Winter 2022 Ambassador Magazine

the

ambassador

the magazine of ozark christian college

READY TO GO WINTER 2022 PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE It’s more than our campaign.

It’s our calling. p. 4 FOOTPRINTS OF FAITH A new column from President Proctor, because “those who’ve stood the test of time will help us stand that same test.” p. 14 MISSIONS MUST-READS Book recommendations from OCC’s intercultural studies professors p. 27

YOUR MISSION IS OUT THERE. Training starts here.

Biblical Foundation Christian Community Global Service Affordable Cost Residential & Online Undergraduate & Graduate

CONTENTS TO INSPIRE President’s Perspective Matt Proctor

“One of the great joys of my 25 years has been watching ‘Before’ pictures develop into ‘After’ pictures…”

Featured Theme Amy Storms

A conversation with OCC’s Chris DeWelt and Brice Wurdeman

Bible Words Jon Kehrer

An in-depth look at the language of Scripture

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Ambassador Spotlight: Derek Smith Amy Storms

“I had a new lens, and I could never go back.

It was like living on a whole new planet.”

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TO INFORM Heard in Chapel

Snapshots from recent messages in OCC’s chapel

Footprints of Faith Matt Proctor

An all-new column highlighting church history heroes

The Big Picture

A snapshot of life around campus

Campus News

Recent happenings at OCC

Meet Your OCC Family

Introducing Ozark professor, Darrin King

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TO CONNECT Your Partnership

Legacy, memorial, and tribute gifts from our generous donors

Here’s an Idea

Missions must-reads from OCC intercultural studies professors

Alumni News

Updates from alumni around the world

One More Thing Amy Storms

A final thought from our editor

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

Design: Lauren White Creative

Contributing Editors: Kathy Bowers, Matt Proctor, Amy Storms Photography: Zach Harder, Mark Neuenschwander

Contact: Ozark Christian College 1111 N. Main Joplin, MO 64801 hello@occ.edu

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The mission of Ozark Christian College is to train men and women for Christian service as a degree-granting institution of biblical higher education. The vision of Ozark Christian College is to glorify God by evangelizing the lost and edifying Christians worldwide. Ozark Christian College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Ozark Christian College is also accredited by the Commission of Accreditation of the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education.

Ozark Christian College admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other school-administered programs.

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

READY TO GO:

IT’S MORE THAN OUR CAMPAIGN— IT’S OUR CALLING

Matt Proctor

I love watching heroes-in-the-making.

Of course, I always wanted to be a hero-in-the-making. As a child, I was profoundly unheroic, a glasses-wearing nerdy kid with pencil-thin arms and a paper-thin chest. Do you remember the old TV show Family Matters? I was a white Steve Urkel.

But when Superman swooped into the theaters (the 1978 Christopher Reeve classic), my eight-year-old imagination was captured! I too wanted to fly like the Man of Steel, bend iron bars with my bare hands, and watch bullets bounce off my massive Kryptonian chest. Mostly, I wanted pectorals big enough to handle that giant red S. At age eight, my chest could only handle skinny letters like a lowercase l or i.1 Alas, I never became that hero, so instead I watched others become heroic. I tuned in to the TV show Smallville as young Clark Kent gradually came of age and donned the cape. I watched Young Indiana Jones to follow the formation of the future Nazifighter and Young Sherlock Holmes to see a teenage stripling slowly become the super sleuth.

Over twelve years and twenty-some films, Marvel Studios told the story of a band of heroes—the Avengers—who battle evil to save the world. But here’s what I kept going to the theater to watch: each hero struggling to become who they were meant to be.

If you’ve seen the movies, you know: Peter Parker grows from tentative teenager to seasoned Spiderman. Black Widow transforms from deceptive spy to loyal leader. Thor starts as arrogant heir to become humbled teammate. Bruce Banner moves from conflicted Jekyll-and-Hyde to integrated Professor Hulk, and Tony Stark matures from selfish playboy into sacrificial protector.

Those movies made over $20 billion, so maybe I’m not the only one who likes watching heroes-in-the-making.

Kingdom Workers Under Construction

Marvel, of course, borrowed their plot from an older, truer tale.

The New Testament tells the story of Jesus, but it also tells of a band of heroes—the Apostles—who battle evil to save the world.

In Acts 2, we see them filled with supernatural power to begin preaching in Jerusalem, driving back the kingdom of darkness.

Eventually (church tradition tells us) that battle takes Philip to North Africa, Thomas to India, Matthew to Iran, Andrew to “the land of the man-eaters” in Russia, John to Asia Minor, Paul to Greece, and Peter to Rome. They go with the gospel on their lips and the Spirit in their hearts, and ultimately they “turn the world upside down.” (Acts 17:6)

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Aaron Brockett (OCC 98) preaches at Traders Point Christian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana.

But first, each had his own life turned upside down.

The recent television series The Chosen tells the story of Christ, but part of the series’ power is its portrayal of the apostles’ transformation. The famous followers aren’t yet ready for their world-changing task, so Jesus shepherds and shapes them. We watch as: • James and John learn to let go of ethnic prejudice to see all races through Jesus’ eyes.

• Simon the Zealot lays aside political fervor to embrace Jesus’ mission.

• Mary Magdalene overcomes past trauma to receive Jesus’ healing.

• Matthew matures from insecure outsider to confident companion of Christ.

• Simon Peter grows from self-trusting survivor to Jesustrusting martyr.

Jesus spent his three-year ministry refining these future faith leaders, and every time I watch an episode of these kingdom workers under construction, I think of our students at Ozark.

This fall we again welcomed hundreds of students who want to “go and make disciples of all nations.” Over the last twenty-five years, I’ve watched our students—like the apostles themselves— take the gospel to the globe: Kentucky and Kenya, New York and New Zealand, Boston and Beijing, Alabama and Afghanistan. I’m confident these 2021 freshmen will someday continue that worldchanging mission.

John Ortberg, The Life You’ve Always Wanted, Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1997.

But right now they’re not ready. Like those young Galilean fishermen so long ago, they need taught, encouraged, challenged, healed, and equipped.

Aaron Brockett did.

Before and After Pictures

The Before Picture: Aaron Brockett did not want to be a preacher. A quiet, shy kid, he got Cs and Ds in high school speech, and when his youth minister asked him to pray out loud for the youth group, he refused. Why would he want to talk for a living?

But Aaron had no other plans, so when a friend invited him to Ozark, Aaron shrugged and agreed. Bible college is, as Oswald Chambers said, “where God helps himself to lives,” and during his freshman year, under a conviction from God, Aaron reluctantly accepted an invitation to preach his first sermon at a little church in Arkansas. That Sunday morning, he walked shaking to the pulpit with a 25-page manuscript in hand.

He finished the sermon in eight minutes.

When he sat down afterward, he prayed, “God, that was the scariest thing I’ve ever done. When can I do it again?”

The After Picture: Today, Aaron Brockett is the preacher at Traders Point Christian Church in Indianapolis, and his relevant, straightforward God, that teaching of God’s Word is was the scariest one reason the church has grown from 2,000 to over thing I’ve ever 10,000.

Our job at Ozark is to get done. When can Great Commission leaders I do it again? “ready to go,” and one of the great joys of my twenty-five years has been watching “Before” pictures develop into “After” pictures: freshmen who didn’t know the name Nicodemus later quoting all of John 3 from memory, cocky teenagers becoming humble servants, timid public speakers becoming powerful preachers, trendy mirror-checking girls becoming selfless missionaries, raw abilities becoming razorhoned gifts, stand-in-the-corner students becoming take-chargeof-the-task leaders, broken lives being healed and then healing others.

When I—often years later—visit these graduates, I see hundreds and thousands of lives changed through their ministries, and I remember back to when they walked in as baby-faced freshmen.

My eyes well with tears knowing we got to play a part in preparing them, and my heart swells with gratitude at how God is using them now to save the world.

I love watching heroes-in-the-making.

The Ready to Go Campaign

That’s why we have launched a new three-year capital campaign called “Ready to Go.” The funds raised will help us get more kingdom heroes “ready to go” with the gospel to a lost world.

