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Volume 32 | Issue 6 Tuesday, October 7, 2014

D.C. rally

flames reunite

Leaders gather to discuss Israel Lauren Creekmore lcreekmore@liberty.edu

Courtney Russo| Liberty Champion

The Stand With Israel Rally took place in the Upper Senate Park in Washington, D.C., Sunday, Oct. 5 with more than 70 Liberty University students in attendance.

Christian conservative speakers and Liberty University’s Senior Class President Chelsea Andrews took the stage to voice their support for the nation of Israel.

Students followed Andrews along New Jersey Avenue with their posters held high and eyes looking toward the U.S. Capitol. With supporters around her, Andrews shared her thoughts on her opportunity to speak to the students and Israel supporters.

“Israel means a safe home for the Jewish people — a people that have been attacked and persecuted for thousands of years,” Andrews said. “It means safety for families, freedom of religion in the Middle East and the most humanitarian country in the world. Israel means security for America.”

Students and supporters took their seats and gathered around the stage, waving their Israeli flags while they waited for Penny Nance, CEO and president of Concerned Women for America, to welcome the speakers for the rally. Nance pledged her support for the Jewish people by quoting Edmund Burke, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”

The crowd’s voice grew louder, chanting, “We will stand. We will stand.”

Other speakers also took their turn to

See ISRAEL, A8

HOMECOMING — Liberty alumni gather for tailgating parties before the football game.

Judaic Studies moved CJS relocated from DeMoss Hall to new libary Josh Janney jjanney@liberty.edu

After years of being hidden in the back of DeMoss Hall, the Center for Judaic Studies (CJS) has been moved to the Jerry Falwell Library, allowing students easier access.

“I believe it was an astute move and am so glad the Center for Judaic Stud-

ies has moved into a strategic location,” Dr. A. F. Mickahall, an adjunct professor with a Ph.D. in Jewish Studies, said.

“This new location gives the center greater visibility to all students, families, faculty and other guests who visit, tour or conduct research in the library.”

According to Dr. J. Randall Price, the executive director for the Center of Judaic Studies, the move was a deci-

sion made by the administration due to construction and renovations to make room in DeMoss Hall for the School of Education.

“DeMoss wasn’t as accessible,” Price said. “(The move) gives us an opportunity now for people who come to the library — students, faculty, classes and Charae McQueen | Liberty Champion

See RELOCATION, A2 HISTORY — Artifacts from the museum in the library.

Registration approaches end

Efforts made to avoid low student voter turnout on election day David Van Dyk dvandyk@liberty.edu

Joel Coleman | Liberty News Service

LUXURY — Students enjoy convenience of voting in Vines Center.

During the 2014 Lynchburg City Council race, several people, including Montgomery Pace, chairwoman of the College Republicans of Liberty University, sacrificed much of their time to motivate students to vote. When only 198 showed up at the Liberty precinct, the Lynchburg community turned a curious eye toward campus.

Pace, along with Liberty administration, understood the importance of getting the right people into Lynchburg City Council. Several projects at Liberty University, including

WEATHER

SHOWERS HIGH: 74 LOW: 54 Tomorrow: SUNNY

the Wards Road Bridge, which students use day after day, happened thanks to dedicated policy makers and advocates of the university.

More importantly, they understood the importance of the voting precinct here on campus.

Even though the election was held on the last day of finals, when students turned out in low numbers, it reflected poorly on Liberty’s student body.

In 2008, before students had the luxury of voting at the Vines Center (Ward III Precinct 2), they began registering and had to travel to vote at Heritage Elementary School (Ward III Precinct 4).

In elections that followed, heavy turnout of students made for long lines of at least two hours for some students to cast ballots. Because of that and because students were taken to the precinct via bus, the university gave students the day off from school to accommodate student voting.

Following the voting issues, Liberty entered into a long debate with government officials over whether the campus should be given a voting precinct of its own, much like the University of Virginia had its own voter precinct and polling place. For more than two years, arguments went back

Homecoming gives alumni a chance to relive times at Liberty.

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and forth.

By February 2012, the city registrar was forced to notify the State Board of Elections, as Liberty registered 4,122 students with the university address. The precinct lines were redrawn to provide Liberty students an opportunity to vote on campus. With the ability to vote on their way to class or back to the dorm, a precinct at the Vines Center made voting much easier than before. “(Liberty) started way back

See VOTE, A7

Sports

Feature

News Opinion

Lady Flames soccer burns UNC-Asheville in shutout.

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Zibandeh Abedini stays true to her faith even in dangerous times.

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Sports Feature

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A2 | October 7, 2014 | Liberty Champion

Parent contest reveals winner Sophomore Hayley Bell receives the Outstanding Parent of the Year award Amber Tiller atiller2@liberty.edu

Sophomore Hayley Bell was inspired to share her family’s story when she discovered the Outstanding Parent Essay Contest, showcased through the Parent and Family Connections Office.

Through the process of writing the essay, she remembered the struggle her parents endured almost 10 years ago that continues to impact her family today.

During an after-school activity, 9-year-old Hayley Bell confusingly responded to her mother picking her up early, an act not part of her normal, daily routine. As Hayley Bell followed her mother to the car, she was greeted by the words of her mother echoing across the front seat.

“Your dad had an accident,” Linda Bell, Hayley’s Bell’s mother, said.

These words stayed in little Hayley Bell’s mind as her mother explained that her father, a contractor who had been building their family’s house, fell two stories off a ladder and onto a rock.

He had suffered a shattered femur and was told by doctors that the effects could detrimentally alter the rest of his life.

But the journey for the Bell family had just begun. The doctors’ doubts and diagnoses drove James Bell, Hayley’s father, to push harder and strive to conquer this hurdle one painful, difficult step at a time.

“Basically, he wasn’t supposed to walk again, and it was a miracle because he’s walking,” Hayley Bell said. “And it’s still a daily struggle, but he could have lost his leg. So basically, my dad is my biggest inspiration, and I think he’s the greatest thing ever just because he doesn’t take no for an answer.”

Photos Provided

LOVE AND SUPPORT — Hayley Bell (right) appreciates the opportunities the Outstanding Parent Essay Contest has provided for her family.

James Bell found strength through prayer and faithfulness.

Even though his house stayed unfinished and his family was forced to reside in different locations with relatives, he stayed strong through the power of God. “I remember my mom praying, my dad praying, my whole family praying, because everyone was involved,” Hayley Bell said.

As a result of the family’s persistent faith, Hayley Bell saw God working in her life and decided to make this story the basis for her entry in the Outstanding Parent Essay Contest. As a result, Hayley Bell received a call from the

Parent and Family Connections Office saying that her essay had captured the hearts of the judges and had ultimately won the contest. Hayley Bell’s exclamations of joy were followed by a call to her parents, who were also joyful to hear the news.

The winning prize included apparel from the bookstore, a $75 gift card to the bookstore and extra Flames Cash/meal swipes for Hayley Bell, as well as the opportunity for her parents to stay at the Wingate Hotel for three nights during Fall Family Weekend Oct. 24-26. This prize is a tremendous help to

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CAMPUS CALENDAR 10/7 - All Sons and Daughters Concert 7 p.m. | LaHaye Event Space 10/9 -10/11 - Fall Break 10/9 - Scaremare begins 7:30 p.m. | 2300 Carroll Ave., Lynchburg, VA 24501 10/14 - Indelible Grace Concert 8 p.m. | LaHaye Event Space 10/16 - Book Signing by Megan Halsey & Melanie Hall 6-8:30 p.m. | DH 4069 10/17 - Studio Creative Community Club: Life Drawing Sessions 2 p.m. every Friday | DH 4081 10/17 - Movie Night featuring Godzilla and Gaurdians of the Galaxy 8 p.m. | Vines Center 10/18 - Fall Festival 1 p.m. | Camp Hydaway 10/24 - Family Weekend 1 p.m. | Camp Hydaway COLOR KEY:

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the Bell family because, until recently, the Bells were unable to find lodging during the weekend.

Due to the 12-hour drive from Greenwich, Rhode Island, a day trip for the Bells seemed practically impossible, and therefore out of the question.

“The only time I’d get to see them between when I got here and the next break was Thanksgiving, and that just seemed too long because my parents and I are really close,” Hayley Bell said.

In addition to the prizes, James and Linda Bell, alumni of Liberty University, will be honored Oct. 24 at the Family Dinner.

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the public — to have access to the new Liberty Biblical Museum, which is part of our center.”

The Liberty Biblical Museum is filled with ancient artifacts and antiques that Price and his associates have spent the last 30 years collecting.

The purpose of the museum is to give visitors a glimpse of the Jewish lifestyle and culture from 2,000-4,000 years ago.

“We go through the biblical periods, starting with the time of Abraham all the way through the time of Jesus, with special displays of pottery and weapons and coins and daily life and many things like that,” Price said. “The point is to understand about who the Jewish people are, why God chose them, and what they have to offer us — the biblical remembering of what God did in history.”

Price said that, although the move was made at the end of May, construction troubles delayed CJS from getting truly settled. He said the artifacts for the Liberty Biblical Museum might not be fully unpacked and placed until near the end of the semester.

Mickahall hopes to see the center grow beyond just spacious accommodations in the future. He would also like to see the Jewish Studies program expanded to create a Jewish

Hayley Bell will also be reading her essay at the dinner in front of the families staying for the weekend, but she said she will mostly enjoy just being able to spend time with her family.

“I wasn’t excited because my essay won,” Hayley Bell said. “I was excited because my story won.”

Even though this situation brought the Bell family to an abrupt halt in their everyday lives almost 10 years ago, the story is now bringing the family unexpected blessings and a chance to spend more time together.

TILLER is a feature reporter.

Studies major, rather than just a minor. Price would also like to see the center expanded to raise more awareness for CJS among students.

“We bring in speakers twice a year, people who either are Jewish or Holocaust survivors, and present the Passover to create awareness to have a point of contact with the student body,” Price said. “I would like to see more of that, to be able to have the ability to bring in more highprofile people.”

Price believes it is important for people to learn more about Jewish history in order to better understand the politics and principles involved with modern-day Israel and to respect the Jewish people.

“The early church was made up of Jewish people,” Price said.

“Their Bible was the Hebrew Old Testament that we use. For the first hundred years or more, the church was primarily Jewish, and we forget that. We had Jewish roots to our faith. The Jewish people still have God’s promise for the future. Those things have not changed. We live in a time in which the church is somewhat confused on that.”

The CJS is open to the public Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Friday visiting times are managed by appointment only.

JANNEY is the asst. news editor.

Research contributed by REBECCA GORDON.

Champion corrections

BASEBALL UPDATE: FALL SEASON SCRIMAGES AND PRACTICES ARE IN FULL SWING.

STUDENTS PREPARE FOR THE ANNUAL RUN 4 THEIR LIVES RACE.

