ciu connection autumn 2009

8/14/2019 CIU Connection Autumn 2009

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Autumn 2009 www.ciu.edu

Co

nnectionThe magazine of Columbia International University

VictoriousChristian

LivingOur HeritageA Core Value

I N C L U D E S C I U A N N U A L R E P O R T : W E R E G R O W I N G


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2 :: CIU Connection ::

Letter from the President

Victorious Christian LivingDear friend of CIU,

To know Him and to make Him known. You may recognize that as the motto ofColumbia International University. This edition ofConnection magazine focuses onthe first part of that motto: To know Him and its link to one of our core values,

Victorious Christian Living.A frequent speaker for the Victorious Life Testimony in the 1920s, CIUs first

president R.C. McQuilkin brought the message of victory to CIU, then calledColumbia Bible College. His son, Robertson McQuilkin, CIUs third president,further defined Victorious Christian Living in the 1970s saying that to live victori-ously means to know Christ. He writes only to the extent we become like Him,

can we truly experience that intimate one-nessHe so longs for. Daily, uninterrupted companion-ship thats to know Him. You will find more in the magazine from Dr. McQuilkinon how Victorious Christian Living became one of our five core values at CIU.

By the way, did you know that CIU used the original Asheville, N.C. campus ofBen Lippen, our PreK-12th grade school for Victorious Christian Living confer-ences? This edition includes how the Victory message touched the life of one of our

Ben Lippen School alumni. You also may not be aware of CIUs historic involvementin Americas Keswick, a New Jersey conference center where preachers and teach-ers have proclaimed the message of Victorious Christian Living for decades. Readabout the recent CIU Day at Americas Keswick.

CIU professors emphasize not only academic excellence but also personalgrowth. We have two articles on how professors teach the dynamic of the HolySpirit to make us like Christ in daily living in the classroom at CIU and theclassroom at a South Carolina prison where CIU student-inmates live in victory,despite living behind walls.

CIU broadcasting also touches lives with a message of victory. Read how theprogramming of our radio station in Charlotte, North Carolina, New Life 91.9 brokethrough to a couple headed for divorce.

Finally, let the story of CIUs Alumni of the Year the Thompson family inspire you. Their lives demonstrate that as we trust our loving Lord to fill us withHis Spirit, we can live the Victorious Christian Life.

I want to especially call your attention to the final pages of this edition of Connection for an Annual Report on CIU.It not only includes details of great financial blessings, it outlines exciting developments on campus.

Join us as we thank God this time of year for His many blessings, but especially for sending His Son that we might

live in victory.Yours for His glory,

William H. JonesPresident

This edition ofConnection

magazinefocuses on oneof our corevalues,

VictoriousChristian Living.


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2 From the President

4 News Connection

8 Christlike in the ClassroomVictorious Christian Living Caught and Taught

10 A Wave Behind WallsVictorious Christian Living in Prison

12 A CIU Core Value: the VictoriousChristian LifeBy Robertson McQuilkin

CIU President Emeritus

14 CIU Week at Americas KeswickCIUs Motto is Theme for Conference

16 A Family AffairVictorious Christian Living across thegenerations at Ben Lippen School

17 Listeners Living VictoriouslyCIU Radio Stations Impact Families in theCarolinas

18 Alumni Connection

Victorious Christian Living Exemplified byAlumni of the Year

By Roy King, Director of CIU Alumni Ministries

19 ResourcesNew Books by CIU Professors

20 Annual ReportExciting News on Campus Expansion

Connection

Columbia

InternationalUniversity

Volume IX, No. 2Autumn 2009

The CIU Connectionis published

as a service to CIUalumni and friends by

the MarketingDepartment of

Columbia

International University.

