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The Olivetian
Summer 2007
Building for eternity By Casey Manes
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ater holds a special significance for Andrew Kizzee ’07. He is keenly aware of how clean water can impact an entire community, and how detrimental tainted amounts of the liquid can be. The recent engineering graduate came to Olivet with the intention of fulfilling his dream of designing and building skyscrapers that would redefine the skylines of American cities. But in the midst of his sophomore year, through conversations with friends and speakers in chapel, a similar topic kept emerging — money and stewardship. Andrew looks back on the time now and realizes God was preparing his heart for a shift in focus. Following the lead of the stewardship theme, Andrew opted to set aside goals of making a lot of money and spent his summer working at an inner city home repair ministry in Memphis, Tenn. There he served as a camp counselor while he and others worked on buildings badly in need of repairs. Through this ministry, Andrew developed relationships with leaders at the camp. One such leader shared his involvement in Engineering Ministries International as a full-time missionary, designing buildings for people overseas and constructing wells and other structures. Andrew felt a tug toward this area of work, and as time went on, he knew God was calling him to invest his life in architectural ministry. “As soon as I heard the testimony [of the engineer] I knew it was what I was supposed to do,” remembers Andrew.
CHAPLAIN’S NOTEBOOK Seeking fresh spiritual inspiration and biblical insight? University Chaplain Michael Benson, noted author and evangelist, has a regular blog on Olivet’s Web site. FEATURED POSTING:
“A sweet idea” y May 7, 2007 “Last year, an Olivet student spent his summer months in Zambia. His host was the Mtumba family. The father is the Nazarene district superintendent. While in Africa, our student felt a growing concern for the oldest of these children and, specifically, for his education. Believing that God was laying a burden on his heart, our student came up with a sweet idea … ”
CONSTRUCTING HOPE
To read the full article, go to www.olivet.edu and select “Chaplain’s Notebook” from the drop-down menu.
PODCASTS Free, downloadable broadcasts of weekly chapel services and other ONU events are now available online. Go to www.olivet.edu and select “Podcasts — Listen Now!” from the drop-down menu.
The Bible on MP3 y March 22, 2007 Morgan Jackson, Hosanna Ministries
Argentina over Spring Break for preliminary construction for the water purification system. Andrew is pictured in the back row, far right.
SU B MIT TED PH OTO
Through vivid storytelling, Jackson reports on the amazing work God is doing through Hosanna ministries’ provision of audio recordings of Scripture in more than 200 languages. Jackson challenges the ONU community to experience transformation firsthand by listening to the New Testament over a 40-day period.
“The love of God” y April 13, 2007 Jess Middendorf, general superintendent,
Church of the Nazarene Middendorf explains how God wants us to have a close relationship with Him and those around us so that we can go and change the world. Additional Podcasts include addresses by: John C. Bowling, University president Michael Benson, University chaplain Richard Swenson, author, Margin Kathy Peel, Family Manager Network, Inc. McCartha McKenzie, vice president for spiritual life
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p A team of ONU students and staff went to
Following a summer wedding to fellow Olivet alum, Susan Fleming ’07, Andrew will attend graduate school at the University of Memphis for work toward a master’s in civil engineering. He intentionally chose the Tennessee school so he can continue to work with the inner city building camp that started his interest in architectural ministry in the first place. Beyond further education, Andrew has plans to become a full-time missionary in either India or Jordan through Engineering Ministries International where he will have opportunities to build wells and help others achieve access to clean p Andrew and three fellow Olivet graduates will complete the water as well as construct orinstallation on the new system in July. phanages, churches, aid in disaster relief and assist in many AN INTENTIONAL FUTURE other projects. He knows it will be a challengAlong with the satisfaction of obeying ing step, but is confident it is his life’s call. God’s call, Andrew appreciates the reward“The hardest thing will probably be being aspect of the work he does. ing so far away from friends and family and “The feeling that I’m doing something depending on others for support. I will have meaningful is really fulfilling. It’s just really to raise support, and to accept income from great, there just isn’t really anything else like others is humbling,” he shares. it,” he shares. Andrew realizes since entering Olivet four Andrew appreciates the environment he years ago, his life plans have altered dramatiwas a part of while at Olivet that helped precally, but he wouldn’t have it any other way. pare him for his current path. “Professor Mike “This is what I am called to do.” Morgan was so encouraging, he [reminds] stuThis Olivet graduate isn’t turning back, as dents to realize they can do many things with he fixes his eyes on accessing clean water their degree. Along with that, the whole Olivet and building structures that will count toward atmosphere really encourages people.” eternity.
FEATURED PODCASTS:
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SUBMIT TED PHOTO
Senior year, as part of his capstone project, Andrew and three other senior engineering majors tackled the creation of a water purification system to be installed at a startup seminary in Argentina. The new school was having difficulty recruiting staff due to the dangerously unclean water. Along with this, in area villages, the infant mortality rate was at 50 percent, largely due to pathogenic water. Andrew and his classmates set to work, putting their education into action for a real world purpose. The team designed a water purification system that would be used with an existing well in Argentina. They designed an automated system complete with carbon filters, which remove impurities, and an ultraviolet filter that kills harmful microorganisms. This July, Andrew and other Olivet graduates will travel to Argentina to install the system.
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