Ambassador

the magazine of ozark christian college WINTER 2015 FROM JOPLIN TO JAPAN How Ozark empowers the next wave of church planters p. 6 JUST ONE Church planter Toney Salva’s journey out of his comfort zone p. 10 Greg Hafer, a man of many hats p. 19

2015 PREACHING TEACHING CONVENTION

A SERIES IN 2 TIMOTHY

FEBRUARY 23-25, 2015

Dr. Gary Zustiak

Pre-Convention Seminar Monday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Taylor-Johnson Temperament Analysis

Damien Spikereit Wednesday 10:00 am Nourish Your Soul

REGISTER ONLINE OCC.EDU/PT OR BY PHONE 417.626.1276

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Bob Russell

Monday, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Pre-Convention Seminar What the Church Can Be Monday 7:00 pm Respect Your Heritage

Dr. Mark Scott

Mike Baker

Tuesday 10:00 am Guard The Gospel

Wednesday 2:00 pm Preaching Panel with Aaron Brockett, Nate Bush, Cody Walker, Bryce Hotchkiss & Rob Brust

Nate Bush

Tuesday 1:30 pm Endure Difficult Times

Ken Idleman

Wednesday 7:00 pm Pass The Baton

Aaron Brockett Tuesday 7:00 pm Maintain Your Character

Joshua Huckabay

Worship Leader (College Heights Christian Church in Joplin, MO)

CHILDREN’S SESSIONS! FOR MORE INFO VISIT OCC.EDU/PT

CONTENTS TO INSPIRE President’s Perspective Matt Proctor

A call to the messy work of church planting

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Ozark’s influence on the other side of the world

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Featured Theme Mike Ackerman

Church Planting by the Numbers

The reality of effective churches, what Ozark is doing and what you can do 8

New Testament Words Kenny Boles

An in-depth look at the language of Scripture

Just One: Toney Salva Matt Proctor

Unchurched in Denver to church planter in Pittsburgh

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TO INFORM Campus News

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The Big Picture A snapshot of life around campus 16

Meet Your OCC Family Introducing Ozark faculty member, Greg Hafer 19

Coming Soon Upcoming events at OCC 20

Recent happenings at OCC

TO CONNECT Here’s an Idea Dru Ashwell

Practical tips for your life and ministry from our editor

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Your Partnership David Duncan

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Alumni News Updates from alumni around the world 25

One More Thing Amy Storms A final thought from our assistant editor 32 Helpful tools for Christian stewardship

The Ambassador magazine is published four times each year to inspire, inform and connect the Ozark Christian College family.

Editorial Team: Dru Ashwell, Jill English, Amy Storms, Kathy Bowers, Jim Dalrymple Graphic Design: Little Bird Marketing Photo Contributors: Chase Marcus, Gavin Lang, David Summerlin Contact Us: Ozark Christian College 1111 N. Main Joplin, MO 64801 alumni@occ.edu

The ultimate mission of Ozark Christian College is to glorify God by evangelizing the lost and edifying Christians worldwide. The immediate mission of OCC is to train men and women for Christian service as a degree-granting institution of biblical higher education.

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

THE AMAZING MATH (AND MESSY WORK) OF CHURCH PLANTING Matt Proctor faith. I often wondered what brought me here to New Orleans. I can tell you now, that I found God here.”

The new church in New Orleans helped Kourtney find new life in Christ.

The Amazing Math of Church Planting Matt Proctor has served as president of Ozark Christian College since 2006.

Kourtney’s life hung in the balance.

A victim of sexual abuse as a teenager, Kourtney turned to a life on the street to ease her pain. She ran away from home, but years later, her six abusive marriages, a failed career, and a sometimes-$600-aday drug habit had left her in despair. One suicidal night, she found herself holding a gun to her own chin.

Fortunately, someone planted a church.

Dr. Rick Grover started Journey Christian Church in New Orleans in 2002, and with his team (including a number of Ozark graduates), he set out to reach people like Kourtney…which is exactly what happened.

That fateful night, Kourtney ended up removing the gun from her chin and instead crying out to the Lord.

“I was alone for the first time in my entire life. I was lost, confused, and had no one but God. So I prayed,” she says. God answered her prayer for help by bringing folks from Journey Christian Church into her path.

“I started to meet these people who were like ‘angels’ to me. They guided me to church, shared compassion with me, prayed for and with me, taught me to pray to God, to read my Bible, and to have a growing

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Why plant new churches? The simplest answer is numbers.

My 18-year-old daughter Lydia is a

jokester and a quick wit. Someone once asked her to describe herself in three words.

Lydia smiled slyly and counted the words on her fingers as she answered: “I’m bad at math.”

The apostle Paul, however, was good at math. That’s why he was a church planter.

When the early church started in Jerusalem, the Lord added daily to their number (Acts 2:47). But Paul’s mission was to multiply the number of congregations—planting churches in Thessalonica, Ephesus, Corinth, Galatia and elsewhere—because he knew

Check out the numbers. In 1915, the U.S. had one church for every 430 people.

In 2015, in states like Nevada, New Hampshire, and New York, the ratio is now one church for every 5,000-7,500 people. We need more churches in the U.S. simply because we have more people.

But we also need new churches because they win more people to Jesus. An established church averages 3.4 baptisms per 100 members every year.

Meanwhile, a new church averages 11.7 baptisms per 100 members. As church growth expert C. Peter Wagner writes, “Planting new churches is the single most effective evangelistic methodology known under heaven.”

If the apostle Paul were alive today, he would say, “Do the math. Start planting churches!”

The Messy Work of Church Planting

Why plant churches? The ultimate answer is people. that multiplication beats addition every time. Five disciple-making churches are better than one.

The statistics above aren’t just faceless numbers. Those are people—lost people, people God loves dearly, people with families and jobs and hurts and habits and hang-ups. Each one of those numbers has a name . . . like Kourtney.

Of course, reaching those folks isn’t easy,

That math remains true today. The percentage of Christians in America has been in decline for decades. Why? We aren’t planting churches fast enough. As and because you’re working with people, our nation expanded westward in the ministry is never as neat and clean as math.

1800s, vigorous church planting kept pace In church planting especially, church can with population growth. But over the last get a little messy. A church plant often 100 years, the population has far outpaced includes people who are brand new to church planting efforts. church, and they don’t always understand what’s appropriate for a Christ-follower.

TO INSPIRE

A church planter told me of one man who shared his new enthusiasm for church: “Preacher, I really like this church. Last night, instead of having six beers, I only had four so I could get up and come to church today!” Church planters swap stories about cocaine bags in the offering plate and profanity in the church members’ announcements.

Of course, God is at work in the midst of the mess. But because church planting includes unique challenges, several years ago Ozark Christian College developed a dedicated major in church planting. As amazingly strategic as it is, church planting is also amazingly hard work. Our program helps to equip our students with the skills and qualities needed to start a new church.

In this issue of The Ambassador, you’ll read about OCC’s commitment to church planting and some of our graduates in new church work. Please pray for them as they share the message of new life in Christ.

Somewhere, there is another Kourtney whose life just might hang in the balance.

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FEATURED THEME

OCC: A CHURCH PLANTING COLLEGE Mike Ackerman

From Joplin to Japan

Mike Ackerman is an OCC professor of New Testament and Church Planting. He and his wife, Erin, live in Joplin with their three boys.