EditorBob Holmes

Design

The Gillespie Agency

Direct all inquiries to:

The CIU Connection magazineP.O. Box 3122

Columbia, SC 29230-3122(803) 807-5535

[email protected]

Visit our website

www.ciu.edu

Columbia InternationalUniversity admits students ofany race, color, national andethnic origin to all the rights,

privileges, programs, andactivities generally accorded

or made available tostudents at the school. It

does not discriminate on the

basis of race, color, national,and ethnic origin in adminis-

tration of its educationalpolicies, admissions policies,

scholarship and loanprograms, and athletic andother school-administered

programs.

CONTENTS

Pictured above:CIU core value stone at the entrance to Shortess

Chapel.

:: Autumn 2009 :: 3A higher standard.

A higher purpose.


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4 :: CIUConnection ::

News Connection

CIU Alumna, CIU Radio

Stations Win Dove AwardsLaura Story, a 2003 graduate of

Columbia International University haswon the 2009 Dove Award forInspirational Album. Story, a singer andsongwriter received the honor for thealbum Great God Who Saves April 23 atthe annual Dove Awards ceremony inNashville. The Dove Awards are hostedby the Gospel Music Association andrecognize the top performers in

Christian music.Story cited the importance of herCIU education in her development as aChristian musician.

I would not be doing what Im doing ifit were not for the training I had at CIU,Story said. I would be terrified to write asong without the training and understand-ing, and the tools that CIU gave me inorder to understand Gods Word.

Meanwhile, CIU radio stations WMHKin Columbia and New Life 91.9 WRCM inCharlotte, N.C. also won Dove Awards.

WMHK won Radio Station of the Year inthe Large Market category and WRCMwon in the Medium Market category.

Learn more about Laura Story at herwebsite www.laurastorymusic.com.Check out CIUs radio stations at

www.ciu.edu/ministries.

CIU Distance Education Course

Wins HonorColumbia International University has received

the 2009 ACCESS Course of the Year Award forthe new online course Biblical Hebrew 1. Theaward is sponsored by ACCESS, the ChristianDistance Education Association, and ChristianityToday International, in recognition of excellencein Christian distance education course develop-ment. Courses are reviewed by a team ofinstructional designers from Christian universitiesand seminaries.

The CIU instructional designer for Biblical

Hebrew 1 is Daniel Janosik, and the courseprofessor is Dr. Alex Luc.

CIU has received 14 Course of the Year Awardssince 1980. To find out more about Biblical Hebrew 1 and other online CIUcourses go to: www.ciu.edu/distance/courses.php.

Ben Lippen School Teacher

Recognized

Angela Lewis, sixth grade Language Artsteacher at Ben Lippen School, has beennamed a 2009-2010 Master Teacher by theSouth Carolina Independent Schools

Association (SCISA). This honor recognizesher for her excellent work with students aswell as her desire to share her expertise withcolleagues. Some of the requirements of a

Master Teacher include: viewing his/her task

as a divine calling; leaving firm impressions upon each students character,behavior and manners; serving with compassion and guidance; and motivatingstudents toward goals. The Master Teacher designation is the highest teachinghonor presented by SCISA. Lewis has been teaching at Ben Lippen School since1997 and also serves as the faculty advisor for the schools cheer squads andmiddle school yearbook. Ben Lippen School is a preK-12th grade ministry ofColumbia International University.

Longtime CIU Professor Cliff

Bedell RetiresAfter four decades of educating youngpeople about Gods Word, CIU ProfessorCliff Bedell has retired. His career as a Bibleteacher began in the Philippines whileserving there as a missionary. For the last36 years, CIU students have been blessedand challenged by Bedells missionary heart,and his pursuit of truth as a teacher. He andhis wife Prue have five married children and17 grandchildren.

Professor Dan Janosik andthe ACCESS award.

