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Education for Generations
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hristian higher education is part of the Free Methodist bedrock. Our denomination was founded in 1860. Chili Seminary, now Roberts Wesleyan College, began offering classes in 1866. Christian higher education was never an afterthought to our forebears. It’s not today either. I’m a first-generation graduate of Free Methodist higher education from Spring Arbor University. Having worked at SAU for nearly 10 years, I realize the journeys students take as they learn are critical to the trajectory of their lives. Our Free Methodist schools do more than just teach the ABCs of their disciplines. They teach students who they can become and how they can impact the kingdom. Our colleges and universities are integral partners in the
growth of our denomination as well as its influence in the world. We’ve expanded this issue to shine light on these institutions. Dive into this issue. Share it with friends. If you’re a graduate of a Free Methodist institution, share your story on fmcusa.org/ yourstory or on our Facebook page at facebook.com/fmcusa. Bishop Wilson T. Hogue, the first president of Greenville College, wrote, “Through no other single agency does a Church’s influence become more cosmopolitan than through its educational institutions.” Our founders had it right. It’s now up Archer i Jason Executive Director of to us to carry that mantle to the next Free Methodist Communications generation of leaders. [LLM]
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BY WAYNE MCCOWN
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olleges and universities rooted in the Wesleyan theological tradition differ considerably from other Christian schools. Like other universities and colleges, our Free Methodist schools are centers of learning. And, as accredited institutions of higher education, all must meet high academic standards. Students acquire a good education, plus. ‌ uuu
3 [feature] This plus factor distinguishes our Free Methodist schools. Jim Mannoia, the 10th president of Greenville College, describes its mission as “an education that goes beyond” the acquisition of knowledge. According to “Conceiving the Christian College” by Duane Litfin, Christian scholarship can never be satisfied for Wesleyans through merely “the intellectual sort” of challenges.
Living Faith Charles Wesley, in a hymn composed for the opening of the Kingswood School, petitioned his followers: “Unite the two so long disjoined, knowledge and vital piety.” Book learning by itself was not enough. Simply to acquire knowledge, even religious knowledge, did not constitute an education. It had to be wedded to living faith, the application of learning to life, the incarnation of truth.
Spring Arbor University describes itself as “the place where faith and learning meet.” Azusa Pacific University characterizes its statement of faith as the “integration of right belief and right living.” In all of our Free Methodist schools, the end goal of the educational enterprise is “vital piety,” living faith. The faculty members are instructors in knowledge, both secular and religious. They are also disciplers preparing people for life. In a significant work comparing “Models for Christian Higher Education” (edited by Richard T. Hughes and William B. Adrian) within seven theological traditions, Seattle Pacific University was featured as one of 21 case studies. The researchers wrote: Seattle Pacific’s integration of learning and life seeks to instill recognition that learning and maturing entail more than just intellectual activity. For the substantial number of students who claim sincere Christian faith, a Seattle Pacific education should lead to a lifetime of intellectually grounded service to God and to others. For those students who embrace the core vision, Seattle Pacific offers the challenge of full, active, lifelong commitment
to the unifying of character and intellect in the quest to become conformed to the image of Christ. Higher education in the Wesleyan tradition is a more holistic view of Christian education, which reflects a differing view of the relationship between faith and learning, plus an added element: living. Wesleyan scholar Paul M. Bassett succinctly stated, “Christian education is faith expressed precisely through learning and living.”
Scripture In fleshing out this vision of Christian higher education, our Free Methodist schools place a premium on the role of the Scriptures in shaping disciples. It is commonplace to find Bible verses posted in the dorms, student centers, dining halls, academic buildings, and faculty and staff offices. Many classes open with Scripture and prayer. The same is true of faculty and staff gatherings and committee meetings. Students in our Free Methodist schools also study the Scriptures as a source of truth. All of them offer majors, as well as required and elective courses, in religion/theology. In these courses, the students engage in serious, scholarly study of Scripture.
[feature] 4 But, true to the Wesleyan heritage, the faculty members do not consider it sufficient merely to learn a lot of facts about the Bible or merely do theological studies. The ultimate goal is spiritual formation, which Roberts Wesleyan College includes with scholarship and service in its three “foundational assumptions.”
