News Archives - Page 37 of 113 - Calvary University

2020 Graduate Samuel Tschetter Replacing 2018 Graduate Rachel Hontz in Student Development Role

by Webmanager | May 17, 2020

Samuel Tschetter (left), joined by his sister Abigail and CU Head Basketball Coach Matt Sanders, was recognized on Senior Night for his contribution to the basketball broadcasts.

“I like to think that I have been prepared to work, and serve, others well.”

Samuel Tschetter, who graduates from Calvary this spring with a Bachelor’s degree in Pastoral Ministry, will be taking over the role of Student Life Coordinator. For the past year, Tschetter has been working with Student Development through the CAMS program doing administrative and work to assist the current ResLife Coordinator, Rachel Hontz, who is moving on after graduating from CU last May.

Tschetter said there were several factors that influenced his interest in the position. “I really enjoyed what I was doing [this past year] and am glad that I’ll be able to continue to do it. Also, being able to be around Calvary for at least another year was a big draw; I have some family going to school here… and I have been doing play-by-play for the athletics broadcasts and it looks like I will be able to continue that in some capacity, which is exciting.”

The role of Student Life Coordinator has two sides, “A lot of the residence life coordinator half of the role is taking care of the dorms and the students that live in the dorms. Letting maintenance know when things in the dorms need fixed, getting sign out sheets to RDLs before breaks, doing chapel attendance, things of that nature which directly involve the residents’ lives on campus.” On the student development office manager side “is things like making sure that dorm students have the proper health forms filled out and filing those, putting students on meal plans, scheduling meetings for the deans, and more administrative type tasks.”

The interpersonal position of Student Life Coordinator will give Tschetter opportunities to continue growing in his ministry and administrative experience. He said, “Obviously a big part of any kind of ministry is working with people, and that is a huge part of this job as well. I like to think that I have been prepared to work, and serve, others well.” He also mentioned his familiarity with Calvary’s system “and knowing how things work is a big help, which is not something specifically tied to my degree, but more to my education as a whole.”

Outgoing ResLife Coordinator, Rachel Hontz, graduated last May.

Outgoing ResLife Coordinator, Rachel Hontz, will be missed by everyone on campus for her joyful personality as well her contributions to the spiritual lives of students.

Calvary Plans for Graduation Ceremonies

by Webmanager | May 17, 2020

Graduation ceremonies scheduled for June 26-27

As stay-at-home orders lift across the country, Calvary is revising plans for graduation ceremonies in June. The weekend of festivities, originally scheduled for the beginning of May, has been postponed to June 26-27. Cory Trowbridge, Dean of Students and Vice President of Student Development, is taking a lead role in the replanning of the events. Trowbridge said Calvary still plans to hold all three ceremonies that typically take place over graduation weekend: Baccalaureate, Awards Banquet, and Commencement.

Baccalaureate is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday in Liberty Chapel, the Awards Banquet also on Friday in the Student Life Center starting at 6 p.m., and Commencement Saturday at 10 a.m. also in the Student Life Center.

Trowbridge said, “We’re also looking at what other things and activities we can do to make this a bigger deal. So we’re planning that, probably Friday night, we’ll be doing the Senior Banquet. And Coach Regier is working on some alumni games like soccer and basketball. We’re trying to put together a big celebration.”

The fluid situation across the nation requires for flexible planning, but Trowbridge said, “At this point, it’s looking like we’ll be able to actually host events. The small group requirement should be expired by then.” He added, “Everything will be livestreamed so people who can’t be here can still participate.”

Student Development Stays Connected Despite Social Distancing

by Webmanager | May 8, 2020

RDDs Micah Wildason and Zak Kirkman.

Challenging circumstances create opportunities for growth

Social distancing has created an unusual environment on Calvary’s campus, but Student Development’s Resident Discipleship Directors (RDDs) and Resident Discipleship Leaders (RDLs) are finding creative ways to keep connected with the student body.

