Summer 2015 2015 Summer
On Campus Transforming College Students to Transform the World
how the gospel changes
everything
1
“I hope to serve Jesus Christ by creating a nonprofit organization called Bringing Youth to Christ, geared towards helping juvenile delinquents. I want to develop them as spiritual leaders by showing them Jesus’ love.” CREE MARTIN CCO STUDENT LEADER Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, Professional Studies
how The gospel changed everything for
creemartin in her own words
J
ubilee helped me to realize that it doesn’t matter what you do as your career—you can glorify God in it. I was struggling, trying to figure out how I would glorify God as a sports agent, which is what my major was at the time. I started to feel like I should be doing something else, and so I switched my major.
Dan Allender spoke at Jubilee 2014, and I was intrigued by what he had to say. I bought one of his books at the Jubilee bookstore, called To Be Told. He said in the book that nothing in your life happens by accident, and so I started thinking about my life. When I was younger, I made some poor decisions and ended up in a juvenile detention facility. Then I got saved—and I know that God didn’t do that by accident. He purposely called me out of darkness, and now he wants to use my experiences to help others. 2
Dan Allender’s book helped me to piece my story together and helped make clear what my purpose and future career would be. After Jubilee, I took a nonprofit leadership class, and that’s when I decided to design my own major and create a nonprofit organization called Bringing Youth to Christ. I want to reach out to young people who are in the same place I once was—in trouble. I prayed and God helped me put the pieces together. I want to share my free gift with people who need it, and
I want to invest all my time in doing that. Because I went to Jubilee, I learned that I could serve God through my studies and my career. That’s why I changed my major. Because of the CCO’s ministry, I am learning how to live faithfully to God in all areas of my life, which is hard to do on a college campus. I don’t believe I would have matured as quickly as I did without CCO ministry. I have learned the importance of being in relationship with Jesus and fellowshipping with
other Christians—both on campus and at church. I love to be in community with other Christians. I plan to serve God as a Christian leader, showing his love to the lost and sharing the Gospel with anyone who will listen. I am so thankful that God saved me. I want to dedicate the rest of my life to Him, because during so much of my previous life, He was missing. I want to use all the gifts and talents He has given me to glorify Him.
How the Gospel changes everything For three days every February, thousands of college students congregate in Pittsburgh for the Jubilee conference. And for weeks after every Jubilee, I look forward to hearing reports from campus.
through the eyes of her campus minister samlevy CCO Campus Staff Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, partnering with Gateway Community Evangelical Presbyterian Church
Cree started attending my partner church the first Sunday of the school year last year. She came to our class before the service. Later in the semester, she started getting involved in the CCO fellowship at Slippery Rock University. Cree is now really involved at Gateway Church, worshiping there and teaching children’s church. College students are a huge part of the church and are encouraged to get involved beyond Sundays. Since first meeting her, I’ve seen Cree grow in her commitment to being involved in the ministry and the church. She really wants to live out her faith in every area of life.
As long as I’ve known her, Cree has been committed in her faith and has sought out fellowship and community. But she has taken so many steps to move deeper into that. She really wrestles with what it means to be a part of God’s redemptive work in the world, both in her career plans for the future and here and now, on campus.
I hear stories about students who were amazed to find out how many other Christian students are out there. I learn about students who are motivated to explore what God has to say about their biology or journalism or music majors. I celebrate with students who have surrendered their life to Jesus Christ for the first time, or have recommitted to following Him fully. Jubilee happens once a year, but the questions it raises and the truths it proclaims are at the heart of what happens in our ministry on campus every day. Students are at a point in their lives when everything is on the table and their options seem endless. The decisions they make today will shape how they work, parent, lead, and contribute to their churches and communities tomorrow. “Jubilee 2015 opened my eyes to new things,” said Maggie, a student at Ashland University. “College should be thought of as a ‘calling.’ It is a chance to develop your mind, discover your gifts, and discern God’s call on your life. I now have a whole new perception. My experience at Jubilee changed everything.”
