Inspire, Fall 1995

Alaska Juneau •o• In July 1995,Jon '67 and Katy Griffin Skillman'69 allowed their ministry mindset to lead them to "Voice for Christ Ministries" in Nenana,Alaska. Jon, program director for CDR Radio Network at Cedarville College, provided on-the-air relief for the missionary staff and acted as a consultant in the areas of programming and personnel. From this experience, Jon anticipates possible internships for Cedarville College students. Several missionaries were especially grateful for Katy's encouraging spirit and for her help in painting and redecorating their homes! Dr. Paul Dixon has been providing a spiritual ministry to professional sports teams for 21 years. He speaks frequently to the Cincinnati Reds and to visiting National League teams.The Cincinnati Bengals also request his chapel ministry for their team and National Football League visiting teams."I thank the Lord for this unusual opportunity," says President Dixon. "Professional athletes are people just like the rest of us except for their different career paths which usually yield them significant financial rewards. The Word of God can meet their spiritual needs just as it does ours." He says that in 20 minutes he shares something "very direct, practical, and always biblical." (9 MIS teams traveled to 23 countries during the summer of 1995.Alumniinvolvement with this 24-year-old program has increased,and many alumni share that their experience on P F an MIS team influenced their lives for full-time Christian service. Cedarville College alumni lead groups ofcurrent students and benefitfrom team visits to their field of ministry. It takes organization,planning, time,and creativity to lead and to host MIS teams.Thanks to all our alumni who participate in the Cedarville College MIS program! The Italy team attracted hundreds ofchildren and adults with puppetshows in public squares. Missionaries and an Italian evangelistpreached the gospelto the crowds. The Cedarville team also worked in thecamp ministry headed by Steve Standridge '83.In Rome,Dave'80and Beth Anne Payne Standridge '81, hosted the team. l*PPfr The Hungary team used Biblepassages in their English teaching,andshared the Gospel with many people. The English courses attractpeoplefrom the community to the church. The England Team,led by Sandy Millikin Entner '59, shared the Gospelthrough musicandpuppetpresentations. Central African RePublic Two teams ofCedarville students taughtEnglish in Hungary to children and adults. Merlin Ager'60 supervised the ministries in Budapestand Debrecen. Cedarville College nursing students experienced missionary nursing while serving forfour weeks this summer at the Ippy Hospital,Central African Republic.Students observed and participated in various areas ofthe medical ministry.They assisted in the outpatient clinic, maternity hospital,inpatient hospital,and surgery.They also participated in sharing the Gospel with patients. One patient had a serious medical problem that required surgery.He needed a blood transfusion,but none ofhisfamily members would come to the hospital to be tested for compatibility.A student,Rebecca Wilkins,heard ofthe need one day while making rounds with the surgeon.She offered to donate her blood which was compatible with his type.He wasso amazed that a stranger would do this for him.The surgeon explained about Christshedding his blood so that we might have the gift ofeternal life spiritually and used the example of Rebecca's gift as a picture ofChrist's gift. The man had the surgery and recovered.He continued to marvel at what had happened to him and accepted Christ as his Savior shortly after surgery.Hestayed in the hospital for several days and was discipled by nurses and other patients who were Christians.The Cedarville team all noticed the change in this man after he accepted Christ and were praising God to see how he began to share Christ with his wife and children. Through MIS,students learn the importance ofhaving a heartpreparedfor ministry, wherever they are. Paul'82and Geri Black Briggs '83 hosted the team for mostoftheir time in Italy. The Briggs are ministering in Ancona with their sons,Evan,Jamie, andZachary. Cedarville nursing students traveled to the Central African Republic to assistatthe medicalcenter. While atthe medicalcenter in the Central African Republic, Cedarville student nurses assisted in almost every aspectofhealth care andshared the Gospel. Here,a student nurse takes the blood pressure ofa resident. 6FALL'95