by Webmanager | Dec 20, 2017
Day 14 – Wednesday, Dec 20
Around the world today there are around 65 million people who have been forced to flee their homes. This is, of course, is an estimate as real numbers a very hard to confirm with many people crossing borders illegally in their attempts to find safety or a better life for their families. I was personally blessed to speak with several refugees in Greece during the summer of 2016. One of the many things that caught me off guard was that these were mostly professional people: doctors, lawyers, college professors. One man that I met said he worked for the Syrian government. They all told heartbreaking stories, stories we have heard over and over again. Some of them have moved on now, many of them may be still be stuck in that same refugee camp, unable to move on and unable to go home.
Their stories remind me of three other refugees. A man, a woman, and a child around two years old. In chapter two of Matthew’s gospel, we are told the story of the wise men’s visit to Jesus, their encounter with Herod and the resulting escape into Egypt to flee Herod’s wrath. So our Savior became a refugee in a foreign land. The Gospels do not give us much information about Jesus’ time in Egypt and we do not wish to conjecture, but still, it resonates with those around the world who find themselves far from home that Jesus knows this level of struggle too. The life of a refugee is hard, on the move, in danger, with little food and no modern comforts. Many refugees walk many miles or brave high seas to find a better life for their families. Many more, end up in camps like the one in Greece, with only the simplest of necessities for life and little hope. Their Christmases are not filled with stockings and presents, and yet many of them still find hope in a little refugee child who grew up to save the world.
Joshua Paxton, Intercultural Studies Program Director
by Webmanager | Dec 19, 2017
Day 13 – Tuesday, Dec 19
(Luke 2:17 – “. . . they made known … the Christ “)
I don’t know how we started it—don’t recall my family ever doing it, and my wife says that her family didn’t do it. But for as many Christmas seasons my wife and I can recall, I would hide the Mary and Joseph, a donkey, and an angel figurine from our crèche each day of the weeks leading up to Christmas. Every day I would hide them closer and closer to the crèche, and every day our five children would begin the day with a diligent search until one of them declared, “I’ve found ‘em! I’ve found Mary & Joseph!” We all called the game “Hiding Baby Jesus” because that was Who was really getting closer and closer to being “born in “Bethlehem” (on Christmas Eve, when no one was looking, I would place all of the figures into the crèche with Baby Jesus in the manger of hay).
While we only did this family tradition with our children until they were through the grade school years, we continue the tradition now with our grandchildren when they visit during the Christmas season. What a delight it was with our children and now with our grandchildren to see them all engaged in the frantic search and then the glorious discover for “the Baby Jesus”!
Our world is in a frantic search for answers—some have even said recently “a savior”—to be discovered who could solve all the world’s ills. If only they will find Him!
After the shepherds had found and seen the real baby Jesus in the real manger—having been sent by the angels on a search for “a Savior who is Christ the Lord”—they left and “made known the statement which had been told them about this Child”.
We who have “found” the “Savior” must not keep Him hidden nor keep “hiding” Him. We must eager declare to the whole world, “I’ve found Him!”
Dr. Michel Dodds, Dean of the College
by Webmanager | Dec 18, 2017
Day 12 – Monday, Dec 18
“I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy wonders of old” (Psalm 77:11, KJV).
Next year (2018) marks the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. The United States 2010 Census reported that there were a total of 53,364 people 100 or older living in the United States (Meyer, Julie. 2010. Centenarians: 2010. Bureau of the Census. Washington DC: Government Printing Office.) Ninety-two percent of those individuals were between 100 and 104. Assuming the same number of centenarians are alive on November 11, 2018, then about 4,270 could be old enough to remember the end of World War I. But, I don’t think any of us are old enough to remember the first Christmas (although some students think I am).
Remembrance is an important element of human activity. We remember birthdays, anniversaries, and special events. We remember things that happened in our lives and the lives of loved ones, but can we truly remember things we have not lived through? The Psalmist Asaph says in Psalm 77 that we can. Because, in the span of all of history, God remembered us. And He sent his Son to become a sacrifice for us.