Daniel J. Dupee President & CEO CCO
About the CCO The CCO (Coalition for Christian Outreach) calls college students to serve Jesus Christ with their entire lives. Our Core Purpose is: Transforming college students to transform the world. Our ministry is distinct in three ways: 1. We develop students to be passionate leaders who serve Jesus Christ in their studies, jobs, communities, and families. 2. We partner with the church, inviting students into the life of local congregations. 3. We design each ministry to fit the needs of every campus we serve. The CCO is a nonprofit, donor-based ministry which is funded primarily through private individuals. For more about us, please visit our website: www.ccojubilee.org Photography: Caryn Carson, Peter Chace, and Andrew Rush On Campus is produced by Bonnie Liefer and Amy Maczuzak. 3
amena brown
bob goff
jon tyson
this changes J
ubilee has helped me to think about my role as a follower of Christ and what it actually means to live for Him in everything.
Larger-than-life banners line the hallway between the Westin Hotel and the Convention Center, featuring pictures of college students who are involved in CCO ministries on their campuses, sharing how they want to serve God in every area of life. This changes education. This changes media. This changes philosophy. This changes art. This changes business. This changes everything. Nearly 3,500 people gathered in Pittsburgh during the weekend of February 20-22 for the Jubilee conference—more than ever before in Jubilee’s 39year history. They were reminded about how God created everything, how God loves his
THIS CHANGES
BUSINESS
“I hope to serve Jesus Christ by instilling into the business world an example of integrity, discernment, and diligence. My work is an offering of worship to my Creator.”
4
SCOTT BOEHRET CCO STUDENT LEADER Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, Accounting
good—albeit fallen—creation, how God is in the process of redeeming everything, and how God will ultimately restore everything. And how God invites us, the people created in His image, to join him in the work of reclaiming everything for His glory. All weekend long, students walked between the two buildings, making their way to large-group gatherings or workshop sessions which addressed everything from politics and science to dance and medicine, from sexuality and poverty and food to athletics and art and business. And they were reminded over and over again how the Gospel of Jesus Christ changes everything.
Here are just a few of the 70 speakers who participated in Jubilee 2015: Bob Goff, author and Founder of Restore International; Anthony Bradley, Research Fellow at the Acton Institute and Associate Professor of Theology and Ethics at The King’s College; Curt Thompson, Psychiatrist and Author; Christena Cleveland, social psychologist and Associate Professor of Reconciliation Studies at Bethel University; Jon Tyson, Founding Pastor of Trinity Grace Church in New York City; J. Richard Middleton, author and Professor at Northeastern Seminary; Deborah Haarsma, President of BioLogos; Michael Lindsay, sociologist and President
THIS CHANGES
HEALTHCARE “When I graduate from college, I would like to travel overseas and provide healthcare to those in need. I hope that by doing this, I can show people that God cares about them and loves them.” CHANTAL KING CCO STUDENT LEADER Philadelphia University, Physician Assistant
everything the 2015 jubilee conference of Gordon College; Jamie Tworkowski, Founder of To Write Love on Her Arms; Jennifer Mounsey, Health Director for Corporate Engagement at World Vision; Marcus Goodyear, Editor of The High Calling; and Saleem Ghubril, Executive Director of The Pittsburgh Promise. These speakers cast a powerful vision, and students took hold of that vision: I went to Jubilee with a lot of shame and guilt and now I am walking away in freedom and grace. Jubilee taught me how to truly live out my faith in everything I do, even in my career. I learned why I believe. Back on campus, CCO staff are reminding students of what they experienced at Jubilee and equipping them to live out that vision in classrooms, in sports arenas, in their residence halls, churches, families, and workplaces. Jubilee helped me to remember that my faith is not just one aspect of who I am— it is everything that I am. I hope that moving forward, I can continue to look for ways to express my faith in every component of my life and to really reflect God’s glory on every front.
