Cedarville Magazine, Spring 2018

8 GOING THE EXTRA SMILE HANK FORTENER ’03 Inspired by his family’s commitment to love children in need of a home, Cedarville alumnus Fortener is an advocate for adoption on a global scale. He is co-founder of World Adoption Day, held each year on November 9. This event has spurred the adoption of thousands of children around the world. IN EVERY ISSUE 26 CHAPEL NOTES 28 ADVANCING CEDARVILLE 32 CAMPUS NEWS 36 YELLOW JACKET SPORTS 39 MOMENT IN TIME 40 IN CLOSING FEATURES 2 ADOPTION: THE HEART OF THE GOSPEL THOMAS WHITE For Christians, adoption is one response to God’s command to care for the orphan (James 1:27). But adoption is also at the heart of the Gospel: Our Father welcomes us into His family, beloved children and full heirs because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. HE PREDESTINED us for ADOPTION to himself as SONS through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of HIS WILL . Ephesians 1:5 12 PERFECT FIT BRIAN BURNS ’95 Cedarville’s Director of Campus Experience is known for his energy, drive, and commitment to students. But here’s something else: Burns is adopted. He tells the story of his adoptive parents in this beautiful tribute. 18 CHOSEN AND GRAFTED TOGETHER DONNA (PAYNE) VANLIERE ’89 The best-selling and award-winning author of the Christmas Shoes is also mom to two daughters from China and a son from Guatemala. God is the master artist who wove together their beautiful and complete international family. 22 BEAUTIFUL AND UNIQUE ALYSSA SPEICHER ’17 Aaron ’99 and Laurie (Jelinek) Cook ’99 are parents to a wonderfully blended family, which has grown through domestic adoption. Along their path, they have received encouragement and wisdom, which they now pass on to others. 15 MISSION TO MOMS CLEM BOYD God gave Jazmin (Gmuer) Taylor ’97 a heart for orphans at a very early age. After she graduated from Cedarville with a bachelor’s degree in social work, she found herself drawn to the adoption field. Her kindness and compassion connect birth moms with loving parents for their babies. Cedarville Magazine | 1