Inspire, Fall 2002

Inspire 21 Inspire talked with a number of alumni about how and why they have returned to Cedarville as employees. Although their stories are varied, they all share a common sentiment. They are all thrilled to be a part of the ministry of Cedarville University. Mark Irving ’94 Director of Discipleship Ministries At Cedarville since 2001 The Lord changed the direction of my life as a student here at Cedarville in the early 90s. Through relationships, ministry involvement, and the overall Cedarville experience, I graduated with “Biology” written on my diploma, but “Ministry” engraved on my heart. I returned because I wanted to be used by God to impact students at the ’Ville in a similar way. As one of my mentors repeatedly told me, “The only two things that God will take off this planet are His Word and people. Investing your life in building God’s Word into people is the secret to a legacy that will last.” I intend, with God’s help, to do just that ... and train others to do the same! Elisabeth Martin ’96 Assistant Athletic Trainer At Cedarville since 2001 The Lord brought me back to Cedarville after being gone for five years. I was the head athletic trainer at a high school in Miami, Florida. I had no reason to leave other than the Lord told me that my time there was done. Not knowing what He wanted me to do, I e-mailed Dr. Evan Hellwig ’84 and Bob Duchardt (Duke) to ask for prayer as to what I should do with my future. Before I knew it, I was being asked if I would consider working here. As I prayed, the Lord gave me total peace about working as an assistant athletic trainer. I work with the men’s soccer team, women’s and men’s tennis teams, and women’s softball team. I minister to the athletes and student athletic trainers in our program. Steve Gruber ’74 Assistant Professor of Education At Cedarville since 2000 Since graduating from what was at that time Cedarville College, I remained in contact with several of the professors and administrators. The desire to return as a faculty member was an aspiration that I had hoped would someday become a reality. The years of classroom teaching, coaching, and building administration in public schools were all part of God’s plan to prepare me for a future ministry at Cedarville University. It is my desire to use this experience to help better prepare both undergraduate and graduate students to become effective educators. The Lord began to speak to me about applying for a teaching position at Cedarville while my oldest daughter, Erin, was a student here. After submitting an application, I was contacted to discuss the possibility of my coming to teach and work with the development of the master of education program. I was very excited about the opportunity to return to Cedarville, but there were several timing issues that had to be worked out. Each issue that I brought before the Lord was wonderfully taken care of. Soon my prayers changed from, “Lord, please open the doors if you want me to be at Cedarville” to “Lord, please close the doors if you don’t want me to go to Cedarville.” Now, after completing two years as a faculty member, I am quite sure that this is the place in which the Lord would have me minister. The interaction with the students and other faculty members has been super. I cannot think of any better environment in which to be a teacher of teachers. It was a particular thrill to watch the first three graduate students receive their master’s degrees at commencement this spring.