Thank you to our Jubilee sponsors: Senior Compassion For the Life of the World The High Calling Noble Junior Bread for the World Eastern University Experience Mission Freedom Firm Sophomore Teach for America Freshman Calvin Theological Seminary Denver Seminary English Language Institute/China Pittsburgh Theological Seminary World Renew
5
archit
the power of The gospel in
timothy on
“After I graduate, ultimately, I hope to love God and love people and be a good architect.” Timothy Ong CCO student leader Kent State University 2015, Architecture
C
oming here as a Malaysian student with my insecurities and fumbling speech, I remember it being difficult to speak to Americans
for the first few months in the States. Conversations would often start with, “Hello, what’s your name?” and, “Where do you come from?” And then there would be an awkward end because I hardly knew anything to talk to Americans about. If not for the hours [CCO staff member] Kris Herman poured into listening to me talk, I would not have had the confidence that I now have to carry out good conversations with Americans. I also struggled with my identity as a student. The many late nights and long days I had to stay in Kent State’s architecture studio made me question the
6
purpose of my work and its eternal worth. In the midst of my existential crisis, the conversations I had with Kris and my involvement in the CCO fellowship on campus brought me to a deeper understanding of how the Gospel could change the way I view everything, especially my work. The Jubilee conference pushed the Gospel even deeper into my brain. What does architecture have to do with life? Does my work really matter? Jubilee was the starting point for me to think about Jesus Christ coming back on earth to restore shalom to everything. If Christian salvation is for a new earth, then my work, my relationships, and the world around me all carry meaning beyond what I can ever imagine or hope for.
forg
A third-year design s
ECHOES OF THE PAST
4/5 90% of Rwanda is involved in Agriculture
of Rwanda’s Economy is generated by Agriculture
Kent State University arc pursue a class project wh Go online to learn more
“I
am finding out many exciting areas where architecture is relevant with the healing and restoration of the world. For the “Forgive Rwanda” project, I worked with two other people, Andrew, who is also a Christian, and Derek, who isn’t. In our project, we continued to ask questions: What brings about transformation of prejudice in order to be reintegrated into the social fabric? What causes excitement and desire to want to contribute in the restoration
architecture
ng’s
giverwanda
studio proposal for residential development in Rwanda
FACILITATING FORGIVENESS
IN AGRICULTURE As we looked further we saw hope. Despite the horrors of the past, Rwanda still thrives on. Agriculture in Rwanda is still a large part of society and culture in Rwanda. Coffee and Tea are amongst the countries largest exports generating large portions of its economy. Four out of 5 Rwandans work in the agricultrural sector. Beyond economy, Agriculture was once done harmoniously between the Tutsis and the Hutus and echoes peace in the land.
How would we transfrom the site to become a location that shouted forgiveness for the people? We believed that forgiveness could be achieved in two ways throughout the site: By the affirmation of the truth of forgiveness through the presence of a church and the social reintegration of refugees and Rwandan citizens through subsistence farming throughout the site.
However the attempts to modernize Rwanda often involves the removal of farmlands, hoping to create a “Singapore of Africa.” Large pieces of land are being given over to create suburbs and roads for transportation mostly for aristocrats and the wealthy. The government in Rwanda has continually made efforts to strengthen subsistence farming in Rwanda. In 2000, Rwanda’s coffee export increased to 14,567,860 tonnes from a measly 20,000 tonnes. However, it’s land-locked state may cause difficulty to sustain both population growth as well as economical development.
N
Kacyiru 2.5mi / 4km Remera 3.3mi / 5.0km
Beyond that, we saw that farming was extravagantly more than just the ecomomic booster in Rwanda. It was a place of redignification and social reconciliation. As the Tutsis and the hutus once were--farmers-then again they shall be as a symbol of unity in the land.
Kanombe 4.18mi / 6.7km Kimihurura 4.8mi / 7.7km Kigali 7.7mi / 4.8km
chitecture major Timothy Ong and his classmates took on a big challenge when they chose to hich would show how to bring hope and redemption to the genocide-ravaged country of Rwanda. about this ambitious proposal: behance.net/timothyong of the land? What allows people to be confident to participate and contribute in society despite errors in the past? What allows neighbors to dwell delightfully in a loving and secure community? We came to agree that more than just physical improvements must take place. There needs to be a resurrection of desire to be woven back into the social order of Rwanda. In short, Rwanda needs Jesus and the resurrection power of God that can forgive them, reintegrate them into the social
fabric, and change their desires towards restoring the land and reconciling with their brothers and sisters. Without “new creation,” as N.T. Wright would put it, there would be no desire for the people of Rwanda to seek reconciliation, education, peace, harmony, and flourishing. We proceeded to embody this “new creation” conceptually through our architecture by providing spaces for reconciliation through subsistence farming and houses
that rang with the truth of forgiveness. Derek, our teammate who does not believe in Jesus, struggled a lot when we approached the project with the idea of forgiveness and truth. However, I believe that he produced the most beautiful ideas in terms of how to embody those principles in architecture. His ideas of a farming street with the rooftops of houses converted to farming terraces spoke loudest to the jurors and our peers that
our project is all about “new creation,” truth, and forgiveness. One of my colleagues approached me and said, “Your project convinced me.” To this day, I am unsure to what end, but I am hoping that it left a positive impression of Christ. —Timothy Ong
7
The power of the gospel in the life of a
businessstudent “I hope to serve Jesus Christ through my work once I graduate by instilling into the business world an example of integrity, discernment, and diligence. My work is an offering of worship to my Creator.” Scott Boehret CCO STUDENT LEADER Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, Accounting
in his own words
E
very aspect of my life has changed since coming to college. The way I study, the way I interact with people on campus, the way I listen to music and watch movies— everything changed. One of the first people I met on campus at Bloomsburg was CCO staff member Brenden Scalley.