Tradition Whereas much of contemporary evangelical Christianity disregards religious tradition and church history, Free Methodists value both. They understand that there is much to be learned from the past, including — but not limited to — biblical history and archaeology. Moreover, they affirm tradition as a source of truth, wisdom and insight.
Reason Wesleyans believe that reason is a gift from God to humanity, reflecting the mind of God, who created us in His own image. Reason enables us to study and understand God’s word to us as revealed in both nature (natural revelation) and Scripture (special revelation). Reason also enables us to respond to God, to communicate with Him, and think His thoughts after Him. Our
Free Methodist schools reflect a positive regard for reason understood in spiritual (rather than secular, humanistic) terms.
Experience Our universities and colleges consider experience a source of truth. Spring Arbor University acknowledges that it “reflects the Wesleyan emphasis on application and experience, rather than simply cognition and analysis.” Personal experience moves information about God and humanity, as well as the science of the natural world God has created, to an understanding and appreciation of that truth for oneself. Experience is the validating link that enables us to know personally the truth God discloses through Scripture, tradition and reason. Wesleyan educators regard the personal experience of truth as vital. In a centennial convocation address at Seattle Pacific University in 1990, Richard Stephens, the eighth president of Greenville College, held up “three key hallmarks of collegiate education which derive from the Wesleyan prism.” The hallmarks are the primacy of the work of the Spirit in and among persons, the coher-
Our Free Methodist schools are not merely Christian
liberal arts institutions, but Christian living arts communities.
ence and usefulness of knowledge, and the call to service.
Character Education In the preface to Mannoia’s “Christian Liberal Arts” book, Arthur F. Holmes acknowledged: “Much of the literature on Christian higher education reflects a Reformed tradition on developing a Christian worldview, but Mannoia’s emphasis on developing character and helping the needy of this world reflects his Wesleyan heritage.” These are consistent and persistent themes in all of our Free Methodist colleges and universities. In the founding of what today is called Rob-
5 [feature] erts Wesleyan College, B.T. Roberts gave the school this motto: “Education for Character.” Similarly, Central Christian College of Kansas defines its goal as “Christ-centered education for character.” Greenville College aspires to empower students “for lives of character and service through a Christ-centered education.”
Called to Service The passion of both John Wesley and B.T. Roberts for “social holiness”
is perpetuated in the call to service that characterizes our schools to a greater degree than many other evangelical colleges and universities. Many of their academic programs combine professional training with the liberal arts, as a preparation for a life of service. Three of our schools (Azusa Pacific, Roberts Wesleyan and Seattle Pacific) have developed seminaries to prepare servant leaders specifically for Christian ministry. Wesleyans have developed a new
reality. Our Free Methodist schools are not merely Christian liberal arts institutions, but Christian living arts communities. [LLM]
i
Wayne McCown, Ph.D., is provost emeritus of Roberts Wesleyan College, founding dean emeritus of Northeastern Seminary and a former faculty member of Seattle Pacific University, Azusa Pacific University and Western (now George Fox) Evangelical Seminary.
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[bishops] 6
Is Christian Higher Education Necessary?
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erhaps you’ve asked the same question as the headline or one of these: “In the current economy and with the rising cost of tuition, does private higher education make economic sense anymore?” “Is Christian higher education really Christian?” “Aren’t job opportunities accessible for the high achiever regardless of formal education?” “Why not take advantage of the Internet’s free or low-cost education in many fields without the need to suspend my career, take out loans or relocate?” The leaders of Free Methodist educational institutions know these questions well. They seek to ensure that the value of Christian higher education remains high. Fields requiring technical expertise are on the rise and are mirrored in increasing numbers of programs at our colleges and universities. The college experience is more than lectures, books and tests. It includes formation of holistic life disciplines, character development, skill expertise and leadership training. Job placement is higher for college graduates than for people who end their education after high school, and few college graduates regret their education decision. Our college and university presidents take these questions very seriously and systematically address them all. They work on increasing scholarships (number and amounts) and creative education (classroom innovation, use of cutting-edge technology and distance learning). They make education more accessible to people who traditionally had little hope for a degree. This may sound like a commercial. It is not. I sit in a room for three days every year with Free Methodist college and university presidents and board chairpersons. I am heartened by the positive effect these institutions have in their communities and around the world. I am also struck by the steep incline of information and how these schools address it. Much of our culture has abandoned its Christian heritage. Our higher education institutions work with diligence to make the Christian witness freshly viable in a world where the divide between Christianity and education is wider than ever before. The efforts of our colleges and universities make me want to go to school again. Pray for these institutions and know that they are geared to honor God and make a difference. Without them, we run the risk of spiritual and intellectual poverty. [LLM]
The efforts of our colleges and universities make me want to go to school again.
