Welcoming students to Ohio Christian University’s 2018 Academic Year Convocation, Provost Hank Kelly opened the first chapel gathering with a prayer of anointing for President Kulaga and the faculty to make this a great academic year for students who will be forming spiritual character, drawing closer to Christ, identifying life missions, and preparing to serve church and society. Praying that each student learns their course subject matter, he prayed they also learn the life skills of critical thinking, speaking, writing, perseverance, discipline, getting along with others, while experiencing both Christ’s love and the love of faculty and staff.
Academic department heads Dr. Valerie Jones and Dr. Monty Lobb read Scriptures, then Michelle Martin and student musicians lead staff, faculty, and students in song. Dr. Kulaga’s inspiring sermon ‘Finder’s Seekers’ focused on the purpose of study at the University. Highlighting the excitement on the first day of class and expressing humor that raised applause and laughter, Kulaga shared that the faculty’s duty and joy in their work of teaching, shaping, and informing students is a source of great encouragement. The student-faculty relationship is symbiotic—beneficial and enriching to both parties.
Applying analogies of deer hunting and trout fishing, Kulaga proposed that the true purpose of study is not the thrill or passion it may engender, not in seeking and finding relative truth, but in discovering Biblical truth. Truth is not found in opinion. It is found in Biblical truth, the bedrock foundational principals of Christian faith. God is all knowing, all loving, all powerful. He is the creator, and only through His son Jesus do we enter Heaven. He gives the capacity to learn to do His will. Students don’t need to seek truth when He has already revealed it, but appreciate it and be led by Him.
“Christianity provides the answers to the big questions. God provides life’s meaning, purpose, and comfort,” Kulaga explained. “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is praiseworthy, anything of excellence, let your mind dwell on these things. Answers to the big questions determine where we derive and place our energies. It’s what gives the courage to face life. It becomes the object of our supreme devotions. It’s our heroism when at last we face death. God says, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.’”
Articles of Interest
Promoting Transformational Change
Published: December 17, 2019
In the interest of following the mission of Ohio Christian University, both
the Adult
In the interest of following the mission of Ohio Christian University, both
the Adult
In the interest of following the mission of Ohio Christian University, both
the Adult
Ohio Christian Encouraged Student-Athletes to ADVANCE
Published: October 16, 2019
The ADVANCE Mid-State League 2019 Leadership Summit on Sept 10 was a major
success with over 450 students and coaches from Mid-State League member
schools in attendance. The purpose of the event was to develop
student-athletes into effective leaders within their teams and the broader
community. Athletic Director David Bireline said, "to build this
relationship between our university and the Mid-State League is very exciting
for us as an athletic department. So many people played a role in making it
happen, and we hope we can continue this relationship in the years to come."
Ohio
The ADVANCE Mid-State League 2019 Leadership Summit on Sept 10 was a major
success with over 450 students and coaches from Mid-State League member
schools in attendance. The purpose of the event was to develop
student-athletes into effective leaders within their teams and the broader
community. Athletic Director David Bireline said, "to build this
relationship between our university and the
The ADVANCE Mid-State League 2019 Leadership Summit on Sept 10 was a major
success with over 450 students and coaches from Mid-State League member
schools in attendance. The purpose of the event
Gerald Murphy Encourages Revival
Published: October 16, 2019
Gerald Murphy (’13) had one goal in mind for the campus of Ohio Christian
University as he spoke during Fall 2019 Revival Week, and that was to have an
encounter with Christ.
Murphy, a graduate of Ohio Christian, encouraged students to let go of their
former selves and take on their new identity as sons and daughters of God. In
order to take on this new identity, Murphy said that one must first stop
self-identifying as a sinner saved by grace. “If you continue to call
yourself a sinner,” he said, “you’re going to keep acting like one.”
Next, one must stop relying on their own actions
Gerald Murphy (’13) had one goal in mind for the campus of Ohio Christian
University as he spoke during Fall 2019 Revival Week, and that was to have an
encounter with Christ.
Murphy, a graduate of Ohio Christian, encouraged students to let go of their
former selves and take on their new identity as sons and daughters of God. In
order to take on this new identity, Murphy said that one must
Gerald Murphy (’13) had one goal in mind for the campus of Ohio Christian
University as he spoke during Fall 2019 Revival Week, and that was to have an
encounter with Christ.
Murphy, a graduate of
Student Leadership Commissioning
Published: August 19, 2019
A day before the majority of students were set to return, Ohio Christian
University held a commissioning ceremony for students serving in leadership
roles this semester. The event was meant to build unity among student leaders
and prepare them to face challenges as a team.
Director of Student Engagement Eric Fehr said, “It’s really important
that our student leaders think of themselves as on a larger team with larger
over-arching goals than just being an RA or on the Student Involvement
Council [SIC] team. It is our hope that as various student leaders face
challenges and difficulties
A day before the majority of students were set to return, Ohio Christian
University held a commissioning ceremony for students serving in leadership
roles this semester. The event was meant to build unity among student leaders
and prepare them to face challenges as a team.
Director of Student Engagement Eric Fehr said, “It’s really important
that our student leaders think of themselves as on
A day before the majority of students were set to return, Ohio Christian
University held a commissioning ceremony for students serving in leadership
roles this semester. The event was meant to
Mount of Praise Recognizes OCU
Published: June 24, 2019
The Churches of Christ and Christian Union (CCCU) set aside a special night
on June 22 to recognize the ministry of Ohio Christian University. The night
was part of CCCU’s 102nd annual camp meeting, Mount of Praise.
