by Webmanager | Jun 25, 2020
“I’ve learned that education is, at its core, the same everywhere, especially for Christian education.”
Elizabeth Viens graduated this spring with her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. In the fall, she’ll be teaching 3rd grade at an international school in Southeast Asia. Viens said, “Since I was about 10 years old, I noticed that I just had a really big desire to go internationally. I love traveling and people groups. I have a heart for the world and for lost people.”
Calvary was a top choice for Viens, who lived in the Kansas City area. She chose the education program because, “I’ve always loved kids; loved teaching. It was always kind of on my radar. I wanted something that I could do in a ministry context, not just the professional world.”
Viens has traveled to several schools abroad while at Calvary, visiting Russia, China, and Mexico. She said, “I’ve learned that education is, at its core, the same everywhere, especially for Christian education. Even though it may look different to different people groups, the goal is still to inform minds to be more like Christ and impact the world for his kingdom.”
Viens will be teaching through the organization Teach Beyond. She first encountered Teach Beyond when their reps visited Calvary’s campus, and she “felt like that was God saying, ‘here’s your direction.’”
As she puts her degree to work, Viens is excited for this opportunity to teach internationally. “I think as an educator, I’m helping prepare the next generation of people to be logical and sound thinkers, to have a knowledge of God and his word, and … preparing them to serve in the world wherever they go.”
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.
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.”
by Jeanette Regier | Feb 14, 2020
Zebulun Green started his basketball career during his sophomore year of high school at Lighthouse Christian Preparatory School in Abbeville, Louisiana. He was one of the starting five for the team by the time he was a junior. In his three years of high school basketball, Green won multiple awards. During his senior year, Green was announced Most Valuable Player and was presented with the Christian Attitude Award. His team also won the Varsity Basketball State Championship in 2015.
Coach Matt Sanders recruited Zebulun and his brother Hajj Green, cousin Elijah “Shook” Bolden, and friend Kalif Spraggins to play NCCAA Division II basketball at CU. All four men signed to play for Calvary in 2016. During Green’s freshman year at Calvary, he was awarded Second Team All-Conference and Honorable Mention All-American.
During Zeb’s sophomore year he took a hit as he tore his ACL during a game on November 6th, 2017. This was one of the hardest trials he had experienced. This ACL injury took a substantial toll on both his physical and mental health. It was during this time that Green held onto the promises of God. He lived by one of his life verses, Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” This was proven to be true during his road to recovery.
Green had surgery on his ACL in March of 2018. Immediately after surgery, Green began the healing process at SERC Physical Therapy in Belton, Missouri. With the help of many therapists, whom Green still keeps in contact with, he was improving faster than expected. Green stayed in Kansas City during the summer of 2018 to continue physical therapy. It was also during this time that he was employed with a bus company in Belton working hard, physical labor. Between his physical therapy, job, diet, and daily workouts, Green lost about sixty pounds that summer.
By the beginning of his junior year, Green was already back on the court. Despite the resistance from wearing an ACL brace, and occasional pain, Green had a phenomenal season. He averaged fifteen points and eight rebounds a game. Green was awarded First Team All-Conference and First Team All-Region.
Green is now finishing his senior year at Calvary with one of the best seasons he has ever had. He is currently averaging eighteen points and ten rebounds a game. He has added fourteen steals and nineteen blocks to his career stats as well. Green has already been presented First Team All-Classic at an NAIA tournament held at Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas. Today, January 31st, we celebrate that Green has surpassed 1,000 career points in his Calvary career.
Many people have supported Green up until this moment. He is thankful for his parents, Linda and Randy Green. He is thankful for his brothers, sister, sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, and the rest of his incredible family. He is thankful for his girlfriend. He is thankful for his coaches and teammates, both in high school and college. He is thankful for everyone he has met along the way who came to any game to support him. But most of all, Green is thankful for God, who gave him his talent.
There is never a time where Green ceases to give all glory to God. He is a skilled, yet humble athlete. It was not easy to come this far. It took years of hard work and dedication. Green admits this, but he also admits that despite his efforts, he could have never made it without the help of God.
As Green finishes his senior year of college basketball and graduates from Calvary University in May of 2020, Green only has one plan set before him: To go wherever God takes him.
We are so grateful to have the opportunity to have known Zeb Green. He exemplifies what a Warrior is all about at Calvary University. Well done Zeb!
by Jeanette Regier | Nov 27, 2019
Josh Tomlinson is a Senior Pastoral Studies major who is
finishing his internship at Lawson Bible Church on Dec 23. “This internship has been such an incredible
experience,” said Tomlinson. “I am so
grateful that God chose to send me here to serve.”
He has been serving at the church since August 29. His tasks have included working with the youth group on Wednesday nights, serving on the worship team, and doing a little preaching. He has had the opportunity to learn a lot by joining their worship team and playing bass guitar on a weekly basis. He is grateful for how God has challenged him while working in all three capacities. He can see that these opportunities have helped prepare him as he is about to graduate and look for his own ministry in the near future.
Recently he had the opportunity to preach on John 17. Josh has come to the realization that each time
he preaches, the word of God impacts him just as much or more as the people in
the congregation. He is grateful for
each preaching or teaching opportunity he gets because he can see himself
maturing and he can also see his teaching and preaching style is being
molded.
This specific internship is very special because of the
mentoring relationship that has begun to develop between him and Dr. Skip
Hessel who is a professor at Calvary.
Dr. Hessel is also part of the leadership at Lawson Bible Church. They
agreed to get together on Thursdays some time ago to begin talking about the
possibility of an internship, but as time has gone by they have started a mentoring
relationship that has surpassed just the internship. Now they both take opportunities to truly
challenge each other in critical areas when they meet weekly. Josh is grateful for Skip and how he has been
impacted personally by him to think deeper and more practically. He is always challenged through the
experiences Skip shares.
Overall because of an experience like this, Josh is more confident
in who God made him as a person to go and impact the world. We are so grateful to see students like Josh
come to Calvary and go through classes, projects, and internships, while they
are building relationships that sharpen them as they seek to impact the world
for Jesus Christ.