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Bishop Matthew Thomas To read more from Bishop Thomas, visit fmcusa.org/ matthewthomas.
7 [foundation]
Renewing Our Minds S C RI P T U R E :
BY BRENT ELLIS
Deuteronomy 6:4–7
hema Yisrael — these first two words of Deuteronomy 6:4 are a marvelous launching point for an examination of Christian higher education. These Hebrew words (translated “Hear, O Israel”) remind us our God is preeminent: “The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” Our submission must encompass the totality of our lives: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5). This level of submission extends not only to our individual lives, but calls us to educate and influence future generations: “Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road” (Deuteronomy 6:7). Education is rooted in God’s pursuit of His creation. Concentration is required to understand 1) who God is, 2) how to respond to who He is and 3) how to incorporate the truth of who He is into life’s daily routine. Free Methodist institutions of higher education understand God and truth are inseparable. The pursuit of truth cannot be separated from the pursuit of God. The majority of higher education institutions work to explain how our world functions without a god. Within our institutions, Christ is the perspective for our learning. Paul demands that Christians not conform to the world’s patterns but allow God to transform us by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). Academic disciplines can be understood and applied through the lens of Christ and His redemptive work within our world. Free Methodist colleges and universities provide wonderful career preparation, but if all students receive is a piece of paper qualifying them for an economic role, we have failed. Our students are called to serve as ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20) and to live out their faith in action and deed (James 2:14–26). [LLM]
Romans 12:2 2 Corinthians 5:20 James 2:14–26
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Brent Ellis, Ed.D., is Spring Arbor University’s vice president for university advancement and a Greenville College alumnus.
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Light & Life Magazine | Sep2012
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Central Has Distinctly Christian Mission and Vision
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hroughout its history of over 125 years, Central Christian College of Kansas has claimed many distinctions: the oldest accredited junior college in the state of Kansas (1923), our denomination’s newest four-year college (2000), the only Free Methodist college pairing aviation and missions in a four-year degree (2000), and the Free Methodist college with the highest percentage of FM students 10 years running (2002–present). There are two distinctions, however, that make Central stand out even more: mission and vision. The mission of Central is Christ-centered education for character. Character is described as the manner of life that encompasses the internal thoughts, attitudes, beliefs and values of a person and is proved through outward actions and behaviors. Central finds the virtue of character through criteria found in Scripture, specifically Mark 12:30: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” In essence, these key elements represent the highest ideals of human functioning and are the foundation through which Central measures its effectiveness. When students graduate from Central Christian College of Kansas,
they will demonstrate fit hearts through social responsibility in culture and in relationships, fit souls through discipleship in the body of believers, fit minds in intellect and emotional competency, and fit bodies in physical and professional astuteness. Central’s vision is to be a premier educational center, providing a distinctive Christian educational experience resulting in the development of personal character, public service and global impact. Ephesians 4:12–13 provides the challenge that beats at the heart of its mission and vision “to equip [God’s] people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith in the knowledge
of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Built on its heritage and at the foundation of its progress in new tennis courts and Heritage Plaza (to be completed this fall), approval for new baseball and softball fields, and its status as the first Christian college between the Rocky Mountains and the Mississippi River with two on-campus recording studios, Central Christian College’s mission and vision drive it toward a future of education that delves deeper than a college degree and into the experience of a Christ-centered life. q
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Academic Excellence at Greenville College
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hen the facts are gathered and the numbers tallied, Greenville College’s story is one of continuing academic excellence. All 12 of the college’s teacher education major programs carry the state’s highest rating. Over 90 percent of its pre-med graduates gain acceptance into medical schools of their choice. The Council for Christian Colleges & Universities ranks it among the top schools for producing graduates that earn advanced degrees. Behind each fact, however, is a face. The faces from the class of 2012 add to the college’s continuing story of how small class size, hands-on research
