Events of Interest
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.
Events of Interest
Events of Interest
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
Students Serve on Summer Camp Teams
Published: August 27, 2019
The Ohio Christian University Summer Camp Teams have now wrapped up their
ministry for 2016. A group of 49 OCU students ministered at 27 camps this
summer in seven different states—Ohio, Kentucky, New York, Pennsylvania,
West Virginia, Georgia, and Indiana.
The students were hand-selected through an application and interview process
and received over 50 hours of training in preparation.
Student Camp Leader, Mekayla Deffenbaugh, shared her experience with camp
teams saying, "OCU Camp Teams have given me the opportunity to expand my
comfort zone, meet amazing people, test my patience,
The Ohio Christian University Summer Camp Teams have now wrapped up their
ministry for 2016. A group of 49 OCU students ministered at 27 camps this
summer in seven different states—Ohio, Kentucky, New York, Pennsylvania,
West Virginia, Georgia, and Indiana.
The students were hand-selected through an application and interview process
and received over 50 hours of training in preparation.
The Ohio Christian University Summer Camp Teams have now wrapped up their
ministry for 2016. A group of 49 OCU students ministered at 27 camps this
summer in seven different states—Ohio, Kentucky,
OCU's Ablaze and Tenth Avenue North Rock Ross County Fair
Published: August 12, 2016
CHILLICOTHE - The fair board took a gamble that appeared to pay off.
Thursday night's concert at the Ross County Fair was something the fair board
had never tried before. With the help of Ohio Christian University, it
brought two contemporary Christian bands, OCU's Ablaze and headliner Tenth
Avenue North, to the grandstand.
The grandstand was packed with more than 500 people of all ages cheering,
clapping and even at times dancing along to the music. The high-energy lead
singer of Tenth Avenue North ran up and down into the crowds, jumping and
dancing along with them. The longer the
CHILLICOTHE - The fair board took a gamble that appeared to pay off.
Thursday night's concert at the Ross County Fair was something the fair board
had never tried before. With the help of Ohio Christian University, it
brought two contemporary Christian bands, OCU's Ablaze and headliner Tenth
Avenue North, to the grandstand.
The grandstand was packed with more than 500 people of all ages
CHILLICOTHE - The fair board took a gamble that appeared to pay off.
Thursday night's concert at the Ross County Fair was something the fair board
had never tried before. With the help of Ohio
OCU's Ablaze to open for Tenth Avenue North on August 11th
Published: August 4, 2016
On August 11th, Ohio Christian University's traveling music ministry group
Ablaze will open for Tenth Avenue North at the Ross County Fair in
Chillicothe, Ohio.The student group travels the region bringing its
distinctive sound to churches, schools, youth events and more. Their
masterful vocals and instrumental arrangements blend the foundations of
contemporary worship with genuine, timeless lyrics as they spread the gospel
of Jesus Christ.
"We get to travel to lots of different places and meet a lot of people," said
Caitlyn McCrary, an Ablaze member and OCU Junior. "There have been
On August 11th, Ohio Christian University's traveling music ministry group
Ablaze will open for Tenth Avenue North at the Ross County Fair in
Chillicothe, Ohio.The student group travels the region bringing its
distinctive sound to churches, schools, youth events and more. Their
masterful vocals and instrumental arrangements blend the foundations of
contemporary worship with genuine, timeless
On August 11th, Ohio Christian University's traveling music ministry group
Ablaze will open for Tenth Avenue North at the Ross County Fair in
Chillicothe, Ohio.The student group travels the region
Students serve in Paraguay with WGM
Published: July 24, 2016
Ohio Christian University students had the opportunity to go on a mission
trip this year to Paraguay as one of OCU’s WGM Task Force Teams. Andrea
Williamson, Student Involvement Director for WGM, led the team and stayed
with them through the duration of the trip.
“I knew right away that this was the team God planned for me to lead.
There were no lightening bolts, no clear direction other than this was the
one.” – Andrea Williamson
The university team members consisted of five students: Austin Caldwell,
Barbee Graves, Haley Robbins, Austin St. Pierre, and Kiirsten Truex. Raising
Ohio Christian University students had the opportunity to go on a mission
trip this year to Paraguay as one of OCU’s WGM Task Force Teams. Andrea
Williamson, Student Involvement Director for WGM, led the team and stayed
with them through the duration of the trip.
“I knew right away that this was the team God planned for me to lead.
There were no lightening bolts, no clear direction other
Ohio Christian University students had the opportunity to go on a mission
trip this year to Paraguay as one of OCU’s WGM Task Force Teams. Andrea
Williamson, Student Involvement Director for WGM,
OCU Welcomes Kids on Campus
Published: June 16, 2016
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 10th consecutive year over the last two
weeks.
The program is a partnership with Pickaway HELPS (Higher Education for
Learners Partnership) and Ohio Christian University with generous support
from PPG industries.
Campus rarely lacks youthful exuberance, but having Kids on Campus over the
last few weeks really brought a child-rich
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 10th consecutive year over the last two
weeks.
The program is a partnership with Pickaway HELPS (Higher Education for
Learners Partnership)
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
