi Valley for over 40 years. With two children, five grandchildren, and one great grandchild, Oscar and Barbara continue to pastor the LaSalle, Illinois Foursquare church – their home for the last 24 years. Lewis '71 and Brenda Bowers'69 retired in 2009 after pastoring for 38 years in TX, CO, NY, OH, and CA. They now live in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania and have two children and three grandchildren. Milton '73 and Lora (Thompson '73) Ledford are now living in Wooster, Ohio. Milton is a licensed clinical counselor and ordained minister with the Church of God, and Lora works with mentally handicapped and disabled people. Ginger (Alcorn '75) Wills and her husband Jim now live in New Castle, Indiana. Ginger is a happy stay-at-home grandmother of The Learner-Centered Classroom three. Bonnie (Whitley ‘81) Rauch is currently serving with the young adult and worship ministry at Belmont Foursquare Church in Belmont, North Carolina. Her husband, Larry, went to heaven in 2007 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. They have two children: Todd (24) is serving in the Army, and Kara (20) is a Junior at Appalachian State University. Connie (Severs ’81) Shaffer ministers at New Hope Foursquare Church in Moline, Illinois as the church secretary, graphic designer, youth leader, and missions representative. She has four sons and two grandchildren. Bob ’85 and Shari (Hollingsworth ’85) Bankhead have served in various roles of Foursquare ministry in the Charlotte, North Carolina area for over 25 years. They have served as Senior Pastors of the Mooresville, NC church since 2000. They have two sons: Nate (23) and Cameron (20). Dawn (Edwards '88) Morton has spent many years serving in children's and youth ministry in the Eastern and Great Lakes Districts. Dawn now serves as Christian Formation Instructor at Ashland Theological Seminary. Her husband Russell also serves at ATS as Professional Fellow in New Testament. Both are involved in research, CON'T. FROM FRONT to people every day.” When asked how the classroom has changed since his years as a student in the seventies, Dr. Samples referred to the intentional shift in teaching strategies. “One of the changes I have seen in the classroom is the emphasis on student learning. In my days as a student, the teacher spoke and the student listened. The teacher often took the role of a preacher and told the student the truth. The emphasis was put on what the teacher knew. Now in the classrooms at LPC we emphasize what the student learns, not what the teacher knows. We call it a learner-centered classroom.” LPC’s commitment to grounding students in biblical truth remains a bedrock value for the college, however, the method of imparting this value has understandably changed with the times. Students are encouraged to move from passive listening to active engagement. More space has been created to foster student dialogue and interaction with the material they are studying to ensure that learning takes hold. The outcome is students who have obtained the necessary critical thinking skills to effectively navigate the challenges of life in ministry. Finally, beyond the dialogue, Dr. Samples believes that every classroom is to be an example of pastoring people and an opportunity to model ministry. “Not only do we teach the skills of ministry, but also the conduct and character of a minister,” says Dr. Samples. Dr. Terry Samples has taught at Life Pacific College since 1997. His wife, Dr. Gayle Samples, founded Emmaus Road Christian Counseling. Emmaus Road has over 30 volunteer academically-trained counselors seeing clients, including LPC students, The Dream Center, pastors, and members of the community. writing, and academics to assist students in higher education and ministry. Joseph ’60 and Dolores (Bradley ’60) Dove now live in Greenwich, Ohio. They have two children, three grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. LIFE Bible College East Leslie Arter ‘99 has served in Foursquare churches, the district office, and several parachurch organizations since graduation. She is currently the Director of Eastminster Presbyterian Preschool in York, Pennsylvania. Isaac ’01 and Desha (Black ’02) Davis currently serve as the young adult/youth pastors at Bedford Foursquare Church. They are the proud parents of Evalyn, Gavin (5) and Judah (3). Life Pacific College Rande Vick ’02 and his wife Sunnie live in Round Rock, Texas with their two boys, Judah (8) and Levi (3). Rande serves as a youth pastor. Krystal Wedekind ’05 is a registered nurse in Bakersfield, California. She sees daily how the Lord’s call to combine ministry and nursing is working in her life. She is also an active Disaster Team Responder for the Red Cross. NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID SAN DIMAS, CA PERMIT #42 What Legacy Will You Leave? The Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations is pleased to announce a new partnership with Foursquare Financial Solutions! Contact us to learn more about including Life Pacific College in your estate plan, including gift annuities, wills, and charitable remainder trusts. You can receive a lifetime of benefits while supporting the Lord’s work at Life Pacific College. Congress has reinstated the IRA Charitable Rollover for 2011. That means, if you are 70½ or older, you can distribute funds direct- Follow Us Online! Get updates on the latest LIFE news and events on Twitter. Look for us at LIFEAlumni. Get updates on the latest LIFE news and events on LinkedIn. Look for us at LIFEAlumni. Join us on Facebook and catch up with friends, watch videos, learn about upcoming events, and post photos. Search LIFE Alumni and LPC Reps. Celebrate LIFE 2011 20/20 VISION SAVE THE DATE ly from your IRA to tax-exempt entities like Life Pacific College. The transfer will count toward your minimum required distribution, provide you with a charitable deduction, but will not be considered taxable income. The extension of the IRA Charitable Rollover allows gifts made by January 31, 2012 to be treated as 2011 donations. Thursday, November 17, 2011 Reverend Don McGregor, 1953 L.I.F.E. Bible College alumnus, heard about this welcomed news from his tax advisor. Don shares, “In 2008, I established an endowed scholarship fund at Life Pacific College in memory of my wife, Sally, to bless students called to fulltime missionary service. I decided to add to this endowment with a charitable contribution from my IRA. It’s a wonderful way to honor the lasting memories of friends and loved ones, while helping this generation." Please be our guest at no charge. Second Annual Alumni and Friends Fundraising Event 5:30 Reception 6:00 Dinner and Celebration For more information, please visit: www.lifepacific.edu/celebratelife Carry On is a publication connecting alumni and friends of L.I.F.E. Bible College, LIFE Bible College East, Mount Vernon Bible College, and Life Pacific College.