RDD Charissa Harwerth said, “Some of the RDLs are still having devos over zoom or other video chatting software. These have been really impactful for the students who are at home to still connect with each other and with their RDL.”

Other RDLs are staying in touch and encouraging students through texting, phone calls, or getting coffee, praying, and going on walks. Harwerth said, “I try to keep up with the girls that I was working with, and I keep up with intentional conversations and asking probing questions.”

The need for creativity is shaping the student body remaining on campus. Harwerth said, “For the few of us here I think that it will push some people closer to each other and into deeper relationships and others to finding new ways to cope with anxiety. For the most part, I think that once this is over the student body will bounce back well for next year… Because we are all living through this together, we all have a sense of understanding for others and how difficult this is.”

Maintaining relationships within the social distancing guidelines takes a lot of intentionality, but also provides rich rewards. RDL Brooke Glaszczak said, “I try to look for people who are in need of something (whether that be a reminder of truth or some encouragement), and I try to help meet that need however I can. Students have walked through some difficult things, yet they have also seen firsthand God’s faithfulness and providence at work. God has calmed anxious hearts. He has provided spiritual refreshment.”

RDL Jenny Her noticed that, “it has taught a lot of students to lean on one another to get through this. I have been so encouraged to see how much the students are still pouring into one another despite the pandemic!”

RDL Logan Hiskey pointed out that, “A lot of the ways in which we do that have changed, but our goal of serving the student body for Christ hasn’t changed.” The changing circumstances themselves have created opportunities for growth. Jenny Her said, “[It] can honestly be pretty frustrating because I want to do so much! But at the root of it all, I think God is just teaching me to sit back a little and just trust in Him.”

As the semester ends and students prepare to return home, Glaszczak noted. “While many of us are still waiting and wondering how God is specifically going to use the messiness of the current circumstances, we are sure of God’s faithfulness to work all things for our good and His glory. We trust that He is still in control and reigning on the throne.”

Letter from Board Regarding the End of Dr. Cone’s Presidency

by Webmanager | May 8, 2020

Dear Calvary Family,

The Board of Trustees of Calvary University writes today to communicate our decision to end the presidency of Christopher Cone. This was a very weighty decision and challenging for us. Over the past few years, we have spent a significant amount of time in discussion and prayer before coming to this conclusion.

We wish to thank Dr. Cone for his years of leadership and service. We have learned much from him and we wish him every success and God’s blessing.

Directing Calvary University is a mighty weight that we take very seriously. We are committed to the historical, biblical, and theological roots of Calvary Bible College/Calvary University. We are committed to training students for biblical service in the church and in the world. Each of us loves this university and, with boldness, we will continue to lead. God loves Calvary, and has guided our school through hard times before. We can trust Him now.

We are very aware of the important part you play in making Calvary a success, no matter your relationship. Students are our life and training them to serve God is our goal. Please be praying with us as we enter this new stage of growth.

How we love each and every one of you,

Calvary University Board of Trustees

Calvary Alumni Minister through COVID-19 Crisis

by Webmanager | Apr 30, 2020

Left: Pastor Tom Zobrist preaches a live-streamed sermon. Top right: Pastor Charlie Paine holds a service through Facebook. Bottom right: another alum, Dustin Garrett, holds a worship service online.

Calvary grads finding creative ways to serve

In spite of stay-at-home orders across the country, Calvary alumni are continuing their ministries. In lieu of holding regular service, many pastors have turned to streaming services. Calvary alum and chairman of the board Tom Zobrist, who pastors Liberty Bible Church in Eureka, Illinois, said, “Liberty was already broadcasting services with high quality video equipment for quite some time,” so the transition was easier for them. Another alumnus, Pastor Charlie Paine of Blue River Bible Church said their services had transitioned online as well. “[We are] conducting a virtual Sunday School class through Zoom… and a feature called Friday Blessings, in which we use the church Facebook to share blessings and praises.”

