2019-2020 The Bell: President's Annual Giving Report

President's

Annual

Giving

Report

RESPONSE TO

COVID-19 a publication of

’19–’20

VOL.6

2020 will go down in history as the year of the coronavirus and the COVID-19 pandemic, a time of widespread, worldwide panic and uncertainty. Our focus at Truett McConnell University has been to respond within the full measure of government guidelines to ensure the safety of each and every student, staff and faculty member while keeping our eyes on the Lord. Our Christ-centered response is steadfast and filled with the assurance that God is with us and in full control of all things. Therefore, we replace fear with hope and place our confidence in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

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FROM THE PRESIDENT Lessons from the pandemic as our everyday lives of comfort fall under the microscope of conviction.

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CORONAVIRUS THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS A Short Course in Media-Driven Panic: scientific, political, or a call to proclaim the Gospel?

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SORE HANDS, FULL HEART Little things make a big difference, especially when people need a little bit of hope and a whole lot of love.

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THE MINISTRY OF NURSING Exploring the unique opportunity to minister to the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of those who are suffering.

FELIX MANZ SCHOOL OF MUSIC Praising the Lord through instrumental music and singing despite pandemic restrictions.

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FOLLOWING CHRIST TO MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL PEOPLE Challenging and unique missions opportunities to fulfill the Great Commission through intentionality.

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TMU GRADUATION With careful preparation and planning, and following social distancing guidelines, TMU celebrates the accomplishments, grit and determination of their graduates — on campus and virtually.

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THE LORD REMAINS FAITHFUL God’s providence has enabled TMU to weather the storm, assist students in the midst of uncertainty, and move forward on major campus improvements.

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CHURCH REFRESHED Ministry through technology: How area pastors adjusted with the shift to online worship and ministry.

E D I T O R I A L S TA F F

PUBLISHER Marty Carnes

SENIOR MANAGING EDITOR Andee McCall

GRAPHIC DESIGNER/ PROJECT MANAGER Libby LeBlanc

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Darlene Jarnagin Dr. Gary Jarnagin

PRESIDENT’S ANNUAL GIVING REPORT

CONTRIBUTORS Nan Allen Shawn Bertrang Dr. Toni Barnett Dr. Emir Caner Dr. David Drake Mr. Chris Eppling Dr. Andrew Fabich Jorjanne Flake Dr. Kenneth Gabrielse Dr. Jason Graffagnino Ansley Green Jenny Gregory Bailey Humphrey Dr. Gary Jarnagin Michaelyn Loper Dr. Brad Reynolds Dr. Van Sanders Jenni Shepard Kirsten Starling Joany Suggs Jordan West

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the data presented.

For corrections email: advancement@truett.edu.

Thank you for your understanding.

My God! My Lord!

Healed by the hand, Upon the earth Once more I stand.

Let sin no more Rule over me; My mouth shall sing Alone to thee;

Though now delayed, My hour will come, Involved perchance, In deeper gloom.

But, let it come, With joy I’ll rise, And bear my yoke Straight to the skies.

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From Comfort to Conviction Lessons from the Pandemic

In August 1519, a plague nicknamed the Black Death devastated the city of Zurich, Switzerland. Early that year, Ulrich Zwingli, a Protestant Reformer, had assumed the responsibilities of the main church in the city, the Grossmünster. When the plague hit the city, Zwingli was on vacation but quickly returned to Zurich to minister to victims of the disease. He cared for them individually, unlike other ministers in the region who would not go near those who were sick.

Ultimately, the disease wreaked havoc, killing nearly thirty percent of the entire city. Zwingli himself caught the disease, became deathly ill, but miraculously survived. Thanking the Lord for his recovery, he wrote the “Plague Hymn,” which reads in part:

My God! My Lord!

Healed by the hand,

The Bible is the only source of truth that is inerrant and infallible (John 5:39). With so much speculation, inaccuracies, and course corrections, the unchangeable and immutable truth of Scripture is ever more clear.

Fellowship with believers in a local church is essential to our physical and spiritual health (Hebrews 10:25). With nearly all churches shuttering the doors for three months, it is evident that we need each other, that we need the “assembling of ourselves” together.

Faith is crucial to the uncertain and unpredictable times in which we live (Romans 1:17). Believers who rested their hope on Jesus Christ not only survived the pandemic; they thrived and found even deeper devotion to our Lord.

Life is but a vapor (James 4:14). Sadly, the virus has taken thousands of lives in America and millions around the globe. We must capture every moment, share Christ at every turn, and love on every corner.

Upon the earth Once more I stand.

Let sin no more Rule over me;

Servanthood is a Christian virtue most clearly seen in times of crisis (Philippians 2:3). Servanthood is sacrificial. Our nursing graduates, the frontline responders to the pandemic, knew it all-too-well.

I watched my wife spend sleepless nights making masks in order that those most vulnerable could have another layer of protection. But the life of Christ (Philippians 2:5-7) demands our emulation.

My mouth shall sing Alone to thee;

Though now delayed, My hour will come, Involved perchance,

We will get back to normal. How do I know that fact?

Because viruses and disease are nothing new; they are as old as the fall of man. But what we do during a crisis, and the lessons we learn from the calamity, will display either our fears or our faith. May it be the latter. Truth is Immortal.

In deeper gloom.

But, let it come, With joy I’ll rise, And bear my yoke Straight to the skies.

In some ways, with the advancement of medicine, Westerners have become immune to the fear of plagues and unpredictable contagions. But within a moment, this virus now known as COVID-19 is front page news and is the topic of daily discussions at nearly every dining room table.

Certainly, our everyday lives of convenience have fallen under the microscope of convictions: we now reflect on what’s most important in life, and perhaps death. For me, considering this unprecedented time has drawn the following conclusions:

Dr. Emir Caner, President

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UNIVERSITIES PANDEMICS CALAMITIES...

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n the fall of 1999 at the College of William and Mary, I sat in a course in my Educational Leadership Planning and Policy PhD program entitled “Educational Leadership and Organizational Dynamics.” In this course, the ability to maneuver change at a moment’s notice was highlighted as a mark of leadership within educational institutions. Why? Because educational institutions are not static. Educational institutions are fluid and as such, changes occur without the approval of administration. Societal, climate, and other changes occur whether administration is even aware beforehand or not.

William and Mary. Effective educational institutions must be able to adapt quickly to calamities and change, and TMU modeled this in stellar fashion. The leadership of our faculty, staff and students was almost impeccable this spring.

On March 17, I notified our faculty that the President had decided to move all of our on-campus courses to distance learning (primarily online) for the rest of the semester.

Many faculty members had never taught a course online or via distance learning. In essence, we were asking faculty to make systemic changes to all their courses, overnight. And yet, I received not one complaint! Not ONE! Usually, a good church business meeting has at least one complaint…but here at TMU not one!

2019-2020 was such a year for higher education, especially, the spring of 2020. In almost twenty years of higher education experience I have never seen a year such as this.

Whether one sees the coronavirus pandemic as political or not, it was real for educational institutions. Governmental guidelines and prescriptions were handed down and changes had to be made immediately.

Such is a testimony of our faculty’s commitment to their students. And committed, they are! The first few weeks of change drained our faculty physically, and yet again not one complaint! Many faculty members have children of their own, in addition to learning new technology, adjusting their courses, creating videos, setting up Zoom meetings and chat groups, they were also assisting their

As I reflect on how our faculty, staff, and students handled this change I could not help but recall my course from 3

Further, our registrar’s work ethic was exemplary as well. In fact, all of our academic offices (library, advising, dual enrollment, special support services, institutional effectiveness) transitioned efficiently and without any consternation. To transition as we did without one complaint from faculty is one thing, to do so without one complaint from faculty or staff (over seventy-five full-time employees at TMU) is truly amazing and emblematic of the leadership of our faculty and staff. The impeccable effort of our faculty and staff is even more astounding when one recognizes such an unprecedented effort followed the herculean effort in securing our amazing decennial review from SACSCOC (our regional accreditors). This truly was a semester unlike TMU has ever seen, and I am not speaking of the pandemic, but the leadership of faculty and staff.

AND CHANGE

But the accolades do not end with faculty and staff.

The transition made by our students was also beyond amazing. These students, overnight, went from on-campus face to face learning to a platform with which many of them were unfamiliar. And yet, they tackled such with a confidence and determination that would make any educator proud! They utilized our online tutoring service three times as much as the previous spring (2019) in order to master the material and thereby academically outperform the previous spring.

own children with school. As I visited with different faculty members during this time I asked how they were doing.

Almost every response was something to the effect of, “I’m tired. I’m good, but I’m tired…it’s been a taxing transition; however, God is good and He is faithful.” I don’t recall one conversation with a faculty member that did not inspire me; in fact, on many occasions I recall praising God for our amazing faculty at TMU. I am honored to be associated with such a phenomenal team.

And yet, it was not just our faculty — our staff members were amazing as well. My administrative assistants, Mrs. Donna Stockwell and Mrs. Renee Adams, never missed a beat! While most of our campus went home, they did not.

They were in the office, day after day after day, responding to emails and assisting in virtual meetings as the academy never stopped. Mrs. Amy Hayes (director of online learning) worked tirelessly during this time as well. She immediately set-up training sessions for our faculty to learn and utilize online tools as they transitioned their courses. She also provided expertise and advice to both students and faculty with regard to use of our online platform.

As I reflect on this past semester, I am somewhat plagued by the question of “why?”

Why did students perform so well during a societal crash?

Why did faculty tackle such a task without one complaint?

Why did staff handle the transition and societal woes with such ease? What did these three groups have in common?

Were the students so confined that they studied more?

Did staff have more time to do things at home because businesses were closed? Were faculty members so done with negative news that TV’s were turned off and more time was allotted to courses? Honestly, I do not know why each group handled this season so well, however, if my course at William and Mary is an indicator, then perhaps the reason our faculty, staff, and students handled 2020 so well is because we have a disproportionate number of leaders in each of these groups at TMU. And knowing them as I do, I am confident such is the reason!

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DR. BRAD REYNOLDS

BR

Coronavirus Through the Looking Glass

By Dr. Andrew Fabich

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November 16, 2019

Once Upon a Time…

It was an ordinary Saturday. Our oldest, Micah, needed to be dropped off at school to attend a chorus workshop.

Shortly after getting home, he returned to school for a theater gala.

We had promised meatballs for the gala and threw those in the crockpot around lunch. While he was away, our youngest, Moriah, had rehearsal for the Nutcracker ballet. Just before bed, I ran the dishwasher. I had no idea the world was about to change in the middle of that night.

News of his mysterious illness wasn’t talked about until mid-December (I was preparing for my microbiology class in January). I keep that class fresh by incorporating recent headlines. My eye was drawn to these headlines as an opportunity to teach about emerging infectious diseases.

It was a small change initially. Hardly noticed. It likely happened a few weeks or months earlier, but this was our first time seeing it. The physical size of this change was between 60 to 140 nanometers—so small you can’t see it with a standard light microscope! But this microscopic change manifested itself in a 55-year old man in China.

Nothing’s known about him, except he had a mysterious pneumonia-like illness never seen before.

When classes started in January, a new word was added to our daily vocabulary: Coronavirus. I wasn’t impressed initially because I remembered another coronavirus making headlines from China in 2002: SARS. Despite the doomsday headlines for SARS, it didn’t travel much further than China and fizzled out without any human intervention. But unlike SARS, this novel coronavirus caught my attention because it travelled quickly.

Back in January I wondered: will this travel to north Georgia? I didn’t give it much thought, kept calm, and carried on.

While I pondered, weak and weary By the end of January, modern air travel brought the little guy to our turf and that’s when I realized it’s coming to north Georgia. We started referring to this novel coronavirus as COVID-19.

Mainstream media around the world increased headlines every day. With all this happening, campus got some snow at the end of January and again a couple weeks later. My rebel family and I built snowmen within 6 feet of our neighbors as well as snow forts without a worry in the world.

Life remained normal in February on the outside, but everyone was thinking: what’s this coronavirus going to do? On March 5, 2020, I received an e-mail from marketing asking me to write a blog addressing whomever is nervous about this coronavirus. I wanted to practically

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help people learn about respiratory illness and to include the gospel.

Including the gospel was important for personal reasons: my extended family isn’t saved and I prayed the Lord would reach them. Without trying, I basically wrote what we all now know as social distancing. At that time, we had no scientific data suggesting facemasks or hand sanitizers were effective. I also blamed main-stream media for inducing panic without cause. Afterward, I shared it with my good friend Ken Ham (president and CEO of Answers in Genesis, the Creation Museum, and the Ark Encounter). He asked to share my blog on their site and social media.

We granted them permission and were shocked at the response. The article was shared from Ken Ham’s public Facebook page over 5,000 times and their site experienced over 90,000 views in less than 7 days. More important for me, my extended family also read the blog and heard the gospel.

As my virus blog was literally going viral, I realized this coronavirus is the biggest evangelistic opportunity this year. It came to me quickly (I wrote it while waiting for my kids’ bus to pick them up). The worldwide toilet paper apocalypse (and hand sanitizer) was raging and it was nowhere to be found (not even the cheap stuff). I reasoned: why not meet people’s irrational earthly needs and meet their rational need for Jesus? After this article was posted on the Answers in Genesis website, it garnered 20,000+ views in only a few days. It even aroused the ire of the skeptics/atheists including The Sensuous Curmudgeon and Panda’s Thumb. The Sensuous Curmudgeon mocked saying, “[grab] some toilet paper and go do it” and Panda’s Thumb lamented, “I am left speechless.” continued on next page

continued from previous page

For such a time as this Later that morning, I had an e-mail from a Christian radio station in south Florida asking to interview me about COVID-19. Once that was scheduled, another request from a Christian radio station out of Detroit came. I didn’t realize how far those 2 articles reached. The host in Detroit noticed my tweet and laughed because it said maybe there’s more people with allergies to Kleenex like me, buying all the toilet paper.

Fast forward a few days and another idea came to try to reach college students (they’re not on Facebook): an infographic for Instagram. I contacted Ken Ham and he put me in touch with a team to put my infographic together. I was so impressed with what they put together (below). It looked like it was from the CDC and was called, “Coronavirus is bad, but so is the flu.” This, too, caused quite a stir (more to mention later) with something over 1,000 likes (it was the most likes that Answers in Genesis ever had on Instagram).

But dominoes started falling: Italy became the first country in recorded history to completely shut down because of an infectious disease (keep in mind, no country ever has for even the flu). Their actions caused many universities everywhere to switch to online for the rest of the semester. I’m grateful Dr. Caner kept TMU open until the governor decided for us.

Ironically, China began reporting a decrease in daily cases and was essentially unnoticed by the world (it didn’t incite panic).