We celebrate Christmas to remember the birth of our Savior, just as we celebrate the Lord’s Supper to remember that he bled and died for us (I Corinthians 11:24-28). This year, as you recall your own Christmas day experiences, remember the epic story of the birth of Jesus and what He did for us. Read Luke 1:26-2:20 and Matthew 1:18-2:12 as a family or with friends. I suggest you pay special attention to Mary’s amazing remembrance of what God did for her as recorded in Luke 1:46-55.
Dr. Teddy Bitner, Chief Academic Officer
by Webmanager | Dec 15, 2017
Day 11 – Friday, Dec 15
(Philippians 4: 6-7 – “Do not be anxious about anything”)
Christmas can be a time of sheer joy, yet it can also be a time of great anxiety, worry, and fear. I was recently affected by the story of a woman who lost her job of 15 years right before the holidays. She (Angie) tried to put on a brave face for her three girls of three, five, and seven, but even acting as if nothing was wrong became difficult because she knew her girls were looking forward to Christmas. Angie didn’t have the heart to tell her daughters she wouldn’t be able to afford Christmas gifts or a tree that year.
As the holidays progressed, her anxiety grew into a depression to where Angie needed to seek mental health counseling. But contrary to what some secular counselors might think, God’s word teaches that there is peace and hope in Jesus Christ. So Angie began to pray because she couldn’t handle the racing thoughts of the problems to come due to her unemployment. And she remembered her favorite Bible verse her father introduced to her when she was a young girl, Philippians 4: 6-7.
As Angie developed a relationship with Christ, she was no longer anxious and fearful about money nor materials items as she focused on the true meaning of Christmas. A PEACE beyond human understanding soon lifted a heavy burden off Angie’s shoulders. She realized that she had experienced the best Christmas ever because she had received a gift that no one could take away from her.
When the holidays come around people become anxious over material things, such as gifts and money. We all know that materials items are just temporary enjoyment and can sometimes lose their appeal. However, the love of Christ never gets old nor does it cause us to do unethical behaviors to obtain it. Christ’s love cannot be removed or stolen from you. So rejoice this Christmas and allow the gifts of PEACE and JOY to ruminate throughout your life through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Dr. Germaine D. Washington, Business Administration Department Chair
by Webmanager | Dec 14, 2017
Dear Calvary Family,
As we move toward year’s end, there is much for which Calvary is thankful. God has again provided magnificently for His work at Calvary University:
- God has provided financially, as Calvary was able to lower tuition across the board, finish in the black for this past year, and continue to be debt-free.
- God has provided a growing number of students. Calvary’s enrollment has increased by about 27% in the past year, and Calvary is serving more students now than at any point since 1999.
- The renovation of the old Seminary Building is now complete.
- The new Dining Hall and Events Center renovation is underway.
- The Nikao Leadership Institute launched successfully, providing leadership training and scholarships to a solid group of incoming students.
- The Burnham Center for Global Engagement launched, expanding our missions/intercultural studies offerings and opportunities for students.
- The Study and Work Program continues to grow.
- Calvary announced plans to launch the Interdisciplinary Center for Creation Research in January, to be led by Stephen Boyd.
- Calvary announced the hiring of Tommy Ice, who will officially join the faculty in Kansas City in January.
- Calvary hired Gary Gromacki, who is leading the development of our Ph.D in Bible and Theology program.
This has been an incredible year of exciting growth through God’s provision, and we are deeply grateful for your prayerful support. We simply can’t fulfill our mission without you. As we conclude this year, would you prayerfully consider supporting Calvary in a specific way? Perhaps supporting one of the initiatives mentioned above – the building program, or one of the academic and ministry centers?
Of course, one of our highest priorities is to continue to reduce the overall cost of education to our students, so that they can serve effectively without the burden of student debt. Will you give a financial gift to Calvary to help us reduce our students’ costs? Calvary is committed to making high-quality Biblical education accessible to any believer willing to work hard to prepare for and engage in ministry. Your one-time gift, monthly support, or even adding Calvary University to your estate planning will help us fulfill our mission to “prepare Christians to live and serve in the church and in the world according to the Biblical worldview.” Thank you so much for your gift, and for joining Calvary in this important work. May God bless you as, together, we seek to honor Him.
Serving Him With You,
Christopher Cone, Th.D, Ph.D, Ph.D
President, Calvary University
