Corban Magazine - Fall 2015

A Publication of Corban University

Fall 2015

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Teaching in Asia: Dean of the Hoff School of Business, Griff Lindell, teaches a short spring seminar in Medan, Indonesia.

Our 80th year: looking back at Corban’s beginnings in Asia In this issue we focus on our work in Asia and how it has become a major part of the Corban network. Our activities in Asia are not entirely new, so we pause here to recognize these former faculty members who all served as missionaries in Asia from the early days of the University.

Carrel and Fern Aagard Carrel served on the Board of Trustees for WBBC/Corban beginning in 1946. The couple also served as faculty at WBBC/Corban from 1948 to 1953; Fern as music faculty, and Carrel as registrar and professor of Greek, history, theology and English. The Aagards left to serve as missionaries in the Philippines from 1954 to 1974—first in Iloilo City on the Island of Panay, to teach at Doane Baptist Bible Institute (DBBI). In 1961, they transferred to Manila— Carrel to head up a position at the literature department, and Fern to teach at Baptist Bible Seminary and Institute (BBSI). Carrel became very skilled in speaking and preaching in two dialects, Ilongo and Tagalog.

They also served from 1976 to 1980 with ABWE helping at Spurgeon Baptist Bible College in Australia.

Samuel (Hilda) Fisk Sam was another one of our faculty who had been a missionary in Asia. After missionary work, he was a teacher and administrator at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Ark. He pastored in Southern California and taught at Los Angeles Baptist Theological Seminary before coming to WBBC/Corban. His wife, Hilda Riffel Fisk, was a career missionary in China and came back to the states after Mao took over mainland China in 1949. While at WBBC/Corban, the Fisks also had a thriving ministry among the Chinese in Berkeley, Calif. in the 1970s.

Gordon (Martha) Wray The Wrays served as missionaries in the Philippines immediately after the end of WWII, where Gordon became the Director of Doane Evangelistic Institute, Iloilo City, Panay, Philippines. During the Wrays’ ABWE years, Doane Evangelistic Institute, a.k.a. Doane Baptist Bible Institute (late ’50s), Doane Baptist Seminary (current), specialized in graduating pastoral candidates as well as men and women trained in, and committed to, the establishment of self-governing, self-supporting and self-propagating New Testament local churches. The school offered a 5-year Th.B., a 3-year B.R.Ed., and a 1-year Christian Life Certificate (CLC). Student enrollment topped out between 150 and 200 in the ’50s and ’60s.

Following that, Gordon served on the ministries faculty at WBBC/ Corban from 1966 to (circa) 1973.

Corban President Sheldon (Jamie) Nord Sheldon served as advisor to the Universitas Pelita Harapan startup in 1994, and Jamie taught at SPH until 1995. He returned to Indonesia in 2007 and was then asked to be president of UPH. He was the first non-Indonesian president of any university in Indonesia. He remained president of UPH through 2010 when he returned to the states.

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from the president

Corban magazine Staff Publisher Sheldon C. Nord ’82 Editor J. Steven Hunt ’69 Writer Amy Elker Designers Ronald Cox Kenneth Watson Contributing Writers Ashley Stevens Rebekah Benham Steve Hyde Danny Day Mark Jacobson Janine Allen Ryan Harding Photographers Jessica Marple Kenneth Watson CORBAN magazine is published by the Office of Marketing & Communications at Corban University and is sent to alumni, parents, supporters and friends of the University. Our missional themes are transformative learning, holistic development and Christian stewardship. www.corban.edu/corbanmag Send address changes to: Office of Advancement 5000 Deer Park Drive SE Salem, OR 97317-9392 Email advancement@corban.edu or call 503-375-7003.

Corban Magazine is printed by Lynx Group in Salem, Ore. U.S.A.

Want to continue receiving CORBAN magazine? We are happy to send you this publication. However, we want to respect your right to choose, so if you do not wish to continue receiving CORBAN magazine please email advancement@corban.edu, or write Office of Advancement, Corban University, 5000 Deer Park Drive SE, Salem, OR 97317, or call 503-375-7003.

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The children’s song, “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” brings us profound truth. Nothing has ever escaped or surprised God; He holds all things together (Col. 1:17): different people, different cultures, different ways of life. This has always been true, but I think the magnitude of this truth is more real today than ever before.

From a human perspective, the world is shrinking.

In the relatively brief time that I’ve been alive, my generation has seen radical shifts change the way the world operates. FedEx came into being in the early 1970s, and with it came speedy delivery for items that used to take weeks. With the advent of the Internet came instantaneous communications that cross international borders. And of course cell phones, and now smartphones, mean we are connected 24/7 with anyone we choose, no matter where they live. The world truly is at our fingertips.

We have nothing to lose and everything to gain in our year 2015 reality. Different cultures and people challenge our perspectives. As Christians secure in our faith and as believers in the Great Commission, we should come alive at the prospect of learning from

those who are unlike ourselves. And as we learn and grow, we also share the life-saving gospel with those who do not yet know Jesus Christ. We introduce others to His grace, mercy and love for all people.

This is the mindset that propels Corban University forward as we establish and enrich partnerships around the globe. Our focus in this issue of the magazine is Asia, a culture rich with history, abounding with people of various ethnicities, languages and local traditions, peppered with deeply rooted Eastern religion practices. Consider this: The two most populous nations in the world are China and India; the next two are America and Indonesia.

Imagine the possibilities over the next few years as we expand our programs there!

My goal as president of Corban University is that we continue to answer the call as needs and opportunities present themselves, to bring our expertise and resources to address needs that are educational and spiritual. Our mission is “to educate Christians who will make a difference in the world for Jesus Christ;�

at the time of writing this letter, I am currently on an airplane coming home after a ceremony where Corban diplomas were awarded to 162 Indonesians who will be teachers all over the fourth most populous country in the world. They welcome this opportunity to be ministers of the gospel of Christ through education.

You will perhaps be surprised, and certainly encouraged, to read about the great progress and collaboration taking place. Corban students, faculty and staff are giving of themselves in this work, and are vessels of hope where there is all too little salt and light. Please join me in praying for God to guide and bless Corban’s relationships with people and institutions in Asia.

Soli Deo Gloria.

Sheldon C. Nord

President

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ASIA

Casting the Corban vision Our current student population of 2,068 reflects the fact that our students in Asia and our Salem students could be equal in number for fall 2015.

The stories surrounding each of our Asia initiatives are rich and sometimes astounding. God is bringing individuals from all over Asia to earn a Corban degree, and then return to their communities to educate and disciple their people.

This feature tells some of those stories.

There are several components to Corban’s international initiatives that have developed over the past five years.

• Dr. Janine Allen, who heads up our global initiatives, will now be given the title of Associate Provost of Global Engagement. This coincides with the launch of our Center for Global Engagement (CGE) in January.

• Corban also signed an MOU with Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH) for the business program and a substantive change will be applied for in early September. As part of the MOU, we have created a faculty position that will be half time business school and half time CGE. This will start July 1, 2016. Dr. Bryce Bernard will be taking this position and a replacement hire will be made for Bernard. This allows us to grow our international work and our Salem work.

• Building on top of the success of the Corban University Essential Skills Transition (CUEST) program, we will be expanding its offerings and 6

Corban’s vision to extend its reach far beyond the Salem community, through the development of international partnerships, is part of an effort to support, encourage, equip and invest in the church around the world as outlined recently by Provost Matt Lucas, D.A.

rebranding it as the Corban Language Institute. The Institute will refer to all English fluency programs and be a key component of the CGE. Evan Brammer will be its director. The Institute will continue our intensive English language program, now known as Pathway, to provide an avenue for entrance into Corban for many international students who are qualified academically but need the additional language and cultural training for greater success.

Our Papua partners will be sending 30 new students in January. Papuan students will continue to be the anchor of this program. We are also exploring a summer intensive English program for high school and college students. Evan Brammer will be traveling to Indonesia, India, China and Brazil this year to attract students to both programs.

• Our international teachers college (ITC) continues to grow and teachers college enrollment is at an all-time high, nearing 1,000 students this year.

• Sarah Ernst has been named as

international recruitment counselor.

She will be traveling to Indonesia, China, Korea and elsewhere to recruit students. Our goal of 10 international students that are not Papuan will be a direct result of Ernst’s work.

• Provost Matt Lucas has been asked to be part of an evaluation team to review Asia Baptist Theological Seminary in Thailand. Cornerstone University oversees the program.

• China continues to be a priority. We hope to set up another Chinese pastor visit for May. Dr. Lucas will be going to China this fall, and we have the China Symposium coming on campus in late September (see ad on p. 15).

• We continue to explore our options in New Zealand and Peru. Our hope is that the capacity that is building will allow us to be more purposeful in pursuing opportunities. Pray that all will continue toward a successful expansion of our mission.

God is bringing individuals from all over Asia to earn a Corban degree, and then return to their communities to educate and disciple their people.

The foundational work in Indonesia The work in Karawaci, Indonesia, began in 2010 when Corban was asked, along with other U.S. universities, to assist the Indonesian university, Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH)—meaning university of light and hope. The task was to develop an accredited university program in teacher education. This project was pursued in earnest by Corban personnel, and awarded the agreement for the partnership and the subsequent work that we see happening today. The accreditation, by the Northwest Commission of Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), of the teachers college at UPH, was the first of our attempts to award Corban diplomas in another country. Over the course of several months, the curriculum was refined and developed, approved for accreditation and instituted at UPH. Since that beginning, over 900 students have graduated from the program.

Our newest global initiative also involves NWCCU accreditation

approval, this time for the newly created International Teachers College (ITC), a program also located at the UPH campus. The purpose of ITC is to educate Christian teachers, not just from Indonesia, but those who are recruited from all over Asia, to receive their degree and then proclaim Jesus Christ through high-quality Christian education throughout Asia.

Other entities have spun off of our work at UPH. At a gathering of officials in Jakarta, Corban personnel were approached by government representatives from Papua, Indonesia, to assist in educating their next generation of leaders with industrial career knowledge. For the past three years, the Papuan government has funded the education of 15-20 students each year to begin their college studies on Corban’s campus and then move on to a vocational school elsewhere in the U.S. The government’s goal is to educate Papuan students so that they might return to their

homeland and develop its education system and natural resources.

Lucas also traveled to Beijing, China, in the fall of 2014, where he first connected with members of China’s large, prospering Protestant church.

He hopes to return to China in the fall of 2015 to build on the relationships developed at Corban this summer.

The goal is to facilitate the process of achieving an American Christian education for Chinese parents and their students. We want to ensure that Corban is their university of choice.

Following that, Corban is developing the second annual Leadership and Political Engagement Symposium.

This fall’s theme, titled “Religion and the Rule of Law,” centers on the key principles of America’s constitution (see announcement, p. 15).

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Reaching into China With a desire to expand Corban’s partnerships throughout Asia, especially in its largest nation, Corban hosted 11 pastors from China, May 16-21, 2015.

