Events of Interest
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 the funds to go to Paraguay was in some ways challenging for the group, and many had to ask tough questions.
Andrea Williamson wrote that, “in the span of three hours, the remaining $1200 was given by multiple people. God is faithful!”
During their time in Paraguay, the team had the privilege of participating in Iglesia Evangelica Mundial (WGM) church services at Buenas Nuevas, Cristo Viene and Nueva Esperanza, two chapel services at the international Asuncion Christian Academy (ACA), and painting a very long wall for Escuela No. 281—a school for grades K-12 in the Herrera neighborhood of Asuncion. WGM Missionaries also joined them at different times throughout the week, and the team was able to communicate with those they ministered through unique ways and a Spanish-speaking student.
Together the students challenged each other to be better Christ-followers while they were together: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
Ohio Christian University is proud of our students and faculty who go out of their way to impact the world around us. Thank you for serving.
Read more about the team's adventures in Paraguay in a blog post.
Events of Interest
Events of Interest
Articles of Interest
Students Serve Community in 21st Annual Ralph C. Starkey Community Action Day
Published: October 16, 2019
Over 460 students from Ohio Christian University and local high schools
through a partnership with United Way of Pickaway County came together on
Oct. 9 to serve the community. During OCU’s 21st annual Ralph C. Starkey
Community Action Day, students engaged in clean up and restoration projects
at 44 sites throughout Circleville and the surrounding county.
Before starting, the students were addressed by event organizers, Ralph C.
Starkey’s daughter Beth Starkey Hill, Circleville Mayor Don McIlroy, and
Pickaway County Commissioner Brian Stewart. Executive Director of United Way
Jama
Over 460 students from Ohio Christian University and local high schools
through a partnership with United Way of Pickaway County came together on
Oct. 9 to serve the community. During OCU’s 21st annual Ralph C. Starkey
Community Action Day, students engaged in clean up and restoration projects
at 44 sites throughout Circleville and the surrounding county.
Before starting, the students were
Over 460 students from Ohio Christian University and local high schools
through a partnership with United Way of Pickaway County came together on
Oct. 9 to serve the community. During OCU’s 21st
Ohio Christian Partners to Serve Community
Published: October 16, 2019
Ohio Christian University will hold its 21st annual Ralph C. Starkey
Community Action Day on Oct 9. The event historically sends out over 400
students, faculty and staff into the community of Circleville and the
surrounding area to serve those in need. This year, Ohio Christian has
partnered with United Way of Pickaway County to expand the reach and scope by
coordinating and bringing together the organizations individual efforts to
serve the community.
Ohio Christian has traditionally held Community Action Day in the spring but
switched to fall this year so the day would coincide with
Ohio Christian University will hold its 21st annual Ralph C. Starkey
Community Action Day on Oct 9. The event historically sends out over 400
students, faculty and staff into the community of Circleville and the
surrounding area to serve those in need. This year, Ohio Christian has
partnered with United Way of Pickaway County to expand the reach and scope by
coordinating and bringing
Ohio Christian University will hold its 21st annual Ralph C. Starkey
Community Action Day on Oct 9. The event historically sends out over 400
students, faculty and staff into the community of
Mark Lee Performs on Campus
Published: October 16, 2019
Mark Lee caught the attention of Ohio Christian University and the
surrounding community with his witty sense of humor and passion for sharing
Christ with others. Lee is a founding member and guitarist for popular
Christian band Third Day. During his “An Evening with Mark Lee” concert
on Sept. 16, Lee shared his music as well as stories from his own life.
During the concert, Lee shared a part of his testimony from his recent book
“Hurt Road.” Lee told the audience how his leg was badly injured as a
result of an accident with a truck. It was during this down time as his leg
was healing
Mark Lee caught the attention of Ohio Christian University and the
surrounding community with his witty sense of humor and passion for sharing
Christ with others. Lee is a founding member and guitarist for popular
Christian band Third Day. During his “An Evening with Mark Lee” concert
on Sept. 16, Lee shared his music as well as stories from his own life.
During the concert, Lee shared a
Mark Lee caught the attention of Ohio Christian University and the
surrounding community with his witty sense of humor and passion for sharing
Christ with others. Lee is a founding member and
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
Ohio Christian to Host Education Summit in November
Published: October 16, 2019
Ohio Christian University is pleased to welcome government officials,
teachers and the public to its 2019 Education Summit on Nov 15. The purpose
of the summit is to bring in education stakeholders to discuss Ohio’s new
strategic education plan “Each Child, Our Future” and the next steps
moving forward. The event will be held in Ohio Christian’s Ministry
Ohio Christian University is pleased to welcome government officials,
teachers and the public to its 2019 Education Summit on Nov 15. The purpose
of the summit is to bring in education stakeholders to discuss Ohio’s new
strategic education plan “Each Child, Our Future” and the next steps
moving forward. The event will be held in Ohio Christian’s Ministry
Ohio Christian University is pleased to welcome government officials,
teachers and the public to its 2019 Education Summit on Nov 15. The purpose
of the summit is to bring in education stakeholders
Archived Articles of Interest
New K-12 Needs Intervention Specialist Degree Program Open for Enrollment
Published: July 17, 2018
The Ohio Department of Education recently recognized that OCU’s
Mild/Moderate Needs Intervention Specialist (K-12) bachelor’s program meets
the Chancellor’s requirements and State Board of Education standards for
bachelor degree programs that prepare graduates for Mild/Moderate Needs
Intervention Specialist (K-12) licensure. Enrollment into the new program
is now open.
