Partners, February 2009
NORCROSS, Ga. — Jesse Long, founder and chancellor of Greater Atlanta Christian School, always has loved basketball. Sixty years after helping Dasher Bible School win a Georgia state title, the 6-foot-3 Long still has basketball in his blood.
On Jan. 30, Greater Atlanta Christian planned to celebrate the opening of Long Forum, in honor of a man with a vision for Christian education.
In the four decades since Long chose a stretch of land along a dirt road to locate the Christian school, he’s attended close to 2,500 GACS basketball games. Now, he will do so in an 80,000-square-foot, multipurpose facility that honors him and his wife, Marilyn.
Recently, Long made the first basket in the new arena. Asked how it felt to shoot in a $15 million facility named in his honor, Long replied, “All that feels different is my energy level.”
CAMPUS MINISTRIES
OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
CORVALLIS, Ore. — The University Christian Center kicked off the winter quarter with an “Amazing Race.”
Students brought friends on a quest throughout campus to eat a $5 footlong sub, bowl a spare, recognize a library book call number and find it, recite the books of the New Testament and even do a little yoga.
“The only prize was lots of laughs at the end and some great pictures,” campus minister Jason Swick said.
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
ULTIMATE ESCAPE
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Ultimate Escape, a ministry that helps teens and young adults develop a healthy vision of sexuality and overcome addictive sexual behaviors, has launched a new Web site.
Director Steve Holladay recently presented a five-week series for the teen class at the North Boulevard church in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Youth minister David Skidmore said the series drew record attendance for the class.
HIGHER EDUCATION
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
FLORENCE, Ala. — In four years, the TITUS Camp — or Teens in Training for Useful Experience — has grown from 15 campers to 70, all 13 to 19 years old.
Located on the Heritage Christian campus, the camp has become so popular that the openings for girls are filled by the end of January, and the boys’ slots are taken soon after that.
The eight-day experience is tailored to equip young people for preaching, teaching, Christian service and ministry.
LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Lipscomb’s new director of multicultural affairs, Tenielle Buchanan, welcomed students back to campus with a panel of influential civic leaders to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
“While it’s important to create an atmosphere where minorities feel nurtured, it’s equally important to create a unified atmosphere among all students where all cultures are considered valuable and exciting to learn about,” Buchanan said.
OHIO VALLEY UNIVERSITY
VIENNA, W.Va. — Jim Bullock, Ohio Valley’s vice president for academic affairs, traveled to Washington, D.C., to serve as a faculty leader in The Washington Center’s Presidential Inauguration Seminar.
Through the seminar, a select group of college students studied the momentous change in American political history, commemorated by the inauguration of the new president and vice president.
“Having the opportunity to guide a group of students as they observe firsthand the inner workings of the American political system is an exciting prospect for any educator,” Bullock said. “Participating in this particular inauguration with its historical significance gives the experience even more meaning.”
OKLAHOMA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma Christian basketball coach Dan Hays recorded his 600th career win as the Eagles beat visiting Hillsdale Baptist recently.
Hays, the longest-tenured basketball coach in Oklahoma, has coached for 31 seasons at Oklahoma Christian and Northwestern Oklahoma State, both NAIA schools.
Hays has guided Oklahoma Christian to six Sooner Athletic Conference titles, The Associated Press reported.
He is a member of the NAIA Hall of Fame and athletic halls of fame at Oklahoma Christian and Eastern New Mexico, his alma mater.
PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY
MALIBU, Calif. — Author and scholar John Stackhouse came to Pepperdine on Jan. 13 as the featured lecturer of the fifth annual Frank Pack Distinguished Christian Scholar Lecture Program.
Stackhouse spoke on “Can God Be Trusted? Faith and the Challenge of Evil.”
Jerry Rushford, director of church relations at Pepperdine, said Stackhouse was chosen for the lectureship because of his fearlessness in tackling difficult topics.
K-12 CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS
FORT WORTH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
FORT WORTH, Texas — Harding University is expanding a pilot program that first allowed Fort Worth Christian juniors and seniors to receive dual Bible credits through the university.
The program will now be offered to other high schools associated with Churches of Christ as well as homeschooled students.
“It’s going to be a great service to our Christian schools,” said Andrew Baker, director of Harding’s Institute for Church and Family.
GOODPASTURE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
MADISON, Tenn. — Students raised more than $115,000 worth of food in a recent food drive.
The food was distributed to many families and 42 churches and nonprofit organizations.
“This act of kindness will stock some church pantries for a whole year,” assistant high school principal Jeff Bixenman said.
RELIEF AGENCIES
GLOBAL SAMARITAN RESOURCES
ABILENE, Texas — The humanitarian aid organization, which has shipped medical and educational supplies, non-perishable food and clothing around the world, is partnering with a newly established foundation to aid children and families in war-torn villages of Afghanistan.