“We saw this visit as an opportunity to serve our brothers and sisters in Christ,” Lucas said. “To be a bridge that unites Christians, and helps resources and expertise flow to areas of need. In this way, the gospel can penetrate regions traditional missionaries cannot access and equip people who can bring shalom to the places where they live and work.”

The connection made in China

by Lucas resulted in a visit to Corban’s campus by 11 Chinese church leaders earlier this year.

The Chinese pastors launched their visit to Salem by meeting with pastors from Salem Alliance Church, where they discussed how to lead and grow healthy churches. Throughout the week, the guests had the opportunity to learn about Christian higher education, and spend some time getting acquainted with Oregon on a tour of the Capitol with Judge Vance Day, and other sights nearby. The pastors spent 10 hours with Dr. Mark Jacobson in class, discussing soteriology and perseverance.

Here is his account of some of the sessions.

Echoes of Pentecost —Dr. Mark Jacobson Hearing the testimonies of 11 pastors, seminary professors and leaders among China’s registered churches reminded me at times of God’s supernatural working among the early congregations, as recorded in the book of Acts. With the first report, I managed to stifle my usual response to similar reports in our circles—this is an exaggeration, if not misrepresentation, of God’s work by a church leader desperately looking for evidence of divine power in our ministries. I had no reason to attribute this motive to these pastors. As the reports continued, it became obvious Dr. Mark Jacobson led classes on soteriology and perseverance.

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that these pastors expected God’s supernatural work on their behalf.

One leader testified to God giving her a dramatic spiritual-warfare victory accompanied by a physical healing.

Another told the story of his coming to Christ—he had fallen out of a tree and hurt himself. He prayed to God to heal him, and when God miraculously healed a broken bone, he gave his life to Christ. Four came to Christ because their mothers had experienced miraculous physical healings of various types. A mother of one of these came to Christ after having been healed of intestinal cancer. She started a church in her home and dedicated her son to the Lord. As these reports were shared, no eyebrows were raised, no questioning looks were to be seen.

This was normal Christian experience for them.

abandoned the effort, realizing that the time and energy needed for the legal battle would have left his flock at risk. But God worked outside of court.

Many of those who had been siphoned off by the cult returned, its heresy was exposed, and God gave him and his wife a daughter who is now a teenager.

These pastors were not screened ahead of time for having such remarkable stories of God’s supernatural working in their conversions and ministries. My guess is that if we had another dozen

pastors visit Corban, we would hear similar stories. “God is at work in our midst” may sound trite to us, but with these church leaders this is anything but trite. Christ is building his church in China in remarkable ways and, in some cases, ways that resemble God’s supernatural working recorded in Acts.

It was a joy to hear these testimonies, and these stories are a reminder to us that the Gospel is the “power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16).

Just as dramatic was the account of one man who risked ending his engagement with his fianceé over his decision to pastor in an out-of-the-way, rural ministry. Determined to follow the Lord at any cost, he made his decision; thankfully, she went with him. Another quit a good-paying teaching position to go to seminary. Another pastor had lost a young son who was killed in a conflict with a cult that had opposed their ministry. Armed with sufficient evidence to convict the criminals in a court of law, he nevertheless Chinese leaders head to the Psalm Center for discussion and learning about the role of the growing healthy churches.

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International Teachers College student testimonies CAMBODIA: A story of two boys who found each other at ITC —Adapted from two stories by Steve Hyde, Asia for Jesus

Samnang’s Story

Pin

Sometime in the early 1960s, a young boy was born to a poor family in Kracheh province, Cambodia; his name was Pin. He was born into a time of war and political unrest. By the time Pin reached nine years old, the Khmer Rouge had already taken over the rural eastern region, threatening villagers and taking children captive to build their army of peasant soldiers. One day Pin’s mother was threatened by the Khmer Rouge, and she begged for her life. She offered her 9-year-old son as a ransom for her life. That decision cost him 30 years under the Khmer Rouge as a soldier committing untold atrocities in decades of jungle warfare.

In the year 2000, Pin heard about Jesus through a local Christian. This news transformed his life. Anyone who knew Pin as a Christian would speak of his constant joy and laughter—a stark contrast to his violent past as a commander in the genocidal Khmer Rouge who slaughtered millions of people. Pin reunited with his mother and led her to Christ, and cared for her until she passed away. For the next six years, as a follower of Jesus, he devoted every day to travel to areas he had previously terrorized, to joyfully share about Christ. In six years, he personally led more than 1,000 people to Christ

Samnang’s village 10

and started most of the churches in Kracheh province.

On October 18, 2006, during a demonic attack against the Imparting Smiles Children’s Center in Kracheh, Pin died in his sleep. He left his eight young children with the hope of a great future for them in Jesus Christ.

Three children, including his son, Samnang, lived at the Imparting Smiles Center. He was from a very poor family who was devastated by the loss of their father. But Samnang was able to grow up playing volleyball and soccer, and learning to play music instead of firing a machine gun. His persistence in education has been the way Christ has changed his destiny.

Kuylay’s Story Meanwhile, a young boy named Kuylay grew up in his village, Chu-turn, located about halfway up the Mekong River in Cambodia. Most people live along the river banks because being there affords them an easier supply of fish, water and fertile soil. But Kuylay’s people had nothing to their name and lived farther away from the river like rural squatters.

Up until the late 1990s, the greatest danger in this area was roaming bands of Khmer Rouge soldiers. The Khmer

Rouge, at its height from 1975 to 1979, controlled all of Cambodia and its genocidal purge killed millions of Cambodians. But the soldiers were defeated in 1979 and then moved into rural areas where they continued a guerrilla war. A decade later, they had all but forgotten the communist ideologies and were primarily just violent criminals.

Kuylay’s father was a teacher. Education was important for him. He was the only teacher in Chu-turn, and although they did not have a school building, he would volunteer to teach the children in the village. However, being a teacher around the Khmer Rouge was, in their eyes, “criminal.” They hated education and specifically teachers. Under the Khmer Rouge regime, schools were destroyed and some turned into prisons, like the infamous Toul Sleng High School in the capital city, where over 20,000 people were tortured to death. Many universities were demolished, and the contents of the National Library were dumped into the Mekong River. Kuylay’s father was marked as an enemy and warned to quit teaching children. However, he couldn’t quit. He dreamed of a better future for his children and the children of Chu-turn village.

The Khmer Rouge soldiers later set up an ambush and shot him in the leg. He staggered to the edge of the creek as the soldiers chased after him, and with

Kuylay on the road home.

if he could help educate her youngest son. Pin brought young Kuylay to the Imparting Smiles Center in Kracheh, along with a few other children from their impoverished village.

his family watching, they fired the final fatal rounds into his body. Kuylay, only an infant, lost his father that day, and Chu-turn lost its only teacher.

A few years later, a Khmer Rouge soldier came into that village. We’ll never know if he was part of that crew who killed Kuylay’s father, but it is known that this former soldier was specifically backtracking to places where he’d terrorized. This man was Samnang’s father, Pin, the former Khmer Rouge commander who had come to know Jesus. His life had been so transformed by the grace of God that no one could comprehend what he did in the past. Pin shared the story of Jesus with the villagers, and how he would forgive their sins and save them from their sin and suffering. Kuylay’s mother prayed to receive Christ and asked Pin

In 2014, Kuylay completed high school and was accepted in the international teachers’ college at the Universitas Pelita Harpan (university of light and hope) campus, where he will receive U.S. accredited Bachelor’s and Master of Education degrees from UPH’s partner institution, Corban University.

Before leaving for UPH, Kuylay went home to say goodbye to his mother and siblings in the village. He walked the seven kilometers from the riverside back to his poor village. He wanted to bring something special to them from the big city of Phnom Penh that they would enjoy, so he brought them a special gift of two loaves of sliced bread. Two days later, he left his family to attend Corban University’s international teacher education program in Indonesia and will probably not be able to return home for another four years.

But when he does finally return home, he will be a teacher and will be equipped to carry on the legacy of his father. He can enable the children in Cambodia to receive

the best education possible.

Also in 2014, Samnang became the first of Pin’s children to graduate from high school. Samnang was also accepted to study in the international teachers’ college on the campus of UPH. Upon completing his Corban degree there, Samnang will return to his poor village and teach a new generation of Cambodians. He is one of the first children from the Imparting Smiles Center to study overseas and the first among his relatives and village to attend a university, much less travel abroad.

What a miracle of God that these two boys found each other and fulfilled their fathers’ dreams of an education and a love of God. Christ has redeemed their lives for a greater purpose!

Kuylay

Samnang 11

INDONESIA/NEPAL: ITC testimonies

—Dr. Janine Allen

Currently, 11 countries are represented in our International Teachers College (ITC)—and 16 of our students are from Nepal. Some of these Nepalese students suffered the loss of their homes and belongings back in Nepal during the April 2015 massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake, while they studied in Indonesia. As you can imagine, this was a tremendous shock for our ITC Nepalese students. The resulting damage made it difficult to continue focusing on their studies without knowledge of how their families fared in the devastation.

Please pray as they work through the care of their families and still try to concentrate on their studies. Shortly after the earthquake, we received this report from the Universitas Pelita

Harapan student life team: “We have met with the ITC students after the earthquake, and they are feeling very sad and desperate. Three of them have lost their homes, and all of them say their families are OK but afraid to go into buildings. They have no electricity or food. The students were very emotional as expected. We read scripture and talked about hope and trust in our Lord, the Lord of all creation and life. We prayed, and Rebecca hugged all the girls. It’s a challenging time for many of them who did not sleep much last night trying to gather as much information as they could.”

Please continue to pray also for God’s mercy and care. The Nepales

“We have met with the ITC students after the earthquake, and they are feeling very sad and desperate.” families live very humble lives, and several have lost everything. At the time of this writing, some are still waiting to hear from family about the impact on their homes.

UPH in INDONESIA: A VIEW FROM THE OUTSIDE

—An unsolicited testimony by Portland resident Ryan Harding

A Glimpse of His Glory My first few days in Palembang, Indonesia, were quite daunting and a definite change from the diversity of culture I had been experiencing teaching in Bangkok, Thailand. There were no tourists. The only foreigners I saw during my weeklong trip in Palembang were two families teaching abroad in Indonesia.

As a recent college graduate with the unique opportunity to engage in cross-cultural ministry, I was eager to connect with a multitude of believers serving through a variety of vocational platforms. Little did I know that this city of nearly 2 million people in a land far from my home of Portland, Oregon, would soon feel much closer to home, and that I would be on my knees before the Lord praising His name.

I was staying with one of the two families teaching abroad. They had two children attending school in Palembang.

Prior to my arrival, my host family had heard I was teaching high school math in Bangkok, and knew I had been involved in a variety of extracurricular activities. Because of this, I was invited by the children’s middle and high school administration to give a few motivational talks to their students, teach basketball and chess to the elementary kids, and visit/share in a few of the high school math and science classes. I agreed to every opportunity.

