|
Major Move Leads to Better Opportunities
Smooth Move
At first, Nebraska Christian College’s 110-mile move from Norfolk to Omaha seems the biggest news about the small school. A complete campus relocation is a major initiative, but a chat with several of the school’s leaders reveals the move is just one part of the story—NCC’s biggest news is the educational opportunities it offers.
The college moved during summer 2006 after raising $3.7 million and selling its Norfolk campus to the Ponca Indian tribe for another $3 million. (The tribe plans to use the property as a centralized campus for medical facilities and other services.) Almost all the faculty followed the school to its new location, and the administration added other adjunct faculty after resettling in Omaha.
“The proximity to top-quality scholars was a major reason for the move,” says Jim Hardy, chief development officer. “Omaha provides more opportunities for service, internships, and mentoring.”
Mentoring is a major emphasis at Nebraska Christian. The school expects every student to match with a mentor, and employs a chief student officer to oversee the program.
NCC also focuses on developing the next generation of worship leaders. In addition to its current building on the new campus—which includes classrooms, a library, cafeteria, and student housing—the college will construct a Worship Arts center. Even without its own building the program is thriving; a 50-voice gospel choir ministers throughout the city and acclaimed Christian artist Nichole Nordeman will teach a songwriting class next year.
NCC’s leadership team realizes big money is required for such big dreams, and will launch its “Next Chapter” capital campaign in early 2008.
“The move to Omaha was just one chapter in the life of the school,” says Hardy. “We look forward to what comes next.”
www.nechristian.edu
Join the Club
A chuckwalla lizard sneezes salt. Only the Melipone bee can pollinate the vanilla orchid. Children learn about these animals, and many more, as part of the Creation Club at Cherry Lane Christian Church in Meridian, Idaho.
Ellen Landreth leads the program and believes this information actually helps kids grow in faith.
“We need to do a better job teaching children about God as Creator,” Landreth says. “One great way is to share the amazing animals God made.”
During the club sessions, held during children’s church, students from kindergarten through fifth grade enjoy dramas, songs, DVDs, crafts, and games.
In addition, Landreth developed a newsletter for parents to use as a supplement to the weekly teaching. The resource shares lesson goals, discussion questions, and even song lyrics.
“Design demands a designer,” Landreth says. “We have not given our kids a firm foundation with which to refute evolution.”
www.cherrylanechristian.com
Men at Work
In Odon, Indiana, building relationships with the Amish is part of the culture.
“Our kids grow up attending school together,” says Richard Crabtree, senior minister with Odon Christian Church. “We serve in the heart of one of the country’s largest Amish settlements, and it’s just a way of life.”
OCC “cemented” those relationships after a tornado demolished many of the Amish community’s businesses and homes a few years ago. The affected families began rebuilding immediately, and Odon members worked with them to repair the damage.
The cooperation between the two groups remained limited to these local initiatives until 2006 when D.J. Healy, a deacon at OCC, dreamed of expanding the impact.
Healy also serves on the board of Dunamis and knew the ministry, which serves Apache Indians in Arizona, desperately needed a new worship center. He asked for help from some friends at Odon Christian—and some Amish friends, as well.
Plans came together quickly and the group of 21 young Amish men and eight OCC members journeyed west for 10 days last December. The group stayed in small trailers near the building site and spent the week pouring a foundation and beginning construction.
But the trip included more than hard work. The team also forged relationships with the Apache families, and ended each day with devotions.
“When the Amish men took their turns to lead, some of them felt uncomfortable praying in English and prayed in Dutch instead,” says Healy.
“And the whole group went to the Grand Canyon together on the way home!” Crabtree says. “What an experience!”
A core group has returned two more times to hang and finish drywall and place siding on the worship center.
And while the new building blesses Dunamis, the ongoing partnership blesses Odon.
“It was an opportunity for us to see each other’s hearts,” Crabtree says.
www.ofcc.org
Jennifer Taylor, one of CHRISTIAN STANDARD's contributing editors, lives in Nashville, Tennessee.
