EARN 15 CREDITS OVERSEAS GAIN HANDS ON EXPERIENCE IN A VARIETY OF FIELDS SUCH AS SOCIAL WORK, SPORTS, MICRO FINANCE, APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY, EDUCATION AND HEALTH CARE. CONTACT FAITH NAVA FOR MORE INFO FAITH.NAVA@GREENVILLE.EDU
Catch the WAVE! Catch the CRAVE! All GC Students get 10% OFF their meal. Student ID required.
Greenville Dairy Queen 219 N 3rd St, Greenville, IL 62246
Burgers & More 104 W. Harris Ave. (Rte. 127) • GREENVILLE, IL
618.664.9002 www.kahunasburgers.com
CON T E NTS volume 111 // Issue 1
6
10
13
New NSO
10 Essential GC Experiences
Theatre Department Tribute
The NSO approach underwent major changes this year
A Senior Gives His Advice on 10 Things No Greenville student should miss
Theatre at Greenville Takes a New Look
14
16
17
Set Free-Chocolate
worship arts culture
6 Ways to Get Involved
Answers to a few frequently asked questions about Chocolate Challenges
One Student’s Experience in the world of Worship Arts
Feeling Altruistic, but not sure what to do? hopefully this can help
26
27
34
Pranks: A Declining Tradition
“Burn The Boat” and “All In”
10 Things To Do On Reading Day
A Few Stories to Tickle Your Fancy
A quick consideration towards what Christian leadership is
35
36
42
As Panthers Rise
“Insight into GC Dance”
My Greenville College
A Look Back at the Volleyball Team’s Year
Meet Our Unsung Athletes
Lexi Baysinger makes her College Experience Personal
10 Things to Do instead of Studying For Finals
STAFF volume 111 // Issue 1
WRITERS ADVISED BY RACHEL HESTON-DAVIS
JONATHAN JOHNSON
ASHLEY SCHUETZ
TAYLOR MEYERS
BEN WILTSE
ANDY ANDERSON
LUKE COTTINGHAM
SAM ALLEN
JOE KAM
DUSTIN HIGGINBOTHAM
BEKAH DOTHAGER
KIRSTEN NORSWORTHY
D E S IG N ER S
ADVISED BY JESSA WILCOXEN
BRIANA PHILLIPS
JUSTIN SMITH
E DITO RS’ NOTES There are other cases where our cracks do get repaired, but they don’t disappear. Like a fine vessel that has been damaged our cracks await final mending that will not show them as worthless flaws, but as There was a man with two water jugs. One beautiful imperfections that show love and of them was very well crafted and cared care and life rather than cold manufactured for and never had a problem. The other jug perfection. was cracked along the bottom. Each day the man would go to fetch water and each That’s what this issue is about. We have day when he would come home the cracked laughs, we have fillers, but mainly it focusses on the way our fractures are vessel was empty. This left the cracked jar unfulfilled, it couldn’t do its job and it said being made new. So please read, warm your heart, and be inspired. as much. The man listened to the complaint, but then implored the jug to be watchful as they ventured out the next day. Thanks, Jon Jonson The next day the jug watched as they walked over the dry dusty ground beside the way on the way out, and then he saw the vibrant floral life filling the roadside as they walked back, and watched as the water he held gave life to the rest. Then he understood. There’s a story my latin teacher used to tell. He told a lot of stories, but this one is one of my favorites and I think it makes sense here.
This semester’s issue is all about the photo. We want to highlight the article in a visually compelling way and we found the best way to accomplish that is through a well thought out executed photography. Sam Allen stepped up to the plate and helped to develop a position specifically for photography. He was instrumental in creating this semester’s look. With the collaboration of the rest of the designers we were able to produce a strong and simple layout that showcases the direction of each article. I hope you find the photos compelling, the focus clear, and inspiration on each page. Thanks, Bri Phillips
S PEC IAL THANKS TO KAT KELLY, KATIE WAL L AC E , GC P U B L I CAT I ON S , A N D T H E M A R K ET I N G DEPA RT M EN T F OR P H OTOGR A PH Y A N D S UPPO RT.
Greenville College:
Through Nonnative Eyes Luke Cottingham
Let’s be honest; there are a lot of colleges out there, and all of them can give you essentially the same degree. And that degree will open many of the same doors no matter where you earned it. Yet Greenville College, a small college in a small community of people in rural Illinois, brings in prospective students from around the world. This seems to indicate something special about Greenville College, but why choose Greenville over the seemingly countless other colleges out there? Now, of course there is the obvious: the brilliant professors, the tight-knit community, the Christian environment, the challenge of bettering yourself and your faith, the amazing people... but I believe I will stop there for fear of digressing too much. So just what is it about Greenville that draws in students from around the world? How did Greenville stand out as a cut above the rest? I set out to interview some people from around the world who have chosen to attend Greenville College. There are many wonderful things about Greenville College that attract prospective students from near and far. In my search for interviewees, I met a charming young incoming freshman named Sean Meng. Sean is from a small town near Beijing, China. He heard of Greenville’s English language learning program from friends. They spoke highly of Greenville and the small college that resided within it, and Sean felt compelled to apply. He told me that he loves how peaceful Greenville is and how the people are so friendly and willing to help with just about anything. Since he has obviously needed to ask for help from time to time to adjust so well to American culture, the hospitality of the people here really stood out to him. He spoke of how he loved the atmosphere, how quiet it was to study in, and how blue
the sky was here compared to his home. The highlight for him was the environment and, of course, the people that make it even better. The second person interviewed was also from China. His name is Shujun Cheng, but his friends here call him Jim. He’s a Sophomore this year, and he also spoke very highly of Greenville College. He found out about the college through his father’s friend’s son who told him about the English program Greenville offered. This friend told Jim about this small Liberal Arts college and how nice the people were when he went for a visit. Naturally, Jim was intrigued by the idea of such a place. Jim, much like Sean, also talked about how much he loved the quiet, and how good that is when you need to study. He loves how friendly the people are, and how there are plenty of opportunities to spend time with friends but also plenty of time to study. He also said that the Christian environment really made him feel comfortable, and he liked the space that Greenville allowed. He said it was nothing like the big cities in China where it’s really crowded. Another thing he wanted to add was that he liked the food we have here in the DC, and he loved how helpful the professors are. The people that I have met through these interviews are amazing people, and they have come so far just to be able to study at our college. They truly see something special in it, and it reminds us all never to take Greenville’s uniqueness for granted. It’s such a blessing to be able to study and learn and grow, not just in our faith, but as people as well. There are many things that make Greenville College a great place to be and a great college to be a part of, and I’d like to think that people like Sean and Jim, people like us, make it better by turning our diversity into community.
Students gather together in the annual Back-to-School Bash celebrating the culmination of 3 days worth of NSO events
TRANSFORMING LIVES FOR CHARACTER AND SERVICE
N
NSO
SO offers a unique chance for the new students on campus to join in Greenville College’s distinctive culture and mission. At GC, the events are all about relationships, especially during NSO. From the moment freshmen and transfer students arrive on campus, the experience orients them towards the college’s mission statement: Transforming Lives for Character and Service. Whether that is through Departmental Desserts, the New Student Mugging, or the Ivy Planting, every event helps new students form meaningful relationships and connections in a dynamic and powerful way. In keeping with the college’s mission, NSO usually involves some type of service component. This year, students enjoyed a completely new service opportunity in East St. Louis. Freshmen and transfer students were introduced to several non-profit centers around the city, including the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center, the Christian Activity Center, a local food pantry, and school district 189, that minister to the East St. Louis area. Eager students were teamed up with the organizations and local schools in order to meet some needs in the community. During the day-long event, students came alongside community members to painstakingly repaint sidewalks, mend fences, plant trees, and more with the intent to begin building relationships that would continue throughout the year. If you have never seen 50 freshman boys move a set of bleachers, it is a sight to behold. Students may have been sweating through their bright orange t-shirts, but most managed to maintain uplifting attitudes. This was partly owed to the evident passion the community members displayed for their work. Students were ministered to by the community members just as much as they ministered to the community. Before the event, many students were nervous about going into East St. Louis. The city has a bad reputation from the media, and that reputation is widespread, even across states. Unfortunately, the East St. Louis area is known for high crime rates, gangs, and poverty. However, God has a way of bringing people together from different backgrounds according to His purposes. As students toured the school systems, organizations, and met the community members, they were amazed to find that God was present in East St. Louis too. Students were introduced to faculty and staff members who were welcoming, dedicated, and honest about the challenges they faced, yet determined to overcome those challenges as a community. Claire Sattler, class of 2018, said it perfectly when she said, “I learned that poverty didn’t look like neglect. I learned that people who don’t have the access to higher education are not people lacking a desire to learn.” At East St. Louis High School, plaques displaying the names of people who had graduated from East St. Louis and gone on to become professionals in their fields adorned the hallways, while college banners decorated every other inch of wall space. The facilities of the non-profit organizations
were well-kept and easily accessible. Here was a community dedicated to working together towards a greater good. The way the people pushed for unity and identity in one another was incredibly inspiring, especially to a campus that constantly affirms the power of community. Reflecting on the trip, Lauren Stephenson, freshman, said, “[NSO] has dramatically changed my view on East St. Louis and the kind of community it is. It showed me that stereotypes can be changed and not to make assumptions before I even have a chance to immerse myself into someone’s life or culture.” What new students may have originally thought was a chance to “save the city from itself” became a beautiful learning experience of people committed to bettering their own community. Instead of a hit-and-run approach to service, students began to understand that serving other people takes time and intentional commitment. For that reason, many students continued to return to East St. Louis over the semester to continue to work with the people and organizations they were introduced to during NSO. Suddenly, GC’s mission statement took on a whole new meaning. Service doesn’t just transform the lives of others; it transforms those who serve as well. It is the beautiful collaboration of people intent on one purpose and one goal. Overall, the day was an incredible learning opportunity, not just a service opportunity. Students were able to face their stereotypes and prejudices head-on as they encountered person after person who painted an entirely different picture of East St. Louis. Now, as students discuss the events of the day, they speak of East St. Louis with pride and respect. Brennan Hurley, a freshmen, says of the city, “East St. Louis, to my surprise, is a close-knit community with so much hope, togetherness, and potential. They are people that strive to be the best that they can be, both in the classroom and out. They want and have hope for the future.” The fact that the people of East St. Louis allowed Greenville College students in to experience their successes along with their struggles was life-changing for our students. No longer can Greenville College students think of East St. Louis in the form of nasty media reports, of violence and desperate people. Out of NSO’s service day, a new picture has emerged— a vision of people, each with a name, committed to excellence, to better opportunities, and to a future for the next generations. In the weeks following NSO, talk over the service trip could be heard around lunch tables, on Scott Field, and in lounges all over campus. The NSO service project was just the beginning. Many students committed to returning to East St. Louis for continued service opportunities throughout the semester. Lives are not changed in a day, but rather through meaningful relationships. They are called back continually to catch a breath of fresh air in a self-centered world and to be inspired as much as to inspire. The Greenville experience had already begun— transformation for lives of character and service.