When I arrived as a student at Ozark Christian College in 1999, I was like many other freshmen in that I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do in ministry. I had a passion for evangelism and wanted to dedicate my time to helping people like my high school buddies find Jesus. Over time, my horizons broadened and interests shifted, but even as I walked across the stage to receive my degree, I didn’t know that I would end up planting a church in the most urbanized, unchurched part of the planet: Japan. And yet, in light of the curriculum, faculty and culture of Ozark Christian College, in retrospect it makes perfect sense…because Ozark Christian College is a church planting college.

I remember sitting in Acts class as a freshman, pondering for the very first time that churches had to be started at some point. They didn’t just always exist! As the people of The Way took the Gospel message from Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth, new congregations cropped up. These congregations became the sustained, dynamic presence of God in the communities in which they were planted.

God’s plan to reach the world is through His church, and there’s no plan B.

In studying Acts, I grew familiar with and inspired by the courageous and faithful ministry of the “patron saint” of church planters, the Apostle Paul. I wanted to be like Paul. I wanted to do what Paul did—minus the imprisonments, beatings and shipwrecks, of course…I’m a terrible swimmer…but the church planting part sounded cool!

In my second year at OCC, a new student enrolled who would become like a brother to me. Nick Parsons and I would soon learn that God had been working in our hearts in the same ways. We quickly became friends, and God moved us toward church planting together.

A Fiery New Professor During our time as students, a fiery new professor joined the OCC faculty

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and began teaching church planting classes. Dave Smith became Ozark’s church planting champion. He urged students to consider starting brand new congregations. Nick was in Dave’s very first church planting class at OCC. Through the influence of Dave and so many others, our focus narrowed to two key concepts: urban and unreached. We wanted to go somewhere urban because, practically speaking, there are more people collected together who are made in the image of God, are loved by God, and for whom Jesus died. We wanted to go somewhere

unreached because, practically speaking, all those people collected together in urban areas have not had a chance to thoroughly hear the Gospel and see it lived out in the life of someone they know personally.

When the time seemed right, Nick and I incorporated a non-profit organization, Mustard Seed Global Fellowship, to facilitate the church planting work. We approached likeminded people and asked them to consider joining us. We compiled a list of unreached cities of the world and learned that the metropolitan areas of Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka collectively make up the most densely populated region in the world, known as the Taiheiyo Belt. Furthermore, the Japanese people are the second largest unreached people group in the world. For our focus of urban and unreached, Japan was a perfect fit.

TO INSPIRE

It just so happened that the people who joined us were all OCC alumni, and the initial wave of people who moved to Japan to plant a church consisted of 10 adults and four children. In the following years, others joined as full-time staff, part-time staff or interns. The majority of these have been OCC alumni, too.

OCC Family Support We knew we would need a lot of help to actually pull off a church plant in a context where we knew no one and of which we had very little knowledge. We needed guidance, so we turned to the Advisory Board of MSGF—Chris DeWelt (BTH 76), Rob Maupin (BBL 93), Deb Hafer (attended) and others. We also needed money! Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka consistently rank in the top-ten most expensive cities in the world in which to live. The amount of money we needed to move 14 people to Japan, spend time learning the language and culture, and launch a church seemed astronomical.

Again, the OCC family became our lifeline.

We found people willing to take a chance on us because they, too, knew that God cares about the people of Japan, and that the message of Jesus Christ is the answer to their biggest needs. Key donations in the early stages came from churches like Shepherd of the Hills Church, led by Dudley Rutherford (BSL 80) and Real Life Church, led by Rusty George (BTH 94).

Others joined along the way, like Kingsway Christian Church, at that time led by John Caldwell (BTH 67) and Crossroads

Christian Church, led by former OCC president Ken Idleman.

Eventually, we planted Mustard Seed

Christian Church in Nagoya, Japan. Our first location was a sports bar that usually reeked of stale cigarettes and beer. As many church planters have experienced, Sunday mornings were always a sprint to get everything set up so we could minister to people. We’d douse the place in Febreze, set up all our equipment, and preach the Gospel to anyone who came. By Japan standards it was a success. People put their faith in Jesus, and the church grew. After a year and a half, we sent off part of our staff to launch a second church in Osaka, Japan, under the leadership of Jay Greer (BBL 07).

Today, both churches continue to grow as they reach the lost and train Japanese leaders in ministry. The framework is in place to start more churches if the growth and personnel continue to progress.

Empowering the Next Wave

planters and visit new churches. From there, they go on to join the church planting effort through residencies or staff positions in some of the very contexts they visited.

In short, Ozark Christian College is a church planting college. I don’t mean that the church planting degree is the most important degree, or that every student should be involved with church planting.

I mean that in light of our commitment to teaching the Bible exegetically, emphasizing authentic transformation over fleeting methodological fads, and instilling a sense of purpose about reaching the lost and edifying the saved, church planting is a natural application of what we teach.

The education I received at OCC, as well as the financial and spiritual support of OCC alumni, directly contributed to the planting of new churches in Japan. There are new brothers and sisters in Christ on the other side of the planet because of what goes on at 1111 N. Main in Joplin, MO.

A few years ago, our non-profit organization (MSGF) merged into Orchard Group, led by Brent Storms (BTH 96). Nick Parsons is now Orchard Group’s Director of Recruitment, and I’ve been back at OCC as a professor for two years, teaching Bible and church planting. Nick and I are both in roles aimed at equipping the next wave of church planters. OCC partners with Orchard Group for the bulk of our church planting classes. Learning happens on site in New York City, San Francisco and Chicago, where students meet church

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CHURCH PLANTING BY THE NUMBERS

THE REALITY OF EFFECTIVE CHURCHES IN AMERICA TODAY: Respected researcher Thom Rainer defines an effective, evangelistic church as a church that has 12 conversions per year for every 100 in average attendance.1 In his most recent book, Rainer estimates the number of churches in each category: HEALTHY2 SYMPTOMS OF SICKNESS VERY SICK DYING

HOW CAN YOUR CHURCH BE INVOLVED IN CHURCH PLANTING?

OZARK’S RECENT INVESTMENT IN RAISING UP CHURCH PLANTERS: OCC graduates with church planting majors

students have taken Foundations for Church Planting

PIONEERING

Commission a church planter (ideally with a small team) to evangelize and make disciples, forming a new church primarily from the harvest.

students have completed church planting internships

students have attended church planting class, Exegeting the City (formerly Urban Ministry), in NYC

BRANCHING

Recruit, train and send a core group from the parent church to form the nucleus of a new church. The church is commonly called a “satellite.”

SUPPORTING

Provide finances, resources and prayer for a new church with primary leadership and direction coming from another source (church planting organization). 4 http://thomrainer.com/2013/03/04/ten-rules-of-thumb-for-healthy-churches/ Rainer, Thom S. Autopsy of a Deceased Church, B&H Publishing Group, 2014, p. 86.

3 Since the church planting major was established beginning in 2007.

4 Robert Logan, Executive Director of CoachNet (www.coachnet.com) 1 2

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NEW TESTAMENT WORDS

TOGETHER Kenny Boles

TO INSPIRE

CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITIES

LOOKING FOR HIGHER INCOME?

Kenny Boles has taught Greek and New Testament for more than 40 years. Find more New Testament Words at www.occ.edu/words.

Herod the Great had family problems. Maybe part of the trouble was that he had ten wives, and each of them wanted her own son to inherit the kingdom. Herod deposed one wife, killed another, and eventually had some sons executed as well. Oddly enough, that did not seem to solve his problems.

Around 14 B.C. Herod had a serious falling out with his son Alexander. The king of Cappadocia intervened, and achieved reconciliation—at least for a while—between father and son.

Herod was happy to have matters patched up, and he was grateful to the king for helping. He gave that king rich gifts and they traveled together on a trip toward Rome.

