Gerald Murphy (’13) had one goal in mind for the campus of Ohio Christian University as he spoke during Fall 2019 Revival Week, and that was to have an encounter with Christ.
Murphy, a graduate of Ohio Christian, encouraged students to let go of their former selves and take on their new identity as sons and daughters of God. In order to take on this new identity, Murphy said that one must first stop self-identifying as a sinner saved by grace. “If you continue to call yourself a sinner,” he said, “you’re going to keep acting like one.”
Next, one must stop relying on their own actions or things outside of Christ to save them. “It wasn’t what you did that saved you, Jesus did that by dying on the cross,” Murphy said.
Lastly, Murphy explained that Christians must stop waiting for their insecurity to be gone before committing to following Jesus. “You’re going to give yourself to something. Why not give it to the One who made life?” he asked.
As a child of God, it is important to seek out and cling to His presence. “Whatever you get excited about, find out if God’s presence is really greater,” he said, referencing Psalm 84:10. If believers make the presence of God the most important factor in their lives, they can have a greater impact. “It wasn’t the shout that made the walls of Jericho fall,” Murphy said. “It was the presence of God that went before them.”
Murphy challenged students to remember they have an amazing opportunity to show Jesus to the people around them. It is the prayer of Ohio Christian that the events of Revival Week will continue to help students grow stronger in faith, causing a change in the community around them, as they develop into world-impacting servant leaders.
Articles of Interest
Promoting Transformational Change
Published: December 17, 2019
In the interest of following the mission of Ohio Christian University, both
the Adult
In the interest of following the mission of Ohio Christian University, both
the Adult
In the interest of following the mission of Ohio Christian University, both
the Adult
Students Serve Alongside WGM in Uganda
Published: October 16, 2019
At the end of May, a team from Ohio Christian University traveled to Uganda
to serve alongside World Gospel Mission missionaries already working in the
area. This trip would best be described as a vision trip rather than the
typical mission work some may think of. The team got to see many different
ministries the missionaries are working with as well as support them through
fellowship and prayer.
During the two weeks the team was abroad, they worked with a wide range of
ministries, one of which is known as the Dignity project, providing women and
girls with reusable feminine products
At the end of May, a team from Ohio Christian University traveled to Uganda
to serve alongside World Gospel Mission missionaries already working in the
area. This trip would best be described as a vision trip rather than the
typical mission work some may think of. The team got to see many different
ministries the missionaries are working with as well as support them through
fellowship and
At the end of May, a team from Ohio Christian University traveled to Uganda
to serve alongside World Gospel Mission missionaries already working in the
area. This trip would best be described as a
Ohio Christian Encouraged Student-Athletes to ADVANCE
Published: October 16, 2019
The ADVANCE Mid-State League 2019 Leadership Summit on Sept 10 was a major
success with over 450 students and coaches from Mid-State League member
schools in attendance. The purpose of the event was to develop
student-athletes into effective leaders within their teams and the broader
community. Athletic Director David Bireline said, "to build this
relationship between our university and the Mid-State League is very exciting
for us as an athletic department. So many people played a role in making it
happen, and we hope we can continue this relationship in the years to come."
Ohio
The ADVANCE Mid-State League 2019 Leadership Summit on Sept 10 was a major
success with over 450 students and coaches from Mid-State League member
schools in attendance. The purpose of the event was to develop
student-athletes into effective leaders within their teams and the broader
community. Athletic Director David Bireline said, "to build this
relationship between our university and the
The ADVANCE Mid-State League 2019 Leadership Summit on Sept 10 was a major
success with over 450 students and coaches from Mid-State League member
schools in attendance. The purpose of the event
Student Leadership Commissioning
Published: August 19, 2019
A day before the majority of students were set to return, Ohio Christian
University held a commissioning ceremony for students serving in leadership
roles this semester. The event was meant to build unity among student leaders
and prepare them to face challenges as a team.
Director of Student Engagement Eric Fehr said, “It’s really important
that our student leaders think of themselves as on a larger team with larger
over-arching goals than just being an RA or on the Student Involvement
Council [SIC] team. It is our hope that as various student leaders face
challenges and difficulties
A day before the majority of students were set to return, Ohio Christian
University held a commissioning ceremony for students serving in leadership
roles this semester. The event was meant to build unity among student leaders
and prepare them to face challenges as a team.
Director of Student Engagement Eric Fehr said, “It’s really important
that our student leaders think of themselves as on
A day before the majority of students were set to return, Ohio Christian
University held a commissioning ceremony for students serving in leadership
roles this semester. The event was meant to
Ohio Christian Hosts Youth Explosion
Published: July 29, 2019
Ohio Christian University was happy to host the Youth Explosion camp on July
25 through 28. The camp was organized by the Marion Christian Center’s
Youth Ministry. The event was meant to provide the opportunity to experience
God in a real and impactful way.
“This year, the theme is that God made them special and how to discover
their gifts and talents to glorify Him” said Marion Christian Center Lead
Pastor Perry Payne.