Coronavirus is Bad, But so is the Flu

Turtle on a Fencepost If you’re like me, you get random texts from unknown numbers selling the latest CBD treatment, etc. I immediately delete those and move on. But shortly after the lockdown started, I got a “random” text that didn’t fit the usual spam script. This text was from a Christian TV show airing on TBN called InGrace. Before dinner that day, they had booked airfare and arrived on campus the following day to film. After filming the TV host asked if there was anything I wanted to address. Though unusual, we went into a Miller Hall bathroom to film about the proper way to wash your hands (which is the best way to prevent any disease — not just COVID-19). After finishing, the host told me he was going to share the gospel in this episode — I was super ecstatic (my family watched it since I was in it). When leaving, the show’s host shared they were rushing production to air it in under 2 weeks. I thought they would broadcast it nationwide first, but they went straight to YouTube. They also shared they were going to interview Dr. Rob Carter from Creation Ministries International (whom we’ve had speak on campus for our biology seminar) along with Ken Ham. One week later, I was interviewed at home using Skype for another Christian TV show out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Oddly enough, they filmed it in two segments to air separately of one another. Even though the second interview aired first, the irony (Lord’s protection) was that I stated facemasks were ineffective in the first interview because there’s no science behind it. After broadcasting, a high impact paper was published that demonstrated surgical masks were effective at preventing COVID-19. The moral of the story isn’t that science is bad, but that it is corrective and so I changed my views about facemasks. I contacted the TV station and they agreed not to air it.

Social Distancing 101 with Dr. Fabich By this time, government officials repeatedly told us to do social distancing and “flatten the curve.” They even told us we were good at it and we would see the effects any day. I felt strong dissonance between government officials congratulating us with the bombardment of rising cases from main-stream media. At least one of the two were lying, so I decided to analyze the data. I determined that case numbers were rising without flattening the curve.

To investigate further, I conducted an informal poll on social media. First, I asked, “If you’re following CDC guidelines right now, press like. If you know you’re not following CDC guidelines, please comment why not and explain.” Second, I asked, “Since everyone is social distancing, why are the numbers of the virus increasing? Please comment below.” I asked the second question as a follow-up because no one admitted to not social distancing. Answers to the second Infographic created by Answers in Genesis in Spring 2020 7

Now more than ever, the church needs to loudly proclaim to this lost and dying world that salvation is only available through the shed blood of Jesus.

question were all over and it seemed only a few answered correctly. My conclusion to my informal poll was that only about 5% are actually social distancing and everyone else (including you) probably are not.

I felt we finally got some insight about how the virus is spreading when a report came out just after my informal polls revealing that only half of people with the virus actually have symptoms. A new word entered the vernacular: asymptomatic. This finding has three ramifications: (1) this is probably the primary way it’s being spread, (2) the mortality rate must be cut in half of what’s currently being reported, and (3) there must be a genetic component. With this information in hand, I was reminded of what I was taught by my professor for microbial pathogenesis and cellular microbiology. He’s married to an MD and does anthrax research. He shared with us that he would hold his breath if someone sneezed in the same elevator. He was doing this while SARS was going around (let alone COVID-19).

The battle over information On April 3, I made a post on social media saying how I thought that people were catching COVID-19 from the grocery store and gas pump, not other sick people. The next day, government officials said the next two weeks would be deadly, so don’t go to the grocery store or pharmacy. But why weren’t we told that those places were where the virus was spreading? Maybe I’m old-fashioned, but I think the public trusts government officials when they’re straight with them.

That’s when I saw a headline talking about HIV/AIDS and I thought, “finally!” Instead, the journalist promoted his agenda against conservatives for their mishandling of HIV/AIDS in the 80s. And the journalist kept saying “epidemic” about HIV/AIDS, which should’ve warned me it was sloppy journalism because we’re currently experiencing two pandemics simultaneously: HIV/AIDS has been a pandemic going on several years. But has anyone used HIV/AIDS over the past few years to wield their anti-conservative bashing? Did we make it illegal to have sex of any kind to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS? Maybe we should’ve followed the Bible’s guidelines all along about HIV/AIDS… but I’m bigoted for caring for people.

Social distancing works when done properly By this time, all “essential” businesses marked off 6-foot distances to help us with one rule of social distancing (can you name the other 5?). In transitioning online, I developed new labs for our nurses about social distancing in terms of 6 feet. I’ve found Mythbusters to be semi-scientific and certainly entertaining; one of them deals with this, so I had our nurses watch it. Adam’s sneeze went 17 feet, making future nurses balk at the 6-foot rule. It wasn’t surprising, then, to see a report from China (where everyone agrees this all started) in CDC’s scientific journal that the virus could be detected from

symptomatic hospital patients up to 13.12 feet away (4 meters or the size of a normal car).

Soon after, Answers in Genesis contacted me to write about facemasks and gloves. My initial point is almost no one is social distancing. Then, I acknowledged changing my mind about facemasks because we didn’t have the data at the time. In terms of gloves, the primary way we get sick is by touching our face and gloves do no good when you first touch a contaminated surface with gloves before touching your face with those same gloves. To close that article, I exhorted believers to spread the gospel now more than ever.

In the middle of doing another two radio interviews (one in Idaho and the other back at the south Florida station), the number of private messages and texts increased significantly about whether the latest “doctor” videos and “scientific” publications were accurate. The questions climaxed with the Plandemic documentary and I had had it. I made a public post on social media decrying it and that caught the attention of Dr. Todd Wood from Core Academy of Science on his widely read blog (in which that post was quoted).

Beyond pandemic takeaway points Through this debacle, I’ve cringed at what politicians (both left and right) have been saying. Both sides have their fair share of blame with this virus. Now clearly I align with one side more, this pandemic has reminded me of a few important things.

The first statement is attributed to Founding Father Benjamin Rush saying, “I have alternately been called an Aristocrat and a Democrat. I am neither. I am a Christocrat.” If we’re honest, Jesus wouldn’t be a Democrat or Republican — He would follow the Bible first and then align with which one is most biblical. With my unsaved family on one hand and hard-nosed Christians the other, I’ve seen both make decisions fueled by ideology rather than Scripture.

God’s Word clearly tells us not to forsake our assemblies (Heb. 10:25). I can’t help but wonder if God is allowing this lockdown for Christians not wanting to physically attend church services because they can online. Much in the same manner that the idolatrous Judah was sent into captivity in Babylon of all places.

Finally, we can learn from the nation Israel earlier in their history. God sent nine plagues upon Egypt and they still didn’t get it. One more plague was needed to deliver Israel from bondage. The Egyptians didn’t recognize the Lord as God until they lost their livestock (i.e., wealth) and loved ones. Maybe all this today is happening to magnify His name for those that applied the blood of the Lamb on their homes for deliverance from sin.

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DR. ANDREW FABICH

AF

THE SAD REALITY TMU CAMPUS CLOSES

STUDENTS HUGGED ONE LAST TIME BEFORE LEAVING CAMPUS.

In the wake of COVID-19, the virus that has plagued the entire world, most college students in America had to suddenly become homeschooled. On March 13, 2020, what began as a normal school day at Truett McConnell University, ended in a sad realization. Over five hundred students were asked to leave their dorms and vacate the campus immediately.

They and their fellow commuter students thought they were just getting an early spring break. Some of their part-time jobs would cease to exist, their belongings would be possibly contaminated, and there was an insane demand for toilet paper.

TEACHERS SET-UP ONLINE CLASSES

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OVER FIVE HUNDRED STUDENTS WERE ASKED TO LEAVE THEIR DORMS AND VACATE THE CAMPUS IMMEDIATELY.

With the abrupt announcement at Truett McConnell of classes being suspended for, at first, two weeks due to the virus, students had to kick into high gear. Suitcases were packed.

Boys peeled posters of their favorite basketball teams off the walls. Many found long-lost hampers in the backs of their closets. Girls took their Christmas lights down and tried to remember which hairbrush belonged to whom.

Many students had to stay on the nearly empty campus for a while, as plane tickets went fast. continued on next page

DORM ROOMS WERE QUICKLY DISMANTLED AND PACKED INTO WAITING CARS TO BEGIN THEIR NEW COLLEGE LIFE "AT HOME." 1 0 | THE B ELL tr uet t. edu

continued from previous page

After a few days of temporary cancellation, word came that the suspension would last the entire semester. There would be no good-bye hugs, no “lasts” for graduating students, and no promises of ever seeing the friends and faculty they had come to regard as family. Many were devastated with the idea of the suspension’s finality.

Students reacted in various ways when reality finally set in. Henry Williams, a Christian studies major at Truett, realized one major impact on his life, “I have not been home for this long in 2 years, and I miss the daily interactions with friends, my [dorm] residents, and my classmates at Truett.” Although the transition was difficult, there were advantages to the sudden change of pace. Some of the students at the university found themselves in quiet houses, with quiet minds, which led to discovering new talents and ways to entertain themselves.

Alexa Miller, a senior majoring in psychology,

Lyndsey Darden, a freshman on TMU’s

continued to tackle her capstone project during

soccer team, and her father have begun playing

the online portion of her last semester in college.

golf since the beginning of the quarantine.

An added bonus was that she could do this at

“Most of the golf courses seem to be open so

her own pace and at any place she chose.

my dad and I go hit balls at the range or go play [a round]. I love it.”

Emily Rogers, an Education major, missed the feel of stepping into her student teaching

Cameron Lee, a junior majoring in psychology,

classroom. “While I have definitely enjoyed

decided to hold a worship night on Mondays over

[now] being able to wear leggings and T-shirts

Instagram Live to help continue providing Christian

every day, I would trade them for my work

community for fellow students and friends. Lee said,

clothes and my ‘Ms. Rogers’ name tag in a

“We wanted to be intentional in this time about

heartbeat.” She also never thought she could

sharing Jesus and not letting apathy creep in; we’re

be late to a class that is literally in her bedroom,

called to share the truth at all times so we couldn’t

but she was a few times.

sit back and just chill until all of this is over.”

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Catherine Pearsall, a nursing student, has been learning Russian in her free time. She said, “I was born in Russia and have always wanted to become fluent in the language.”

Students & Professors displayed unique approaches to the challenge of having to complete the remainder of the semester virtually. Dr. Hardin’s Education 290 class lightened their spirits amid the crisis by dressing up in various costumes for their online class. Student, Emily Hall says... “The professors in the education department are always looking for ways to make class more interesting — having to hold our class over Zoom was not about to stop us from having fun.”

At this point, no one knows the total impact the virus will have on the university in the future. However, not even the coronavirus pandemic could stop Truett McConnell University and its extraordinary student body and staff from conquering yet another God-ordained challenge.

STUDENTS DRESS IN COSTUME TO LIFT SPIRITS AMID THE CRISIS

Wonder Woman Darth Vader Tinkerbell Indiana Jones Mini Mouse Stitch

By Nan Allen’s EN 354 Creative Nonfiction Writing Class: Paige Akins, Ryleigh Watson, Chandler Ducker, and Anna Skudarnova 12 | THE B ELL tr uet t. edu

TMU First Lady, Hana Caner, shares hope through making masks.

The little things are often what make the biggest difference, especially when people need a little bit of hope and a whole lot of love.

Mrs. Caner recalls that she had spoken over the phone with her parents, who live in the Czech Republic, when the COVID-19 virus first reached the United States. While the severity of the virus had not yet been realized in America, Mrs. Caner’s parents told her that in the Czech Republic, it was mandatory for everyone to wear masks. Mrs. Caner began to wonder if the United States would soon be required to do the same.

Stephen Folker, TMU Class of 2007, who lives with his family in the Czech Republic, Hana’s home country, posted a picture of his wife, Jennifer, making masks for those in need. Mrs. Caner was curious how the Folkers started this craft, so Stephen directed her to his friend who makes video tutorials about making homemade masks. Mrs. Caner says, “That is how I got the idea, from this man who just started making these masks, so I watched his videos.”

Hana recalls taking her first trip to the store for mask supplies, “I went to Walmart and got my first 10 or 12 yards of fabric and began playing around with it.” Many of Truett 13

McConnell’s alumni student-nurses still keep in contact with Mrs. Caner, so she began to ask if they would like to have homemade masks sent to them. “I started thinking about our Truett students, and I thought, this has to be scary for them.”

Mrs. Caner would stay up all hours into the night, sometimes until 5:00 in the morning, to finish her work. After posting pictures of her masks, she began receiving emails and phone calls from people asking if she would be willing to make more masks for them. Through fabric and string, a ministry was born.

Students, nurses, and strangers from all around the area contacted Hana. She even joined a Facebook group called COVID Covers, and was able to make masks for police officers and other frontline workers. .

Weeks later, she is still working from her home sending masks to whoever is in need. She has made close to 600 masks, all from her living room. When people ask what she charges for them, “I tell them, ‘nothing,’ because it is not about making money, it is about ministry.” If anything, Hana’s only request is to receive more fabric and elastic so that she can continue this ministry. With each mask made, Hana writes a little note of encouragement and prays over them before sending them out.

Despite all the chaos and uncertainty this season has brought, Mrs. Caner says that God has provided for every need and continues to do so. She now enjoys making these masks with her two daughters, one of which wants to be a nurse someday.

Mrs. Caner says, “I just thought, ‘what if she was out there in the middle of all this?

I would do anything to help her feel safe.”

With sore hands and full hearts, Mrs. Caner and her girls sew hope for those who need it most, reminding everyone that little surprises make all the difference. “It’s just neat to see people come together,” Mrs. Caner says. “I am able to reach people and tell people about Jesus and share hope. It’s needed right now. It’s just a little way I can help.”

With sore hands and full hearts, Mrs. Caner and her girls sew hope for those who need it most, reminding everyone that little surprises make all the difference.

KIRSTEN STARLING

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KS

Making a difference in healthcare through

the ministry of nursing

BY DR. TONI BARNETT

The profession of nursing is a calling from the Lord which leads individuals into the ministry of nursing. Nursing is a ministry of compassionate care, aiming to foster optimum health and bring comfort for anyone in need. The role of the nurse grew out of a Christian understanding of the human as created in the image of God, and viewed the body as a living unity and the “temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor. 6:19).

Florence Nightingale, who laid the foundation for professional nursing, demonstrated the Lord’s calling when she said, “If I could give you information of my life, it would be to show how a woman of very ordinary ability has been led by God in strange and unaccustomed paths to do in His service what He has done in her.”

The Truett McConnell University (TMU) Rielin & Salmen (RSSON) Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, with the required Great Commission Minor, is a four-year program that prepares competent, professional nurses to provide compassionate care within a Christian worldview.