KIRSTEN NORSWORTHY GC LIFE VIEW | 7
STUDENT BUSINESSES ben wiltse
Alex Staton is a Junior Marketing major that felt Folger’s was simply not cutting it anymore. That is why he decided to start his own specialty coffee business, named Trifold Roasters, alongside Bri Phillips and Hunter Smith. What is different about their approach is that instead of simply purchasing coffee and using a coffee maker, they manually craft each cup. “When I had my first cup of specialty coffee, it changed my view on what a good cup of joe was,” Staton remarks. “It was smooth and fruity and blew my mind.” What also makes Trifold Roasters so unique is what goes on ‘behind the scenes’, so to speak. Coffee is the second most traded commodity in the world behind crude oil; therefore the farmers in third world countries that grow coffee beans are usually in poverty. That is why Staton and his partners are taking action. Instead of buying from big name brands, they use direct trade, which means that the money they use to buy the coffee beans goes directly to the farmer. But their love of coffee and the people who make it doesn’t stop there. They also give a portion of their profits to a church partner that will send missionaries to the village the coffee came from. Trifold Roasters, while insistent on perfection of their coffee, also shines a light in the world that many did not know was able to be done through something as simple as coffee.
Ryan Fleckenstein is a second semester Junior Music Business major who operates Fleckenstein Instrument Repair, a luthier business that fixes and builds bass and electric guitars. Fleckenstein was inspired by his older brother, Greg, who is one of the top technicians at Fastenal, an inventory management and tool repair company. Ryan says that because of Greg he knows how to be a “proper handyman.” Fleckenstein was not only inspired by his brother, but the “shoddy” work that bigbox stores do, despite their high prices. So in the summer before his freshman year at Greenville, Fleckenstein decided to learn everything he could about repairing guitars in order to bypass the middle man of the below par luthiers. Eventually, he found himself repairing guitars from the bands he was in, and soon after that, he invested in his own guitar repair kit. Fleckenstein Instrument Repair was born. Fleckenstein says that one of his greatest achievements as luthier was custom building a Fender Stratocaster that he had originally intended to build for himself. After Fleckenstein had started building it, Nick Bifano of Nick Bifano and the Innocents expressed an interest in purchasing the guitar. Fleckenstein remodeled the guitar to fit Bifano’s customizations, and it is currently his primary guitar for touring. Bifano enjoys the guitar so much, he nicknamed the guitar ‘Fleck’.
Glenn Owens is a Junior Audio Engineer major who runs a business fixing iPhones and computers. Like many others, Owens was fed up with the prices that national chains were offering to repair their own products. So instead of paying the in-store price, he decided this past summer to stand up to the problem on his own, by learning to fix the problem himself. One of the primary tools Owen uses is iFixit.com, where he purchases specified parts for whatever technology needs fixing. The website also comes with instructions on how to fix the problem, so Owens needs to learn how to fix each new product. With practice, however, he has become increasingly efficient. Owens, being an audio engineer, is certainly pleased with how this makes him look to potential employers. “Knowing how to read a schematic of a phone or laptop certainly brings to light technical ability,” Owens says. Alongside the ability to work with electronics, his business tells future employers that he can advertise effectively and make customers happy. This is good for anyone about to go into the job market. Though Owens is still learning, he can certainly get any college student out of a jam when their phone screen cracks midway through the semester, with no way of getting a new phone.
The 10 Wonders ofAndy Anderson Greenville College Many students spend their nights murmuring about the lack of activities to partake in at Greenville College. Which makes me want to throw on a sparkling Richard Simmons singlette and motivate this campus: “Come on people! Embrace the wonders around you!!” As my grandma always used to say “if you’re bored, you’re boring.” So this article is a reminder to all the “bored” students at Greenville to appreciate Greenville’s campus and all that comes with it.
10: Urban Golf Whether you’re a golf enthusiast or just looking for an excuse to hit balls at the buildings of Greenville College, Urban Golf is the game for you. The golf “course” consists of a series of “holes” made up of stairs, doors, windows, and pits around campus. This game is played with a tennis ball and a golf club of choice (usually a 7 Iron). You can shoot the common course, or use your imagination to conjure up new holes. But don’t forget to watch out for obstacles like pedestrians, bushes, sidewalks, roads, and the campus cats. Then grab your friends, clubs, and kilts and spend a day on the campus fairways.
9 Open Mic Nights Greenville College is an impressive community of musicians. The skills of many singers, guitarists, and pianists go unnoticed by the general public of the college. However, Open Mic Night is an opportunity for students around campus to experience the hidden talents of others. Open Mic events are held in “The Blackroom” which creates a relaxed coffee shop vibe. In addition, these events are often hosted by notorious Greenville jokesters, which makes for an overall memorable and entertaining evening.
8: Sporting Events If you’re a sports fan you’re in luck, because Greenville offers a lot of options: basketball, baseball, volleyball, cross country, football and more. Athletes from around the country make up our athletic teams, and each sport offers different forms of entertainment. Whether it’s the finesse of a game winning three pointer, or the violent crack of a volleyball against polished wood, Greenville athletics are a lot of fun to watch.
7: Dorm Floor Slip n’ Slide Although this is event is lesser known and often undercover, it’s necessary to include it on this list. My freshman year in Holtwick Hall, my RC allowed us to put down a massive tarp across the entire hall. Then the guys on my floor coated the hall with baby oil. Once the tarp was ready, we spent the rest of the night sliding, battling, and surfing just outside of our doors. It was an absolute blast and it’s something every Greenville Freshman should experience.
6: The Globe Movie theaters in a town of 7,000 are more endangered than Icelantic Snow Owls, so The Globe is quite a blessing. The small three screen theatre has been the setting for countless cinematic adventures for myself and many other Greenville students. In fact, my fondest Greenville memory occurred in the theatre when my friends and I dressed up like superheroes to see the midnight showing of “The Avengers.” I was Captain America, and yes, I wore my underwear outside of my pants.
5: Scott Field Mingling
Making people laugh on stage is one of the highlights of my college career, and Joyous Chaos was essential for that to happen.
Whether it’s tossing a Frisbee, reading a book, or attempting to talk to the opposite sex, Scott Field holds a lot of memories for many students. The orange hue of autumn trees encasing the freshly mowed grassy square of Scott Field is a sight that shouldn’t be taken for granted. Many students have built friendships on the field with events like Back to School Bash, Powder-puff Football, and various concerts. Scott Field may be simple, but its a heartbeat of campus.
2: Lake Durley
4: Intramurals Intramurals is every former high school athlete’s opportunity to prove their skills. Students of all different ability ranges gather together to compete in volleyball, basketball, and football. I had a chance to play basketball with some of my best friends, and although we were pretty untalented at the sport. Together we strung together a lot of victories. After one of our teammates hit a game winning shot in one of our playoff basketball games, we even held a fake press conference after the game, and acted like NBA stars.
3: Joyous Chaos Show I didn’t attend my first Joyous Chaos show until late in my sophomore year. After viewing the show I wanted nothing more than to be part of the team. Then, after trying out my junior year I was blessed with the news that I had made the team. Since then, I’ve realized that Joyous Chaos is an entertaining experience for both the fans and the improv actors. The games, laughs, and community of improv are all amazing to be a part of.
Lake Durley is beautiful regardless of the season. If you enjoy fishing, swimming, ice skating, ice hockey, canoeing, or jumping off a train bridge… look no further than Greenville’s traditional setting: Lake Durley. Students that chose to participate in All College Hike, opposed to the equally celebrated “All College Sleep,” have the opportunity to experience the best parts of Durley. I still remember beginning a lot of relationships at All College Hike my freshman year through volleyball, boating, and time on the dock.
1: Vespers One thing that stands out about Greenville College is the love for Jesus Christ among students. Vespers is a time to gather as community of students and praise our savior. Complete with breathtaking music and genuine sermons from students, Vespers is a must for anyone. The fact that Vespers is student lead is a spiritual indication of Greenville’s student body, and displays the common desire of most of the campus, which is to serve and worship the God of all things.
A STRONG
Pneumatology IS NEEDED JON JOHNSON
We come to college to learn. We come to a Christian liberal arts college to learn about God. This issue of the Vista, we want to take a moment and highlight a department with a focus towards cultivating this desire to learn about God. We can talk about all of the wonderful things to do on campus and all of the great service opportunities and our sports teams and all of these wonders till the cows come home. (Whatever that means.) For a brief moment, shift your mind off of the stresses of “everyday life” and let’s start talking, about our Philosophy and Religion department. Greenville College is a very unique place. When President Marston accepted the Presidency he brought with him the innovations of his time, like those of John Dewey. He was greatly in agreement with the educational rejuvenators of his day except in one majorly distinct way. In education being holistic it had to circle around God and point to Him. All of our courses aim to bring us to glimpse the hand of God, but when we talk about a Religion course we are directly hoping to encounter God. We may be caught by surprise when these same classes can also bring about questions that in all reality are scary to think about. Be not dismayed, however. There is not a professor here who would desire to see you abandon the faith, but they do want you to think about it, at least enough so that you get away from “Your Momma’s Religion” and seek to find where you fit in to the divine drama. They will
make us face questions that we are apprehensive about, but if one is headed in the wrong direction and Jesus causes him or her to stumble is that not a good thing? As then we can stand back up and they will be brothers and sisters and mentors and teach us “to say” (As Dr. Wayman brings up from time to time). They show us that there is nothing lost in William James’ admission that “Our faith is faith in someone else’s faith.” And they remind us that if these things shake our faith, we must not run from them, but “get more faith.” And how do we “get more faith” as President Burritt once said? God gives it to us. The Holy Spirit is our strength and gift and when we are challenged in what we know, when the facts say that all that we knew once is false. Then we must have a strong view of the Holy Spirit to know that God is at work in all things and the Holy Spirit can sustain us in all things. Waiting on the Lord to fill us up is painstaking, however, and so it is good to know that there are professors that we can trust to help guide us through this waiting. To help aid the Philosophy and Religion Department in this task of guiding students to be closer still to God, they have developed the JKL Religion Building across from the President’s House. Filled with pieces of the long history of Greenville College (like chairs made from the desks in Hogue Hall) the common space surrounded by faculty offices will be a wonderful place for relationships to be built, ideas to be discussed, and waiting upon the Lord to take place.
Greenville College’s Factory Theatre has had a mission and faithfully stuck to it through the years. Their mission says, “The Theatre Program at Greenville College strives to prepare students in the art and craft of theatre, develop creativity and imagination, increase understanding of the human condition, and help students to articulate the role of theatre from a Christian worldview.” As Greenville College approached the school year of 20142015, there were some tough business decisions to be made. Unfortunately, the theatre program had to be cut. The community of Greenville, Illinois and Greenville College benefited in great ways from The Factory Theatre and their program working with the college. The theatre brought together students and created unforgettable bonds and memories. Students were also able to grow bonds with the town of Greenville through their productions. Upon speaking with several townspeople and GC students, staff, and faculty, it is clear the Theatre Program was important to many. Kyle Smith, a resident of Greenville, said, “The Factory Theatre is a part of my family for more reasons than one.” Mr. Smith goes on to explain his personal experiences with the theatre. “Myself and my cousin went there as children to see Agatha Christie’s ‘Ten Little Indians’. We were so enthralled by the story, we just wanted
to see how the show ended. To this day I remember how much I laughed at the final line, ‘Thank god women can’t shoot straight.’ The excitement I felt sitting there at the edge of my seat cannot be compared to anything I have felt before. I can only hope I will instill the love of theatre I have gained from such experiences to others. Someday I hope to bring my children to one of these shows. The people who put on these performances gave a part of their souls, from “Charlotte’s Web” to “Godspeed.” I wouldn’t give those memories up for the world.” It is evident the impact the Factory Theatre has made from stories such as Kyle Smith’s. The Factory Theatre produced its first play in 1973 for an audience of 60. For 40 years the theatre has progressed, and was recently calculated to be performing plays for about 3,000 patrons a year. The theatre has done an outstanding job of bringing together community in Greenville. Though the theatre program at Greenville College has been cut, there are plans in progress to continue having productions in the school and in the town. Greenville College has developed a Theatre Club and are hopeful to see an opportunity for those who wish to make a career of this. The traditional theatre program will truly be missed; however, God has His hand on the future of theatre in Greenville, Illinois and Greenville College.