AN EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW OF LIBERTY UNIVERSITY’S ANNUAL FALL FESTIVAL.

In the Sept. 23 issue, the Champion published an article on the Flames football team being defeated by Bryant University. The article incorrectly referred to Bryant as the Bears. The nickname for Bryant is the Bulldogs.

In the Opinion section of the same issue, a word in a headline on A5 was spelled incorrectly. The headline should have read “Elections halt immigration.”

In the Sept. 30 issue, Lauren Glossner was credited for taking a photo of the marching band in the Feature section. The picture was taken by Valorie Kelley.

news

Liberty Champion | October 7, 2014 | A3

HOMECOMING 2014 1.

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All photos by Courtney Russo 1. Students enjoyed their time at the Homecoming Carnival. 2. Miss Virginia waves to crowd. 3. Alumna shares her liberty experience with her daughter. 4. Friends hug outside the Hancock Welcome Center. 5. Alumni relations provided a Ferris Wheel. 6. Rennovated LaHaye center opened for the fair. 7. Band performs for Homecoming Parade. 8. Families bond.

Reber-Thomas Dining Hall • 1971 University Blvd. • (434) 582-2262 • www.LibertyDining.com

Visit our homepage frequently for weekly menus, calendar of events and news you can use.

S AV E T H E D AT E What: Delicious Russian fare by Sodexo chef Sergey Malyshev

SERGEY MALYSHEV

When: October 13th Dinner October 14th Lunch Where: The Food Court at Reber Thomas

Sodexo Spotlight: Casey guise, M.A. Position/Years with Sodexo: Unit Marketing Coordinator, 10 months Favorite Meal on Campus: Simple Servings! Delicious!

Loves: Watching classic hollywood movies with friends.

Can be found: Schlepping signs and boxes around campus in a suit.

OPINION

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October 7, 2014

Censorship denies freedom Book banning limits opportunity to be challenged by differing perspectives Rebecca Gordon bgordon6@liberty.edu

Springs Charter Schools in Temecula, California, have purged all Christian books from the school libraries. The administration claimed the book removal followed school protocol. Parents were alarmed to hear the news when a student came home and shared what happened.

Well-known books such as Corrie ten Boom’s “The Hiding Place” and C. S. Lewis novels were nowhere to be found. This removal of religious material viewable to the public is unnerving to say the least. “(Individual schools and libraries are) eager to protect everybody from hazards like ugly words, sedition, blasphemy, unwelcome ideas and, perhaps worst of all, reality,” a journalist wrote in a 1981 TIME essay on book banning titled “The Growing Battle of the Books.”

While the federal government has always remained separate from the practice, its reach remains as prevalent today as it was throughout history.

When confronted about the book banning, Kathleen Hermsmeyer, the school’s

superintendent, denied any intent to discriminate.

“At no time, however, have we discriminated against Christian authors or publishing companies who create secular educational materials,” Hermsmeyer wrote in a letter to the Pacific Justice Institute (PJI).

Whether or not it is only Christian books taken from the shelves is not the main problem. As books are yanked from the shelves, so is the opportunity to learn.

With greater knowledge comes greater freedom, and book banning is a radical step away from that liberation.

“The way I see it, book banning is just one step away from book burning,” Todd Starnes, a foxnews.com columnist, wrote.

“And I don’t mean to pour gasoline on the fire, but we all know what regime did that.”

This violation of religious liberty and literary censorship has not gone unnoticed. A public records request has been filed

by PJI. The organization is prepared to take further legal action if the school continues to mark out books strictly because they contain Judeo-Christian content, according to the Christian News Network.

“It is alarming that a school library would attempt to purge books from religious authors,” PJI President Brad Dacus said.

“Indeed, some of the greatest literature of Western Civilization comes from people of faith. Are they going to ban the sermons or speeches of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.? What about the Declaration of Independence that invokes the laws of nature and nature’s God? We are calling on Springs Charter Schools to immediately reverse their ill-conceived and illegal book-banning policy.”

But this school is not the only one limiting the scope of information students have access to, and no topic seems immune to censorship. In fact, John Green’s New York Times best-seller, “The Fault in Our Stars,” now a major motion picture, was banned from the Riverside, California, public school circuit by the Riverside Unified School District, according to the Los Angeles Times. The book — which includes some language and sexual references — chronicles the love between two teenagers diagnosed with cancer.

“I guess I am both happy and sad,” Green wrote of the book banning on his Tumblr blog. “I am happy because apparently

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EXPELLED — California schools prohibited books from libraries. young people in Riverside, California, will never witness or experience mortality since they won’t be reading my book, which is great for them. But I am also sad because I was really hoping I would be able to introduce the idea that human beings die to the children … and thereby crush their dreams of immortality.”

Green’s analysis shines a glaring light on the problem: censorship eliminates readers’ free-

dom to know, to understand and to experience ideas that may challenge them.

When public administrations are given the power to limit access to certain information and literature — religious or secular — they are limiting students’ opportunity to decide for themselves what it is they believe.

GORDON is an opinion writer.

Dinesh D’Souza caught in crime Conservative film producer sentenced for breaking campaign finance laws Elijah Smith esmith65@liberty.edu

By working as a conservative activist filmmaker, Dinesh D’Souza has grown accustomed to having a place in the limelight and debating controversial subjects. In recent months, however, the light shining on D’Souza has not been so favorable.

The controversy and subsequent lawsuit began when news broke in January 2014 regarding D’Souza’s involvement in illegally financing a 2012 political senate campaign through straw donations. D’Souza donated the legal maximum of $10,000 to Dartmouth College friend Wendy E. Long’s campaign for a New York Senate position, and then, in the names of two friends, donated $20,000 more to the campaign, according to Fox News.

Federal prosecutors for campaign finance law violations indicted D’Souza in 2014.

At the beginning of the long and tedious trial that ensued, D’Souza initially faced a maximum sentence of two years in prison.

However, in a ruling made Sept.

23, that prospective sentence was reduced to a final judgment of five years probation, eight months in a confinement center and a $30,000 fine, according to Fox News.

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LAWSUIT — Dinesh D’Souza was convicted and sentenced for illegally donating to Senate campaign.

Suspending the argument over the legitimacy of D’Souza’s sentencing, this debacle displays the double standard that has developed around our political system. Today, the courts have become nothing more than an extension of Washington’s politics.

“It’s a remarkably selective prosecution considering Obama raised millions of dollars under similar circumstances and donors merely faced civil fines while D’Souza is charged with felony violation of federal law,”

by Emily Brown The media seems to have a pretty bad rap these days.

People across the nation love to criticize journalists, including writers and radio and television broadcasters, for not giving the whole story, being too biased or not reporting on important ideas. The general public also loves to say journalists are nothing more than bearers of bad news. Many people say that crime, war and death are the topics of choice for journalists, who

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz said.

Cruz’s words outline the hypocrisy that exists in the political realm. In addition, not only have President Barack Obama’s 2007 and 2008 campaign teams been accused and found guilty of breaking some very similar campaign finance laws, but several other notable, left-leaning politicians have also faced similar accusations while they held federal government positions, according to the Associated Press.

However, just as Cruz claimed, none of these cases have ever re-

are really just about bumming people out all over the world.

As a journalist, it is really discouraging to hear all the criticism at times. While much of the talk is true, as members of the media really do make mistakes or are too biased and the news is often fraught with sadness, there are still so many examples of good journalists who go against the stereotypes the majority of the world holds.

One of these journalists is Todd Starnes, a Fox News radio contributor and columnist, who visited Liberty University last week.

During his visit to Lynchburg, Starnes left an impact on more than just a few people. Following his Convocation address Wednesday, thousands of students, faculty and staff were left inspired, as evidenced by a standing ovation and a large crowd eager to meet him after his talk. Starnes used examples of his stories about religious liberty in America, or

sulted in punishment as severe as the one D’Souza initially received.

D’Souza said it best himself.

“I am not above the law,” D’Souza said. “No one is. But we don’t want to live in a society where Lady Justice has one eye open and winks at her friends and casts an evil eye at her adversaries.”

The sad reality is that this is the society that we are living in today. A society where pomp and circumstance, politics and power often determine the breaks and favors one receives.

a lack thereof, in his call for the Liberty community to rise up against Christian discrimination in the United States.

In his Convocation address, it was clear that Starnes is using his work as a journalist for good. He is a great example of a Christian in the media, as he uses his reporting to point out the injustices that occur across America every day.

Because I desire to one day enter the workforce as a journalist, I was inspired

by Starnes’ message to use my God-given gifts as a voice for Christ in the media.

Starnes showed that journalism does not just have to be about negative topics, but can actually make a huge difference if done correctly.

Starnes’ encouragement was not limited to his Wednesday Convocation speech, however. After the Liberty Champion staff and I had dinner with Starnes Tuesday evening, I was encouraged to see that it is still possible to be joyful in the midst of dealing with tough sources and

As scandals ranging from the IRS’ targeting of conservatives to Eric Holder’s Fast and Furious operation continue to plague the Obama administration, there has been hardly any accountability.

Yet, when a critic of the system falters, accusations and lawsuits are released en masse.

While D’Souza did act illegally and received his due punishment, my frustration comes not with the sentence handed down to him by the courts. Rather, my frustration stems from the blatant discrepancies between the handling of D’Souza’s case and the case against Obama’s ’07 and ’08 campaign teams.

The American justice system exists to hold those under it accountable. However, over time, corruption has eroded its original intent. Today it seems our courts work to make examples out of some individuals and hand out back-door favors to others.

D’Souza’s trial has further exposed the double standard our political climate has created, which, if left unchecked, could prove to be supremely damaging to our system of justice. Our courts should not serve to silence anyone. Rather, they should be blind to politics and power, extending justice equally.

SMITH is an opinion writer.

reporting on stories that are frustrating.

Additionally, on Wednesday, Starnes gave me, along with several fellow journalism students, great advice during his question-and-answer session later in the day. Lessons about the importance of accuracy, fairness and networking were just a few of the ideas I took away from the meeting. Starnes also emphasized the significance of good writing in all aspects of the media. As Starnes talked about his writing, I learned the effect of digging for stories that many people may not hear about in regular news.

The couple of days with Starnes proved to be one of my valuable experiences as a journalism student at Liberty. I am so grateful that Liberty invited Starnes to speak in Convocation and that he took the time to talk with the Champion staff and journalism students here.

I walked away encouraged for my future and with lots of valuable information to put into practice.

opinion

Liberty Champion | October 7, 2014 | A5

Voting values Tré Goins-Phillips dgoinsphillips@liberty.edu

With elections only a month away, the political circuit is abuzz with all the latest campaign rhetoric. Every candidate is pushing the next best “five-point-plan” to flourishing freedom and an extraordinary economy.