Nursing graduates of TMU’s School of Nursing (SON) will advance the profession of nursing and have a global impact on healthcare by modeling moral leadership and evidence-based practice, while utilizing critical thinking and therapeutic communication skills, and embodying the character and servanthood of Jesus Christ. All students will have a variety of clinical experiences in multiple practice sites as well as work with indigent and vulnerable populations. 1 Corinthians 15:58: Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Students called to the nursing profession, one of the most challenging and rewarding careers, will find a 15

Christian environment at TMU. Preparing to become a nurse is an important journey which is exciting, intense, and rewarding, filled with holy moments because nursing is a sacred profession. Nurses have the unique opportunity to minister to the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of people who are suffering. Throughout this journey, students will grow spiritually, professionally, and personally through interactions with faculty, fellow students, staff in clinical practice sites, patients, and their families. Hebrews 13:11: The God of peace,….equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Nursing is a ministry in which faith and learning are integrated at TMU. Nursing students are educated to become compassionate, patient centered nurse leaders who will affect their communities and transform nursing care. Consistent with the mission and purpose of the University, RSSON’s mission is to prepare competent, professional nurses to integrate Christian faith and values with compassionate care to fulfill the ministry of the Great Commission.

At TMU, nursing is taught from a Christian worldview, incorporating love for Jesus as the foundation for nursing practice. Nursing students discover how God and His Word transform practice and sustain caring.

They learn to care holistically for body, mind, and spirit.

Students discover the needs of vulnerable populations and learn how to engage and provide expert nursing care in diverse settings. RSSON nursing students work with vulnerable populations throughout the program, including patients they care for while on various Mission trips with SON faculty. TMU SON faculty and students have gone on Mission trips to Haiti, Uganda and Niger. In addition, RSSON faculty and students attend the annual Global Health Missions Conference in Louisville, KY to provide students more information about work in world and local missions. Galatians 6:9: Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

TMU alumni and students also demonstrate Christ’s love as they participate in various work and community activities. Many SON alumni worked diligently throughout the COVID-19 pandemic without hesitation.

Nurses always work to provide the best nursing care even in very dangerous situations. SON students participate in numerous community education activities such as White County Disaster Drills, weeklong public safety events on TMU campus, Teen Maze, hearing and vision screening for pre-k and dental clinics for elementary students. Philippians 1:6: Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

The nursing profession requires the professional nurse to synthesize theoretical and experiential knowledge, and to apply social, cultural, technical, and interpersonal skills with the motivation to serve others with compassionate care. TMU nursing faculty adhere to nursing as a ministry.

Thus, they profess that the nursing education received at TMU provides a higher purpose and meaning because it is built on the foundation of Biblical truths. 2 Timothy 1:7: For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

The TMU nursing faculty believe that nursing education is both an art and a science. Nursing education prepares professional nurses to bring comfort to those who suffer, aide in healing the sick, and provide health care needs across the life span. The nursing curriculum is based on the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for Christian professional nurses to effectively practice within the complex health care environment. Nursing faculty provide dynamic classroom and clinical experiences within numerous clinical facilities in addition to a new & evolving Virtual Hospital located within the SON Building. The RSSON Organizational Framework illustrates the curriculum structure based on a Christian Worldview. Being a nurse is who I am and who God created me to be. If God is calling you to this incredible profession, you are most fortunate and you would benefit from coming to TMU where you are surrounded by a Christian environment. Isaiah 40:31: But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

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KRISTEN LOY

holy moments

BY JORDAN WEST “I can’t put myself in the position of my patients and their families,” Kristen Loy, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Truett McConnell University in 2015, said. “But my faith helps me serve them.”

Loy was part of TMU’s first nursing class in 2015, and today she serves as a nurse in the Pediatric Cardiac and Complex Care Unit at Duke Children’s Hospital and Health Center in Durham, North Carolina. “Being part of TMU’s ‘pioneer nursing class,’ as they called us, came with challenges because there were a lot of hoops we had to jump through that no one had ever jumped through before, like obtaining clinical sites and making connections with hospitals,” Loy said. “It’s very rewarding to have been a part of this first class, especially considering how much the nursing program has grown since that time.”

Loy knew from an early age that she wanted to care for children, and when she decided she would pursue a career in nursing, she knew it would be an academic challenge.

“Knowledge was never my goal,” she said.

“I am not naturally good at school, but I was driven by my desire to care for people; specifically, kids. I believe the Lord laid this desire on my heart to bring joy to kids stuck in the hospital.”

“I think that TMU prepared me because of their Christian worldview,” she said. “Nursing is such a cool way to care about people like Christ did. He meets people where they are, and I have the opportunity to be able to do that through nursing. It’s not easy — it is a ministry, and just being able to care for people the way you would want them to care for your loved ones is an honor. It’s such a representation of Jesus.”

Landing the job at Duke was a dream come true for Loy. Not only did it give her the opportunity to represent her favorite college team, but allowed her to serve patients and their families. “I’m not taking care of just their kid,” she said. “I am caring for a tearful mom, or a nervous dad, whose baby just had open heart surgery.”

Kristen Loy

At TMU, said Loy, “Professor Alvater always told us to ‘look for holy moments,’ and there are holy moments everywhere — moments where you step back and say, ‘Wow, I was supposed to be here to have this conversation with you today,' to be able to put your hand on a mom’s shoulder and assure them that they can go home and rest, because you’re going to take care of their baby tonight. My professors at TMU taught me to take advantage of those holy moments, and to see nursing as a ministry.”

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LAURA SOLOMON

a unique privilege

BY BAILEY HUMPHREY Laura Solomon graduated in Truett McConnell University’s second nursing class in 2016. Since graduating from TMU, she has begun working her dream job: a nurse at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA).

Solomon grew up in a Christian home and accepted Christ at a young age. She gained a better understanding of what it means to have a relationship with Christ when she was a teenager, and she then rededicated her life to Him. “In my adult life I’ve come to realize that coming to know Christ isn’t something that just happens once in your life, though,” said Solomon. “The beauty of it all is that through the ebb and flow of my walk I am constantly learning and knowing Him in new ways.”

Laura began her college career at Kennesaw State University.

One day she felt the Lord calling her to transfer to a small Christian school. “I had heard of Truett, and after looking into it and praying through it, I decided that was where I needed to be,” recalled Solomon, transferring to TMU at a time in her life when her anxiety was at an all-time high. “The little mountain town of Cleveland mixed with the intimate campus and small classes was just the change I needed.” shared Solomon.

During her time at Truett, Laura forged many friendships with whom she shared incredible experiences. One of her favorites was a mission trip to Zambia. “My best friend, Chelsea, who was also a student at Truett got to go on the trip too, and we had the most amazing time,” said Solomon. “We stayed at a hospital the first few days, then went to the “bush” to camp and share the love of Jesus with the people there. We finished out the trip at Victoria Falls, where Chelsea and I got to zip line across the gorge!”

TMU also allowed Solomon to fulfill her lifelong desire to become a nurse. a decision she made when her brother was diagnosed with leukemia. “I always knew caring for people was something I was passionate about and had been called to do, recalled Solomon. “In the beginning of college I toyed with the idea of a few different majors, but during my sophomore year at KSU, after a lot of prayer, I knew for sure that the Lord was calling me to be a nurse.” Solomon is now caring for patients at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where she works in the infusion center. She sees the same children repeatedly, so she can build relationships with them and their families.

Laura is thankful for her time at Truett not only because of the friendships and experiences gained, but also because the nursing program prepared her for her dream job at CHOA. “The TMU nursing program places a lot of emphasis on not just caring for a patient’s physical ailments, but rather

Laura Solomon caring for the whole person,” says Solomon. “I remember during classes, my professors would share stories of different conversations they had with patients, moments of prayer and witnessed miracles in hospital rooms, and ways they went above and beyond to do the most for their patients and families.

“These values line up so well with the mission of CHOA,” Solomon continues, “and I know I am a better nurse because of the compassion and love I have for others.

I’m thankful that at TMU nursing is taught from a place of loving God’s people. I am constantly reminded that I have been given such a unique privilege to be there for people in some of their darkest, most vulnerable times.”

Solomon encourages students pursuing a nursing degree who really feel called to the profession to persist even in the face of obstacles. “Keep your chin up, and remember that there is so much out there in the realm of nursing. You will face a lot of challenges as a new nurse, but don’t let that discourage you. Keep reminding yourself why you went into nursing in the first place,” said Solomon. “I can now look back on my first two years as a nurse with gratitude,” Solomon concluded. “I gained so much valuable nursing experience, learned how to be a good patient advocate, and gained a lot of confidence in myself that I didn’t even realize I lacked. I’m thankful for the foundation I have, and I am especially thankful that I have found my niche working with children.”

“You will face a lot of challenges as a new nurse, but don’t let that discourage you. Keep reminding yourself why you went into nursing in the first place.”

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MARIA N. KAYONDO

the greatest tragedy

BY GARY JARNAGIN Maria N. Kayondo graduated from Truett McConnell University Reilin & Salmen School of Nursing (TMURSSON) in May, 2019.

Expecting to serve somewhere on the mission field in medical missions, Ms. Kayondo began to wonder where God would place her as graduation drew near. During her four years of study as a student-nurse at TMURSSON, Maria served on short-term mission trips in six different countries.

Where would God place her to serve? Would it be back home in Uganda, or Haiti, Zimbabwe, or perhaps India? As the international medical mission opportunities gradually diminished, and then denied, Maria began to think about graduate school and the pursuit of a Masters in Psychology or a Nurse Practitioner degree. Finding she needed more experience in the nursing field before graduate school, she applied to NGHS in Gainesville, Georgia.

Less than one year into her nursing career, Maria recalls, “I didn’t know that 7 months into my career as a brand new nurse on the oncology unit, we would be facing a

pandemic. I mean, nursing school didn’t teach me how to be ready for this, neither did state boards. I was still trying to figure out how to hang IV antibiotics and then, boom, a pandemic! It’s real and it’s raw. There’s no way you could do this alone or on your own strength. It’s exhausting. I mean you go from seeing normal “healthy people” to seeing people on the highest flow of oxygen and still not breathing well; some needing ventilators, some needing intubation. I have never seen anything like this before.”

Then Maria heard a sermon from a local preacher where she was reminded of the greatest tragedy. “The greatest tragedy I can think of is someone who comes through medical care and survives a scare of COVID-19, and goes back to a life that is without hope and without God and without a purpose, only to die in another season and another day, without the Creator.”

The thought of individuals entering eternity without a personal relationship with Jesus is, indeed, heartbreaking and tragic. Maria has a new perspective on her career, “So what’s my role right now you may ask? It’s to not only meet my patients physical needs/medical needs, but to be the awkward, new, nurse girl who writes letters to her patients, or loves on them a little extra, tries to scribble Spanish words about Jesus over their bed frames, or plays them some hymns if they’re going for an invasive procedure. I would rather be remembered as awkward.

For me to not have loved my patients a little bit more or asked some hard questions, it doesn’t even have to be complicated. The Lord just simply calls us to love others, and it may look different for every nurse. To some nurses, that might look like a hug for those patients because they are all alone; or to another nurse it may be bringing them their favorite pudding to cheer them up, or organizing a video call so they can see some familiar faces from home.

I believe that any act of love is never wasted.”

At Truett McConnell University, nursing is a ministry of compassionate care in which faith and learning are integrated. We challenge nursing students to become compassionate, patient centered nurse-leaders who will impact their communities and transform nursing care. Consistent with the mission and purpose of the University, our mission is to prepare competent, professional nurses to integrate Christian faith and instill Christian values with compassionate care to fulfill the ministry of the Great Commission. Maria exemplifies what TMU is preparing other nurses to do — be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Maria N. Kayondo 19

“ The greatest tragedy I can think of is someone who comes through medical care and survives a scare of COVID-19, and goes back to a life that is without hope and without God and without a purpose, only to die in another season and another day, without the Creator.�

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LEAH MINER

foundations in faith

BY JORDAN WEST As a 16-year old, Leah (Garrison) Miner saw how the nurses cared for her grandfather as his health declined.

The nurses served her whole family with grace and gentleness during a difficult time, and the difference they made impacted the trajectory of Miner’s future.

“During the last few hours of his life, the nurses prayed with us and allowed us to sing ‘Amazing Grace’ in my grandpa’s room,” she said. “The care they showed made me want to be a part of that profession.”

of a Christian worldview. Having that foundation in Christ and loving the patient in that way can help comfort you in those really hard shifts. Not many colleges teach you how to accomplish what you love professionally while also maintaining and practicing your morals within that profession. Knowing God is there with me and being able to talk to Him through prayer have been the best gifts for my nursing career.”

“As an emergency room nurse, you are the first ones within a hospital setting to take care of the patient,” she said. “Our main duty is to help stabilize the patient so they can ultimately be admitted, or hopefully, discharged, if they are well enough. I like being an emergency room nurse because you never know what you may get day by day. We deal with everything from cardiac arrests, to strokes, to abdominal pain, to lacerations — you name it, we deal with it.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed the way work looks for Miner, and protocol evolves daily. “In the hospital, we have very limited protective gear, so we have to recycle what we have,” she said. “I get off shift with terrible headaches because we are having to wear two different masks to be with the patients.

I have my temperature taken upon entrance to the hospital. Loved ones are not allowed to visit their family members, so I am the one that has to make sure they stay informed on what is going on with their family member.”

Leah Miner Miner earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from TMU in 2016. Today, she is a nurse in the Emergency Department at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Braselton Campus.

“It is easy to learn the skills of a nurse, but no one can prepare you for the times of heartache, or the times of feeling defeated, or the times of feeling like your help just wasn’t enough,” Miner said. “TMU prepared me by exploring the profession of nursing with the foundation

She has made sacrifices in her personal life in order to serve patients while keeping her family safe. “I miss my family very much,” she said. “I haven’t seen my parents in almost two months, and that has been hard for me. I know that God is in control, so I am putting my trust in Him that everything will work out as He’s planned.”

To the students struggling through nursing school, or to the nurses facing an ever-changing hospital environment, Miner’s words of advice apply to all who have chosen to pursue a career in nursing. “Don’t give up, because there will be very hard days, but also very good days,” she said.

“Just always remember why God called you into nursing, and if you forget or lose your way, God has a great way of reminding you when you least expect it. Whether it be by that grumpy patient finally softening up to you, or the family member thanking you for helping out their loved one. One way or another, God will help remind you.”

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KAYLA SNETHEN

finish the race

BY BAILEY HUMPHREY Kayla Snethen graduated from Truett McConnell University in 2018 with a nursing degree. She continues to make her TMU family proud not only through her nursing career, but also through her pursuit of a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Snethen never intended to attend TMU. However, her mother schedule a tour of the campus and Snethen reluctantly agreed. “As soon as I came onto Truett’s campus, I was overwhelmed by God’s presence,” recalled Snethen. “I knew that God’s plan was for me to attend Truett, and that He had more planned for me there than I could have ever planned for myself.”

Once at TMU, Snethen found herself a part of a community of students and professors who shared her love for Christ. Snethen still feels connected to these students and professors even though she is no longer on campus. “I still have close friends that I met at Truett that continue to encourage me in my walk with Christ,” said Snethen. “I met friends there that I will have for a lifetime. I learned how to be authentic in my faith. I know my professors will always be there for me.”