TAYLOR MEYERS
TRAPPED IN THE OPEN AIR andy anderson I could feel a shiver creep down my arm, it was the first thing I’d felt in the last few minutes. My feet had reached a state of completely numbness, and I feared the same deadness was moving up my legs. When I looked at the clock on my phone and realized it was only 1:00 a.m. hope began to retreat from me. The rest of my group shared in my struggle. Eventually, we resorted to humor to disguise our own misery within the cold, but even humor began to fade as the harsh night continued. We all had agreed to spend the night outside for our COR 401 project, but we didn’t expect to feel so uncomfortable, so lost, and so hopeless. I was a part of COR 401 group nine this semester and our focus was on homelessness. In the beginning stages of our project our group thought it was essential to gain some understanding of what it would be like to be homeless. Samantha Paulin, Seth Martin, Ryan Smith, Jon Wilson, and I (Andy Anderson) decided that the best way to gather a personal understanding of homelessness was to live on the streets ourselves. So we spent a whole day and night wandering the streets of Springfield, IL. After purchasing thin jackets that resembled traditional stereotypes of the attire of homeless men and women, our group began our day long journey. We spent most of the daylight hours aimlessly walking along the sidewalks of the city. Our day was pretty average except for a couple of dirty looks and profane gestures from a car driving by. However, we knew that the night would bring the most adversity. We made our way to a public park after the sun went down. There we began to endure the coolness of late fall. The weather was declining quickly and our lack of layers of clothing became quite noticeable. Our group was able to keep moving, in an attempt to ignore the cold. However, when it came time to try and sleep our struggle against the chillness of the air became inescapable. At around 10 p.m. our group arrived at Seth Martin’s property, where we planned to stay the night in his barn (for safety reasons). After clearing what seemed like hundreds of cob webs from the loft, we attempted to settle in until morning. It didn’t take long before our group felt trapped within the wooden walls around us, the temperature was steadily declining and had dropped below 30 degrees. We all tried our best to fall asleep, so we could wake up at the planned time, 8 a.m., and go inside of Seth’s warm home for some breakfast. Our mental countdown of the hours was what limited us from truly experiencing homelessness. Unlike our group, individuals that are homeless don’t have the luxury of knowing when their next meal will be, or when they’ll be able to rest in an actual bed. Spending a single night in the bitter cold was enough for our group to gain a passion for our topic. The heartbreaking reality is that every night that we lay down to sleep within our warm shelters, there are people outside without hope, waiting out the night. This semester our group has paired with the amazing organization of St. Louis Winter Outreach. The organization aims to satisfy the simple and direct need of keeping those without homes warm on winter nights. Winter Outreach provides transportation for the homeless to shelters, and provides warm attire for those who choose to stay outside when the weather is 20 degrees or lower. The organization is in need of volunteers, and our COR group will be offering a trip for students to serve the homeless during interterm. If you want to learn more about St. Louis Winter Outreach check out their website: www. stlwinteroutreach.org. As a group we learned a lot of lessons about the issue of homelessness over the semester, but the core of our project is to encourage students to take small steps within the massive issue of homelessness. Even the smallest steps can be led by God, and can impact lives of individuals who are suffering.
PLUNGERBALL tay l o r m e y e r s
Upon discovering what community really is at Greenville College you may find some bizarre activities and ways of bonding. Amongst the many ways GC grows their bonding community is through sports. One recreational sport played between male dorm buildings is Plungerball. Plugerball is a competitive yet fun game that Joy and Jansen hall have created. This intense game is played by placing two balls on two separate sticks. These sticks are placed at the end of a basketball court, and the two teams are trying to knock the balls off by throwing other balls at them. There is a ten foot radius around the stick with the ball, and no one is allowed in this radius besides the goalies. You can only take 3 steps with the ball at a time, or it is traveling. In the school year of 2013-2014 Jansen Hall was undefeated. As of fall 2014 this stood untrue, as Joy was gaining victories, and West Oak hall decided to join the Plungerball fun as well. The gentlemen become rather competitive, trash talking, and have even seen some pretty painful injuries. One specific example of this was a game where one of the players was talking trash to the other team, then within the first five minutes of the game he popped his shoulder out of socket. Ben Wiltse says, “I saw it get pretty rough when people fight for the ball! From my experience, it is very intense and can get aggressive sometimes, even though it is just for fun!�
Greater Greenville, Greater Vision Anna Brannaon
Who are you and what’s your role with the Set Free Movement? I’m Anna Brannon, and I’m a Sophomore. I have been working with the Set Free Movement in Greenville for two years. Right now I am the co-president of the Set Free group at GC.
What is the 30 Day Chocolate Challenge? This is a 30-day period (starting October 22 and ending November 21) during which we have challenged people to purchase and consume chocolate that is fair trade or ethically sourced. To supplement this challenge, we have created a 30 Day Challenge to help people get educated. Every person that signed up will have received an email each day during the chocolate challenge with links, articles, videos, etc. that focus on prayer, general human trafficking information, Christian perspective, the progression of abolition, and what we can tangibly do to effect change. The purpose is to educate our campus and help people realize that we have a responsibility to respond to the problem of human trafficking as well as the power to do so.
Does this mean I can never eat Reese’s, Hershey’s, or M&M’s again? Right now, none of these brands have policies that promote ethical sourcing, and as long as their customers don’t care enough to stop buying their products, they are not going to change. For this reason, I have stopped purchasing these products. I won’t deny that I eat them once in a while when they’re given to me, but they are not something I choose to give my money too. Moreover, I see it as less of a choice, and more of a responsibility that comes with the knowledge of what these businesses practice. Chocolate isn’t a necessity. I might think it is, but that’s just my first-world, consumerist subconscious talking. Jesus wasn’t kidding when he said it is difficult for the culturally privileged people to enter the kingdom. We have to be willing to make some sacrifices. Hopefully someday I will be able to buy Reese’s again once they clean up their supply chain.
What is the difference between Fair Trade, Free Trade, and Direct Trade? Great question! Fair Trade is a global certification that helps people identify products that were made in an ethical manner. It’s a way to ensure that workers are fairly compensated, but it’s also a commitment to the betterment of the community. Free trade is almost the opposite. It is an economic theory that permits trade to flow without government intervention through policies or taxes. Free Trade is what allows trafficking to occur because there are no regulations. Small business can’t compete with the larger corporations, so their prices drop, they go into debt, and they are essentially forced to work for free. Direct Trade, on the other hand is the most secure form of trade because it cuts out the middleman. Distributers purchase their
products directly from the producers for a fair price, and in doing so, further ensure that their workers are being cared for.
How do we get companies that we like to buy from to practice ethical sourcing? First we have to start asking questions. We have to ask them what their policies are when it comes to their supply chain and workers rights. If they aren’t so great, then we send petitions, make phone calls, and do some boycotting. We’re the ones giving them our money, so we have a lot more power than we think. As far as chocolate companies go, they’re starting to get the message. Many of them are making pledges to have slave-free chocolate, but not for eight more years. So there is still a lot of work to do.
This is all a bit overwhelming. Is it even possible for us to boycott every company that uses slave labor? I don’t know; I haven’t tried it... yet. There are lots of companies that make products unethically. When you go to a store and see a shirt that says made in Thailand and the price is $3, somebody is probably not getting paid enough. There’re also lots of companies out their doing things right. It takes some intentionality to find them and a commitment to caring for the oppressed for us to purchase from them. It’s true, it can be overwhelming. That’s why it’s a good idea to start with one product like chocolate (I think Jesus knew that it would probably take the rich ruler more than one garage sale for him to part with all of his belongings.)
What does this all mean for Greenville College? I think ethical sourcing is a big opportunity for Greenville College. The Set Free Movement has a greater vision for a greater Greenville. What if all of the chocolate on campus was fair trade? In the union and in every vending machine, every concessions stand, and every office candy dish. What if all of the T-shirts we received were ethically sourced? What about the clothing in the bookstore and all of the athletic equipment? What if all of the electronic equipment was purchased from companies with responsible business practices? What if our business classes played a role in helping some of our favorite companies become ethically sourced? What if students who studied abroad helped educate workers to beware of deceptive companies? What if our art department told the story? The purpose of the 30 Day Challenge is not to create a way for people to feel better about themselves because they are participating in a good cause. The purpose is to create a stepping-stone for a greater Greenville College campus to take place. We don’t profess to know everything about the problem of human trafficking or the best solution for it, but we are making moves in the direction of freedom and we’d like to invite Greenville College to join us as we try to figure it out.
WORSHIP ARTS
CULTURE BEN WILTSE Fatigue, fear of failure, and frailty! This is probably not what you picture when you think of a Pursuit band, Greenville College’s worship groups that played at youth camps over the summer. Some may perceive this as just worship arts. Many may even think of it as a time where you get to play your favorite music and hang out with teenagers for the summer. What’s difficult about that? Despite popular beliefs, being on a Pursuit team is no picnic. Kayla Parker can attest that a seemingly light and fun job can be the summer’s most strenuous work. She had the task of being tour manager and singer for one of the worship bands. In touching on the difficulty of Pursuit, she said, “Doing the same songs every night can get to be pretty tough, believe it or not. You have to force yourself to be genuine with the kids, and with God.” But most of us can relate to Kayla’s problem. As we go throughout our days, we have to fight to “be real”
with God. We cannot allow ourselves to simply do the ins and outs of faith; we need to be as authentic as possible. “There was a point near the beginning of the summer where I had sung the song “Oceans” every night that week, I was exhausted, and I had very bad allergies. On top of that, I am always somewhat afraid to go up on stage and perform in front of people,” Parker states. Her passion was dwindling, and her will to be on stage was diminishing. But even in light of all this, she still says that the discipline of prayer allowed her to remain hopeful throughout her summer. “It really made a difference to the performance whether or not we had been in the Word. Whenever we had a good Bible study, we played better.” There was one occasion specifically she noted helped her to overcome her fear of the stage. The band had broken off into pairs to do what some call “prophetic praying.” Prophetic praying is when two people tell each
other what they can see God doing in the other person’s life, and then pray about it. In the process of praying for one another, Parker reports that her fears were relieved by God and that she knew everything would get better. “There was a moment at Camp Allendale where my voice had cracked a few times and I had become frustrated with myself. The best thing happened after that, though. I saw that the Holy Spirit was working and that the entire service had nothing to do with whether my voice cracked or not. Kids in Junior High were coming up to the altar and giving their life to Christ without a second thought as to whether I hit all the notes perfectly. In that moment, it was all about Jesus.” The most difficult thing about Pursuit is knowing that it is not about the approval of people, or even the quality of the music. The most demanding thing is knowing that it is not about us; letting the Holy Spirit work, and being in pursuit of God.