Naturally, nearly every citizen seems instinctively excited about the possibilities ahead. After all, we have lived through a dismal season of floundering freedom and exhausting economic failure. Nevertheless, the moment we become excited about these fantastic campaign promises, we are immediately reminded that all too often these so-called promises are nothing more than a desperate effort to wrangle a seat on Capitol Hill.

I do not write this to keep you from the polls. In fact, I am arguing for the exact opposite.

There is a level of marketing that comes with every campaign. However, I do not think that is always the heart behind the efforts of each candidate.

We have an obligation to wade through the candy-coated campaigning and discover what it is that these candidates running for the Senate and the House of Representatives truly believe.

In this midterm election, our millennial generation will be setting the trend for the future of politics and governance in the United States. President Barack Obama’s leadership is really the first administration we, as young people, have been cognizant of, and now we have the opportunity to decide whether this is the direction we want to continue to move in or if we want to change course.

“Young people need to vote,” American actor Nikki Reed said. “Every vote counts. Educate yourself, too. Don’t just vote. Know what you’re voting for and stand by that.”

Each election gives us the opportunity to give voice to our values. This midterm election gives the younger generation the chance to tell Washington how we want public policy — both economic and social — to be shaped.

This season, decide what it is you value. Reach past the façade that covers each candidate and understand what it is they truly prioritize. Find the candidate that you most align with, and send your voice to Congress.

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NEW DIRECTION — Broader variety in church leadership would give Christianity a greater platform in American culture.

Faith fuels diversity “He For She” campaign offers Church chance to lead Tré Goins-Phillips dgoinsphillips@liberty.edu

“The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is that good men and women do nothing,” Emma Watson, actor and goodwill ambassador for UN Women, quoted in her speech.

Watson, 24, best known for her role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series, gave a speech earlier in September launching the “He For She” campaign, calling on men to play a vital role in the push to eliminate the gender gap between women and men.

“We want to try to galvanize as many men and boys as possible to be advocates for change,” Watson said at UN Women. “We don’t just want to talk about it. We want to try and make sure that it’s tangible.”

The actor alluded to the fact that for far too long, feminism has been deemed a dirty word.

That to be associated with feminism — which, by definition, simply means advocating for equal rights for men and women — is “synonymous with man-hating.”

I agree with Watson — the gender inequalities that exist must be reconciled, and, more than just men, the Church must be the catalyst for change.

“Christian women are on the frontlines with no one supporting them,” Christine

Caine, founder of the A21 Campaign and leader behind Propel Women, a new movement empowering female leaders, said in an interview with Christianity Today. “We’ve got a church that’s already in the world. What are we going to do about it?”

Our failure to admonish and encourage female leadership is not in light of our faith. Rather, it is in stark contradiction to the teachings of our faith.

It was thousands of years ago — when Jesus walked on earth — that women were finally recognized and empowered. It was Jesus who gave attention to the woman who touched the fringe of his robe, who testified to the woman at the well and, subsequently, brought many to salvation, and it was Jesus who arose from the grave and appeared to three women — Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of Jesus) and Salome — appointing them the first evangelizers.

It was the Apostle Paul who appointed Phoebe a leader over many, asking fellow believers to greet her as a saint in Romans 16:1-2, and it was he who sought out Priscilla to be a teacher, describing her as a co-laborer for Christ in verse three.

In Galatians 3:28, Paul edified the Church, writing, “there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Equality is vital to the body

of Christ and Jesus’ ministry on earth, and it is the work of his disciples to defend that claim. “(I)n Christ, and because of Christ, we are invited to participate in the Kingdom of God through redemptive movement — for both men and women — toward equality and freedom,” Sarah Bessey, author and Christian commentator, said in her book, “Jesus Feminist.”

If the Church began adopting the mentalities and philosophies Jesus had about women and their value, maybe the world we live in would be more compelled to listen to us.

Have you ever imagined what it would be like to be on the outside of the Church looking in? Steve Norman, a Detroit pastor, invited guests to his church, and the outsider perspective he received changed him.

“When the service ended, I asked, ‘So, what did you think,’” Norman wrote in a Leadership Journal article.

“Without hesitating, my acquaintance answered, ‘There were no women on the stage.’”

Norman admitted that his visitor was right, but he had never noticed it.

“I was blinded by my social position, church experience and denominational history,” Norman wrote. “The fact that the women in our congregation weren’t regularly

elevated in public never even crossed my mind.”

Too often, our social tradition morphs into our theology, blinding us to the discrepancies that exist. As the secular world seeks gender equality — ranging from efforts for equal pay to fights for liberation from violent oppression — they should find the Church to be a shining example of that freedom.

“We want to end gender inequality, and to do this, we need everyone involved,” Watson said during her UN speech.

The “everyone” Watson referred to includes the Church.

In fact, it should be the Church that is at the forefront, leading the way. Following the example of Jesus and the teachings of Paul, edifying and elevating women and men equally.

“If I fail to help the emerging women teachers, preachers and prophets in my midst, I’ll be on par with the foolish servant who buried his talents rather than invest them,” Norman wrote.

This is not merely a fight of political importance. Even more so, it is an effort at the heart of the gospel. It is an opportunity for the Church to lead the way, adopting Jesus’ love for great grace and radical equality.

GOINS-PHILLIPS is the opinion editor.

GOINS-PHILLIPS is the opinion editor.

CONVO CONNECTION “Every day I try to live my life in such a way that I will accomplish at least one thing that will outlive me for eternity.”

These words spoken by Liberty alumnus and President of World Help Vernon Brewer laid an enduring foundation and set the stage for a fiercely impactful week of Convocation.

Brewer described the brutality of what ISIS is doing as they seek to cleanse the world of all infidels (Christ fol- KELLY lowers). He went on to share how Christians are being marked with the Arabic letter equivalent to the letter “N” for Nazarene, or Christ follower, a mark now synonymous with torture, genocide and death.

Students were encouraged to use their voice to raise awareness for suffering Christians in the Middle East, Syria

and Iraq by using social media and the #WeAreN. Brewer shared the traumatic story of how a 5-year-old boy was literally cut in half by ISIS while his family stood by helplessly and watched.

“Lord, please do something,” I cried silently. And as if he were sitting right next to me, I heard that still, small, commanding voice respond, “I did. I gave you Jesus.”

In the midst of the countless atrocities unfolding across the globe, Jesus is, and always will be, our greatest need and only hope. He changes everything. Because of Christ in us, the hope of glory, we can be agents of hope in this world. There is dire need everywhere — a need that eclipses our resources and strength. Where, then, do we start? We can impact lives through praying for the persecuted church.

I was challenged yet again Wednesday with this question from Fox News radio host Todd Starnes, “Who among you is willing to take a stand in the face of per-

VOT E

secution?” I was shaken to the core and asked myself, “Am I willing to stand?”

Starnes, author of “God Less America,” spoke to us about the attacks on religious liberties. Thousands of people around our world are being killed because of their faith in Jesus Christ.

What are we going to do about it? God is preparing us in this very moment to go into all the world and preach the gospel. “All the world” may mean going to places where the name of Jesus is hated and where killing Christians is not just accepted, but applauded. It starts with us.

It begins with our willingness to intentionally abandon our comfort zone as God leads. Shelene Bryan, humanitarian and author of “Love, Skip, and Jump,” ended last week’s convocation fervently asking, “When was the last time you did something that made you uncomfortable?” Bryan went on to share how the worldly façade of comfort and safety had almost paralyzed her until God strategi-

B Y: E R I N K E L LY emkelly2@liberty.edu

cally brought her out of her comfort zone for his glory. As Bryan enthusiastically shared her journey, I began to ponder the many moments when God has led me from the coziness of my comfort zone to wander through the wilderness of a radical faith in him. In doing so, I realized there was still part of me that was longing for the familiar, the comfortable, the controllability of earthly security.

These moments were preparing me for something beyond myself, something that only God can do in and through me. The fallow ground in my heart was being broken up to ready my soul for the seeds of a faith that would bear life-changing fruit.

In all of my uncomfortable circumstances, God is preparing me for a time when comfort can only be found in Jesus.

What do you want to be known for? Sitting on the sidelines or getting in the game? As Bryan said, “We need to start getting comfortable with being uncomfortable.”

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICIES & INFO Emily Brown editor-in-chief

Tré Goins-Phillips

Ash Brownd

Meighan Thompson

opinion editor

copy editor

graphic designer

Gabriella Fuller

Alex Tichenor sports editor

PHOTOGRAPHY

Josh Gordon

graduate assistant

Tom Foote graduate assistant

Nate Haywood asst. sports editor

CONTENT

Sam Campbell

Dave Van Dyk news editor

Josh Janney asst. news editor

feature editor

Olivia Brown copy editor

Courtney Russo photography editor

Leah Seavers asst. photography editor DESIGN Breann Black graphic designer

social media manager

Jomer Bunque web manager

ADMINISTRATION Deborah Huff faculty advisor

Omar Adams advertising director

The Champion encourages community members to submit letters to the editor on any subject. Letters should not exceed 400 words and must be typed and signed. The deadline is 5 p.m. Friday. Letters and columns that appear are the opinion of the author solely, not the Champion editorial board or Liberty University.

Send letters to: Liberty Champion Liberty University, Box 2000, Lynchburg, VA 24515 or drop off in DeMoss Hall 1035.

All material submitted becomes property of the Champion. The Champion reserves the right to accept, reject or edit any letter received— according to the Champion stylebook, taste and the Liberty University mission statement. © Copyright 2014 Liberty University, Inc. All Rights Reserved

A6 | October 7, 2014 | Liberty Champion

B AT T L E F O R T H E

news

PRECINCT T I M E L I N E

2009

2010 FEBRUARY:

SEPTEMBER: Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion

TRANSIT — Buses at the ready.

2008 EARLY SEPTEMBER:

Despite being discouraged by the Lynchburg Registrar’s Office, who cited technicalities as reasons not to register, Liberty students register to vote in the fall presidential elections.

LATE SEPTEMBER: The Washington Post recognizes the campus-wide voting drive that included distributing registration forms in dormitories and classrooms, callingit “unprecedented.”

NOVEMBER: Prior to Liberty’s registration drive, there were fewer than 2,000 registered voters in Ward III. After 4,200 on and off-campus Liberty students register to vote, a total of 4,731 people are registered in Ward III.

Students recognize the impact of local government on their finances and on their safety.

While millions of dollars were spent on replacing the old D Street bridge downtown, City Council was slow to respond to the needs of a pedestrian crossing on Wards Road by approving the project but not allocating funds.

Students are financially impacted as well, as the local meals tax alone reaches 11.5 percent.

Students are encouraged to vote to ensure the university and its students are treated fairly.