Staying connected as a church during isolation can prove difficult. Zobrist said Liberty Bible Church has a team that comes in on Sundays to produce their broadcasts, and “I have also been set up to be able to livestream with my phone in our home so that I can broadcast Sunday night and Wednesday night Bible studies when scheduled.” Even some youth group and AWANA events have transitioned to online.

Zobrist said their AWANA leader “developed a virtual AWANA on Wednesday nights that broadcasts opening ceremonies and devotions on Facebook and then leaders contact individual clubbers by phone so that they can keep up with their sections… Our youth also have been having a game and devotion on Wednesday nights with our new youth pastor, Josh Tomlinson, a soon-to-be CU grad. Josh hasn’t even officially started his ministries here yet, but is already developing relationships with our kids.”

Kansas City’s CEF ministries have been adapting to pandemic conditions as well. Another alum, Christy Heath, works as CEF’s local director for the Greater Kansas City Area. Heath said, “When the public elementary schools in our local area abruptly closed in mid-March because of COVID-19, we immediately began to respond with creative ministry strategies and tools for continued Gospel outreach to our 2,000+ after-school Good News Club (Bible club) children, their families, and many others.” CEF’s resources include an online Good News Club on Good News TV (U-NITE YouTube channel), Good News Radio, and online activity books, and other tools available at cefonline.com/covid19.

As we live through these ever changing times, Pastor Zobrist said, “We look forward to the day we can be together physically again, but until then, we will make the most of the opportunities we are given. May we all stay faithful in these different days.”

A Look Back at One Voice

by Webmanager | Apr 21, 2020

Director Bobbie Jeffrey and Playwright and Lyricist Deborah Craig-Claar reflect on Calvary’s Spring Musical, One Voice.

In March, Calvary’s Theatre and Music Departments performed the musical, One Voice. When CU’s president, Dr. Christopher Cone, first asked Theatre Department Head Bobbie Jeffrey to produce a biblical musical, she contacted her friend and mentor Deborah Craig-Claar about adapting Craig-Claar’s Easter pageant One Voice for Calvary’s theatre.

One Voice follows the ministry of Christ through the eyes of Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea. Craig-Claar said, “I have always been fascinated with the big cast of “secondary characters” in the Bible. Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea were two such characters and I have often wondered not only how these two Pharisees came to a saving knowledge of Christ, but when and where they finally professed their faith to the world and to each other. Now there’s a story! And I finally decided to try and tell it. The result was One Voice.”

When it came to adapting the script for CU, Craig-Claar said, “I think it comes down to a simple shift of focus: the larger pageant version focused on events; the musical theatre version emphasizes characters… The human story is what is central to good theatre and that’s what became front and center for Calvary’s production.”

Jeffrey commented, “I think some of the strongest moments of our particular show came as a result of our limitations.” Ceiling height limitations made it most practical to have the crucifixion happen offstage, which became one of the show’s most powerful moments. Jeffrey also noted that they didn’t have enough people for the final scene. “We only had probably fourteen people left on the stage when we got rid of all the people who had played bad guys. So at that point I just made a decision that that had to be a point where we took off the mask. We had the entire cast come back… and they were themselves as they sang the final verse and chorus of One Voice.”

The power of the story’s beauty reached more than just audiences and the director; it found it’s way into the cast as well. After the production, the cast and crew circled up to pray and discuss what they had learned through the process of the show. Jeffrey said, “A lot of their reactions were that there was such an incredible sense of unity among the cast. And no one said this because it would have been cheesy, but they spoke with one voice more than any other experience they’ve had in a show.”

Reflecting on Calvary’s production, Craig-Claar said, “I am so blessed and honored that even after 26 years, this show seems to keep finding a new perspective and a new voice. As I watched Calvary’s fantastic production, I remember thinking ‘Most of these actors weren’t even born when I wrote this.’ But that’s the eternal message of Christ’s story, isn’t it; it never fades, it never ages, it is ever present and forever life-changing.”