6 INVOLVED WAYS TO GET
There are so many ways to get involved that you’re bound to find something, no matter what your interests. Here are six awesome opportunities to get involved with in the Greenville community. BOND COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY Volunteers are needed to bathe and brush the animals, clean their environment, assist with walking and feeding, and help with adoption events. If this sounds like something you would enjoy, you can reach the Bond County Humane Society by phone at 618-6644068, or stop by the office at 1403 South 4th Street in Greenville. THE SIMPLE ROOM Maybe you prefer people rather than animals. If so, consider giving time to The Simple Room. This after school program was started by students right here at GC. The Simple Room provides tutoring, mentoring, art classes, dance, and music. Call 618-664-2894, email info@simpleroom. org, or stop by the Simple Room at 405 W. Franklin Ave. in Greenville. CONNECT 4 Another way to get involved with kids is to join Connect 4, an outreach program to the youth in East St. Louis. Connect 4 provides fun and games for younger kids and ACT preparation for high school students. This would be a great way to get involved with older students. To learn more about Connect 4, contact Dr. Teresa Holden by phone at 618-567-7929 or by email at teresa.holden@greenville.edu. GREENVILLE COLLEGE PRISON INITIATIVE Both kids and animals just a bit too rowdy? Try the Greenville College Prison Initiative. At the Federal Correctional Institution in Greenville, you could find yourself tutoring, playing chess, or taking a class taught by GC professors. For more information on this opportunity, email Dr. Kent Dunnington at kent.dunnington@greenville.edu, or call Dr. Richard Huston at 618-664-6824, or email richard.huston@greenville.edu. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY If you haven’t seen something you like yet, then why not try Habitat for Humanity? Help raise funds to build houses for families in the community, and help build those houses. To get involved with Habitat for Humanity, call Dr. Eric Watterson at 618-664-6826, or email him at eric.watterson@greenville.edu. THRIFT SHOP - HOSPITAL AUXILIARY For those times when you don’t want to work around people, you might enjoy helping out at the thrift store. Tasks include organizing items, helping to fold or hang clothes, and things of that nature. You can stop by the thrift store at 700 S 4th St in Greenville, or call 618-664-2728. ASHLEY SCHUETZ
LET’S TALK ABOUT IT RACIAL reconciliation KIRSTEN NORSWORTHY These days racial tension is a hot topic, especially in light of the events that happened in Ferguson, MO this August. Andy Freeman, a senior at GC, became interested in racial issues after attending several discussion boards hosted by a COR 401 group in the spring semester of 2014. She was intrigued by the experiences and thoughts that people shared when in groups dominated by their racial identity, but discouraged to find that the discussion disappeared when the groups mixed together. As lines are drawn and sides taken, people have shrunk away from healthy conversation about race. Either people are not listening, or they aren’t talking at all. But can we solve the problem if we refuse to talk about it? Is ignoring the issues and choosing to be “colorblind” the answer? Andy argues that the answer to both of these questions is a resounding no. In fact, Andy believes that
there is a better way to discuss the issue; instead of focusing on racial tension, she believes that we should be focusing on racial reconciliation. So let’s talk about it— What does racial reconciliation even mean? In her determination to close the gaps between people, Andy decided to spend a portion of her summer volunteering at the John M. Perkins Foundation in Jackson, MI. The John M. Perkins Foundation for Reconciliation and Development is a holistic ministry focused on bridging the gaps between people groups of all races. Dr. Perkins, founder and president of the foundation, has been serving the people from the poorest demographics for over 40 years, focusing on community development and support. As Andy shares her experiences at the Center, it is clear that she has been deeply inspired. Andy’s experiences are part of a much larger
story about the civil rights movement that began in the ‘60s. During that period, people began questioning whether separate (as in segregation) was really equal. In June of 1964, 1,000 college students met in Oxford, Ohio to begin a two week civil rights training session. The training was meant to prepare them to go into Mississippi and begin a non-violent campaign to register African American voters and educate African American children. The volunteers were warned against the possibility of beatings, arrests, and even killings, but the students pushed on in their fight for justice. They were trained to register voters and to teach literacy and civics in order to help the African Americans in Mississippi advocate for themselves. Once the volunteers reached Mississippi, they assisted in pushing 1,600 voter applications through, as well as founding 41 Freedom schools. The Freedom schools taught academic
Andrew Page, Andrea Freeman, Stuart Stephens, Paris Grimmit
subjects, as well as offering civil rights and leadership training so the people would be enabled to continue the campaign once the volunteers left. These six weeks of June in 1964 are known as Freedom Summer. Fifty years later, Andy embarked on a Freedom Summer of her own. Today, we are trying to figure out what to do with what the civil rights movement left behind. Yes, we have supposed equality, but at what cost? At the end of the day, have we united on the same side of the battlefield, celebrating differences in culture and background, or are we just continuing to fight our brothers and sisters in a more equal war? Andy helps us think about these concepts in light of her recent training and experiences. “I noticed that the first Freedom Summer (1964) focused on power struggles. At the John Perkins Center, the focus was on healing and love. It was people
practically living out justice and reconciliation instead of a lot of talk.” Andy returned to campus this fall intent on making a change at Greenville College. She has already begun working with the Office of Multi-Cultural Affairs to bring more cultural awareness events to campus. In addition, she hopes to continue the discussion-based events that were started by the COR 401 group last semester. Andy believes that the start to something great begins with people being willing to discuss and listen to one another. “It is about dialogue. It’s a continual process that we have to live through intentionally.” Andy’s training became real to her after she had the opportunity to visit Ferguson, MO during the tumultuous events following the shooting of Michael Brown. Andy spoke of the chaos that surrounded that
community. She fears that people have stopped listening and working towards reconciliation on all sides of the issue, and instead are focused on the conflict. “I want people to know that it’s more than an event. It’s a wider conversation.” Andy’s words come through loud and clear— reconciliation is a lifestyle. In order to truly bring change to campus, we have to acknowledge the past, be vulnerable about our struggles, and commit to intentionally making campus a more accepting place for people of all races, cultures, and backgrounds. Making campus more tolerant and connected starts with dialogue between people with different viewpoints and experiences. With the right focus, we as a community can bring hope and healing to the conversation. So let’s talk about it.
a single step to summit Two summers ago I began a journey into unknown territory. I began work as a camp counselor for a Christian camp called Camp Summit. I only knew the basics: The camp is setup to spread the love and hope of Jesus to inner city youth. I was also aware that the camp was a branch of a larger organization called Youth Hope that is located about 20 minutes away from my house in a city called Moline, IL. I was unaware, however, of the profound impact the organization had on the kids’ lives and the dire need the youth in the area had for the redemptive love of Jesus Christ. Unlike most of the other counselors that were at Camp Summit, I didn’t feel divinely called to youth ministry, nor did I feel like God had swung open a door in front of me and ushered me in. To be truly honest I was curious, confused, and even frustrated with my faith. I joined the staff after genuinely recommitting my life to Christ my freshman year of college ( just a year before). I felt like the opportunity would be a good place to explore my faith further, and hopefully experience God first hand. So with hesitation, doubt, and fear I began my first week as a counselor on June 1, 2012. I’ll never forget my first group of campers. I was in charge of 10 boys between the ages of 14 and 18 for a whole week. As a counselor, I was warned over and over again that many of our campers would be extremely disrespectful, disobedient, and even dangerous… speaking of dangerous
I did have to launch a full scale Sherlock Holmes investigation to uncover a hidden butter-knife-shank that a camper had hid in the woods, and although I did crack the case, that’s not important right now. Anyhow, back to my first group, I was blessed with a group that was far more respectful than I had anticipated. Even though, many of my campers grew up in families and homes that were broken they didn’t take their pain out on me or each other. In fact, we all grew to love each other as a close knit and competitive group of guys. As a team, we won just about every game, challenge, and prize that camp offered, and it was an absolute blast. By the middle of the week I grew particularly close with our group’s unofficial leader, RJ. I didn’t know much about his home life, but I was told that he ended up at Camp by unique “chance.” A few years prior, RJ had regularly attended the Youth Centers (of Youth Hope), which are located in rough parts of the city as safe havens for local kids and teens. However, RJ had mysteriously stopped showing up to the centers, and none of the Youth Hope leaders had heard anything from him for over three years. At least until, Chris Britton (Youth Hope’s leader of High School youth), randomly ran into RJ a week before camp at a local grocery store. Chris invited RJ to camp, and thankfully he decided to attend camp. During an evening sermon on a Wednesday night Chris Britton shared his impactful testimony with our group of campers. Chris had been through the Youth Hope
encounters at camp This summer I had the opportunity to travel with Pursuit to summer camps and to help lead others in worship. We interacted with campers and staff on a daily basis. At some camps we got to be counselors and be an even bigger part of the campers’ experience. It was great to see how we impacted a group of junior high or high schoolers just by being there. At eightteen,I was the youngest in the
also eighteen. Seeing such a unique camper-counselor relationship form was a great experience. Another thing that stood out to me was watching the campers during the services. It didn’t matter what camp we were at, most, if not all, of the campers seemed fully engaged in worship. It was a refreshing sight every time I saw a group of junior high or high schoolers worshiping freely.
group. Because of this, I bonded closely to some of the older campers. At one camp, one of my girls was
-jessica lapage, pursuit team orange
system as a teenager, and he’d accepted Jesus as his savior with some of the Youth Hope staff that are still employed today. He could relate with the kids more than most of our counselors could because he knew how hard life was on the streets. The room was silent as he preached, and the kids seemed to be clinging to his every word. Then, as a teaching point Chris offered the question: How many of you guys still have dads around in your life? I was stunned and frankly outraged at the response given by the audience of over 50 kids. Only two kids raised their hands! Two kids out of a group of fifty had father figures in their life. However, later that night I was blessed with an opportunity I’ll never overlook. In our small group session that night the majority of my group members seemed to have a lot of questions about the sermon. Their questions eventually lead to four of my ten guys accepting Christ. I was both humbled by the opportunity to help lead four fatherless children to the endless love of their heavenly father. RJ and his best friend that joined him at camp for the week both accepted Jesus as their Lord and savior and wanted to make genuine changes in their lifestyles, it was in that moment when I knew RJ’s time at camp wasn’t by chance. In the final two days of camp I could see change in RJ. He became passionate, encouraging, enthusiastic, and courageous. I was in awe at the man he was already starting to become. Before I knew it, I had to say goodbye. RJ and the rest of my group left on Friday morning, and all that they left me with were memories. Thankfully, RJ’s story doesn’t stop there. Eventually, I finished my first year as a Camp Summit counselor and I was so deeply moved by the impact that
Summer camp may conjure thoughts of sticky and sweaty kids, blazing temperatures, and unwanted bugs. Don’t let that be all you think of though because in my opinion it is one of the most rewarding opportunities to be had. I started this summer working at Durley Camp, a church camp here in Greenville. This summer brought some of the best experiences I have ever had at camp. I would even go so far as to call it the best summer of my life. At Durley Camp I was a counselor with age groups changing from week to week. I got the opportunity to share the Gospel with kids from many different walks of life, and the privilege to help them grow and be encouraged in their faith. Seeing kids experience God
the ministry had on the youth and on my own life that I decided to return the following summer. During my second summer I had the privilege of having RJ as my “Counselor in Training” which is a position reserved for the most spiritually mature youth in the organization. RJ and I got to bond for another summer, and I had the opportunity of hearing his heartbreaking story involving his lack of father, drug use, homelessness, and death of a close friend. Then I was brought to tears when he told me that being in my group changed his life. He even shared with our group full of 3rd through 6th grade guys that we were all staying in the exact same room where he accepted Christ. After two years of serving at Camp Summit I’ve noticed some of the same genuine changes that I noticed in RJ occurring within myself. By taking one step into the unknown territory of inner city ministry, God changed my world inside and out. He taught me how to be a father figure, a servant, and even a spiritual warrior. The Lord used my simple choice of serving to reveal my own selfishness, pride, and stubbornness. Camp Summit helped me realize what ministry is all about, in simple terms, it’s about being a mirror of Christ’s love to others. I urge anyone who’s reading this not to wait around for God to reveal your path to you on a silver platter. Perhaps by taking one step God will guide you down a path you never knew existed, that will change not only your life, but the lives of those around you. There are endless paths we can follow to mend our broken world, but we’ll never reach them if we stand still.
andy anderson
in a new way is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. Camp was also filled with lots of hugs, songs, and screaming at the top of my lungs! I had as much fun as the kids with things like dodgeball, campfires and worship. Each day the kids had two worship services and there were fun activities in those as well. However the most important part of that was God encountering these kids with His massive love. I will never grow weary in sharing the Gospel to the yearning hearts of kids. The awesome and fantastic revelation of who God is will never get old. How beautiful, majestic, holy, and mighty He is will never cease to amaze me. This is what I hope all children get to experience.