Specifically, the campaign is funding three initiatives:

Student Grants ($1.7 million) We praise God that OCC is entering its eleventh straight year debt-free. But the recent pandemic resulted in two smaller freshmen classes, which will affect our next few yearly budgets.

These dollars will give our general fund a little extra help— underwriting international and need-based student grants the next three years—to prepare those students while keeping us debt-free.

Graduate Program Launch ($400,000) We are often contacted by those with a bachelor’s degree in another field but who have now heard God’s call to ministry.

They want biblical ministry training, so in fall 2022, we are launching a graduate program to do for them what our undergraduate program does for traditional students: train them for Christian service. These dollars will help with the new program’s initial start-up costs. (Check out occ.edu/masters.)

Dorm Renovation ($3.8 million) Our six dorms—three men’s, three women’s—are over fifty years old, and like me, they’re showing their age. So over the next several summers, these dollars will help our ongoing project of renovating these dorms with things like new plumbing, electric, HVAC, windows, bathrooms, carpet, paint, and room furniture.

We want a welcoming place for students to stay as they get ready to go.

The Ready to Go campaign’s total goal is $5.9 million. The good news: by God’s grace, we already have $5 million committed!

In the campaign’s private phase, many generous donors shared their excitement for Ozark’s focused vision—training Great Commission leaders—and shared their resources to move that mission forward.

Now that we’ve launched the campaign’s public phase, it’s your turn. As you read more about the campaign on page 24 and at occ.edu/readytogo, I hope you’ll prayerfully consider being a part.

I never did become Superman. But during my student years at Ozark, I did get my own little taste of the hero-making process.

Under teachers like Mark Scott and Wilbur Fields, Jackina Stark and J.K. Jones, Harvey Bacus and Kenny Boles, I was stretched and refined. I came in a naïve, shallow, sometimes-self-righteous kid. Five years later, I walked out with a humbler attitude, sharpened gifts, a deeper faith, and a strong commitment to preach the gospel.

I’m still no hero. But Ozark prepared me to play my little part in saving the world, and Katie and I joined the Ready to Go campaign so Ozark can do that for the next generation.

Will you help prepare more heroes-in-the-making?

Matt Proctor has served as president of Ozark Christian College since 2006.

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FEATURED THEME

CHRIST’S LAST COMMAND

A CLOSER LOOK AT OCC’S INTERCULTURAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT

Amy Storms

On June 1, 1961, a group of believers knelt in prayer at 1111 North Main in Joplin, breaking ground on Ozark’s Missions Building—the first building to be constructed on campus. ThenPresident Don Earl Boatman, Academic Dean Seth Wilson, and Missions Department Director Woody Phillips were making a statement that day: that Christ’s last command would be their first concern. “Go and make disciples of all nations…” Jesus instructed his followers centuries ago (Matthew 28:18), and Ozark has answered the call, preparing missionaries and global harvest workers for years to come.

A Place of Three Priorities

Now, more than 60 years later, the mission continues.

The Missions Building has grown from two floors to three, making it the primary classroom building on campus. The addition of an elevator and expansion of the lobby added to the Missions Building’s recent renovations. Since 1999, OCC’s Missions Department—now called the Intercultural Studies Department—has been led by Dr. Chris DeWelt. The son of longtime, beloved professor Don DeWelt, Chris is as “Ozark” as they come. He grew up in Joplin, met his wife Carol in the lobby of Alumni Hall, and graduated from Ozark in 1976.

But Chris is also as “missions” as they come. Chris and Carol served in Chile for eight years before returning to Joplin to help lead College Press Publishing. During his 17 years at College Press, Chris traveled with CIY and on short-term mission trips around the world. When Chris began as director of OCC’s Intercultural Studies Department 22 years ago, he

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determined to make it a place of three priorities.

1. A place of connection. Chris established his department as a place where students could connect with good models of missions. Chris connected students with missions organizations by inviting agencies to campus and traveling with students to the International Conference on Missions (formerly the National Missionary Convention). Chris also connected students to alumni on the field, to other professors within the department, and to their peers in the classroom. “Connection is really important,” he says. “Our professors welcome students in our homes and let them see our lives, so they’ll know we’re not just dispensers of information but real people who love Jesus and follow him and hear his heartbeat for the world.”

2. A place of conviction. “Students perceive your conviction,” Chris says. “Are you sincere? Does the Great Commission matter to you? Ultimately, we don’t live life by our feelings, but by our convictions.” At Ozark, students open God’s Word to hear his voice and catch his vision. “I’d never ask students to go somewhere I wasn’t willing to go myself,” Chris says. “It’s not about us making something happen on the mission field, but about humbly coming alongside what God is doing in the world.”

3. A place of prayer. When he began his role in 1999, Chris determined to open his office door as often as possible, inviting students to stop in for encouragement and prayer. “I’ve had so many times of prayer with students in this place,” he reflects. “We can give them connection and conviction in the classroom, but whatever we can do as leaders and teachers to encourage students along the way…that’s a necessary piece.” The mission must be undergirded with prayer.

Chris continues, “Ozark does one thing: we train men and women for Christian service. Ozark’s focused vision is so important because anything else we could do—any other degree programs we could add that wouldn’t train for ministry—would dilute our passion and change our direction.” These three priorities—connection, conviction, and prayer—help us carry out our mission.

It’s honoring and humbling to be a part of an incredible legacy.

I take this role very seriously because it’s the Lord’s work.

New Leadership, Lasting Legacy

Now, after more than two decades of leadership, beginning this year, Chris DeWelt will step away from the classroom full time. This semester, he will start a part-time role with the college, where he’ll teach online and be involved with OCC’s new graduate studies program.

(Watch a video honoring Chris DeWelt’s years of service at occ.edu/chrisdewelt.)

As Chris steps down, Brice Wurdeman will become the new director of the Intercultural Studies Department. Originally from Columbia, Missouri, Brice graduated from Ozark in 2004.

He and his wife Amanda served at Sonlight Academy in Haiti before directing the Windward Islands School of Evangelism in Barbados. The Wurdemans have six kids and are adopting a seventh.

Brice came on staff at Ozark last May for a season of transition and handoff with Chris. “The three priorities Chris has held are the heartbeat of God,” Brice says.

“As I said in my interview, it’s honoring and humbling to be a part of an incredible legacy.

I take this role very seriously because it’s the Lord’s work.

To be here is nothing short of God’s orchestration in my life. I’m excited to continue the legacy and tradition of missions at Ozark, while also moving it into the future— allowing God’s Spirit to have an impact so we can be most effective for his glory.”

“Brice has the right heart,” Chris observes. “That’s the number one quality for the job. He’s a very capable communicator, and he has a vision that he’s shown in his other ministries. Brice is willing to take risks. He’ll let the Lord lead and he’ll listen to his voice. That speaks to his leadership and the future of the whole department. It’s not about perpetuating something, but about listening to God’s voice and having the courage to go wherever he leads.”

A Revelation Heartbeat

Brice knows missions “is not about getting on an airplane but about catching a vision that God has set forth since Genesis. Do you see God’s heart for the nations, and do you want to be a part of that?” With that in mind, the classes in Ozark’s Intercultural Studies Department prepare students to live in other cultures and understand other religions. Courses are taught from a biblical foundation and cover practical issues. “The professors’ topics and methods may differ,” Brice says, “but the heart is the same—the Revelation heartbeat.”

Chris agrees. “I feel the history of missions at Ozark. Harvey Bacus…Woody Phillips. It’s a big history—a big deal. We aren’t burdened or intimidated by it, but it’s an honor. At Ozark, we’re tied to our past in a healthy way. We’re not traditionalists because our predecessors weren’t traditionalists. But we are deeply committed to missions and the Great Commission: the heartbeat of God for the nations.”

And what is the Revelation heartbeat—God’s heartbeat for the nations? The apostle John described it in his vision. “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb’” (Revelation 7:9-10).

The Revelation heartbeat is the Great Commission, fulfilled.

“The Missions Building was put on the campus first,” Don Earl Boatman said of that groundbreaking day in 1961, “because we wanted that to be representative of our faith and our zeal and the purpose of the Bible college.” The Revelation heartbeat continues today in Brice Wurdeman, in Chris DeWelt, and in the enormous vision of a small college, training men and women to be “ready to go” so that one day a multitude from every nation will stand before the throne and cry, “Salvation belongs to our God!”