Dr. Valerie Jones, Teacher Education Department chair explains, “We train
teachers who have a Christ-like calling to educate all children, including
those with special needs. With the opioid and poverty crises
The Ohio Department of Education recently recognized that OCU’s
Mild/Moderate Needs Intervention Specialist (K-12) bachelor’s program meets
the Chancellor’s requirements and State Board of Education standards for
bachelor degree programs that prepare graduates for Mild/Moderate Needs
Intervention Specialist (K-12) licensure. Enrollment into the new program
is now open.
Dr. Valerie Jones
The Ohio Department of Education recently recognized that OCU’s
Mild/Moderate Needs Intervention Specialist (K-12) bachelor’s program meets
the Chancellor’s requirements and State Board of
Trauma Informed Care Training Hits Needs Head-On
Published: June 20, 2018
On June 4 and 5, Ohio Christian University hosted over 150 participants
attending the Southern Ohio Trauma Informed Care Training.
OCU undergraduate and graduate teacher education students as well as area
educators, pastors, administrators, and social workers listened to
informative sessions covering topics ranging from classroom teaching to
social work case management. They engaged in dynamic discussions, break-out
activities and tasks that raised questions and prompted fresh thinking by
even the most inquisitive participants.
Hosted by social workers Amanda Knotts and Bryston
On June 4 and 5, Ohio Christian University hosted over 150 participants
attending the Southern Ohio Trauma Informed Care Training.
OCU undergraduate and graduate teacher education students as well as area
educators, pastors, administrators, and social workers listened to
informative sessions covering topics ranging from classroom teaching to
social work case management. They engaged in
On June 4 and 5, Ohio Christian University hosted over 150 participants
attending the Southern Ohio Trauma Informed Care Training.
OCU undergraduate and graduate teacher education students as well
2018 Summer Camps Underway
Published: June 12, 2018
Twenty-two Ohio Christian University students are participating in the
University’s 2018 summer camps counseling program.
These students have completed over 50 hours of training over the course of
their spring semester to prepare them to effectively and confidently serve at
16 camps for children in over five states this summer.
Student team leader Hunter Petty shares the group’s excitement about
becoming camp counselors, “As a kid, my life was impacted through OCU camp
counselors. Now that I am a student, I have the chance to impact kid’s
lives and it is an amazing opportunity! Being
Twenty-two Ohio Christian University students are participating in the
University’s 2018 summer camps counseling program.
These students have completed over 50 hours of training over the course of
their spring semester to prepare them to effectively and confidently serve at
16 camps for children in over five states this summer.
Student team leader Hunter Petty shares the group’s excitement
Twenty-two Ohio Christian University students are participating in the
University’s 2018 summer camps counseling program.
These students have completed over 50 hours of training over the course of
2019 Spring Trip to Learn Education Excellence in Finland and Sweden
Published: June 12, 2018
Learn how the Finnish and Swedish secondary school systems provide
world-class education for their students. These globally top-rated schools
maintain their excellent quality of education without homework or standard
tests.
Cultural experiences throughout this tour of Finland’s Helsinki and
Sweden’s Stockholm give participants an enriching perspective on
Scandinavia’s culture and progressive educational practices. Registration
is open now for this once-in-a-lifetime trip that begins in mid-May, 2019.
According to OCU Teacher Education Department Chair, Dr. Valerie Jones,
“Our aim
Learn how the Finnish and Swedish secondary school systems provide
world-class education for their students. These globally top-rated schools
maintain their excellent quality of education without homework or standard
tests.
Cultural experiences throughout this tour of Finland’s Helsinki and
Sweden’s Stockholm give participants an enriching perspective on
Scandinavia’s culture and
Learn how the Finnish and Swedish secondary school systems provide
world-class education for their students. These globally top-rated schools
maintain their excellent quality of education without
2018 Pastors Conference Shares Lessons in Leadership
Published: April 27, 2018
The Pastors Conference of the 2018 Leadership Forum provided inspiring
sessions that shared valuable lessons in pastoral leadership.
The Conference began with inspirational worship led by Ohio Christian
University’s ABLAZE student music and vocal group singing spirit-filled
songs and hymns of praise. Their performance created a beautiful time for
experiencing the Holy Spirit’s refreshing presence.
Keynote speaker Dr. Benny Tate, Senior Pastor of the Rock Springs Church in
Milner, Georgia, presented encouraging instruction on how to “Build a
Healthy Church in a Chaotic World.”
In his
The Pastors Conference of the 2018 Leadership Forum provided inspiring
sessions that shared valuable lessons in pastoral leadership.
The Conference began with inspirational worship led by Ohio Christian
University’s ABLAZE student music and vocal group singing spirit-filled
songs and hymns of praise. Their performance created a beautiful time for
experiencing the Holy Spirit’s refreshing
The Pastors Conference of the 2018 Leadership Forum provided inspiring
sessions that shared valuable lessons in pastoral leadership.
The Conference began with inspirational worship led by Ohio