The Greek word for together is actually a phrase, epi to auto (EH pea TAW au TOE). Literally, it means “upon the same.” In Luke 17:35 two women grind grain together. In 1 Cor 7:5 a husband and wife come together in sexual union. In Acts 4:26 evil rulers band together against the Lord and His people. In each of these passages the people are together in one place, and more importantly, are together in a shared purpose.

That brings us to the Book of Acts and the founding of the church. In Acts 1:15 a crowd of 120 people were “upon the same” when Judas was replaced. In Acts 2:1 the apostles were “upon the same” when the Spirit came on them at Pentecost. After the church was founded, all the believers were “upon the same”—in one place, with one purpose, sharing everything (Acts 2:44). And every day the Lord added “upon the same” those who were being saved (Acts 2:47).

This phrase, “upon the same,” became a catch-phrase for the deep unity experienced by the Christian community. It was Paul’s phrase to describe the church when it came together for the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor 11:20) and together for worship (1 Cor 14:23).

So may every church—new or old—be “upon the same.” May believers come together in one place, heading the same direction, sharing the same task, intimately involved in one another’s lives, sharing sweet unity of purpose, lifting their hearts in worship—together.

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For a personalized illustration, contact David Duncan at 417.626.1218 or duncan.david@OCC.edu. You can also create your own illustration by visiting www.thestewardshippartnership.org and clicking on the Gift Annuities tab.

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JUST ONE: TONEY SALVA

OUT OF HIS COMFORT ZONE: One Man’s Journey from Unchurched to Church Planter Matt Proctor Toney Salva didn’t know anything about church. He was raised in a nominally Catholic family, and at age 13, the Denver native had been to church exactly one time—when he was baptized as an infant.

But troubles in the public middle school prompted his parents to enroll him in a private Catholic school.

“It was an all-boys school, required whiteshirt-and-tie uniforms, and even the name, St. Pius, sounded restrictive,” remembers Toney. “I was not excited.”

But then his father, a mailman, met a Christian church minister on his route.

The minister’s church also operated a Christian school.

“It was less expensive, didn’t require uniforms, and there were girls,” says Toney.

“I was all in!”

The First Steps of Faith

At the school, Toney met the church’s youth minister, OCC graduate Scott Reinemeyer, who invited him to church.

Toney took his first step of faith.

“I went and instantly felt like I belonged,” he says. “Because my dad was an alcoholic, my house was often in turmoil. But church felt like a safe family environment. They were my support.”

Toney gave his life to Christ in eighth grade, and over the next few years, learned more about following Jesus. In high school, a youth sponsor remarked, “You might make a good youth minister someday,” but Toney enrolled on a scholarship as a music major at the University of Northern Colorado.

There he struggled with his still-growing faith. “I faced a choice that year: follow the path of my dad and my siblings into alcohol

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abuse, or follow God’s nudging into youth ministry.”

So came another step of faith. In the fall of 1990, Toney transferred to Ozark Christian College. He arrived on campus, knowing no one.

“But God used Ozark to get me back on the right track. I still didn’t have a full understanding of God. I remember sitting in Mark Scott’s Acts class as a freshman, and I had literally never heard of the Holy Spirit before. I had a bit of a learning curve,” smiles Toney.

Out of His Comfort Zone

At Ozark, Toney met his wife, Stacie, and after graduation, Toney and Stacie took a ministry right outside Joplin, Missouri.

Christ’s Church of Oronogo was surrounded by cornfields, which proved a fertile place to grow a church. As children’s minister, Toney saw the congregation grow from 400 to 1,700.

But after seven years there, says Toney, “I felt like God had more in store. Life was a little too comfortable.”

So God pushed them out of their comfort zone. OCC graduate Brent Storms invited Toney and Stacie to join a church planting team in Boston, Massachusetts.

“I had never heard of church planting.

But my dad’s family was from Boston, and it seemed like this was where God was leading.”

This step of faith was a big one. They moved from megachurch to new church.

“I had 200 preschoolers in my children’s ministry at Oronogo. Harbor of Hope Christian Church had less than 200 total people when we moved there.” The move

from Midwest cornfields to major East Coast city brought challenges as well.

“I remember the first

time I realized I wasn’t ‘in Kansas anymore.’ I was preaching one Sunday in Boston, when a man high on heroin suddenly joined me on stage to ‘interpret and prophesy’ during my message,” remembers Toney.

“Another time, I was approached after service by a guy with the thickest south Boston accent you’ve ever heard.

He’d been coming to the church for about two months, pretty rough around the edges. But after my message, he came with tears on his face and said, ‘That was the most [expletive-deleted] beautiful thing I’ve ever heard in my life.’”

Toney explains, “These were folks who’d never heard any of this stuff before. One time, someone asked me after a message, ‘You referred today to the Word of God. Can you tell me what you meant?’ They didn’t know the Word of God was the Bible. But I understand their questions, because that was me once.”

Now It’s Time to Lead

After almost four years as children’s minister in Boston, it was time for the next step in Toney’s journey.

“The leadership of Orchard Group, a church planting organization here in the Northeast, approached Stacie and me about a new work in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area. This time they wanted us to lead the plant.”

TO INSPIRE

Once more, they followed God’s lead. After moving to Cranberry Township, the fastest growing suburb of Pittsburgh, Toney and Stacie started Bible studies in their living room, eventually growing a core group of 60 people.

They launched Discovery

Christian Church in a movie theater in 2003, growing to an average of 225 in worship in their first year. Today, Discovery welcomes over 600 in worship each week. In 2010, they planted a daughter church on Pittsburgh’s south side, and today The Hills: A Christian Church averages 150 people each Lord’s Day. That’s not the only church they’ve planted.

“There’s a large Burmese population in Pittsburgh,” says Toney, “and we had a few people in our congregation with a passion to reach these refugees as they moved into town. So we would meet these Burmese families at the airport.

They were often coming straight from the refugee camp, and the entire family’s belongings fit in one Walmart sack.

“We would take them to their new home and show them how to use the electricity, the running water, the heat. We’d show them around their new neighborhood, offer English classes, and just love on them.

Eventually, we found a Burmese national with a ministry degree and hired him to

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plant a Burmese church here in Pittsburgh.

Today that church has well over 200 in attendance every week.”

Not an Easy Journey

Of course, the process of planting churches is not an easy one.

“It’s incredibly challenging work,” says Toney. “You wear a lot of hats as a church planter—entrepreneur, fundraiser, preacher, pastor, vision-caster, administrator—and you’re not always working in your area of strength. You’re starting everything from scratch, so it takes time and patience. People come and go, and that’s painful. Sometimes you try things that don’t work. We launched two satellite campuses that ultimately didn’t survive.”

To make things harder, Toney was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2005. “As a father of two small children, that really shook things up. But lots of people prayed, and after having part of my right kidney removed, today I am cancer-free.”

The Salvas would tell you the Lord brought them through each trial, but they were also blessed with a group of trustworthy leaders.

“Church planting is a team sport,” says Toney. “We work with an amazing team of people. After eleven years, we still have the same core staff as when we started Discovery. That’s rare. Those folks are our best friends.”

Toney says his Biblical studies at OCC have also been a deep resource.

“At Ozark, I was grounded in Scripture.

The classes were so rich that when I attended seminary later, they felt like repeat courses of my undergraduate work at OCC. I’m so grateful for Ozark. There’s no better Bible training anywhere.”

Through it all, Toney has kept his sense of humor. He loves to laugh, but a few years ago, one of his jokes got the best of him.