Each day of camp kicked off with a student led devotional going over the
Beatitudes of Jesus followed by real life breakout sessions. After lunch,
students
Ohio Christian University was happy to host the Youth Explosion camp on July
25 through 28. The camp was organized by the Marion Christian Center’s
Youth Ministry. The event was meant to provide the opportunity to experience
God in a real and impactful way.
“This year, the theme is that God made them special and how to discover
their gifts and talents to glorify Him” said Marion Christian
Ohio Christian University was happy to host the Youth Explosion camp on July
25 through 28. The camp was organized by the Marion Christian Center’s
Youth Ministry. The event was meant to provide
Archived Articles of Interest
Awaken Ministries Headlines Fall Revival
Published: September 12, 2018
Garrett Howell, founder of Awaken Ministries, opened OCU's Fall Revival with
a message highlighting how to escape ‘strongholds’ that weigh down
people from satisfying their hunger to live Christ-centered lives. He
likened these ‘strongholds’ to buckets filled with bricks that people
carry with them that contain their worldly, sometimes demonic, habits and
obsessions, such as with pornography or comparative envy to others. These
‘strongholds’ may become so heavy they weigh down individuals and keep
them from moving forward to fulfill the potential of their callings.
In the days
Garrett Howell, founder of Awaken Ministries, opened OCU's Fall Revival with
a message highlighting how to escape ‘strongholds’ that weigh down
people from satisfying their hunger to live Christ-centered lives. He
likened these ‘strongholds’ to buckets filled with bricks that people
carry with them that contain their worldly, sometimes demonic, habits and
obsessions, such as with
Garrett Howell, founder of Awaken Ministries, opened OCU's Fall Revival with
a message highlighting how to escape ‘strongholds’ that weigh down
people from satisfying their hunger to live Christ-
Fall Semester Begins with High Spirits
Published: August 22, 2018
Welcoming students to Ohio Christian University’s 2018 Academic Year
Convocation, Provost Hank Kelly opened the first chapel gathering with a
prayer of anointing for President Kulaga and the faculty to make this a
great academic year for students who will be forming spiritual character,
drawing closer to Christ, identifying life missions, and preparing to serve
church and society. Praying that each student learns their course subject
matter, he prayed they also learn the life skills of critical thinking,
speaking, writing, perseverance, discipline, getting along with others, while
Welcoming students to Ohio Christian University’s 2018 Academic Year
Convocation, Provost Hank Kelly opened the first chapel gathering with a
prayer of anointing for President Kulaga and the faculty to make this a
great academic year for students who will be forming spiritual character,
drawing closer to Christ, identifying life missions, and preparing to serve
church and society. Praying
Welcoming students to Ohio Christian University’s 2018 Academic Year
Convocation, Provost Hank Kelly opened the first chapel gathering with a
prayer of anointing for President Kulaga and the
Dean Joe Wuest Recognized with 2018 Ruth Bamford Award
Published: July 30, 2018
The Association for Christians in Student Development (ACSD) honored Ohio
Christian University’s Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students, Joe
Wuest, M.A., with the 2018 Ruth Bamford Award. Dr. Edee Schulze, ACSD’s
president, explains the award’s significance:
“The Ruth Bamford award is presented annually to individuals who have
served in the field of student development less than 15 years, who have
provided outstanding leadership and service to ACSD and their home
institution, as well as contributed significantly to the field of student
affairs. Especially important is
The Association for Christians in Student Development (ACSD) honored Ohio
Christian University’s Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students, Joe
Wuest, M.A., with the 2018 Ruth Bamford Award. Dr. Edee Schulze, ACSD’s
president, explains the award’s significance:
“The Ruth Bamford award is presented annually to individuals who have
served in the field of student development less than 15
The Association for Christians in Student Development (ACSD) honored Ohio
Christian University’s Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students, Joe
Wuest, M.A., with the 2018 Ruth Bamford Award.
2018 Pastors Conference Shares Lessons in Leadership
Published: April 27, 2018
The Pastors Conference of the 2018 Leadership Forum provided inspiring
sessions that shared valuable lessons in pastoral leadership.
The Conference began with inspirational worship led by Ohio Christian
University’s ABLAZE student music and vocal group singing spirit-filled
songs and hymns of praise. Their performance created a beautiful time for
experiencing the Holy Spirit’s refreshing presence.
Keynote speaker Dr. Benny Tate, Senior Pastor of the Rock Springs Church in
Milner, Georgia, presented encouraging instruction on how to “Build a
Healthy Church in a Chaotic World.”
In his
The Pastors Conference of the 2018 Leadership Forum provided inspiring
sessions that shared valuable lessons in pastoral leadership.
The Conference began with inspirational worship led by Ohio Christian
University’s ABLAZE student music and vocal group singing spirit-filled
songs and hymns of praise. Their performance created a beautiful time for
experiencing the Holy Spirit’s refreshing
The Pastors Conference of the 2018 Leadership Forum provided inspiring
sessions that shared valuable lessons in pastoral leadership.
The Conference began with inspirational worship led by Ohio