Angela Lewis

Cliff and Prue Bedell

Laura Story


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Rhythms of Grace:

Youth Workers RetreatIn a world full of worthwhile youth

ministry conferences, CIUs Youth

Ministry Departments Rhythms ofGrace retreat stands out. Spiritualconferences can involve hectic schedulesand demands that take an emotional andphysical toll on the participants. Somuch so, that when they return to theireveryday lives they find they need avacation to recover from the veryconference that was intended to

rejuvenate them.Realizing the need for a time of rest,CIU professors David Olshine, HuleGoddard, and Karen Grant organized aretreat for 38 graduates from the YouthMinistry major. We wanted to remind(youth ministry workers) that theyre notalone in the tough world of ministry, andoffer them the encouragement and heal-

ing to continue to serve, said Grant.The professors facilitated discussion andcontemplation instead of holdinglectures. The alumni were also able tomeet for one-on-one spiritual counselwith their former professors. The Youth

Ministry Department covered the cost oflodging and meals.

Reviews of the retreat were glowing. Ithink this retreat shows how much (CIU)values the alumni, said one participant.They brought me back to why mycandle was lit in the first place, saidanother.

The Youth Ministry Department was soblessed by the success of this firstretreat, that theyre considering another.

CIU Graduation 2009:

A Family AffairIts normal for parents to attend their

childs graduation. But for the parent tobe receiving a degree alongside theirchild is unique. David Strobolakos Sr.and his daughter Charissa shared thatexperience at CIUs undergraduatecommencement May 16.

David graduated with a degree inBible and Pastoral Ministries. Charissa

graduated with a degree in Bible andApplied English. Both stated thatbeing together in college was not amatter of one leading the other, but atime of mutual encouragement as

they faced the trials and joys ofcollege life. Father and daughteragree that CIUs most influential

asset is its community of professors

and staff, who model godliness andlove in and out of the classroom.

:: Autumn 2009 :: 5

CIU debaters Nikolaus Breiner (left) andCollin Cornell take questions.

CIU & University of SC

Students Debate Christ,

MiraclesColumbia International University

students Nikolaus Breiner andCollin Cornell engaged twoUniversity of South Carolina studentsin two debates in April on topics thatare central to the Christian faith.

Students from both universitiesorganized a public dialogue of ideas

when CIU student Philip Kearse begandiscussing the reasonableness of faithwith a friend who is a USC student.

Held at the University of SouthCarolina Law Center, about 200 USCand CIU students were in attendance.

After the debates the participantsmingled with the crowd and continuedthe exchange of ideas in respectful but

challenging conversation.

David Strobolakos Sr. anddaughter Charissa graduate.


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6 :: CIUConnection ::

News Connection

It was a pleasure for me to complete two advanced degrees atCIU because of its affirmation of the full trustworthiness ofScripture. For the same reason I was pleased to receive theSpring 2009 Connection dedicated to the authority of Scripture, acore value of CIU. Mickey Bowdons article on the biblicalworldview was very encouraging. A notable quote from that arti-cle was:

If all truth is Gods truth then we must accept the authority ofGods Word in all areas of the encyclopedia. (In the previous

paragraph, Dr. Bowdon had included psychology in that ency-clopedia of ideas.)

Three pages later, however, I was alarmed and extremelydisappointed to read Dr. Stephen Farras article Finally aBiblical Psychology! Dr. Farra contended that a Bible-onlyapproach will work only for a narrow range of problems, andrarely is helpful when addressing real mental illness. He utilizedthe story of Jim, a sincere Christian who struggled withaccusation from his employer, intense pain, and the fear hemight not be able to provide for his family.

Dr. Farra implied that the Bible does a good (but apparentlynot sufficient) job at addressing the content of our thoughts,but it seemed that Dr. Farra does not believe that the Bibleaddress our behaviors (or at least, not sufficiently) and that it isinsufficiently encouraging.