Liberty and Lynchburg clash over Ward III Precinct 4 polling place, as hundreds of students show up to a City Council meeting to request a different voting option. They are unsuccessful in their efforts, as the precinct stays at Heritage Elementary School.

MARCH: Liberty Champion publishes a survey of 1,236 residential Liberty students who respond with how much they spend, on average, around Lynchburg.

Results show that Liberty students do, in fact, pay a significant amount in taxes to the city on meals, gas, entertainment, lodging, car registration, etc.

OCTOBER: A rigorous registration drive is once again initiated on campus.

NOVEMBER: 2,288 students turn out to vote in an off-year election, with results seeing T. Scott Garrett winning over incumbent Shannon Valentine by 207 votes. Garrett’s victory is largely due to Liberty students’ votes, as Garrett has a huge margin of 1,964 to 324 in the precinct.

Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion

CIVIL RIGHT — Students take part in voting at Heritage.

CAN A STUDENT DISCOVER THE TRUTH FOR AMERICA? When you’re a part of the CIA, you can.

The CIA has paid student internship, scholarship and co-op opportunities in several fields of study. No matter what you do here, your contributions have great impact – and there is plenty to do. From accounting and finance, to economics, engineering and information technology, the CIA needs talented and intelligent professionals to continue the work that keeps our nation safe.

The CIA is seeking motivated individuals with a sense of service for an exciting and rewarding yet challenging experience. Do you have that drive inside of you?

THE WORK OF A NATION. THE CENTER OF INTELLIGENCE.

For additional information and to apply, visit:

www.cia.gov An equal opportunity employer and a drug-free workforce.

ROCKET_Liberty_University_9-75x10.indd 1

10/1/14 8:36 AM

news

Liberty Champion | October 7, 2014 | A7

STUDENT VOTES -OR LACK THEREOF-

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

“

I think for democracy to work, everyone has to vote. If everyone votes, nobody can complain about the outcome.

— MICHAEL GILLETTE OCTOBER: Liberty Champion announces that the City Manager Office expedites the public hearing process needed to make changes in local polling precincts by allowing changes if 4,000 students register to vote under a Liberty University address. While it would not impact the November election, the new voting precinct could be in place for the spring primary elections.

FEBRUARY: 4,122 students with the university address were registered to vote, pushing the registrar to notify the Virginia State Board of Elections. As a result, precinct lines are redrawn, allowing those students to vote at a new precinct established in the Vines Center, now Ward III Precinct 2.

Joel Coleman | Liberty News Service

INVEST IN AMERICA — Voting took priority for Liberty students in 2012.

NOVEMBER:

MARCH: The Vines Center precinct reports a total of 590 votes, or 14 percent of registered voters, in the presidential primary. The turnout is much higher than the state average of 5.2 percent.

State elections saw a battle between Democrat Mark Herring and Republican Mark Obenshain, in which Herring defeated Obenshain by a margin of 165 votes. Only 1,171 voters, approximately 21 percent of registered on-campus Liberty voters, show up to vote at this election.

Les Schofer | Liberty News Service

MAY: Only 198 students show up to vote for three Lynchburg City Council at-large seats. With more than 5,500 registered students not voting in the election, the results could easily have been different. Of the six candidates running for the seats, Hunsdon Cary, who came in fourth with 3,480 votes, only lost by 1,451 votes.

SIGNATURE — Students register.

2011

2012

MONDAY IS ZAXBY’S COLLEGE DAY ®

Liberty University students and faculty receive 20% OFF any meal on Mondays, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Must present valid ID. Offer valid at this location only: 1038 Wards Ferry Rd. • Lynchburg 434.237.2651 Limited-time offer. Valid on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. only. Must present valid ID. Each restaurant independently owned and operated.

Offer not valid at any other locations. © 2014 Zaxby’s Franchising, Inc. “Zaxby’s” is a registered trademark of Zaxby’s Franchising, Inc.

2013 VOTE continued from A1 in 2009 working to get the polling place, petitioning City Council and the local officials so we could get our own on campus, because our students at the time were voting at Heritage Elementary School,” Pace said.

Pace talked about the power of Liberty’s voting students swaying the 2009 election of Scott Garrett, now a member of the Virginia House of Delegates representing the 23rd district, before students had the opportunity to vote at the Vines Center. Garrett defeated incumbent Shannon Valentine by 207 votes, with 2,288 students voting at the old precinct. After that election, the clash between Liberty and City Council concerning polling locations intensified.

By February 2010, Ward III precinct 4 became larger than any other precinct in the city, but City Council rejected the idea of setting up polling places at Thomas Road Baptist Church or the old Circuit City building, now the Liberty Mountain Conference Center, leaving the options as First Church of the Nazarene, further away from Liberty, or the remaining location at the time, Heritage Elementary.

The choice was made to keep the polling location at Heritage, but Pace acknowledged the tension between parties after the surprise swing vote of Garrett and what effect it may have had on City Council.

“You can always speculate (the rejection of these potential polling places) was for that reason, because I know that just the way the wards are divided, they were not always happy with where Liberty was falling,” Pace said. “We were splitting a ward before (we had our own), basically balancing our votes with downtown’s.”

In an article from the News and Advance in November 2009, then councilman Michael Gillette emphasized the importance of Liberty’s voting power during that election.

“Last (Tuesday) did demonstrate that LU is a significant factor,” Gillette said.

“And I think that is going to have a significant influence on City Council. … I think for democracy to work, everyone has to vote. If everyone votes, nobody can complain about the outcome.”

Larry Provost, of Liberty’s division of Student Affairs, explained the struggles of garnering a voting precinct on campus.

2014 “An amazing number of Liberty students registered to vote from 2008 to 2010, over 7,500. So not only was a precinct and polling station on Liberty’s campus desirable, but necessary,” Provost said. “While Heritage Elementary was not a bad location to vote, the situation was alleviated to have Liberty students to vote on campus, and it made it easier for the community.”

Provost acknowledged the labors of students who fought for the convenience we now have.

“An overwhelming number of Liberty students voted at Heritage, giving us the precinct that we have today,” Provost said. “By voting now, we honor the efforts of past students who had to fight very hard to get the convenience of voting on campus.”

Pace said that with most students who fought for the new voting precinct having graduated, many students who now take up residence at Liberty are not aware of the struggles. She shared stories of how students often walked by the Vines Center without exercising their civil right.

“You get a lot of students who walk by and say they don’t have any time, but it takes five minutes for them to walk in and vote,” Pace said. “They say they don’t have time or they have a class, but they don’t come back. … You even have people who lie and say they’re Canadian. We get that a lot.”

As the November elections approach, Student Body President Quincy Thompson encouraged students during Convocation to invest in their country’s future and cast ballots, influencing decisions on topics like abortion, traditional marriage, taxes and so forth.

Thompson encouraged students to take a look at the candidates and the issues they stand on before casting a vote.

“I wanted to encourage students to look at these key issues like abortion and traditional marriage, in light of who we are, not only as citizens here on Earth, but as citizens of Christ,” Thompson said.

VAN DYK is the news editor.

news

A8 | October 7, 2014 | Liberty Champion

Art department receives grant SADA uses ILLUMINATE Grant to bring in two professional illustrators Felicia Hudson fphudson@liberty.edu

Liberty University’s Department of Studio and Digital Arts (SADA) has been awarded a teaching grant that will allow students to attend lectures from professionals in the field.

The ILLUMINATE Grant is awarded each year by Liberty’s Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) to a faculty member or team of faculty members for use in their department.

This year, the SADA department was awarded the grant with the help of faculty members Monique Maloney, Stacy Canon and Christopher Phillips.

With the money, they have chosen to bring in two award-winning illustrators to present lectures to students.

Megan Halsey and

Melanie Hall will present two lectures about The Life of an Illustrator: Making a Living through Visual Storytelling and a book signing. Halsey and Hall have more than 25 years of experience in illustrating.

“A lot of my graphic design students are creating children’s books from scratch,” Maloney, a SADA instructor, said.

“So they’re writing their own manuscripts. They’re illustrating it. They’re designing, and they’re going to be producing the final books.”

Maloney said she is excited for her students to hear the lectures because Halsey and Hall each have experience with illustrating children’s books.

She said the lectures will provide hands-on techniques for her students to apply to their own children’s books.

ISRAEL continued from A1 share their gratitude for the rally. Victor Styrksy, eastern regional coordinator of Christians United for Israel, expressed his excitement for the rally, explaining that Liberty students are the hope for the future.

“The battle for the minds and the hearts of the college students at American universities is as fierce as the territorial boundaries between Gaza and Israel,” Styrksy said.

“What you are doing at Liberty represents the front-line warriors. … You are fighting for the second great battlefield, and that is the minds and hearts of the next generation. Seeing this gives me hope. I adore each and every one of you.”

Shelby Keith, president of the Stand With Israel Club of Liberty University, gave her insight on the rally.

“It is so powerful to be here with over

“What it provides to our students is two things: one, they get to hear from professionals in the field, and two, see techniques that are used to make artwork,” Todd Smith,

“

also be held Oct. 16 at 6–8:30 p.m. in the Liberty University Art Gallery, located in DeMoss Hall 4069. Both the lectures and book signing are free and open to the public.

This opportunity offers the students remarkable insights.

— CHRISTOPHER PHILLIPS

SADA department chair, said. “You can’t lose when students get to see that kind of thing.”

The lectures are scheduled for Oct. 16. The first lecture, Two Illustrators, Two Stories will be from 10 a.m.–11:30 a.m. in DeMoss Hall 4040.

The second lecture, All about Art Licensing, will be 2:15–3:45 p.m. in the Grand Lobby of DeMoss Hall.

The book signing will

“We look forward to inviting two established illustrators to Liberty University who have mastered the art of storytelling,” Phillips, instructor of SADA, said.

“This opportunity offers the students remarkable insights for future career endeavors. Uniquely, this vein of work presents opportunities for students in both studio and digital arts.”

HUDSON is a news reporter.

70 students who came out here to support Israel to hear about the international issues,” Keith said. “It’s really excellent to have students standing up for a cause, and I’m really encouraged by it. It’s such an amazing turnout.”

Former Gov. Mike Huckabee also took the stage, sharing his heartfelt message to those in Israel.

“God doesn’t break his promise, and neither should the United States,” Huckabee said.

He shared the first experience he ever had when visiting Israel, explaining the feelings he had for the country had nothing to do with politics, but instead was completely spiritual.

“I fell in love with that country as a 17-year-old teenager,” Huckabee said.

Josh and Anna Duggar, along with congressional leaders, also came to speak,

Photo Provided

GRANT— Students given chance to learn from professionals.

highlighting the importance of standing with Israel in times of persecution and attack, whether physically or verbally.

The Senate Park began to fill up as the crowd came just in time for the Benham brothers, who received lots of laughs from the audience for their jokes about being twins. They shared their own experiences and support for Israel.

