

The excitement is building as the members of Ohio Christian University’s Chamber String Ensemble prepare for their musical ministry trip to Japan from August 11-29, 2016. “My wife and I have always had a love for the Japanese people and a strong desire to share the message of Jesus and salvation with them,” says Roger Stieg, the ensemble’s director and founder.
“The opportunity that the Chamber Strings have to perform in Japan is a wonderful new door that God is opening for the music students at Ohio Christian University”, commented Dr. John Anthony, the Music Department Chair.
“In the future, it is my dream to see more of our students traveling abroad, using their musical talents to spread the gospel.” For some of the students in the ensemble, like violinist Madeline Sifford, the opportunity to minister in Japan was an answer to prayer. “Lately I have been thinking and praying about being a missionary, commented Ms. Sifford. “I had been asking God to open the door for me to go on a summer missions trip when this opportunity presented itself.”
The Japanese have a great appreciation for classical music. Japanese people who would otherwise never enter a church will attend a classical concert. The Chamber String Ensemble will be performing sacred and classical music in various settings in the towns of Karuizawa and Matsumoto. In the concerts, the gospel and Christian literature will be presented. “The main goal of the trip,” says Mr. Steig,” is to connect the local churches with the people of their communities.” Please pray that God will prepare the hearts of the Japanese people, for safety in travel, and God’s blessing on the ministry of the ensemble.
Articles of Interest
Kids on Campus Returns to OCU
Published: June 7, 2019
Ohio Christian University welcomed Kids on Campus — a summer enrichment
program for first through fourth graders that allows them to experience
academic life on a college campus, while improving their math, science,
art, and technology skills — for the 13th consecutive.
The program is a partnership with Pickaway WORKS and Ohio Christian
University with generous support from others as well.
Campus rarely lacks youthful exuberance, but having Kids on Campus brought a
child-rich energy. It wasn’t just the adults who enjoyed having the kids
around; the kids had fun too.
Carley Derexson,
Ohio Christian University welcomed Kids on Campus — a summer enrichment
program for first through fourth graders that allows them to experience
academic life on a college campus, while improving their math, science,
art, and technology skills — for the 13th consecutive.
The program is a partnership with Pickaway WORKS and Ohio Christian
University with generous support from others as well.
Ohio Christian University welcomed Kids on Campus — a summer enrichment
program for first through fourth graders that allows them to experience
academic life on a college campus, while improving
Community Action Day - It was a GREAT Day!
Published: April 18, 2019
April 11th proved to not just be a nice day to be outside, but a great day to
serve the community of Circleville and surrounding areas. In its 20thyear,
Community Action Day brought out over 400 students to serve residents and
businesses who were in need. A tradition at Ohio Christian University,
classes were canceled, and students were able to go into the public and
implement the service attitude taught at OCU.
With help from Volunteer Economy and RPHF Solid Waste District, students were
equipped to effectively serve and feel prepared to do so. Students served in
various capacities
April 11th proved to not just be a nice day to be outside, but a great day to
serve the community of Circleville and surrounding areas. In its 20thyear,
Community Action Day brought out over 400 students to serve residents and
businesses who were in need. A tradition at Ohio Christian University,
classes were canceled, and students were able to go into the public and
implement the service
April 11th proved to not just be a nice day to be outside, but a great day to
serve the community of Circleville and surrounding areas. In its 20thyear,
Community Action Day brought out over 400
Second Annual Youth Leadership Conference
Published: April 5, 2019
Over fifty youth leaders from more than thirty churches and organizations
converged on the Ohio Christian University campus for the second annual Youth
Leadership Conference. Anticipation for the conference was met with engaging
and relevant information applicable to those in attendance. The subject
of the day was the importance of actively engaging youth with the reality of
Biblical Truth in these formative years. Dr. Walt Mueller, expert in youth
culture and President of the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding, began the
conference with a dive into youth culture and practical ways
Over fifty youth leaders from more than thirty churches and organizations
converged on the Ohio Christian University campus for the second annual Youth
Leadership Conference. Anticipation for the conference was met with engaging
and relevant information applicable to those in attendance. The subject
of the day was the importance of actively engaging youth with the reality of
Biblical Truth
Over fifty youth leaders from more than thirty churches and organizations
converged on the Ohio Christian University campus for the second annual Youth
Leadership Conference. Anticipation for the
OCU To Hold Nashville Styled Songwriting Boot Camp
Published: March 25, 2019
by Keegan D’Alfonso
Ohio Christian University will hold its first songwriting conference on March
30 from 9:00 am to 5 pm. Michelle Martin, Coordinator of Worship Arts at OCU,
envisioned this event after experiencing many similar writing workshops in
Nashville, TN.
“My heart for the day was just to create an opportunity for song writers in
central Ohio to come together and get an experience like they might get in
Nashville if they went to a songwriting conference,” Martin said. “The
order of events is very similar to the conferences I’ve been to.”
The event will be held in OCU’s
by Keegan D’Alfonso
Ohio Christian University will hold its first songwriting conference on March
30 from 9:00 am to 5 pm. Michelle Martin, Coordinator of Worship Arts at OCU,
envisioned this event after experiencing many similar writing workshops in
Nashville, TN.