In addition to the community she gained, Snethen was able to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse: “I have always had a passion for healthcare and being an advocate for patients and their families. I love being able to connect with patients and show them that they are more than just a diagnosis or room number. Being a nurse is a privilege to me,” Snethen continued. “I get the opportunity to have an impact on the health of each patient and family that I come in contact with.

Starting my junior year of high school, I would visit my local hospital and pray for patients in the waiting room.

I received that neat opportunity to see individuals come to know Christ. I loved being able to connect with those who were broken and hurting. I knew that God was using that experience to confirm my call to the nursing field.“ Snethen has many fond memories of her time at TMU, but perhaps her favorite memory is of attending a Bible study her freshman year. “I specifically remember that our Bible study was about the different names of God. I learned so much about the Lord and was so encouraged by those in my Bible study, as we also shared our challenges and celebrations. I was truly thankful for a safe community that I could be a part of.”

Kayla Snethen Since graduating from TMU in 2018, Snethen has been busy. She moved to Virginia where she worked as a nurse in the Cardiac Unit of a local hospital. While in Virginia, she also met her husband. After they married, they moved to Clearwater, Florida, where they currently live. Snethen works at a local hospital in the Orthopedics Unit.

Before moving from Virginia, Snethen began to consider Liberty University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice degree: She applied to the program, and she was recently accepted to begin the degree online. “I have always desired to be a Family Nurse Practitioner,” said Snethen. “I am so honored that I am able to pursue my Doctorate Degree at Liberty. I have a passion for furthering my education in nursing. I love learning more about healthcare. I desire to learn the most that I can so that I can best serve patients and their families.”

Snethen recommends TMU’s nursing program for any other aspiring nurses: “Truett prepared me for my career in nursing by encouraging me to stand strong in my faith, even in the nursing field.”

Snethen concludes by offering a word of encouragement to students currently in the nursing program: YOU’RE DOING IT! You are running the race.

KEEP THE FAITH! Know that only God’s strength will get you through and you must lean on His understanding!

You are so valuable in the eyes of God. You are precious in His sight. FINISH THE RACE!”

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John Pearson Finding and Following Jesus Mr. John Pearson has been named the

venture partners. John is also an organizer/director at Foothills Community bank, and is the founder/chairman of Mission Joint Venture International (MJVI.org).

2019-2020 Balthasar Hubmaier School of Theology & Missions Academic Achievement Award winner. John’s life journey to introduce and bring him to Truett McConnell University is a story of God’s directing, and influencing.

The Pearson family conducted two successful family businesses in Mansfield, Ohio for 30 years. John grew up and attended Lexington High School, graduating in the spring of 1980. John’s mother operated a children’s clothing store and his father a furniture store. This is where John and his brother, Chip, and sister, Lisa, learned about solid Christian precepts and a good work ethic.

“As kids, we worked in the stores and learned life and business principles from our parents,” stated John, “We also learned that you can own businesses without them owning you.” John’s parents sold their family businesses and moved to Atlanta in the summer of 1981.

Indeed, the Pearson children learned entrepreneurism and business acumen from their parents. Chip is a very accomplished business man and a Georgia State Senator for four terms, and Lisa is a professor at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. John and Chip are founders and Managing Partners for Cold River Land, LLC, an asset management and property tax management company. Cold River Land, LLC provides development, engineering, construction and management services to the nation’s leading homebuilders and developers. Cold River Land, LLC has underwritten over 3 billion dollars in portfolio single project acquisitions for its clients and joint 23

In the fall of 1982, while running an errand for his mother to the church his parents had joined after moving to Atlanta, a man invited him to stay for an evening service.

John recalls, “I remember thinking it was very different from my Episcopal church upbringing, and I was curious to see what was going to happen. The thing that most caught my attention was the call to make a personal decision for Christ based on a personal sin debt I could not remedy. I prayed and asked Jesus to save me, following the instructions of the preacher. That was late November 1982, and my life has been different ever since.”

God’s directing in John’s life did not stop at John’s salvation experience. Within a few weeks of his salvation experience, a man named Jimmy invited him to a Bible study. Jimmy took John to Resthaven Baptist Church where John was baptized and began to study and learn the Bible. In 1984, John met the woman of his dreams, Sandy Cofer, at a Labor Day church picnic. The following fall they were married. John and Sandy attended Resthaven Baptist Church for 23 years, and raised their three children Andrew, Kristen, and Kathryn at Resthaven until Vision Baptist Church was birthed in Alpharetta, Georgia, Forsyth County, in 2005.

Vision Baptist Church began as a place to raise up and train young families to carry the Gospel around the world. John had been working with a missionary family from Arequipa, Peru, and the faith-vision God had placed in both of their hearts became sight at Vision Baptist Church. John became the treasurer for

the church and also served as a Deacon, Adult Sunday School teacher, and High School Sunday School teacher throughout his tenure at Vision. Sandy co-teaches the High School class with John, disciples other women, and acts as the event coordinator for many of the activities at Vision. In 2019, the Vision Bible Institute was started to further the world-impact families may have in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. John secures teachers, creates and assembles all materials for the Institute, and teaches classes within the Institute. Currently, Vision Baptist Church has 40 families in attendance serving or training for full time church planting missions around the world.

Each of John and Sandy’s children are serving the Lord. John’s son, Andrew, and his wife, Holly, are members at Vision Baptist Church, Andrew is a deacon and runs the A.V. program, while Holly operates the nursery. They have three children, Natalie, Ali and Audrey.

John’s daughter, Kristen, is the church’s pianist, and her husband, Ben, is the guitarist and teaches middle school classes and teaches in the Institute. They have two children, Wesley, and Elanor. John’s youngest daughter, Katheryn, and her husband, Micah, and three children, Sofia, Josiah, and Ezra, are international missionaries serving in Sarajevo, Bosnia. Micah is currently taking on-line classes from TMU for his undergraduate degree. John stated, “It is a great blessing that our kids are all serving the Lord and we give Him all the glory for that.”

As they say, the rest is history, graduating with a Christian Studies degree in 2014.

After graduation, John had no interest in pursuing a Master of Arts in Theology degree (MAT) until Truett McConnell University (TMU) began a satellite location offering the MAT at First Baptist Church in Alpharetta, Georgia. John began pursuing the MAT in the fall of 2015. The decision to pursue his Masters was made easier as he had toured Europe the summer before, with most of the professors teaching the courses at Alpharetta. Pearson said, “While Caner was the conspirator in my entering the program, the professors that would be teaching the classes were the lock. It was the Anabaptist Tour all over again, just longer and local. Literally, the chance to spend hours each week with men like the theology professors at Truett, I saw as a lifetime opportunity for me.”

Pearson continued, “I have only praise and admiration for all the professors and staff. Dr. Caner embodies the spirit of Truett, Dr. Jason Graffagnino can talk about every subject in the Bible. Dr. Michael Whitlock has some sort of doctrinal super powers, and I cannot help but love the man even though he calls me a heretic. Tom Hennigan spent many early morning breakfasts during the Anabaptist Tour, each of these mornings were special. Dr. Kurt Wise has come to my house to talk with teens and they wouldn’t leave him alone. Dr. Holly Haynes is just amazing, and Dr. Disseau has been a teacher, mentor, friend, and confidant. He has helped me significantly in accomplishing the work necessary to complete the MAT and was actively present in this home stretch which was just what I needed to complete my MAT.”

The practicality of graduating with a degree from TMU is seen daily in John Pearson’s life and ministry. “I teach the high school class, discipleship, and in the Bible Institute at Vision. My MAT is at work every week at Vision.

The families and students are happy recipients of the great teaching I have received.” John continued, “Growth comes with growing pains and TMU has had their share, but I have never spoken or emailed with any of the staff, in any support role, that they did not tend to my needs quickly and courteously.

There are a dozen names I will never remember, of people that fixed my email, my class selection mistakes, my poor math skills when paying a bill etc., etc. Well done team! What Truett has is unique among universities.”

After the success of starting and operating his own business for over 30 years, returning to college to complete his undergraduate degree was not a desire or even on John’s radar. Nevertheless, his brother asked John to attend a lunch with the President of Truett McConnell, Dr. Emir Caner and then head of Advancement, Dr. Daniel Moosebrugger. At that luncheon, John informed Caner and Moosebrugger that he had not graduated from college and that's when Moosebrugger asked, “Why don’t you let us help you with that?”

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Cierra Winkler Professor Cierra Winkler has been a valued member of the Truett McConnell University family for several years. Now she is making her TMU family even more proud with the exciting new opportunities she has in screenwriting.

Winkler was blessed to have parents who were active in the church, and she accepted Christ at seven years old during a revival service.

“I didn’t understand everything about the faith,” Winkler recalled.

“But I do remember being aware of my sin, and that I needed a Savior to forgive me.”

She had a love for Christ from a young age, but she also had a love for literature. Winkler earned an English degree from The University of North Georgia in Dahlonega. Though she ended up back in North Georgia when she accepted her job at TMU, she left North Georgia after earning her Bachelor’s. “Two days after our commencement ceremony, my Father and I loaded up my Jeep and drove 5400 miles to Southcentral Alaska,” Winkler shared. “I lived and worked at a Baptist youth camp and pursued a Master’s in English from the University of Alaska in Anchorage.” Winkler specialized in Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century American Literature, with special emphasis on the early American Gothic writers. In addition to working at the Baptist youth camp while earning her Master’s, she also received a Teaching Assistant scholarship and taught freshman composition courses at the University of Alaska.

Although Winker’s Teaching Assistant scholarship ignited her passion for teaching at the college level, she held onto her passion for working at the Baptist youth camp. “Though I now live in Georgia most of the year, God’s allowed me to return to the camp almost every summer since then to serve, and these have been some of my most treasured experiences.” said Winkler.

When Winkler moved back to Georgia, she taught for three years at The University of North Georgia. Although she enjoyed her time there, she wanted to teach somewhere smaller where she could get to know the students in her classroom. “I saw that Truett was looking for additional English faculty and applied,” said Winkler. “I’m so thankful God led me to a school that encourages faculty and staff to incorporate Christ into our curriculum and the school atmosphere so much!”

While teaching at Truett, Winkler began pursuing her Master’s of Fine Arts, which has led her to an incredible internship opportunity. “For the past two years, I’ve been an Intern in TV & Screenwriting at the Jim Henson Company in North Hollywood,” Winkler shares. “This internship is also an MFA program, and there are twelve interns in our writing cohort. Though we’re allowed to do most of the writing from home, it’s also required a lot of travel, and I’m still praying about moving to LA or Atlanta to pursue screenwriting or production full time.”

In the past two years, Winkler has written two full-length features, two one-hour dramas and show bibles, one half-hour comedy, and four academic journal articles on the history of screenwriting. She is currently developing a family drama series, Lee Strobel’s The Case for Christ adaptor, Brian Bird.

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“I want to be a Christian working in Hollywood, sharing the love and truth of Christ to those who control what plays on our living room TV’s every night.”

Winkler hopes to work in development at a major studio after earning her MFA and completing her internship with the Jim Henson Company. “I want to be a Christian working in Hollywood, sharing the love and truth of Christ to those who control what plays on our living room TV’s every night,” said Winkler.

Winkler encourages students not to feel pressured to choose a life-long career at 22. Though she has loved her teaching career, she has a promising screenwriting career ahead of her. “There is purpose in God’s timing,” concludes Winkler. “Pray for discernment and guidance as you decide on a major and look towards the future, but be anxious for nothing. Be flexible. Be open to unexpected changes.

Allow God to be the Potter as He works out His plan for your life.”

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A NOTE FROM THE DEAN DR. KENNETH GABRIELSE

THE FELIX MANZ SCHOOL of MUSIC

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he Felix Manz School of Music exists to prepare men and women to use the gift of music in vocational service to the Giver of gifts. TMU has a long history of teaching music to God-called students; in fact, the first four-year degree offered on campus was a degree in Music. Today, our school offers two Music degrees — the Bachelor of Arts in Music and Bachelor of Science in Music Education.

Our graduates in Music Education are teaching in public and private schools and in private instruction studios at home or in the church. Most of them are associated with a church — using their gifts to teach and lead in volunteer and bi-vocational ministry.

The B.A. in Music has three concentrations: in Worship and Church Music, in General Music, and in Business Studies. Those students who believe God has called them to vocational ministry using the tool of music in the local church usually choose the concentration in Worship and Church Music. Students who desire to explore performance and teaching may decide on the concentration in General Music.

In fact, many of these students continue their studies at the graduate level. The concentration in Business Studies was designed for the entrepreneurial student who may want to set up their own business using teaching and performing as a commodity. One of the tracks helps prepare a student to continue in the Master of Business Administration program.

Music students at TMU are part of a family that works together, helps and encourages one another, and cheers each other on as new levels of skill are developed. Musicians, by nature and training, love to make music with other musicians — and we provide many opportunities for this to occur. Our music majors and minors, as well as students from other disciplines, are able to participate in vocal and instrumental groups. Our ensembles perform in churches, schools, and for campus activities. We stay busy making music!

A music degree from TMU prepares our graduates for teaching and performing in schools, churches, and studios. We have graduates leading in churches, on the mission field, teaching bands and choir in public and private schools, attending graduate schools to continue their study of music, working in music businesses, and teaching privately in churches and homes. Many of them have used their degree as a foundation for employment; others see their degree as a tool in ministry that will give them a platform to share the love of Christ with a hurting world.

We know students who become a part of the TMU family will find a deepening walk with Christ; we know in the Felix Manz School of Music, our students are challenged to understand the hard work and discipline necessary to be successful in their degree path is a holy sacrifice and part of their spiritual service of worship. Our prayer for all our students is that, during their course of study, God will transform them to be more in the image of Christ. (Romans 12:1-2).

We hope you will join us in impacting the lives of students and families by praying with us and possibly giving to the mission of TMU. We would love to hear from you concerning prospective students. Our desire is to engage with all our music alumni to enlist them in the ongoing mission of the Felix Manz School of Music. Join us as we grow!

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CORONAVIRUS UPDATE: The Spring 2020 graduating class from the Felix Manz School of Music is the largest in our history. This group of students finished their degree requirements separated from the faculty who loves them and the campus they love. Private voice and instrumental instruction, final projects in classes, and senior recitals were all completed

through online formats.

We conducted nine senior recitals in 14 days (a TMU record we hope not to have to duplicate in the future)! On Friday, May 8, the Music School faculty met with our 14 graduates for an online ‘graduation’ ceremony where we shared remembrances, blessings, and prayers for the future ministries of each of our beloved students. God is going to do great things with these newest members of the TMU alumni family.

The chaos of noise fills the air. Sounds of opening cases, scurrying feet, shrilling notes from instruments, scooting chairs are interspersed with bursts of laughter. Every student’s heart warms as they stream from multiple directions late in the evening. With one wave of the conductor’s hand, the air falls silent.

Everyone waits. Anticipation. With another wave, what was chaos before becomes harmony. Warm-ups begin, and everyone settles in to start work on their glorious calling — Making music.