Brenden and I meet up pretty regularly, to talk about life and ministry, and he’s given me books to read, sermons to listen to, and so much more. Whenever you ask him a question, he asks a question back to you. They’re always such simple questions, but they get you thinking, and that’s what he wants. I came into college as an arrogant know-it-all freshman, and God humbled me quickly through several concussions between my freshman and sophomore years. Brenden used that opportunity to show me that God had more for me than
8
pursuing grades, relationships, or success. He wanted me to participate in the Gospel advancing at Bloomsburg University. Since then and now, God has given me a heart that bleeds for my fellow students who do not know God’s love. I want nothing more than to be able to share it with them. I have been involved in various Bible studies, a spring break trip to the Philly Project, and I had the immense privilege of being part of the Ocean City Beach Project in 2014. I learned a whole lot at the Beach Project about manhood, especially my role as a man in the church. I’ve learned that being a man of God is so countercultural
that it opens some really awesome discussions. I was also challenged to pursue the things I’m skilled at, which include business and people skills. I chose to major in accounting because I aspire one day to a leadership position in a business, and having a good background seemed like a good way to be able to do that. I also hope to be able to have the means to give freely and generously to many different ministries and to many people in need.
I’m excited about life after college, because I can work hard for God’s glory and promote integrity, excellence, and loving others in the business setting. I’m excited to be able to reach the business world with the Gospel.
through the eyes of his campus ministers BrendenScalley
geraudbrumfield
CCO Campus Staff Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, partnering with Bloomsburg Christian Church
Ocean City Beach Project 2014 Staff
My first interaction with Scott was at a fellowship meeting. We ran into each other later at Starbucks and started talking. He was a freshman, and he had a girl situation that he shared about. From there, I started to pursue him to get together and found out he’d grown up in a Christian household. We started meeting weekly for discipleship, and we led a men’s study together last semester. I have loved discipling Scott. Not everyone understands or processes the Gospel to the extent that he does. You grow
the most when you’re pushed by someone who understands it. He is reading and searching— the idea of being a life-long learner has really taken root.
CCO Campus Staff Clarion University of Pennsylvania, partnering with Koinonia Christian Fellowship
Within minutes of meeting Scott, you know a few things. Number one, when he is in, he is all in. Number two, he wants to be known and wants to know you. Number three, the guy just loves Jesus a whole lot. The Ocean City Beach Project broadened Scott’s worldview, reminded him of his true identity, and helped make him aware of his blind spots. In our weekly discipleship meetings, Scott was always looking for constructive feedback. He came to the beach wanting to leave changed. By the end of the summer, Scott had grown in his understanding of the Jubilee vision. He understood the purpose of ministry, but he cared a ton about business and doing it well. He grew in being self aware.
One time I asked Scott to pray over our meal. After he was done, I brought to his attention how he had only prayed for himself and not the food. I laughed it off as a “Scott being Scott” moment. He looked at me and said, “Wow, I never noticed.” The next few times when I heard Scott pray, he included folks far beyond himself. He never allowed things just to be said. He looked for the why behind everything. The Ocean City Beach Project is a summer-long leadership and character development opportunity for Christian college students.
