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
Dr. Caleb Friedeman Publishes Major Reference Work
Published: April 1, 2021
Ohio Christian University is pleased to announce that Dr. Caleb Friedeman,
David A. Case Chair of Theology and Ministry and Assistant Professor of
Biblical Studies, has published A Scripture Index to Rabbinic
Literature(ASIRL) with Hendrickson Academic. This volume is a comprehensive
Scripture index to classical rabbinic literature in English that contains
approximately 90,000 entries and represents over 2,500 hours of work by a
seven-person team over the course of two and a half years. In addition to the
work of the editorial team, a group of OCU staff and students assisted in
Ohio Christian University is pleased to announce that Dr. Caleb Friedeman,
David A. Case Chair of Theology and Ministry and Assistant Professor of
Biblical Studies, has published A Scripture Index to Rabbinic
Literature(ASIRL) with Hendrickson Academic. This volume is a comprehensive
Scripture index to classical rabbinic literature in English that contains
approximately 90,000 entries and
Ohio Christian University is pleased to announce that Dr. Caleb Friedeman,
David A. Case Chair of Theology and Ministry and Assistant Professor of
Biblical Studies, has published A Scripture Index
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
Archived Articles of Interest
Mount of Praise Recognizes OCU
Published: June 24, 2019
The Churches of Christ and Christian Union (CCCU) set aside a special night
on June 22 to recognize the ministry of Ohio Christian University. The night
was part of CCCU’s 102nd annual camp meeting, Mount of Praise.
OCU’s history is closely tied to CCCU, as it was born out of a Mount of
Praise camp meeting over 70 years ago. For many years after the college met
on the camp ground as the Mount of Praise Bible College, which was later
changed to Circleville Bible College. As time passed and the college grew, it
changed its name once more to Ohio Christian University in 2007.
Dr. Jon
The Churches of Christ and Christian Union (CCCU) set aside a special night
on June 22 to recognize the ministry of Ohio Christian University. The night
was part of CCCU’s 102nd annual camp meeting, Mount of Praise.
OCU’s history is closely tied to CCCU, as it was born out of a Mount of
Praise camp meeting over 70 years ago. For many years after the college met
on the camp ground as the
The Churches of Christ and Christian Union (CCCU) set aside a special night
on June 22 to recognize the ministry of Ohio Christian University. The night
was part of CCCU’s 102nd annual camp meeting
Easter - the Extraordinary Found in the Ordinary
Published: April 18, 2019
By Rev. David Brown, Associate Professor, Religion
By Rev. David Brown, Associate Professor, Religion
By Rev. David Brown, Associate Professor, Religion
Youth Leadership Conference Focuses on Engaging Youth Culture
Published: January 11, 2019
On Thursday, March 7th, Ohio Christian University is hosting an all-day Youth
Leadership Conference focusing on Engaging Youth Culture.
The program is ideal for all church pastors and youth pastors. Focused
breakout sessions will cover these key topics:
- Mental Health and Suicide
- Refreshing your Ministry
- Developing World Changers by Partnering with Non-Profits
- How Media is Shaping your Students
- Working with Church Leadership
Keynote speaker Dr. Walt Mueller is an authority on youth culture and family
issues.
Mueller is the founder of the Center for Parent/Youth
On Thursday, March 7th, Ohio Christian University is hosting an all-day Youth
Leadership Conference focusing on Engaging Youth Culture.
The program is ideal for all church pastors and youth pastors. Focused
breakout sessions will cover these key topics:
- Mental Health and Suicide
- Refreshing your Ministry
- Developing World Changers by Partnering with Non-Profits
- How Media is Shaping
On Thursday, March 7th, Ohio Christian University is hosting an all-day Youth
Leadership Conference focusing on Engaging Youth Culture.
The program is ideal for all church pastors and youth pastors
Students Serve Refugees in Spain over Christmas Break
Published: January 2, 2019
By Amber Ginter ‘19 / Natasha Grimmett, Director of Student Involvement
Instead of relaxing over Christmas break, eight Ohio Christian University
(OCU) students and staff took a mission trip to Spain to serve. Devoting
their time in service to others for ten days, the students made Barcelona,
Spain their new home for the week, adapting to its culture, environment, and
surroundings, as Jesus did when He traveled from place to place to serve
others.
Through Ohio Christian University’s partnership with World Gospel Mission
(WGM), Taryn Goble, Victoria Henley, Crystal Bethel, Adina
By Amber Ginter ‘19 / Natasha Grimmett, Director of Student Involvement
Instead of relaxing over Christmas break, eight Ohio Christian University
(OCU) students and staff took a mission trip to Spain to serve. Devoting
their time in service to others for ten days, the students made Barcelona,
Spain their new home for the week, adapting to its culture, environment, and
surroundings, as Jesus
By Amber Ginter ‘19 / Natasha Grimmett, Director of Student Involvement
Instead of relaxing over Christmas break, eight Ohio Christian University
(OCU) students and staff took a mission trip to
A Christmas Message
Published: December 14, 2018
Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect lamb?
That sleeping child you're holding is the great I AM.
G. K. Chesterton wrote that “the believers in miracles accept them (rightly
or wrongly) because they have evidence for them. The disbelievers in miracles
deny them (rightly or wrongly) because they have a doctrine against them.”
As we celebrate Christmas–and the miracle of God becoming
incarnate–Christians around the globe accept this
Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect lamb?
That sleeping child you're holding is the great I AM.
G. K. Chesterton wrote that “the believers in miracles accept them (rightly
or wrongly) because they have evidence for them. The disbelievers
Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect lamb?