Amy Storms is a wife, mother, Strong Hall dorm mom, English professor, and director of marketing and communications at OCC.

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FAITH IN AMERICA

RELIGIOUS MAKEUP OF THE U. S.

Global Population: 7.7 billion people | U.S. Population: 330 million people 53% 25.6% Evangelical Protestant

Know God exists and have no doubts

14.8% Mainline Protestant 6.6% Historically Black Protestant

Belief in God

20.9% Catholic 0.5% Orthodox Christian

Believe in God but 19% have some doubts Believe in God 4% sometimes There is some 13% higher power

0.4% Other Christian 1.7% Mormon

5% 6%

0.9% Jehovah’s Witness

Don’t Don’t know and believe there’s no way to find out

1.9% Jewish 0.9% Muslim 0.8% Buddhist 0.8% Hindu

Church size in the U.S.

0.3% Other world religions 3.2% Atheist

50 or less 39.9%

51-100 27.5%

251-1,000 9.9%

1,000+ 2.6%

4.2% Agnostic 15.9% Nothing in particular 0.6% Don’t know

101-250 20.1%

Church Attendance in U.S. 23% At least weekly

18% At least monthly

29% Rarely

30% Never

Daily

Few times a week

Weekly

Few times a month

Monthly

How often do U.S. Protestant churchgoers read the Bible?

Rarely or never

32%

28%

12%

11%

5%

12%

Source: Lifeway Research lifewayresearch.com/fast-facts

BIBLE WORDS

BIBLE WORDS

THE END OF THE EARTH Jon Kehrer

Back in Old Testament times, people didn’t travel very far within their lifetime.

While they may have known about some of the nations around them, the farthest, most distant land in their imagination was simply called “the ends” or “the end of the earth.” There were several ways to talk about this in the biblical language of Hebrew, but one way to say it was qtseh haaretz, which means the edge, edges, or corners of the earth.

Turns out that God is very interested in this region. He is interested in the gods of these areas, or more specifically that his people don’t serve the gods that are worshiped there (Deuteronomy 13:6-7). If his people end up worshiping the gods of the end of the earth, then they’ll soon find that another nation will swoop down like an eagle from that very region and scatter them abroad, all over the end of the earth (Deuteronomy 28:49, 64).

Just like what happens over and over in Scripture, the people of God do exactly what God told them not to. And so, God whistles for an army (Isaiah 5:26), and they come from the end of the earth to wipe the people out.

Find more word studies at occ.edu/biblewords.

But God had bigger purposes for his people and for the ends of the earth. In fact, since he already controls this area both as its creator (Isaiah 40:28) and the one who causes the clouds to rise over it (Psalm 135:7), God is going to use his people as a light for those dwelling in the darkest corners of the world. God will rescue his people from this place, but he will use their presence to bring the light of his good news to this place.

When Jesus comes, the light begins to dawn on the people of God. But the light they have received is now to be carried abroad. In fact, as Jesus ascends to heaven, he gives his disciples a charge: “Be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). This seems like quite a daunting task, yet Jesus is convinced that they’ll succeed because he will be with them (Matthew 28:20).

Then, at the end of time, when he returns to call his own people home, his followers will fill the globe—even the very end of the earth (Mark 13:27).

Jon Kehrer teaches Hebrew, Old Testament, and hermeneutics at OCC.

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AMBASSADOR SPOTLIGHT: DEREK SMITH*

DEREK SMITH* ALL ABOUT JESUS

HOW ONE AMBASSADOR SERVES A WORLD AWAY

Amy Storms

“I didn’t go to church much as a kid,” says OCC grad Derek Smith.* Derek’s parents divorced when he was just two years old, and Derek lived with his mom in a small Missouri town.

But when Derek was in sixth grade, a friend invited him to a play—a drama—performed at a church.

“I didn’t know what I was going to,” Derek recalls, “but the play was all about Jesus. At the end, I heard the gospel for the first time. I knew what I was hearing was good and true and for me.”

“So, I responded. I became a believer. At age 12, I said, ‘Well, I think I’m supposed to go to church now.’” Derek chose a church near his house and walked there alone every Sunday. “After attending a while, I had seen people get baptized, so I thought, ‘I should probably do that, too.’ It was a Baptist church,” Derek smiles, “but even then, I guess I was a Restorationist at heart.”

All About Jesus

And ever since, Derek’s life—like the play he had seen in church—has been all about Jesus. From attending church camp to leading in his youth group, to preaching his first sermon at age 16, to attending Bible college and now serving overseas, Derek has remained devoted to the Jesus he loves.

“My senior year of high school, I decided I wanted to study theology and God’s Word,” Derek remembers. “I wanted to really understand what I believed and why I believed it. I didn’t know Bible college even existed. When I found Ozark, they told me their focus was on hermeneutics—the process of

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*Derek’s name has been changed to protect his identity.

At that moment, something hit me. It struck my heart that there were actually real people in all those countries, and many of them had never heard the gospel.

learning how to interpret the Bible and how to understand it. I said, ‘That’s exactly what I’ve been trying to do!’”

Derek enrolled at Ozark alongside two of his high school classmates. “In our years at OCC, I had such a growth of knowledge—the growth of experience, serving in several areas till I knew the direction I wanted to take, and of course the growth in my skills and character as I matured and pursued Christ as the main thing.”

“In class, I learned so much from Kenny Boles,” Derek says, “the most brilliant professor who could teach even the hardest subjects in a simple way I could understand. And Chris DeWelt was the professor who impacted my life the most.” As Chris taught about global outreach, Derek was fascinated. “Growing up in rural Missouri,” Derek admits, “I was pretty much unaware of the rest of the world…and I was unaware that I was unaware of the rest of the world.”

Good, True, and For Them

One day in class, as Derek looked at a map, the Holy Spirit moved. “At that moment, something hit me. It struck my heart that there were real people in all those countries, and many of them had never heard the gospel.”

And the gospel, Derek knew, was good and true and for them—just as it had been for him years earlier when he heard it presented in that simple church play. Immediately, the young Midwest man who had never left the States signed up for an internship in Southeast Asia. That summer, Derek’s world turned upside down. “I had a new lens, and I could never go back. It was like living on a whole new planet.”

When Derek returned to Ozark that fall, he started to things happened. People in the village gathered around us to serve the international community in Joplin. From there, he ask questions, and a small handful said they wanted to follow continued to travel and serve around the world—including in this God who made the spirits leave.” another internship in Africa—before moving overseas full time.

Jesus had helped! The gospel was for them.

Today, Derek works among an animistic, unreached people Derek saw a great need for gospel resources in the region, so group in Southeast Asia. (Animism is the belief that all objects, he went to work developing audio, written, and media materials places, and animals have a spirit.) This people group lives across to share the good news in the heart language of the people he multiple countries in the region, serves. Derek’s gospel resources include so Derek travels from urban areas Scripture, worship music, testimonies, to rural villages as a “tentmaker” and teaching on basic ideas like, “What I had a new lens, and (Acts 18:1-3), making the most of is prayer?” and “What is the Bible?” every gospel opportunity afforded Derek observes, “People who haven’t I could never go back. to him as he consults in language heard of Jesus often hear the good news acquisition and teaches English to as a foreigner’s American religion, so It was like living on a young adults. they reject it. But they’re not rejecting

“Can Jesus Help Us Here?”

whole new planet.

Derek now speaks three languages—the national language as well as minority languages in the region. “I live in an urban area,” he says, “where I can reach out to young adults, university students, and construction workers who are recruited from rural areas to work in the city.”

Derek also visits small villages to build relationships there. In the animistic culture, he has encountered demonic possession and spiritual warfare. On one occasion, when Derek shared stories about Jesus’ power over spirits, the villagers asked, “Can Jesus help us here?”

“We prayed for a few days,” Derek recalls, “and asked God for deliverance. His Spirit showed up in incredible ways. Powerful

God—they’re rejecting a threat to their heritage and culture.” Derek’s media presentations explore the difference.

