Torch, Summer 1999

S ummer at Cedarville College reminds me of the great opening line from the Dickens classic A Tale ofTwo Cities. Summer in Cedarville is both "the best of times" and "the worst of times." It is the best of times because the entire campus is in a state of excitement, preparation, and flux. Buildings are being renovated and refurbished. The grounds crew is busy keeping the landscape in a beautiful state. The College is privileged to host large numbers of youngsters at vanous sports camps. Best of all, we are all busily preparing for the students' return in the fall. We expect about 2,000 returning students as well as an incoming class of approximately 700 freshman to start the 1999-2000 academic year in September. This means we will probably have another record enrollment- something close to 2,700 students- this fall. The best part of the 2 Torch summer is looking forward to "Getting Started Weekend," knowing that we will be a part of exciting new times and experiences for large numbers This issue of Torch recounts some of the things we have learned as aCollege family about the importance, effects, and strengthening result of prayer. of God's children coming here to prepare themselves for a lifetime of service. It is the worst of times, though, because the students we love and have dedicated our lives to are, for the most part, scattered around the world. Some are at home enjoying their families; some are working at camps and other jobs around the country; an ever-increasing number are spreading the good news of the Gospel ofJesus Christ as part of Missions Involvement Service teams all over the globe. While we rejoice in however God is using the lives of our students over the summer, we do have to admit that we miss them. It helps to remind ourselves of just how blessed we are to be in the business of providing an education consistent with biblical truth to young people in a manner that seeks to bring honor to God and advance His Kingdom. It also helps to recount the lessons God teaches us along the way. We have recently completed an academic year with the theme "Practicing the Power of Prayer." This issue of Torch recounts some of the things we have learned as a College family about the importance, effects, and strengthening result of prayer. They are lessons we take great pleasure in sharing with you. On behalf of our 2, 700 students, Paul Dixon