opportunities and a strong liberal arts foundation shape academic excellence. Two students that walked across the commencement stage this spring did so as budding Fulbright scholars. Joshua Cranston will use the prestigious award this fall to research environmental sustainability at the University of Oslo, and Shannon Nakai will teach English and conduct research in Turkey. The two were among 15 students to complete rigorous departmental honors theses that covered diverse topics like food ethics, Rwandan genocide, bacteria flora and Søren Kierkegaard. Two students earned top awards from the Illinois State Academy of Science for presentation of research they conducted during the college’s
Summer Science Research Experience. Ben Brown and Mandy Napa added to Matthew Ellis’ success last year to give Greenville College its second win in as many attempts competing against large state universities. Greenville College Presidential Citation winner Amanda DeMiele was accepted to a Ph.D. program in philosophy at Loyola University that only accepts four applicants each year. Fellow Presidential Citation awardee Amber Brown managed a triple major in math, biology and chemistry to earn entrance into a Ph.D. program in molecular biology and biochemistry at Loma Linda University this fall. Rylan Mitchell’s stellar performance on the Law School Admission Test yielded full-ride scholarship offers from
six law schools. He will study at UCLA. Academic success reflects excellent instruction. Seventy-eight percent of Greenville College’s full-time instructors have earned the highest degree available in their areas of study. Three are Fulbright scholars while others have received Templeton grants and National Endowment for the Humanities fellowships. Behind these facts are the faces of professors committed to developing personal relationships that connect students with information for lifelong success. When they welcome new faces to campus this fall, they welcome yet another chapter in the exciting, unfolding story of scholarship at its best. q
Undergraduate. Graduate. Online.
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Cultivating a Missional Approach
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ore and more, ministryoriented people are being called into the marketplace to be spiritual leaven — a means of expanding the reach and role of the traditional church in sharing the mission of God. A theological education prepares you for pastoral ministry, but is it also a pathway to vital, organic ministries that can penetrate a post-Christian culture? Evidence from students and graduates from Northeastern Seminary near Rochester, N.Y., suggests the answer is yes. Their ability to be immersed in ministry while attending seminary provides contex-
tual learning that equips them to faithfully respond in their communities: l Creating wellness fairs for povertystricken populations l Teaching Bible and youth ministry to undergrads l Designing incarnational neighborhood ministries l Creating a community of faith for those who are homebound by physical or emotional conditions l Providing relief services to war-ridden pockets of the world l Preparing legislation to support faithbased initiatives
inistering to the disenfranchised M Caring for the distressed in hospital emergency rooms and hospice centers l Leading recovery services for those transitioning from addictions, relational violence or incarceration Ministry leaders in the Free Methodist Church are positioned particularly well to be prepared at Northeastern Seminary with all the focused scholarships available. A phone call or visit to the seminary’s website — nes.edu — can tell you how you can be even more effective as that spiritual leaven. q l l
What Makes Roberts Wesleyan Distinct?
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oberts Wesleyan College provides its nearly 2,000 students with a higher education experience on a different level. For undergraduates, it is learning plus faith in an environment where students can celebrate and grow in their faith while preparing for a career. For graduate students and adult learners, it is learning plus leadership. Roberts creates leaders who give back to their professions, their communities and their world. Students are united by their ethics and their passion to maximize their personal and professional potential.
Located near Rochester, N.Y., Roberts is a vibrant Christian institution with a tradition of excellence and educating for character since 1866. With an acclaimed faculty of experienced professionals, the college offers more than 50 undergraduate program, as well as extensive graduate programs spanning education, health care, ministries, business and marketing. Roberts offers diverse opportunities to study outside the traditional classroom and schedule. Along with select online degree programs, Roberts has learning centers throughout upstate New
York. Students may also choose to study abroad and experience life in other nations. Roberts Wesleyan College, rises to the challenge of the changing landscape of higher education and gives students a distinct advantage: to advance, to mentor others and to work in service of the Lord —- to become the kind of leader who doesn’t manage, but inspires. q
For complete information on academics, student and spiritual life, admissions and more, visit roberts.edu.
