Ohio Christian University Sophomore and Early Childhood Education major Allyson Jones has grown up being involved in ministry. Her family has always served together, whether in pastoring or missions work. Her dad is the President of GO International giving her the chance to travel to Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic and Trinidad. This year she will be returning to Trinidad with a team of OCU Students over Spring Break and will be going to Costa Rica in May.
“I absolutely love what our family does,” said Allyson. “I get to meet so many amazing people through the ministry and it's so exciting to see what God is doing around the world.”
Allyson plans to use her Early Childhood Education major to open doors for her to be a missionary to reach people she might not have been able to reach as a traditional missionary. “I have seen on past trips how we have been able to reach lost families by loving and caring for their children and I feel led to continue to do that as a teacher,” said Allyson.
She loves meeting new people around the world through missions. “Seeing the passions and ministries God has placed on their hearts is incredible and encouraging to me,” said Allyson. “It is impossible to doubt that there is a God who loves and cares for His children when you see what He is doing around the world and how He is so faithful to provide.”
Originally, Allyson had decided to attend another university. “A month before college was supposed to start, God started working on my heart and I could not get peace,” she said. “My goals were to go to a Christian university and graduate with the least amount of debt possible so that I could go on the mission field soon after graduation.”
After she decided not to attend the other university, her dad met OCU Vice President for Advancement Mark Taylor and OCU President Dr. Mark Smith who encouraged that Allyson visit OCU. “There was more financial aid and scholarships available to me here so it would be possible for me to graduate with less debt. It all happened so fast, it's crazy how God worked it all out so perfectly.”
OCU is preparing Allyson for her call to ministry. “I have already learned so much here that has continued in shaping the way I view ministry,” said Allyson. “It is such a privilege to be at a university where I can not only be encouraged in my faith, but also challenged, which promotes great growth. I love learning new and effective ways to share my faith as well as defend it. Between going to chapel, outreaches around the community, or the opportunity to be a Residence Hall Chaplain this year, OCU has given me so many chances to stretch and grow my faith and passion for Jesus.”
Students in the Traditional Undergraduate Program attend classes on the growing OCU campus featuring the new Dean & Diana Hickman Student Center and study in the areas of Business & Government, Disaster Management & Relief, Interdisciplinary Studies, Ministry & Religion, Music, Pre-Nursing, Social Sciences and Teacher Education.
Articles of Interest
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
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Archived Articles of Interest
Faculty Profile: Dr. Jeanne R. Bruce Joins Teacher Education Department
Published: November 1, 2018
Dr. Jeanne R. Bruce, who recently joined Ohio Christian University’s
Teacher Education Department, creates positive environments where students
thrive and succeed. Experienced in applying strategies for success in
teaching, she is well-versed in classroom management, online instruction, and
student support.
Recognized for her communication and relationship-building skills, Professor
Bruce teaches a spectrum of courses, including Educational Psychology, Math
Methods, Cultures of Children, Instructional Strategies for Adolescents and
Young Adults, Fundamentals of Communication, and
Dr. Jeanne R. Bruce, who recently joined Ohio Christian University’s
Teacher Education Department, creates positive environments where students
thrive and succeed. Experienced in applying strategies for success in
teaching, she is well-versed in classroom management, online instruction, and
student support.
Recognized for her communication and relationship-building skills, Professor
Bruce
Dr. Jeanne R. Bruce, who recently joined Ohio Christian University’s
Teacher Education Department, creates positive environments where students
thrive and succeed. Experienced in applying
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-
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.
New K-12 Needs Intervention Specialist Degree Program Open for Enrollment
Published: July 17, 2018
The Ohio Department of Education recently recognized that OCU’s
Mild/Moderate Needs Intervention Specialist (K-12) bachelor’s program meets
the Chancellor’s requirements and State Board of Education standards for
bachelor degree programs that prepare graduates for Mild/Moderate Needs
Intervention Specialist (K-12) licensure. Enrollment into the new program
is now open.
Dr. Valerie Jones, Teacher Education Department chair explains, “We train
teachers who have a Christ-like calling to educate all children, including
those with special needs. With the opioid and poverty crises
The Ohio Department of Education recently recognized that OCU’s
Mild/Moderate Needs Intervention Specialist (K-12) bachelor’s program meets
the Chancellor’s requirements and State Board of Education standards for
bachelor degree programs that prepare graduates for Mild/Moderate Needs
Intervention Specialist (K-12) licensure. Enrollment into the new program
is now open.
Dr. Valerie Jones
The Ohio Department of Education recently recognized that OCU’s
Mild/Moderate Needs Intervention Specialist (K-12) bachelor’s program meets
the Chancellor’s requirements and State Board of