-kent luster
WE CAN BE
THEM
Jon Johnson
If you grew up in the church and in youth group, take a moment to recall the cool college kids- or 20-somethings that took time to share life with you while you were just a goofy preteen. Even before I had actual people like that in my life, there were bands like Five Iron Frenzy, the OC Supertones, and Relient K singing songs that helped my faith. Then I got to know young adults who lived like the bands I loved and they were even better. In Greenville there are many churches. The numbers vary depending on how far you want to drive, but walk anywhere in town or drive in any direction and you will find a church. We can be the cool young adults who build relationships with the incredible young people in town. We’ve talked about the Simple Room before, but did you know there are other ways to get involved with the teenagers in town? A handful of students from Greenville College are deeply involved with the Greenville Free Methodist Youth Group. They meet with the head of the Youth Group every monday to collectively plan out the coming Wednesday. Every Wednesday they assist with the large group Young Teens gathering. Following the collective worship time the veteran college leaders head up smaller Disciple Groups (D-Groups) or help in the facilitation of these. These groups are broken up by age and sex and so help to engage with the young people in a more meaningful way. In these smaller groups they are able to build relationships with these kids. This is where the friendships with the cool 20-somethings come from. They discuss wide ranging issues of God’s Love and the implications of the Gospel in their individual lives. These smaller, more homogenous groups allow for the difficult questions, the questions that only junior highers seem brave enough to ask, the questions that really make the D-Group leaders have to look well into things and learn for themselves. I can’t in a page thoroughly tell these stories, but I will point you to Tyler Kohrs, Katie Wallace, Tyler Rollinson, Alex Simmonds, and Rebecca Munshaw who can tell you what a blessing it can be to work with these young people. The Free Methodist church is not the only way to get involved with the teenagers in town, of course. If you’re looking to get to know those awesome young people talk to the leadership of your church. Talk to parents, talk to students. Its no secret that the relationship between the College and the town can be strained at times. Sometimes its because college students act as if the world revolves around them. The only way to really break that thought is to go beyond the campus and make friendships that will break your heart when you leave, but that perhaps will form those life long relationships that make growing up not seem quite so hard. Rebecca Munshaw
GC MOMENTS | NSO
Looking back at my freshman year in Holtwick Hall. It’s hard not to consider the idea that God had a hand in the arrangement of my floor. There, on the second floor of Greenville’s oldest dorm, I met some of my best friends. That year I became a part of a brotherhood made up of the dumbest smart men I’ve ever met.
during a lightning storm, we grew out mustaches and called ourselves the “Stache Stallions,” we even taught Clay how to ride a bike. Most of the activities we took part in were just plain dumb, and so were we. Just a few freshmen that thought college was all about video games and getting our groove on to Whitney Houston songs.
I should probably introduce you to the motley crew that made up our friendship. First, was Todd Albertson, a true country boy with a habit of wearing tight wrangler jeans and thin mustaches. Todd and I both played basketball together, and we bonded fairly quickly. Then across the hall was Andrew Perkett, a goofy little man who shared my love for Batman and Jesus. Living with Andrew was the notorious “Meatball.” Meatball gained his name from his plump shape, but will forever be remembered for his loud mouth and love for “Nairing” his body hair in the shower. Then there was Joe Hubbs and Clay Buhler. Joe and Clay lived in a room at the end of the hall near the stairs. Joe possesses the naturally deep voice of a Hollywood narrator and is the champion of sarcastic wit. His roommate was the“Kramer” of our group (if real life were a Seinfeld episode). I’m referring to the curious Clayton Buhler. Buhler was (and is) a strange breed. We often joked that he was an alien, we did so for many reasons, but some reasons were that he never learned to ride a bike, swim, or throw a baseball.
Eventually our freshman year had to end, but our group didn’t have to. For the rest of my college career I grew closest to Joe, Andrew, and Clay. Looking back on how our relationships started it’s hard to believe the kind of men we’ve become. All three of those guys have helped transform me from a clueless kid into a man of God. Somehow, amongst the goofiness of our relationships we always return to our relationships with God. We’re brothers that sharpen one another, and while it might be hard to see on the surface, we all aspire to live our lives for Christ. These men have taught me that living a life for God doesn’t have to be dull or boring. In fact, I could make an argument that the good clean fun we had our freshman year would rival any “party” at a major university. I’m thanful for all the brothersof Holtwick Hall, and regardless of where we end up after graduation they’ll always be significant in my memories. In the words of a Celine Dion song that we enjoyed belting without shame, “near, far, wherever you are… they’re here in my heart, and my heart will go on.”
Our freshman year consisted of an endless list of tomfoolery. We ran around in our boxers
ANDY ANDERSON
Almost
Maine Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, children of all ages, Greenville College in collaboration with the Community Theatre has put on a show that is sure to amaze! The play is a romantic comedy called “Almost, Maine” directed by Jes Adam. Beautiful, witty, funny, adorable, this play will pull at your heart and make you smile long after you leave the theatre. it’s the story of the residents of the mythical town of Almost, Maine, a territory that hasn’t been organized and is, therefore, not a real town. it’s simply Almost. As the snow falls and the nights give way to the northern lights, the residents of Almost find themselves falling in and out of love in adorable, unexpected, and sometimes humorous ways. tIf you aren’t a fan of Community Theatre, you are missing a beautiful and wonderful experience. And the most fun part is that the acting, the props, and the stage sets are so well done that there are many times you will get pulled into the play and, for a brief moment, you aren’t in Greenville Illinois anymore, you are there in the territory of Almost, Maine. All those who were in attendance on at the Factory Theater here in Greenville on December 4th through 6th will understand exactly what I’m talking about. The acting was done to near perfection with an amazing cast including Chris Borwick, Jack Dandy, LaRyssa Herrington, Brittain Monroe,
Joel Burroughs, Noel Harnetaux, Quinton Hughes, and Parker Wray. Not only was it evident that the cast and crew had put an amazing amount of work into this play, but it showed that they really knew how to work together as well. It takes a strong bond to act together and make something so wonderful to entertain the community. It’s important to remember that a play takes a lot of work, and there are many people who work hard behind the scenes to make sure everything goes well. While listing every name of such a large production would be less than feasible, it’s important to represent and give accolades to as many people as we can. William B. Ahern was the technical director and master carpenter. Maci Shepp acted as stage manager along with Stephanie Weis as assistant manager. Jes Adam, in addition to directing, also was the scenic designer. The lighting designer and operator was Charlie Herrick, and Mike porter was the sound designer and operator. This play was well done to say the least. Everyone involved in this production should be very proud to have produced something so fantastic. If you missed this play, don’t worry. The college with the Community Theatre will be putting on another play in the spring. If theatre is your cup of tea, or even if it’s not it’s hard not to love this delightful rendition of a midwinter night’s dream in the remote territory of Almost, Maine.
Luke Cottingham
MESSIAH WITH ONE VOICE KIRSTEN norsworthy
The excitement rises in your chest as you file onto the brightly-lit, crowded stage. Sounds of whispering and the shuffling of feet fill the air, and you tug at your clothes, already beginning to sweat under the lights. As you gaze out into the packed concert hall, you suddenly get the feeling you might faint. But no, the music you have come to share is too important. Introductions are given, a blessing is prayed over the performance as you send up a prayer of your own, and suddenly, after 10 long weeks of intense rehearsals, Doc raises his hands to cue the orchestra. The music swells as the choir begins to sing, and your heart is near to bursting with the feeling that comes from being of one mind with almost 300 people who are there to share in the story of Christ. The above scene has happened at the annual performance of Friedrich Handel’s Messiah at Greenville College for 84 years. The first performance of Messiah was in Dublin, Ireland in 1742. That’s right— more than 250 years ago. Since then, the music and story portrayed in Handel’s masterpiece have inspired millions around the world year after year. Greenville College Choral Union has continued the tradition by hosting a performance of Messiah around Christmas-time for decades. Not only is this performance an incredible opportunity to share the gospel through song, it also brings together many different generations from many walks of life for one purpose. The Choral Union combines several of GC’s own college choirs and orchestra along with many community members and music professionals from surrounding areas to form a group that is as diverse as it is talented. All of these people are brought together by one passion— sharing the story of Christ through music. However, this annual performance does not come together in a day. Rehearsals begin near the end of September and continue all the way until the performance. Participants put countless hours into learning the music well, both in rehearsals and on the musician’s own time. Some of the performers have never even heard Messiah, while others have been performing it with the college for well over 50 years. It takes a huge effort to organize a choir of 150 alongside an orchestra of 50 members, all with varying degrees of talent and experience, but the dedication of the professors and volunteers pulls it off year after year. After the hours of rehearsal have allowed for digging into the story of God’s love and sacrifice together, hearts are stirred and friendships formed. The bubble effect of a college campus is a well-known phenomenon, but by bringing the community and the college together under one mission, Messiah fosters relationships that help bridge the gap. In the end, the Messiah performance is a beautiful proclamation of the story of Christ by one people instead of several small communities. And what could be more beautiful than that? “Sing the praises of the LORD, you his faithful people; praise his holy name.”
Psalm 30:4
10
1. 2. 3. 4.
instead of
5. 6.
for finals
7. 8.
things to do
studying ashley schuetz
Maybe you’ve been studying for hours. Maybe you’re planning to put books under your pillow at night and learn through osmosis. Whatever your reason, here are ten things you can do instead of studying.
9. 10.
See your friends This should be a given, of course, but if you’ve been holed up in your room with books, notes, and study guides, your friends might be missing you. Make some popcorn and let the warmth of a Christmas film (maybe “Elf” or “The Polar Express”) melt away your stress.
Decorate Remember making construction paper chains or snowflakes out of printer paper? Decorating for Christmas is bound to make you smile! Try making a paper chain to go across your whole room, or if you’re feeling adventurous, make a new kind of Christmas tree on campus ( just make sure no one can get hurt!)
Go shopping Christmas is coming, so if you have gifts to buy, now’s the perfect time. Head into town, or do some shopping online from your room. It’s the perfect excuse to get yourself a little something, too.
“Learn” something
While Wikipedia might not be a good source for papers, it’s a great source for learning tons of useful (or useless) information. Did you know that there are fifteen notable people with the surname “Wellman”? Not that I was procrastinating…
Head to Jo’s Java for one of their wintry drinks Peppermint mocha, anyone? Use the caffeine to help keep you awake, and the season as a great excuse for putting peppermint or gingerbread in your coffee.
Call your mom (or someone else you love) She’s definitely missing you, and talking to loved ones is way better than that Biology textbook glaring at you from the desk. Plus, maybe you can talk her into revealing a Christmas gift.