“Pittsburgh is very serious about their football. On game days, people come to

church wearing their Steelers jerseys. I’m a Denver Broncos fan, so when the Broncos were playing the Steelers in the 2006 AFC Championship, I predicted a Denver win. I joked that Sunday morning that if Pittsburgh won, I would get a Steelers tattoo.”

Later that day, Pittsburgh won, and members of his congregation pressed Toney to keep his promise.

“I meant it as a joke, but I went through with it.” The “pastor who got the Steelers tattoo” made the local news, then national news on CNN and ESPN. It even opened up doors for ministry.

“People would recognize me in the mall,”

laughs Toney, “and come up and talk with me. The guy who gave me the tattoo came to church for the first time the next Sunday!”

Pouring Into the Next Generation

Now Toney is helping others who have left their comfort zone to plant a church. He serves on the board of directors for Orchard Group, actively pouring his experience into the next generation of church planters.

He also serves on the management teams for four different church plants, including one in Osaka, Japan. The lead planter in Osaka, Jay Greer, was a kid in Toney’s children’s ministry years ago at Christ’s Church of Oronogo. “So that’s a joy,” says Toney.

Reflecting on the joys of church planting, Toney says, “I think about the alternative history of this place. What if we hadn’t planted this church? I don’t know how God might’ve communicated with these people.

But there’s nothing better than knowing that these people are connected to God because of this church. This work didn’t exist before we started, and now we’re building something that will far outlast us. We’re building into people’s lives for eternity.”

The journey from unchurched kid to church planter is a long one. But Toney would tell you: it’s worth it.

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CAMPUS NEWS Dr. Brian Brubaker Closes Full-time Teaching

Last December, Dr. Brian Brubaker finished his final semester as full-time professor at OCC, to answer the call to serve as senior minister of First Christian Church in Miami, OK. “Bru” came to Ozark in the fall of 1996 after successful preaching ministries in Minnesota and Ohio. For 19 years, he has taught practical ministry, leadership in ministry, New Testament and Life of Christ classes. His heart has always been in the local church, and while we are sad to see Brian go, we rejoice at what he is going to do. We’ll be praying for Brian and his wife, Cindy, as they lead God’s flock in Miami.

Welcome Spring 2015 VIPs This spring, Ozark is excited to welcome our newest missionaries to campus, Visiting Intercultural Professors (VIPs) Levi and Betsy, and their two children. Since 2008, Levi and Betsy have served in Central Asia in various cities and capacities. Due to the security risks of the country in which they serve, they must exercise caution by withholding their last name, country name and family photos from publications.

Levi and Betsy have spent the majority of their time in Central Asia working with a faith-based aid organization doing development projects in rural areas and relief distributions among internally displaced peoples. These projects not only meet the physical needs of an extremely poor and hurting people, but also provide ways to share the Gospel. Levi and Betsy look forward to sharing stories and experiences from their time overseas with the OCC student body.

Jon Kehrer to Teach Old Testament

Dena Hurley Joins OCC Online Department

Ozark is excited to announce the addition of Jon Kehrer (BTH 06) to the OCC faculty this spring. Jon will serve as Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Languages (Hebrew), as well as create and facilitate two Old Testament online classes.

Dena Hurley (2CM 12) has accepted the position of Online Enrollment Services Coordinator at OCC. Her extensive experience with both undergraduate and graduate level online programs will make her a valuable asset to the online learning team. Dena’s husband, Travis, serves as Associate Director of Development at OCC. The Hurleys have four children and reside in Joplin.

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Originally from Cincinnati, Jon met his wife, April, while a student at OCC. After Ozark, Jon earned a Master of Arts of Biblical Exegesis from Wheaton College. The Kehrers spent the last four years in the Middle East, where Jon taught English and studied Arabic. Jon and April have three children, Emet, Madelyn and Evianna.

CAMPUS NEWS Volleyball Finishes Third in the Nation!

Ozark Volleyball had another excellent season, finishing 31-8 and capturing third place at the prestigious Faith Baptist Spike-fest, the regular season MCCC Championship, the MCCC tournament championship, the Southwest NCCAA championship, second place in the ACCA tournament, final four at the NCCAA D2 Championship, and in the end, third in the nation!

Several players were honored, too: Carrie Page was named First Team All-Conference, First Team All-Southwest Region, First Team All-ACCA, Second Team All-American NCCAA, and All-Tournament at the NCCAA Championship. Tessa Lucas was also First Team All-Conference, First Team All-Southwest Region, First Team All-ACCA, and First Team All-American NCCAA. Jenni Snyder, Ricki Duley, Ashley Bonnemeier and Austin Welch received recognition at the Conference and Regional Tournaments.

TO INFORM

OCC Cross Country Set to Begin Ozark’s Athletic Department is excited to announce the launch of a men’s and women’s cross country program, led by Jeremy Butler (ABE 98). Jeremy and his wife, Krista (BBL 98), have coached and taught in Webb City, MO for 17 years. They have three kids and attend Christ’s Church of Oronogo. An avid runner, Jeremy has participated in everything from local 5Ks to marathons.

This spring, OCC students can join Butler’s running club, where students of all skill levels will meet a few times week to run together. The program officially begins in the fall of 2015.

Men’s Soccer Receives Honors

Coach Tony Allmoslecher was named the Southwest Regional NCCAA Coach of the Year and NCCAA D2 National Coach of the Year.

Great job, Tony and ladies!

We’re proud of you.

Congratulations!

The Ozark Soccer team ended their season with a 10-11-1 record and a third place finish in the ACCA Tournament. They played each game with a deep bench and great teamwork. Several players received honors: • Taylor Hunt - Academic All-American, ACCA All-American, All-Region, and 2nd Team All-Conference • David Kerlin - ACCA All-American, All-Region and 1st Team All-Conference • Jace Martin - 1st Team All-Conference • Skyler Davis - ACCA All-American, All Region, 2nd Team All-Conference • Austin Sather - Honorable Mention All-Conference “The whole team deserves a lot of credit for their hard work, exceptional play and constant witness on and off the field,” Coach Kevin Greer says. “We also want to give a shout out to our team manager, Jesse Koskovick, who did an awesome job for us.”

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CAMPUS NEWS Preaching Scholarships Awarded In a recent chapel service, Director of Preaching Mark Scott awarded two OCC preaching scholarships for the spring of 2015.

Ryan Miller received the Don DeWelt Preaching Scholarship, and Philip Lowe received the Ken Idleman Preaching Scholarship. The recipients were selected by the OCC preaching faculty from a group of applicants.

Both scholarships were established with initial grants from OCC’s annual Alumni Project, and were named in honor of two outstanding preachers who have served at Ozark, Don DeWelt and Ken Idleman. Don DeWelt taught at Ozark from 1957-1985.

He preached many revivals and conferences around the country and was known for his teaching on the Holy Spirit. Don and his wife, Elsie, founded College Press, a Christian book publishing company in Joplin. The scholarship was established in 1992 after his passing in 1991.

Ken Idleman joined the OCC faculty in 1973, and was selected as president elect in 1977. Upon the retirement of Don Earl Boatman, Ken became president of OCC in 1979 and served in this role for 27 years until 2006. The scholarship was established in his honor in 2005, when he had served as president of Ozark for 25 years.

Ken is a nationally known speaker at revivals, conferences and conventions, and widely respected for his preaching. Currently, he serves as senior minister of Crossroads Christian Church in Evansville, IN.

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High Schoolers Enjoy “The Event” Last November, 856 high schoolers came to Ozark for “The Event.” Following the theme “Enthroned,” guest speaker and former OCC professor Mark Moore preached on three Old Testament kings, Saul, David and Absalom. Students were led in worship by The Jordan Howerton Band and enjoyed late-night games, workshops and youth group time, all on the campus of OCC. Watch Mark Moore’s messages at www.occ.edu/media.