I learned at CIU that New Testament epistles routinelyaddressed the content of our thoughts, and then turned toappropriate behaviors. I failed to see how a Bible-onlyapproach would have been inadequate for Jim: Ephesians 6:5-8and 1 Peter 2:18-20 (among other verses) appear sufficient to

me to help him think and behave properly to his accusingemployer, 1 Peter gives more than sufficient guidance tothoughts and behaviors when suffering, and Matthew 6:25-34addresses thinking and behaving properly when tempted to fear.Romans 15:4-6 and Philippians 4:1-9, to name a few passages,offer adequate and powerful scriptural encouragement for press-ing on. I fail to see how the Scriptures understood andapplied were inadequate to address Jims problems.

Dan Clement, Associate Pastor

Triangle Community Church, Apex, N.C.* * *

Editors Note: A full explanation of Biblical Psychology byDr. Stephen Farra can be viewed on the CIU website at:www.ciu.edu/faculty/bio.php?id=12

Letters to the Editor are welcome. Correspondence must include yourname, address and phone number. The editor reserves the right todetermine the suitability of letters for publication and to edit for clarityand length. There is no guarantee your letter will be published, nor willletters be returned. Write to: Connection Editor, Columbia InternationalUniversity, 7435 Monticello Road, Columbia, SC 29203. Or [email protected].

Lettersto the Editor

CIU Alumnus Addresses the Ethics of

NanomedicineA 1990 graduate of the Columbia International Universitys

Seminary & School of Missions addressed the ethics of some of thelatest medical research at the European Conference for ClinicalNanomedicine in Switzerland in April. Dr. Martin Erdmann gradu-ated from CIU with a Master of Divinity degree in 1990, and is thedirector and founder of the Verax Institute in Riehen, Switzerland,a study center for Christian Theology and Apologetics.

Nanomedicine uses microscopic biomechanical devices that areprogrammed for specific biological tasks and injected into theblood to work at the cellular level to do everything from repairingtissue, to cleaning arteries, attacking cancer cells and viruses like

AIDS, and even reversing the aging process.As a former senior scientist at the University Hospital in Basel,

Switzerland, Erdmann studied the ethical implications of nanotech-nology for five years. His primary concern is to answer the questionof how nanomedical research can be translated into a benefit forindividuals and society.

Hundreds of Youth on CIU Campus Over the

SummerAbout 700 youth from around South Carolina and beyond were

on the campus of Columbia International University over thesummer. About 400 Hispanic middle and high school youthattended a conference on sexual purity sponsored by the SouthCarolina Baptist Convention, and another 120 high school andcollege-age students were trained to reach children in their neigh-borhood through Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) workshops.Servanthood used the CIU campus as a base of operations. TheColumbia-area ministry sends middle school students into the

community to do service projects.If your organization or group is looking for a place for your next

event any time of year, contact the CIU Conferences ServicesDepartment. For details go to www.ciu.edu/conferences.

A special-effects haze clouds worshipers at the Hispanic YouthConference.


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:: Autumn 2009 :: 7


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t may have been the definitive word on VictoriousChristian Living. In 1997, Thomas Nelson Publishers

released a book titled, Free and Fulfilled VictoriousChristian Living in the 21st Century. It was compiled byColumbia International University President EmeritusRobertson McQuilkin and included contributions from overa dozen renowned Christian

authors and theologiansfrom a variety of evangel-

ical backgrounds. Eachexpounded on the meaning ofthe Victorious Christian Life. Butperhaps no one got to the pointmore explicitly than CIUs fourthpresident, Dr. Johnny V. Miller:

The simplest definition of the victorious life is a daily walk of

faith and obedience in conscious dependence on the indwellingSpirit of God.

And that has been the daily calling and challenge for profes-sors at CIU since its founding as Columbia Bible College in theearly 1900s.

Dr. William J. Larkin joined the faculty at CIU in 1975. Hispassion has been to prepare pastors and missionaries, throughthe study of the Greek New Testament, and to communicate

Gods Word accurately andeffectively as a missionsdocument.

Larkin says he daily relies onthe Scriptures to contribute togrowth and personal applica-tion in his life and the lives ofhis students. In one exercise,

for instance, students are to write about personal applicationbased on one book and one verse in the Bible. He asks them toconsider: How does obeying the Scripture make a differencein your life?