A Pleasant Surprise Over my first few days in Palembang, my host family spoke of the challenges of ministry in a place where there were so few believers. They had been in Palembang less than two years and seemed somewhat discouraged by the lack of fellowship with other believers. I was under the impression that there were few, if any, Indonesians in Palembang who knew Jesus Christ.

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Ryan Harding and Indonesian friends.

Because of this, I was caught off guard the next day when my translator, a teacher at the school, welcomed all the students to “chapel.” My bewilderment continued when this teacher ended the chapel service by praying in the name of Jesus Christ!

After chapel, I attended a biology lab. After the teacher gave introductions and instruction, the students got underway with their school work. Since the teacher was free for the moment, I strolled over to inquire about the chapel and prayer that had taken place.

Before getting a chance to query, he asked for my name and which country I came from. I replied with my name and said I was from the United States. He asked which state, and I promptly answered Oregon. Of course, I assumed he would be like most people I had met in Asia who were not familiar with my home state.

To my surprise and delight, the teacher’s eyes lit up with recognition: “I know Oregon! Corban University is in Oregon!” I was surprised that someone knew about Oregon, but dumbfounded that he knew about Corban. When I asked the question that begged to be answered—“How do you know Corban University?”—he replied, “I am a Christian. All the teachers in this school are Christian.

And we received a scholarship to attend a Christian university in Jakarta to be trained as educators.

Over the next few minutes, I discovered that all the teachers at this school were fulfilling a commitment they had made to teach for a few years in a network of Christian schools intended to spread the good news of Jesus Christ holistically through education. All of these teachers are Corban University

Teachers College students who receive a Corban diploma thanks to their partnership with Universitas Pelita Harapan. To date, there are 930 such teachers scattered across Indonesia.

Earlier in the day, I had thought something about the school, and especially the teachers, seemed familiar and alive. Oh, what incredible joy to know and see that all of these Indonesian teachers are brothers and sisters in the Lord and filled with the love of Jesus Christ for their students!

Corban's Donors Have Tremendous Impact I saw firsthand how the body of Christ includes each of these Indonesian teachers and their unique role, and it includes each of the donors who entrusted their resources to bless these teachers! Not only is the Lord using those who are faithful stewards through Corban and on the ground in Indonesia, but their giving and serving is multiplying God’s praises in all those like me who are able to witness the sovereignty of God. Who knows all the ways God is using His body, believers in every culture and place, to build His kingdom?

On that day when we shall see fully just as we are fully known, how great will be the praise to God’s name! Imagine when Jesus Christ’s bride sees all He has done in and through her to build His kingdom!

The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory. And we still behold His glory today through those He indwells!

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we could ever ask or even imagine, according to the power at work within us, to Him be the glory in the Church and in Jesus Christ throughout all generations forevermore.

Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21) I wish to say to Corban’s donors that God is multiplying your giving beyond those Indonesian teachers and their students! Your giving has come full circle and inspired me, someone in your own vicinity.

PAPUA: the CUEST student program Building a better nation Salem is a long way from home for 15 students from Papua, Indonesia, but a brand-new program is designed to help them ease into life at Corban University.

The students are part of a unique partnership between the University and the Papuan government that will help students earn their degrees and return home with skills that will benefit

all Indonesians. The Corban University Essential Skills Transition program (CUEST) gives these new international students a great opportunity, for a few months, to prepare for college life in the U.S. and acquire the skills necessary to be successful college students.

They are guided by Corban alumnus and CUEST Program Coordinator Evan Brammer ’07, who has more than a decade of international work

experience, including three years teaching in Indonesia. The students usually arrive in January and spend their first week in orientation activities at Corban. This includes getting moved into their residence hall, obtaining health insurance, starting bank accounts, getting cell phones (if desired) and learning a number of everyday American customs. During the week, the group also tours the Oregon State Capitol building to learn how 13

GLOSSARY OF TERMS FOR CORBAN’S INTERNATIONAL WORK ITC Corban’s International Teachers College, created to attract students from all over Asia, not just from Indonesia, for the teacher education program. It prepares teachers from a Christian perspective to impact Asia for Christ.

Karawaci A suburb of Jakarta, Indonesia where UPH is located.

Papua students gather on the steps of the Oregon State Capitol building.

government works in the United States.

In recent years, more than 20 students from Papua arrive annually to attend Corban. Discussions between Papuan Governor Lukas Enembe, Bapak Besem Gombo, the head of human resources in Papua, Corban’s Dean of Global Initiatives Dr. Janine Allen, and the head of Sekolah Papua Harapan, Wally Wiley, led to a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) that launched Corban’s new CUEST Program.

“It’s a big transition for them to go from schools in Indonesia to life at an American Christian university,” Brammer said. “We want them to fulfill their goals, to have them develop that biblical worldview and to have success in their academic career. We want to provide the time and opportunity necessary for these students to focus on building up their academic and English skills before undertaking the pressures of a full university schedule,” Brammer added. “We view CUEST as a very valuable tool that can assist these students in the short term and, through later partnerships and cohorts, many more international students who need that extra boost to ensure success.”

The 15 Papuan students will follow a program designed to address given language and academic deficiencies.

They will focus on English reading

Have you asked about CUEST yet?

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and writing, receive an introduction to biblical literature and take a mathematics course meant to bridge their current understanding with higher-level courses many will need to fulfill degrees in engineering and computer science. This summer, when most Corban students return home, these Papuan students continued with four to five more courses in preparation for a full load this fall.

Additionally, each Papuan student has been paired with an American roommate to further immerse them into college life here. The roommates, their resident assistants (RAs) and area coordinators (ACs) attended a seminar with Brammer and Eugene Edwards, director of Community Life, to prepare them for some of the unique challenges that come with rooming with an international student.

Brammer said he is excited to get to know the students better, and to build on the foundation established by Corban and the Papuan government more than five years ago.

“Our plan is for growth and long-term relationships,” Brammer said. “Seeing Corban expand as an international university is exciting, and will be beneficial for every student here and for expanding God’s kingdom in years to come.”

Contact the Corban admissions team at 1-800-845-3005 or admissions@corban.edu to discuss how the CUEST program can better equip you or someone you know for greater success at university—for language and for life.

NWCCU The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities—the accrediting agency in Oregon that approves our academic work overseas.

Oo-Pe-Hah Nickname for UPH a.k.a. Universitas Pelita Harapan.

Papua, Indonesia In the western half of the island, where our students are from. Differentiated from Papua, New Guinea in the eastern half.

Pelita Harpan Foundation (Yayasan) The anchor foundation that funds the educational network of Christian schools across the 17,000 islands of Indonesia.

Sekolah Means school, in three categories as listed below. Many, not all, teachers are all graduates of the Corban Teachers College at UPH. Sekolah Pelita Harapan (SPH) Christian elementary and prep schools for upper-class students, usually in urban areas; classes taught in English. Expatriate teachers, including Corban University alumi from the U.S., and Corban Teachers College graduates teach in SPH schools.

Sekolah Dian Harapan (SDH) Christian elementary and prep schools for middle-class students, usually in smaller urban areas; classes taught in Bahasa Indonesia and English Sekolah Lentera Harapan (SLH) Christian elementary and prep schools for lower-class students, usually in rural areas; classes taught in Bahasa Indonesia.

TC The Teachers College, a part of Universitas Pelita Harapan, which was formed to educate students from all over Indonesia in the teacher education program. Students graduating receive a Corban University diploma.

Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH) Our partner university of 11,000+ students near Jakarta, Indonesia. The name means university of light and hope.

2015

Corban University’s 2nd Annual Leadership and Political Engagement Symposium

China’s foray into Religion and Rule of Law Sept. 30

Oct. 1

Wednesday Chapel - Liu (Paul) Peng -

How Christians should view the tensions regarding religious liberty and the rule of law in China

Liu Peng will be speaking to Corban’s student body, and discussing the challenges and liberties Christians do have in China as well as the importance of the rule of law for China in the 21st century.

Thursday Evening Event - Liu Peng and Rob Gifford -

Religious Liberty, Dissent and Politics in China and the United States

This event will be a shared speaking engagement by both guests—each speaking for 15-20 minutes, followed by a question-and-answer session. The focus of this event will be on Gifford’s last article on China: “Cracks in the Atheist Edifice,” November 1, 2014, The Economist.

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s China emerges as a 21st century superpower, it is beginning to wrestle with issues besides economic growth and military strength. In the past few years, China has begun to explore two essential democratic values: religious freedom and the rule of law. As Americans witness this, we often fall into the trap of expecting other cultures to express these values the same way we do. Corban University invites you to listen to two speakers who have unique perspectives on the developments in China and what this may mean for business, politics and the Christian church.

Oct. 2

Friday Chapel - Rob Gifford -

Religious Freedom, Christians and the Media Often the secular media is seen by Christians as inimical to the Christian faith. However, such views often ignore a critical truth: A free media is critical to a free society. So why should Christians be glad that it does? And how can Christians have an impact in media without losing their own soul?

Distinguished Speakers

Liu (Paul) Peng, Founder, Pu Shi Institute of Social Sciences (Beijing)

Rob Gifford, Veteran China Editor for The Economist (London) & Author of the Random House book China Road (New York)

For more information on the symposium, contact:

www.corban.edu

Tony Caito Director of Leadership & Political Engagement tcaito@corban.edu

Anything Is possible

by Danny Day

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Corban baseball scores historic cuban mission trip There is a popular phrase: “Timing is everything.� For the Corban University baseball team, that phrase could not have been more true when the Warriors traveled on a historic mission trip to Caimanera, Cuba. As the first American college baseball team to ever play on Cuban soil since the Cuban revolution of 1959, the local Caimanera population was ready for a message. The message that Coach Jeff McKay and the entire team delivered was one that will ring through the streets and set the stage for generations to come. Seeds were planted, and bricks were laid. The future for Caimanera and Cuba is now, and that future is bright.

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How God chose Corban University and the Warrior baseball team to be ambassadors for Christ in Cuba is a story in itself. A little more than a year ago, Cuban native Glenn Wilson, a pastor who now lives in New Jersey, began working with Mike Silva International, a ministry based in Sisters, Ore., to bring a baseball team to do missionary work in Cuba. Through prayer and various links, Silva and McKay became connected, and the idea was presented to bring the Warriors to Cuba on a mission trip.

“The Warrior players truly embraced the opportunity through obedience to God to go and be ambassadors in Cuba," said McKay. “The effort and faith that it took to trust God to provide the finances, safety and spiritual protection was not easy, but the trip launched on May 30.”

Day 1: A Peek into the Past The first day was a long day of travel with various members of the team flying to the East Coast from around the U.S. Everyone met in a Miami hotel near the airport, organizing and planning, before leaving for the airport at 3 a.m. Following the strenuous process of getting through the international terminal, they finally boarded the plane, and a little over an hour later were flying over the beautiful country of Cuba. The countless rolling hills turned into lush green mountains of dense forest as the plane finally descended next to the ocean at Santiago, Cuba. There was a loud round of applause from all of the Cubans on board, thanking the pilot and the staff for getting them there safely.

