If asked a year ago if she would ever consider going on a mission trip to Cambodia, OCU sophomore Sophia Donaldson would have exclaimed, “You were crazy!” Yet, today, Sophia with 12 other adventurous students is set to be on mission in Cambodia, May 29th through June 12th, 2018.
Unlike some participants, Sophia has felt a clear calling from God to undertake this mission. Playing guitar since age ten, but not serious about it until this year, Sophia strongly feels God wants her to go to Cambodia and play music for the people. It’s that simple and clear. Despite initial doubts, she decided on the trip.
Her faith and relationship with God guides everything she does: “God has been preparing me for something this big. He knows how fearful I am to take big leaps of faith. I don’t know necessarily what talent he will use when I am there, but he sees something that will help the Cambodians I will meet and will help me grow.”
Working part-time at Meijer while participating in a small group and numerous campus activities, Sophia strives to grow in her faith and inspire others to follow her example. A commuter, she finds getting involved on campus isn’t easy, but Sophia has made a priority of living life to the fullest in the most authentic way possible.
“God asked me to go on this trip,” she explains. “He said, ‘I want you to go. This is something I am expecting you to go on, and you can’t miss this opportunity.’ He wants me there. I don’t know why yet, but I am going. I don’t know why God does what He does, but I love Him.”
Sophia is conquering her calling and encouraging others to do likewise.
Articles of Interest
Tree of Life Assists Displaced Students
Published: March 19, 2020
As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to surge, Ohio Christian University has
transitioned to all online courses through the end of the semester. In the
midst of these trying times, many businesses have found ways to support those
impacted by the repercussions of the measures taken to slow down the spread
of the virus.
During this disruptive time for the university, Tree of Life worked hard to
contribute in a way that ensures that students have access to the materials
they need to succeed in their courses. This is especially important with the
transition to online learning. The company
As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to surge, Ohio Christian University has
transitioned to all online courses through the end of the semester. In the
midst of these trying times, many businesses have found ways to support those
impacted by the repercussions of the measures taken to slow down the spread
of the virus.
During this disruptive time for the university, Tree of Life worked hard to
As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to surge, Ohio Christian University has
transitioned to all online courses through the end of the semester. In the
midst of these trying times, many businesses
Ohio Christian Ranked Among Best Online Logistics Management Programs
Published: October 16, 2019
Ohio Christian University was recently ranked as offering one of the best
online baccalaureate programs in Logistics Management. The university was
ranked 8th out of 15 by the Online Schools Report (OSR), which serves as a
resource for students pursuing online programs.
According to OSR, their rankings are based on six data points: three
schoolwide and three program-specific. For schoolwide, OSR uses student
satisfaction, admission rates, and the number of programs the school offers
online. For program-specific, OSR checks the median debt of graduates from
that program, how many
Ohio Christian University was recently ranked as offering one of the best
online baccalaureate programs in Logistics Management. The university was
ranked 8th out of 15 by the Online Schools Report (OSR), which serves as a
resource for students pursuing online programs.
According to OSR, their rankings are based on six data points: three
schoolwide and three program-specific. For schoolwide
Ohio Christian University was recently ranked as offering one of the best
online baccalaureate programs in Logistics Management. The university was
ranked 8th out of 15 by the Online Schools Report
Students Serve Alongside WGM in Uganda
Published: October 16, 2019
At the end of May, a team from Ohio Christian University traveled to Uganda
to serve alongside World Gospel Mission missionaries already working in the
area. This trip would best be described as a vision trip rather than the
typical mission work some may think of. The team got to see many different
ministries the missionaries are working with as well as support them through
fellowship and prayer.
During the two weeks the team was abroad, they worked with a wide range of
ministries, one of which is known as the Dignity project, providing women and
girls with reusable feminine products
At the end of May, a team from Ohio Christian University traveled to Uganda
to serve alongside World Gospel Mission missionaries already working in the
area. This trip would best be described as a vision trip rather than the
typical mission work some may think of. The team got to see many different
ministries the missionaries are working with as well as support them through
fellowship and
At the end of May, a team from Ohio Christian University traveled to Uganda
to serve alongside World Gospel Mission missionaries already working in the
area. This trip would best be described as a
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
Trailblazers in Reading
Published: August 12, 2019
Submitted by Professor Scott Barr
American author Henry David Thoreau wrote, “How many a man has dated a new
era in his life from the reading of a book.” This holds true for many of
the young men and women in Professor Anita Conkel and Professor Scott
Barr’s English composition classes. On April 15, students marked their
participation in “The Great American Read” with a celebration sponsored
by the English Department and hosted by the Maxwell Library staff.
