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
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
Ohio Christian Hosts Youth Explosion
Published: July 29, 2019
Ohio Christian University was happy to host the Youth Explosion camp on July
25 through 28. The camp was organized by the Marion Christian Center’s
Youth Ministry. The event was meant to provide the opportunity to experience
God in a real and impactful way.
“This year, the theme is that God made them special and how to discover
their gifts and talents to glorify Him” said Marion Christian Center Lead
Pastor Perry Payne.
Each day of camp kicked off with a student led devotional going over the
Beatitudes of Jesus followed by real life breakout sessions. After lunch,
students
Ohio Christian University was happy to host the Youth Explosion camp on July
25 through 28. The camp was organized by the Marion Christian Center’s
Youth Ministry. The event was meant to provide the opportunity to experience
God in a real and impactful way.
“This year, the theme is that God made them special and how to discover
their gifts and talents to glorify Him” said Marion Christian
Ohio Christian University was happy to host the Youth Explosion camp on July
25 through 28. The camp was organized by the Marion Christian Center’s
Youth Ministry. The event was meant to provide
Archived Articles of Interest
OCU Develops Future Teacher's Skills in Educating 'Whole Child'
Published: November 16, 2018
By Steven Collins, Senior Reporter, Circleville Herald
Photo by Nancy Radcliff, Chief Photographer, Circleville Herald
Circleville Herald, November 15, 2018
The Ohio Christian University’s Teacher Education program is guiding the
next generation of teachers into modern day teaching.
Valarie Jones, chair of the education department, said they’re teaching
their education students about trauma-informed educating, a way to teach
students who have been affected by trauma to their maximum potential.
“Everything we do has the idea to love the kids first and then everything
else comes after
By Steven Collins, Senior Reporter, Circleville Herald
Photo by Nancy Radcliff, Chief Photographer, Circleville Herald
Circleville Herald, November 15, 2018
The Ohio Christian University’s Teacher Education program is guiding the
next generation of teachers into modern day teaching.
Valarie Jones, chair of the education department, said they’re teaching
their education students about trauma
By Steven Collins, Senior Reporter, Circleville Herald
Photo by Nancy Radcliff, Chief Photographer, Circleville Herald
Circleville Herald, November 15, 2018
The Ohio Christian University’s Teacher
Faculty Profile: Dr. Caleb Friedeman
Published: November 1, 2018
Dr. Caleb T. Friedeman recently joined Ohio Christian University’s Religion
Department as Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies. A disciple of Jesus
Christ with a passion to serve the Church as a pastor-theologian, Friedeman
brings to the department the heart of a pastor and the mind of a scholar.
Friedeman holds a B.A. in Ancient Languages from Asbury University, an M.A.
in Biblical Literature from Wesley Biblical Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Biblical
Theology (New Testament) from Wheaton College. His doctoral dissertation
focused on the Christology of Luke chapters 1 and 2 and its
Dr. Caleb T. Friedeman recently joined Ohio Christian University’s Religion
Department as Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies. A disciple of Jesus
Christ with a passion to serve the Church as a pastor-theologian, Friedeman
brings to the department the heart of a pastor and the mind of a scholar.
Friedeman holds a B.A. in Ancient Languages from Asbury University, an M.A.
in Biblical
Dr. Caleb T. Friedeman recently joined Ohio Christian University’s Religion
Department as Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies. A disciple of Jesus
Christ with a passion to serve the Church as a
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