“We explain that it’s possible to say, ‘I love my people, I love my culture, and I love God.’” Derek holds two bachelor’s degrees from OCC—a Bachelor of Biblical Literature and a Bachelor of Arts in Intercultural Studies—and he recently earned a Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies from Biola University. The boy from Missouri who “didn’t go to church much” is now an Ambassador for Christ in cities and villages a world away, teaching all about Jesus and sharing the same gospel he heard in a church play…the gospel that is good and true and for everyone.

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occ.edu/masters 12

TO INFORM

Financial aid and scholarships are available.

HEARD IN CHAPEL

“This is a perfect love that extends from a perfect lover to an imperfect creation.”

JON KEHRER In Praise of His Glory: Love | 08.31.21

“How we let people leave often determines how and when they return.”

RUSTY GEORGE I Have a Friend Who Is Giving Up on Jesus | 10.19.21

“Shalom is not found in our circumstances. It’s found in seeking the shalom of others.”

DR. TERESA ROBERTS Seek the Peace of the City | 11.16.21

Watch Ozark’s chapel messages on YouTube or at occ.edu/chapel.

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FOOTPRINTS OF FAITH

FOOTPRINTS OF FAITH Matt Proctor

DAVID LIVINGSTONE was the 19th-century Scottish missionary, doctor, and explorer who helped open central Africa to missions.

Editor’s Note: In this new feature, “Footprints of Faith,” each future column will tell the story of a hero from church history, but this first column asks the question, “Why study our Christian ancestors?”

For our 30th anniversary, my wife Katie and I dug our wedding videotape out of the basement, gathered our kids, popped popcorn, and made it a family movie night. They all laughed at how skinny and not-bald I once was.

In the video, you can see I was young—twenty-one years old. I was immature, clueless about women (still am), and had no idea how to love my wife as Christ loved the church. Katie can tell you: our first year of marriage was hard. Though love is blind, marriage is an eye-opener, and Katie and I quickly discovered each other’s flaws. Tension, conflict, discouragement—it was rough going. As I watched, I thought, “How in the world did we ever make it?”

In the video, you can see Katie’s Grandpa and Grandma Bunton. We were married on their 65th wedding anniversary, so we had two cakes at the reception, one for us and one for them. You can see my grandparents, married 63 years. You can see Katie’s parents and my parents, smiling and visiting—both married over 50 years.

That’s how we made it: a heritage of faithfulness. All those couples experienced hard times, but they all rolled up their sleeves and worked through to the other side. So when things

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1 2

Hebrews 12:1 2 Timothy 1:3, 5-6

got hard for Katie and me, we knew we could do no less. We were now the next chapter in our family’s story, so we rolled up our sleeves.

We had footprints to follow.

The Life-Shaping Power of Heritage

We’ve tried to pass on that heritage. My artist wife painted on our home’s entryway wall a large tree. On the branches hang pictures of our children (and now grandchildren); on the roots hang pictures of grandparents, great-grandparents, and greatgreat grandparents. Over the years, we’ve told our kids the stories of their forebears: • “That’s Great-grandpa Weede. He was a sheep-raising, pickup-truck-driving Iowa farmer. (Yes, a farmer named Weede.) A church elder for forty years, he’d sit in his recliner every night studying his Bible and writing his Sunday School lesson out on notebook paper.”

• “There’s your Granny Ruth. Former schoolteacher, strong personality, and the heart of the big Bunton farming clan.

(For twenty years, in the ‘occupation’ blank on her tax forms, she wrote ‘matriarch.’) You’ve never met a more servant-hearted lady. She taught the special needs adult Sunday School class until she was 85.”

• “That picture is your Mom in high school. Did you know?

On the evening she was crowned homecoming queen, she visited a nursing home in her formal dress—just to brighten the widows’ night. When Katie swished in, they ‘oooh’-ed and ‘aaah’-ed, and she stopped to talk with each one.”

Those stories shaped my kids’ souls. So when my daughter Lydia—nominated for homecoming queen like her mama— went Valentine’s Day caroling to the homes of older widows (with a rose for each), I was not surprised. When my daughter Clara became a special needs teacher like her Granny, I was not surprised. And when my sheep-raising, pickup-truck-driving son Carl stood up in church and unfolded a handwritten Bible lesson on notebook paper like his Great-grandpa Weede, I was not surprised.

Our kids knew: they had footprints to follow.

“A Great Cloud of Witnesses”

The Bible affirms the life-shaping power of heritage.

When the first-century Jewish believers felt like giving up, the writer of Hebrews painted a big family tree on the wall and then pointed at the pictures—Noah, Abraham, Moses, Rahab—and told stories of resilient faith. His conclusion? “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses…let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”1 Paul wrote, “I serve God as my forefathers did.” Timothy was to “fan [his] flame” by remembering the faith of his mother and grandmother, and when we listen to those who’ve gone before us, we discover Psalm 145:4 is true, “One generation shall praise your works to another.”2

Indeed, down through the ages, believers have found inspiration in the heroes of church history: • George Whitefield’s preaching sparked the 18th-century Great Awakening, but his sermons were sparked by reading 17th-century Puritan Matthew Henry.

• In hard times, the great preacher of the 19th century, Charles Spurgeon, leaned on 17th-century John Bunyan, reading his Pilgrim’s Progress over one hundred times.

• Where did Elisabeth Elliot, widow of 20th-century martyred missionary Jim Elliot, find strength to stay in the jungle and convert her husband’s murderers? The example of Amy Carmichael, 19th-century missionary who persevered in India 55 years without a furlough.

Those who made history were first made by history. These believers knew: there is wisdom in the “great cloud of witnesses,” and they followed in their footprints.

But why dedicate a column in the Ambassador to these bygone believers?

Expanding Your “Temporal Bandwidth”

We live in a culture afflicted with “presentism”: a constant fixation on the now. Media voices tempt us to focus on the moment—the “hot take,” the breaking headline. We listen to the latest podcast, read this week’s bestseller, binge the newest show, and follow the freshest social media buzz. We forget our historical “family tree,” and today’s Christians often know more fictional television characters than real-life Christian heroes.

They can quote Dwight Schrute but not Dwight L. Moody.

But in his book Breaking Bread with the Dead, Alan Jacobs makes a case for reading old, dead mentors: “Personal density is directly proportional to temporal bandwidth.”

What?

He explains: when our culture “traps us in the moment, the more weightless we become. We lack the density to stay put even in the mildest breeze from our news feeds.” To become a person of substance—the solid character and sturdy discernment needed to withstand the moment’s fads and panics—we must be grounded in the wisdom of the past, broadening our “temporal bandwidth.”3 Contemporary voices have something to offer, but those who’ve stood the test of time will help us stand that same test.

• By sharing their hard-earned wisdom. Jonathan Edwards’ teaching on God’s sovereignty and Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s on Christian community might deepen your spiritual roots.

• By protecting you from error. “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

• By stirring your desire to grow. George Muller’s prayer life, Gladys Aylward’s faith, or Martin Luther King’s leadership can challenge you to “up your game.”

• By reminding you that God uses broken people. Martin Luther’s harsh tongue, Mother Teresa’s struggles with doubt, and John Wesley’s unhappy marriage graciously remind us: God uses imperfect people.

3 4 5

•

By inspiring you to persevere in trials. Jonathan Edwards was fired from a ministry, John Bunyan’s wife died young, Charles Spurgeon suffered crippling depression, and their examples of endurance can shoot adrenaline through your weary soul.

A Snickers Bar and a Book

One of my professors, Dr. J.K. Jones, was a former military policeman, but even tough guys have tough days. He tells of a time early in ministry when he was tempted to give up: There was a season in the whirlwind of books, seminary, and ministry where I believed I could not go on. Criticism, overwork, and little rest took its toll. One Sunday night, after evening worship and a difficult meeting, I thought I was coming apart. I wondered if this was what it was like when a person had a “breakdown.” I cried and couldn’t stop.

My wife took me and our family over to the home of dear friends...Those precious people reached into their pockets and gave us all the cash they had…and offered these wise words, “Get out of the area code and let us know where you are.” We loaded the car and drove all night, spending the next couple of weeks in Arkansas with my wife’s parents.

