Inspire, Summer 1997

The Board of Trustees granted tenure for Dr. Diane Conrad Merchant'78 and promotion to associate professor of communication arts. Diane earned her master's degree from Kent State University and her doctorate from The Ohio State University. She joined the Cedarville faculty in 1986. On March 28, Dean Johnson '83, along with 14 members of the Mt. Olive Missionary Church Youth Group in Peoria, Illinois, stopped for a tour of Cedarville's campus. Their destination—New York City! In an effort to "grow the spiritual development of the youth group," Dean leads them in a "hands on" mission trip where teens use evangelism skills, Bible knowledge, and leadership skills. As a pre- assignment, each teen was required to write and produce a gospel tract to use as a witnessing tool. Comprised of juniors and seniors in high school, the group spent eight days at St. Paul's House Mission located in the heart of Manhattan on 51st street. The teens served the mission by providing daily chapel services, participating in street evangelism, providing a chapel service for the junior high and high school at Manhattan Bible Church, and also served a number of churches with their talents. This is the second trip led by Dean. The teens traveled to Mexico in 1996. Dean's love for New York City evangelism began during his college days when he traveled with student spring break teams in 1982 and 1983. After graduation from Cedarville, Dean worked at St. Paul's Mission. It is a joy for him to introduce young people to the work of inner city missions. An overwhelming Christian radio favorite, songwriter and performer Wayne Watson ministered to the Cedarville College family on April 11, 1997.The Dixon Ministry Center was filled with the sounds of worship and exhortation to godly living as Watson performed songs from his latest album, A Beautiful Place,as well as other familiar favorites. The College welcomed more than 50 missionaries representing 24 mission boards to the annual Spring Missionary Conference March 25-27. Featured speaker was Dr. Wendell Kempton, president of the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism (ABWE).Throughout the week,students had the opportunity to interact with missionaries and gain a greater appreciation for their responsibility to be involved with missions. 4SUMMER'97 Breaking Ground W ill Marling,a 1986 graduate of Cedarville, serves the northeast Columbus,Ohio community as pastor at Rocky Ridge Grace Brethren Church(RRGBC). Currently meeting in Northeast School, the congregation anticipates breaking ground for a new facility in the near future. RRGBC has been in the process of"ground breaking" with people in the communities ofNew Albany and Gahanna since 1990. In March 1990,Will was commissioned to start RRGBC from a zero base. Currently,30families regard Rocky Ridge as their spiritual family. The desire to see the family of God increase in numbers and grow in maturity is evident in their mission statement: Rocky Ridge Grace Brethren Church exists to make more and better disciples for Jesus Christ, to God's glory, in northeast Columbus,Ohio,and around the world. The mission statement is not the only evidence oftheir desires; the actions and outreach ofthe church members speak as loudly as their words.Twice a year the church sends postcards to the 20,000 homes in the area inviting all to attend seminars featuring topics of interest, including "Balancing Competing Time Demands"and "Parenting." Basic auto repair clinics are offered to women,and selected Sundays are deemed "Friendship Day."Each year the church adopts a community family in need,not to force the issue of salvation, church attendance,or Jesus—just to serve the needs of the family with food,home repair projects, and child care. Will describes the temperament ofRRGBC as one of serving,and he attributes the ministry's success to the members.Will is amazed by the amount of service his wife, Cheryl(Spradlin '84), brings to the body of Christ."Cheryl commits to a volunteer role in the church,and her responsibility is that of a paid staff," Will states. She oversees all ofthe children's ministries, which include Sunday school, nursery, special events for children,and Kids'Bible Club held in local neighborhoods. Cheryl also writes curriculum for classes, shares her musical talent, and is involved with a small ladies'group emphasizing spiritual fellowship and relationships. Will's most adventurous ministry opportunity takes place every Sunday morning when he proclaims God's truth to the church family and unsaved visitors. Will says,"It is a powerful thing to see the gospel penetrate people's lives." Since 1991,Will has served the community as chaplain to the Gahanna