The Warrior Navy and Gold successfully made it through customs without delays. Trip leader and native Cuban, Pastor Glenn Wilson, stated, “We just witnessed a miracle!” It was something that never happens, especially for Americans.

The team boarded a bus and traveled through the scenic countryside, passing numerous horse-drawn carriages and tightly spaced, two-lane highways. After passing through the city of Guantanamo, they proceeded through multiple military checkpoints and then entered Caimanera. There is only one road leading in and one road

leading out of the city, with armed guards at every entrance.

The scene was incredibly unique for the townspeople of Caimanera, a city of 11,000 filled with old cars and architecture from the 1950s. Despite the military differences between our two countries at the disputed Guantanamo Bay base, every Cuban in Caimanera welcomed the Warriors with open arms and hearts from the second they entered the city. In addition to providing meals and coordinating a safe and high-quality location to stay, the Cubans showed their willingness to accept the Americans.

Later that evening, the team walked the city streets together to a dinner location beside the Bay. They were welcomed by Cuban children on the streets who were playing barefoot soccer with a flat ball, small goal with no nets, and by those who lined balconies to get a look at the “newcomers.” The team felt wellprepared for what was ahead, thanks to Corban’s Paul Johnson, associate professor of intercultural studies and Bible, who, in years past, has worked in Latin America. He provided countless hours of preparation about what to expect in Cuba.

Jarett Thoren was surrounded by children before the game.

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Day 2: Breaking Down Barriers Waking to the familiar sound of a rooster marked the start of the first full day. Following a breakfast overlooking the Bay, the Warriors traveled to the city of Guantanamo to further immerse themselves in the country. That evening, team members were invited to a church service. The church is the only one in the city and recently came to fruition thanks to the help of Pastor Glenn Wilson. Wilson was born in Caimanera and grew up in the city before moving to New Jersey. His return home to Cuba for the first time in 30 years occurred just a couple of years ago. God spoke through Wilson, and he was motivated to organize and

build a church. The team enjoyed a vibrant worship service with more than 500 people, packed wall to wall and lined around the outside looking in. There were also those in the local area who watched from their rooftops, just listening to the worship and message. That day the Warriors donated 300 Bibles to the church, along with much of their own clothing. Their intent was to help provide the church members the opportunity to spread the gospel in the future. God was alive and well in the church that is led by Pastor Saul Perez and named “Salt of the River.”

Day 3: Game Day—History in the Making June 1 was the historic third day of the trip—the day the U.S. and Cuba made history playing baseball in Caimanera for the first time in six decades. Corban met with the local Caimanera government officials first, exchanging gifts and stories about how the game of baseball is our common language.

Seeing the stadium and field lined with local Caimanera people was a sight to see. The team was given a hero's welcome as fans lined the fence, foul pole to foul pole. Children and adults piled on top of the dugouts. The people sang the songs of their native city. The anticipation grew as Corban warmed up, and

following the player introductions and pregame gift exchanges, the stadium filled even more, as locals started surrounding the outfield. It seemed as if the entire city was at the game, cheering for both teams equally. Chants of “USA, USA, USA!” rang out from the Caimanera children, while the adults also cheered for Corban following many good plays on the field and at the plate.

The game was competitive, but Corban scored an early run in the top of the first frame.

“We are not here to play against them (Caimanera), but we are here to play with them,” said McKay.

Day 4: Miracles Come True in Caimanera The momentum carried over into the next day as miracles in Caimanera continued. The buzz around the city, because of Corban's win in the first game and the manner in which the team carried itself, set up more ministry opportunities the next day at the ballpark. The locals began to arrive early, excited to witness more history in the making. Warrior Braden Wolgamott provided the highlight of the day, launching a two-run homerun over the left-field wall, bringing the entire Caimanera crowd to its feet as the ball sailed over the fence.

Following the conclusion of the game, the Warriors donated jerseys, T-shirts, baseballs, bats, hats, cleats, pillows, candy and 20

other items to the Caimanera team, city officials, children and townspeople of Caimanera. Sometimes the gift of giving can be powerful, and seeing the expressions on the faces of the Cubans was priceless. God was doing good work. The children once again came onto the field following the donations, and hundreds of youngsters got another opportunity to hang out with the American players. For many of the children, it was the first time in their lives they had ever seen an American or had the opportunity to interact with one, let alone a baseball player.

Corban players ran the bases, took photos, talked, smiled and laughed, touching every soul with high-fives, hugs, handshakes and the sound of their voices.

The sign entering Caimanera says “Anti-Imperialism,” or “AntiAmerica.” Cubans are taught from a young age that Americans are the bad guys, and that the reason for the many rough years in Cuba is because of the United States. When the children, their parents and the elders of the city came to the baseball games and church service, and saw the Warriors walking through the streets, many started to realize that Americans and Cubans are not so different. We are all children of God. Americans and Cubans can both smile. Cubans and Americans can both laugh. There is a future for them, and it lies within the youths of Cuba. The children who met the Warriors and interacted with them during the week may not realize it now, but those interactions will stay in their minds. Seeds take time to sprout, and even longer to grow into full size. While Corban may not see these youths in leadership positions now, it is evident that the seed has been planted and the future is bright.

Day 5: Caimanera Heroes In the final game of the Corban vs. Cuba baseball series, the Warrior players were truly treated as heroes. The Caimanera children asked for autographs, photos, handshakes and high-fives, and the players happily obliged. The game evolved as many local church members joined the Caimanera team for the game. The Navy and Gold played to an enjoyable triumph, but in the victory, something very special occurred. In a mid-game presentation, Caimanera officials presented the Warriors with gifts, thanking them for making a big difference in their town. The Warriors then read a speech of gratitude to the Caimanera people, and everyone listened intently.

“We have proven to the world that our nations can not only come together, but play together,” said Warrior speaker Austin Guzzon.

“We did not come here to play against you, we came to play with you. Our identity is not defined by our nationality, but by being disciples of Christ, and because of our obedience, passion and love for God, anything is possible!”

The Warriors linked arms with the Cuban players and prayed over the loudspeaker for everyone in attendance to hear. It truly was a powerful moment as the sun shone down on the dirt field. Children and adults alike took photos and talked with the American team for a final time following the international exhibition, and the Warriors left the field knowing they had made an impact on all of the Cubans’ lives they had touched.

God was undoubtedly intertwined in all of the small details that helped make the trip and the games a reality.

Conclusion

The relationship between Cuba and the United States through Caimanera and Corban is one that could become long-lasting, and is undoubtedly the first step in smoothing the relationship between the two countries that have been so far apart for so many years, despite being so geographically close.

The team broke down old stigmas about the U.S., showing that maybe Americans are not all that bad. Corban showed Cuba that the U.S. is a friend of the people of Cuba, not an enemy.

Through God’s grace and the team’s actions throughout the week, the seed of hope was planted within every Caimaneran’s heart, where previously, hope was nonexistent.

Agents of hope. Agents of love. Agents of God. The change has begun in Cuba, and it really is the dawn of a new day for the Cuban nation. As flowers bloom and the grass grows here in America, so, too, do the hearts and minds of the Caimaneran and Cuban people.

Danny Day is the awardwinning sports information director at Corban. The result of his work was recently recognized at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Sports Information Directors of America (NAIA-SIDA) annual convention, garnering six top-10 finishes in various NAIA publications and media contests. The awards for the Warriors were highlighted by Corban’s athletic website being named the No. 4 website in the NAIA.

See the YouTube story at www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y873wqwjog

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tudents and professors from Corban’s school of ministry traveled to Africa May 16 through May 30 to continue their training work in the region. The team was comprised of Assistant Professor of Ministry Allen Jones, Ph.D., and his wife Mandy; Emily Anderson, a recent Corban graduate and daughter of Corban Professor Tim Anderson; and student Micah Ropp.

During the visit, the team led children’s and youth ministry, Bible studies and conducted street evangelism.

Dean of the School of Ministry Greg Trull, Ph.D., also returned to Africa to teach the final class of the firstever Cameroon cohort to complete the Corban Bible certificate training program, that the ministries faculty

initiated in May 2013.

Through the program, these Cameroonian pastors had been training to study and interpret Scripture, lead their churches and preach the gospel. Trull also met with leaders of three denominations to form a second training cohort.

The day after their arrival the ministry team attended a worship service at Hope Baptist Church in Bamenda, where Trull preached through the use of a French interpreter. The following Sunday, Jones preached at Hope on the topic of Jonah’s heart for the nations.

Jones also preached on Cameroonian

School of Ministry Dean Greg Trull leads a class of pastors in Cameroon.

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Students Emily Anderson and Micah Ropp speak to interested people on the street.

radio on a program called Kingdom Korner. After Jones spoke, the radio host interviewed the entire team. The following week, Ropp also delivered a sermon on the radio program and the host again interviewed the entire team as well as four pastors from the Corban Bible certificate training program.

Throughout the week, the team had many other opportunities to preach, teach and minister. These opportunities included participation in pastoral

were national leaders from seven denominations along with many friends and family members. The evening was marked with speeches from the graduates, presentations of certificates and gifts and a reception filled with African food, music and dancing.

"When we first started the training program here two years ago, the pastors reported they ministered to nearly 8,700 people each week," Trull said. "That same group now reaches nearly 22,000 people! Being able to invest in the ministry of 38 devoted and impactful pastors is an incredible blessing." visits to the district of a nearby church plant that also led to an opportunity to share the Gospel with a number of families. They observed a discipleship training study and then joined the disciplers later that day as they shared what they’d learned in class. They also attended the National Day “March-past” (like a 4th of July parade) to do street evangelism; and evangelize door-todoor. Four people committed their lives to Christ as a result of the march. The team also served in orphanage and prison ministry besides their teaching opportunities in youth groups, Bible studies and discipleship groups.

“This ministry trip was significant for many reasons,” Trull said. “One key was the ongoing ministry of our Corban students.

We are in our third year now, and have been blessed with an ever-opening door to partner with churches and ministries in this critical region of Africa.

The leaders in Cameroon welcome our students with open arms and wide

smiles. Our students have enjoyed more opportunities for significant ministry than many get in an entire year in the States.

“Another key is what graduation represents,” Trull continued. “It is a milestone reflecting our impact in a strategic region in Africa. Our 34 graduates are pastors, regional directors, writers, musicians, church planters and teachers in a country with both a rapidly growing Christian population and an urgent leadership vacuum. The incredible response by denominational leaders at graduation demonstrates the opportunity the Lord has opened for Corban here. Already, a long line is forming to apply for the 40-student second cohort in December. The Lord is using Corban’s School of Ministry to unite denominations that don’t typically partner, and allowing us to train leaders who are making an enormous difference for Christ in Cameroon.”

During this time, Trull taught a preaching class, the final course of the three-year Bible certificate training program.

Trull also helped plan the first-ever Corban graduation in Cameroon, where 34 pastors graduated. In attendance Dr. Allen and Mandy Jones read to an interested woman in Cameroon.