“We are honored and humbled that we are actually standing here with you and Israel,” David Benham said.

Benham explained the reasons behind the cancelation of their television show due to their Christian values.

“One of the things that got us fired was that we are pro-life,” Benham said. “Another thing that got us fired is that we are for marriage between a man and woman, but what did not get us fired, which no one knew about, was that we are pro-Israel.”

As an alumnus of Liberty, Benham also shared his joy to see so many students show up for the rally.

“It pleases me so much to sit there and look at all of the influencers in places of authority in our nation that are Liberty grads, and then to see the overwhelming outpour of the students,” Benham said.

“At the Values Voters Summit, I said, ‘Me and my brother are two of the most dangerous men in America. We watch Duck Dynasty. We eat at Chick-fil-A, we shop at Hobby Lobby, and we graduated from Liberty University.’”

The Benham brothers will be appearing in Convocation Wednesday, Oct. 8.

CREEKMORE is a news reporter.

9/26

ANDREWFREE BELLE for Students

8:30 P.M. $5 for the Public

10/7 ALL SONS & DAUGHTERS $7 for Students $10 for the Public

7:30 P.M.

10/14

INDELIBLE GRACE

Concert Ticket required for all admission 8 P.M. FREE

10/30

JOHN MARK MCMILLAN $5 for Students $7 for the Public

8 P.M.

LAHAYE EVENT SPACE CONCERTS

For ticket information, call (434) 582-SEAT or purchase online at www.Liberty.edu/SA. For more information, email studentactivities@liberty.edu or call (434) 592-3061

SPORTS

October 7, 2014

M. Soccer

Field Hockey

Volleyball

Volleyball

B1

Field Hockey

Radford

Liberty

Liberty

GWU

Liberty

UNC-A

Liberty

Longwood

Liberty

App. St.

2

0

3

0

3

1

8

1

10

0

Back to track

Richmond 46, Liberty 39 (2OT)

Alex Tichenor atichenor@liberty.edu Hannah Dixon hdixon@liberty.edu

Leah Seavers | Liberty Champion

CLUTCH — Wide reciever Darrin Peterson (13) brings down the first of his career-high three touchdown catches on the night.

Falling just short Flames lose double-OT heartbreaker in Rocco’s return Alex Tichenor atichenor@liberty.edu

On a night when Flames quarterback Josh Woodrum played one of the best all-around games of his career, it was his lone miscue that ended the game.

Richmond (3-2) sent an all-out blitz at the Liberty (3-3) quarterback on a thirdand-four in double overtime and Spiders linebacker blindsided Woodrum, popping the ball into the hands of linebacker Omar Howard to seal Richmond’s 46-39 victory. It was the only turnover of the game by either team.

In front of a Williams Stadium record Homecoming crowd of 20,838, Woodrum had career day on the ground,

rushing for more than 100 yards for the first time in his three years as a starter.

He finished with 108 yards and two touchdowns, while connecting with wide receiver Darrin Peterson three times through the air, ending up with a total of five scores. Peterson — the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) leader in receiving yards — finished the day with 11 catches for 136 yards en route to his fourth straight 100-yard effort.

“They really had lots of guts and thought they could guard one-on-one,” Peterson said. “And it wasn’t happening.”

In Richmond Head Coach Danny Rocco’s first trip to Liberty on the opposing sideline, it was evident the game was special for him. After the Spiders scored

their second touchdown of the game, Rocco decided to go for two, even though it was the first quarter. When Howard ended up with the ball to end the game, Rocco raised both hands above his head, fists clenched, the entire way to his midfield handshake with Flames Head Coach Turner Gill.

“It was one of the more special moments for me in my coaching career,” Rocco said. “I was out walking this morning, like I always do, and I saw a lot of friendly faces. A lot of people popped out of Starbucks or pulled off the road to say hi to me. You just can’t even imagine how that made me feel.”

See SHORT, B2

’Cats elude sweep Flames outscore Wildcats 13-6 over two games, but split series Ryley Rush rarush@liberty.edu

Whoever said numbers never lie did not watch much hockey.

Liberty University men’s division I (DI) hockey (5-0-2) and the University of Arizona (2-1-0) proved that this weekend, Oct. 3-4 in a 1-1 series split in which play transcended the scoreboard.

The Flames 8-0 game one win, for example, skewed the storyline to that of a Flames dominance. In reality, the tempo was fast right off the first puck drop.

Sophomore goalie Matt Pinel stole Arizona’s scoring chances, battling to stop every one of the Wildcats 32 shots on goal for a commanding shutout.

WE’LL SEE YOU AT THE GAME

Liberty 8, Arizona 0 Arizona 6, Liberty 5

“Yeah, it was a fun game,” Pinel said. “It was a strong start for our team, first time we’ve seen that all season, so that definitely took the pressure off me, and it was a good team effort.”

Friday’s starting forward line of Bram Erickson, Grant Garvin and Ryley Egan led the charge, throwing pucks on net and defensemen into the boards in a breakout offensive showing. “(The coaches) were talking about them just this week a little bit,” Head Coach Kirk Handy said of the line. “They’re three talented players who have been playing well and just haven’t been getting the breaks.

See ELUDE, B3

TICHENOR is the sports editor.

Courtney Russo | Liberty Champion

STILL STANDING — Danny Logan flies through falling defenders.

W. Soccer M. Soccer vs. High Point vs. Radford

Oct. 7 @ 6 p.m.

The person many people at Liberty know as Coach Cheromei, children in Kenya know as Coach Zion.

David Cheromei was hired to be an assistant coach for Liberty’s track and field and cross country teams earlier this year after five years away from the program.

From 2007 to 2009, Cheromei was a graduate assistant for the team.

“Everyone on the coaching staff knows Cheromei’s heart,” track and field and cross country Head Coach Brant Tolsma said. “I was praying that the Lord would direct (me) to who he wanted to be the next assistant coach, and God kept pointing back to David. I almost felt as if it wasn’t my choice, but the Lord’s choice.”

Tolsma described Cheromei as a servant leader who is willing to do anything that needs to be done.

There is no better evidence of that than Cheromei’s venture after his first stint at Liberty. After leaving the university in 2009, Cheromei returned to his native Kenya and founded an orphanage called Grace of God Children’s Project, which currently takes care of basic living and education needs of 17 children in his hometown of Eldoret.

An accomplished runner at NAIA school Virginia Intermont, winning three straight national titles in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, Cheromei almost stumbled into excelling as a runner. As a 5 year old, he would run a total of 20 miles a day just to go to school.

“I came from a background where you struggle, (so) you learn to multitask,” Cheromei said. “I learned to prioritize from a young age and all these things prepared me to balance everything.”

While it was a difficult decision for Cheromei to come back to Liberty, he feels as much at home in Lynchburg as anywhere. “‘Training Champions for Christ’ — you do not find another place where that is the first goal,” Cheromei said.

Some coaches have a disciplinarian philosophy on coaching, but Cheromei is much more relaxed in his views. “(I tell my runners to) have fun for God,” Cheromei said. “Don’t be too serious (that) you forget that it’s not about what you do, but it’s about God. It’s all about God, so just have fun.”

Cheromei also teaches the children involved in his project back home the basics of running, where he became known as Coach Zion.

No matter if it is Lynchburg or Kenya, Cheromei hopes to change people’s lives in more ways than one.

Oct. 8 @ 3 p.m.

DIXON is a sports reporter.

Volleyball vs. Campbell

M. Soccer Volleyball vs. High Point vs. American

Oct. 10 @ 7 p.m.

Oct. 11 @ 2 p.m.

Oct. 14 @ 7 p.m.

Follow @LUChampSports for Flames athletics coverage

sports

B2 | October 7, 2014 | Liberty Champion

Lady Flames dominate Tich’s Aanderud makes history in win over UNC-Asheville

Take Alex Tichenor atichenor@liberty.edu

America loves the NFL. So it makes sense for the NFL to have a game on Thursdays. The more football, the better, right?

Wrong.

On paper, Thursday Night Football is great.

For the consumer, it gives more football to watch during a part of the week that normally is void of it. For CBS and the NFL, it TICHENOR makes extra money.

Win-win. Except nobody bothered to ask the players.

In other sports, players can play every other day and perform at near 100 percent.

Football is a different story. Other sports require padding primarily to protect athletes from the ball, puck, etc. that is being used for the game. Football players wear padding to protect themselves from each other. And still, that hardly works.

The horror stories from former NFL players playing through injuries with a full week of rest would make the toughest meathead cringe.

Jason Taylor, former Pro Bowl defensive end for the Miami Dolphins, gave an account of his multiple injuries and gruesome “treatments” to the Miami Herald’s Dan Le Batard. Taylor detailed one particular case of being treated for torn tissues in both feet before a game. Trainers gave him a towel to put in his mouth so he would not scream or bite his tongue while they gave him shots in the bottom of his feet.

“You can’t kill the foot because then it is just a dead nub,” Taylor said. “You’ve got to get the perfect mix (of anesthesia).

I was crying and screaming. I’m sweating just speaking about it now.”

Taylor told the Herald that he could not put his kids to bed for almost two years because he could not bend over far enough to tuck them in without his usual concoction of painkilling remedies that was given to him for football games. Somehow, Taylor is still in one piece.

And that was without playing on a short week — a short week with three days less of recovery time than normal.

Injury concerns are hardly the only problem with Thursday night games. Mark Cuban, billionaire entrepreneur and owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, hypothesized that the NFL could be oversaturating an already NFL-dominated sports market with weekly Thursday night games.

“Just watch,” Cuban said to a group of reporters back in March. “Pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered. When you try to take it too far, people turn the other way. I’m just telling you, when you’ve got a good thing and you get greedy, it always, always, always, always, always turns on you. That’s rule number one of business.”

Too much of anything is a bad thing.

Consumers might be eating the NFL up right now, but if they continue to be force fed, their tastes might change.

For the good of everyone, NFL — the players, the fans and the league — do not let the pig get too fat.

TICHENOR is the sports editor.

Sarah Rodriguez srodriguez70@liberty.edu

Liberty 8, UNC-Asheville 0

Junior midfielder Brittany Aanderud made history as the Lady Flames soccer team (6-3-1, 2-0-1 Big South) defeated the visiting Bulldogs of UNC-Asheville (6-4-1, 1-1-1 Big South) in an 8-0 shutout Wednesday, Oct. 1.

With two assists bringing her career total to 21, Aanderud surpassed the program record for most assists by any Liberty women’s soccer player. Nancy Davis (1998-2001) held the previous record with 20 assists.

“I am just humbled by (the record),” Aanderud said. “I‘m just thankful my teammates can score.”

After almost 20 minutes of scoreless play to open the match, the Lady Flames were the first to get on the board with a goal by senior midfielder Rebeccah Smith. Smith netted the goal after receiving a cross from freshman forward Jennifer Knoebel.