Christlike in the Classroom

Victorious Christian LivingCaught and Taught

I try to model the effectiveness

of the Word and a victorious life in

Christ. Dr. William J. Larkin

Dr. William J. Larkin Dr. Rick Higgins


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He points to Ephesians 4:11-12: ... to prepare Gods peoplefor works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up... He says, I have a pastoral concern for my students, not

just as a teacher. I look for ways to aid the students in theirgrowth in the Christian life. I see them on campus. They share

with me. We pray together. I try to model the effectiveness ofthe Word and a victorious life in Christ.Robertson McQuilkin describes victorious Christian living as

steady growth in Christlikeness, says Dr. Shirl S. Schiffman,professor of educational ministries. Victory over temptation ...seeing God at work in the ministry to which He calls you ...

daily, intimate companionship with Jesus. I seethese traits in my colleagues. These are skilled,scholarly people, but Im always taken with thehumility of the group.

Schiffman says that the faculty prays together and has totalreliance on, and trust in God. She believes this creates a colle-gial environment with a lot of mutual support. I believe thisfilters into the classroom.

She adds, So that students can experience Gods amazingenabling in their ministry, I (and my colleagues) create manyassignments that call for stretching real-world application.

Dr. Richard J. Rick Higgins, associate dean for ministryskills development, asserts that God just wants us to let Himwork through us. Prior to choosing a life of serving God,Higgins was a naval flight officer. I used to be very thoroughin my preparation. It comes from my aviation days. But whatIve learned is that preparing the messenger ... heart prepara-tion ... is much more important than preparing the message.The Holy Spirit will take what Im doing and overrule. Thatsexciting!

Its often said that more is caught than taught. AdamErickson, a 2007 CIU graduate says he was impacted by theexample of Victorious Christian Living he saw in his professors.

Not only did you have professors who looked out for oneanother and the students, you had professors who exhibited

grace with their students, Erickson recalls. Ill be the first toadmit that I was not the most diligent of students during myUndergraduate studies. That is something Ive thankfullylearned from and have worked to improve upon, much due tothe grace of numerous professors at the school.

Erickson remembers a specific instance when (now retired)Professor Cliff Bedell showed him grace as he struggled tocatch up with late work in a class on Romans. That grace wasnot only much needed for me to pass, but it ended up being

the best living example of what grace looks like and helped meto further grasp what Paul is writing about in Romans. I sawgrace exhibited and it forever impacted me and helped me toappreciate the grace Jesus Christ has given to us.

Dr. Roy M. King, director of alumni ministries, says that

victorious Christian living comesdown to the matter of the heart. As aformer CIU student, King says heexperienced professors some ofwhom are still teaching modelpatience and victorious Christianliving to him. He, in turn, hopes thathe is modeling the core value for hisstudents. If were walking in thepower of the spirit, roadblocks wontbe as strong. I

:: Autumn 2009 :: 9

Dr. Roy King

Dr. Shirl S. Schiffman

Editors Note: The book,Free and Fulfilled

Victorious Christian Livingin the 21st Century isavailable from the CIU

Bookstore. To purchase acopy call (800) 777-2227,

ext. 5236, or [email protected].


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uring the last week of September, 55 men inR&E (registration and evaluation) at theKirkland Correctional Institution committedtheir lives to Christ. In that one week alone,

300 men heard the gospel. Since the beginningof this year, well over 10,000 lost, broken, and

desperate souls were exposed to Christ.That is the CIU Prison Initiative at work within the walls of

Kirkland. Men who have already graduated, as well as those

within the programs second and third cohorts, are creating a

spiritual wave within the walls of the maximum security prisonthat is washing over scores of men and changing lives.

