Inspire, Winter 1997

usN,WORIO REPORT • C News8 World Report recently ranked .J .Cedarville College one of the nation's most efficiently operated colleges. The rankings were included in the September 1 issue highlighting America's Best Colleges. Operating efficiency was determined by a ratio of academic quality to spending. Schools that operate efficiently provide a quality education while spending relatively less. Commenting on the ranking, Dr. Dixon stated,"At Cedarville we emphasize biblical financial stewardship, working hard to offer students a quality academic experience at a reasonable price. It is our responsibility as Christians to use tuition dollars and financial gifts wisely." Cedarville qualified for the ranking after finishing in the top tier of liberal arts colleges and universities. C edarville College premedical students have experienced a medical school acceptance rate well above the national average. Over the last five years, Cedarville students' acceptance rate was 64 percent(25 out of 39 applicants accepted) compared to 35-40 percent nationally. The 1997 graduating class was exceptional—all six students who applied to medical schools were accepted! Matthew Hintz'97 was accepted by The Ohio State University; John Maskill'97 by Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan; Mark Moseley '97 by The Ohio State University; Sam Olsen '97 by East Tennessee State University; Andrew Seefried '97 by the University of Cincinnati; and Rachel Wirt'97 by Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. When counseling with high school seniors who are interested in premedical studies, encourage them to consider the success of Cedarville College graduates! re Alumni Association I congratulates Roscoe Smith '82, Cedarville College's new director of admissions. Roscoe served in the Admissions Office for 12 years before accepting the director of public relations position in September 1995. "Roscoe has made many valuable contributions to the Inspire," comments Jane Adams Smith '84, director of alumni relations."In fact, his input helped fine-tune our publication process. Although we'll miss him, we wish him well in his new leadership role." D uring the recent Ministry(enter Campaign, the most frequently asked question by alumni was,"What's going to happen to the old chapel?" At the time there was no answer, for even though the administration and architects had done numerous studies, they were unable to arrive at a good plan—until now. In their October meeting, the Board of Trustees authorized the final drawings for a retrofit of Cedar Hall into a high-tech classroom building that will meet several pressing academic needs. Two 84-seat general classrooms will serve a variety of classes, as will the 46- station and the 39-station computer classroom/laboratories. Also, two computer classrooms will serve the special needs of the Department of Education. The south lobby will be converted to a lounge to serve commuters and other students. All the classrooms will have the latest technology, as do other classrooms on campus. Additionally, room will be available for two of Cedarville's newest initiatives still on the drawing board—distance learning and graduate programs. If the Trustees approve the final plans and costs in their January meeting, renovation will begin immediately and the classrooms should be ready for use next fall quarter. Cedar Hall will be one more facility that will provide Cedarville students with a technologically enriched education. 4 WINTER'97 Partners In The Gospel A lmost 2,000 years ago,Christ promised, "Upon this rock I will build my church;and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18). Three Cedarville College alumni witnessed the evidence of this promise while visiting Russia in September 1997. When Byron Shearer'68 resigned after serving 15 years as an assistant pastor, he expected to continue in local church administration and education. But his pastor, church members,and other Christian leaders challenged Byron and his wife,Libby(Ross'70N),to consider missions. In June 1995,the Shearers led a survey team to Russia. During that trip, Evangelical Baptist Mission(EBM)asked Byron to become the director ofa mobile modular ministry for Russia and Eastern Europe. Although Russian pastors know the Word ofGod well and are eager to serve,they have no formal education and limited access to Scripture study aids. During the reign of communism,believers gained little experience in large-scale evangelism and church planting. Thus,the nature ofEBM's ministry is to utilize trained leaders from America to impact church leadership in Russia and Eastern Europe.One missionary explains,"We are not in Russia to start and pastor a church.... We are here to serve a young local church and the pastor in nurturing and growing the church and training future leaders"(Gleaner,Winter 1995). So in June 1997,Byron Shearer'68 invited fellow alumni David Kisner'78 and Eric Mounts'81 to share his burden by teaching at a pastors training conference in Moscow.Byron says,"I invited these men because oftheir experience, educational backgrounds,and who they are in Christ— sensitive servants." Eric is pastor ofSouthgate Baptist