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SPU Students Engage Global Health Issue
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hen they planned a nonprofit organization to help end obstetric fistula in Ethiopia, Skylar Piro, Sefanit Ghezahegn and Rediet Mulugeta were told by one expert that they were “too hopeful.” His comment lit a fire beneath them. “It’s our faith coming out,” said Piro, who majored in political science at Seattle Pacific University with a business minor. “We will see a time when this severe medical condition, considered the most devastating of childbirth injuries, is no more.” For Piro, Ghezahegn and Mulugeta, SPU’s mission to engage the culture and change the world is not an abstract idea. Their business
plan to empower women in Ethiopia was a natural outgrowth of their education — and a desire to use their knowledge and skill to improve the world’s health. Obstetric fistula affects millions of women worldwide, 100,000 of them in Ethiopia alone. The easily preventable and treatable condition results in severe internal injuries and often abandonment by family and shunning by the community. Access to doctors trained to intervene in difficult labors almost always avoids the complication. But Ethiopia has only 59 OB-GYNs and 1,000 midwives for a population of 77 million. Last spring, the three seniors participated in the Social Venture Plan Competition, sponsored by SPU’s School
of Business and Economics. They formed Tesfa Netela — which means “Hope Scarf” in Amharic — as a holistic approach to the problem. “We want to train Ethiopian women to weave traditional Ethiopian scarves for sale online in the U.S.,” said Mulugeta, who majored in global development studies. “This will provide them with a job skill and help fund their physical rehabilitation, education, housing and food.” In the next year, Piro plans to attend grad school to study mediated conflict resolution. Ghezahegn, who is finishing her degree in global development studies, aims to study community health care systems through a Fulbright grant to do research in Ethiopia. Mulugeta, now an
intern with Mission Year in Houston, is living in an urban intentional community learning the ins and outs of nonprofits focused on community development. They hope that within three to five years they can come back together and pool their life experiences to launch Tesfa Netela. “We know startups like ours are timeconsuming and demand sacrifice,” Piro said. “But all of us are going into things that will benefit this organization in the long run.” One more thing, she added. Never ever tell them that they are “too hopeful.” q
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“Live on Purpose” @ the Arbor
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t Spring Arbor University, we believe that you can make a difference. An SAU education will equip you to participate critically in your world through a community of learners, engaging courses of study and a perspective of Christ that empowers and expands the potential of your God-given purpose. Community | There’s no place quite like Spring Arbor University. We truly model what it means to live and grow in a vibrant community of believers. Our students learn, work and thrive together, supported by caring professors who have a history of making time for people on their way to making a difference.
Courses of Study | Since 1873, SAU has worked to perfect the art of Christian higher education — taking intentional steps to deliver a college experience that prepares students to become viable professionals and effective citizens of the kingdom of God. SAU delivers over 75 majors and programs, an average class size of 20 students and expert faculty who are passionate about their subjects and their students. Christ | A ministry-driven community, SAU prioritizes spiritual growth alongside academic growth. Our faculty infuse their courses with a Christ-centered perspective that illuminates while they educate. Here, the integration of faith
and learning multiplies the value of your educational preparation. Critical Participation | Our passion for kingdom living permeates every area of our university and often spills over into the world around us. We provide students ample opportunity to exercise their purpose as they test their strengths, talents, skills and passions against real-world concerns. We are intentional about social justice, global outreach and spreading the love of God and the gospel to those outside our campus community. Visit SAU We invite you to visit our campus in beautiful Spring Arbor, Mich. Experience
our chapel. Experience our community. Experience our commitment to your education. Come to the Arbor and see if SAU offers the best fit for you. Call now to schedule a private tour or sign up for one of our campus visit events at arbor.edu/visit. Your contribution to this world is essential. We’re here to help you succeed in living out God’s calling on your life. Whether you are a traditional undergraduate student, adult student or graduate student, your experience at the Arbor will help you discover, refine and fulfill your kingdom purpose. q
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{colleges and universities} The Association of Free Methodist Educational Institutions includes the following U.S. colleges and universities.