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While the majority of Corban students packed their bags to head home for the summer, a small group departed for the more exotic locations of Siguatepeque, Honduras and the Czech Republic for a Summers of Service (SOS) short-term mission experience. Each summer Corban sends several teams of students to various parts of the world to serve alongside missionaries and national believers to assist them in needy ministries and areas.

The Honduras SOS team included Emma Felzien, the adjunct professor and team leader. She said the goal of this trip was to not only expose students to a different culture, but also to get a taste of what missionaries’ lives look like. For this reason, the team connected with a variety of ministries while in Honduras.

One of the ministries is Hope Coffee, which provides work and resources for impoverished pastors. Hope Coffee’s 24

mission is to reach out to Honduran natives who own coffee plantains, and then teach them how to grow coffee efficiently and how to package it to sell to the U.S. “The purpose is to empower the Honduran natives,” Felzien said, “so they can provide for themselves and not have to depend on others. We used some of the funds raised to build furniture, which we then gave to Honduran pastors in need, and also provided them with food and other much-needed supplies.”

The team also helped by teaching English to students at the Biblical Seminary of Central America; serving at a Christian hospital founded by the Central American Mission; assisting with several church planting initiatives led by national pastors, including visits with new believers; visiting and serving children at various schools and an orphanage; and assisting

the missionaries and local churches by helping to build relationships with people in the city and share the Gospel.

Assistant Professor of Intercultural Studies Annette Harrison, Ph.D., led a team of four students to Czech Republic— students with talents and skills in sports, education and music.

The primary focus of the trip was to conduct conversational English classes utilizing language games, music and multimedia in five middle schools and two high schools. The area of focus was in Kralupy and surrounding towns north of Prague. The team also used sports as a way to connect and build relationships with local residents.

“Relationship-building is the foundation for evangelism and discipleship,” Harrison said. “Our activities were designed to attract attention, and to introduce

Honduran children flock around team members.

Honduras team members Westley Coleman, Emma Felzien, Jessica Snook and Andrew Johnson.

people to evangelical Christians and church fellowship.”

This was Harrison’s second trip to the region, having stepped in as team leader at the last minute in 2014 after the original leader was unable to go. She was thankful to be able to return this year to continue the relationships and momentum her team initiated last year. ”Last year, I began relationships with a few women in a very small evangelical church of about 20 members,” Harrison said. “This time, it was like visiting old friends, remembering things about each other from the last visit. Two of the women I spent the most time with told me how encouraging our visit was to them. Before we left, church members gave us a thank-you card that mentioned how the Corban team’s attitude of service was inspiring, and that they loved our excitement and attitude.”

2014 Czech Team: first row: Jeff Griffith (TEAM missionary leader), Bekka Russell, Dani Horne. Behind: Jon Kuzichev, Annette Harrison.

Photo taken on the grounds of Konopište Castle.

2014 Czech Trip: Bekka Russell in foreground; Jon Kuzichev in background. Taken at a visit to Komenského School in Kralupy.

Student Emily Read said working in this area was a challenge, but she enjoyed the opportunity to try to change some of the locals’ perceptions about Christians.

“During the preparation of this trip, I wasn’t able to fully grasp how spiritually dead our destination was,” Read said. “For the first time in my life, I saw a group of people that had no desire or thirst for knowledge beyond this life. The biggest takeaway I had from this trip is that people don’t know what they don’t know. As silly as that sounds, I realized that telling people they’re missing out on something is not the way to an unbeliever’s heart. They’ve never experienced the love of Christ, so why would they be thirsty for it? Our ministry was to serve and give English lessons: something valuable and free to them. ‘By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another’

(John 13:35, NASB). With this mission trip, we were able to plant many seeds. I am excited to get to heaven one day and see the fruit of our labor.”

A Czech English teacher sent an email to Harrison shortly after her return, sharing some of the results that had developed during the team’s time there. She wrote this note: “I want to thank you again for your visit, and to be honest, I don't mean just my school but our country as well.

I really like what you do, the way that you are trying to help people. I have to confess that this was a very enlightening experience for me, and I thank you all for it. You know, when I see you all, I really envy you your faith. Because that has a potential to make you a better person, but my lack of it don’t (sic) have any power at all.”

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Corban women’s

basketball team makes lasting impression during life-changing mission trip The Corban women’s basketball team experienced a weeklong mission trip to the Dominican Republic in May, which left a lasting impression, both in the Dominican Republic and on the team.

Besides playing multiple games and teaching basketball to youths at clinics throughout the country, the Warriors spread the Word of God through their actions and testimonies.

fun the girls had with us. Because they had experienced things in their lives no one should ever have to, they loved our attention and enjoyed their time with us.”

On Thursday the team headed to its second destination, Sugarcane Village, which included a school for grades 1–8.

Corban led a basketball clinic for boys and girls grades 7–8. The students quickly learned ball-handling and passing skills.

After the clinic, the younger children came rushing out of their classrooms and swarmed the team. They enjoyed playing tag and hand-clapping games, and loved having their pictures taken.

“The children greeted us with happy, smiling faces, huge hugs and kisses,” said Julia Young. “Their immediate love and acceptance displayed Christ in a way that I have never encountered. I will never

The trip was coordinated through SCORE International, a short-term mission organization. While in the Dominican Republic, the team stayed at the SCORE compound in Juan Dolio, on the southern coast.

On Wednesday, after orientation, the Warriors headed to their first ministry opportunity at the Pasitos de Jesus Home for Girls. A woman started the home after taking in a young girl with special needs.

The girl had been found in her backyard chained to a dog house, and seeing her caused the woman to take action. The home now includes a number of other girls who had been abandoned, and whose ages ranged from 1 to 18. The team interacted with the girls, playing tag and listening to music.

“I was touched by several things we saw and did,” said team member Mattaea Cooper, “such as watching how much Chris Carlson leads ball handling drills at Sugarcane Village school.

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forget those children and the joy they blessed me with.”

On Friday the Warriors spent the morning at the town of Quisqueya, visiting the Emmanuel House, a small school. Adrienne Christian, an American woman, was the guide at Emmanuel House, and took the Warriors to visit some of the children’s houses. They were in the worst imaginable shape, made up of either pieces of sheet metal nailed together, or random pieces of wood or particleboard walls with a dirt floor.

Despite the condition of the houses, the families never once asked for material items.

“I was so moved by the prayer requests of two women in the village,” Cooper said.

“They did not pray for material things, but for health, safety and the spirit of Christ to be with their family, friends and neighbors—praising and thanking God for what they had.”

Payton Wilcox with guide Adrienne Christian (far right) visiting a family in the poorest of the poor neighborhoods.

The Warriors played games on Thursday, Friday and Saturday against the national team. Corban also competed against a club team on Saturday called Mauricio Baez. It is coached by the all-time best female player in the Dominican Republic women’s game. The Warriors shared their testimonies with both teams, which were well received.

On Sunday, the team went to a Dominican church service down the street from SCORE. While it was small and crowded, everyone was incredibly joyful, but in some ways, it proved difficult to participate in the service because it was done in Spanish. In the afternoon, the team played a final game against the national team and also played another club team, INEFI. Following the game, several Warriors shared their testimonies, which were, once again, well received.

“If I were to sum up the trip in two words, it would be ‘LIFE CHANGING,’” Bale said.

“So many things happened that touched each one of us, but a highlight would be Jade Lowery makes a friend.

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Payton Wilcox and Jade Lowery with students at Sugarcane Village school during recess.

the interaction we had with the children, the adults and parents who were working with these children, and then seeing the heart of the SCORE missionaries, administrators, workers and the bus driver. He was supposed to have Sundays off so that he could take his family to church and have a restful day, but when he found out we were to play our final game, he demanded that he drive. The girls touched his heart, and we became

his team. We will be forever grateful for the opportunity God provided us.”

“As a team, we went to the Dominican thinking we could be used to serve,” said Assistant Coach Tim Seiber. “God served us up a heavy dose of endearing friendship, stirring fellowship and a yearning to go back. Honestly, when we think about what a difference we made, I think one of our ladies said it well: ‘I don’t

Assistant Coach Erin Smith (yellow shirt on left) and team members help students with ball handling drills at Sugarcane Village School.

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know if anyone here will remember me, but I am definitely never going to forget this place and these people.’ What can happen in just a week in the Dominican Republic? It takes only a moment for the sweet face of a Dominican child or the holy prayer of a godly schoolmaster to grip your heart. Ask anyone from the trip this question and you’ll get plenty of insight, but you may have to wait a bit for the tears to pass.”

To usher in the end of one journey and transition to the next, graduating students walked across the stage at the Salem Armory Auditorium to receive their diplomas during Corban’s 2015 commencement ceremony.

The program included a variety of musical accompaniments performed by Corban music professors, Corban’s Chamber Choir and bagpipers from the Oregon State Defense Force Pipe Band. Everyone in attendance was invited to sing the congregational hymn, “Christ the Lord is Risen Today.” The ceremony included a Scripture reading of Psalm 146 and a prayer of dedication.

Three Corban students were presented with the Distinguished Graduate Award, given to students who most exemplify Corban’s four student goals by being a maturing Christian, a competent thinker, an effective communicator and an involved citizen.

The following students also received honors. Traditional Undergrad (tie): Emily Childers, Health Science major; Nathan McFadden, History major. Adult Degree Program: Joi Leahy, Psychology/Family Studies major.

Commencement speaker was Eileen Hulme, Ph.D., professor in the doctoral program of higher education at Azusa Pacific University. Hulme shared three insights of wisdom with the graduates: Live life with your eyes wide open. Do not get caught up in social media, but rather dedicate your time and efforts to what is most important.

Do not waste time fearing failure. Take a risk and gain wisdom along the way. It is what makes up life.

Cherish God’s constant and unfailing love. The only thing in your life that cannot be taken from you is the love of God. President Sheldon Nord also shared his thoughts with the graduating class.

“I’m amazingly humbled by the quality of students at Corban University,” he said.

“These are our next community leaders. This is not an end for them, but a beginning.”

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Corban launches Doctor of Ministry program on the Salem campus

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his is the first year Corban will offer a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) in Strategic Leadership on the Salem campus. The D.Min. program provides advanced training for individuals leading Christian ministries in a variety of contexts—senior pastors, Christian school administrators, directors of para-church organizations and administrative staff responsible for leading people, directing programs and managing organizational assets. The program incorporates biblical theology, leadership training, peer interaction, professional mentoring, personal strengths assessment and corporate evaluation to equip its students for effective ministry leadership.

Program Director Leroy Goertzen, D.Min., said the program offers ministry professionals, who are well into their careers, an opportunity to reenergize and refocus their ministry to take it to the next level.

“Most ministry professionals find they have outgrown their training

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and their ministry has outgrown them,” Goertzen said. “They have run out of gas and don’t know where to go from there. So they start to ask, ‘How do I keep up?’ They need more horsepower and a stronger engine to take them there. The D.Min. program is the big ‘yes’ to all the vision you have for accomplishing what you would like to in the next phase of your life and ministry, and provides you with the tools needed to get you there.”