Play outside Do you want to build a snowman? Get out of your room and get some fresh air. You probably haven’t made a snow angel in years.
eat, sleep, or shower If you’ve already been studying for a while, these are things that you probably haven’t done very often. Pick one, and get it done.
Make a list (or ten) Maybe even something about what to do instead of studying.
Prepare to study Bring out the flashcards, open the study guides, and break out the pencils. You are going to do this thing!
Pranks: A Brief GC History Pranks can be hilarious, good, clean fun as well as acts of mischief. Some might see them as unsavory and immature, but a closer look shows that they can bring a community together as students rally to find new ways to entertain and delight those around them. Students past and present seem to agree that a good laughnever fails to bring people closer to each other. In order to give you the most comprehensive knowledge on GC pranking, past alumni from years ago, current students, and even faculty have been asked about some of their favorite pranks here at Greenville College. However, there is quite a peculiar contrast when looking at students who went here twenty, thirty, even forty years ago compared to the current students. For obvious reasons, within this article, exact dates or names will not be divulged in order to not incriminate anyone in particular. Upon comparing the older pranks with the more current ones, a startling difference can be seen in the kinds of pranks done. Here are some of the top pranks here at Greenville College from the good ol’ days: One interviewee recalled the time that a group of biology students released cages of lab mice in the back of the chapel one morning while it was in session. One girl in the back row screamed and jumped onto the pew, startling the rows in front of her. Confused, they looked back to see what caused such a commotion. As the mice made their way forward, panic broke out as sections of chapel erupted into chaos. Some people ran out of the chapel and others screamed and stood on their seats trying in vain to understand the madness, the disorder, the sheer pandemonium of it all.
Think that’s bad? Another alumnus spoke of the fake chapel announcements that used to be commonplace. The most memorable began as a normal event announcement and turned into a fake human sacrifice on the altar up front. The students had a gag knife to make the act look as real as possible. Not only that, they used actual pig intestines to get the blood and gore effect. This caused some uneasiness and more than a little ruckus in chapel, but, according to the witnesses, it was hilarious. From the Soccer team stealing all of the plates from the DC, to the dares that sent guys streaking across campus, many crazy and wild pranks occurred throughout the halls of Greenville College years ago. While Greenville College may echo with the pranks of years past, there have, of course, been some great pranks since. The Joy and Janssen dormitories seem to pull good tricks on one another year round. A group of Jannsen guys snuck into joy hall and locked all of the bathroom stalls from the inside. I can’t imagine who would crawl on the floor in a restroom, but the joke was on Joy Hall… I guess. The next recent prank is from our very own Dr. Dunkley. He planned on pulling a prank on a Biology student of his who was terrified of spiders, so he went to the lab and got the exoskeleton of one of the tarantulas they were growing that year. When the girl came to class that day, Dr. Dunkey was petting the exoskeleton while talking to her. He asked if she wanted to hold it and handed it to her. She jumped backwards and freaked out. When Dr. Dunkley revealed the trick, she was rolling on the ground half in tears from laughing so hard. She was a little miffed but, overall, a good sport. Dr. Dunkley also pranked a staff member, and he regards this as one
of his best. He dressed a lab skeleton in a lab coat, wheeled it into the office of another professor, and waited. As the professor went back to his office briefly to get papers for a class, he screamed lou enough that it echoed all over Snyder Hall when he saw the skeleton staring back at him. The final recent prank occurred in the Snyder building on the second floor, in a hallway that holds offices for professors in the Biology Department. An anonymous student filled small cups with water and covered the floor of this hallway. Somehow, the faculty were able to maneuver through the hall to get to their classes without spilling a single cup. It looks like the students got the last laugh in this prank, however, seeing as how the professors did have to pick all of those cups up. As you may have noticed, the pranks of the good ol’ days were much more “severe” than the ones we have today. There really aren’t that many pranks that happen around the campus that gain much attention from the students or faculty. Times have changed, and perhaps it’s for the best. However, there was a sense of spirited fun back then, a sense of community through the ingenuity that made these pranks, a common ground where people could take a good joke and know just how to come back with one of their own. We could learn a thing or two from our predecessors. I don’t know if we’ll top the old school pranks that went on here, and maybe that’s a good thing. However, I know that the people of Greenville College have that spark of creativity and want to see each other laugh and smile together. Perhaps we can show them that we know a thing or two about pranks.
Luke Cottingham
Roommate Rules PRETTY SIMPLE STUFF
When you live with someone there is a good chance you might come to hate them. Here are a few ways to deal...
1
7 8
This is a Cross-Cultural Relationship.
9
Be mindful of your roommate’s humanity.
Do not be passive aggressive. Your little notes, your clever little hints about the air conditioner, that little sigh you let out when he chews with his mouth open, at best are going unnoticed. If they aren’t unnoticed you better believe they are annoying and only make the situation uncomfortable for the both of you.
2
Confront them before going to authority.
3
Have and respect boundaries.
4
Have common space.
5
6
DO NOT GO THROUGH YOUR ROOMMATE’S STUFF!
Unless your roommate is a physical threat to you, talk to them. As any five year old could tell you, tattle-tales don’t do any good, and chances are if you’re just being a brat, your RC or CRE will be aware of it. Don’t be a brat.
Even in a really warm, cuddly relationship with your roomie, you need your space. Am I right? Of course I am. Have part of the room that is the sovereign territory of each of you. Don’t enter this space, take from or place things in this space, or wage wars in this space without the consent of your roommate, unless you really need to. Also, do not cuddle if your roommate does not want to cuddle.
Do not lay claim individually to all of the space in the room. Have common space, whether this is a couch, a lounge area, the gaming space, or a little breakfast nook. Have an area you can both enjoy together, something that is “ours” and not just “mine.”
Set aside time together. Watch movies together, bake cookies together, wrestle, shoot each other with nerf guns, or be open to a heart-toheart. A year is a long time and maybe if you actually come to like this guy or girl you might have a future together, like sharing an apartment in Tower or something.
10 11
This really ought to go without saying, but just in case there is something seriously wrong with you, remember to not go through your roommate’s stuff.
Everyone was raised differently and lives differently, so seek to understand each other.
If your roommates are sleeping, let them sleep. Bright Lights, loud sounds, loud friends. If your roommate is in bed keep, these outside of the room. If there are obnoxiously loud sounds outside troubling him or her, maybe be the protective friend and go address the issue for them.
If you are woken from a shallow sleep by your roommate, do not groan, sigh, swear at them, or think of all the ways you could suddenly have the room to yourself, for good. If he or she chews with his or her mouth open, understand that his or her parents failed you, but get over it. If he or she is cranky or grumpy, understand it is not anything against you necessarily. Bad days happen. Comfort if you can, but at least be understanding if you can’t.
Listen To Your Roommate. If your roommate comes to you with something that is bothering him or her, whether it’s accurate or not, listen to the concern and be receptive. Do not be defensive.
Pray together. This isn’t a rule, but it is a really wonderful suggestion a senior friend gave me my freshman year. Seek God together. This can only be a good thing and is in fact the root of all good things.
JON JOH NSON
TAYLOR K. MEYERS ARTWORK BY MAGGIE TARR
Looking for some entertainment in the small town of Greenville, Illinois? The Artwalk here in Greenville is an excellent place of entertainment in the arts. Our Common Ground, a non-profit organization set out to help promote local artists, sponsors this event. Based in Bond County, Our Common Ground has much appreciation for the arts and art education. For the students who have an interest in all things art, or who are simply looking for an enjoyable evening, this is the event to attend. With thousands of attendees, it does a wonderful job of bringing the college and community together. This event features four art galleries, craft vendors, music, activities for children, and food and drink vendors. In the past they have composed art walls which display artwork from local residents. Maves art building holds exhibitions for the Artwalk as well. One year they held a sculpture exhibition with exhibits made entirely of plastic household objects. Another entertaining aspect of the Artwalk is that they always have live music. This year, campus band Noble Manes performed, along with solo music from Greenville College alum, Miguel Escobar. A highlight of these performances were when GC favorite Jacob Amundson stepped up to the mic and sang along with them. The annual Artwalk holds entertainment for everyone. Bringing together the town and college with common interests is very important. At times, it feels like the small college of Greenville does not offer much to do, but it is events like this that keep us content and bond us together.
“But I got lost, in the light of love, the place where my darkness comes undone.” Those powerful words echoed through the Black Room on September 16, 2014. Students gathered from all over campus to attend a promotional concert for an album release of Greenville’s own: Tyler Bradford Wright. To some, the event may have simply been a time to listen to great music and hang out with friends, but for Tyler, it was a celebration of nearly five years of hard work. Tyler’s “Light of Love” is more than an album, it’s a story of one man’s journey through life. To truly depict the process of growing in his relationship with Christ, Tyler decided to include songs from his younger days. The album even includes songs that he wrote as early as age 16. “Light of Love” is a narrative of darker moments in Tyler’s life, but ultimately rejoices in the fact that love is stronger than any adversity that he has ever faced. In times of doubt and hardship in Tyler’s life he found hope in the love that he experienced through his brothers, mother, and God. When asked to attach a theme to his work Tyler offered the following: “It’s okay to have a broken story, and in that brokenness there is hope.” That hope is quite simply… love. As a Christian, Tyler views his music as a method of spreading Christ’s story. In an interview, he suggested that we’re all called to serve one another, but we express that calling in different ways. “Some people do it through making a cup of coffee, or writing a novel, or painting a picture.” In Tyler’s case it’s writing and performing beautiful songs. If you haven’t yet, take the time to listen to “Light of Love,” and be encouraged by the message embedded within the album, all while enjoying the astounding voice of Tyler Bradford Wright.
A N DY A N DER SON
GC MOMENTS | HOMECOMING
GREENVILLE COLLEGE
PANTHER FOOTBALL Working and fighting for growth in all areas of life is key to success, especially as a Greenville College Panther football player. The Greenville Football mission is, “To empower players to live championship lives through the transforming power of an athletic experience taught through Biblical principles.” This outstanding team sets many goals and standards for themselves, and they work hard to achieve these while maintaining a Christ-like brotherhood. These determined football players believe strongly in this brotherhood and aim to never let each other down. Greenville College football team also states they “choose commitment over comfort” This is evident in that the team always pushes to meet their full performance potential. They push themselves past what they believe their best is and compete with their own mind and body. In addition to pushing themselves to their full potential, these football players also believe it is important to do their work with good technique. All of this determination and hard work these young men put into their sport truly pays off. Fall of 2014 season saw wins against Minnesota, Morris, and Eureka and several others. The players agree that one of the main highlights of this season was the game against Eureka. In a close-call game, John Dudley caught the ball with just seconds left on the clock, earning us the victory. This isn’t unique to Greenville football, because in 2013, they beat Eureka 28-27 scoring with just seconds left on the clock. They also scored with just 30 seconds left on the clock and beat Eureka in 2011. It is triumphs like these that show our entire campus just how much these men put into football and just how passionate they are about it. With their Christ-like brotherhood and commitment, the Greenville College Football team could accomplish anything. Their vision states, “We will leave a legacy that lasts beyond our own lives.” And that they will! -Taylor Meyers
Cross Country: Transitioning a Team Ben Wiltse
Everyone knows that unwanted feeling of starting a new chapter in life. The fear of the unknown fazes all but a few. Even fewer people have started that transition process crammed between two rocks in the middle of a giant, unknown forest.
large boulders positioned just close enough so that anybody who wanted to pass better claustrophobic. Yes, racing through the Fat Man was a struggle. But the team got through it
The day at Cross Country camp started with an alarm clock ringing throughout the small cabins as it woke up the already exhausted runners. The team prepared to go for a cool, crisp, early morning run, like they had done the past few days. After getting ready, they moseyed outside into the morning forest of Camp Carew, where morning light and a bus greeted them. Sophomore runner Jacob Burrell recalls, “They put us on a bus. We didn’t know where we were going. We didn’t really know what we were doing at all.” After anxiously awaiting arrival, the team finally reached their destination.