“My heart for the day was just to create an opportunity for song writers in
central Ohio to come together and get an
by Keegan D’Alfonso
Ohio Christian University will hold its first songwriting conference on March
30 from 9:00 am to 5 pm. Michelle Martin, Coordinator of Worship Arts at OCU,
envisioned this
Archived Articles of Interest
OCU Musicians Featured at Local Scholarship Gala
Published: October 27, 2016
The Ted Lewis Museum’s Fifth Annual Scholarship Gala “Steppin’ Out at
the Ted Lewis Club” occurred earlier this month on Saturday, October 1st,
2016. Patrons arrived in black tie or 1920’s period dress for the occasion.
They were served by a full service staff of uniformed doormen, elevator
operators, maître d’ and waiters. The five course meal was recreated from
the menu of Rector’s Restaurant in New York, where Ted Lewis made his debut
playing clarinet and leading Earl Fuller’s Famous Jazz Band 100 years
ago.
The event featured an exciting floor show and dancing to the music of
The Ted Lewis Museum’s Fifth Annual Scholarship Gala “Steppin’ Out at
the Ted Lewis Club” occurred earlier this month on Saturday, October 1st,
2016. Patrons arrived in black tie or 1920’s period dress for the occasion.
They were served by a full service staff of uniformed doormen, elevator
operators, maître d’ and waiters. The five course meal was recreated from
the menu of Rector’s
The Ted Lewis Museum’s Fifth Annual Scholarship Gala “Steppin’ Out at
the Ted Lewis Club” occurred earlier this month on Saturday, October 1st,
2016. Patrons arrived in black tie or 1920’s period
OCU Music at the Pumpkin Show
Published: October 24, 2016
The annual Circleville Pumpkin Show took place downtown Circleville, OH this
last week from October 19-23. On Wednesday, October 19, the OCU Chorale
performed God with percussionist John Dunn, and God is Here featuring
soloist Jacquelyn Patty. The Chorale
The annual Circleville Pumpkin Show took place downtown Circleville, OH this
last week from October 19-23. On Wednesday, October 19, the OCU Chorale
performed God with percussionist John Dunn, and God is Here featuring
soloist Jacquelyn Patty. The Chorale
The annual Circleville Pumpkin Show took place downtown Circleville, OH this
last week from October 19-23. On Wednesday, October 19, the OCU Chorale
performed God with percussionist John Dunn, and
Dr. Rebecca Johnson serves as President of MTNA
Published: October 5, 2016
Rebecca Grooms Johnson, PhD, NCTM, is currently serving as President of the
Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) – a professional organization of
approximately 22,000 private and university music teachers. During the summer
of 2016 she traveled extensively as a representative of MTNA and presenter.
Immediately after chairing a 3-day meeting of the Board of Directors in July,
Dr. Johnson flew to Europe, where she presented a 60-minute session on
developing self-direction in adult music students at the International
Society of Music Education (ISME) in Glasgow, Scotland. Following
Rebecca Grooms Johnson, PhD, NCTM, is currently serving as President of the
Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) – a professional organization of
approximately 22,000 private and university music teachers. During the summer
of 2016 she traveled extensively as a representative of MTNA and presenter.
Immediately after chairing a 3-day meeting of the Board of Directors in July,
Dr.
Rebecca Grooms Johnson, PhD, NCTM, is currently serving as President of the
Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) – a professional organization of
approximately 22,000 private and university
Dean Judges Piano Guild in Michigan
Published: September 19, 2016
Mary Jane Dean, Adjunct Faculty at Ohio Christian University for over 25
years, was asked to judge students for the international piano guild in
Detroit in May of 2016. She judged over 125 students at the Evola Music
Center.
Piano Guild, based in Austin, Texas, judges over 125,000 students every
spring from all over the United States and several foreign countries. The
students prepare from one to fifteen pieces and skills to play for the judge.
95% of those pieces are memorized.
In Detroit, Dean enjoyed meeting some of the international teachers from
Russia and Costa Rica. Dean
Mary Jane Dean, Adjunct Faculty at Ohio Christian University for over 25
years, was asked to judge students for the international piano guild in
Detroit in May of 2016. She judged over 125 students at the Evola Music
Center.
Piano Guild, based in Austin, Texas, judges over 125,000 students every
spring from all over the United States and several foreign countries. The
students prepare
Mary Jane Dean, Adjunct Faculty at Ohio Christian University for over 25
years, was asked to judge students for the international piano guild in
Detroit in May of 2016. She judged over 125
OCU Students Minister Through Drama
Published: September 13, 2016
Ohio Christian University is excited about launching a new semester of the
drama ministry travel team, Living Parables. This group is made up of 14
residential undergraduate students (two teams), including the Student Leaders
Brittany Twining and Haley Fowler. The group is under the direction of Mrs.
Bethany Bolin, who is a graduate of OCU and possesses many years of teaching
and leading drama.
Living Parables ministers in churches, schools and youth events presenting
sketches of real-life circumstances which focus on the gospel as well as
moral values.
Ohio Christian University is excited about launching a new semester of the
drama ministry travel team, Living Parables. This group is made up of 14
residential undergraduate students (two teams), including the Student Leaders
Brittany Twining and Haley Fowler. The group is under the direction of Mrs.
Bethany Bolin, who is a graduate of OCU and possesses many years of teaching
and leading
Ohio Christian University is excited about launching a new semester of the
drama ministry travel team, Living Parables. This group is made up of 14
residential undergraduate students (two teams),