The Lady Flames built on their 1-0 lead with goals by freshman defender Jordan Ketzel and junior midfielder Madison Kauzlarich to take a 3-0 lead into halftime.

Ketzel’s goal in the 38th minute was her first of the season and the first of her career at Liberty. Yet, she still stressed the contributions of her teammates.

“It was exciting,” Ketzel said. “But, if it wasn’t for Brittany (Aanderud) crossing that perfect ball, there’s no way I would have gotten it.”

Entering the second half with a solid lead, Head Coach Jessica Hain said the Lady Flames worked to refine their skills and keep the pressure on the Bulldogs.

“We’ve been working a lot on some different offensive tactics,” Hain said.

“At the half, our goal was to think about the details and try to execute those details well and our girls did an excellent job of that.”

SHORT continued from B1 The former Liberty head coach’s trip nearly became a nightmare after a late-game clock management blunder gave Liberty a glimpse of hope to send the game to overtime. Rocco called a timeout with 11 seconds remaining to give kicker Peter Yoder a 22-yard field goal to take a 25-22 lead, but still gave the Flames seven seconds to set up John Lunsford for a game-tying field goal. A bad kickoff and a 22-yard Gabe Henderson catch later, and Lunsford booted a conference-record 60-yard field goal through the uprights as time expired to tie the game.

“At first, I didn’t even realize what happened,” Lunsford said. “I just started running around. I didn’t know what to think. It was an honor to just have a chance to attempt it.”

Rocco admitted postgame that Lunsford’s kick could have been avoided with better clock management and better execution on the ensuing kickoff, where Yoder’s shallow kick gave the Flames the ball at their own 35-yard line.

“In a do-over, I’d do it

Leah Seavers | Liberty Champion

LOCK DOWN — Maddie Boone (2) keeps the ball away from UNC-Asheville.

The Lady Flames responded well, netting five more goals in the second half, including two by junior forward Jaime Bouffard and two by senior forward Alanna Dunkle. Dunkle scored both her goals 16 seconds apart in the 77th minute to secure the victory for the Lady Flames.

Junior forward Crystal Elmers also added a goal in the second half.

The Lady Flames kept the pressure on the Bulldogs throughout the entire game, registering 18 shots on goal and seven corner kicks.

Lady Flames redshirt sophomore goalie Holly Van Noord was replaced in the 58th minute by redshirt freshman Tori Collar. The goalies combined for five saves. Van Noord remains one shutout short of the school record for most career shutouts held by Karen

differently,” Rocco said. “I looked at where the ball was, the ball was sitting right on the extra point line. I did not want to run another play and then use the timeout. I probably got a little bit quick to go and take that timeout immediately like I did.”

The Flames struck first in overtime, with Woodrum lofting a fade right into Peterson’s hands for the third time of the evening to give the Flames their first lead of the game. Richmond did not take long to strike back, with Seth Fisher finding daylight down the middle for a 16-yard touchdown to send the game into a second extra period. Fisher scored his fourth touchdown of the game in the second overtime from one yard out — he had two rushing and two receiving scores to go along with 155 total yards — but the Flames still had a chance to answer. Three plays later, Woodrum was intercepted, ending the game.

“More than anything, they just did one play more than we did tonight,” Woodrum said. “I was really proud of how our guys responded. Last year, we had a double-overtime loss to

Blocker (2008-2012), who recorded 20 in her career.

Aanderud acknowledged the importance of earning a win against a formidable UNC Asheville team they could possibly see again in the Big South tournament. “(This win) was actually big-time,” Aanderud said. “(UNC-Asheville) was actually ranked above us, so it was really crucial for us to get the win.”

The Lady Flames tacked a 2-0 victory over Presbyterian on Oct. 4 to keep their undefeated steak at six games. Big South foe Radford comes to town Oct. 8 looking to put an end to the Lady Flames recent winning ways.

RODRIGUEZ is a sports reporter.

Coastal (Carolina) and ended up winning five straight, so I don’t think this is going to slow us down. If anything, this is going to motivate us more.”

Liberty will look to begin a winning streak when it travels to Appalachian State (1-4) Oct. 11, where it will take on a struggling Mountaineers team in their Homecoming game.

The last time the Flames and Mountaineers clashed back in 2002, Appalachian State came away with a 29-22 victory.

TICHENOR is the sports editor.

FYI John Lunsford’s 60-yard gametying field goal came in at No. 4 on ESPN’s SportsCenter Top 10 plays on Saturday.

Liberty vs. Richmond

By the Numbers

2-0

Former Liberty head coach Danny Rocco’s record against the Flames.

4

Consecutive 100-yard games for Flames wide receiver Darrin Peterson, one game short of tying a program record.

0

Third down conversions for the Flames against the Spiders. Richmond went 13-19 on third downs.

sports

Liberty Champion | October 7, 2014 | B3

Standing (and shining) out

Group of four students dress up in paint and glitter for home football games Gregory Castel gcastel@liberty.edu

There might not be many students who know the names of Abby Ponder, Daniel LaLonde, Josh Rich, and Margo Kollman, but those who have been to a Liberty football game have probably seen them.

Since the fall of 2012, these four students have brought creativity to the atmosphere of Flames football games by wearing glitter from head to toe.

“Originally, it was Josh (Rich)’s idea,” LaLonde said. “He always comes up with these ridiculous ideas that he wants to get done, and they’re always insane.

There was never a chance of us doing them.”

According to LaLonde, the glitter idea was first conjured by football fans at Florida State University. After it became popular at other schools, Rich suggested they start the

ELUDE continued from B1 Tonight, they finally had them.”

Garvin scored just over a minute into the game on an assist from Egan, who found

Courtney Russo | Liberty Champion

PAINT UP — One of the “Glitter Guys” prepares for the game. “glitter guys” at Liberty.

They emailed the students who began the glitter trend at Florida State and received gracious replies with pointers on how to put it

the back of the net himself just minutes later with some help from defenseman Chase Harris. Before the end of the period, Garvin got his second goal — this time, assisted by Erickson and captain Matt Sherry.

Courtney Russo | Liberty Champion

STEADY — Senior Cam Bakker (44) controls the puck.

on properly. They ran with it and have been getting progressively better at the glitter ritual.

For some of the “Glitter Guys,” it will be their last year glittering

“I think it’s just starting to click now that we’ve been playing with each other for a while,” Egan said of his line’s chemistry.

Luke Hannon and Luke Simon each netted a goal in the second period off crisp passes from linemate Lindsay LeBlanc. In the third period, Sherry put one away, assisted by Erickson and Harris. Kyle Garcia scored unassisted, and in a final burst, Egan put his second in the net on Erickson’s third assist of the evening.

The Wildcats came out on top in faceoff percentages Friday, making avoiding penalties and winning pucks off the drop the improvements the

up for the games. The bunch has added a few friends who are willing to go through the process of completely covering their bodies with red, white or blue glitter.

With a method that involves acrylic paint, Elmer’s glue and hairspray, each member of the gang takes a total of approximately two hours to get the ideal look.

“It’s just easier to get in early by doing Gillville to paint up in the stadium,” Ponder said. “Sometimes though, it gets too windy, so when you’re blowing the glitter, it goes everywhere instead of where you want it on your body.

So that’s why we go to the East Tunnel, and then there is glitter there on the floor for the next few months.”

Many people have seen these fans in glitter and asked to have their photo taken with them.

Though their faces are masked, the glitter guys have definitely built a reputation at the football games with their appearance.

Flames needed to make heading into game two.

And they made them.

The Flames won just under 58 percent of their faceoffs and sat just seven times.

But, once again, the scoreboard told a different story.

The Wildcats won the game 6-5 in a shootout despite another concerted Flames effort. After the rough nature of the previous night’s game, both teams’ play was less sharp.

While Liberty decreased its penalty minutes, Arizona was more advantageous netting four power-play goals.

After a back-and-forth first period, the Flames poured it on in the second, scoring four goals to take a 5-2 lead into the final

“I think one of my favorite things about it is people’s reaction,” Ponder said. “When we get there, we just start walking down the steps of the stadium, and you just see heads turning and hear gasps. I would probably have the same reaction if I was looking at someone who came in like that.”

They have received recognition from all kinds of people, including President Jerry Falwell and his wife Becki Falwell. They have also been a big hit on social media.

“The glitter guys have a reputation to give the crowd good energy and fire,” Liberty junior Jonathan Gulick said.

The Flames next home game is Oct. 25 against Gardner-Webb, and fans can expect to see a few students there on the front rows at Williams Stadium, reflecting a little more of the sunlight than the average person.

CASTEL is a sports reporter.

period. But Arizona responded with poise, netting three goals in the third — two on power plays — to send the game to overtime.

After a scoreless extra period, the Wildcats bested the Flames 2-1 in a shootout to secure the win.

“It’s a collective team effort thing that we’ve got to address, especially late in the game,” Handy said. “We let them back in it by taking two penalties.”

Considering that the team did, statistically speaking, play smarter Saturday than Friday, though, the loss seemed extra tough to swallow. While coaches and players alike took full responsibility for the outcome of the game, the calls

on both ends of the ice seemed spotty at times, and the refs waved off an early Flames goal that would have changed the outcome of the game.

“Here’s the thing, (the loss) was on us, it wasn’t on the refs,” Handy said. “It’s about team effort.”

While the scoreboard did not show it, the Flames improvement throughout the weekend says their frustration will be put to good use in next weekend’s matchup with Minot State University.

Liberty will travel to take on the Beavers both Friday and Saturday, Oct. 10 and 11 at 7 p.m.

RUSH is a sports reporter.

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sports

B4 | October 7, 2014 | Liberty Champion

‘That’s just Sachem’

Junior forward Sachem Wilson is playing in his best season with the Flames

Nate Haywood nahaywood@liberty.edu

When the Liberty Flames men’s soccer team matched up against the Howard Bison in September, the Flames were maintaining a 1-0 lead. Then, midfielder Bay Kurtz sent the ball to junior forward Sachem Wilson. Wilson maneuvered past a defender and struck the ball just beyond the outstretched arm of the Howard goaltender.

His teammates began to celebrate and embrace him as he bolted toward the bleachers. He then raised his right arm and placed his other arm across it, forming, as he says, “the cross of Christ.”

He went on to score one more goal and repeated his celebration ritual.

“Ever since I can remember, that’s been my celebration,” Wilson said. “People see that and they wonder.

But if they know, then they know that I’m giving the credit to (God). And if they don’t know, well, that’s a chance to share the gospel.”

As Head Coach Jeff Alder put it, “That’s just Sachem.”

Wilson began playing soccer when he was 4 years old. His father was the chaplain and bench coach at Brown University, exposing him to the sport at an early age. His father let him experience a variety of sports so Wilson could have a choice, but there was something special about soccer.