PRAISING THE LORD THROUGH...

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he Felix Manz School of Music offers many instrumental opportunities to its music majors and other majors alike. From the classical string orchestra, the pep band ROAR, the mixed musical tastes of the Wind Ensemble, the smooth and funny style of the Jazz band, and the contemporary mixes of the 3:16 Ensemble, everyone has a place to contribute their talents. Most importantly, the Lord is praised. Each student grows musically through the variety of opportunities and expectations of professionalism.

String Orchestra and Wind Ensemble bring the classical training to the table. Both directors carefully select pieces suited to the skill level of the groups, then skillfully push the students to better musicianship. Both Orchestra and Ensemble provide a sounding board for recent compositions by TMU’s own aspiring composers. Of course, the Felix Manz School of Music grows not only the classical music side of each student but reaches to expand the spiritual side as well. The band rooms are a place of peace and communion even amidst the noise.

The directors, though not required to do so, reach out and interact with all the music students, praying for them, caring for them, building each one up for the Lord. The comradeship that develops is astounding. It is common to see students in the music buildings standing around praying for and encouraging one another. It is 29

“ The… musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the LORD… Then the temple of the LORD was filled with the cloud…”

2 Chronicle 5:13

Instrumental Music also not uncommon to see students sharing tools and other needed items for instruments, offering rides, and encouraging those with lesser skills. Prayer requests are always brought forward before and after each practice by students for students, family, and faculty alike. During the last few years, Wind Ensemble musicians have raised funds for friends and family outside and inside the music department for many reasons. String Orchestra and Wind Ensemble bring many of the Lord’s children together, working in a gift that builds up both the musicians and those who listen.

The more contemporary ensembles (Jazz band, ROAR, and 3:16) also provide similar spiritual comradery. The same peaceful feeling pulses within each of these groups while reaching out to more of the younger audiences with the joy the musicians feel. One example of this is the end of the semester Jazz Band Concert. Faculty and students alike don Hawaiian shirts to give one last jam session as a relaxer before finals. The ROAR ensemble has cheered on TMU’s basketball teams to more wins as well as bringing up school pride. Last but not least, TMU’s modern worship band (3:16) travels to churches and other religious gatherings to share our students’ talents through praise and worship music while representing our university.

is its enemy. For with its aid, many terrible temptations are overcome; the devil does not stay where music is.”

TMU’s music faculty has crafted a beautiful and safe environment full of God’s grace and beauty, where its students grow beyond just musicianship to worship of our Lord in one of the purest forms. Words cannot express the pure joy Felix Manz’ instrumental bands stir in the hearts of the participating students. Ensemble playing provides the opportunity to raise our “voices” through our instruments together, sending that sound straight to our Lord’s ears. It brings us together in a way few other activities can, and changes all involved.

Martin Luther once said, “Music is one of the greatest gifts God has given us: it is divine, and therefore Satan 3 0 | THE B ELL tr uet t. edu

M I C H A E LY N LO P E R

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Singing

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at TMU

he chief end of man is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever.” This quote from John Piper (Desiring God, pg. 18), describes our music making on the campus of Truett McConnell University; we are enjoying God by offering Him praise and glory through our singing and playing.

In doing so, we are also honoring a strong history of studying and making music on our campus in Cleveland.

schools for a music festival; our second annual Musical Theater Recital (a campus favorite); TMU Chorale singing in the North Georgia Choral Explosion concert at UNG; church and spring concerts: third annual Faith and Freedom Celebration; and five senior voice recitals. Sadly, the week of shutdown would have been the Chorale’s first of 14 concerts for the spring. The shutdown greatly disappointed all of us — we love to sing!

Historically, TMU has been known as a place where music is made for the glory of God. From summer gospel music camps to local, regional, and international tours, TMC (U) choirs, faculty, and students have been active in sharing our faith through the tool of singing. And, while the separation imposed during a pandemic was sudden and complete, our students continued singing — online lessons, virtual choir, online church worship, etc.

Although we graduated our largest senior music class in TMU history, returning and new students coming in the fall have given us great hope for an exciting year of singing and praising. Our singing groups are strong and those students studying voice are showing great progress in using their gifts. We will carry on the strong legacy of “Singing a new song unto the Lord” at TMU!

This 2019-2020 school year would have been the busiest year of singing in the past four years. TMU Chorale was able to sing in four churches; one of these concerts was for the Gwinnett Metro Baptist Association. In November, TMU Chorale and Community Choir joined with a string orchestra to perform Handel’s Messiah for our choral event. Most of the soloists were vocal students studying with our voice faculty. Two weeks later, we performed our Christmas concerts for the campus and community.

Plans for the Spring semester included hosting 350 students, parents, and teachers from Christian high 31

“

Singing in Chorale was the highlight of my time at TMU. The lessons I learned go far beyond musical concepts. It is there in that setting I met my future husband. It is where I made some of the dearest friends, and it is where I found my calling.”

- Callie Burks, B.S. Music Education, 2020 TMU's Chorale ended the year with a virtual performance due to Covid-19.

“

Singing on campus was a place I found relief from schoolwork and other stress going on in my life. It was the time set aside that I was able to gather with other musicians, work hard, and enjoy what we were able to create in the moment. Every day I looked forward to Chorale so I could be with everyone working towards the same goal. No, not every practice was perfect, but we grew as musicians and strived for excellence. Singing at Truett helped make me the musician I am today. The rehearsals and performances are the experiences I will treasure the most from my time at Truett; the time I miss the most next fall will be around 4:00 (Chorale rehearsals).”

- Hannah Kerr, B.A. Music, 2020

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SENIOR

Spotlight

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pring Semester 2020 was unquestionably hard for everyone at TMU. However, the seniors in the music program suffered an especially harsh blow. For music majors, one of the last things they get to do at TMU is to perform one last special recital. Most senior recitals involve groups of musicians playing, singing, and practicing together for large quantities of time. Years of lessons and practice culminate in their senior recitals, which serve as their capstone class and are attended by family, friends, and fellow students. Missing the chance to showcase skills and ideas worked on since freshman year seemed like a cheated dream with no hope of closure.

Though every senior was crushed and worried about getting to perform that one special recital, those feelings changed to hope and trust when the faculty came up with a plan to carry on with the recitals virtually. Private recitals performed for close family members were recorded and live-streamed while faculty adjudicated from afar. Ultimately, the virtual recitals opened the doors to make it possible for many others who would typically not be able to attend the recitals to view the performances. As graduating senior, Emily Floyd, expressed her thoughts...

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I wish it [the recital] would have gone as planned, but God has a better plan.�

- Emily Floyd, B.S. Church Music, 2020

While these seniors were not able to showcase their skills developed since their freshman year at TMU, they will now enter the world and begin to showcase their skills on the big stage, called LIFE.

Each year Felix Manz School of Music has produced talented, Christ-centered seniors who are ready to fulfill their calling in the world. This year is no less with graduates overflowing with thankfulness to the faculty for the virtual recitals and the only sad feelings being for parting from their TMU music family.

“

When we were sent home from TMU, I was very upset. I felt robbed. But in the midst of the chaos, God turned the lights back on!

I started to see the bright side of things….

While I would have preferred to have all my friends and family there, I was still able to walk across that stage and use my passion for music to honor and glorify my God!

“

For me, with this last semester, I had a bunch of mixed feelings. I was already dreading graduation because, after four years, it becomes home with family, and then it all got kind-a ripped away. I have been angry, frustrated, confused, and sad because I miss everyone and didn’t get the ending we had all been planning for. At times I haven’t wanted to see or admit it, but the Lord has still been providing…all in all I miss TMU and life on campus, I miss all of my friends, I’m nervous for whatever the next chapter of my life holds. But I know that just like in these uncertain times, God will be faithful, and the best is yet to come.”

It was an experience I’ll never forget!”

- Trey Royal, B.S. Church Music, 2020

- Jared Dowdle, B.S. Church Music, 2020

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PROFESSOR BIO'S Dr. Kenneth Gabrielse

Dean, Felix Manz School of Music Hometown: Enid, Oklahoma

College/University attended: William Jewell College; New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Favorite Composer: This changes all the time. Favorite Classical Composer: Ludwig von Beethoven (the Ninth Symphony turned up as loud as I can stand it is like heaven!); Favorite 20th century composer: John Williams (I love movie themes); Favorite Choral Composer right now: Dan Forrest; Favorite Church Music Composer: Keith Getty (God has gifted him with a voice, a platform, and a gift for writing beautiful melodies that are set to deep, theological texts).

Years at TMU: I started teaching in 2016 — 4 years (beginning my 5th year).

Why TMU: My previous position was 100% administrative. God knew my heart was to teach and has allowed me the wonderful joy of helping our students on this part of their journey.

I am excited about the future of our School of Music. We are going to be exploring new minors and new degrees to help future students answer God’s call.

Cathy Rogers

Adjunct Music Faculty, Staff Accompanist

Hometown: Vidalia, Georgia College/University attended: Shorter College; Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Missions Concentration); Valdosta State University (Collaborative Piano) Favorite Musical/Music Piece/Composer: I haven’t one specific per se.

Being a musician who collaborates more than performing solo repertoire, I enjoy listening, studying and making music of many styles, genres and ensemble mixes. I thrive in using my classical technique, adapting it, changing it, and exploring new ways to make music. In my philosophy, music is timeless. Nothing is new under the sun, but merely can be rearranged to give us who are currently living something to do for God’s glory.

Years at TMU: Since fall of 2012 — 8 years (beginning my 9th year).

Why TMU: Dr. Ben Caston, who was the dean of the music department in 2012 needed a Group Piano teacher and a staff accompanist. I was looking for employment and he knew me from his teaching days at Brewton-Parker College where I had served as a part-time accompanist.

I am constantly giving thanks for the opportunity to be in the North Georgia mountains on a daily basis, where I have longed to be for years. I am a lifetime learner and in a constant race to reach the potentials God has set for me to pursue.

Presently, he is using TMU as a place for His calling within me to be magnified.

My prayer is to be found a good and faithful steward.

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Dr. Becky Lombard

Music & Fine Arts

Hometown: New Orleans, Louisiana College/University attended: Oklahoma Baptist University; New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Favorite Music Piece/Composer: Nimrod Variation by Elgar Years at TMU: I began here in August, 2010 — 10 years (beginning my 11th year).

Why TMU: After serving for many years as faculty at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and the University of Mobile, I felt called to leave Seminary work and move to TMU after hearing God speak to me through the book of Haggai. God’s direction was clear. Being at TMU allows me to do Kingdom work in the lives of students and Baptists across the state of Georgia.

My call to church music ministry came at an early age and drives my life work. In local church, education, and denominational work, I feel that my music and my life should always be exalting God in worship, telling a lost world of their need of Jesus Christ as Savior, edifying and discipling believers, and whenever possible, administering healing to those who are hurting.

Dr. Steven Tyndall

Instrumental Music & Music Education

Hometown: Born in Wellington, Kansas, but my hometown is Peachtree City, Georgia.

College/University attended: Jacksonville State University in Alabama; West Georgia College; The University of Alabama ROLL TIDE Favorite Musical/Music Piece/Composer: Musical: The Music Man; Music Piece: Symphonie Fantastique; Composer: Debussy Years at TMU: I started here at TMU in 2013 — 7 years (beginning my 8th year).

Why TMU: There is NO WHERE better! The students are the BEST!

Being PAPA to Jude, Gideon and soon my new granddaughter, Willa, is the best! I am so Blessed!

Phillip Arthur Simmons

Adjunct Music Faculty, Composition/Technology Hometown: Griffin, Georgia

College/University attended: Truett McConnell University; Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin, Ireland Favorite Musical/Music Piece/Composer: Music Piece: Enigma Variations; Variation IX. Nimrod — Adagio by Edward Elgar. Composer: John Williams Years at TMU: I have been on staff at TMU for 3 years (beginning my 4th year).

Why TMU: One of the most fulfilling things as a music instructor is to watch the growth of a young musician’s talents. I love opening students’ eyes to the joys of music and teaching them to cultivate the gifts God has given them.

TMU is a unique place where students learn more about their field, but more importantly, learn more about life, relationships and faith. The TMU experience is one that a student will carry with them the rest of their life. Having come through TMU years ago as a student myself, I count it a great honor to be able to continue the legacy of this institution as a faculty member, training the next generation of musicians, composers and music missionaries.

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FOLLOWING CHRIST to

M A K E DISCIPLES of

A LL PEOPLE

The novel coronavirus pandemic has made all of us painfully aware of how fragile and tenuous our lifestyle, health, financial security, and churches are in reality. Covid-19 intersects every culture and people group across the globe and points out our world’s need for a Savior, Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, eight TMU mission trips to Poland, Ireland, Russia, Alaska, Haiti, Guatemala, India and Nepal were postponed as a result of the pandemic. Ten student led TMU MOVE Teams and local ministry outreach teams that minister to groups such as refugees, the homeless, human trafficking victims, and trekkers, were also postponed.

What was one result of this world-wide pandemic?

Over 200 student planned outreach and 37

Ta n za n ia Ne p a l I n dia G u ate mal a

ministries were suddenly nonexistent.

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Ireland

Russia

Alaska continued on next page

Poland

This June, I took twelve students to the International Mission Board in Richmond, Virginia to receive

missionary training from their leaders and staff. We want to enhance TMU’s efforts to send out more missionaries across the globe by partnering more closely with the IMB in the years ahead. The purpose of TMU’s Mission Trips and MOVE Teams is to provide students opportunities to fulfill the Great Commission by making disciples among non-evangelized people groups from Cleveland, Georgia to the ends of the world. I have four goals for students on every Mission Trip: 1. develop a servant heart by serving missionaries, local believers, and team members; 2. develop practical ministry skills by sharing the gospel, teaching the Bible, participating in efforts to start new churches; 3. learn Biblical truths from the missionaries and local believers; 4. grow closer to Jesus and understand more clearly God’s calling in their life.

Haiti

As difficult as this has been for everyone to process, we know that the novel coronavirus has not quarantined the good news of the gospel, nor has it terminated Jesus’ Great Commission command to make disciples of all people groups (ethnos) by proclaiming the gospel, teaching God’s Word and starting new churches. Jesus Christ, His apostles, as well as the first churches and believers described in the book of Acts, depict a Great Commission focus that should still be a primary focus of our daily life. This is true for all Christians no matter where they live, and no matter what their circumstances. The World Missions Center is working to ensure the postponed trips take place in the 2020-2021 academic year. Additionally, we are planning for additional trips to London, Kenya, Thailand, Ecuador, and New York.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED The fruits of our labor: Students and faculty had

300+ gospel conversations during these trips.

Students learned practical skills for living and ministering

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in cross cultural settings.

TMU had Four Mission Trips during fall semester 2019 and the two months of spring semester 2020. The trips were to London, Argentina, Tanzania and the Czech Republic. Thirty-eight students and faculty participated in these trips.

