Inspire, Winter 2000

Inspire 9 Young Alumni of the Year Bobby ’90 and Sara Sweetland Hile ’92 “Having developed a friendship with the Hiles while students at Cedarville, I count it a privilege to have spent three summers working with their family in Durban, South Africa,” shared Kirsten Gibbs ’93. “Bobby and Sara have a truly dynamic ministry working with the youth from area Association of Baptists for World Evangelism (ABWE) churches, assisting in church planting efforts, and coordinating short-term missions experiences.” Bobby and Sara Hile currently serve at Phoenix Bible Baptist Church in Durban, where Bobby is a pastor/church planter and chairs two committees: the youth committee for the Fellowship of Baptist Churches in South Africa (FBCSA) and the impact committee, which assists summer ministry teams that visit the Durban mission field. Bobby also directs media ministries for the FBCSA and lectures at Baptist Bible College of Natal. Kirsten emphasized, “It is impossible to spend time with the Hiles and the team of ABWE missionaries and not be changed in your image of missions, love for people, and passion for serving God and reaching the lost.” Bobby and Sara were first introduced to the needs of South Africa through their participation in Cedarville’s MIS puppet team ministry. Both traveled to South Africa with the team on two occasions, and it was on their second trip that Bobby proposed to Sara on a Durban beach. Married in 1991, the Hiles were being prepared by God for service in Durban. Sara, an elementary education major and recipient of the Ruby Jeremiah Scholarship, earned a certificate in Bible doctrines from Moody Bible Institute in 1993. Bobby, a broadcasting graduate, earned his master of religious education degree, with an emphasis on missiology, from Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary in 1997. A pastoral internship at First Baptist of Hastings, Michigan, and an ABWE candidate class were the final stops on the Hiles’ journey to full-time ministry in Durban. Today the Hiles’ home, which includes children Abigail (5), Andrew (3), and Christopher (1), serves as a hospitable place of rest for American missions teams, including Cedarville groups, during their ministry in South Africa. “Bobby and Sara’s contagious enthusiasm for ministry, combined with a genuine humility that God uses people like them to bring glory to Himself, has a powerful impact in the lives of people … one that cannot be fully measured this side of eternity,” Kirsten concluded. Distinguished Service Award Chuck McKinney For more than 20 years, the name “Chuck” has held a special place in the hearts (and stomachs) of Cedarville students, faculty, and staff. As director of food services for Cedarville University, Chuck can daily be found in the cafeteria that bears his name. Besides making sure that students are offered their three square meals (and more) a day, Chuck directs the many special catering events that grace the campus in every season. Homecoming, Christmas, commencement, new building dedications, Parents Weekend, and the faculty/staff banquet are all events where Chuck’s hard work and great food bring a special atmosphere to those partaking. The Stevens Student Center’s Snack Shop (called “The Hive”) is Chuck’s newest venue for providing quality food to the campus community. A graduate of Mount Vernon Nazarene College, Chuck served as food service director for Mount Vernon, Cincinnati Bible College, and Trevecca Nazarene College before joining Cedarville in 1980. Thanks to Chuck’s direction, Cedarville’s food service has been named one of the top three college food services among member schools of the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities. Director of Campus Activities Dick Walker shared, “Chuck’s willingness to try the new, the different, and the mundane with enthusiasm and support has helped set his service to Cedarville apart. We have benefited from the spirit and quality of his service.” Chuck’s talents encompass much more than the food service that he coordinates so well. A church music major in college, Chuck worked as a minister of music and youth for Fort Recovery Nazarene Church from 1977-1978 and as part-time minister of music for Cedarville Nazarene Church from 1984-1990. Each year he delights the Cedarville University family with vocal music specials during chapel, and he provides occasional special music at his church. Chuck and his wife, Celinda, were married in 1976 and look forward to celebrating their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. The McKinneys have three children: Chuck ’02, Jamie, and Leeann. Chuck likes to encourage students with Philippians 4:13, which states, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Homecoming Alumni Awards Sara ’92, Andrew, Abigail, Bobby ’90, and Christopher Hile take part in the Homecoming Parade. Sherri Watson Smith ’86 presents the Distinguished Service Award to Chuck McKinney.