Inspire, Winter 2007

Inspire 15 Feature your free time, volunteer for this, get involved with that?” The fact is, a loyalty has been created and, as Dr. Estes mentioned in his opening prayer, because of the generosity of God in my life through Cedarville, there’s now a grateful response that I offer in return. There is truth in advertising when it comes to Cedarville. It is quality academics, a vibrant spiritual community, and friends for life. It’s why I came to Cedarville and it’s why I continue to believe in Cedarville. Cedarville is fulfilling its vision and is worthy of my continued investment and support. In the past four weeks I’ve spent time with over 50 alums in eight different states: attorneys, a stock broker, an internal auditor, pastors, published authors, a development director, a dairy farmer, Ph.D. students, seminary and college professors, a secret service agent — White House detail, no less — a banker, homemakers, homeschool moms, engineers, project managers, school administrators, Christian school teachers, foster parents, nurses, and fellow missionaries. That list alone of alumni diversity is an accomplishment that would make any school proud. But, frankly, that’s not all. And really for a Christian college that isn’t enough. Because not only were each of these alumni accomplished in their fields and in their professions; they’re also involved in their local churches. Of that list of professions I named, you have Awana directors, small group leaders, small group hosts, elders, deacons, building committee members, finance committee members, children’s Sunday school teachers, Bible study teachers, and youth group leaders. Plus (those with kids) effective parents raising kids who are friendly, well adjusted, and with hearts tender to the Lord. To me that is the proof in the pudding. That is the reality, that’s the truth in advertising — that what they promise at Cedarville, they deliver. I would challenge you to be grateful for what you’ve experienced here. Be grateful for Cedarville’s continuing investment in your life and your education, not just for today but throughout your career. For your preparedness, for your experiences, for your friends, for your network, for your resources. Be proud to be a Cedarville alum. Not in an elitist or an arrogant way, but be proud of what you have and what God has invested in you. Be loyal . Loyalty doesn’t mean agreeing with everything that happens, but it’s supporting the overall direction of the school. In fact, be interested. Stay involved, ask questions, be informed. Provide feedback. That’s part of being an alum. And of course pray; pray for the school. Pray for the administration, the faculty, the staff, the current student body, for the ministries they’re involved in, the communities and the countries they reach. Pray for Cedarville. Be generous . Be generous with your time; be generous with your money. Get to know the people in the Cedarville Fund. Talk with the people who will be developing new scholarships. [Ask] how you can invest in your major, in your department. Alumni giving is a major factor in satisfaction of alums in college rankings. Be a giver. So I see the principle in all of this that I see in Luke 12: “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded. And from the one that has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” There’s a stewardship principle in place. You have been given much — you are being given much during your experience at Cedarville. And so I thank the faculty, the administration, the staff, my fellow students, those who have come back [as faculty and staff], the current students for continuing to invest in Cedarville. For making it the school that it is now, and for the school that it will be in the future. Students, take this opportunity, make the most of it, invest your time here wisely with your friends. This is one of the best times of your life academically, socially, spiritually. Much is being given, but at the same time, this is the preparation for the rest of your life, and much will be required. I trust that in future years, you will have similar responses to what Cedarville has done in your life. Kelly Fath ’91 joined the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism (ABWE) after leaving the practice of law and completing a master of divinity degree at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. He is currently the director of the Church Ministries Institute in Romania, which provides basic theological and ministry training for lay people to help strengthen churches in Eastern Europe. Kelly also serves on the Leadership Training Team for ABWE’s Central and Eastern Europe region. Kelly’s missionary work takes him all across Europe as he partners with other missionaries, serves churches, and trains leaders throughout the region. While these ministries keep him moving across Europe, he calls Bucharest, Romania, his home. To contact him directly, e-mail kelly.fath@netzero.com. Cindy Stamper Moore ’99 is a freelance writer and editor who currently resides in Washington, DC, with her husband, Matt ’92. Cindy is a proud graduate of CU’s technical writing program, and she has enjoyed working with Cedarville’s marketing services team since 2005. You can reach Cindy at moorec@cedarville.edu . I would challenge you to be grateful for what you’ve experienced here. Be grateful for Cedarville’s continuing investment in your life and your education, not just for today but throughout your career. I