9
experiencing the power of the gospel as a practicing
attorney by Delia Bianchin Bouwers
W
hen I first showed up at the University of Pittsburgh in 1994, it was a huge shock. Law school challenges your mindset, your outlook on life, everything about the way you think. I was challenged to articulate my faith in ways I’d never been before. It’s hard to imagine what it might have been like if I didn’t have that anchor of CCO ministry and the Christian Legal Society during law school. CCO staff member Lew Klatt was an incredibly powerful witness in our law school community, and an important friend and mentor.* He helped me meet other Christian lawyers and CCO student alumni. That was huge for me. The CCO set the foundation for exploring faith in my work— taking the time then to do that was so important. It’s been foundational and pivotal as I’ve pursued my career as a lawyer. I still pull out materials that Lew gave us, from a sheet tucked into my Bible to books that we read during that time.
10
After graduating, I spent ten years doing complex commercial litigation in a large law firm setting in Pittsburgh. As a type A personality, it was easy to get caught up in the intensity and the long hours of contract litigation. I had to make a lot of tough decisions. If I don’t believe what our client wants to do is right, how do I work for God’s glory? How do I reconcile what the client wants to do with what I believe is the right thing to do? During this time, I helped start Christian Legal Aid of Pittsburgh. In the beginning, there were only four of us volunteering our time to offer pro bono legal services to people in need. Today, it’s the second largest provider of pro bono legal services in Allegheny County, with more than 50 attorneys
volunteering. They have an amazing board, and law students participate—it’s such a blessing. It was really overwhelming in the beginning. I’m glad we had the strength and perseverance to get it established. Eight years ago, around the time I had my daughter, our family moved to the Butler area, north of Pittsburgh, and I became in-house counsel for Penn United Technologies, Inc. I love litigation, both the work and the intensity, but I also love this lower-key style of legal practice. It’s much more conducive to having a family.
I work mostly on contract negotiations with our customers and suppliers, as well as employee-related policies. Working in a great environment like Penn United gives me an opportunity to not just talk about what the law says we can do, but to explore what is the right thing to do. *CCO staff member Lew Klatt served as an advisor to the Christian Legal Society chapter at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law during the 1990s.
Delia’s story through the eyes of her campus minister, Lew Klatt
D
elia came up to me at the Christian Legal Society table at the Pitt law school activities fair and said, “I heard about you and I need to find out about the ministry.”
Delia came to law school for the right reasons. She had a genuine passion for justice and a commitment to being salt and light in the profession. Delia had heard about the ministry and wanted to be a part of it. I remember how delightful she was—all about joy and laughter. She definitely radiated the joy of Christ. She jumped in with both feet in both the law school and the Christian Legal Society and participated in the whole law school experience. She was involved in extra-curriculars of all sorts of organizations. I don’t think she slept much—she was so all in, really into her studies. She ended up being the editor of Law Review, which is quite a prestigious honor when you think of all the students who have distinguished themselves.
She was able to do that, and at the same time, did it as an outspoken Christian. Law school is a very political place—there are a lot of identity politics in play. It was impressive for her to have a worldview so diametrically opposed to the worldviews where most of her classmates found their identities, and still be affirmed and respected by others. We met together every week. Delia was someone I could collaborate with in ministry and talk about strategy, and I delegated to her quite a bit. She really had a passion for the priorities of God—a Christianity that got down and dirty—engaging the poor, being about justice. She connected with students who wanted to connect with the urban poor. I really appreciated that she saw these things as priorities. She had so much energy and so much fire, and she put priority on fellowship and cultivating it in law school.
Law school is a rite of passage, a crucible. There is a bonding there, and a person who was less tenacious would not have bonded with people who had such different priorities. Delia was a contrast to the Christian students who held themselves apart from the worldliness of law school. I couldn’t have done what I did as a campus minister without people like Delia.