Professor Gary McIntosh, Ph.D., the primary instructor for the D.Min. program, said having students in the course who are primarily ministry professionals “brings a different feel to the class because you are dealing with people who have real-life questions— rather than theoretical—due to being in the workforce and already understanding the challenges and issues.”

As a result, “students often learn as much from each other as from the professor,” McIntosh added. “All have faced similar situations and have dealt with them in different ways.”

Current D.Min. student Mark Wilson, a Christian school principal in Santa Clarita, Calif., believes the peer learning that takes place is a definite highlight of the program.

“As you meet people in the program and see how God is working in their lives and in their ministry, it is encouraging and valuable,” he said. “I have also been impressed with the level of professors we have had. They’re not just someone with a Ph.D. who teaches, but they are experts in their field, and that has been a real treat.”

While Wilson has found the course content to be beneficial, he also appreciates the relationship-building McIntosh and Goertzen have established with the students—both in and outside of the classroom. Students and the professors eat lunch together nearly every day during the two-week on-campus residency, and those relationships enhance learning.

Each academic year runs January through October and consists of pre-residency online coursework, a two-week on-campus residency, which is the heart of the program, and post-residency online coursework. After three years of coursework, students will research and write a dissertation as the capstone for their degree.

Current D.Min. student Victor Borchard, who has served as an executive teaching pastor for the past four years, said he appreciates being able to do the coursework from January through October because it provides a break during the holidays and matches his church schedule well.

“The way the courses are set up,” Borchard said, “creates greater flexibility for the pressures of ministry.”

Wilson also said the timeline in which the program is structured is a plus: “Because cohorts meet only one time in the summer, this allowed me to cut costs by only having to travel once a year. The program also gave me the flexibility to complete the program in six years, rather than the three years that many other programs require. With a full-time job in ministry and a family—trying to pack it into three years was not realistic.”

Another unique feature of Corban’s D.Min. program is the yearly dissertation writing seminar that Goertzen designed to allow students to begin writing their dissertation their first year in the program. Most programs are structured where students start writing their dissertation only after all their coursework has been completed.

“That is something I plan to take back and apply not only in my own teaching,” he said, “but to pass along to the other teachers in my school as well.”

McIntosh said encouraging pastors—or anyone serving as a leader in ministry— to enroll in a D.Min. program and supporting them financially is beneficial to the entire church or organization because “it enlarges their ability to lead and be fruitful.”

“A growing pastor always leads to a growing church.”

Another benefit provided by the program is immediate applicability to the student’s profession in ministry. Post-residency assignments are always designed as personal projects the students create within their ministry context and around the parameters that meet the topic of the course module. These assignments allow students to demonstrate they can integrate the theoretical concepts that are being taught and discussed into their practice of ministry.

Wilson said one of the main reasons he chose to enroll in Corban’s D.Min. program is because of this feature.

“Many universities have areas of emphasis in the D.Min. program— pastoring, counseling or leadership,” he said, “but this program incorporates all of them. This gave me the privilege of being able to come in as an educator of a Christian school and not be treated like a pastor. The course content ministered to me and was immediately usable.”

“If an organization would invest in its leaders, the fruit of that will come back to bless the organization and the people,” he added. “If pastors are out of date, then the church is out of date. A growing pastor always leads to a growing church.”

Borchard, whose D.Min. has been partially funded by a benefactor and partially through Corban’s Church Matching Grant, said this was one of the reasons he chose to enroll in the D.Min. program.

“My church had experienced long-term decline,” he said. “Ecclesiastes 10:10 (NLT) came to mind: ‘Using a dull axe requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That’s the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed.’ The D.Min. program has given me tools to revitalize my church and enter into a new phase of sustained growth. It made me more effective in ministry and a vessel that’s better fit for the Master’s use.”

For more information about Corban’s D.Min. program, visit grad.corban.edu/ministry/dmin or call our Graduate Admissions Office at 800-764-1383.

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New S

opportunities for nontraditional learners

ince Corban launched its Adult Degree Program (ADP) nearly 25 years ago, more than 1,100 nontraditional students have graduated from the program—graduates who might not have had a chance to earn their bachelor’s degree otherwise.

Because of Corban’s ADP program, hundreds of graduates have been empowered to pursue their dreams and make a difference for Jesus Christ in the U.S. and internationally.

This fall, Corban’s Adult Degree Program will experience some structural changes and be known as the School of Professional Studies (SPS). Why change a successful program?

Shawn Hussey, Chair of Business for SPS, said, “There are now more nontraditional students seeking higher education than there are traditional students. The changes to our program take this into account and have created a tremendous level of flexibility.”

The new eight-week, entirely online class format and a rolling course calendar let learners adjust their schedule and course load to fit their needs at any given time, as well as study from anywhere in the world. Students can also now enroll in an SPS degree program even if they have no college credits to transfer. It’s not just a degree completion program anymore, but a comprehensive degree offering.

New concentrations have been added to both the business and psychology majors, giving students the opportunity to choose a degree that more specifically meets their career goals and interests. SPS business students can choose Leadership & Management, Accounting or Marketing, and psychology students can select Family Studies or Pre-Counseling/Clinical.

Each major offers the same high-quality education as Corban’s successful and widely respected traditional undergraduate programs.

“The SPS programs provide an important platform for educating Christians wherever they may be,” said Hussey, “whether that is the mission field or the office down the road. We meet people where they are, help them hone and develop their worldview, and enhance their skill-set to be difference-makers. By providing world-class education and a similar curriculum to their traditional counterparts, I am confident that the next generation of graduates from the SPS programs will carry forward the legacy established by ADP cohorts of the past.”

For more information about Corban Online, visit sps.corban.edu or call our Admissions office at 1-800-764-1383.

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What does it look like to earn a college degree online? / Suzy Homemaker / has been a stay-at-home mom for 17 years and loves being involved in her church’s women’s ministry. She took a few college courses right out of high school, but now that her kids are older, she’s ready to complete her degree. Suzy is passionate about encouraging and mentoring women, so she chooses a Psychology: Family Studies major. After graduation, she’ll be prepared to pursue her goal of working with a local women’s shelter.

Paid with 56% | Student loans

Chooses to accelerate her program by taking 18 credits per term and finishes in 5 semesters (1.5 years)

36 transfer credits | 93 credits needed

18% | Pell Grant

129 total credits for B.S. in Psychology

13% | Savings 13% | Monthly payments over 18 mos.

/ Johnny Entrepreneur / is an innovative 20-year-old who started his own tech company right out of high school. With a growing business, he’s looking for some foundational training to help him make wise decisions and manage his company effectively, but a traditional program doesn’t fit into his busy schedule. He enrolls in Corban’s Business: Leadership & Management program and is able to learn skills that will enhance his business savvy on his schedule and at his pace.

Paid with 57% | Student loans

Attends full time (12 credits/term) and finishes in 10 semesters (3.5 years)

0 transfer credits | 6 CLEP credits | 123 credits needed

33% | Pell Grant

129 total credits for B.S. in Business

10% | Outside scholarship for young entrepreneurs

/ Kelli Boss / is a 40-something mid-level manager with a large company. She is well established in her career and has spent time in a variety of departments at the company. Kelli has heard of a new position opening soon in the marketing department that really interests her and would be a significant promotion. Her years with the company give her an advantage, but she lacks the formal training to create effective marketing campaigns in today’s mediasaturated world. She decides it’s time to finally finish her college degree with Corban’s Business Marketing program so she can take the next step in her career with confidence.

Takes classes part time (6 credits/term) and finishes in 8 semesters (2.5 years)

129 total credits for B.S. in Business

Paid with 50% | Employer tuition reimbursement 50% | Monthly payments over 30 mos.

71 transfer credits | 9 Life-learner credits | 49 credits needed 33

news briefs

Student Life hires new dean Corban has its first Dean of Christian Formation and Engagement with the hiring of Leslie Herrmann, formerly an adjunct at William Jessup University in the area of discipleship/ spiritual formation.

Herrmann’s other recent higher educational professional experiences include a teaching assistant role at Regent College in Vancouver, BC, and teaching/administrative roles at Eston College in Canada. Her undergraduate degree is in kinesiology at California State Polytechnic University. She possesses two master’s degrees—an M.A. in Theological Studies from Regent in 2003, and in 2010, a Th.M. in Theology. Currently, she is working on a Ph.D. in Theological and Religious Studies from Evangelische Theologische Faculteit in Leuven, Belgium.

Herrmann is ready to bring Chapel, Reach and Student Programs together to form a holistic framework for students to develop into the men and women Jesus Christ has called them to be.

Her research interests include art, theological aesthetics and environmental ethics. With a quiet disposition and highly developed sense of emotional intelligence, she loves thinking outside the box, and even more, loves working collaboratively.

Two Corban students selected for internships with Shattered Magazine Sophia Kuenzi, junior English major, and Heather Karle, junior journalism major, were selected for an internship with “Shattered” magazine, a fairly new publication in the Christian market, having launched its first print issue in May 2013. Their internship began May 11 and extends through the summer.

As a unique perk, Kuenzi and Karle will complete the internship this summer from the comfort of home, interacting with the “Shattered” editorial staff and completing their work through email and Skype. Their duties will include writing, editing and online content management.

“Shattered’s” mission is very similar to Corban’s theme this past year: Picking up the Pieces. The magazine’s purpose is to “reveal the bigger picture behind what can happen when God works through our shattered stories.”

Chair of the Humanities department, Dr. Marty Trammell, with Sophia Kuenzi, Heather Karle and journalism Professor Amy Elker.

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news briefs

education students teach in Korea and Indonesia

A banner year for Corban’s journalism program

Sang-Eun Dyer, Ph.D., associate professor of education, traveled to Korea for 12 days in May with six Corban education students: Abby Lauer, Vinny Sepe, Courtney Hagardon, Katie Lethin, Rebekah Allen, and Kiernan Heinz. Assistant Professor Jesse Payne, Ed.D., also joined them after a previous trip to Indonesia.

Corban’s journalism program took top honors May 8 at the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association’s Collegiate Day, held at Linn Benton Community College in Albany, Ore. Corban’s student newspaper, “The Hilltop,” and its online publication, Hilltop Online, were pitted against the print and online publications of other colleges and universities throughout the state.

Students taught English at an elementary school as well as at a children’s welfare center in Cheongju, Korea. Half of the students stayed in a dorm, and the other stayed in a home setting, which was a very rich and unique experience allowing them to be exposed to the culture directly.

Dyer received her undergraduate degree from Cheongui National University of Education (CNUE) in Cheongiu, Korea, and initiated the conversations about sending students to teach English at the affiliated elementary school of the university. The conversations culminated in this partnership with CNUE. This is the first year doing this, and the hope is that they can continue and further develop this partnership.

“The Hilltop” received a total of 10 awards in the following categories: Best Overall Photography (1st place); Best Feature Photo (3rd place); Best Sports Photo (3rd place); Best Design (3rd place); General Excellence (2nd place); Best Columnist (2nd place); Best Review (1st, 2nd and 3rd place); Best Sports Story (3rd place). Hilltop Online took 2nd place for Best Website.