I didn’t think I wanted to go back to that ministry or to that church. My soul was dry, my mind dull, and my heart broken. My mother-in-law knew better than I did what was happening and what was at stake. For several days I said very little and mostly slept. One morning I heard a knock at the door of the bedroom. I didn’t answer. The door creaked open, and Mom Graham threw me a Snickers candy bar and a book. The only word from her mouth was, “Enjoy.”

I did not open either gift for a while, but slowly I began to eat the candy bar and then turned my appetite to the book.

Mom had found an old copy of The Biography of David Livingstone.4 I devoured it, reading and rereading words, sentences, and paragraphs. Livingstone’s life of courage, endurance, and character spoke deeply to my soul. It was as if God himself spoke loudly and firmly through that book, “If Livingstone can persevere, so can you.” After some more days of rest we returned, and our most productive years of ministry in that church followed.5

So in future columns, we’ll explore our Christian family tree.

We’ll dig some old videotapes out of the Church’s basement, and as we watch the stories of our ancestors, we’ll remember: we have a heritage to uphold. We are now the next chapter.

We have footprints to follow.

Alan Jacobs, Breaking Bread with the Dead, New York: Penguin, 2020.

David Livingstone was the 19th-century Scottish missionary/doctor/explorer who helped open central Africa to missions.

J.K. Jones, Reading with God in Mind, Joplin, MO: Heartspring, 2003.

Matt Proctor has served as president of Ozark Christian College since 2006.

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THE SEASON OF LIGHT In December, OCC’s outdoor nativity shone atop the hill at 1111 N. Main, reminding travelers of the reason for the season. The nativity was designed by President Proctor’s wife Katie and welded from rebar by Katie’s brothers at the family farm in Lamar, Missouri.

Watch the full story at occ.edu/seasonoflight.

CAMPUS NEWS Meet the Admissions Team

The OCC Admissions Department helps students take the next steps in answering God’s call on their lives. Find out more at occ.edu/admissions or contact us today at admissions@occ.edu.

Bob Witte OCC ’99

Vice President of Enrollment Management

Alyssa Tournear OCC ’21

Director of Recruitment and Admissions Counselor (KS, IN, western and southern MO, eastern states, and Webb City)

Alyssa Marcus OCC ’16 (associate’s degree) and ’20 (bachelor’s degree)

Online and Graduate Studies Admissions Specialist

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Marycruz Hurley OCC ’19

Director of Admissions/ International Students

Creighton Tamerius OCC ’16

Lead Admissions Counselor (OK, TX, IA, eastern MO, western states, Guam, U.S. territories, Neosho, Carthage, and College Heights Christian School)

Ginny Hartley Graduating ’22

Admissions Counselor (AR, KY, IL, Joplin, and Carl Junction)

CAMPUS NEWS

OCC Launches Master’s Program

Ozark is excited to offer a new master’s program, with classes beginning in the fall of 2022. The Master of Arts in Biblical Ministry has three concentrations: Biblical Studies, Spiritual Formation, and Strategic Leadership. With flexible online and in-person options, this degree equips students for effective ministry rooted in Scripture. Ozark’s master’s program is led by Graduate Studies Dean Shane J. Wood (OCC ’04), and Chrissy King (OCC ’92) serves as the graduate studies community formation coordinator. Flexible scholarships are available. Find out more at occ.edu/masters.

2020-2021 Year in Review

Due to COVID-19, Ozark’s operational budget for the year had a deficit that we met through cash reserves, budget cuts, and government relief. We thank God for his continued provision as we weathered the storm and were able to remain debt free. In fact, OCC is now in our eleventh year debt free, allowing us to remain affordable for our students. This year, we also surpassed our gift income goal.

Source information and a full fiscal report are available upon request. Thank you for praying for and investing in the students of OCC! occ.edu/annualreport

677

students enrolled

96%

of Bachelor of Arts graduates from 2016-2021 said, “If I had it to do again, I would choose to attend Ozark Christian College.”

141

degrees awarded

44

states represented in our student body since 2015

23.4%

of all students who completed a bachelor’s degree in theology or ministry at one of the 16 accredited schools associated with the Restoration Movement were graduates from Ozark Christian College.

PERSONNEL UPDATES Rusty Hedger In June 2021, Rusty Hedger joined the college’s Advancement Department as director of donor engagement. After serving with the U.S. Air Force, Rusty graduated from OCC (’85) and Cincinnati Bible Seminary, and he has held ministries with churches in Kansas, Iowa, and Missouri.

Rusty also served in the Advancement Department from 2008-2011, and he excels at strengthening ministry partnerships with churches and individuals. To invite Rusty to your church, contact him at hedger.rusty@occ.edu.

Travis Hall In September 2021, Travis Hall began his service at OCC as human resources director.

Travis is a graduate of Missouri Southern State University in Joplin and has extensive human resources experience.

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FREE VIDEO RESOURCES FOR YOU AND YOUR CHURCH

Check out NextLevel webinars occ.edu/webinars

Also available on RightNow Media and YouTube

NEW THIS YEAR Enemies of the Cross

Joel

Ezra

Malachi

Introduction to the Gospels

Mesmerized: A Study of Glory

Isaiah

2 Samuel

Jim Dalrymple (5 sessions) Mark Scott (6 sessions) Jim Dalrymple (5 sessions) Jon Kehrer (12 sessions)

Mark Scott (4 sessions) Mike Ackerman (6 sessions) Randy Gariss (8 sessions)

Michael DeFazio (12 sessions)

AND MORE!

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occ.edu/nextlevel

MEET YOUR OCC FAMILY

DARRIN KING:

When he’s not teaching, Darrin enjoys gardening and landscaping. He adds, “I’ve also begun to learn fly fishing as a means to relax, be creative, and engage God’s creation.”

The King family served in Honduras from 1994 to 2001 and in Costa Rica from 2004 to 2012. Darrin also served as the intercultural minister at Christ’s Church of Oronogo in Oronogo, Missouri, from 2001 to 2003.

AMONG THE NATIONS

Darrin likes studying genealogy and researching family trees.

“God is our refuge and strength,” the psalmist begins in Psalm 46, “an ever-present help in trouble.” OCC professor Darrin King knows this help firsthand.

Born near Wichita, Kansas, and raised in Oswego, Darrin studied geography and Spanish at Pittsburg State University for three years before graduating from Ozark in 1993 with a Bachelor of Biblical Literature.

Darrin and his wife Chrissy (OCC ’92) served overseas in Honduras and Costa Rica for 15 years. In 2011, the Kings—including their four kids Zachary, Austin, Chloe, and Wyatt—returned to Joplin to serve as Ozark’s Visiting Intercultural Professors (formerly, Missionaries on Campus) for a semester. Darrin completed a Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies from Lincoln Christian University in 2011 and began teaching at Ozark full time in 2012.

Now, ten years later, Chrissy serves as OCC’s graduate studies community formation coordinator, and Darrin teaches intercultural studies, geography, and Acts.

Darrin cares for Ozark’s international students, building cross-cultural community and connection. He also directs intercultural internships and leads a debriefing retreat for students who have served internationally.

Darrin’s years overseas give him the right skills for his role…but it’s the Psalms he relies on the most. “The Psalms have meant the most to me over my years of mission work,” Darrin says, “especially during some hard seasons of exhaustion, depression, and burnout.”

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble,” the psalmist begins—then concludes, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations.” (Psalm 46:1, 10) For Darrin King, that’s what’s most important: exalting God among the nations.

TO INFORM

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COMING SOON SPRING 2022

TUESDAY TOURS Tuesday Tours help students, families, and ministers get a glimpse of what it’s like to attend Ozark Christian College. Prospective students attend class and chapel, eat lunch with President Proctor, meet professors, and take a campus tour. Best of all, high school juniors, seniors, and transfer students who attend the entire event and apply to OCC by the end of the tour day will receive a $1,000 Ozark scholarship! Tuesday Tours run from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on scheduled tour dates. Individual tours are also available. occ.edu/tuesdaytour

FEBRUARY 21-23

PREACHINGTEACHING CONVENTION “After God’s Own Heart: A Study Through the Life of David” with speakers Ken and Kaylene Idleman, Jeff Walling, Lito Solorio, Drew Sherman, Michael DeFazio, and Jaron Scott. occ.edu/pt

APRIL 1-2

WOMEN’S EVENT “Kingdom People: A Study Through the Sermon on the Mount” with speaker Beth DeFazio and worship leader KaLisa Veer. occ.edu/we

JUNE 12-17

CREATIVE ARTS ACADEMY Just for high school artists! Creative Arts Academy is a weeklong arts camp on the campus of OCC. Students learn from professional artists in filmmaking, photography, animation, graphic design, worship leading, creative speaking, and more. The week also includes elective classes, morning Bible study, evening worship with OCC’s Frontline, and community groups.