Well, most of the team, that is. For some people, being dropped off in the middle of a forest means finding a way back quickly and easily. But for those that remain, finding a way back is easier said than done. Naturally, then, a group found themselves aimlessly running through the wilderness with only a small hope of recovering their whereabouts.
Woods. Smack dab in the middle of nowhere. Coaches split the team into seven or eight groups, with some of the members being complete strangers to one another. Their group assignment: Find the way back as fast as possible. Stuck in a tight spot, things looked really difficult at this point. There was one more challenge to this race that Burrell remembers., “We had to go through certain obstacles on the way while racing back.” After the race began, as the knees of the cross country runners began to lose the original vigor they started with, Burrell and company approached what people at the camp call the ‘Fat Man Squeeze’. And it was just that. It was two
together not be Squeeze together.
What was the rest of the team to do? Leave their teammates out to dry? Burrell still remembers the moment they heard people were missing, “Andrew Sharp immediately raced back out to find the lost team members.” Thinking that Sharp would recover the lost teammates, the rest of the team waited a while. And then a little longer. And then even longer. Slowly, they all realized that Sharp had gotten lost on the course as well. The next step was to release the entire team to look for the last missing group. The team ended up with the debacle of a forest-wide wild goose chase. In the end, all runners were recovered safely, and Burrell does not even recall who won the race that day. But something even better than winning or losing happened: a team was born. Through Cross Country camp, individuals learned how to work through the confusion and change that a new era in life always brings.
“Burn the Boat”: GC Men’s Soccer The year is 1519. Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes has just landed in the “New World” after a long sea journey, seeking to claim the land. After unloading the boat and finding shelter, Cortes turns to the 500 soldiers who accompanied him and demands they burn the boat. What? Burn the boat! Turning back was not an option. Cortes was making it clear that he was determined to conquer the new land or die trying.
“Burn the boat” has become the mantra of GC’s men’s soccer team this year as they push on towards the future, refusing to look back, much like Cortes and his men. With 39 players, 22 of them new recruits, and several injuries during the season’s onset, no one was quite sure how the season would go. However, the team stuck to its theme and developed some of the best dynamics the program has seen, despite having such a young squad. Oftentimes it takes more than one season to build a team that is truly cohesive, especially when over half the players are new. Learning to play together and capitalize on one another’s strengths takes time and discipline, but the Panthers were willing to put in the effort to go the distance. Their determination and teamwork was most evident in the Principia game this season. The score was 0-0 in double overtime with 2 minutes to go. If neither team scored before the clock ran out, the game would go to penalty kicks, almost equivalent to a coin toss in soccer. With the season’s spirit ringing in their ears, the guys refused to let up on Principia. In the last 2 minutes, Jacob Jones hit the ball into the back of the net for a beautiful goal, assisted by Brent Lehr and Frank Dalton. The crowd erupted– the excitement in the air was almost tangible. As the last minute and a half ticked down, Thomas Crown, starting goalie, successfully registered his second shut-out of the week. Greenville had won! The game definitely encapsulated the spirit of the team. They had certainly come to “Burn the boat!”
“All In”: GC Women’s Soccer
The women’s soccer team this season began the year with a brand new team after graduating 8 seniors the year before. With 11 new freshman, you would think the team would have a whole new workforce ready and waiting to set up and tear down after practice, right? Wrong. For this team, it’s all about building off one another. Unlike many other teams, the upperclassmen serve the freshmen daily, picking up after games, distributing equipment, and so on. In fact, the veteran players make it a point to welcome the freshmen and lift them up by serving them in as many ways as possible. What may have felt uncomfortable at first quickly becomes the accepted practice. This servant-leadership contributes to a sense of belonging and confidence that is invaluable to the spirit of the team, especially for new members. As they learn to serve one another and work together as one body, they learn what it means to be a part of a team and to play for something bigger than oneself. On and off the field, the team is determined to go “all in” no matter what- spiritually, socially, academically, and physically. Throughout the season, each team member has given her best, determined to wake up each day and be better than the day before. Learning to serve one another in humility during practice is just one more way these young women have committed themselves to putting their heart into the women’s soccer team.
Kirsten Norsworthy
AS PANTHERS RISE ANDY ANDERSON Through wobbly bridges, unmarked paths, and exotic wilderness, a team of women ventured through a jungle in the heart of the Dominican Republic. Eventually they reached the beautiful waterfall surrounded by cratered rocks and ridges that they had been searching for. With the help of their teammates, each explorer scaled a high cliff, and overcame their fears with a leap of faith into the water pool below. Being a member of the Greenville College Volleyball team goes far beyond being an athlete. It’s about adventure, service, and family
In the summer of 2014, the Greenville College Volleyball team had the opportunity to take a mission trip to the Dominican Republic. While in on the trip, the team had multiple opportunities to serve others. The girls’ aided the children of a Sunday school program trapped in poverty. In order to help the children, the Greenville girls earned money through fundraisers to purchase school supplies. In addition, each volleyball player wrote and received letters from a pen pal of the Dominican Republic Sunday School. The process of sending letters began a year before the trip. In an unfamiliar environment, the team had no choice, but to create a stronger bond. Most days lasted from seven in the morning to one in the morning. Their schedule was stuffed with volleyball, service, and sightseeing. Which gave the girls a lot of time to strengthen their relationships with one another while creating timeless memories. Eventually the team had to return home, but they could do so knowing that they touched lives, meshed as a unit, and conquered fears. Shortly after returning, the 2014 season was underway. The team selected an appropriate theme for the athletic season, which can be summed up in one word: “rise.” As one unit the Panthers prepared to journey up the jagged cliff of a new year. They knew it wouldn’t be easy, but together they could conqueror any height or obstacle. So as the upward trek began, they stayed together ready to conquer any fear that would arise. With each step they neared the top, knowing that victory is earned on the journey up.
Mary Beth Merten, Janisha Pealer, Becca Winemiller
Insight Into GC Dance The athletes here at Greenville college work hard. They work tirelessly to be the best they can be in practice and in competition. One group of young women come to mind that meet to practice four days a week for two hours each time. Not only that, but they increase their practice schedule as games and events draw near. They aren’t the kind of people who shy away from a little extra work. They know exactly what needs to be done to keep on the top of their game. Their dedicated captain is there to help them plan their exact movements, refining them to near perfection. They move in sync as a team in beautiful harmony. They revel in the moment that the crowd cheers in awe of their achievements. These ladies, however, are not members of the basketball team, nor the volleyball or soccer team. They are members of Greenville College’s Dance team, and having seen them perform, I can attest that they are quite skilled in what I would enthusiastically call both an art and a sport. The team captain Amanda Draper danced for years prior to being the team captain here at Greenville. A dance enthusiast since her youth, she finally joined a formal dance team in junior high. This was the first time it had been offered at her school, and she jumped at the opportunity. Amanda now uses those years of experience to lead GC’s dance team, and she loves helping the girls come up with new choreography . Having only five members, the team is looking to grow its membership. However, this offers them a unique opportunity to really come together and grow closer to each other. Throughout the semester, they have team bonding nights and play games and just have a good time together. At the end of the year, they have a party and choose a new captain for the following year. The team does several styles of dance including Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Contemporary. They used to do much more Hip-Hop style, but they have branched out in recent years. The team choreographs together. Not only does this help with team bonding, it is also a great opportunity for one of the girls to volunteer and really showcase her skills and knowledge of dance. There are several themed dances throughout the year, such as their Jabbawockeez dance, that the girls can volunteer to choreograph themselves. This dance is based on the dance group called “The Jabbawockeez”. The GC dance team wears masks just like them and does a style similar to the unique blend of the The Jabbawockeez dance troop. This year, the team will compete with other colleges. This is rather big news because it’s been three years since the Greenville Dance team went to a competition. The dance team is an integral part of Greenville College. It’s obvious that they are wonderful at what they do, and they work hard to be so amazing. If you get the chance, by all means, come out to a basketball or football game and support them at half time. Or, come to one of their competitions. I assure you, you’ll be glad you did.
Luke Cottingham
I want to write as a fan. I can’t write as an athlete because I haven’t been one for several years. Writing and Running *cough* I mean Walking and Running online is an ideal choice because, simply put, I favor working out on a relaxed schedule. I’m not saying I live vicariously through your exploits on the fields and courts, but I won’t pretend that it doesn’t leave me feeling qualified to insert myself into the school wide “we”. When the Women’s Volleyball team beats Lincoln’s team I’m proud to be able to trash talk with alumni from Lincoln Christian College, like my parents. I want to thank you, Greenville Athletes, for forming teams I can be proud to cheer for. Not only do you
work hard to play stellarly, but you do so with class and compassion. As a staff, we’ve tried to pull away from articles focused on how teams pray together, not because this is unimportant, but just because it is such an obvious mark of Greenville’s Sports teams. Yet, the fact of faith is a beautiful mark from a fan’s point of view. Consider, for example, the sportsmanship recognition. There is a tendency with sports fans to be deeply bothered by the inane calls of officials. Now, by all means, we get upset when a bad call is made; you are our teams after all. But we know we do not need to get bent out of shape and start yelling and the officials. If you’re
going to win, you’re going to be able to do it regardless of a bad call and we, as fans, would not reflect you, our teams, well if we lost control of our decorum. So thank you for being the good sports that you are so that we will do likewise. Most importantly though, thanks for being a joy to watch and cheer for. Not all of us are athletes, but that doesn’t mean we don’t enjoy a good sportsball competition now and again, and when we go to watch you play, we are reminded that sportsball can be a blast. Thank you for your example, your work, and your play. We, Greenville, would not be the same without you.
Table tennis, (you know, that game you play in your parent’s basement?) otherwise known as Ping Pong, seems as much fun as a bucket of laughs and a barrel of monkeys. It’s rainy day fun, nothing more. This is America, and our sports are played outside or on courts. If you don’t break a sweat you aren’t really playing. Ping Pong is just fun. But to the Greenville College Table Tennis team, it’s more than that. Of course, they understand that ping pong is not the most physically demanding sport out there. Caleb Hall, a co-founder of the team, remarks that when he tells people of his love for table tennis, their reaction is usually, “unbridled laughter.” So when he found people like Anthony Wilson and Code Power, who shared the same passion for the sport as he did, he was thrilled. To his surprise, interest started growing as the news that a ping pong team had started made its way around campus. After many hard fought games and conversations later, the table tennis team was born with all of its strengths and quirks. “Each teammate brings their own special characteristic to the table,” Hall remarks with a goofy grin. “Chris Heckle ALWAYS gets the cheap shots. John Urshan is perpetually a good sport about it all. And Anthony Wilson gets so frustrated that sometimes he throws his paddle across the room.” Despite some of the team’s oddball characteristics, an overall good group of people form what is now the table tennis team. But the ensemble was hungry for some friendly competition. Up until the start of November, the team was limited only to having tournaments in Greenville within the parameters of people in the college. To truly “know what they were made of” they needed to get out of the Upper Union and start competing with other schools. So they did.
