Inspire, Summer 2010

A Partnership of Compassion Cynthia Sutter-Tkel (pictured second from right) was just 28 when she arrived at Cedarville to found the social work program in 1991. She invested 12 years at the University — teaching courses, building the program, and establishing on-campus service opportunities like Habitat for Humanity and Women of Vision. She now resides in San Jose, California, and works as a social services consultant for the Golden State Division of the Salvation Army. She advises 34 Salvation Army churches that administer 180 programs assisting children, seniors, veterans, foster youth, and people who are homeless or in transition. “My work is social work at the macro level,” Cindy said. “I’m helping to promote change through staff and program development and administration.” Cindy draws on her experience at Cedarville to provide staff support, workshops, and essential training for paraprofessional staff, which she sees as one of the most satisfying aspects of her ministry. “I enjoy coming alongside those on the front lines who are assisting people with critical needs,” she said. “Their work has a high potential for burnout. I can provide new energy and encouragement and help cast a vision for how to work more compassionately and effectively.” Under Cindy’s leadership, her region piloted the first review for the new internal accreditation of social service programs. She is also heavily involved in program evaluation and funding stewardship to ensure that the Salvation Army manages its operations with integrity and stays true to its mission: fighting poverty and bringing people to Christ. You may contact Cindy at cynthia.suttertkel@usw.salvationarmy.org. Where Are They Now? facul ty voi ce with other organizations that offer Christian counseling and other aspects of holistic support. Our goal is to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed, watching His transforming power bring change in ways beyond our imagination. In II Corinthians 10:5, Paul exhorts the believers to cast down everything that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and to take captive every thought to the obedience of Christ. That exhortation is particularly difficult for women who are victims of others’ sin and caught in their own cycle of addictive and sinful choices. For these women, life becomes a battleground of great proportions. The bottom line is this: If I truly believe in the innate value of every human being created in the image of God, then I need to do more to stand in the gap and fight for these women, facilitating a path to wholeness and healing that only His power can accomplish. All is done within the reality that the ground is level at the foot of the cross. Making a Difference I am no saint for taking on this endeavor. In fact, I wish I had made this decision a long time ago. Do I know what I am getting myself into? Probably not. But I am learning, and I know more than I did 11 months ago! God calls each of us to different pathways as we seek to reach beyond our comfort zones and fulfill the Great Commission. For me, my path to being a doer of the Word has led me to Center Street. I hope and pray that God can use me to raise awareness and educate others regarding human trafficking, prostitution, and other issues that have horrific consequences in the lives of these valuable yet oppressed women. I also pray that I may be able to create avenues for others to participate actively in this process of mentoring and breathing life back into the lives of these women. No more bubbles. The time for me to practice what I preach is now — to put compassion into action and see the “sheep without a shepherd” through His eyes. The more time I spend with these women, the more I realize that “apart from Him, [we] have no good thing.” If not for God’s amazing grace, where would any of us be? Dr. Joy Fagan ’89 serves as associate professor of Bible. She earned a master’s degree from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary and a Ed.D. from Southern Seminary. You may contact her and learn more about her ministry at faganj@cedarville.edu . Donors generously provided a piano for the Magnify Room where women will gather to sing and pray. Pictured here with Dr. Joy Fagan are Angelic (left), a Springfield resident, and Stacy Phillips ’11 (center), one of the many Cedarville students who has supported this ministry. Each room has a unique theme according to its purpose. The attic has been remodeled into the Prayer Tower, which overlooks the city.