Inspire, Spring 2006

Inspire What’s Abuzz Amazing Gracia Former hostage Gracia Burnham says there were at least three things she thought she would never do: 1) public speaking, 2) single parenting, and 3) running a foundation. But as she told the Cedarville University family on January 24, 2006, those things are now three prime ways God has enabled her to serve Him. As you may recall, Gracia and her husband, Martin, had been missionaries to the Philippines for 17 years when they were taken hostage by the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf in 2001. For more than a year they faced near starvation, constant exhaustion, and frequent gun battles. On June 7, 2002, a firefight between the terrorists and Philippine troops freed them, but Martin died in the shoot-out. Gracia survived with a gunshot wound. Now living in Kansas with her three children, Gracia has established The Martin and Gracia Burnham Foundation, which is dedicated to collecting funds and resources for the work of missions. The sought-after speaker has also authored two books, In the Presence of My Enemies (which won a 2004 Gold Medallion Book Award) and To Fly Again . (Her Web site at www.graciaburnham.org gives more details.) Serving God today in ways she never thought herself capable, Gracia urged Cedarville students to have a dream beyond themselves. She explained that Martin’s death killed the dream she used to have, “but what is important in life is not our dream — it’s God’s glory. So we need to pursue His glory over our dreams.” She also thanked everyone for praying for her, noting, “Every time you prayed, we needed it.” And, Gracia encouraged the students to love their enemies and do good to those who spitefully use them. Tell Us Your Story Summer 2006 Can You Find Balance? Cedarville University equips us to live successful lives. But, how do we do that in the real world? Between family, church, career, and other obligations or interests, how do you find balance? Managing priorities is an ongoing struggle for all of us. What has been your struggle, your failure, your lesson learned, or your best-kept secret to finding balance in your life? Gracia Burnham Preaching the Word, Impacting the World More than 1,000 pastors, church leaders, and others came to Cedarville University in February to be refreshed and challenged at the 2006 Evangelism Celebration. Sponsored by the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio, the two-day conference featured life-changing messages, music, and fellowship. Keynote speakers included Dr. Tony Evans, pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Texas and president of The Urban Alternative, and Dr. Ergun Caner, dean of Liberty Theological Seminary. More than 1,400 people gathered in the Doden Field House for lunch to hear Jim Tressel, head football coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes, share his testimony and outline what it means to walk with the Lord. Dr. Tony Evans Submit your story by April 15, 2006 to alumni@cedarville.edu or Alumni Relations, 251 N. Main Street, Cedarville, Ohio 45314.