2008-2009 Academic Catalog

10 Cedarville University 2008–09 Introduction Chapel Dr. Dixon, Cedarville’s chancellor, has said many times, “The heartbeat of every Christian university is chapel.” Five days a week the Cedarville family and guests meet in the 3,400-seat James T. Jeremiah Chapel. At 10 a.m. the auditorium comes alive as the University family laughs, cries, sings, prays, and worships together. It is a place to connect as a strong family does. Speakers from far and near grace the chapel platform to inspire and challenge. People like Dr. David Jeremiah, Dr. John Piper, Dr. Howard Hendricks, Rev. D.Z. Colfield, Mike Haley, Donna VanLier, Dr. Voddie Bauchman,Jr., and Carol Kent share personal testimonies or messages from God’s Word. Alumni often mention chapel as one of the things they miss most after graduation. Many return to sit in on one more chapel experience. ministries, hospital ministries, nursing home/elderly visitation ministries, special needs ministries, and local church ministries. Spring Break Ministry Teams A number of teams are available to give students the opportunity to minister during spring break. Ministries include, but are not limited to, the following: Child Evangelism Fellowship (PA), Project Genesis (NYC), Inner City Impact (Chicago), The Master’s Mission (NC), Open Air Evangelism (NYC), Shepherd’s Ministries (WI), Urban Hope (Philadelphia), and Urban Impact (NYC). Cross-Cultural Ministries The University’s own Missions Involvement Services (MIS) provides unique opportunities for students to experience missions firsthand. Each year during breaks and in the summer, more than 350 students minister around the globe. This involvement in missions aids missionaries in their work and helps students discern God’s direction in their own lives. Participants raise their own financial and prayer support prior to leaving and report on their ministries upon returning. MIS participants have served nearly 70 countries since the program started in 1970. For specific information concerning potential ministries and selection procedures, students should contact the MIS director, Brian Nester. Students considering international careers in education often take advantage of the MIS program to gain cross-cultural experience while completing the student teaching segment of their education requirements. Students interested in this option should contact the education department for information and approval. The majority of students who participate in the MIS program do so as members of teams. Created to perform a particular service such as singing, drama, puppets, medical assistance, technical assistance, orphan care, teaching English as a second language, or physical labor, teams are typically selected each fall. Students interested in team ministries should contact the MIS director for details. Discipleship Ministries While many ministries concentrate on “outreach” from campus, the focus of discipleship ministries is “in-reach” on campus. Opportunities include approximately 100 student-led small group Bible studies as well as several prayer groups. Discipleship ministries are excellent avenues for students to grow in their walk with God and find opportunities to minister to fellow Cedarville University students. Christian Ministries The Christian ministries division coordinates all University- sponsored student ministries. Cedarville views individual ministry involvement as a vital and necessary part of each student’s education and personal growth. Students are taught that biblical Christianity demonstrates a servant’s heart in all areas of life. All are challenged to consider how their academic disciplines, interests, and abilities can be used to demonstrate their faith. Cedarville endeavors to stretch students’ vision of ministry and develop a constant awareness of God’s call upon their lives. Directed by the vice president for Christian ministries and coordinated through full-time and part-time staff members, the Christian ministries division provides training and assistance to the hundreds of students who volunteer each year. Community Ministries Weekly Ministry Teams Cedarville University is located in a region known as the Miami Valley. The cities of Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati are close by, as well as hundreds of smaller communities. Approximately 80 teams serve the local communities and churches each week. Ministry teams seek to serve individuals and churches of this area by providing assistance in specialized areas, including crisis pregnancy/abstinence and counseling ministries, evangelism/ urban outreach ministries, public school tutoring/teaching english ministries, youth and children’s ministries, jail/detention center