In London, we served alongside IMB leaders in their efforts to start new churches among university students. Our time was spent sharing the gospel on university campuses and jumpstarting university outreach events.

In Argentina, Mr. Eppling and I taught students at the Word of Life ministry.

The teaching was coupled with Truett students and Word of Life students going off campus in the afternoons for outreach. We also spent two days in Buenos Aires doing outreach and Bible teaching with a partnering church.

The outreach focus during the Tanzania trip was Muslims and Hindus. We worked alongside IMB missionaries who are starting churches among these unreached people groups. Additionally, these missionaries taught students best practices for church planting through missional living in a foreign culture.

In the Czech Republic, Dr. Whitlock and I, along with Truett students, worked with IMB missionaries in the home town of President Caner’s wife, Hana. The missionaries taught us a method of evangelism designed for dealing with atheists and agnostics who make up the majority of the Czech Republic. We also held follow up events which provided opportunities for more in depth gospel conversations with seekers and their ongoing relationships with the missionaries and church leaders.

Three new Bible study groups were started with university students in London.

TMU and Word of Life will partner together for outreach along the Amazon River in Ecuador.

Three Truett Global Studies alum plan to work as a team with the IMB in East Africa among diaspora peoples.

Two Truett undergrad students (Global Studies majors) will serve 5 months in Czech Republic with IMB’s Hands On program in fall semester 2020.

Two Truett undergrad students (Psychology and Education majors) will serve 5 months in London with IMB’s Hands On program in fall semester 2020.

Photography by Rachel Durham

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Our Current World Situation presents unique opportunities and challenges for all of us to fulfill the Great Commission. We cannot fulfill the Great Commission by staying within the four walls of our classrooms, nor within the four walls of our churches. We must be intentional about sharing the gospel and making disciples, no matter where they live or how they live.

May these words of Paul in Philippians 3:12-14 inspire us to stay focused on making disciples of all peoples in these difficult times.

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

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C O R O N A V I R U S & OUR STUDENTS KEEPING OUR CAMPUS COMMUNITY CONNECTED AND INFORMED

Karli Greenfield, Director of Financial Aid

March 13th will always be a day that our Truett McConnell University family will never forget.

That was the day that Dr. Caner announced that TMU would transition to online instruction.

A few weeks after that, the transition encompassed the entire spring of 2020 semester.

In Student Services, we strive to put our students first in each of our decisions. This extraordinary situation was no different.

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Our Student Development staff, led by our director Jonathan Morris, initiated an appointment-based, contact-free check out process that students and families raved about. Our students and their families did a great job transitioning off campus and we were so glad we could help in that process.

The transition was smooth and safe, but our students still had to do the work for their classes despite the fact that the class modality had changed. Our Director of Student Success, Andrew Gailey, continued to meet with students virtually. Whether it was helping them cope with the transition, learn study habits, or with spiritual issues they were dealing with, he was there and available to help our students navigate this bizarre new reality.

Our Financial Aid office, led by Karli Greenfield, has been there for our students since this pandemic disrupted the semester.

They have been processing CARES Act funding almost from day one. Karli was also pivotal in helping our business office team determine the process and amounts of refund disbursements for our students.

TMU Student Development staff, left to right: Judy Granger, Andrew Leviner, Havilah Miller, Chris Eppling, Abbey Booke, Jonathan Morris, Andrew Gailey

Finally, even though this transition took place during the 2019-2020 academic year, we are still trying to seat a class for the 2020-2021 year amidst unpreceded uncertainty. Our Admissions team has been going over and above in their relentless efforts to get students in college in the fall.

Bryan Wisdom, our Director of Admissions, has done an exemplary job leading his group to perform in a remarkable way. Even during this time, it seems that enrollment is on pace to meet or surpass last year’s mark.

To access the latest information for our students, please visit us at truett.edu/virtual

We are not perfect, and there are some situations I could have handled better as a leader of this superb team. This comment from a parent sums up what we have heard from so many families,

“ We appreciate your flexibility and wisdom during these uncharted waters. Prayers for you all from this mom (and hospital nurse).�

Our Marketing and Communications team has done an exceptional job in this unfortunate time. Valarie Reeves and her team have helped keep our campus community connected during our time apart. The videos and social media posts they have put out have received superb reviews and reactions from our students and families. The work they have done to keep our campus community informed through our re-envisioned Virtual TMU page on our web site has been unparalleled.

I do believe that we have shown in this heartbreaking time an uncompromising commitment to this core principle; Treat others the way you want to be treated. We love our students and I hope that shines through all the time!

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TMU ATHLETICS

HALT DURING HEALTH CRISIS

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he spring of 2020, for the first time in at least the last 50 years, athletics came to a sudden halt. With no warning, student-athletes had careers halted and for some ended. For spring sports, in particular (Men’s Baseball, Women’s Softball, Men and Women’s Golf, Men and Women’s Track and Field, Women’s Lacrosse), there were no senior days to honor the contributions given to the program, no conference or national tournaments, no opportunity to go out on top or to have that last moment with the sport that they had been dedicated to for so many years. Seasons came to a stop, and in that moment and the weeks that followed, student-athletes, parents, and coaches struggled to understand. As Coach and Athletic Director, I deeply mourned the loss for the student-athletes, not because athletics is more important than one’s health, but because the unexpected occurred; something that many thought was not possible, and it was something that no one was prepared for.

A transition occurred rather quickly. Student-athletes were sent home. Coaches were working from home.

Classes went to an online format. Daily face to face interactions became weekly phone calls, Zoom meetings, text messages, social media takeovers, coach and team video spotlights, virtual tours, and the list goes on and on. We tried to create a sense of normalcy and support for the student-athletes. But honestly, it was difficult to capture without having the daily contact for which everyone had grown accustomed. Everyone had to adapt to the “new normal” and “roll with the punches.” Looking back now, almost 3 months removed from the day where time seemed to stand still, this is my take on things.

We speak often about our faith, and we try to prepare our student-athletes for the adversity they will face in life and in their future. We speak about trials and tribulations, overcoming adversity, and leaning on one’s faith in the good times and the bad. Our coaches try to model what it is to be a man or woman who has Christ living within them, and whose actions reflect this as they navigate life with our student-athletes. I believe that for many, this was the first time they truly saw first-hand how tomorrow is not promised; how no matter how hard they plan for the future, it doesn’t always work out; how sometimes things are just out of our hands. To say it was difficult would be an understatement, it was truly unfathomable. In life, the days keep coming, and eventually, things will move forward, so we must be ready and prepared for the future.

The future for TMU Athletics is bright as we will be welcoming new student athletes in the sports of Men’s Volleyball and Competitive Gaming beginning Fall 2020. We are excited about welcoming new and returning student-athletes in our 18 athletic programs back to campus this fall. It is our desire that they will return stronger and more resilient; that they will know that God is in control of all things even when it may be difficult to understand in the moment; and that they are ready to instill the knowledge gained through this experience into the lives of those around them. We are already preparing for the fall season. We will have some added health measures and precautions in place, but we are thankful that we will be able to return to what we love in the days, weeks, and months ahead and can impact others for Christ through the platform of Athletics. Go Bears!

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2020 ON-CAMPUS COMMENCEMENT

154 2 6 GRADUATES

SERVICES

FEET APART

2020 may have been different, but for the 130 bachelor and master degree candidates who were welcomed back to the Truett McConnell University (TMU) campus on June 13, the day was just as they had dreamed.

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tudents were asked to leave campus mid-March as a precaution against the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many were disheartened at the thought they would not be able to walk across the commencement stage.

However, several weeks after students left the Truett McConnell University (TMU) campus, President Emir Caner announced the school would hold an on-campus graduation ceremony. While the day would only be open to family, Caner told students, “We’re going to celebrate your accomplishments, your grit, your determination. We will celebrate everything about that day you deserve.”

The day was said by many, as one of the most unforgettable experiences.

The staff and faculty of TMU prepared two commencement services, allowing more space for social distancing guidelines, both held in the George Blaurock Student Wellness Center.

Each service was recorded live so everyone would be able to take part in the celebration — on campus or virtually.

The 10 a.m. service conferred degrees on graduates from The Peter and Gredel Walpot School of Education, The Hans Hut School of Business, The Michael Sattler School of Public Service, and The Balthasar Hubmaier School of Theology. The 2 p.m. service conferred degrees upon graduates from the The Martha Rielin and Elizabeth Salmen School of Nursing, The Leonhard Schiemer School of

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continued from previous page Psychology and Biblical Counseling, The Felix Manz School of Music, The Conrad Grebel School of The Humanities, and The Pilgram Marpeck School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

As each service started, the 2020 graduates walked proudly down the aisle as their relatives applauded from the stands.

The services opened with an invocation by Board of Trustees member Dr. Matt Brady and TMU Director of Special Projects Mr. David Eppling, respectively. President Emir Caner then welcomed families by saying, “As far as I know, we are the only university in Georgia to do an in-person graduation.

The reason we do this is to celebrate them. This is going to be a special day that you will remember for many years.”

In each service, graduates lined up six feet apart and walked across the stage to collect their diploma.

A Charge from the President Caner then addressed both audiences by reading from John 5, verse 39 and adding, “You have studied every discipline under the sun, but when you bowed your knee to the Lord Jesus Christ, you not merely bowed your knee, and your life, and your emotions, you bowed your mind to God’s Word — our source of authority in times of greatness and in times of need.”

The President concluded by holding up a Bible and charged graduates, as they leave TMU, to “trust this with your life, because it’s enough. It will get you through harder times than we’ve ever experienced over the last three months; it will get you through greater times than you’ve ever experienced with lifelong friends; and not only will it get you through, it will get you to heaven.”

Honoring of Graduates Director of Alumni Relations Dr. David Drake echoed blessings to each graduate and welcomed them into the TMU Alumni Association. Vice President for Academic Services Dr. Brad Reynolds then presented the bachelor and master degree candidates to the President who then awarded those candidates with their degree as they walked across the stage.

TMU graduates said they were thrilled to be a part of the event.

“What a beautiful day! I loved seeing everyone again. Thank you, Truett McConnell University, and thank you Dr. Emir Caner for making this day possible,” TMU graduate Hope James said.

“It was amazing,” said one parent. “You could feel the Lords presence during the ceremonies, and on the faces of the grads. Go light your world with God.” “Although graduation looked different, I would like to thank the TMU faculty and staff for making this day happen! Thank you to those who invested time, energy, and love during this four-year journey, during hard times and good times,” said Lisa Folmer, whose son Aaron graduated.

JENNY GREGORY

JG 48 | THE B ELL tr uet t. edu

TMU FINANCES

The Lord remains FAITHFUL As we look back on the 2019-2020 fiscal year, we cannot help but be in awe of God’s Providence and faithfulness to TMU. Back in the fall of 2018, we began diligently looking into options regarding our long-term financing position at the university. We were seeking long-term stability and a lower interest rate on our long-term indebtedness. At that time, our existing agreement with a regional bank in the Atlanta area was to come due with a large balloon payment in just a few short years. In addition, the interest rate of that arrangement was not satisfactory.

God’s Providence on Refinancing Through much prayer, and our own due diligence, we concluded that a public bond offering was the best course of action in order to achieve the goals before us.

We were able to stabilize our long-term indebtedness at a very attractive fixed interest rate for 30 years and create a “capital reserve fund” that would enable us to purchase properties adjacent to our campus, improve current infrastructure,

49

purchase new equipment and entertain new construction projects over the following 24-36 months. We closed on the bond refunding program on December 19, 2019.

Then, little did we know at the time, COVID-19 would come upon us. We were surprised, but Our Lord was not. He had directed our paths and led us to pursue a refinancing plan that would enable TMU to weather the storm of the coronavirus. He is indeed faithful to us.

Helping Our Students in the Midst of Crisis We ended up sending our students home for the rest of the semester in late March. Thankfully, the established online infrastructure for our normal online undergraduate programs (Business, Christian Studies, Criminal Justice, and Psychology), and graduate programs (MBA, MA in Professional Counseling, MA in Theology) allowed us to convert our “residential” classes to “online versions” quickly.

That infrastructure allowed the students to finish the “residential” semester at home. Overall, students did well academically in the midst of such uncertainty.

As we sent the students home after they had completed approximately 60% of the semester on campus, we decided to provide a pro-rated credit to the students for 40% of their room and board charges. This resulted in refund checks to most students that totaled $665,000. It was a financial challenge for TMU, but it was the right decision.

Some schools across the country chose not to issue credits to students. TMU does not work that way.

In addition, we had numerous student workers that depended on their part-time jobs to help them with their TMU expenses. Even after we sent them home, we chose to continue to pay the students for the remainder of the semester, according to their average hourly workload for the spring semester.

It was a small way to show our students that TMU cares for them and their families and to remind them that they are indeed part of the TMU family!

The HEERF grant was awarded through the Department of Education and TMU received approximately $500,000, half of which was to help students in need and half was to help with the general expenses of the university. 165 students applied for and were awarded just under $1,500 each (approximately $250,000 as a whole) to help them and their families.

Working from Home and Still Moving Forward to Improve the TMU Campus Even as we sent students home early and had our staff working from home during COVID-19, we chose to take advantage of the opportunity of having empty buildings. We moved quickly toward beginning several renovations and other projects. Again, we were able to do so because of the bond refinancing that we began seeking in the fall of 2018 and utilization of the resulting capital reserve fund. The following include projects that have been or will be completed in time for students to return in Fall 2020.

TMU RENOVATIONS

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Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) and Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) TMU applied for and qualified for both the Paycheck Protection Plan and the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund grant, both plans that were provided as part of the CARES Act passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump.

The PPP was funded through the Small Business Administration (SBA). TMU worked closely with our local banker to apply for and receive approval for just over $2 million to help the university with payroll, health insurance benefits, dental benefits, utilities and interest on current indebtedness.

ew carpet tiles, flooring tiles and N painting in Miller Hall.

New flooring in men’s traditional dorm rooms (we updated ladies traditional dorm room floors last summer).

3

New luxury vinyl plank flooring in 1st floor lobby of Wood Hall, and new carpet tiles in 2nd and 3rd floor lobbies.

4

N ew side entrance of Miller Hall and new outdoor plaza seating area. continued on next page

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10 11 12 13

Classroom technology upgrades, new carpet and paint in Miller 109 and 111.

Classroom technology upgrades and new paint in Miller 218 and 220. onversion of Miller 206 to a second C new Exercise Science lab.

New paint throughout Miller.

TM U RE N OVATI ONS

continued from previous page

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New paint throughout the inside of the Dining Hall.

Purchase and renovation of Joy Parks’ former office at the front of campus, now housed by our Dual Enrollment Office.

7

Purchase and renovation of Stan Lawson’s former office at the front of campus, now housed by our Advancement and Alumni and Church Relations Office.

