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 sessions, Tate addressed three important topics:
- Lessons he learned from Billy Graham
- What has helped his church to grow from 25 to 6,900
- Need for mentors, friends, and young people in our lives
One of his most significant and memorable statements of leadership advice was:
Dr. Billy Graham taught us that we must simplify our message to reach people for Christ. We have to show unconditional love to those who have been broken . . . even in the church.
Dr. Tate’s message brought home to the attentive pastors and faculty that their good works in their churches, classrooms, and communities make them ‘heroes’ because they are serving at the front lines in maintaining and growing Christian faith in an uncertain and changing world.
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
Archived Articles of Interest
Church Service Day 2018 – Goodwill Trumps Rain!
Published: September 26, 2018
Church Service Day is an annual opportunity for Ohio Christian University
(OCU) students to practice giving back to area churches and charities through
hands-on work projects completed all on a single day!
Church Services Day 2018, undertaken on September 26, proved a worthy
addition to this traditional service-above-self event! About 400 students
lent their energies to 31 work projects in local churches, residences, and
charity organizations.
After an early breakfast, students formed into teams and received directions
to and instructions for their projects. Eager teams headed out to
Church Service Day is an annual opportunity for Ohio Christian University
(OCU) students to practice giving back to area churches and charities through
hands-on work projects completed all on a single day!
Church Services Day 2018, undertaken on September 26, proved a worthy
addition to this traditional service-above-self event! About 400 students
lent their energies to 31 work projects in
Church Service Day is an annual opportunity for Ohio Christian University
(OCU) students to practice giving back to area churches and charities through
hands-on work projects completed all on a
Students Serve in British Columbia
Published: September 19, 2018
By Amber Ginter ‘19
When three Ohio Christian University students first considered summer job
plans, traveling to British Columbia, Canada, to work at Malibu Club, a Young
Life Youth Camp, wasn’t on their radar.
Boarding the flight across the continent, senior Amber Ginter and sophomores
Liam Benson and Benjamin Johnson took a leap of faith to see what God had in
store for them. Completing 2,650 miles of airplane, ferry, and car travel,
the students arrived at Malibu Club situated on the bank of a remote British
Columbia island. Choosing to serve high school juniors and seniors for a
By Amber Ginter ‘19
When three Ohio Christian University students first considered summer job
plans, traveling to British Columbia, Canada, to work at Malibu Club, a Young
Life Youth Camp, wasn’t on their radar.
Boarding the flight across the continent, senior Amber Ginter and sophomores
Liam Benson and Benjamin Johnson took a leap of faith to see what God had in
store for them. Completing
By Amber Ginter ‘19
When three Ohio Christian University students first considered summer job
plans, traveling to British Columbia, Canada, to work at Malibu Club, a Young
Life Youth Camp, wasn’t
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-
OCU Leads the Way at Local Alzheimer's Event
Published: August 25, 2018
Sixty faculty, staff, and students, including President Dr. Jon Kulaga and
his wife Lena, participated in the Circleville, Ohio, 2018 Walk to End
Alzheimer’s, one of over 600 similar events held annually nationwide.
Ohio Christian University (OCU), the top local sponsor, was tasked with
underwriting the spinning flowers along the route, earning the title Promise
Garden Sponsor. Team captain, Kelsey Cutright, Director of Student Life at
OCU, had this to say of the event, “It was an upbeat atmosphere. There was
exciting music, and everyone walked in a long group. For the OCU crew, it
Sixty faculty, staff, and students, including President Dr. Jon Kulaga and
his wife Lena, participated in the Circleville, Ohio, 2018 Walk to End
Alzheimer’s, one of over 600 similar events held annually nationwide.
Ohio Christian University (OCU), the top local sponsor, was tasked with
underwriting the spinning flowers along the route, earning the title Promise
Garden Sponsor. Team captain
Sixty faculty, staff, and students, including President Dr. Jon Kulaga and
his wife Lena, participated in the Circleville, Ohio, 2018 Walk to End
Alzheimer’s, one of over 600 similar events held
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.