MAY 14

OCC COMMENCEMENT Join us at 10:00 a.m. in Ozark’s MultiPurpose Building as we celebrate the graduation of more Ambassadors for Christ. occ.edu/graduation

occ.edu/caa

TO INFORM

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YOUR PARTNERSHIP

THE NEED J E S U S S AW Why did Jesus spend most of his three-year ministry training leaders? He knew “everything rises and falls on leadership.” With strong leaders, a movement flourishes. When leaders are lacking, a movement falters. With great crowds of lost people to reach, Jesus saw, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few” (Matt 9:37). Jesus started his little Bible college of twelve because more kingdom leaders were needed.

That’s still true today. Here’s a quick quiz: •

Indiana has one Christian church for every 10,000 people. To reach that ratio in New York City, how many churches need to be planted? || 1,800

•

There are about 7,300 languages in the world. How many languages have no Scripture translated? || ALMOST 4,000

•

Of the 16,000 people groups in the world, how many are unreached with the gospel? || OVER 7,000

•

How many people die without Christ around the world every minute? || 72

•

Who will plant those churches, translate those Scriptures, reach those people groups, and save those souls?

THE HARVEST IS STILL PLENTIFUL, A N D T H E W O R K E R S A R E S T I L L F E W.

OUR UNIQUE DISTINCTIVES

BIBLICAL CONTENT. Our Bible college accrediting agency mandates 30 hours of Bible classes. We require 50 hours, so our graduates will be “thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim 3:16-17)

What distinctives guide us as we ready kingdom leaders?

At least four:

MINISTRY FOCUS. Ozark is one of the seven largest Christian church colleges. At the other six, fewer than 50% graduate with a Bible or ministry major. At OCC, 100% of graduates have a Bible or ministry degree, and the majority go into some kind of ministry.

$50,770

PRIVATE

ACCREDITED QUALITY. OCC is nationally accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) and regionally accredited with the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

AFFORDABLE COST. Ozark is in our eleventh year debt free, which allows us to remain affordable. OCC is less than half the average cost of other four-year private colleges.

$22,180 PUBLIC

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TO CONNECT

$20,530 OCC

T H E R E A DY TO G O C A M PA I G N The harvest is still plentiful, and the workers are still few. This campaign will help Ozark get students “ready to go” for years to come with the following three initiatives:

1

2

STUDENT GRANTS

|| The pandemic resulted in a smaller freshman class in fall 2020 and 2021, which will affect our budget the next few years.

This initiative gives our general fund a little extra help so we can remain debt free.

3

GRADUATE PROGRAM

||

These dollars will launch a new graduate program in fall 2022, covering start-up costs for accreditation, marketing, and technology. This Master of Arts in Biblical Ministry will include concentrations in Strategic Leadership, Spiritual Formation, or Biblical Studies.

|| Specifically, these dollars underwrite our international student grants and need-based student grants for the next three years. These two general fund grants help students—who might otherwise not be able to come—prepare for God’s call.

|| Many who graduate with a bachelor’s degree in another field hear God’s call later in life. They want and need biblical training, and this graduate program will equip those students to “go and make disciples.”

$1.7 MILLION

$400,000

DORMITORY RENOVATION

||

At over 50 years old, OCC’s dorms are showing their age.

These dollars will renovate three of our six dorms—two at $1.4 million each and another already-partially-renovated dorm at $1 million.

||

Renovation includes remodeled bathrooms, plumbing and electrical upgrades, HVAC units, windows, carpet, paint, a dorm kitchenette, and room furniture (beds, desks, dressers).

$3.8 MILLION

TOTAL CAMPAIGN GOAL: $5.9 MILLION N OW M O R E T H A N E V E R Now more than ever, the world needs the gospel…which means the church needs leaders. But the number of schools preparing Great Commission leaders is dwindling.

Some have closed their doors, while others with broader missions aren’t producing as many as we need. This makes the ministry of OCC all the more strategic.

Would you partner with us in training kingdom workers?

MAKE A PLEDGE TODAY AT OCC .EDU/READYTOGO TO CONNECT

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YOUR PARTNERSHIP

TRIBUTE GIFTS

Judy Lanham Mark Lanham

DECEMBER 2020-OCTOBER 2021

Ronald Lawver Lynn Pitts

MEMORIAL GIFTS:

Marilyn Lewis Don Lewis

Don Albert Carolyn Albert David Apple Karen Apple Marilyn Beaver Larry and Karen Catron Ronald and Joanne West Ron Briggs Lenora Briggs Betty Bronson Rob Raudenbush Ruth Bunton Phillip and Jan Hofschulte Phyllis Bushnell Larry and Karen Catron Clarence and Etta Cain Allen and Mary Cain Ron Carter Larry and Karen Catron Pam Clark Fairview Christian Church Homebuilders Class (Carthage, MO) Gordon Clymer Vonda Hamilton, Brett Moorehouse, Mike and Mary Nauman, Kay Reed, Randy and Londa Roy, John and Betty Watson, Newt and Linda White, Woody and Rose Wilkinson, Carl and Shirley Wilson, Windward Islands Evangelism Larry Conaway Bob and Rhonda Hine

Bob Gariss Milford Christian Church (Lamar, MO) Wayne Gillespie Azmi and Debra Farag, Helen Gillespie, Jerry Price, Walter and Jane Risley Gary Gilmore Bob Vernon Willis Harrison Mike and Laurie Lee Bob Havens Keith and Stormy Wilson Gene Hester Randy and Beth Erwin Taconic Christian Church (Shrub Oak, NY)

Clifford Johnson Cecil and Linda Todd Allen Johnston Darwin Brown, Steven and Kim Crocker, Teresa Demott, Azmi and Debra Farag, Kevin and Penny Huss, Doug and Dee Ann Miller Zeta Johnston Fairview Christian Church Homebuilders Class (Carthage, MO) Lyndall Jordan Jeff and Phyllis Jordan

Amelia Dooley Randy and Beth Erwin

Ben Killion Rex and Sharon Bennett, Charles and Betty Bing, Brice Ferguson, First Church (Owasso, OK), Darlene Harwood, Jerry and Bonita Jones, Blaine Killion, Bob and Mary Marsh, Shawn and Cathy McFarland, Doug and Dee Ann Miller, James and Marjorie Taylor, Jane Van Sickle, Charles and Fran Willaby

Barbara Ferguson Al and Mary Riddle Harold Fielder Lorraine Fielder Wilbur Fields Vonda Hamilton Lynn Gardner Wayne and Carolyn Bigelow

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TO CONNECT

Amy Mintz Rose Marie Mintz Donald Moore Randy and Tammy Reed Linda Peterson Rob and Karen Perry

Peggy Raymond Rebecca Leeman, Donna Logan, Donald and Georgia Miller, Bill Raymond, Christy Shouse

Harold Keely Maxine Keely

Carlos and Jeanne Elmore Richard and Susan Steckler

Connie Mieir Bill and Dorothy Mieir

Shirley Humphreys Chuck Humphreys

Dale Day Jeanie Day

John Echols Marian Armstrong

Lester and Mary McIntosh Richard and Rebecca Hargrave

Adam Ransom James and Sandra Ransom

Bob Davis Jim and Becky Bilbro

Kathy Ebeling Chuck Humphreys

Jim Marcum Sonya Marcum

Murray Hollis Ron and Joanne West

Jerl Joslin Refresh Ministry (Oklahoma City, OK)

Kelly and Genevieve Dye Max and Jackie Dye First Christian Church (Salem, IL)