The Initiative began in 2007. From scores of applications forthe two-year, 70-credit Associate of Arts Degree, 15 wereselected to enter the first program. The goal: Training inmatesto live in accordance with biblical principles and equippingthem for the unique ministry opportunities afforded by theirincarceration.

Those attending are taught by CIU professors, such as Dr.David Osterlund, director of the Initiative and adjunct professorat CIU, as well as several others. Professors must pass through


CIU Prison Initiative

A Wave Behind Walls

Victorious ChristianLiving in Prison

Its the low and battered places,

edges bent and torn,

hidden in the darkened woods

its there your spirits born.

Anne Buck,

Rain on a Flat Tin Roof


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the many heavily guarded checkpoints before they walk acrossthe open prison yard to enter the CIU-designated classrooms.

Four rooms have been set aside for teaching, chapel services,and to house 14 computers and a 2,000-book library. Classesrange from English to New and Old Testament Surveys.

As Osterlund points out, When these men graduate, theyagree to be relocated to any of the level two or level threeinstitutions in the state. They become evangelists, missionaries,men with the responsibility to witness and encourage and tolive a life of integrity. They will not have any special privilege.They will not be immune from lockdowns. They will beextraordinary men living within the ordinary generalprison population.

The first wave of graduates has

already washed into seven otherinstitutions in South Carolina. And,since everyone who is sentenced to90 days or more must go throughR&E at Kirkland, an ever-changingmission field awaits.

Those in R&E are men that mightgo back on the street they mightbecome your neighbor one day,says Billy, who graduated with the

first Initiative class in December.What CIU is really doing with thisprogram is investing in its commu-nities. This program equips some ofus to help lay a good Christian foun-dation for these men so they canlive victoriously.

In October, at early morning chapel service, an inmate stoodin front of 30-plus men and, with his eyes closed, sang Rainon a Flat Tin Roof, a poem put to music by some of theinmates to honor Anne Buck, a CIU staff member who regularlyvisits them to offer encouragement. Afterward, Professor BryanBeyer delivered a sermon on Joshua 1, which elicited thisresponse from an inmate: I look around and see many Joshuasrepresented here.

Myron, David, and Charles (Red) are three of those Joshuas.All are in their second year of studies. Their sentences rangefrom 30 years to life. Each has a personal testimony about howGod lead them to the program. Charles gave up one of thehighest paying jobs an inmate can procure in order to answer ahigher calling. Myron says he cried when he learned he had

been accepted into the Prison Initiative. All say they feel thatGod has a purpose for their lives inside the prison walls. Allshare the same goal: We want God to use us.

My mother is so proud of me that Im getting a degree,says Myron. Its incredible to have this opportunity. I dontdeserve any of it. Its most definitely a gift from God.

When interviewed, Myrons mother, said, You cant go backand undo whats done. You have to go forward. And hes goingforward. Im so proud of him. Ive come to a greater place inChrist since my sons been in this program. Nothings going to

stop me from coming to his graduation.David explains that they all entered the program at some

level of maturity in Christ. However, Were learning way more.And its being expounded on and multiplied. Were gainingknowledge from these professors so that we can pass it on.

Continues Red, These professors pour into our lives morethan just studies that come from books. They step aside andconviction boils out of them. Theyve done a wonderful job inshowing us how they live out their Christian walk. Theyre will-

ing to say, These are my shortcomings. They dont just speakit; they show us.Were being taught to impart wisdom, says Red, who

comes from a long line of pastors and will often openly preachwhen there is free time. He says his father is thrilled he is inthe program.

Red came up with the idea that we can disciple these guys(in Kirkland), says Myron. We adopt a dorm and go into themthree nights a week to teach them about the Lord and helpthem develop a good foundation on which to stand. We show

them how to not only talk the talk, but to walk the walk.Theres a wave flowing out from Kirkland, contends

Osterlund. God is at work in large and small ways. I

Editors note: Last names of student-inmates and their familymembers are not used for security reasons.