Church in Springfield, Ohio. David, who pastors Washington Heights Baptist Church in Dayton,Ohio,has experience teaching cross-culturally in India, South America,and the Caribbean. The conference in mid-September was attended by 70 Russian pastors and church leaders. Training took place through lectures,small group discussions,and one-on-one counseling.Teachers also modeled different preaching styles. One ofthe biggest challenges facing Russian church The Empty Cradle ejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep"(Romans 12:15 KJV). It is often easy to rejoice with a brother or sister in Christ—a new job,an honor given, a marriage, a new baby. But when sad circumstances are shared, we are at a loss to know exactly how another feels, what to say,or how to pray. This is a story oftwo alums who can honestly say to each other,"I know...." Ann Berger Vogel'84 was four months pregnant with twin girls in December 1991. Excited about their first pregnancy, she and her husband,Ken,sent Christmas cards to their friends with thejoyous news.On April 12, 1992,early labor began,and Ann was taken to the hospital. Hoping to allow the babies to develop a few more weeks,doctors prescibed a medication to stop labor,and Ann returned home.April 15, ultrasound determined no heartbeat for either baby.In the eighth month ofa seemingly uncomplicated pregnancy,Ann delivered identical twin girls, Hannah and Hillary—stillborn. On Ken and Ann's fifth wedding anniversary,April 18, 1992, they held a private funeral and burial for their first children. Even after autopsies on the babies,Ann's doctor could give no reason for their deaths. Ken and Ann sought the opinion ofa trusted friend who was a pathologist and talked with a multiples specialist, who confirmed that no drug caused the death oftheir two precious girls. In September 1992,Ann finally reached the conclusion that they would never know the answer to this tragedy. During the past five years, Ann and Ken have had many opportunities to share Christ and to help others bear a similar burden. Ann watches the local newspaper for others who have lost twins and writes them a simple note,"I've been there. I know how difficult this time is for you. If you want to talk, please call. I'm praying for you."These simple notes with a truthful message of"I know..." have become an incredible form of witness for the Vogels. In April 1997,two children and five years later, Ann found another opportunity to minister through her experience.Two Cedarville College couples lost twins within two weeks of each other. Chad and Charlotte Bailey Lehman'97N received a note from Ann,as well as David and Michele Roop Leitch '83. Michele lost identical twin sons on Palm Sunday 1997 at 22 weeks of pregnancy.It was devastating to the Leitchs, who had two children and five previous miscarriages. Byron and David Leitch,each weighing a little over one pound at birth, lived almost 24 hours with the aid of incubators and respirators. Michele wrote to Ann,"The hardest part was hearing 'Your babies were perfect, they werejust too early, too soon.'I still have the same questions I had, plus some.I cherish my girls, and I'm so thankful for them...yet I ache for the sons I don't have here to love." Eric Mounts '81, Andre, David Kismr '78, Byrtin Shear' .r r., . -.• Wanting to practice his English, Andre approached Byron at a train station. Four months later, he accepted Christ and served as translator during this trip. leadership today is uncertainty about the implications of the recently-passed Duma Bill which essentially states that no religious organization will be recognized unless it has been registered for 15 years. Many Russian pastors were imprisoned 15 years ago because of their involvement with the Underground Church! When one Russian pastor was asked how things are different now,he replied,"Not much.Under the old regime,the Soviet government told me I could not preach. Now,the Russian Orthodox church is telling me what to preach. ButI still must go out and share Christ's gospel." The American Christians expressed amazement at the privilege to partner with these Russian believers who know the Word ofGod intimately and are deeply committed to their faith. David Kisner summarizes their experience,"We shared in this ministry as colleagues—we Americans from an academic,Western perspective; the Russians from a front-line perspective,sharing not what they know,but what they live." To learn more about this partnership ministry, contact Byron Shearer at 937-766-5257 or byronshearer@compuserve.com. 6 Bearyeoneanother's burdens, andsofuyillthelawofChrist Galatians6:2 The Leitchs and Vogels encourage one another and theirfamilies. Ann and Michele continue to correspond,and also share phone calls and times of prayer.They and their families met for the first time at Homecoming 1997 and shared happier moments getting to know each other. Both desire to reach other Cedarville College alumni who have similar experiences,hoping to be a source of support,strength, prayer—helping to bear another's burden. To share in the Cedarville College support for an Empty Cradle, please call Michele Roop Leitch'83 at 216-322-3502 or Ann Berger Vogel'84 at 815-772-7189.