“He just wanted me to choose something so that I would have something

to do,” Wilson said. “Obviously I liked soccer the most, because they let me walk on the field after the games. While they were playing, they let me use the practice fields. Apparently I always thought when the crowd was cheering, they were cheering for me.”

While this crowd was not cheering for Wilson, one eventually would be.

Eight years after his time running around on the practice field at Brown, he eventually made his way to something bigger. Professional soccer player and former U.S. Men’s National Team goaltender Brad Friedel started a boarding school-style soccer academy in Friedel’s hometown in Ohio — an academy for which the 12-year-old-Wilson applied. “(Friedel) went all around the world searching for players and brought them in for free,” Wilson said. “Everything was paid for. Basically, what (Friedel) was trying to do was funnel players into the (professional leagues).”

Wilson’s application was one of 24 to be accepted into the Premier Soccer Academy (PSA). However, his time there did not last long. According to Wilson, PSA was shut down due to the economic crash in 2008.

Friedel simply could not pay for it any longer, which meant Wilson had to attend school elsewhere.

Fortunately for Wilson, his father had taken an assistant coaching job with the soccer team at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy (CVCA),

Courtney Russo| Liberty Champion

HEART— Sachem Wilson has scored a team-leading 14 goals over the course of the 2013 and 2014 seasons. the school that Wilson’s mother had been praying he would attend.

According to liberty.edu/ flames, Wilson set a school record with 64 goals and led the CVCA Royals to the Ohio state championship game in 2009. But what made Wilson more appealing to schools such as Liberty were his contributions off the soccer field.

He was involved in a variety of outreach programs, such as Golden Acres Nursing Home and Urban Vision Ministry, according to liberty.edu/flames.

However, the program he enjoyed the most was the Boy Scouts, in which he

eventually earned the Eagle Scout rank. Wilson said engaging in these extracurricular activities provided him with a much-needed balance between soccer and his personal life. His involvement in the community along with his on-field success earned him the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Senior Excellence Award in 2011.

Toward the end of his junior year, the recruiting process began. Ever since he was young, he wanted to go to the University of Notre Dame. But once again, his mother continued to pray that he attend a

school focused on God — Liberty University.

“I went (to College for a Weekend), and at first, I didn’t know what to expect,” Wilson said. “But when I got here, I (thought), ‘Man, this is exactly like my high school.’ You could just feel the spirit of the Lord (at Liberty). … Then I was sold.”

After three days on Liberty’s campus, he had chosen his college during his junior year of high school, and Alder could not have been happier.

“You can see he’s a generous guy,” Alder said. “He refreshes others. He brings life and adds value to oth-

ers. We were very impressed with his character.”

He continued to praise Wilson for his unmatched work ethic and “outstanding leadership qualities.”

Wilson is now the leading goal scorer for the Flames this season and has the second most shots in the Big South Conference.

Wilson, along with the rest of the Flames, gives his all each day on the field. Now, when Wilson hears fans cheering, he knows that they are, in fact, cheering for him.

HAYWOOD is the asst. sports editor.

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feature

Liberty Champion | October 7, 2014 | B5

Lauren Adriance | Liberty Champion

FAREWELL — Liberty alumna Jane Marczewski sang at the Canvas in Lynchburg and said goodbye to her fans before leaving Lynchburg for Nashville, Tennessee.

Alumna pursues music

Marczewski performs final concert in Lynchburg to thank fans for support Tobi Walsh twalsh12@liberty.edu

It is hard for Jane Marczewski to walk through the Liberty University campus without being recognized.

For the Liberty alumna who graduated in 2013, these last moments in Lynchburg are more than simple hellos or a stroll through campus. They are goodbyes, as Marczewski packs her bags for Nashville, Tennessee, where she feels she can grow into a better artist.

“I was so against going,” Marczewski said. “I thought it was so cliché. I thought there had to be some other city. But when I (visited), I was so in love with the people and the culture.

There is such a community for independent artists.”

Before leaving, the musician held a farewell concert at Can-

vas, an entertainment venue in Lynchburg, on Oct. 4, complete with free root beer floats and cotton candy.

“The show was everything I wanted it to be,” Marczewski said.

More than 200 people attended Marczewski’s final concert in Lynchburg, and a portion of the proceeds went to Lynchburg’s Lighhouse Ministries, which helps support children in the downtown Lynchburg area.

“I grew up in a privileged home with a supportive family,” Marczewski said. “It was a safe place to grow. Some of those kids (who come to Lighthouse) don’t have that. They need someone to believe in them.”

Marczewski said the event raised more than $200 and some people donated extra as they headed out the door.

“I felt so much love and support from the crowd,” Marczewski said. “I believe they would have loved it (even) if we bombed. It was so special to be together in a room with so many who have been with me since I started.”

However, when the Ohio native arrived in Lynchburg, she never planned to have a career in music.

“I graduated with a degree in advertising and public relations,” Marczewski said. “Music was one of those secret dreams you never say out loud because it’s not practical.”

It was not until halfway through her time at Liberty that her music career began to grow.

“I started having fun with it,” Marczewski said. “I started putting my songs online, doing shows, and everything just snowballed from there.”

Marczewski said it was a strug-

gle when she realized that God was calling her to turn her love and passion for music into something more than a hobby, especially right after she had graduated with a degree in a field that was completely different than the one to which God was leading her.

“Growing up, I always did what was expected of me,” Marczewski said. “Doing something like this was so unlike me.

But I really learned that God sometimes calls us not to live practical lives.”

Despite doing something very different than she originally planned, Marczewski said graduating with an advertising degree still helps her with her music.

“Everything I did for the farewell show, I learned through being a Public Relations major,” Marczewski said. “It’s why I created the #FarewellJane and mar-

keted the event.”

Marczewski said she will miss Lynchburg, a place that makes her feel like everyone is rooting for her.

“Lynchburg is an amazing city,” Marczewski said. “It feels like all the creatives are on one side and really pushed me to be where I am today.”

Though Marczewski is headed to Nashville, she has another stop to make first.

“I’m heading home to Ohio first,” Marczewski said. “I get to spend some time with my family, write and just really process this whole Lynchburg thing.”

For more information about Marczewski and her music, visit her Facebook page or JaneMarczewski.com.

WALSH is a feature reporter.

feature

B6 | October 7, 2014 | Liberty Champion

Taking a brave stand Zibandeh Abedini decides to trust God rather than deny her Christian faith Rachael Graf rgraf5@liberty.edu

Zibandeh Abedini understands what Jesus meant when he told his disciples to count the cost in Luke 14:25-34.

Originally from Tehran, Iran, Abedini was not always a disciple. She was a Shiite Muslim for the first 16 years of her life.

“Being a Muslim girl, I never thought I would one day share about my Christian faith,” Abedini said.

Her father worked for the government and was tasked with transporting hajjis (Muslim pilgrims) to Mecca in Saudi Arabia for the hajj — the sacred journey to the Kaaba, the holiest mosque in Islam — every year. Her mother was a teacher in a local mosque who volunteered with its widow and orphan ministry.

Abedini was first exposed to Christianity at the age of 6, when her family lived next door to a Christian church. She recalled watching the parishioners stream in and out of the building.

“I loved those people,” Abedini said. “I could feel that there was something different in their (lives), but I couldn’t recognize (what it was).”

One day, without her parents’ knowledge, Abedini entered the church, her eyes immediately drawn to a huge cross hanging on the wall. She remembers seeing hymn books and Bibles, but did not understand their purpose.

The image of the cross, however, stayed in her mind, even after her family moved away.

Three years later, Abedini sat in a classroom in her radical Islamic school, listening to her teacher speak about Jesus, who is revered as a prophet and a miracle worker in Islam.

Memories of the church where she first gazed upon the cross came flooding back and she told a nearby friend, “I’m a Christian.”

Abedini’s teacher overheard the remark and reported the incident to her mother, who expressed surprise and concern at her daughter’s shocking statement.

After school, Abedini’s parents explained to her that she was a Muslim because God called her to be one. If he had wanted her to be a Christian, she would have been born one.

Seven years later, at age 16, Abedini returned with her brother, Saeed — who is now a pastor imprisoned in Iran — to the church where she first experienced Christianity, and faced the same cross.

Listening to the sermon, her tears flowed freely, without explanation.

“I could feel something touching my heart, but I didn’t know what it was,” Abedini said.

Abedini began talking with her brother about Christianity and the Jesus that troubled her.

“It was a huge challenge in my life to make that decision to accept Christ,” Abedini said. “… I was in bondage.”

Questions about eternity, God’s identity and Jesus plagued

her, and no one could really answer them.

Six months later, she had a vision.

In the vision, she was in the desert in a glass room. Another man, an Arab, was standing beside her. Outside the glass, another man was walking away from them through the desert.

The Arab man asked her if she knew the other man’s identity. He began calling names of Muslim prophets and imams.

The man in the desert kept walking. But suddenly, Abedini heard a voice say, “Call him Jesus.”

Abedini told the Arab man she knew who the other man was — “Jesus.”

The man walking through the desert turned and gazed into her eyes. He was smiling. Abedini knew who Jesus was. And she knew she wanted to follow him.

“I had to make lots of huge decisions in my life daily,” Abedini said.

“Everything changed.”

Abedini began reading her Bible at school, even during Ramadan, the holiest month in Islam.

Discovered by a teacher, Abedini was reported to the principal, who then asked her in front of all her classmates if she was a Christian.

“Yes,” Abedini said. “I am a Christian.”

Abedini said that moment began a series of important decisions in her life.

It was time to tell her parents about her newfound faith.

“The first decision I had to make was to stand in front of my parents and pronounce my faith to them,” Abedini said.

Abedini said her father gave her the silent treatment for six months afterward.

“It (is) so hard to see your relationship with your family broken,” Abedini said.

“But Jesus said, ‘You will lose your family, you will lose your friends, you will lose your job.’”

Two years later, Abedini and her sister were arrested for sharing the gospel publically. Abedini feared the possibility of prison, where rape and abuse were not uncommon.

“Sometimes it was hard,” Abedini said.

“When I look back, I say, ‘Wow, it was powerful how God led my way, step by step.’”

At age 24, Abedini left Iran to study at Calvary Chapel Bible College in York, England. The Iranian government learned of her whereabouts and began following her.

“The only choice I had was clinging on to Jesus because I didn’t have my family,” Abedini said. “I didn’t have anything but fears and anxiety. Everywhere was dark.”

One night, God shone his light in her darkness.

Abedini was in her room, praying and reading her Bible, when God spoke to her.

“I could hear God talking to me personally,” Abedini said. “He said, ‘Trust me. I’m your Lord, leading your life by my hands.’