8

New single-mode fiber network on the east side of campus (including Dining Hall, Garrison, Sewell, Sewell-Plunkett, Nix and baseball and softball fields).

Upgrades were made to the west side of campus last year.

9

N ew Virtual Hospital conversion in Brown Hall.

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14 15

New wi-fi access points in Miller.

16 17

aved the gravel lot near Wood Hall P and added additional lighting.

urchased new golf carts for campus P needs, including new 8-passenger cart for campus tours.

onversion of entire campus to C LED lights.

Financial Health for 2019-2020, COVID-19, and God’s Provision: A Reflection

18 19 20 21

ix 1st floor upgrades: flooring, N furnishings, social spaces. ix Bear Cave Room: upgraded N technology, seating for classroom space and special events/meetings.

As of the writing of this article, we have not yet ended the fiscal year for 2019-2020. However, in spite of COVID-19, we are aiming to end the financial year on a positive note once again. In addition our credits to students with pro-rated refunds of room and board totaling $665,000, we also lost out on summer camp revenue of approximately $300,000. We absorbed a $1 million loss of revenue on those two major items alone, and yet we have not let go of a single employee due to COVID-19. Some schools did not provide pro-rated refunds. We did. Many schools are laying off faculty and staff right and left. We have not. In addition, we have provided student workers with paychecks, based on their average spring semester hourly work schedules, for the last 2 months to help them and their families during this difficult time. We are moving forward on numerous capital projects as we prepare for our returning students and a new freshman class this fall.

New sidewalks connecting Odell Hall to the rest of the TMU campus.

Upgrade of GPH food storage area.

As we reflect upon all of this, we all are thankful, that in the midst of COVID-19, where millions of people have lost their jobs, we at TMU are still fully employed AND we are able to continue to improve our campus for now and the future. As we all know, only the Lord can receive the credit for such a blessing.

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ewell-Plunkett upgrade of rear S classroom and practice rooms/halls.

Upgrade of front security gate area.

ew wi-fi access points in traditional N dorms. ights on soccer, baseball and L softball fields.

We know we are still facing uncertain times in the midst of all that is going on in our country and the world, but we know that we serve a Risen Savior who literally puts breath in our lungs. We live in a sin-stricken, fallen world where we are subject to disease, the sins of others and our own sin. In the midst of all of this, the Lord has remained faithful to each one of us, our families, and to the TMU family as a whole. He has numbered our days. He is in control. We can trust Him, and in Him only, in the midst of chaos.

BY DR. JASON GRAFFAGNINO Vice President for Finance and Operations Chief Financial Officer Associate Professor of History and Theology

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PRESIDENT’S ANNUAL GIVING 2019–2020 FISCAL YEAR

REPORT

TRUETT MCCONNELL UNIVERSITY OFFICERS & DEANS DR. EMIR F. CANER, President, Professor of History & Christian Studies Mr. Chris Eppling, VP for Student Services, Assoc. Professor of Christian Studies Dr. Brad Reynolds, VP for Academic Services, Professor of Christian Studies Dr. Jason Graffagnino, VP for Finance & Operations, CFO, Assoc. Professor of History & Theology Mr. Truitt Franklin, AVP of Enterprise Data Management Mr. Paul Willard, AVP of Finance Mr. Marty Carnes, AVP of Advancement Dr. Kenneth Gabrielse, Dean of Felix Manz School of Music Dr. Holly Haynes, Dean of Leonhard Schiemer School of Psychology & Biblical Counseling Dr. Mael Disseau, Dean of Balthasar Hubmaier School of Theology & Missions Mrs. J. Marie Griffn-Taylor, Dean of Michael Sattler School of Public Service Dr. Katherine Hyatt, Dean of Hans Hut School of Business Dr. Michael T. Justus, Dean of Conrad Grebel School of Humanities Dr. Julie Lutz, Dean of Peter & Gredel Walpot School of Education Dr. Robert S. Bowen, Dean of Pilgram Marpeck School of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics Dr. Toni Barnett, Dean of Martha Reilin & Elizabeth Salmen School of Nursing

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Dr. Robby Foster, Chairman Rev. Jerry Adair Mr. Adam Baker Dr. Matt Brady Dr. Mac Brunson Mr. Miguel Caro Dr. Frank Cox Mrs. Julie Durough

Dr. Anthony George Rev. Jeff Glenn Rev. Michah Hamrick Mr. Miles Hannan Mr. Marty Harbin Col. Hopp Hopkins Rev. Jim Holmes

Rev. Jason Jones Mr. Keith Kelly Rev. Carl Marshall Mr. Weyman Perry Dr. Geoff Prows Dr. Allen Rea Mr. Johnny Sutton

Mr. Sam Teasley Mr. Calvin Thompson Mr. Jeff Warwick Rev. Brian Welch Mr. Todd West Dr. Chris Winford

Mr. Jeffrey Fuller Rev. Paul Fulton Mr. Al Gainey Dr. Damon Gibbs Mrs. Andrea Gray Rev. Ken Hall Rev. Tony Hamilton (dec.)

Rev. Russ Harbin Mr. David Henson Mr. John Howard Mr. Mike Howell Mr. Richard Huff Mr. Hank Humphrey Mr. Charles Johnson Mr. Glenn Jones Mrs. Susan Jones Mr. Phillip Jones Dr. Randy Kennedy Mr. Sid King Mr. Chad Knott Mrs. Della Lago

Mr. Jeff Langley Rev. Mark Lhowe Mr. Harris Malcom Mrs. Phyllis Malcom Mr. Joshua McClendon Mr. Bill McIver Mr. Chad Merrill Mrs. Linda Mosely Mr. Mike Nichols Mr. Dennis Paschedag Mr. John Pearson Mr. Chris Pittman Rev. Jamie Powell Rev. Terry Quick Mr. Mitch Ralston Rev. Dan Rosser Mrs. Shay Runion Dr. Christopher Sanchez Mrs. Melissa Sanchez Dr. F. Stuart Sanders Mr. Richard Sissom

Rev. Greg Smith Mr. Mike Smith Dr. Timothy Smith Rev. Richard Statham Rev. Timothy Stevens Rev. J.T. Taylor Dr. Charles Thomas Mrs. Kay Thompson Mr. Bruce Thompson Mr. Skeeter Thompson Mr. Travis Turner Mr. Steve Vickery Mrs. Wanda Vickery Mr. Dane Wallis Dr. Craig Ward Mr. Mark Watson Rev. Christopher Webb Mr. Darrell Westmoreland Mr. Donald Yarbrough

BOARD OF VISITORS Rev. Barry Thompson, Chairman Dr. Thomas Abernathy Rev. Chris Anderson Mr. Ralph Benton Mr. Bill Bonner Mr. Johnny Burkett Dr. Glenn Canup Mr. Matthew Carter Mr. Lee Chomskis Dr. Jesse Colbert Hon. Al Collier Mr. Curt Collier Mr. David Collins Mr. Randy Crenshaw Ms. Kristy Crill Rev. Frank Daws Rev. Mike Dorough Mr. Dean Dyer Mr. Wayne Farr Mr. Tom Folmar Mrs. Lisa Folmar Mr. Merrill Folsom

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ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS Endowed Scholarships and funds require a minimum contribution of $10,000.

Monies added to the corpus for scholarships, funds and endowments are listed below.

Eberli Bolt Missions Scholarship (Psalm 20:5) Jackson Bryant Scholarship Rev. Tommy Jones Scholarship

Robert & Betty Thompson General Fund Endowment Rev. & Mrs. E.B. Collins Endowed Scholarship Dr. Chris Childs Science Achievement Scholarship

ENDOWED LECTURESHIPS Endowed lectureships require a minimum contribution of $10,000.

Monies added to the corpus for the lectureship are listed below.

Ray Newman Ethics & Religious Liberty Lecture Series

FUNDED SCHOLARSHIPS & GRANTS Funded scholarships and grants are typically awarded in the same fiscal year in which they are received.

They are not invested with the University’s pooled endowments. The scholarships & grants listed below are $1000 or more.

Knott Family First Year Funded Cycling Scholarship Empower the Call Scholarship

Carolyn W. Kelly Funded Nursing Scholarship Andrews Business Svcs/Chris Andrews Funded Scholarship

MISSION STATEMENT OF TRUETT MCCONNELL UNIVERSITY Truett McConnell University (TMU) is a private Christian liberal arts and sciences university that equips students to fulfill the Great Commission by fostering a Christian worldview through a Biblically-centered education in a family friendly environment.

THE FOUR FOUNDATIONAL PILLARS OF TMU

LOVE THE LORD

LOVE HIS WORD

LOVE THE CHURCH

LOVE THE LOST

SCHOOL MOTTO

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the data presented. If we have omitted, misspelled, or misplaced your name, please accept our apologies and notify our office by calling 706-865-2134 x3801.

5 4 | THE B ELL tr uet t. edu

THE BLUE AND GOLD CLUB — UP TO $99 Gary Adkins Larry Adkins Richard Aikens Chris Armstrong Robert Ballard Lawson Bell Bill Black Diane Black Roy Blakeburn Trista Blankenship Thomas Bosley Daniel Bright Wilbur Brooks Betty Brown Elizabeth Brown Tammy Brown Darrin Bryson Elizabeth Bugg Andrew Cannon Audrey Carter Larry Chappell Gilbert Chung Kaye Church Dean Cochran Mike Croley James Dabbs Lynn Deaven Andrew Dent Michael Dorough Hugh Dowdle

Kim Downs Cindy Erbele Andrew Fabich Patricia Frantz Gene Fry Maria Galassi William Gambill Deborah Garrett Julee Ghorley Jeff Glenn Scott Grant James Grayson James Hagan Tony Hamilton Lydia Hammack B. Miles Hannan Marty Harbin Russell Harbin Melissa Hill Frances Hobgood Peter Hoyt Marguerite Huff Jason Jones Bobby Joslin Bucky Kennedy Donna Kirby Dawn Marsala Thomas Mathis Robert McCathren Elizabeth McKenzie

Jeremy McKizey William Mearns Iris Morrison Sue Neal Constance Nunley Dawn Parker David Pitman Veronica Pope Connie Propes Allen Rea Maggie Reeves Patricia Reynolds Rebecca Robertson Sheila Robertson James Robinson Kevin Ross RC Rover Michael Rumble Laura Sharp Eddie Smith Max Smith Tim Smith Traci Smith Forrest Sorrells Calvin Stewart Richard Strickland James Surratt Jonny Sutton Jonathan Sutton James Tarleton

Tracy Taylor Samuel Teasley Jeff Terry Carolyn Vaughan Steve Vickery Annie Vogel Susan Wade Kenneth Wade Charles Wagner James Warwick Truman Wellsandt Carey Wheetley Jeanetta Whitlock Barbara Wilkinson Ellen Wills Chris Winford Ned Winsor Courtney Winters John Yarbrough Jon Yeh Shirley Young

Ryan Hoffman Jennifer Holifield James Holmes Jeffery Holt Hank Humphrey James Irvin Ted Jackson Richard Jessup Eric Johansen Renee Johnson Tammy Jones Ethelene Jones Glenn Jones Michael Justus Deborah Kirk Don Lanier Roy Latham Helen Lester Harris Malcom James McDonel Robert McDonel Emma McGee Ted McGovern

Rachael Meggitt Charles Moody Daniel Moosbrugger William Nash Edward Nix Eddie O'Brien Melinda Pallai SC Pate Janice Pearsall Sam Pelletier Robert Phillips Rita Pickens Carole Privetted Geoff Prows Betty Rampley Jack Rector Nicholas Salem David Schockley Eddy Sharpton Brenda Shaw Joshua Shook Phillip Simmons Frances Skelton

ORGANIZATIONS Allen's Horseshoeing Brondo Home Team, LLC DEC Training Services Euharlee Animal Clinic Gay Miller & Associates Network For Good Sue S. Smith Tax Service

THE FOUNTAIN CLUB — $100 TO $249 James Allison Chris Barnard VC Barrett Timothy Beahan Lew Ann Bond Ryan Bowman William Brown James Bryant Miguel Caro Phillip Carpenter James Carter John Cobb Nancy Copeland Martha Crane Jeff Crook James Dabbs Frank Daws Linda Deyton Steven Diaz Beverly Dickey Andrew Dillard Richard Dunn Richard Dyke

Herb Farquhar Milan Fischer Arthur Fitz Dede Florence Natalie Ford Robert Foster Martha Fowler Truitt Franklin Michael Fry Judy Gillentine Robert Gravitt John Gridley Marcia Hall Ken Hall Don Hamby Amy Harbst Charles Harris Fredric Harris Riley Harvey Teresa Haymore Steven Henderson Jeff Hickmott Barbara Hiers

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THE FOUNTAIN CLUB — $100 TO $249 – CONTINUED Robert Skelton Kenon Smith Paul Sparks Kathy Spells Phil Stone David Stroup Gregory Tate Jo Taylor Meagan Taylor Monica Taylor Roger Thomas George Thompson

Robyn Townsend Fiorella Weaver Lindsay Webb Margie Webb Darrell Westmoreland Elaine White Carolyn Whitmire Chuck Williams Carrie Williams Kenneth Wilson Gina Withrow Veronica Young

ORGANIZATIONS Amazon Smile Ansley Communications Center Baptist, Helen Cleveland Hardware Builders Supply Fred's Famous Peanuts Greene Ford Company Helen First Baptist Humphries Construction Jacobs Media Corporation Logan Funeral Home

McKay Books, Inc. Medical Missions Unlimited North Georgia Building Supply Parks Lumber & Building Supply RADA Mfg. Co. Salem Baptist, McDonough

THE MOUNTAINEER CLUB — $250 TO $499 Jerry Adair RB Archer Allen Bailey Judith Beach Michael Black Bill Bonner Matt Brady Allen Carroll Scott Carter Michael Darden Chris Eppling Jeff Ford John Ford Kenneth Gabrielse Max Graham Holly Haynes

Nell Hoyle Glen Jackson Michael Jenkins Janis Justus John Thomas Justus Michael Leverett Becky Lombard Peter Lumpkins Andrea McCall Krista McGee Susan McKeithan Alexa Miller Jonathan Morris Rodger Naugle Richard Parks Jessica Pettigrew

Abigail Raymond Ron Raymond Valarie Reeves Dan Rosser Frances Skelton Jerry Sorrels Donald Stanley Gloria Sutton Sue Taylor Steven Tyndall Joyce Walton James Weeks Alton Wilson Kurt Wise Carole Wood

ORGANIZATIONS Avadhut LLC Buckshot Productions FineGiftSoaps.com First Baptist, Perry Jeff Sullivan Concrete Kristacy, LLC McGriff Insurance Paul Family Charitable Foundation RD Griffin, Inc. Rushton and Company Shane's Auto Body Studio 129 The Naugle Family Foundation

Ken Thigpen Tony Thompson Barry Thompson Tim Travis Zachariah Walker Paul Willard Jerry Yandell