6 4,5 7 3 1
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{1} A zusa Pacific University Azusa, Calif. (626) 969-3434Â apu.edu
{3} G reenville College Greenville, Ill. (800) 345-4440 greenville.edu
{5} R oberts Wesleyan College Rochester, N.Y. (800) 777-4RWC roberts.edu
{2} C entral Christian College of Kansas McPherson, Kan. (620) 241-0723 centralchristian.edu
{4} N ortheastern Seminary Rochester, N.Y. (585) 594-6802 nes.edu
{6} S eattle Pacific University Seattle, Wash. (206) 281-2000 spu.edu
{7} S pring Arbor University Spring Arbor, Mich. (800) 968-9103 arbor.edu
[history] 8
Education for Character BY RUTH PARRY
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ince the beginning of the denomination, Free Methodist leaders have acknowledged the vital importance of education to their mission to promote Christ in the world. Many of the Free Methodist sister schools began as training centers for missionary work or as “seminaries” (Christian schools) for children and adults to receive basic education and Bible training. B.T. Roberts founded Chili Seminary in New York in 1866 to provide “education for character.” In 1873, Spring Arbor Seminary opened in Michigan. The influence of Wesleyan education spread westward with the foundation of Orleans Seminary in Nebraska in 1884, Seattle Seminary in 1891 and the Training School for Christian Workers in California in 1899. Baptists founded Almira College in 1855, but Free Methodists purchased the Illinois campus in 1892. The seminaries grew to offer two-year, four-year and graduate programs. Roberts Wesleyan College, Spring Arbor University, Central Christian College of Kansas, Seattle Pacific University, Azusa Pacific University and Greenville College are the present-day offspring of these original seminaries. Despite the diversity in location and the separate timelines of their academic achievements, the colleges and universities associated with the Free Methodist tradition have maintained their commitment to impacting the world through education. An 1892 article in The Free Methodist foreshadowed the philosophies of these institutions: “Intelligent piety is always the most influential, reliable and permanent. ... The mind should not be developed at the sacrifice of moral power.” Seeing the influence of secular culture through education, Free Methodist institutions’ founders sought to offer venues for education backed by the “moral power” that only faith in Christ could render. To this day, the missions and values of Free Methodist colleges and universities emphasize character, service, scholarship and — as stated in Spring Arbor University’s “Core Values” — “effective, redemptive participation in society and culture.” [LLM]
Ruth Parry is the writing program coordinator and an English graduate assistant at Central Christian College of Kansas.
p Light & Life Magazine, originally titled The Free Methodist, has reported on Free Methodist educational institutions since the late 1800s. (Photo courtesy of Marston Memorial Historical Society)
recruiting for transformation BY MICHAEL J. METTS
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any people see college as a time to disconnect from church, but the Free Methodist Church of Southern California (FMCSC) is working to make college a time of deeper connection through the Center for Transformational Leadership (CTL). “If we’re going to reach the people of the world today, they’re not going to come into a church,” FMCSC Superintendent Denny Wayman said. “We need to go to where they are.” uuu
Photo by Michael J. Metts
[action] 10 The CTL program starts as an internship. Students from Azusa Pacific University, Westmont College and other participating colleges and universities take what they’re learning and apply it in the context of a local Free Methodist Church. Once students begin working in their respective fields, they can become fellows within the CTL. Eventually, participants can become senior fellows, dedicated to advising and mentoring other fellows. Kelly Soifer heads the internship program. Soifer is the director of recruiting and leadership development for the FMCSC and recognizes the need to raise up young leaders. “I think there’s a crisis in leadership, both in the church and in higher education,” Soifer said. “I think we don’t understand leadership in a Christian context, and we aren’t mobilizing and raising up leaders as much as we’re just asking people to serve and do stuff but not with any kind of focus or mission.” Soifer is a perfect fit for recruiting students and placing them within Free Methodist churches. She has taught an internships class at Westmont College since 2009 and has had interns since 1986. Last year, the FMCSC placed five interns in Free Methodist churches
throughout Southern California, none of whom had any prior experience with Free Methodism. Three of those interns are pursuing ordination and ministry involvement within the FMCSC, and the other two are still very involved in the churches with which they interned. Nine more interns are serving this summer. Ian Lawler, a recent graduate of Westmont College, completed an internship with Cucamonga Christian Fellowship during the summer of 2011. “I felt so passionate about being a part of the church, being not just a leader but someone who is moving in the same direction as the Free Methodist Church,” said Lawler. “I just wanted to join in with what they have going on.” Soifer is excited about how much the mission and values of the Free Methodist Church align with the issues college students are passionate about, such as the fight against slavery, the ordination of women and a global focus. “We can say we want to fight [slavery] too, and we have been since our inception,” Soifer said. As the FMCSC plants churches in its California Coast Initiative, Wayman has a desire to send people who are trained in business, the arts,
“We need a breadth of people to come together, not just church planters. We need to send out groups of people who are ready to permeate a community.” academia and other fields along with those who are in trained ministry. “We need a breadth of people to come together, not just … church planters. We need to send out groups of people who are ready to permeate a community,” Wayman said. [LLM]
For more information on CTL, go to fmcsc.org/ visionleadership/ center-fortransformation.