GC TABLE TENNIS
What came about was a massive tournament which encompassed some of the larger schools in the area, such as Lindenwood, University of Illinois, Washington University, and Southern Illinois University. Upon arriving at the Lindenwood campus for the tournament, the team found that every piece of equipment, from the gymnasium to the ping pong tables, were top notch equipment. What the team found was that along with the equipment, the players were also top notch. “Some of the kids that we played were absolutely monsters…They had $500 dollar paddles and received full tuition paid with their ping pong skills,” observed Hall. With both Lindenwood and Washington University being nationally ranked teams, modest little Greenville had its work cut out for it. After many intense hours of ping pong, the team did not come out on top. But there is certainly hope for the ragtag squad of table tennis players. The team has achieved status as a group here on campus, and it has acquired many more people in the past months than probably any group here at Greenville has in a while. In the process of starting their team, they have accomplished more as a beginning group than most could if given the opportunity. Nothing is stopping this group from becoming one of the best of its kind! Only time will tell whether the group will escalate to heights that no one expected them to, but given what they have already done, nothing should come as a surprise. Ben Wiltse
GC MOMENTS | SPORTS
MY GREENVILLE
COLLEGE We’re all told that college is a time to make our lives our own, that it’s a time to figure out who we are. Here at Greenville College, I’ve been able to do just that. The community here has allowed me the chance to define who I am and who I will be. It has allowed me to write my own story.
an athlete. I came to school to continue writing my story, and found that I could only add to it. This year I also became known as a Resident Chaplain. I knew that God called me to foster relationships with people, and after several conversations pointing me towards applying, I found myself on staff in Tenney/ Kinney.
Throughout my life, I have typically been defined as an athlete. I played all the sports I could when I was a kid, everything from gymnastics to dance to soccer. But the two sports that have stuck with me are soccer and tennis. They’ve taught me the most about myself and other people. Soccer taught me how to be a quiet leader, a trait that I’ve found invaluable in my life. It’s let me understand that working in the background doesn’t make what I do any less important than the person who gets all the credit. Tennis taught me the importance of mental strength. The idea that I have to be confident enough in myself to know that, while mistakes may happen, they don’t define me. Being involved in sports at GC has continued to enforce these ideas. Even though I have mostly been defined by sports, I wasn’t going to continue on with that career in college. But God apparently didn’t agree with that plan, and on a preview day I spoke with the soccer coach. The next thing I knew, I was getting a phone call from him asking what number I would like for the upcoming year. Tennis happened completely by chance, but it ended the same way. I found that I wasn’t meant to stop playing or learning from sports.
Each person has their own story, and it’s continually being written. College has allowed me to see that I have so many more options than just settling for the definitions that I’ve had my whole life. I’ve grown up during this time. Had you asked me three years ago if I would have considered being in charge of a floor, writing for a school paper, or even travelling to different countries, I probably would have laughed at you. But after just about two and a half years at GC, I have done all three of those. Travelling to Nicaragua for Interterm was one of the best experiences that I’ve ever had. I fell in love with the country and now I’ve applied to return in the summer of 2015 for an internship. Looking back at a younger me, I never would have imagined that this is where I would be. Greenville College has blessed me with the opportunity to create myself while I’m here. It offers a chance to really grab at life as it races by, just to see what I’m good at. Sure, there will be times when I fail, or realize that I’m not meant to do certain things, but if I didn’t grab at what was placed in front of me, I wouldn’t know as much about myself as I do. GC tells students to find themselves within a community of people who will always support them. My Greenville College taught me that to love is to act, and I believe that I have changed because of that idea. It allowed me to write myself into God’s bigger story, and I look forward to continuing on with that story. GC is a place where we learn that we don’t have to stay in the boxes that we’ve placed ourselves in. We get to define ourselves, and I encourage everyone to take the chance that is offered. You never know where you’ll end up.
But that didn’t mean that I would continue to find that as my only defining factor anymore; far from it. I later rekindled my love for writing, and, as a result of that, I find myself the co-Editor-in-Chief of the Papyrus. Now my definition has grown. Some people know me only because of my involvement with the Papyrus, whereas others only know me as
LEXI BAYSINGER
LOVE YOU R
NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF?
It says in Luke 10:27, “You shall love the Lord you God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself” (NRSV). These words found in Luke’s Gospel, specifically the part pertaining to loving your neighbor as yourself, comprise what many refer to as “the golden rule.” We often take the spirit of the golden rule to mean that we should treat others as we would want to be treated, and this way of interpreting this passage certainly makes sense. However, is this particular understanding of the text truly what Luke’s author meant to convey? Does “love your neighbor as yourself” actually equate to “treat others as you would want to be treated?”
which states that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves, may have occasion to ask, “How can a person love her neighbor if she does not love herself?” “How does our self-perception affect our attitude toward our neighbor?” “If a person hates himself, does he inadvertently transpose this hate toward others?” “If a person is depressed and thus sees her existence as having little value, does she view others in a similar fashion?” “If I obsess about looking for faults in myself, do I then spend my time with family and friends looking for faults in them?” When we simply take “love your neighbor as yourself” to mean “treat others as you would want to be treated,” we often miss the opportunity to confront ourselves with some of these powerful and important questions.
Luke’s Gospel is not the only place in the Bible where we see the golden rule mentioned. Take Matthew 7:12 for example, where we read “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (ESV). It should be plain to see that this passage from Matthew is hardly any different from the traditional rendering of the golden rule, and therefore, I think, we have little reason to doubt that the intentions of Matthew’s author, to be as tautologically redundant as possible, were what they were. This passage from Matthew gives us clear cause to uphold the reliability of the “do unto others as you would have them do to you” version of the golden rule. However, what Matthew’s Gospel says is not what Luke’s Gospel says.
If we are to take seriously the command found in Luke, then in our attempts to love others we need to seriously evaluate how we love, or perhaps fail to love ourselves. I can say from personal experience that the way I have treated myself often has impacted directly the way that I have treated the people around me. I constantly strive for perfection in myself, but when I fall short of my standards, which I often do, I can get angry with myself, I can get cynical, and sometimes I can fall into depression. In like manner, I often demand perfection from others, and when others come up short, I feel compelled to respond with anger. I start to view humanity in the most cynical and depressing of ways. The unfortunate problem, often times, is not that we fail to love others as we do ourselves, but that we love others as we love ourselves all too frequently.
In Luke we read that we should love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Like in Matthew, the golden rule in Luke relates how our actions toward others should reflect some aspect about how we treat ourselves, but Matthew’s Gospel leaves us with a more straightforward message. Most people desire to be treated well by others. As the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle would state, everyone wants for themselves that which is good. The person who might read Matthew 7:12, therefore, would have little controversy to contemplate, save that she should consider treating others well, because she also would want to be treated well. However, Luke’s golden rule leaves its reader with a certain degree of ambiguity. The person who reads Luke 10:27,
Is there a remedy? What if for some reason you cannot find a way to love yourself? Would you then always be unable to truly love others? I have no prescriptions or proscriptions here. I only ask that you take a moment to think about the ways you love, and sometimes fail to love both yourself and others. I would argue that a strong correlation exists between the way that people view and treat themselves and the way that people view and treat others. Luke’s rendering of the golden rule should give us cause to consider this correlation and the implications that it has for our lives shared together in, to use the most clichéd term one can use at Greenville College community.
MILES WILLIAMS
gallery Logan Nelson. Sophomore. 2014. Photo.
Logan Nelson. Sophomore. 2014. Photo.
Rebecca Munshaw. Sophomore. 2014. Painting.
Tessa Harmon. Senior. 2014. Digital.
Rebecca Munshaw. Sophomore. 2014. Painting.
I Lack Accurate Words to Describe These Thoughts Anonymous
Have you ever just looked at someone and thought, “I really love you”? They’re just talking or humming or watching a movie or reading a book or laughing—anything—and there’s something about them in that moment—a light in their eyes, something that radiates from them, illuminating your senses—that makes you think, “I just really, truly, love you.” It’s a weird and wonderful sensation, and sometimes you don’t know how to explain it or why it’s happening, but what you see in that person is something you don’t see in anyone else; what you feel for that person is something you don’t feel for anyone else; no one else in the world! I hope you have someone special like that. I do. Sometimes I’ll look at him and it hits me like hurricane winds, knocking me off my feet as I bask in wonder. I hold my breath for a split-second and everything about him in that moment is wonderful— his eyes, his smile, his laugh, his entire personality—and everything about him brightens the surrounding atmosphere. In that fraction of time, joy illuminates every corner of my heart, reaching even the deepest parts of me that are cracked and bruised, healing some previous hurts inflicted by less caring people. At that moment, nothing else matters. I’m lost, and it’s liberating! The truth is, I don’t have accurate words to describe this feeling; I don’t know how to express how thankful I am that he is in my life. All I can do is linger in these moments, what’s happening as I look at him, catching him mid-laugh or smiling at the most random things. I want to always remember how I feel when he wraps his arms around me and presses his lips to my forehead. Time disappears for that small window, and a memory is made that I will not soon forget.
Rebecca Munshaw. Sophormore. 2014. Painting. Rebecca Munshaw. Sophomore. 2014. Painting.
Love Perception
Saturday Morning Breakfasts
I wanna say I love you, but I’ve used too many times with lack of meanin’ So now I’ve lowered its standard, so I guess from square one is where I beginin’
Are meant to be relaxed, straightforward— Simple. Pancakes or waffles, and fruit Cut in geometric shapes, splashing colors onto white marble countertops; Laughter. Put the leftovers in Tupperware or Ziplocs Whatever’s clean at 11am— Or is it 1pm?
Ben Barber
I want love so bad, that I might be willin’ to fake it Fake emotions of lust and excitement is how I make it And then I have to pull the fall together like it is to rake it cause in the end we all get hurt, when we have to break it Cause there’s the illusion that the bonds strong But when you blinded by all the wrong, before you know it the bonds gone How long can the charade go on before I wake up How long before I realize me and this girl need to break up I’ve been “in love” so many times I don’t know what love is anymore For while I thought I was something you could buy in any store Cause you got examples and I got plenty more Sometimes I think I could have fought any war But today I wave the white flag of surrender Because I am not sure if I am strong enough to defend her But this is more than the story of a boy and a girl This is a story of how the misconception of love destroyed our whole world
Veronica Crisler
It’s easy to lose track of time, curled up on a couch Watching Snow falling outside the window; contrasting Our sunny atmosphere, practicing cheesy pick-up lines. Your eyes Dance As you hold my hand, relishing the warmth between us, and I find Hope—that our ever frequent fights Would vanish, that this Saturday morning would be reflections of our lives
Rebecca Munshaw. Sophomore. 2014. Painting.
ALMA MATER
Our school song isn’t the most unique. You know the “In the midst of Rolling Prairies” that you sang a million times during orientation? Turns out we’re not the only college to use it. So here’s a challenge to all of you: take this form (in no way resembling a popular children’s word game) and make your own unique GC version. Send a picture to the Greenville Vista email (vista@greenville.edu). The best ones will get a shout-out.
CAMPUS STORE
Visit us anytime at
greenvillegear.com Store Hours
Mon-Fri: 9 am-5 pm Sat-Sun: Closed
JOIN THE TEAM Apply to be on staff, submit artwork, short stories, or editorials. Contact vista.greenville.edu for more details.Â
Buy 1 Get 1 Expires December 31, 2014
50
% off
one non-sale GC item
discount applied to lower-priced item
Offer not valid on previous purchases or with any other offer. Excluding convenience items, special orders, consignment items, textbooks, and office supplies. Not available online.
READ MORE ONLINE