For more information, see www.globalsam.org.
On Jan. 30, Greater Atlanta Christian planned to celebrate the opening of Long Forum, in honor of a man with a vision for Christian education.
In the four decades since Long chose a stretch of land along a dirt road to locate the Christian school, he’s attended close to 2,500 GACS basketball games. Now, he will do so in an 80,000-square-foot, multipurpose facility that honors him and his wife, Marilyn.
Recently, Long made the first basket in the new arena. Asked how it felt to shoot in a $15 million facility named in his honor, Long replied, “All that feels different is my energy level.”
CAMPUS MINISTRIES
OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
CORVALLIS, Ore. — The University Christian Center kicked off the winter quarter with an “Amazing Race.”
Students brought friends on a quest throughout campus to eat a $5 footlong sub, bowl a spare, recognize a library book call number and find it, recite the books of the New Testament and even do a little yoga.
“The only prize was lots of laughs at the end and some great pictures,” campus minister Jason Swick said.
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
ULTIMATE ESCAPE
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Ultimate Escape, a ministry that helps teens and young adults develop a healthy vision of sexuality and overcome addictive sexual behaviors, has launched a new Web site.
Director Steve Holladay recently presented a five-week series for the teen class at the North Boulevard church in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Youth minister David Skidmore said the series drew record attendance for the class.
HIGHER EDUCATION
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
FLORENCE, Ala. — In four years, the TITUS Camp — or Teens in Training for Useful Experience — has grown from 15 campers to 70, all 13 to 19 years old.
Located on the Heritage Christian campus, the camp has become so popular that the openings for girls are filled by the end of January, and the boys’ slots are taken soon after that.
The eight-day experience is tailored to equip young people for preaching, teaching, Christian service and ministry.
LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Lipscomb’s new director of multicultural affairs, Tenielle Buchanan, welcomed students back to campus with a panel of influential civic leaders to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
“While it’s important to create an atmosphere where minorities feel nurtured, it’s equally important to create a unified atmosphere among all students where all cultures are considered valuable and exciting to learn about,” Buchanan said.
OHIO VALLEY UNIVERSITY
VIENNA, W.Va. — Jim Bullock, Ohio Valley’s vice president for academic affairs, traveled to Washington, D.C., to serve as a faculty leader in The Washington Center’s Presidential Inauguration Seminar.
Through the seminar, a select group of college students studied the momentous change in American political history, commemorated by the inauguration of the new president and vice president.
“Having the opportunity to guide a group of students as they observe firsthand the inner workings of the American political system is an exciting prospect for any educator,” Bullock said. “Participating in this particular inauguration with its historical significance gives the experience even more meaning.”
OKLAHOMA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma Christian basketball coach Dan Hays recorded his 600th career win as the Eagles beat visiting Hillsdale Baptist recently.
Hays, the longest-tenured basketball coach in Oklahoma, has coached for 31 seasons at Oklahoma Christian and Northwestern Oklahoma State, both NAIA schools.
Hays has guided Oklahoma Christian to six Sooner Athletic Conference titles, The Associated Press reported.
He is a member of the NAIA Hall of Fame and athletic halls of fame at Oklahoma Christian and Eastern New Mexico, his alma mater.
PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY
MALIBU, Calif. — Author and scholar John Stackhouse came to Pepperdine on Jan. 13 as the featured lecturer of the fifth annual Frank Pack Distinguished Christian Scholar Lecture Program.
Stackhouse spoke on “Can God Be Trusted? Faith and the Challenge of Evil.”
Jerry Rushford, director of church relations at Pepperdine, said Stackhouse was chosen for the lectureship because of his fearlessness in tackling difficult topics.
K-12 CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS
FORT WORTH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
FORT WORTH, Texas — Harding University is expanding a pilot program that first allowed Fort Worth Christian juniors and seniors to receive dual Bible credits through the university.
The program will now be offered to other high schools associated with Churches of Christ as well as homeschooled students.
“It’s going to be a great service to our Christian schools,” said Andrew Baker, director of Harding’s Institute for Church and Family.
GOODPASTURE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
MADISON, Tenn. — Students raised more than $115,000 worth of food in a recent food drive.
The food was distributed to many families and 42 churches and nonprofit organizations.
“This act of kindness will stock some church pantries for a whole year,” assistant high school principal Jeff Bixenman said.
RELIEF AGENCIES
GLOBAL SAMARITAN RESOURCES
ABILENE, Texas — The humanitarian aid organization, which has shipped medical and educational supplies, non-perishable food and clothing around the world, is partnering with a newly established foundation to aid children and families in war-torn villages of Afghanistan.
For more information, see www.globalsam.org.
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