Light of Life Missions McDaniel Enterprises, LLC North American Mission Board OWA Management Services Patterson Prime Properties Property Claim Service Quality Welding & Fabricating Sorrels Family Fund Southstar Energy Services United Community Bank, Cleveland

THE DANE'S CLUB — $500 TO $999 Clinton Adams Lt. David Aderhold Joseph Allen Adam Baker Ashley Baker Lauren Bartlett Marilyn Beach Gary Bennett Paul Bennington Travis Cheek Amy Cornelius Matthew Dunaway Dana Goff Jason Graffagnino J. Marie Griffin-Taylor James Griggs Thomas Hammond

Eugene Hansard Melville Jamison William Keel Randy Kennedy Robert Loffredo Carl Marshall Miriam McKown Christina Oliver Stephen Patton Weyman Perry Bruce Phillips Van Sanders Beth Sanders Jacob Sapp Luke Smith Bryan Smith Daniel Steele

ORGANIZATIONS Ash Welborn Insurance Automotive Repairs, Inc. Barrett Funeral Home Adam's Foods IGA Faith Baptist First Baptist, Newnan Hollis Transport Agency JSB, Inc./DBA McDonald's

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T H E F E R N A N D O C . M CCO N N E L L S O C I E T Y — $ 1 , 0 0 0 TO $ 7, 9 9 9 Cassandra Abernathy T. Therrell Banks Marie Brush Mary Bullock Johnny Burkett Glenn Canup Lamar Canup Sara Carmichael Martin Carnes Donna Caudell David Clevenger Timothy Cotten Jerry Davis David Drake Rachel Durham David Edens E. Wayne Farr Robert Fenner Merrill Folsom Rusty Gravit Kaci Green Edward Gregory Stacy Hall Micah Hamrick James Harris Sondra Hoskins Katherine Hyatt Timothy Imhoff

Gary Jarnagin Ronald Johnson Charlie Jones Daniel Kerrigan James Kilgore M. Lewis Martin Rebecca McCandless Robert McCollum Lamar Merritt Mike Nichols Sylvia Palmer Paige Patterson Dwayne Pergola Anthony Reabold Brad Reynolds Brian Roberts William Rogers Shay Runion Christopher Sanchez F. Stuart Sanders Granville Shubert Richard Sissom Bill Sizemore Kevin Stanley Richard Terry Alae Risse Thomas Jerry Thomas Calvin Thompson

Colby Tilley Marjorie Turnbull Dal Turner Daryl Watters Rebecca Watters Todd West Myer Westmoreland

Mulberry Baptist Association Northeast Georgia Exterminating Company Northeast Georgia Medical Center Paralax Digital Pickett's Mill Baptist Ron Cantrell Construction Shorter Foods, Inc., Cleveland Dairy Queen, Cleveland Soda Fountain Cafe The Law Office of Chad Knott The Thomas T. & Bernice F. Irvin Foundation, Inc. Tim Hunt Insurance Tipton Construction United Community Bank, Blairsville Villa Rica First Baptist White County Commissioners Zaxby's, Dublin Food, Inc.

ORGANIZATIONS Andrews Business Services Cafe Cancun Charles Black Construction Chattahoochee Group, Inc. Deb's Dollar & Discount Dekalb Office Delicious Pizza LLC First Baptist, Atlanta First Baptist Whitsett Georgia Independent College Association Hemani Group Development LLC Innovative Roofing Jerry F. Murdock Family Foundation, Inc. John L. & Sarah H Nix Foundation, Inc.

THE GEORGE W. TRUETT SOCIETY — $8,000 TO $14,999 Thomas Abernathy Chris Childs Gene Cobb Jeanetta Daniel Gerald Harris

Harvard Hopkins Robert Thompson ORGANIZATIONS Chick-fil-A, Cleveland

Far East Broadcasting Co. Howard Brothers, Inc. John & Mary Franklin Foundation, Inc. Kelly Products

Whitehall Ventures Wood Holdings, LLP

THE PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE — $15,000 TO $49,999 Carlton Faulk Keith Kelly Michael McCathren Todd Starnes

ORGANIZATIONS Carolyn King Ragan Charitable Foundation North Metro of Gwinnett

THE FOUNDER'S CIRCLE — $50,000 AND ABOVE A. Hamlin Letton Memorial Trust Fund Benjamin F. Brady Charitable Foundation Trust George W. Strickland, Jr. Foundation, Inc.

This is YOUR BELL

Georgia Baptist Healthcare & Ministry Foundation Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation

Are we hitting the mark?

Let us know what kind of stories around TMU interest you.

Have an idea for a story? Share it with us at alumni@truett.edu or call 706-865-2134 x3801 57

TMU HIRES Associate Vice President for Advancement

On July 1st, Marty Carnes joined Truett McConnell University’s (TMU) staff as Associate Vice President (AVP) for Advancement. In this new position, he will continue to implement a comprehensive, results-oriented development plan that will connect people to the vision God has for the institution.

“I can’t tell you how thrilled I am that Marty Carnes is joining the TMU family,” said TMU President, Dr. Emir Caner. “He is the rare blend of a pastor’s heart with a financial mind. From his academic preparation, which includes an MBA from Truett McConnell, to his wealth of pastoral experience, we are most blessed that the Lord is bringing Marty our way.”

“Over the course of my career,” said Carnes, “leading people to invest financially in the Lord’s work has been an important part of my work. I have led a number of significant master planning and fundraising endeavors through the years.

These prior experiences have equipped me to raise the funds needed to expand our university and to provide scholarships for our students.”

A Liberty University graduate, Carnes earned his Bachelor of Science in Religion, Master of Arts in Religion, and Master of Religious Education.

Most recently, Carnes earned his Master of Business Administration from TMU and is now pursuing his Doctor of Education in Learning, Leadership, and Organizational Development from the University of Georgia.

As he looks ahead on his new position, Carnes says his goal as AVP for Advancement is simple, “I want to help others to join in with the great work the Lord is doing now and to invest in the great work that the Lord has in store for us.”

For the past ten years, Carnes has served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Thomasville.

Prior to his time there, he pastored in both Quitman and Douglas, Georgia. He has also served as a trustee for Truett McConnell, on the Executive Committee for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, and a trustee for the International Mission Board.

Carnes has been married to his wife Cindy for 22 years, and they have two children, Andrew and Sarah. Andrew is a business major in college, and Sarah, who will be attending TMU in the fall, plans to major in Christian Studies.

“TMU has such a wonderful and dedicated team and a great vision for the future,” Carnes said.

“The days ahead are going to be incredible for the university, and I am so excited to be a part of the continued growth in the future.”

JENNY GREGORY 5 8 | THE B ELL tr uet t. edu

JG

I N M U L A snippits 1996

Shawn Timothy Bertrang

Shawn Timothy Bertrang was voted Teacher of the Year at Habersham Success Academy for 2019-2020.

Shawn was born into a family of teachers. Several of his great aunts, uncle, aunt, grandma, Mom and Dad were all teachers. Shawn graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Agriculture Education and continued and earned a Master’s Degree in Integrated Technology from Walden University. Teaching Agriculture for six years in the Rabun County School System, Shawn is now teaching in his third year at Habersham Success Academy.

high expectations and they know that and continue to work at their normal level of Success. I see the pandemic as a challenge where we as a school had a plan and worked the plan and the student learning remained at the same level as if we were in the school building.”

Shawn attended Truett McConnell College in 1994-1996.

Congratulations Shawn on his recognition from the Habersham education community.

Sharing his experience with the COVID-19 shutdown Shawn said, “Teaching during this pandemic is unusual and different from the norm where usually I have my desk with everything neatly filed and lots of resources…but teaching from home consists of a cardboard box with essential records and a book with contacts for students and parents. Instead of seeing the smiling faces of my students each day I call, message, and use computer programs to keep in touch with them. Our school uses online curriculum so as far as the classwork it is still the same. My 8 to 3 work time at school has changed to students working at all hours of the day and night. I find myself working and monitoring student progress for longer hours. I was worried about students not finishing their work, but they surprised me and finished on time or earlier than expected.

The pandemic hasn’t really changed me because I hold my students to 59

2010

Ansley Green

Ansley Green (2010) finds it a privilege each day to teach in the county where she received her education.

Green currently teaches fifth grade at Fairview Elementary in Demorest, Georgia. She holds a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Truett McConnell University an MA in Early Childhood Education from Piedmont College, and an Education Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction from Piedmont College.

Prior to joining the public education realm, Green spent five years teaching in the private sector and served as a principal for one year at Faith Christian Academy. Throughout her eleven years in education, Green has experienced that when you follow God’s calling and purpose, your passion will ignite and inspire those around you.

Green attributes her accomplishments in and out of the classroom to her faith, and the ability to pursue her dreams to her family. Green and her husband, Jared, reside in Demorest, Georgia with their two-year-old daughter, Abigail Kate. They are active members of Revive Church in Cornelia, Georgia, where Green serves on the worship team and nursery staff.

Describing the effects of the COVID-19 crisis in her life Green shared, “As educators, we are predisposed to preparedness. From lesson planning to birthday celebrations to alphabetizing papers to go home, we try to schedule and make room for the expected… and even the unexpected! Teachers truly do wear invisible capes; it’s impressive what we can accomplish with 20 something students needing our attention all at once! However, with that being said, not even our teacher superpowers could prepare us for this time of unexpected separation.

The most difficult aspect of the COVID-19 crisis was the sudden shift from, “I’ll see you next week” to “Call or text me if you have questions.” Little did Habersham County teachers know that on Thursday, March 12, 2020, it would be the last time we physically interacted with our students.

Not being in the same room with my students has been hard, but because we had focused on building strong relationships and respect from Day 1, we are still able to feel each other in our hearts. It’s similar to our walk with Christ. Just because we can’t see, doesn’t mean we can’t feel.

In addition to becoming a “virtual” teacher, taking on the task of wife and mommy during the workweek was an adjustment. I became so used to departmentalizing my work from my home, but with no warning, those two merged together. This whole process was almost “personally impersonal.”

Yes, distance separated me from my students, but we were also seeing each other in a different light.

COVID-19 classmates will remember this forever!

As far as my husband and daughter, we embraced our time together. Every day…actually, every moment… looked different, but we eventually learned to foster that and just “go with the flow.”

"This crisis has reassured me that love never fails and living in the moment should be cherished; we are never guaranteed another second. Academic knowledge, what we teach and preach, is important, but the power of love is something that you cannot shake; it’s essential.

We will all remember the time that we spent apart from students, family members, friends, and coworkers, but we will also remember how close it brought us together, not physically, but emotionally and spiritually. From teachers helping teachers to communities helping communities to nations helping nations, this event is proof that we can feel love even when there’s distance between us.”

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CHURCH REFRESHED O N LIN E On March 9th the church world took a turn, a hard right so it seemed. Everything had changed. We found ourselves in the midst of a worldwide pandemic called coronavirus.

The reality set in that we were no longer going to be able to meet for an extended time as a church. "What were we going to do?" The real question was — “What must we do to minister to our church and keep them engaged?” Another question was, “What is God doing throughout the whole world?” Our ministry had just changed.

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We became North Metro Online. We were already livestreaming our Sunday morning services so there was little adjustment needed. However, we did expand to livestream on our website plus on Facebook.

Thus far, at the point of writing this, it has held up pretty well.

We took our total church online. All our Life Group classes (Sunday School) went online.

They set up a time their particular class could meet on a new resource called Zoom.

They get together at a set time each week to pray for one another and to encourage each person and to have their lesson from Scripture. Our Student Ministry took their Wednesday gathering time online. Our Children’s Ministry meets almost daily online with the children with fun activities.

Our Prayer Ministry had just gone online the week before this happened. We encourage our people while they are quarantined to spend time on our Prayer Wall and pray for the needs listed.

We are blessed to have Dr. Deb Carter on our church staff over our Cancer Ministry.

She was a lead Oncologist at Scottish Rite hospital for over 30 years. She and I did a 40-minute interview online to help our people understand this virus. Also, we are providing several support groups with a counselor, for different things people may be struggling with during this time, again online.

Recently during Holy Week, we sent devotions every day with one song and a short Bible lesson. I even led the church through the Lord’s Supper online. Unusual, but an effective way to do church when the church cannot gather.

We learned that the function of the church needed to continue even though we could not meet. Our monthly administrative meetings, such as Staff Meetings, Budget Team, Deacons, etc. took on a new format as we moved those meetings online. Our Discipleship Classes, (i.e. Men’s D-Groups) continue to meet online each week. We have all our meetings online which is working great, and this is a new format that I happen to believe will stay after this pandemic has subsided. It allows for shorter meetings where everyone is more focused.

Overall, our ministries have been enhanced through technology. Our giving has greatly increased through Online Giving. We have, during this time, exceeded our budgeted giving to date for the year. This will continue to be a growing trend.

Our church has been refreshed by the use of technology. It has presented us with various ways of operating that will be family sensitive and church effective in the future. In every crisis, if you look for it, you will find the silver lining that brings positive change!

Dr. Frank Cox, Senior Pastor North Metro Baptist Church Lawrenceville, Georgia

Facebook Live has broadened our audience considerably, with at least 1000 views each week. This has led us to decide that we are going to move forward with getting the equipment necessary to continue doing Facebook Live once this is over.

Dan Rosser, Senior Pastor Pleasant Grove Baptist Ellijay, Georgia

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Who could have imagined when we rolled into 2020 that our country would be dealing with a pandemic?

When I graduated from college, my dad asked me what I had learned. My response, “Dad, I learned how to learn.” I learned that people still need a “touch”, especially when you cannot actually “touch” them.

I am reminded of what Paul said, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” (2 Corinthians 4:17) God has arrested our attention through Covid-19, and I pray that we have been and will continue to listen to what God has to say. Like Habakkuk, I will wait to see what He shall say to me. May we clearly hear God speak during this time.

A crisis only amplifies our strengths and weaknesses. We can embrace it and grow, or deny it and regress. A crisis may change our methods but not the need of the human heart!

Craig Bowers, Senior Pastor Wynnbrook Baptist Church Columbus, Georgia

Tony Samples, Transitional Pastor Georgia Baptist Churches

CHURCH REFRESHED ONLINE

The constant change and unknowns of the pandemic have made making a consistent ministry plan difficult. However, I have reminded myself and our church staff that in moments of confusion and ambiguity, the key is to focus on three things: our purpose, our plan, and our process. Our mission is as clear today as the day God gave it! We must press on and trust God to provide!

I have been in ministry for over 40 years and have never seen anything like what is before us right now. Preaching to an empty church has been the hardest. When our “normal” has been turned upside down, it’s important to remember we can still live our life. In the midst of it all, God continues to show himself.

Dr. Randy Kennedy, Interim Pastor Duncan First Baptist Church Duncan, South Carolina

Kyle Walker, Senior Pastor Cartersville First Baptist Church Cartersville, Georgia

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