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
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-
Secretary of State Husted Shares Plan to Innovate and Invest
Published: September 10, 2018
Secretary of State Jon A. Husted met with Ohio Christian University (OCU),
Circleville, and Pickaway County officials at the Robert W. Plaster Free
Enterprise Center to discuss Attorney General Mike DeWine’s and his “Ohio
Prosperity Plan” that they will implement if elected Ohio Governor and Lt.
Governor.
The Plan provides for training to give Ohioans 21st-century technology job
skills through funding completion of 10,000 training certificates for skills
such as basic computer software coding and data analytics. Short courses will
cost around $600 each, offered by the likes of the
Secretary of State Jon A. Husted met with Ohio Christian University (OCU),
Circleville, and Pickaway County officials at the Robert W. Plaster Free
Enterprise Center to discuss Attorney General Mike DeWine’s and his “Ohio
Prosperity Plan” that they will implement if elected Ohio Governor and Lt.
Governor.
The Plan provides for training to give Ohioans 21st-century technology job
skills
Secretary of State Jon A. Husted met with Ohio Christian University (OCU),
Circleville, and Pickaway County officials at the Robert W. Plaster Free
Enterprise Center to discuss Attorney General
Ohio Christian University Ranks #3 of Online Emergency Management Programs!
Published: August 6, 2018
Best Schools has ranked Ohio Christian University’s Emergency and Disaster
Management Program #3 among the top 15 programs based on its quality and
courses provided, as well as the school’s other awards, rankings, and
reputation.
OCU's Emergency and Disaster Management program trains students to lead
during disasters. Graduates contribute during every stage of disaster
management and recovery, including providing immediate relief and rebuilding
and redeveloping communities.
Student Lesli Holt, Operations Manager for Warren County Ohio's Office of
Emergency Management, comments that “
Best Schools has ranked Ohio Christian University’s Emergency and Disaster
Management Program #3 among the top 15 programs based on its quality and
courses provided, as well as the school’s other awards, rankings, and
reputation.
OCU's Emergency and Disaster Management program trains students to lead
during disasters. Graduates contribute during every stage of disaster
management and
Best Schools has ranked Ohio Christian University’s Emergency and Disaster
Management Program #3 among the top 15 programs based on its quality and
courses provided, as well as the school’s other
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.