Dr. Lew Klatt was a CCO staff member in the 1990s, working with law, medical, and dental students at the University of Pittsburgh. He is now Assistant Professor of English at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and has written several books of poetry. 11
Nonprofit U.S. Postage paid Pittsburgh, PA Permit # 1486 Coalition for Christian Outreach 5912 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15206 Return Service Requested
Why Janice and Tom McWhertor give to the CCO Tom and Janice McWhertor are Grove City College graduates who served as staff members with the CCO in various capacities from 1976-1986. During those years, they were also a part of the founding group of Pittsburgh Urban Christian School. Today, the McWhertors live in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Janice serves as Minister of Congregational Life for Church of the Servant, Christian Reformed Church, and Tom works as Director of Constituency Relations for World Renew, the justice, poverty, and disaster agency of the Christian Reformed Church of North America. How did you first get involved with the CCO? We were both students at Grove City College when the CCO started. Then a few years later, we joined as CCO staff to serve at Grove City. Subsequently, we took jobs in the Pittsburgh office during the early days of the organization. Why do you support the CCO? Our ten years with the CCO were tremendously formative for our lives and family. The friendships forged during our CCO days are still some of our deepest, and the life perspective
Our Board Andrew Aloe Group Chair Vistage International, Inc. Elizabeth Baker CEO Hot Metal Media LLC Robert H. Bishop Executive Vice President Janney Montgomery Scott LLC CCO Staff Alumnus Kurt E. Carlson Executive Vice President Hefren-Tillotson, Inc. The Rev. Nancy O. Chalfant-Walker Rector, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church CCO Staff Alumna
12
that we developed during those years has directed our lives and work since. We are still convinced that campus ministry is a strategic way for God to reach and change lives. Why should others support the CCO? The CCO is a tried and true trusted partner in campus ministry. Its leadership and staff are dedicated and sharp and make a difference in the lives of students across the region. Why is ministry to college students important? It makes good sense to aim at
Jennifer Ciccone Human Resources Director, Productivity Software Group EFI Ryan D. Deaderick, P.E. Vice President, Production Energy Corporation of America Joseph P. Diggins, Jr. Partner Ernst & Young LLP Louis A. Divers President Precision Abrasives Daniel J. Dupee President & CEO Coalition for Christian Outreach
The Rev. Dr. William R. Glaze Pastor Bethany Baptist Church Darrin E. Grove CEO TrueFit Judith A. Herschell President Herschell Environmental, LLC John M. Holt, Jr. President HOLSINGER Harry Kunze President & CEO Safety Works, LLC Amylyn Kyler Vice President, People Management Newton Consulting
college students on campuses today who will be leaders in industry, government, and social services in the future. If they can catch hold of the Kingdom vision that the CCO embodies, God can use them mightily in the future, in ways we can only imagine! Can you tell us more about your planned gift to the CCO? We consider our charitable concerns in our estate plan in the same way that we consider our children. In our case, we have four children, all included in our estate plan, but we have
The Rev. Robert R. Long Chairman Emeritus Coalition for Christian Outreach Martha McElhattan Homemaker and Volunteer Terrence H. Murphy Shareholder Littler Mendelson P.C. Brian T. Must Founding Member Metz, Lewis, Brodman, Must & O’Keefe The Rev. Richard Noftzger Executive Presbyter Redstone Presbytery CCO Staff Alumnus J. Paul Organ Founder & Certified Financial Planner Marathon Financial Services CCO Staff Alumnus
also included “Charity” as our “fifth child,” and that portion of our estate will be divided among several of the causes that are most dear to us during our lifetimes, including the CCO. Have you remembered the CCO in your estate plans or through another planned gift? We would like to recognize you through the Legacy Fellowship. For more information, or if you have any questions about the CCO’s ministry, please contact Allyson Sveda, Director of Development, at 412-363-3303.
James W. Rimmel Senior Vice President, Investments UBS Financial Services, Inc. James D. Roberge Managing Director Staley Capital Advisers, Inc. John S. Rosso CEO Peak Performance Management Inc. David A. Schrader, Ph.D. Partner, Full Circle Group CCO Staff Alumnus Chris Seidler Sales Executive Net Health Kenneth E. Smith Chairman of the Board President Simcoach Games
Lori Stuckey Homemaker and Volunteer Henry B. Suhr III Adjunct Faculty Geneva College CCO Staff Alumnus J.T. Thomas Owner Black-N-Gold Cheesecake Company Mary Martha Truschel Assistant Counsel, Southwest Regional Office PA Department of Environmental Protection Dr. John H. White President Emeritus Geneva College James D. Young COO, Senior Vice President Crown Castle