“A Strand of Pearls” – A Great Success!

The Living Christmas Tree at Ozark celebrated its 30th season last December with a compelling drama, outstanding orchestra and excellent music from the OCC Concert Choir. This year’s story, A Strand of Pearls, followed the O’Malley family as they reunited with a prodigal son and discovered that love is all about forgiveness. The pearls featured in the story represented not only the beauty that comes through trial, but also the 30th anniversary of the Living Christmas Tree itself. OCC’s Scott Handley led the choir and orchestra, and Mary Green directed the drama.

HEARD IN CHAPEL

TO INFORM

Our college family continues to be challenged by outstanding messages in Chapel each Tuesday. Listen to the messages at www.OCC.edu/Chapel, or watch the messages on Ozark’s YouTube channel. Here’s a taste of what we’ve heard recently.

“Jesus’ strategy runs counter to every human instinct within us… He chooses a tax collector and a zealot and a band of fishermen…ordinary, average men who will be asked to do ordinary things with extraordinary results!”

–Damien Spikereit, 10.7.14, We Are…Gathered, www.OCC.edu/Chapel

“There will always be those, in the face of the Resurrected Jesus, who will be cowering and clueless, who will deny and discredit… True disciples bow and believe in the living Christ who lays claim upon their lives.”

–Terry Bowland, 11.18.14, We Are…Surprised, www.OCC.edu/Chapel

“You will often, as a servant and representative of Jesus, be asked to do things you do not have the ability and power to do…I don’t know how Jesus does it…but He keeps on getting it right in spite of what He has to work with.”

–Gerald Griffin, 11.4.14, We Are…Powerless, www.OCC.edu/Chapel

30 YEARS

For three decades, OCC’s Living Christmas Tree has presented the message of Christ each December. This year, 75 students shared outstanding song, drama and choreography with nearly 4,000 people.

Thursday, December 4 7:30 p.m.

Friday, December 5 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, December 6 4:00 & 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, December 7 4:00 & 7:30 p.m.

Tickets - $7.00 Children under 12 & overflow seating - $5.00 Tickets on sale beginning Monday, October 27, 2014 • By phone at 417.626.1221 • Online at www.occ.edu/lct • In person at the OCC Chapel (Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)

MEET YOUR OCC FAMILY

TO INFORM

Getting to know the people of Ozark Christian College

GREG HAFER, A MAN OF MANY HATS Try naming a role at OCC that hasn’t at some point been filled by Greg Hafer (BSL ’74), and you’ll be hard-pressed to think of one.

Over the past 25 years, he has been professor, coach, Dean of Men, Director of Student Development, Vice President, acting President during then-President Ken Idleman’s sabbatical, Executive Vice President, and most recently, back to full-time professor. Greg’s fingerprints are all over campus.

Life Verse: “The longer I live,” Greg says, “the more I realize my life verse is Luke 18:13—the tax collector who said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’”

Raised in Michigan, Wisconsin and Florida, “Hafe” attended Ozark from 1969-1974. He and his wife, Deb, raised sons Josh, Jeremy and Jeff, and ministered in Florida, Nebraska and Missouri. Today, the Hafers love being with their sons, daughters-in-law and nine grandchildren—the oldest of whom, Morgan, is a freshman at OCC this year—and with Greg’s 94-year-old mother, Ellen, who makes her home with them in Joplin.

Passion for Missions: Deb Hafer directs Global R.E.S.T., a ministry dedicated to missionary care and retention through visits and onthe-field retreats. Greg and Deb also lead shortterm mission trips for Christ In Youth, where Greg serves as a trustee.

These ministries have taken them to over 25 nations around the globe.

Speech Teacher: Greg is one of Ozark’s most beloved speech teachers. He also holds a Master of Arts in Communication.

Sports Enthusiast: Football, basketball, soccer…Hafe hasn’t met a sport he doesn’t like! After Ozark’s Ambassadors, he cheers the loudest for the Joplin Eagles and Mizzou Tigers. Greg also coaches two teams and serves on the board of the Joplin Youth Basketball Association.

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COMING SOON Upcoming events at OCC

April 10-11: Life in a Word Anxious? Discontent? Broken? Ladies, you don’t have to resign yourself to the “word” you’ve been living! This spring, hundreds of women will gather on Ozark’s campus to hear instead the life-giving words that God alone can speak. With worship leader Mandie Pinto from Real Life Church in Santa Clarita, CA, speakers Carla Scott and Beth DeFazio will explore “Life in a Word: Lessons from Ecclesiastes.”

Read more at www.occ.edu/womensconference.

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April 24-25: Take Students Deeper OCC’s Deeper Life is a leadership event for students and youth sponsors. This spring, Ozark’s band, Frontline, will lead worship, and Matt Proctor and Chad Ragsdale will challenge students to go deeper in prayer, deeper in worship and deeper in study of His word. Deeper Life also includes the OCC preaching festival for high school seniors.

For details, visit www.occ.edu/deeperlife.

May 1-3: Mary Poppins at OCC This May, OCC presents Mary Poppins, a musical based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney film.

Tickets for the five performances will go on sale March 9, and may be purchased by phone at 417.626.1221, online at www.occ.edu/musical, or in person at the OCC chapel Monday through Friday from 9 AM-4 PM.

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Mandie Pinto

Carla Scott

COMING SOON

TO INFORM

Upcoming events at OCC

Summer 2015: Request a Summer Camp Team Each year, several OCC students are chosen to serve on summer Camp Teams. These teams travel throughout the United States to minister to the needs of campers, encourage them to dedicate their lives to serving Christ, and introduce them to the mission of OCC. Keep your eyes out for OCC Camp Teams this summer, visiting over 50 camps nationwide. For more information, call 417.626.1234 x 2030.

Summer Sports Camps at OCC June and July bring hundreds of junior and senior high students to OCC’s annual basketball and volleyball camps. Five separate sessions are available for kids ages third grade through high school. Space is limited, so register soon.

Find out more at www.occ.edu/athletics.

Basketball: Volleyball: Jr. High Girls (entering grades 7-9): June 7-10 Jr. High Girls 1 (entering grades 7-9): June 29-July 1 Middle School Girls (entering grades 5-6): June 10-12 High Girls 2 (entering grades 7-9): July 6-8 Jr. High Boys (entering grades 6-8): June 14-17 Sr. High Boys (entering 9-12): June 21-25 Boys and Girls Day Camp (entering grades 3-5): June 29-July 1

June 1-4/8-11: Refreshed by His Spirit Attention, adults 55+…don’t miss the 18th annual Senior Adult Conference, held in Branson each June at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center. “Refreshed by His Spirit” will feature main speaker Woody Wilkinson and worship leader Phil Mehrens, as well as Bible study leaders Kenny Boles (week 1) and Gerald Griffin (week 2). Conferences begin Monday evening and conclude Thursday morning, June 1-4 and 8-11. Visit www.occ.edu/sac for more information.

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HERE’S AN IDEA

Practical tips for your life and ministry

2 PRIORITIES FOR EVERY CHURCH Consider these statistics from church planting researcher Ed Stetzer:

• Churches under 3 years old win an average of 10 people for every 100 church members.

• Churches 3-10 years old win an average of 5 people for every 100 church members.

• Churches over 15 years old win an average of 3 people for every 100 members.

Church planters have an entrepreneurial spirit that permeates their ministry. New churches tend to focus like a laser beam on certain priorities that in turn contribute to reaching people for Jesus.