PREVIOUS COLUMNS:
Surprising and Successful
‘Your Class Ring Could Save a Life’
Helping Victims of Abuse
A New Way to Raise Funds Via Golf
Teaming Up to Spotlight Homelessness
Helping Students Here and Abroad
Adding a Satellite Campus
‘Close Interaction that Doesn’t Fit a Formula’
‘The Best Link Between the Generations’
A Multicultural Model
Inspired by James 2
Putting Feet on Our Faith
Enriching the Neighborhood
Helping in Hard Times
Rooftop Exploit
A Network of Care
‘Training Rooted in Our Movement’
Accomplishing the Mission
Coming Together
Multiplying Blessings at Christmas
Training and Resources
Musical Partnerships
Online Services
More Than an Event
"An Explicitly Theological Agenda"
A Partnership with the Community
Hmong Worshipers Move into Own Place
Coffee with a Mission
Impacting the Community
Encouraging Entire Families to Attend
‘Festival Evangelism’ to Muslims
Growing Opportunities
Church Design Lauded
Prayers and Exercise
Fun Ways to Make Connections
Getting Away with God
A Model for Future Ministry
Florida Gator on the Go
It Never Hurts to Ask
"A Natural Connection"
Working Together in Kenya
New Ways to Serve
A Natural Connection
Following David’s Example
Doing Double Duty
Turning the Tables on the Teens
A Partnership of Churches
Introducing Couples to Christ
Illinois Hunters Feed the Hungry
11-18-07 -- Multiple Improvements Planned
11-4-07 -- Multiplying Missional Impact
10-21-07 -- The Church Van with ‘Free Stuff’
10-7-07 -- Emotional Times for Missionary Moms, Dads
9-9-07 -- A Place for Prayer, a Place for All
8-26-07 -- Cookouts, Bibles, and VBS
8-12-07 -- Changing Lives in a Day Or Less
7-29-07 -- Reaching Out to Arabs
7-15-07 -- A Second Site with Curb Appeal
7-1-07 -- Developing a Desire to Dig Deeper
6-17-07 -- Growing Leaders
6-3-07 -- Vacation Ministry School, Anyone?
5-20-07 -- Uniting to Serve
5-6-07 -- Real Struggles, Real Solutions
4-22-07 -- The Ministry of Giving Back
4-8-07 -- Cultivating an Interest in Missions
3-25-07 -- Morning Worship for Teens
3-11-07 -- From Preschoolers to Teens
2-25-07 -- From Christian School to Art Studios
2-11-07 -- A Ministry to Parents
1-28-07 -- Reversing the Sexual Trend for Teens
1-14-07 -- An Airline Industry Ministry
12-31-06 -- Partnership in Nebraska
12-17-06 -- Taking Jesus to the Community
12-3-06 -- Musical and Spiritual Training
11-19-06 -- Missions and Mentoring
11-5-06 -- Help for At-Risk Kids
10-22-06 -- Cardboard Catacomb
10-8-06 -- Community Building
9-24-06 -- 'Grace-Driven' Ministry
9-10-06 -- Introducing Skateboarders to Jesus
8-27-06 -- Reaching Families . . . With VBS!
8-13-06 -- Communicating Ideas About God
7-30-06 -- A Ministry of Clothing
7-16-06 -- Strengthening Marriages
7-2-06 -- Balloon Ministry Blesses Children
6-18-06 -- Church on the Move
6-4-06 -- Bold Moves Paying Off for Everyone
5-21-06 -- New Ministries for Hurting Families
5-7-06 -- Sharing Jesus' Love Through Daily Donations
4-30-06 -- Georgia on My Mind
4-9-06 -- Bringing the Old Testament to Life
3-26-06 -- Experiencing Exciting Adventures
3-12-06 -- Connecting God to a Wider Culture
2-26-06 -- Churches Using Dogs for Outreach
2-12-06 -- A Bike a Child Can Call His Own
1-29-06 -- Comforting Those Who Are Grieving
1-15-06 -- Preschool for Teens
1-1-06 -- Servant Evangelism for All Ages
12-18-05 -- How Will Your Church Celebrate Christmas This Year?
12-4-05 -- The Hot Place for Teens
11-20-05 -- Linking Adults with Young People
11-6-05 -- Stories of Successful Partnerships
10-23-05 -- Serving Specific Groups
10-9-05 -- An "At-Home" Mission Trip
9-25-05 -- At Work in New Orleans
9-11-05 -- An Evening to Remember
8-28-05 -- Up, Up, and Away
8-14-05 -- Growing Despite Limited Space
7-31-05 -- Christians Come Together Along Rio Grande
7-17-05 -- Reaching Into Downtown Savannah
7-3-05 -- Considering God's Call to Service
6-19-05 -- Community Involvement Being Noticed
6-6-05 -- Spring VBS Gets Great Response
5-22-05 -- 'We Call It Cyber-Evangelism'
5-8-05 -- Production Company Evangelizing Through Film
|