All the anxiety was taken away, and he filled me with his peace. I could feel from my head to my toes that he was covering me.”

That peace, Abedini said, was lasting.

Her confidence was renewed.

“We read in the Bible, ‘Trust in the Lord,’” Abedini said. “But when I went

Rachael Graf | Liberty Champion

STRONG — Zibandeh Abedini put her life on the line for her Savior. through that trial, I didn’t have anyone to trust. No one was in my life. The only one was Jesus. It was hard, because I couldn’t see anything, but I felt like he was the only one I could trust.”

Shortly thereafter, Abedini’s lawyer advised her to leave England for safety reasons. She transferred to the Murrieta, California, campus of Calvary Chapel Bible College in January 2013, where she spent two semesters.

Following her time in California, Abedini lived with her brother’s family in Boise, Idaho, for several months before transferring to Liberty University.

Now 28, Abedini is studying psychology with a concentration in counseling and human development, in hopes of reaching both Muslims and former Muslims like herself.

“They’re blind. They don’t know. They’re living in the darkness,” Abedini said.

Abedini said Christians must reach out in love to Muslims, something that can only be taught by Christ.

“Loving Muslims comes by sitting at

STYLE continued from B8

Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion

FRIGHT — Scaremare presents gospel in creative ways.

SCARE continued from B8 the gospel message, which sometimes proves to be logistically difficult on site at Scaremare.

“We’re thinking if we get kids going to a website that’s just crystal clear on the message, that would be a huge step in the right direction,” Vandergriff said.

All attendees will receive an I Am Second wrist band, which is designed to drive students to the website, according to Vandergriff.

While many changes have been made to Scaremare over the years, the purpose of the event remains the same. “(T)his is my 14th year

doing it and the purpose is evangelism and outreach,” Vandergriff said. “I think a part of my goal is that I want whoever comes through here to have a good time. I want to make sure they’re getting the value for the price of the ticket, and then that it will give us the opportunity to talk about Christ.”

Tickets for Scaremare are $8, but college students and military personnel with a valid ID can attend for $3 every Thursday night.

For more information on Scaremare, visit liberty.edu/ scaremare.

BUNNER is a feature reporter.

“As soon as I got a website, people started taking me more seriously,” Phillips said. “People can contact you through forms, and it’s a good way to get your foot in the door.”

In April, Phillips was able to showcase her work at a conference in Philadelphia. She also designed the cover for an up-and-coming author’s new teen novel, “Between Us and the Moon.” She said the author discovered her work through Instagram.

One of Phillips’ prints, “Modesty is Treating your Beauty with Dignity,” which the coordinator of a camp found on Phillips’ website, was used in conjunction with a camp that taught young girls the importance of being modest.

Phillips used the example of the “Modesty” commission to teach students the importance of dealing with commissioned works.

“It’s important to have a contract,” Phillips said. “You don’t want people going out and making several copies of your work without your knowledge and making a profit off it.”

Phillips also advised students to carefully organize the works they show online.

“Find your style,” Phillips said.

“Curate what you want the audience to see. Make sure you give them exactly what they want, and you will have a following, which will

Jesus’ feet and receiving from him the instructions on how to reach Muslims, because God has different instructions for each one of us,” Abedini said. “Hearing from his heart helps us to minister to Muslims. If we never hear from the Lord, it is hard to reach Muslims.”

Now Christians, Abedini’s parents are living for Jesus in a culture hostile to him.

Crediting God for her boldness, Abedini is not afraid to share her faith and testimony with anyone who will listen.

“He gave me a story, and he’s using that story,” Abedini said.

Although walking with Christ under the threat of persecution and death is difficult, it is truly the most rewarding path, according to Abedini.

“I could have chosen to deny my faith several times … and just had a normal life like others,” Abedini said. “But I decided to stand for my faith.”

GRAF is a feature reporter.

ultimately grow and really help you in your business endeavors.”

After sharing about her beginnings and success stories, Phillips demonstrated the basics of hand lettering.

She encouraged students to be patient while drawing.

“You may erase 15 times and that’s OK,” Phillips said. “You don’t want to settle for mediocrity. You want to maintain a standard of excellence. ...

If you keep at it, you will grow.”

Phillips was surprised with the attendance at the event.

“It was great to see so many stu-

dents interested in learning how to enhance their skillsets,” Phillips said. “I know we have a great number of hardworking students, so it was no surprise that they were there, wanting to learn, but it was surprising to see a room built for 40 people hold over 100.”

For more information about the SADA department and future AIGA events, visit liberty.edu/sada. For more information on Phillips’ work, visit cleverandbright.com.

MAURER is a feature reporter.

Kelsey Phillips

ART — Kelsey Phillips encouraged students to showcase their work online.

feature

Liberty Champion | October 7, 2014 | B7

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FEATURE

October 7, 2014

Pray daily Volunteers reach out Shae Weyant sleitz@liberty.edu

The Liberty University Prayer Center is a place where thousands of prayers are being poured upon the entire student body, according to Prayer Center Manager and Campus Pastor Tim Voogd.

According to the Prayer Center’s Facebook page, the mission of the center is “to encourage, comfort, intercede and uplift people by walking with them into the throne room of almighty God and presenting their requests through prayer.” It is a mission that Voogd tries to live by daily.

Voogd said he enjoys managing the Prayer Center because he has the privilege of meeting many caring and supportive students.

“I love it, because I get to meet a group of students who are here to care about other people and care through this very quiet ministry because they want to,” Voogd said. “This is the student that says, ‘Publically, I can come and quietly make an eternal difference by praying for people each week.’”

The Prayer Center could be described as Liberty’s best-kept secret, according to Voogd, and is a behindthe-scenes type of department that currently houses 12 student workers and about 40 Christian/Community Service workers that pray for individuals all over Liberty’s campus.

However, the student workers at the Prayer Center do not just pray over the requests that come in.

If given the opportunity, they will reach out to the students and pray for them right on the spot, according to Voogd.

Encouraging cards are also written and given out to various members of the Liberty family, such as athletes, student leaders and RA’s, according to Voogd.

Last year, more than 1,000 cards were sent.

“It’s a very quiet, ‘I-knowthat-it’s-going-to-make-a difference,’ kind of attitude in writing the card(s),” Voogd said.

According to Voogd, each prayer request that comes in is distributed among many volunteers at the Prayer Center, which results in multiple people praying for each request.

“People have been praying, and so that slowly adds up over the months and you’ll see 30 (to) 40 people through the months praying for that specific person,” Voogd said.

Voogd and the rest of the Prayer Team said they want everyone to experience the love and support offered by the Prayer Center. Voogd said the Prayer Center could benefit from additional volunteers in order to increase the number of people who will be praying over the campus.

Students may submit their prayer requests by emailing the Prayer Center at prayercenter@liberty.edu or filling out a form on the Prayer Center website.

WEYANT is a feature reporter.

Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion

MESSAGE — Scaremare enlists student volunteers every October to create a haunted trail and house in order to present the gospel.

Prepare to scare Liberty will host annual Scaremare event to reach community Ashley Bunner abunner@liberty.edu

Scaremare is slinking back into action Thursday, Oct. 9 and will continue to run every Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 9-25.

Scaremare takes attendees on a journey, passing through creepy trails, dark woods and eventually entering the houses. According to Scaremare’s official website, the event is a way for Liberty to creatively present death scenes and ask the question, “What happens after I die?”

In the last two years, Scaremare has seen major changes to the event. This year, attendees can expect to see some changes to the wooded areas as well as some thematic differences in the second building, according to Steve Vandergriff, Scaremare director.

“The … other building is going to be a little more thematic, and what we mean by that is it’s going to be a little more message than fright,” Vandergriff said.

According to Vandergriff, there will not

be a high amount of drama as in some Christian haunted houses. Rather, the thematic elements will be more realistic.

“We’re finding out that we need to … settle the students down so that when they get into our preaching area, they’re more receptive ... after being scared to death,” Vandergriff said.

Last year, Scaremare had just under 25,000 visitors, and the year before that, 25,000-plus people were in attendance. According to Vandergriff, the number in attendance is largely determined by the weather.

“We don’t care about the temperature, but if we have dry weather, we’ll be good,” Vandergriff said. “But if it’s wet, it will impact our attendance dramatically.”

Scaremare attracts a wide variety of visitors every year, some of them from out of state. “(B)esides Virginia, I would say North Carolina is definitely a high attendance state, but I’ve seen them from Delaware, Pennsylvania and West Virginia,” Vandergriff said. “One year, we had a group — this was

their destination — from Florida.”

Scaremare is run mostly by Liberty student volunteers.

“We think we’re (using) 120 to 150 (students) each night,” Vandergriff said.

Once attendees have reached their journey’s end, they are brought into tents where the message of the gospel is presented by Liberty students. This year, Scaremare is partnering with a ministry called I Am Second in order to carry the discussion of the gospel further after attendees have left the preaching tents. “(The I Am Second) website … I think is extremely relevant for teenagers and students,” Vandergriff said. “Our intent is to present faith in Christ at the end, but when (attendees) leave, … hopefully we’ll drive students to that website.”

According to Vandergriff, partnering with I Am Second is a way to improve follow-up with

See SCARE, B6

Writing with style Instructor Kelsey Phillips holds creative hand lettering workshop Emma Jane Maurer emaurer@liberty.edu

Designing letters and logos in an artistic way can be a creative outlet for many, and on Thursday, Sept.

25, students had the chance to attend a workshop to improve those hand lettering skills.

The workshop was hosted in conjunction with the Liberty chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Arts’ (AIGA) monthly meeting.

Kelsey Phillips, an instructor of Studio and Digital Arts (SADA), taught the workshop.

“We thought it would be fun to do something more hands-on, like a workshop, for a future meeting,” Phillips said. “Hand lettering is so prevalent, but people don’t necessarily know how they can make it function.”

Phillips began the meeting by showing some of her earliest

works as a way to teach students that “we all start somewhere.”

“I knew a lot of people did some really crazy stuff to letters, so I thought I’d just throw in some embellishments,” Phillips said.

“And that’s OK to start with. We all have a different style and a different approach. But it’s OK to have things that really progress as you move on through. If we were all great at what we did right away, there would be no growth.”

Phillips has come a long way since her first drawing of a number series on a plane and her first “Happy Birthday” script. In March, Phillips launched her own brand, Clever and Bright Lettering and Paper Goods.

“I’m really blessed because it was something I wanted to do,” Phillips said. “I really wanted to experiment with it, but I had no idea where it could actually go.

There were a lot of avenues that

Dale Carty | Liberty Champion

DESIGN — Kelsey Phillips demonstrated hand lettering techniques.

I had no idea were going to be opened for me through this actual learning thing.”

While showcasing her current work, Phillips encouraged stu-

dents to build a web presence, something that has helped her achieve success.

See STYLE, B6