No matter the age of the church we serve, we can all learn from and implement the following two priorities found in most church plants.

Dru Ashwell is Vice President of College Relations and editor of The Ambassador.

ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY:

New churches have a red-hot passion and urgency to transform their community. Every church wants to focus on outreach; few do. Meeting needs is by far the best way to let the world know you exist. Every church needs to plan and provide ways to engage the community with God’s love.

Loving God and loving neighbor is the Bible’s preeminent message. Don’t just expect people to come to your Sunday morning worship service; go to them. Strategically determine what needs there are in your specific community and be proactive. Every community has benevolent needs.

Most communities have a large population of single-parent homes. Start with one need and begin making a difference. When your church speaks to unreached people’s felt-needs, you will get a hearing, because now your message is—from their point of view—relevant. A recommended resource: OCC Christian Life classes have been using Steve Sjogren’s book Conspiracy of Kindness for several years to prepare our students for this type of ministry.

CHILDREN FIRST:

Multiple sources verify that 75% of those who make a decision to follow Jesus do so before age 14! New churches place a huge emphasis on children’s ministries. Truth is, every church needs to focus on meeting the spiritual and social/emotional/educational needs of children. For many unchurched folks visiting churches, the most important issue determining whether or not they’ll return is if their kids had a great experience. If moral and spiritual values are creatively taught, some parents are willing to overlook many personal preferences. Budget for quality children’s ministries. Invest in providing a first-class nursery (a non-negotiable). Seek out the best teachers and appreciate them regularly with consistent encouragement and at least an annual conference to attend to sharpen their skills. When we prioritize nurturing children, we share in Jesus’ own deep love for children (see Mt 18:1-5, 19:13-15; Mk 9:33-37, 10:13-16; Lk 9:46-48, 18:15-17).

“Today, only 15% of the 300,000+ churches in North America are growing. But they are growing in every state, denomination, and size.

Church growth principles work. But our reasons to apply them should not be to grow a megachurch or to find new people to help us pay our bills or volunteer their time. Our reason should be to reach God’s dearly loved children…because Jesus told us to.”

- Charles Arn, author of eight books, CEO of Church Growth, Inc.

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YOUR PARTNERSHIP Helpful tools for Christian stewardship

TRIBUTE GIFTS SEPTEMBER 11 – DECEMBER 16, 2014 In Loving Memory: Al Ashwell Tom Aylott

MATCHING AND MULTIPLYING GIFTS Walmart. Think what you will about this retail giant (personally I enjoy getting lost there from time to time), but don’t you wish you had purchased stock when it was first offered to the public on August 25, 1970? Had you purchased a $5,000 stake back then, it would be worth a cool $65,000,000 today.

M/M A. Dru Ashwell Bella Vista C of C, Bella Vista, AR M/M John S. Archer Kathleen DeWitt M/M Walter M. Gaspord Bobbie D. Vann M/M Robert M. Horton M/M Victor Rathje M/M Dennis Gallagher M/M William Jared Shari Pierce Lenora Briggs M/M Don Hannah M/M Dennis E. Crotts M/M Bradley E. Neal

Phyllis Behrends Ron Briggs Lewis Commons Marjorie Crotts Don DeWelt Carlos & Jeanne Elmore Doug Fadness

Of course, if you were around to purchase $5,000 worth of Walmart stock in 1970, you’d be old today, and we would talk about what you’re going to do with all that money when you go to be with the Lord. (I’m smiling as I type this.)

Fannie Foust Brian Giebler Valerie Johnson Alvin LaRue Lewis Lynch Pauline McIntosh Opal McLaughlin Connie Mieir

Giving more to the ministries and churches we love through the multiplication of resources is something we all might enjoy. Last year, some friends of Ozark were able to do this multiplication through a matching gift program provided by their employers.

Clara Jo Parry H. Dean Price Nancy Ellen Puckett George Quier Gladys Renfro Don & Lila Renken Mary Virginia Shead Richard Snell Louise Tate Charles Thomas Marcia Kay Thomson Linda Weece Charles & Dorothy Wittenborn Dick Youkey

Please consider checking to see if your company offers you a matching program and if Ozark would qualify. And seriously, appreciated assets like stocks are wonderful resources to use to leave a legacy for Kingdom ministry. If you own Walmart stock from 1970 (or later), or any other appreciated property such as real estate or business holdings, having a conversation would be great fun. You can reach me at 417.626.1218.

In Honor Of:

Perhaps you discover unused, unneeded and unwanted items that can help prepare the next youth minister, missionary or preacher now studying at Ozark Christian College.

You can give your quality items via our iDonate online donation system. It’s a great way to wrap-up your spring-cleaning, invest in ministry students, and receive a charitable tax deduction!

There are plenty of ways to give! Learn more at www.OCC.edu/donate.

Herbert Casteel Brenda Dolan Ken & Kaylene Idleman Clair LaVern Newman Tom Owings Paul & Margaret Pennington Bob & Nell Stacy Verle & Pam Tate

M/M Richard H. Steckler Carol A. Brunovsky Krista Laudani M/M Steven A. Taylor Fred W. Lewis M/M Mervyn E. Moberly M/M Duane R. Wilson Dr. & Mrs. Brian C. High M/M Marvin Schiavone M/M Jim Lassaux M/M Larry Catron Bill Mieir, Sr. M/M John Lucas M/M Steven A. Taylor Barbara W. Price M/M Dallas W. Puckett M/M K Craig Woolsey Dr. & Mrs. C. Robert Wetzel M/M Tom Pullen M/M K Craig Woolsey Dr. & Mrs. C. Robert Wetzel M/M K Craig Woolsey Dr. & Mrs. C. Robert Wetzel M/M Orville Brill M/M K Craig Woolsey M/M David Wittenborn Eunice E. Youkey M/M Jordan B. Casteel Dr. & Mrs. Brian C. High M/M Richard H. Steckler M/M Harvey J. Newman Myrtle Owings M/M Delano H. Schanie M/M Richard H. Steckler M/M Duane R. Wilson

PLEASE PRINT

Tribute Gift Form In Loving Memory Of…

In Honor Of… Name Enclosed is my gift of:

Given By: Name Address

Gift Card Vehicle Laptop Commodities Real Estate

City/State/Zip

Please send acknowledgement to: Name Address

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City/State/Zip Use separate paper for additional names.

ALUMNI NEWS

TO CONNECT

“Thank you to the nearly 500 different OCC alums who have given to the Classroom Makeover project thus far! It’s not too late to give a gift of any size to this worthy investment.”

-Dru Ashwell, Alumni Director

SEE YOU IN FEBRUARY!

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Wednesday, February 25 – 4:00 pm Alumni Banquet Program will feature a buffet dinner, presentation of Seth Wilson Outstanding Alumni Awards and an OCC update.

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ALUMNI CONNECTIONS

CONGRATULATIONS TO:

Tyler (08) and Margo Hultgren (08) Stewart on the birth of Graham David Robert on August 21 in Milwaukee, WI. Jared and Candace Sigars (03) Baker on the birth of Autry Jay on September 30 in Channahon, IL. Charlie (11) and Leah Ruble (05) Cameron on the birth of Amos Burke in Joplin on September 19.

Ben (00) and Brittany Garber on the arrival of Lola Grace on August 29 in Overland Park, KS. Ben (09) and Katelyn Ford on the birth of Londyn Hope in Wichita, KS, on October 27.

Andrew (05) and Danielle Otto (05) Stammer on the birth of Emmett Andrew on November 18 in Jefferson City, MO. Clint and Bethany Griffin (03) Grimmett on the birth of Hannah Jo on October 2 in Joplin.