John Manning Bonnie Manning

Ben and Sue Killion Gilbert Christian Church (Harrison, AR), Jan Long, Rex and Sharon McKee, Robert and Mary Pate, Patriot Golf Club, Al and Mary Riddle Sue Killion Jan Long Rex and Sharon McKee

George Roane Patty Roane Bill Robinson Mary Ellen Sexton Tom Ross Connie Ross Bryan and Amber Rowoth Paul and Joanne Rowoth Cecil Scott Sandra Abernathy, Earnie and Ann Anniss, Marvin and Nancy Bass, Gordon Brennfoerder, College Heights Christian Church (Joplin), Knute Cotton, Wayne and Connie Eggleston, M/M Wayne Fahning, First Christian Church (Dodge City, KS), Donald Grice, Timothy and Suellen Grice, Ronald and Rita Harris, Steven and Jane Jennings, Allen and Sandy Johnston, Victor and Evelyn Knowles, Helen Lund, Sonya Marcum, Shirley Martin, Kenneth and Kathy McWherter, Doug and Dee Ann Miller, Phoenix Healthcare Holdings, Pineville Christian Church (Pineville, MO), Kay Reed, Randy and Tammy Reed, Alvin and Arlyce Schroeder, Mark and Carla Scott, Phil Scott, Thomas and Brenda Scott, Larry and Judith Sommer, Joleen Swain, Kenneth Thompson, Leonard and Carleen Tipping,

Gail and Donna Utter, Patty and Betty Varra, Willard and Karen Wallis, Diane Weis, Lyle and Judy Welch, Ron and Joanne West, Woody and Rose Wilkinson, Randy and Carrie Wilson Jace Smothers Larry and Pat Stuckey Sharon Stitt John and Betty Watson Dale and Arlene Storms Chuck Humphreys Sam and Louise Tate Randy and Tammy Reed Vicky Turner Gary Witt B.J. Vernon Bob Vernon Carol Fielder Vernon Bob Vernon Dallas Vernon Jr. Bob Vernon Don Vernon Bonita Bond, Bill Brown, Wayne Burgess, Bert and Wanda Foster, Dan and Faye Harlow, Denise Jelinek, Christy Mullin, Parkview Christian Church (Orland Park, IL), Bob Vernon, Patricia Vernon

Putnam County Ministerial Alliance, Inc. (Unionville, MO), Randy and Tammy Reed, Shane and Stephanie Salisbury Family, Ruscella Sanders, Greg and Mitzi Shipley, Marvin and Mona Stotyn, James and Marjorie Taylor, Lee and Gayann Tipton, Vera Tribble, Woody and Rose Wilkinson Kathy Weece Randy and Tammy Reed Linda Weece Randy and Tammy Reed Roy Weece Randy and Tammy Reed Charles and Dorothy Wittenborn David and Anne Wittenborn Roxie Wittig Ted and Bev Skiles Sterling and Mildred Wood Edith Geurin HONOR GIFTS: Mary Clymer Mike and Mary Nauman Monte French Michael and Vicki French Ken Idleman Wendy Hicks

Don and Carol Vernon Denise Harlow, Don and Carol Vernon Trust/Michelle Ward, Doug Vernon

Doug Miller Bob and Mary Marsh

Joy Haygood Vernon Bob Vernon

LaVern Newman Harvey and Kathleen Newman

Patricia Ann Vernon Bob Vernon Cynthia Weece Randy and Tammy Reed Don and Jean Weece Randy and Tammy Reed Gene Weece Howard and Janice Bowman, Jim and Cindy Brummit, Eddie and Patricia Brundage, Phillip and Wanda Burns, Dorothy Butler, Woody and Mary Clapham, Janet and Richard Clark, Kevin and Brenda Collins, Mary Comstock, Ryan and Linda Crawford, Johnny and Norma Dixon, Phil and Chris Fleshman, Charlie and Colleen Fowler, Howard and Wendy Goldsmith Family, Bradley and Carissa Gorkowski, Randy and Sherri Griswold, Margaret Hackney, Sam and Nancy Jones, Dan and Pat Keith, June Klingensmith, Arrie and Saundra McClaskey, Mike and Tina McCormack, Max and Teresa Mothersbaugh,

Elsie Moore Randy and Tammy Reed

Matt and Katie Proctor Mike and Mary Nauman Bob Scott Allen and Sandy Johnston Mark Scott Randy and Tammy Reed Eunice Youkey Nadine Stark Cecil and Linda Todd Andrew and Emily Trotter Michael and Vicki French Carol Weece Randy and Tammy Reed Donita Weece Randy and Tammy Reed Helen Weece Randy and Tammy Reed Leon Weece Randy and Tammy Reed Woody and Rose Wilkinson Randy and Tammy Reed

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HERE’S AN IDEA

M I S S I O N S M U S T- R E A D S

7

The Great Omission: Fulfilling

The Insanity of God: A True

The Mission of God: Unlocking

STEVE SAINT

NIK RIPKEN

CHRISTOPHER WRIGHT

Christ’s Commission Completely

Story of Faith Resurrected

the Bible’s Grand Narrative

Don’t miss these seven great book recommendations from OCC’s intercultural studies professors Brice Wurdeman, Darrin King, and Wade Landers.

Mountain Rain: A Biography of James O. Fraser, Pioneer Missionary to China

EILEEN FRASER CROSSMAN

Vanya: A True Story MYRNA REID GRANT

When Helping Hurts: How

A Chance to Die: The Life and

Hurting the Poor…and Yourself

ELISABETH ELLIOT

to Alleviate Poverty Without

Legacy of Amy Carmichael

STEVE CORBETT AND BRIAN FIKKERT

Recommendations from OCC’s intercultural studies professors TO CONNECT

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ALUMNI NEWS

CONGRATULATIONS Cooper Dane Johnson was born August 19, 2021, to parents Ian (16) and Bethany (Balu) Johnson (16). The Johnsons serve in youth ministry with Crossroads Christian Church in Macon, Missouri.

Griffin Archer Knarr was born September 20, 2021, to parents Kyle (15) and Dallas Knarr. The Knarrs live in Dry Ridge, Kentucky.

In December of 2020, Jameson Melugin was born to parents Micah and Samantha (Simala) Melugin (2012). Samantha serves as the associate campus pastor at Life.Church West Wichita in Wichita, Kansas.

Judah Levi Payne was born on July 8, 2021, to parents Aaron (11) and Joanna (Gardner) Payne (09). The Paynes live in Marion, Iowa, where Aaron is the production manager at Antioch Christian Church.

Eden Ryan Wheeler was born April 14, 2021, to parents Patrick (09) and Lauren (Balu) Wheeler (10). The Wheelers serve at Cornerstone Christian Church in Shiloh, Illinois, where Patrick is the family pastor and pastor of ministry.

OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY Please lift up in prayer the families of the following alumni who have passed away in recent weeks.

Dwight Addleman (67) passed away on August 9, 2021. Dwight ministered in Washington, Indianapolis, Ohio, Oregon, Arizona, Colorado, California, and New York, often planting or rescuing churches.

Bob Allen (58) passed away on January 6, 2022. Bob and his wife Carolyn served in many churches in their 52 years together.

After her passing, he continued ministering with various churches and organizations even after he “retired.” In 1998, Bob received OCC’s Seth Wilson Outstanding Alumnus Award in recognition of his many contributions to kingdom work.

Micah Ansley (attended 9899) passed away July 10, 2021, after an illness. He is survived by two sons, Evan and Eli, and former wife Anya (Goodman) Ansley (03). Also surviving are Micah’s parents, Ken (70/ former staff ) and Marsha Ansley (attended), and two brothers, Jason and Rusty.

Chris Babb (97) passed away on June 17, 2021, in Mesa, Arizona. Chris had served as minister in Lawton, Kansas, and Rochester, Illinois.

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Ronald Carter (68/former staff ) passed away on June 19, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nevada, after more than a year of battling cancer. Ron and his wife, Pam (Storms) Carter (68), served in ministries in Kansas, Ohio, California, Missouri, and Arkansas. Most recently, he served with Pioneer Bible Translators. In 2010, Ron received OCC’s Seth Wilson Outstanding Alumnus Award in appreciation for his many contributions to kingdom work.