11 [news]
FM1 Unites Church and University BY BEN WEESIES
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hen he became lead pastor of Seattle’s First FMC in summer 2011, Blake Wood’s conversations with church members and individuals from Seattle Pacific University revealed missing ministry opportunities between the church and the Free Methodist educational institution across the street. Meanwhile, Stephen Newby, director of University Ministries and the Center for Worship at SPU, wanted a platform for his students to share their worship ministry talents in a more impactful way. “Our worship classes didn’t have a place to practice practical ministry,” Newby said. “Our student ensembles wanted an opportunity to work, minister and serve in a tangible context.” With the backing of the university’s then-President Philip Eaton and help from church and campus leaders, Wood and Newby created FM1 -- a Sunday-evening, multiethnic contemporary worship service that concludes with a meal and multigenerational fellowship time. The meal and the worship attract
SPU student Lydia Munoz formed a close bond to Seattle First FMC members Bob and Carol Shaper through FM1.
the students, but the relationships they developed with church families keep them coming back. SPU student Lydia Munoz has been blessed by the program. “Being so far from home, I’ve had to make my own family here, and the couple I connected with through FM1 has been a big part of that,” she said. “I feel so comfortable talking with them and sharing everything on my heart.” According to Bob Schaper, who mentors students through FM1 with his wife, Carol, “no child can have too many positive adults in their life. It’s a
terrific opportunity to help the church grow and to help young people develop, and it helps us stay a little younger. It’s a win-win.” Students increasingly connect with other church programs. “Once they were connected through FM1, some of the students started coming to Sunday morning service and are now serving as part of the church community,” Wood said, “and some of our members who weren’t active in ministry are now more comfortable serving in different ways.” [LLM]
[news] 12 NEW VISION TAKES IT TO THE STREETS Washington, D.C.
Pastor Ron Hampton and the church-planting project New Vision Community Church partnered with other East Coast Free Methodists to meet the Kenilworth/ Parkside community. Hampton’s Takin’ It to the Streets outreach ministry occurred June 16 in Kenilworth Park. Participants included a superintendent, a bishop’s wife and pastors from other states. For details, visit bit.ly/dcplant.
ROBERTS NAMED CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Indianapolis
The Board of Bishops has announced the hiring of Larry Roberts as chief operating officer of the Free Methodist Church – USA, effective in November. Roberts has served on the FMCUSA Board of Administration for more than 16 years and has been chairman for the past nine. To read more about Roberts, visit fmcusa.org/?p=493212.
CONKLIN, AGEL ELECTED TO BOA POSTS Indianapolis
The Free Methodist Board of Administration has elected Hal Conklin as the new chairman and Susan Agel as vice chairwoman. Conklin — the former mayor of Santa Barbara, Calif. — serves on the executive team of Southern California Edison. Agel is the president and principal of Positive Tomorrows, a nonprofit school for homeless children.
INDY FIRST FMC CELEBRATES 100 YEARS Indianapolis
On July 15, Indianapolis First FMC celebrated its 100th anniversary. Several previous pastors gave a greeting to the packed sanctuary. Both Superintendent Joe James and Bishop David Kendall recognized the church for its mission in reaching the poor. A cake and punch reception followed the service, and another reception was held July 18 at Wabash Park Camp & Retreat Center.
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The Rest of the Story Want to find indepth stories of remarkable Free Methodists? Visit fmcusa.org.
We want to hear from you! Tell us what your church is doing to impact lives in the United States and around the world. Submit your story at fmcusa.org/ yourstory.