OCU’s history is closely tied to CCCU, as it was born out of a Mount of
Praise camp meeting over 70 years ago. For many years after the college met
on the camp ground as the Mount of Praise Bible College, which was later
changed to Circleville Bible College. As time passed and the college grew, it
changed its name once more to Ohio Christian University in 2007.
Dr. Jon
The Churches of Christ and Christian Union (CCCU) set aside a special night
on June 22 to recognize the ministry of Ohio Christian University. The night
was part of CCCU’s 102nd annual camp meeting, Mount of Praise.
OCU’s history is closely tied to CCCU, as it was born out of a Mount of
Praise camp meeting over 70 years ago. For many years after the college met
on the camp ground as the
The Churches of Christ and Christian Union (CCCU) set aside a special night
on June 22 to recognize the ministry of Ohio Christian University. The night
was part of CCCU’s 102nd annual camp meeting
Archived Articles of Interest
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-
President Kulaga Addresses HR Hosted Staff Breakfast
Published: March 7, 2018
Ohio Christian University's Office of Human Resources recently hosted its
quarterly breakfast with President Jon S. Kulaga addressing the group.
At each of these events, the Office of Human Resources randomly draws
employee names from each department on campus to partake in this gathering
with the intention that staff will learn more about their colleagues and the
jobs they perform on campus.
OCU staff attending this breakfast included Elaina Wonsick, Beth Ash, Janice
Coy, Beth Wright, Antonia Miller, Seth Brisker, Joshua Egenreider, Carlie
Riffle,Tricia Lucas, Allison Browning,
Ohio Christian University's Office of Human Resources recently hosted its
quarterly breakfast with President Jon S. Kulaga addressing the group.
At each of these events, the Office of Human Resources randomly draws
employee names from each department on campus to partake in this gathering
with the intention that staff will learn more about their colleagues and the
jobs they perform on
Ohio Christian University's Office of Human Resources recently hosted its
quarterly breakfast with President Jon S. Kulaga addressing the group.
At each of these events, the Office of Human
True Faith from the Inside Out
Published: January 29, 2018
Spring Revival 2018 occurred the week of January 21st. Rev. Mark Van Valin
brought inspiring chapel messages. Rev. Van Valin challenged OCU students
throughout the week to consider introspective topics including personal
relationships, what true worship means, and how to live from the inside
out. In addition to delivering such thought-provoking messages at the
mornings and evenings services, Rev. Van Valin met with and encouraged
students one-on-one while he was on campus, talking over a meal in the
cafeteria and over coffee in the student center.
Early each semester, Student
Spring Revival 2018 occurred the week of January 21st. Rev. Mark Van Valin
brought inspiring chapel messages. Rev. Van Valin challenged OCU students
throughout the week to consider introspective topics including personal
relationships, what true worship means, and how to live from the inside
out. In addition to delivering such thought-provoking messages at the
mornings and evenings
Spring Revival 2018 occurred the week of January 21st. Rev. Mark Van Valin
brought inspiring chapel messages. Rev. Van Valin challenged OCU students
throughout the week to consider introspective
Spring Revival 2018
Published: January 16, 2018
Ohio Christian University is honored to have Rev. Mark Van Valin deliver the
Spring Revival messages January 23rd through 25th. Rev. Van Valin will
preach on the theme of practical holiness and the difference Jesus makes in
our lives and relationships.
Rev. Van Valin is the lead pastor of Spring Arbor Free Methodist Church in
Spring Arbor, Michigan. He’s been married to his wife Linda for 33
years.
About himself Van Valin says this: “I enjoy reading, history, music, and
fishing. Catching anything is a bonus! I was raised in a solid Christian
home. My father Frank was a Free
Ohio Christian University is honored to have Rev. Mark Van Valin deliver the
Spring Revival messages January 23rd through 25th. Rev. Van Valin will
preach on the theme of practical holiness and the difference Jesus makes in
our lives and relationships.
Rev. Van Valin is the lead pastor of Spring Arbor Free Methodist Church in
Spring Arbor, Michigan. He’s been married to his wife Linda for
Ohio Christian University is honored to have Rev. Mark Van Valin deliver the
Spring Revival messages January 23rd through 25th. Rev. Van Valin will
preach on the theme of practical holiness and
Hundreds of Students Renew Faith Commitment at Spring Revival
Published: January 29, 2016
Ohio Christian University students, faculty, and staff gathered for the
beginning of spring semester by starting off the new year with three days of
spiritual challenge and growth.
OCU was honored to have Dr. Jim Lo—current Indiana Wesleyan University
professor, former IWU Dean of Chapel, and missionary—speak words of wisdom
about seeking, prayer, and forgiveness. Hundreds of students made or renewed
their commitments to the Lord throughout the services.
We are truly privileged to have had such an outstanding response and revival
on our campus and among our students. and was
Ohio Christian University students, faculty, and staff gathered for the
beginning of spring semester by starting off the new year with three days of
spiritual challenge and growth.
OCU was honored to have Dr. Jim Lo—current Indiana Wesleyan University
professor, former IWU Dean of Chapel, and missionary—speak words of wisdom
about seeking, prayer, and forgiveness. Hundreds of students
Ohio Christian University students, faculty, and staff gathered for the
beginning of spring semester by starting off the new year with three days of
spiritual challenge and growth.
OCU was