Gordon Clymer (59) passed away on August 26, 2021, after a brief hospitalization. After several years in ministry, Gordon taught at OCC from 1969 to 1997 as a professor of Christian education. He retired from Ozark in 1997 and continued in ministry with Good News Productions International and as coordinator for the Consortium for Christian Online Education. Gordon received OCC’s Seth Wilson Outstanding Alumnus Award in 2007.

Jacob Donato (09) passed away on December 12, 2021, from complications of COVID-19. He is survived by his wife Erin and their four children. Jake served as the associate minister of Lancaster Christian Church in Lancaster, Missouri, and as worship minister of Lamar Christian Church in Lamar, Colorado.

ALUMNI NEWS Lois Evans (former staff ) passed away on October 5, 2021, at Spring River Christian Village in Joplin. She and her husband, former professor and trustee Don Evans, faithfully served in ministry for many years in churches in Kansas and Arkansas, and Lois had worked for a time as the manager of the OCC bookstore.

David Savage (59) passed away on August 3, 2021, in Southaven, Mississippi, after a short illness. David and his wife Virginia served in ministries in Kansas, Missouri, and Wisconsin, before moving to Canada as missionaries and later ministering in the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica.

Marilyn (Hanson) Tucker (attended/former staff ), passed away on December 12, 2021, after battling dementia. Marilyn served as an administrative assistant in OCC’s Music Department from 2003-2011.

Gene Weece passed away in Unionville, Missouri, on November 26, 2020. He was 85 years old. Gene married Donita Burr in Dodge City, Kansas, on January 20, 1956, and she survives. Gene served a long and faithful career as a pastor in Missouri, Arizona, and Colorado. He was called to Unionville First Christian Church in 1993 and served there for 27 years.

CLASS NOTES 1950s

1980s

2000s

Jack Albee (56) is retired and living in Johnson City, Tennessee.

Doug Cage (82) serves with the Lives Under Construction (LUC) Boys Ranch in Lampe, Missouri.

Steve Sears (05) has begun studies toward a Doctor of Theology degree at Evangelical Theological Seminary. Steve serves as the life groups pastor at The Church at Rocky Peak in Chatsworth, California.

1970s Retired minister Gary Carpenter (73) now serves as an interim preacher and is available to lead Bible studies via Zoom.

Gary also has several resources available at wordaliveenterprises.com.

Jan Johnson (74) is a writer, graduate school professor, and spiritual director in Simi Valley, California. Jan also serves as president of Dallas Willard Ministries and is developing curriculum and teaching in the School of Kingdom Living.

1990s Jeff Adams (93) began his second year with Washington State Department of Corrections as chaplain and with Central Kitsap Christian Church as interim pastor. Jeff writes a weekly column for a local newspaper and volunteers with a local fire department.

After serving three years as command chaplain of the Naval Weapons Station in Charleston, South Carolina, David Rozanek (95) has relocated to Florida for his final assignment with the US Navy.

We’d love to hear from you! Submit your family or

In May of 2021, Josh Depoe (05) graduated from William Woods University with a doctorate in education.

He serves as an administrator at Irving Elementary in Joplin.

Joe Puentes (05) received a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Colorado Christian University. He is a registered professional counselor associate in the state of Oregon and a nationally certified counselor. Joe is the executive director of Watercup Ministries, Inc., a faith-based nonprofit counseling center in Redmond, Oregon.

Tim Bacus (09) earned a certified financial planner certification. He serves as a financial advisor and tax preparer in Lincoln, Illinois, specializing in issues affecting clergy, missionaries, and small business owners.

ministry update at occ.edu/alumni. We’ll publish your news in the next available issue.

TO CONNECT

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ALUMNI NEWS

2010s Caleb Lyles (10) now serves as senior minister at Thayer Christian Church in Thayer, Kansas, having closed a ministry with Countryside Christian Church in Nixa, Missouri. Caleb received a master’s degree from Johnson University in 2020.

Westley Hinkle (13) serves as the senior minister of Earlham Church of Christ in Earlham, Iowa, after concluding an interim ministry in Allerton, Iowa.

In the fall of 2021, Jeffrey Poor (13) and his wife, Gail, moved to Johnstown, Colorado, to plant a church, having concluded a ministry with Real Life Christian Church in Chesapeake, Virginia.

PUBLICATIONS

The Popular Handbook of World Religions

by Daniel J. McCoy (07/adjunct faculty).

Published by Harvest House Publishers.

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TO CONNECT

Shelby (Buchholz) Powell (15) serves as the assistant administrator and swim coordinator at Mount Pleasant REC Center in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.

Justin Dewell (16) serves as the preaching minister of Campbellsville Christian Church in Campbellsville, Kentucky.

Trevor Bachofner (17) serves as the associate pastor of First Christian Church of The Dalles, in The Dalles, Oregon.

Kayla Fletcher (19) now serves as a seventh-grade English teacher and high school yearbook adviser at Lincoln Christian School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, after concluding her service as the executive ministry assistant at Glory House in Tulsa.

“Living in the Tension of Unity and Truth” by Katelynn Ball (current student). Katelynn’s article was featured in the fall 2021 issue of One Body Magazine.

Night of the Amber Moon

by Helen (Dunlap) Newton (74). Published by Yorkshire Publishing.

Understanding God’s Righteousness and Grace His Quid Pro Quo, i.e., His Prerequisites by Bert Ott (80). Published

by Christian Faith Publishing.

The Call: Forty-Two Inspiring Stories of International Christian Leaders and How They Heard the Call of God, published College Press Publishing for the International Conference on Missions. Rick Cherok, Chris DeWelt, Emily Drayne, and David Empson contributing.

“Citizen Campbell: Alexander Campbell and Early American Politics,” by Rick Cherok (current faculty). Published in Stone-Campbell Journal, spring 2021.

Christian Convictions: Discerning the Essential, Important, and Personal Elements by Academic Dean Dr. Chad Ragsdale. Published by renew.org.

God’s Favorite Word by Chris M. Richardson (83). Published

by Kindle Digital Publishing and available on Amazon and in the OCC bookstore.

1111 N Main St Joplin, MO 64801 Change service requested

Non-Profit Organization U. S. Postage PA I D Joplin, MO 64801 Permit No. 62

ONE MORE THING

A final thought from our editor

READY TO STAY Amy Storms In December, Ozark’s faculty and staff held a surprise graduation ceremony for senior Gaga Ntahiraja. Gaga finished her classes last semester and returned to her home country of Burundi, East Africa. Since Gaga won’t be able to attend commencement in May, Ozark employees filled the lobby of the Casteel Administration Building to celebrate Gaga and send her out.

Gaga is ready to go—ready to take lessons learned at Ozark back to Burundi as she shines the light of the gospel. (Watch Gaga’s graduation at occ.edu/gaga.)

One of the things I love most about Ozark is that we go everywhere. Our students, faculty, and alumni serve…everywhere!

Ozark has sent Ambassadors for Christ to all 50 states and over 100 countries around the world. I love that—by the grace of God—our little campus in the middle of the Midwest prepares kingdom leaders and world changers in Burundi and beyond.

Truly, Ozark gets students ready to go.

But I love something else about this place: Ozark also gets us ready to stay. Howard Hendricks said, “You cannot impart what

Amy Storms is a wife, mother, Strong Hall dorm mom, English professor, and director of marketing and communications at OCC.

you do not possess,” and in order to go out with the gospel, you must first stay rooted in it.

“Remain in me, as I also remain in you,” Jesus told his disciples.

“No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.

Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” ( John 15:4-5).

Remain…abide…stay. For a branch to go and bear fruit, it must stay connected to the vine. My 22-year-old son, Nathan—another Ozark grad—has a tattoo on his left arm that reads, “Send me.”

It’s a reminder from Isaiah 6:8, and Nathan is ready to be sent.

Recently, he told me his plans for his next tattoo—a conversation every mom hopes to have. On his right arm, Nathan wants a tattoo that reads “Abide,” as a reminder from John 15. “Because,” my son explained, “you have to abide in the vine first. Then you can say, ‘Here am I. Send me.’”

To be ready to go, you have to be ready to stay. Nathan and Gaga and thousands of Ozark Ambassadors like them are ready for both.