Ryan (05) and Melissa Bromley (04) Humphrey on the birth of Elisha Matthew on September 24 in Owensboro, KY.

Michael (10) and Jamie Halstead on the birth of Benjamin Walker on October 30 in Joplin.

Daniel (07) and Susanna Lang (07) McCoy on the birth of Hannah Sue on October 13 in Chanute, KS.

Austin (13) and Savannah Wilcoxen (11) Hedge on the arrival of Micah James on November 20, 2013 in Baltimore, MD.

Aaron (10) and Cara Hedger (10) Pier on the birth of Laila Jane on October 24 in Whiting, IA.

Blake and Chrissy Lahm (11) Hehemann on the arrival of Brody Christopher on September 27 in Omaha, NE. Reece (15 candidate) and Tecia Lahm (13) Hollingsworth on the arrival of Myla Faith on December 17 in Joplin.

Michael and Suzanne Snively (attended) Gowin are pleased to announce the recent addition of several adopted children to their family. They have three biological kids and six adopted from Ethiopia. The Gowins live in Lincoln, IL.

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Ben (11) and Jo Davis (11) Cross on the arrival of Elliot Salem on September 22 in Louisville, KY.

Matt (07) and Katia Wilmeth on the arrival of Kesler Misael on November 15 in West Haverstraw, NY.

Dan (09) and Erica Humphrey (09) Ritchie on the birth of David Ryan on September 4 in Littleton, CO. Josh (06) and Jessica Bromley (06) Rodenbaugh on the birth of Norah Jane on December 13 in Louisville, KY. Kurt and Jennifer Bauer (06) Witten on the birth of Amelie Joy on November 26 in Miami, OK. Jordan (10) and Alexis Wood on the birth of Rayna Jubilee on October 17 in Providence, RI.

ALUMNI CONNECTIONS

TO CONNECT

OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY: Tom Aylott (82) passed away from cancer on November 29 in Bella Vista, AR. Pray for his wife Pat (attended/former staff) in her time of loss.

Ethel Faye Bottens Heins (46) passed away on November 4 in Rogers, AR. Ethel Faye was the first graduate of Ozark Christian College. Remember her family in this time of loss.

Jack Brown (77) lost his battle with cancer on September 13. Continue to remember his family as they grieve his passing.

After an extended battle with cancer, Jamie Bryan (attended) passed away on August 16. Pray for her family as they adjust to life without her.

Karen Carothers Campbell (attended) passed away on April 26. Remember her husband and other family members as they grieve their loss.

Jerry Fraley (81-M) died on November 4 in Oklahoma City. Continue to remember his family in prayer.

Kevin Kraft (attended-M) passed away on October 27 following a battle with brain cancer. Pray for Kevin’s family as they grieve their loss.

Lyle Marsh (attended) passed away on October 12 in Atlantic, IA. Pray for his family as they mourn his passing.

Gladys Parsley Renfro (attended) passed away on September 24. Please remember her husband David (56) and family as they grieve her passing.

Longtime missionary in Zimbabwe, Marcia Kay Thomson (63) lost her battle with cancer on September 21. Please keep her family and mission teammates in prayer as they mourn her passing.

Bill Tullis (attended) passed away on December 8 following an illness.

Remember his family as they adjust to life without him.

CLASS NOTES: Class of ’54:

Max Hickerson was featured in the December 2014 issue of the Christian Standard concerning his wedding anniversary card ministry. Max, who lives in Houston, TX, retired from the active ministry a few years ago after preaching for 60 years.

Class of ’66:

Dick and Dee Halaas celebrated 51 years of marriage this past summer. Dick also retired from his chaplain ministry with Tuality Healthcare in Hillsboro, OR, on June 26. The Halaases continue to live in Hillsboro.

Class of ’70:

Richard and Nancy Wilson celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on October 19 in Springville, IN.

Roger Tribble (51/ former trustee) passed away on January 13 following an illness. Roger lived in Phillipsburg, MO. Please continue to pray for his family as they grieve his loss.

Class of ’78:

Jerl Joslin has resigned his ministry with Forest Hills CC in Oklahoma City, OK, to lead in a ministry called Refresh, designed to help and encourage others in the located ministry.

John Vignon and San Oshe San were married in Nashville, TN, on October 25.

Class of ’82:

Greg Bridgman has accepted a part-time preaching ministry with Fairview CC in Festus, MO. He continues working fulltime as a residential home loan officer for First Bank Mortgage of St. Louis, at the O’Fallon, IL branch.

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ALUMNI CONNECTIONS

CLASS NOTES: Class of ’92:

Derrick Horne, military chaplain, has been assigned to Camp Lejeune, NC, and will be serving with Marines at this location. He is leaving a post in China Lake, CA.

Class of ’93:

Keith Mackey recently retired from the preaching ministry. He will continue to work part-time in the magazine merchandising field and also work on his blog, Joplin Confidential. Keith and his wife Carolyn Eldridge (73) live in Springdale, AR.

Class of ’85:

Jay and Julie Weece (84) St. Clair have resigned their positions at College Heights CC in Joplin to become staff members with God’s Resort in Joplin. Jay will serve as executive director and Julie as operations manager. God’s Resort is an organization dedicated to helping those struggling in life to restore their lives and move back into the community around them. The ministry owns an apartment building and community center in downtown Joplin.

Class of ’94:

Class of ’86:

Class of ’96:

Larry and Heather Murray Osborn have joined the staff of LifeSpring CC in Star, ID, where Larry will serve as youth and outreach minister. They are leaving a ministry in Nowata, OK.

Steven Harvey is serving as preaching minister with the Warren Community CC in Bisbee, AZ, leaving a ministry in Stuttgart, AR.

Class of ’95:

David Rozanek is serving as base chaplain for the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, FL, leaving an assignment on the west coast.

Class of ’90:

Chad Earhart recently earned his MBA from William Woods University. Chad continues to serve as chaplain at Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville, MO. Sherry Heister Parrott (former staff) has left a ministry in Prairie Grove, AR, to become children’s minister with the Memorial CC in Livonia, MI. Arlington Pinder-Marshall celebrated his 20th year of ministry with the Ruby CC in St. Philip, Barbados, West Indies on October 12.

Ryan Nelson has begun a ministry named Grounds for a Cause, selling great coffee and contributing toward organizations’ causes. He is including OCC’s Alumni Project as a cause.

If you’d like to order coffee and support God’s work at Ozark in the process, go to www.GroundsforaCause.net/order, or contact Ryan at Ryan@GroundsforaCause.net.

Class of ’99:

The Southwest Campus of Southeast CC in Louisville, KY, opened on October 26. James Hauser is the lead pastor of this new church plant.

Gary Holt is serving as preaching minister with the Christian Church in Arlington, IN, leaving a ministry in Waynesville, MO. Kevin Whitmore is serving as lead pastor of the Christian Church in Clay Center, NE, leaving a ministry in Colorado Springs, CO.

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ALUMNI CONNECTIONS

Class of ’01:

Evan Osgood is the youth pastor of the Antioch CC in Marion, IA, leaving a ministry in Eureka, MO.

Class of ’02:

Aaron Rathbone is serving as family life pastor with the Manchester CC in Manchester, NH, leaving a ministry in Owasso, OK.

Class of ’05:

Reed Adams is serving as lead pastor of the Newport CC in Newport, OR, leaving a ministry in Columbus, OH. Casey Kleeman recently left a ministry in Le Mars, IA, to become lead minister of the Elm Street CC in Olney, IL. Chaplain Jeremy ‘Mike’ Rhoades is now serving as chaplain for the Air Defense Patrol Missile Battalion at Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, leaving a post in Washington state.