Corban’s journalism program also received an Award of Excellence from the Evangelical Press Association in the Campus Digital Category for “Hilltop Online.” Hilltop Online competed against college and professional Christian publications throughout the nation.

Four other education students traveled to Jakarta, Indonesia for the month of June to teach English. The student team included: Vincent Sepe, Hannah Davis, Kayla Flowers and Danielle Jordan.

The Corban team taught alongside students from Covenant College, Biola University and Fordham University.

The team spent the first two weeks at two of the Sekolah Lentera Harapan (SLH) Christian schools located in impoverished regions and led by graduates of the Teacher’s College at Universitas Pelitas Harapan (UPH). The team spent the last two weeks at the Sekolah Pelita Harapan (SPH) schools, a chain of Christian K-12 international schools, where they led English summer camps.

Vetter speaks at the ACSI Northwest Regional Conference Following the publication of his book, “Leadership Competency for the Nonprofit Leader,” Christopher Vetter, Ph.D., Corban’s associate provost for enrollment management, spoke at the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Northwest Regional Conference in Seaside, Ore., in April.

Vetter delivered two presentations at the conference. His first topic was: Enrollment Management Conducted within a Distinctly Christian Worldview. His second was: The Essential Competency of Administrators of Distinctly Christian Schools. In addition, a copy of his book was distributed to all the attendees. Typically, 60 top administrators attend this conference; however, approximately 115 were in attendance this year.

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news briefs

Worldview Academy repeats summer camp at Corban Two years ago, Corban entered into a multiyear sponsorship of Worldview Academy’s week in Oregon. The Academy was held on the Corban campus July 12-17, 2015, with 170 junior and senior high students in attendance. The event sold out three months prior to the Academy’s start date. Students packed the Psalm Performing Arts Center’s main auditorium to participate in this weeklong, biblically intensive summer camp, which is centered on worldviews, apologetics and servant leadership.

Corban offers two college credits to those who attend the Academy and submit an application for credit prior to the start date. Two of Corban’s faculty members served as guest lecturers: Drs. Ryan Stark and Matt Lucas.

Worldview Academy is a nondenominational organization dedicated to helping Christians think and live in accord with a biblical worldview so that they will serve Christ and lead the culture.

Corban Provost Matt Lucas speaks to Worldview teens.

Greg Eide named to NAIA national administrative council Corban University Athletic Director Greg Eide was named to the National Administrative Council (NAC) of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Eide’s appointment officially took place in June at the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) annual convention in Orlando, Fla. The NAC helps shape policy at the highest level of the NAIA with committees governing rules and ratings, championships, awards and statistics, and experience and enhancement. The NAC is an exclusive group of nearly 36

members representing all 23 conferences and approximately 300 schools within the NAIA. A minimum of 10 athletic directors and 10 conference commissioners serve on the NAC. Eide will serve as the official representative of the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) on the NAC. The NAC conducts its business annually at the NAIA and the NACDA conventions. The Council’s subcommittees will also meet throughout the academic year to review appeals and special requests from NAIA members and various coaches’ associations.

Eide is in his third year leading the Corban University athletic programs. He also serves on the CCC Conduct in Competition committee.

Corban hires new head golf coach and assistant Tom Graves, a 2015 Corban graduate, stepped into the helm as new head golf coach for the men’s and women’s teams after Paul Pickerell announced he was stepping down on Tuesday, May 5, due to time constraints. Graves assumed his coaching duties immediately. He was also placed in charge of intramurals and the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center facility management on campus.

As a Corban student, Graves competed all four years on the men’s golf team. This year, the men’s golf team presented him 36

with the “Mighty Warrior” award after he led the team to a second-place finish at the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) Championships and to its first-ever ranking in program history. He also worked in various roles in the Athletic Department, including managing student staff at all home basketball games during his senior year.

Corban also hired Verne Hagenbeck as an assistant golf coach.

Hagenbeck joined Corban’s athletic department in 2014 as a golf instructor for the Human Performance golf class. Prior to his work at Corban, Hagenbeck served as a youth pastor and lead pastor for 46 years. He brings extensive experience in motivating and inspiring people to develop their full potential.

news briefs

Corban hosts writing conference for honors students Corban held its Portals Young Adult Writing Celebration for local high school Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) students. Approximately 70 students from McNary and Stayton high schools attended, as well as several homeschoolers.

Corban Writer-in-Residence Gina Ochsner directed the event.

Ochsner, author of two short-story collections—both of which won the Oregon Book Award—and two novels, led a workshop for the students on “Making a Mess, Finding a Message.” During the session, students were provided with paint and a canvas, allowing them the opportunity to express themselves through art.

Corban English Professors Colette Tennant, Ph.D., and Ryan Stark, Ph.D., also led workshops for the students.

During Tennant’s session, “The Many Doors That Lead to a Poem,” she provided several prompts from which students could derive inspiration to write original poems. Stark’s workshop, “Adventures in College Composition,” gave students a sneak peek at Corban’s college writing classes, including participating in some creative writing activities.

Join us to celebrate 25 years of Corban theatre!

Corban’s Theatre Department has taken center stage for the past 25 years with its superb, spiritually and emotionally engaging productions. To commemorate the theatre program’s 25th anniversary, a celebration will take place during the fall and spring semesters to reconnect the program with its alumni.

The events will be held November 21, 2015, and March 12, 2016. During the events, alumni will have the opportunity to reconnect with Assistant Professor Tamara McGinnis, who has directed theatre at Corban since 1990. Over the past 25 years, McGinnis has taken the theatre program from occasional productions to a high-quality every-semester program. She has also gathered a group of loyal volunteers who ensure quality productions each year and has brought in guest directors to broaden theatre students’ education. The move has given audiences a chance to experience different styles of productions.

Additionally, the celebration events will provide alumni the chance to learn about the future vision for the theatre program, play improvisation games, tour the campus and attend the plays—“Much Ado About Nothing” in the fall and “Arsenic and Old Lace” in the spring. The spring event will also feature a special fundraiser dessert.

The Theatre Department, in partnership with the Office of Marketing & Communications, is in the process of creating a book that will feature photos and information about every play produced at Corban. They are also creating a poster, which will showcase every promotional theatre poster from the past 25 years. Both of these commemorative items will be available for sale at the events and the theatre performances.

Proceeds from the sales will go back into the theater program, specifically to fund scholarships for theatre students.

The celebration is preceded by the creation of a Facebook page for alumni, fans and patrons of Corban Theatre to be kept up-to-date on new productions as well as to renew the sense of community found in the theatre program. www.facebook.com/CorbanTheatre If you would like more information on either of the Corban Theatre 25th anniversary celebration events, email theatre@corban.edu or call 503-316-3380.

Dr. Colette Tennant leads a session for young writers.

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alumni action

Broadway – “Cinderella” Alumni enjoyed the Broadway Across America magical musical production of “Cinderella,” both in Portland and Seattle.

Sara Moore ’04 and daughter at “Cinderella.”

Ashley Mayfield ’11 and friends at “Cinderella.”

“Beauty and the Beast” Act now to put your name on the wait list for tickets to December’s production of “Beauty and the Beast!” Email the alumni office at astevens@corban.edu or call 503-316-3388.

Wendy Langmade and family at “Cinderella.”

Tuition Freedom Day Students heard a powerful testimony from Billy Cordero ’99, wrote personal thank-you notes to our Corban Fund donors and enjoyed some tasty Roth’s donuts!

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faculty in print

Golden Grads

most of these essays and articles appeared over a twenty-five year span in one or another of the publications put out by regular Baptist press. The political commentaries were first published by northwest Conservative, a monthly journal, or

by The statesman Journal, salem’s daily newspaper, which also published the original, shorter version of “The tyler principle.”

Writing is a curious enterprise. in order to offer public discourse we shut ourselves away and refuse to answer phones and doorbells. in order to say something to people we will never meet we discourage, for a time, conversation with our spouses and friends.

i’m especially grateful for the patience and encouragement of Bonnie, the resident extrovert, who has learned to live with the ruminative silences of a husband who spends a lot of time with the printed page.

Jim hills is professor of humanities at Corban University in salem, Oregon. he began his teaching career in southern California, but was drawn to the pacific northwest in 1973 by clean air, green mountains, and people who would rather fish than work overtime. he has taught at Corban ever since.

by Jim Hills

GaraGe sale Of the mind | hills

Members of the class of 1965 celebrated 50 years since their graduation day! The Golden Grad Reunion was held appropriately in the El Cerrito room of Schimmel Hall where alums enjoyed a quiche brunch, sharing memories and words from President Nord. Class of 1965 graduates who were in attendance were Don Curtis ’65, Sharon (Meadows) Jarka ’65, and Lee Johnson ’65.

Garage Sale of the Mind and Other Opinions

Garage Sale of the Mind and Other OpiniOns

Jim Hills, Litt.D., serves as professor of humanities at Corban, and has been teaching at Corban since 1973. During that time, Hills has written and amassed quite a collection of essays and articles, most of which are compiled within the 436 pages of his recently published book, “Garage Sale of the Mind and Other Opinions.”

“Writing is a curious enterprise,” Hills says. “In order to offer public discourse, we shut ourselves away and refuse to answer phones and doorbells. In order to say something to people we will never meet, we discourage—for a time—conversation with our spouses and friends. I’m especially grateful for the patience and encouragement of Bonnie, the resident extrovert, who has learned to live with the ruminative silences of a husband who spends a lot of time with the printed page.”

Jim hills

Dr. Sheldon Nord prays with the Golden Grads.

Colleagues, students, alumni and other friends of Jim Hills can purchase his book for $20 at www.createspace.com/5409577, as well as other popular online book retailers, including Amazon, Books-A-Million and Barnes & Noble.

Reading with a Poet Who Was Also Given Up for Adoption

by Colette Tennant

The poem, “Reading with a Poet Who Was Also Given Up for Adoption,” by Professor of English and Humanities Colette Tennant, Ph.D., was selected for publication in “The Common Ground Review: Fall/Winter Stars Issue,” Vol. 16, No. 2.

Golden Grads Don Curtis, Sharon (Meadows) Jarka, and Lee Johnson.

Update your email!

Send us your email address so we can share updates, invites and other notifications with you electronically!

Email astevens@corban.edu or go to inside.corban.edu/advancement

Her first book of poems, “Commotion of Wings,” was published

by Main Street Rag as an Editor’s Choice in 2010. She has had poems published in many journals, including “Natural Bridge,” “Southern Poetry Review” and “Rattle.” One of her poems was nominated for a 2015 Pushcart Prize.

Tennant has taught literature and writing courses, including poetry and creative writing, at Corban since 1995. She is the founder of Corban’s poetry club, Stinky Bagels, and the Literary Arts Council. She is a member of Peregrine Writers of Salem, Ore., Oregon Christian Writers, Oregon Poets and the Oxford Round Table.

