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
OCU Graduate Update - Justin Hamilton
Published: October 24, 2016
Justin is a 2016 graduate, earning his Bachelor of Arts in Middle Childhood
Education (grades 4-9) with concentrations in English Language Arts and
Social Studies. Justin has obtained his license and is now serving as a
substitute for all of Pickaway County, schools in Ross County, such as Unioto
and Zane Trace, and also Teays Valley School District. Aside from subbing,
Justin is working and just finished a collection of H.P. Lovecraft novels. He
has enjoyed having more time for family and his church as well. Keep up the
good work Justin!
Justin is a 2016 graduate, earning his Bachelor of Arts in Middle Childhood
Education (grades 4-9) with concentrations in English Language Arts and
Social Studies. Justin has obtained his license and is now serving as a
substitute for all of Pickaway County, schools in Ross County, such as Unioto
and Zane Trace, and also Teays Valley School District. Aside from subbing,
Justin is working and
Justin is a 2016 graduate, earning his Bachelor of Arts in Middle Childhood
Education (grades 4-9) with concentrations in English Language Arts and
Social Studies. Justin has obtained his license
Teacher Education Department Meeting
Published: October 24, 2016
The Teacher Education Department had a meeting with all students Wednesday,
October 19th. Topics on the agenda were new CAEP accreditation standards,
ideas for a TE spring trip, updates on the potential AYA programs,
information about supplies and materials that are available to them.
A survey was taken concerning student retention and degree completion.
The Teacher Education Department had a meeting with all students Wednesday,
October 19th. Topics on the agenda were new CAEP accreditation standards,
ideas for a TE spring trip, updates on the potential AYA programs,
information about supplies and materials that are available to them.
A survey was taken concerning student retention and degree completion.
The Teacher Education Department had a meeting with all students Wednesday,
October 19th. Topics on the agenda were new CAEP accreditation standards,
ideas for a TE spring trip, updates on the
OCU Graduate Update - Annie Edmonds
Published: October 24, 2016
OCU graduate Annie Edmonds shares this update from the field:
I am currently working at New Beginnings Christian school in Columbus Ohio,
teaching first grade. There are countless times I refer back to my education
while in the classroom. It is so encouraging to know that I still have a
great support system at OCU, I know that if I ever needed anything they would
be there in a heartbeat! I am thankful for each one of my professors that
took time to help me achieve my goals and dreams!
OCU graduate Annie Edmonds shares this update from the field:
I am currently working at New Beginnings Christian school in Columbus Ohio,
teaching first grade. There are countless times I refer back to my education
while in the classroom. It is so encouraging to know that I still have a
great support system at OCU, I know that if I ever needed anything they would
be there in a heartbeat! I
OCU graduate Annie Edmonds shares this update from the field:
I am currently working at New Beginnings Christian school in Columbus Ohio,
teaching first grade. There are countless times I refer
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,
Students serve with World Gospel Mission in Argentina
Published: May 16, 2016
Ohio Christian University students had the opportunity to minister abroad in
Argentina during Spring Break 2016. Professor Jamey Gremillion, OCU’s
Intercultural Ministries Director, led the team of six, which included
Liliana Burgos, Ben Caplan, Andrew DeMint and Lindsey Lawler, along with
Jammie Wilhelm, who serves as an AGS Director and Professor.
The team had the privilege of remodeling a kitchen for an elderly woman who
feeds nearly 60 neighborhood children every weekday. In two days, the team
removed the old cabinets, storage area and counter-tops, replacing them with
a custom-
Ohio Christian University students had the opportunity to minister abroad in
Argentina during Spring Break 2016. Professor Jamey Gremillion, OCU’s
Intercultural Ministries Director, led the team of six, which included
Liliana Burgos, Ben Caplan, Andrew DeMint and Lindsey Lawler, along with
Jammie Wilhelm, who serves as an AGS Director and Professor.
The team had the privilege of remodeling a
Ohio Christian University students had the opportunity to minister abroad in
Argentina during Spring Break 2016. Professor Jamey Gremillion, OCU’s
Intercultural Ministries Director, led the team of