Police Department, where he counsels law enforcement officers and is trained in crisis intervention and management. The opportunity has become an incredible outreach tool for Will and Rocky Ridge. Will holds a master's degree from Grace Theological Seminary and hasjust completed his doctoral dissertation with Reformed Theological Seminary. Will and Cheryl are thankful for the values taught at Cedarville College and the strong Christian ministry influence that Cedarville holds in their lives. The Marlings are in the process of adopting a child from Russia and are currently studying the Russian language. II Servant Called Home n April 24, 1997, Nathan Michael Battaglia(age 21)went home to be with the Lord after a case of viral pneumonia progressed to a massive infection around his heart. A senior engineering student at Cedarville College, Nathan was known for his caring and faithful service to others. Nathan served as a youth leader at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Xenia,Ohio. His pastor, Dr. R.William Wheeler,challenged the college family with the story of Nathan's life and his death. He described Nathan as one who "towered over his peers spiritually" and as a young man who demonstrated "compassion,acceptance, persistence,and patience—ingredients ofa servant's heart." Wheeler continued,"Nathan had a burden and a drive to see others come to Christ. He had been witnessing to Sean,a friend of his since the eighth grade, praying for him on a regular basis and confronting him again and again with his need to trust Christ. After visiting Nathan at the hospital, Sean returned to the waiting room,broken. Nathan's grandfather took Sean aside,and Sean trusted Christ as his Savior." Philippians 1:20,the one verse that Nathan had underlined in his Bible,embodies Nathan's motivation."According to my earnest expectation and my hope,that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness,as always,so now also Christ should be magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by death." Wheeler left the college family with a sobering challenge."Who among you will take his place and say that his burden, his vision, and his life, were not given in vain? Will you be the one to take up where Nathan left off?" The Alumni Association offers its heartfelt condolences to Nathan's fiancée, Kimber Call'97,and to his parents, Mike'77N and Carin Battaglia, ofJamestown,Ohio. Other Cedarville College alumni family members are Nathan's aunts and uncles: John '75 and Ellen Payne Battaglia'81N of Dahlonega,Georgia;Peter'78N and Leah Bathurst Battaglia'77 ofJamestown,Ohio; Bill'77 and Ruth Battaglia Williams'78 ofColumbus,Ohio;and Mike and Debbie Battaglia Entner'85 of Midland,Michigan. Acting Up In Church II W here are your values?" Becky Dye Heron '87,a nursing major, heard this challenge repeatedly over the four years she spent at Cedarville College. It made a lasting impression. The values that shape Becky's life compel her to invest in souls."God places each Christian strategically and gives them talents to glorify Him.We should be open to all opportunities, whether at church or on the street," states Becky. . After graduation,Becky married a Canadian and moved to Quebec.She volunteered as a drama director for Youth for Christ, discipling teens and helping them identify their gifts. After three years,God showed her another opportunity. The French young people needed a creative outlet. So began "Creaction," a French- speaking drama and music group composed ofteens from local churches.Those first teens are now directing the group, while Becky focuses on writing drama and music programs for her church,using her gifts to benefit the body of Christ. Drama has clearly become an effective mode of communication for the church. Becky believes that drama plays an important role in ministry."The arts are a powerful method ofcommunication, reaching the emotions and souls ofthe audience. Since today's generations are visually oriented,ignoring such an effective tool would be poor stewardship.We need to be sensitive to the culture, able to approach them with the truth of God,right where they are." Becky's ministry has been richly rewarding. One of her greatestjoys is to hear the audience laugh and cry during the performance ofa drama or musical she has written."It is a humbling experience to know that God has used you to communicate His message." Recently,she had the privilege of watching a former drama team member lead women in worship."She has truly become a woman of God," said Becky. "There is a greatjoy in watching young people blossom into mature Christians, knowing that you helped them uncover their gifts and use their abilities for God's glory." THE LOCAL CHURCH