Inspire, Fall 2002

Teresa: The story of our return to Cedarville begins with one word: prayer. As alumni we were excited about our daughter’s interest in attending the Summer Studies program in 1995. She fell in love with Cedarville College and a small group of fellow students. They decided to reunite at Li’l Sibs Weekend the following February. Jim: Meanwhile, back in our hometown of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, we were in the process of moving to a new home within walking distance of our church and the Christian school where Teresa was teaching and where our two children were attending. Teresa: At my school there was a group of moms who met regularly to pray, and the teachers took turns submitting requests. The Tuesday before Li’l Sibs Weekend was my turn, and I included our family’s concern for college tuition. The woman in charge came by my room and simply said to me, “Our God shall supply all your needs.” Jim: We enjoyed the basketball game on Saturday night of Li’l Sibs Weekend and were heading out of the gym when Coach Elvin King came up to Teresa and asked her to come with him to Dr. Callan’s office. Once there, Coach King said, “This is the lady I was telling you about and the one we prayed about this past Tuesday!” There was a need for a women’s volleyball coach/teaching position, and they wanted Teresa to consider taking the job. Teresa: I was honored to be considered but really was very comfortable with our life in Indiana and was not interested in making a change. Jim: We attended Grace Baptist Church in Cedarville on Sunday morning where our long-time friend David Graham is pastor. His message that day focused on how we as Christians can determine God’s leading in our lives and decisions. Teresa and I looked at each other several times during the sermon in amazement. One of Pastor Graham’s suggestions for making obedient decisions was to enlist the prayer support of those you respect. At the end of the service I headed straight to the platform and asked Pastor Graham to pray for our family. Teresa: After a follow-up phone call from Dr. Callan and praying about this possibility, we decided to at least apply, and then the interview process began. During one of the early interviews I made it clear that they were pursuing the wrong person—I wasn’t going to be the one who decided to move our family; it was Jim whom they needed to be considering. Jim: As Dr. Callan spoke with me to find out about my talents and abilities, it became very clear that Cedarville was very serious about us coming back to serve there. Teresa: The process continued until the final interview with the board of trustees was scheduled. During our trip to Cedarville, we talked about the possibilities of moving, and Jim said, “Just relax. I say there is a 90 percent chance that we will be staying in Ft. Wayne.” Normally the trustee interview can be a very intimidating experience; however, in my case I was not nervous knowing that our family would not be moving to Cedarville. Jim: As Teresa was meeting with the trustees, I had lunch with Dr. Callan, and he continued to encourage me to consider the possibility of moving to Cedarville. There did not seem to be an opening that fit my skills, but I remember his comment that “Sometimes you just need to take a step of faith in life and trust Him.” I began to think and pray even more fervently about this decision. Teresa: Within a few days, Cedarville offered positions to both Jim and me. We gathered as a family to discuss it and pray specifically for direction and guidance. It soon became apparent that God was leading us back to Cedarville. Jim even mentioned that if we did not move, we would be disobeying God’s will. Our family agreed that we should go. Jim: It was incredible how the many details began to fall into place. For example, a young couple followed us home from church because they heard we were moving. They purchased our home that night. Teresa: By August of 1996, we found ourselves living in Cedarville. Jim: The past six years have reinforced God’s leading us to Cedarville. We have been blessed to be a part of His work and see what He has accomplished. I have worked in the admissions office for the last five and a half years and have recently accepted a position as assistant sports information director. Teresa has impacted many students through her teaching and coaching position here at the ’Ville. God answers prayer! Jim ’75 and Teresa Cooper Clark ’75 Assistant Sports Information Director (Jim) andVolleyball Coach (Teresa) At Cedarville since 1996 26 Fall 2002