To purchase a copy of the book, “The Common Ground Review: Fall/Winter Stars Issue,” Vol. 16, No. 2, contact Janet Bowdan at 413-782-1729

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class notes

1957

1967

Raymond Lewis ’57 passed away this year. He served as a missionary in Brazil for 21 years.

Anita (Lewis) Williams ’67 retired on June 30, 2015, after 29 years in her position as administrative assistant at Sunrise Community Church.

1962 Pastor David Einer ‘62 passed away May 23, 2015 in Olympia, Wash.

1963 Dr. Robert (Bob) Segress ’63 of Surprise, Ariz., retired a year ago from a 15-year prison ministry. Previously, he had retired from a 25-year career as a licensed psychotherapist.

He has begun a new writing ministry and writes for several publishers, including Mustard Seed and Christian Devotions. He also writes a monthly column for “Halo” magazine. His time at WBBC with Dr. Jack Wilsey, Dr. David F. Miller and others are treasured days in his heart.

He wrote to the alumni office: “President Nord’s answer to the question of ‘Who is Corban in 2015?’ prompted my update today. When he said that Corban’s commitment is to produce ‘students of God’s Word’ generation by generation (p. 9 Spring 2015 “CORBAN”), it caused me to testify that for more than 50 years since the class of 1963 graduated, this has been the proven case. For this commitment, the class of 1963 is thankful.”

1966 Judeen (Struiksma) Edwards ’66 went to be with the Lord on January 28, 2015, after fighting bone cancer.

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Send us your updates alumni@ corban.edu

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1969 James Borland ’69, M.Div., began his 39th year teaching theology at Liberty University. He also serves as Chairman of the Campbell County Board of Supervisors.

1971 1 Roy Jones ’71 and his wife, Nancy, sent this update from their mission field in Spain. “What a joy it is to serve the Lord and see what He is accomplishing. During the month of March, we spent two weeks with our son Keith and his family near Milan, Italy. It was great to see what God has been doing there in the Veritas Church in Rozzano, Italy.

They have a group of young people and families who love the Lord and want to serve Him. We were glad to be able to help out. Nancy taught an English class, and Roy preached one Sunday in Spanish while Keith translated. A group of Hispanics in the church enjoyed hearing the message in Spanish. We also enjoyed some great family time. Now that April is here, we are looking forward to much nicer weather and enjoying some outdoor activities. We have already had two barbecues on our patio with friends and family. Pray for Antonio and Isabel, and Julio and Maria, who have studied this course and continue to study with us. We appreciate your prayers for their salvation and for others that we have contact with. We are thankful to be partnering with you to reach Torres de la Alameda, Campo Real and Spain.”

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class notes

1975 2 Jan Gossner ’75 and wife, Debbie (Hanan) Gossner ’75, ask for prayer. They are in need of new financial partners. Pray for perseverance, recruitment, retention, care efforts once their budget is reached and also their involvement with the Edolo translation project in Papua, New Guinea.

1977 Paul C. Magnussen ’77 was laid off in April and officially retired from The Boeing Company June 1, 2015. For more than 24 years, he worked at Boeing, first as a tool designer on military programs such as the B-2 stealth bomber, later the F/A-22 fighter. The last eight years, he became a technical illustrator in the customer service facility in Tukwila, Wash., doing illustrations in commercial airplane maintenance manuals. After leaving Boeing, Paul plans to devote more time to writing and art projects. He and his wife, Shelley, hope to have a book published by December in time for Christmas. They plan to do some traveling to Shelley’s hometown in Alaska this summer and be more involved in their church, First Baptist Church of University Place.

1980 3 Sonny Padock ’80 and his wife, Lihna, desire your prayer support for the progression of their Bible translation work. The committee expects that the translation of all the New Testament books will be completed by the end of August. Also pray for their prison ministry. Sonny is

teaching first and second Peter and the book of Jude at the Bible Baptist Institute of Pohnpei in U Municipality, and for their “Nahs” (activity center) that is used for Sunday School, youth meetings, VBS and other church activities. It was blown down by the tropical storm that hit Pohnpei early Monday, May 11, of this year. They need this building, but their funds are insufficient to rebuild it. Photo:

1989 4 Cornelius Williams ’89 has been married for more than 24 years to JoAnna Williams, and they have three children: Dominique (23), Gabrielle (22) and Eli (18). Cornelius is currently president of the Metro Atlanta Leadership Foundation and is the Senior Executive of Ministries at New Mercies Christian Church. Cornelius is very grateful to have attended Western Baptist because it helped him to develop a broader Christian perspective in the psychology arena that he has built upon since leaving school. He is also in the process of getting his master’s degree as a professional counselor in order to serve those in leadership roles within the Body of Christ. Cornelius’s mission is to seek the kingdom first and help create safe environments for people to be healthy and whole.

1990 5 Mark Perkins ’90 and his wife, Anne, are ministering in the Niagara Falls, New York, area and have many praises and prayer requests. They praise God for physical and spiritual growth in the church, expectation of a fourth grandchild, and for financial provisions through one-time donations and new ministry partners. They ask for prayer to raise

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Class Notes Key

5

ADP – Adult Degree Program

MBA – Master of Business Administration

CUSM – Corban University School of Ministry (NW Baptist Seminary)

MSE – Master of Science in Education

MABS – Master of Arts in Biblical Studies

MDiv – Master of Divinity

This issue of Class Notes consists of items submitted between October 2 and February 26.

Deadline for Class Notes for Summer 2015 is June 1.

Check the alumni facebook page for more photos and upcoming events: Corban/Western Baptist Alumni.

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class notes

sufficient funds for replacing the roof on their building this summer; for Charlie—a new intern—to grow into the servant he needs to be in order to lead God's people in their next church plant, New Life Fellowship, in the inner city of Niagara Falls; for their work in helping launch Barefoot Community Church in Lewiston; and for additional financial support, which is currently at 50 percent.

2001 Kraig Kroeker ’01 was promoted to the rank of major in the Oregon Air National Guard on May 2. He is currently serving as the Wing Chaplain for the 173rd Fighter Wing in Klamath Falls, Ore.

2002 6 Heidi Schubarth ’02 and Mark Knapp were married May 23, 2015, at the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, Colo. Bridesmaids included Holly (Cozby) Roy ’03 and Kim Villwock ’02. Heidi works for the Navigators in the overseas missions department doing administrative work for the short-term missions program, and Mark works for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) doing rodeo administration. The couple resides in Colorado Springs.

2003 7 Jennifer (Ohta) Joseph ’03 and husband, Jeremy Joseph ’11, welcomed little Boaz Keith to their family on December, 7, 2014. He weighed 7 pounds 6 ounces and was 19 inches long.

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2006 8 Julia (Faucette) Royer ’06 and husband, Eric, announce the birth of their son, Zachary Nolan Royer, on January 20, 2015, at 3:28 am. He weighed 8 pounds 12 ounces and was 20 ½ inches long. Julia works part time as an accountant for CBT Nuggets, and Eric works as an insurance agent at Advantage Insurance. They live in Eugene, Ore. 9 Ezekiel Ralph Shetler was born to Jenny (Welty) Shetler ’06 and husband, Peter, on June 10, 2014. He joins big sister Clara, and big brother Anthony. Peter works as a contractor for residential construction with Shetler Construction, Inc., and Jenny enjoys being a stay-at-home mom.

2007 10 Robert Taylor ’07 joined the staff of Action International Ministries shortly after graduation. Then, in the spring of 2008, he was commissioned as a career missionary, providing technical support at the ACTION USA office in Mountlake Terrace, Wash. The ACTION home office is where he met his future wife, Catherine Carlaw, and they married in 2011. Rob and Catherine have a son, Ethan, who is almost 3 years old. Catherine translates and edits publications for Spanish-speaking missionaries. Together, Rob and Catherine hope to have a great impact on God's Kingdom serving with their gifting.

Please visit: www.actioninternational.com/taylor for more information.

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Mariana Medina ’14 was featured in an article from the “East Oregonian” titled “School districts try to close minority student-teacher gap.” Medina was exactly the type of firstyear teacher many Eastern Oregon school districts were looking for. According to the Oregon Department of Education, 49 percent of Rocky Heights students are Hispanic, roughly in line with the district’s Latino population as a whole. Over her 13 years as a student in Hermiston, Ore., Medina said she had no Hispanic teachers. She said many of her friends pursued business degrees, a field she was interested in until she started volunteering at West Park Elementary School as part of a peer mentoring program. After enrolling at Corban University, Medina was able to pay for much of her tuition with scholarships. After graduation, she declined a job offer from the Salem-Keizer School District to return to Hermiston. Using her experience as a Hispanic student, Medina is able to offer suggestions to her fellow fourth-grade teachers, such as teaching some lessons at a slower pace to accommodate Latino students who are still learning English.

2008

2013

11 Alsea Capri Clews, weighing 7 pounds 2 ounces and 20 inches long, was born to Sarah (Doughty) Clews ’08 and Carson Clews ’09. Their family currently resides in Salem, Ore. Carson is a tae kwon do instructor in Salem, while Sarah stays home with Alsea and big sister Abrielle.

14 Nate Smith ’13 and Kristina Schwartz ’15 married on April 20, 2015, at Abernathy Chapel in Oregon City, Ore. The wedding party included Kristina’s sister Kimberly Schwartz ’14, Abbey Nelson ’14, Kattrina Hand ’14, Lewis Menges ’13, Nate Edwards ’14, Matthew Straw ’15 and Luke Hutton ’12.

2010 12 Joanna (Lidbeck) Funkhouser ’10 and husband, Wes, welcomed Gwen Rachelle Funkhouser into the world on Sept. 15, 2014. She weighed 5 pounds 14 ounces and was 19 inches long. Wes and Joanna live in Ferndale, Wash.

13 Brandi (Schrunk) Cokenour ‘10 and husband, Andrew, announce the birth of their son, Nolan Andrew, born May 17, 2014.

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Don’t Miss a moment’s notice!

2014 15 Stefan Hinkley ’14 and Betsie Hinkley were married on May 31, 2014, in Corvallis, Ore., at the Ohana barn.

Reid Zucati ’13 and Peter Martin ’14 were in the wedding party. Stefan and Betsie currently live in Poulsbo, Wash., where he is a youth pastor. Stefan graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Pastoral Ministry and is currently working on a Master of Divinity from Corban. Betsie is finishing her Bachelor of Education in order to work with the deaf and hard of hearing. Their next step is to get a dog!

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NON PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE

PAID

SALEM OR PERMIT NO. 51

Office of Advancement 5000 Deer Park Drive SE Salem, OR 97317-9392

pLan to join uS for the Corban univerSity

Scholarship Luncheon thursday, november 17, 2015 reception: 11:30 to12:00 (all welcome) Lunch: 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.

Salem Convention Center, Willamette room

pLeaSe rSvp by november 10, 2015 by viSiting go.corban.edu/csl any queStionS pLeaSe ContaCt kwood@Corban.edu