Updates from alumni around the world

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. 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.

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

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

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.

1980s

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

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

2000s

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.

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.

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. 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.

PUBLICATIONS

“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. 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.

The Popular Handbook of World Religions by Daniel J. McCoy (07/adjunct faculty). Published by Harvest House Publishers. 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. 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.