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Educating for African Realities BY JASON ARCHER
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hristian higher education in the Free Methodist Church is global. Hope Africa University (HAU) is an educational institution established by the Free Methodist Church in Kenya in 1999. The university relocated to Bujumbura, Burundi, in 2003 with a total enrollment of 110 students. HAU now boasts more than 4,000 students, and it graduates doctors, lawyers, teachers, engineers and business leaders to impact Burundi and East Africa. HAU is literally changing culture. Bishop Elie Buconyori spearheaded the creation and development of HAU. From the beginning, he had a vision to empower people using partnerships with Christian
universities in the United States and abroad. David Rawson caught this vision. Rawson, who grew up in East Africa, was the United Nations ambassador to Rwanda during the genocides in the 1990s. After returning to higher education, Rawson connected with Buconyori and accepted an invitation to teach HAU students. “I was very much impressed with his vision … that we should do Christian higher education confronting the realities of Africa,” said Rawson who, since 2008, has spent his summer months in classrooms at HAU. In December, HAU will graduate its first class of medical doctors. One of them, Alliance Niyukuri, said the program’s strength is in relationships with Christian mentors. “During our clinicals, we were able to interact with missionary doctors. You could tell they wanted to serve. The choices they’ve made throughout their career show that. They want you to learn to serve, to learn to be humble.” Mentors like Dr. Jerry Rusher don’t simply teach science; through prayer and by linking science to ministry, they model why they are in medicine. “Learn the science because you want to treat the patient better. That is one of the parts of schooling here that is great,” Niyukuri said. There are many ways to partner with HAU, such as sponsoring students or teaching for a semester or summer. For more information, visit hopeafricauniversity.org and haufriends.org. [LLM] t Alliance Niyukuri will graduate with Hope Africa University’s first class of medical doctors in December. (Photo by Jason Archer)
[discipleship] 14
Christian Higher Education Liberates BY JIM MANNOIA
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ost evangelical high school seniors do not go on to attend Christian colleges. According to “Is the Lower Cost Worth the High Price?” by Dayton A. Kingsriter, research reveals a majority (up to 67 percent) of these students lose their faith, whereas a much higher majority (up to 93 percent) of those attending Christian colleges keep their faith. Why don’t many Christian parents and students choose Christian institutions? According to research by Noel-Levitz Inc., parents and students do not understand what makes Christian higher education different. What are Christian liberal arts? Some joke that if “liberal” and “art” mean what they usually do, then liberal arts colleges are left-wing painting schools. Let’s talk instead about Christian liberating education. Christ came “to set the oppressed free” (Luke 4:18). Christian colleges and universities are arms of Christ’s body in the world. They prepare students to do things that redeem the world and liberate them to be people in Christ’s image. Christian colleges liberate students from narrow training. In this age of multiple careers, the most practical education is not for a specific job but for a lifetime of service in tackling the world’s biggest problems. Unlike our culture, Christ is at least as interested in who we become inside (our character) as in what we do outside. Christian liberating education liberates from narrow attitudes. In other words, Christian liberating education is intended to help young people be transformed into the image of Christ. To be like Christ means both to do the kinds of things He did — addressing the deepest problems of humanity — and to be like Him in character, passionate in devotion to the Father while paradoxically humble in spirit toward those around Him. [LLM]
Jim Mannoia, Ph.D., served as the 10th president of Greenville College.
GROUP DISCUSSION: [1] Do we overlook the effect of higher education on who students become inside?
[2] What are the most common factors for choosing a college or university?
Did you know a new discipleship article is posted to our website each week? The four monthly articles are perfect for use in your small group or as a weekly supplement to individual study.
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[resources] “CHRISTIAN LIBERAL ARTS” Discipleship (Page 14) writer Jim Mannoia explains Christian education’s distinctive value: bit.ly/jmannoia.
“EYES OF FAITH” Light & Life Communications presents seven authors exploring faith-based universities’ identities: bit.ly/universityeyes.
“IDEA” Philosopher Arthur F. Holmes makes the case for Christian higher education: bit.ly/afholmes.
“COLLEGE MATTERS” Rick Ostrander explains the purpose of Christian colleges and universities: bit.ly/rostrander.
To read more about the importance of Christian colleges and universities, check out these books available at Wesleyan Publishing House’s online store, wphonline.com.
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