Class of ’06:

Joel Stetler is serving as youth pastor with the Hillside Church of Southeast Denver, leaving a ministry in Kansas City, KS.

Class of ’08:

Jason Robinson (former staff) is working as director of sales and marketing for Big Cedar Lodge near Branson, MO, leaving a job with Grand Country Theater in Branson.

Class of ’10:

David Conrad has resigned his ministry with Bella Vista CC in Bella Vista, AR, to join the staff of Rapha House ministry in Joplin as Director of Philanthropy.

TO CONNECT

Aaron Levy recently graduated with his Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy and Community Counseling from John Brown University.

He has also gone on to receive his credentials as a License Associate Counselor with the state of Arkansas.

Madison Lyonhart is working as admissions officer for Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Class of ’12:

Paden Bennett earned his Bachelor of Science in K-12 Education Physical Education from Missouri Southern State University on December 13.

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James Downing is serving as worship minister with the Town and Country CC in Topeka, KS, leaving a ministry in Nowata, OK. Aaron and Melinda Perry Vaughn are living in Katy, TX, where he is part of a residency program with Current CC. In April, they plan to return to Crow Creek Sioux Indian Reservation with Diamond Willow Ministries in South Dakota. Aaron will be the director of a new project Diamond Willow is overseeing, called the Tokata Youth Center.

Class of ’13:

Sara Hester is serving as communications director with Valley View CC in Carrollton, TX. Tiphani Lu is serving as a resident with Current CC in Katy, TX.

Class of ’14:

Austin Buckland and Leah Cooper (13) were married in Oronogo, MO, on October 18. They are making their home in Webb City.

Sam Landis and Carlea Richert (current student) were married in Buffalo, MO, on October 24. They are making their home in Logan, IA, where he serves as youth minister with the Logan CC.

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ALUMNI CONNECTIONS

CLASS NOTES: Articles:

Attended:

Murphy Alvis (current student) and Tasha Stratton were married in Joplin on December 20.

Eddie Baugher began serving as a full-time chaplain with Racers for Christ in Phoenix, AZ, on January 1. For the past five years he has served as a volunteer for this organization.

He and his wife are moving from the Tulsa area.

Norm Conklin (former staff) is serving as full-time minister with the Walker CC in Walker, MO, leaving his position with OCC as manager of the Mabee Student Center.

Aslan Denbow and Alyssa Medhus were married in Bristow, IA, on October 10.

Michael Handley and Karissa Turner were married in Clinton, IA, on October 11. They are making their home in Cincinnati, OH. Tucker Hollingsworth and Kelsey Eskina were married on September 20. They are making their home in the Kansas City area.

Ethan Humphrey (current student) and Brooke Akin were married in Bentonville, AR, on November 23.

Trevor Reece is serving as lead operations and teaching pastor with Fusion Church, a new church plant, in Manheim, PA. Biaka Zaidarhzauva and Lora Dean were married in Joplin on October 25. They are living in Joplin where he works with the ministry of Rapha House.

We want to keep in touch with you, so please help us update your alumni file!

Send your information to: alumni@OCC.edu

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Christian Standard November “Do You Have SCD (Sheep Compassion Deficiency)?”

by Dr. Tim Harlow (83) “It’s Good to be an Alien” by Dr. Bob Wetzel (56-M) “Now They Are Receiving” by Craig (65) and Shirley Steen Woolsey (66) December “From Jaded to Joyful” by Brian Jennings (98) “Friendship and Poverty” by Stephen Lawson (08) January “Grateful Response” by Dr. Lynn Gardner (61/former faculty) “Do You Have Eyes but Fail to See?” by Dr. Tim Harlow (83) “Carpet Splitting” by Brian Jennings (98) “Dying to Self and Discovering Much More”

by Jan Kersten Johnson (74) Lookout October 19 “Loving the Unlovable” by Tyler Edwards (07) November 8 “What Happens When We Focus on God’s Word”

by Lindsey Poznich Bell (06) December 21 “The Joy of Christ’s Birth” by Victor Knowles (former faculty) Behavior Therapy “Worry and discrimination of threat and safety cues: An event-related potential investigation” by Matt Judah (07) Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback “The influence of stress on the affective modulation of the startle

response to smoking cues” by Matt Judah (07)

Books:

Someplace to Go by Travis (98/current staff) and Dena Loder (12/current staff) Hurley.

Self-published.

A Man Treasured by God: A Series of Sermons from the Book of Daniel

by Bill Park (62-M). Self-published.

WANT TO BE THE

DIFFERENCE? GO TO OCC.EDU/DONATE AND BECOME A MONTHLY PARTNER LIKE CAROLINA.

“I attended Ozark from 2002-2006 and graduated with a Bachelor of Biblical Literature, with an emphasis in youth ministry. Since the fall of 2007, I've served in a youth ministry in Houston, Texas, where I married my husband Adam in February of 2009.

A few years back we felt we needed to give financially beyond our local church. Ozark Christian College was one we knew we wanted to support monthly, even if it was a small amount.

Being an alumnus of Ozark, I know the heart and commitment OCC has to raise up godly men and women to serve as leaders for the church. Through our giving, we hope others are better able to receive the education and training that come from being on such a wonderful campus. And we hope, too, that they then go on to share the good news of Jesus across the country and around the world as so many have done before.”

Carolina Ponder (with her husband, Adam, and their baby boy, Luke) serves as a 6th-12th grade youth minister at Crossbridge Christian Church in Houston, Texas.

WWW.OCC.EDU/THEDIFFERENCE

-CAROLINA PONDER 2006 GRADUATE

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Joplin, MO 64801 Permit No. 62

1111 N Main St Joplin, MO 64801

Change service requested

ONE MORE THING

A final thought from our assistant editor

THIS IS YOUR PLAN Amy Storms

Amy Storms is a wife, mom, writer and dorm mom in Strong Hall.

As a dorm mom to nearly 100 sons in Ozark’s Strong Hall, I’ve seen my share of crazy. Rooms stuffed with hundreds of balloons. Nerf missiles whistling down the hall. A dead fish in the heating duct and even a fire set in a trashcan, spinning on a Lazy Susan on my kitchen counter—“Look, Mom! A fire tornado!”

(Do not try this at home.)

I’ve also heard my share of crazy, like a tenminute debate on whether or not Jumanji should be made into an actual board game, the daily discussions on all things sports, and of course the highs and lows and wonders and woes of the mysterious world of women.

When I think of all the craziness—the sights, sounds, and, yes, smells, of a boys’ dorm I shake my head and look at the ceiling

and ask, “Really, Lord? This is Your plan to change the world?”

I wonder if Jesus ever had similar thoughts about the twelve.

“These guys, Father? They’re so rough around the edges. They say and do the craziest things, and some of them smell like dead fish! They have such a long way to go… and grow.”

Life in Strong Hall isn’t all crazy. There are other moments, too—precious ones when the boys say things like, “Mom! Two kids in my youth group want to be baptized!” and, “Last night, I met a real imam, and got to talk to him about Christianity!” and “I think God might be calling me to preach. Will you and Dad pray for me?”

In times like those, I understand. I see their hearts, and I glimpse their God-given potential and promise. I picture just a little of what God has in store. I nod my head and say with confidence, “Yes, Lord. This is Your plan to change the world!”

And yet, with these “unschooled, ordinary men,” God started the church and spread the gospel and changed the world…and “these men have turned the world upside down” (Acts 4:13; 17:6).