“The Great American Read” is a nationwide event started by the Public
Broadcast System (PBS) in 2018. One hundred influential and
Submitted by Professor Scott Barr
American author Henry David Thoreau wrote, “How many a man has dated a new
era in his life from the reading of a book.” This holds true for many of
the young men and women in Professor Anita Conkel and Professor Scott
Barr’s English composition classes. On April 15, students marked their
participation in “The Great American Read” with a celebration sponsored
Submitted by Professor Scott Barr
American author Henry David Thoreau wrote, “How many a man has dated a new
era in his life from the reading of a book.” This holds true for many of
the young men
Archived Articles of Interest
Writing Center Success Highlighted at Conference for Writing Program Administrators
Published: October 8, 2018
English Professor Krista Stonerock, Writing Center Director at Ohio Christian
University (OCU), recently presented “Connecting the University Writing
Center to the First-Year Experience” at the Conference for Writing Program
Administrators in Sacramento, California.
Dr. Stonerock described how the OCU Writing Center serves as a critical
resource for at-risk students during their first year at the
university. Citing reflective logs of peer tutors and surveys of first-year
students that illuminate the concerns and successes of the Writing Center,
she described how the center is poised
English Professor Krista Stonerock, Writing Center Director at Ohio Christian
University (OCU), recently presented “Connecting the University Writing
Center to the First-Year Experience” at the Conference for Writing Program
Administrators in Sacramento, California.
Dr. Stonerock described how the OCU Writing Center serves as a critical
resource for at-risk students during their first year
English Professor Krista Stonerock, Writing Center Director at Ohio Christian
University (OCU), recently presented “Connecting the University Writing
Center to the First-Year Experience” at the
Summer Adventures into Central Ohio History
Published: September 14, 2018
By Amber Ginter, ‘19
Every summer, Ohio Christian University offers monthly on-campus and online
courses ranging from Math Systems to Music Fundamentals, Psychology, and Ohio
History. The courses carry college credit and exciting field adventures.
In teaching central Ohio history, Professor Michael Burchett provides
hands-on activities. Most students are teacher education majors, interested
in local history for creating more effective and interactive lessons.
Trips to Logan's Elm, Adena Mansion and Gardens, The Ohio History Connection,
and Tecumseh bring the subject to life, and the
By Amber Ginter, ‘19
Every summer, Ohio Christian University offers monthly on-campus and online
courses ranging from Math Systems to Music Fundamentals, Psychology, and Ohio
History. The courses carry college credit and exciting field adventures.
In teaching central Ohio history, Professor Michael Burchett provides
hands-on activities. Most students are teacher education majors, interested
By Amber Ginter, ‘19
Every summer, Ohio Christian University offers monthly on-campus and online
courses ranging from Math Systems to Music Fundamentals, Psychology, and Ohio
History. The courses
Professor Scott Barr: Fruits of Summer Labor
Published: September 14, 2018
By Amber Ginter ‘19
English Professor Scott Barr, after over four decades of teaching, is no
stranger to being productive during Central Ohio's long, hot summers.
Investing in summer projects this year, Barr found his activities refreshing
and fruitful.
In May, Barr became lead writer for Ohio Christian University’s (OCU)
accreditation report for the Higher Learning Commission. In preparing for the
Commission’s 2019 visit, he is examining all aspects of OCU’s
effectiveness. Barr met with the audit preparation team to discuss five main
areas within 21 sub-components. These included
By Amber Ginter ‘19
English Professor Scott Barr, after over four decades of teaching, is no
stranger to being productive during Central Ohio's long, hot summers.
Investing in summer projects this year, Barr found his activities refreshing
and fruitful.
In May, Barr became lead writer for Ohio Christian University’s (OCU)
accreditation report for the Higher Learning Commission. In preparing
By Amber Ginter ‘19
English Professor Scott Barr, after over four decades of teaching, is no
stranger to being productive during Central Ohio's long, hot summers.
Investing in summer projects this
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-