* * *

Opposite page: Myron, David and Red (left to right) share whattheyve learned in class. Left: CIU Prison Initiative inmates are

able to access resources from the CIU library via computer, butthe Internet is off limits.

:: Autumn 2009 :: 11

These professorspour into our lives

more than just studies

that come from books.

They step aside and

conviction boils out

of them. Theyve done

a wonderful job in

showing us how

they live out their

Christian walk.

Reda CIU student-inmate


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A CIU CoreValue: the

VictoriousChristian

LifeBy Robertson McQuilkinColumbia International University President Emeritus

What comes to mind when you hear

the expression, the victorious

Christian life? The uninitiated, not

knowing our code use of the term,

probably assume we mean victory in

the battle with temptation. And surely

it does include that. But historically,

at Columbia International University,

the meaning of victory has a far

broader connotation.

n reality, CIU was born from the womb of The

Victorious Life Testimony, a movement that flourishedin the early years of the 20th century. The teachingdidnt intend merely to chart the way to winning outagainst the enticements of the world, the flesh, andthe devil, as the name might imply. The leaders

intended to lead people to experience a life so under thecontrol of the indwelling Christ, so filled with his energizingHoly Spirit, that a person becomes Christ-like. That was ameaning deeper and broader than the name might imply. But

even that was not the ultimate, as we shall see.One of the spokesmen for that movement was my father

Robert C. McQuilkin. He spoke in conferences nationwide andwhen he spoke in Columbia it was with such power and bless-ing that the ladies who established The Southern BibleInstitute invited young Bob McQuilkin to lead the school. Asmany know, the school would later be named Columbia BibleCollege todays Columbia International University.

Thus the Victorious Christian Life teaching was historically at

the heart of CIU from its birth. But, dont forget the expanded

The Historical Perspective


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:: Autumn 2009 :: 13

meaning of those who initiated themovement: the glorious possibility ofliving a life that authentically reflects thevery life of Jesus himself. Some took thisto mean perfection, but Robert C.McQuilkin, during his 29 years atColumbia Bible College, consistently saidthat by victory he did not mean sinlessperfection.

Gradually, the victorious life came to

define the first part of CIUs motto, ToKnow Him Though that may havebeen what many had in mind, the 1970sbrought a change in emphasis, to some-thing beyond victory over temptation,glorious as that is, even beyond a consis-tently Christ-like character. By knowinghim, as the third president and son ofthe founder, I tried to take us all the way

back to the Old Testament meaning ofthe term, to know. There it meant to

experience intimate identity in a rela-tionship.Why win the victory over sin? To

become ever more like Jesus. So isChrist-likeness the ultimate goal?Surely victory and Christ-likeness areworthy, essential goals. But whyarethey so important? Because only as weare like Him, God-compatible, youmight say, can we fulfill the originalpurpose God had in creating us in thefirst place and redeeming us thesecond go-round. And what was thatpurpose? Intimate, loving oneness withour Creator and Redeemer. For, only tothe extent we become like Him, can wetruly experience that intimate one-nessHe so longs for. Daily, uninterruptedcompanionship thats to know Him.

He created us for that love relationship.He saved us to make possible such anastonishing relationship. Thats what ourmotto means to KNOW Him.

So what is our core value? A life ofconsistently winning out in the battleagainst temptations? Surely. But farmore: To know Him! And then, by allmeans, to help others experience that

same intimate relationship, the second

part of CIUs motto to make Himknown. I

* * *

Editors note: Read the booklet,Victorious Christian Living by

Robertson McQuilkin at the CIU website:www.ciu.edu/faculty/bio.php?id=129

For, only to the extent we become like Him,can we truly experience that intimate one-ness He so longs for. Daily, uninterruptedcompanionship thats to know Him.

Passing on the Victorious Christian Life message. Robertson McQuilkin (left) at the2007 inauguration of current CIU President Bill Jones.

A young Robertson McQuilkin (left),with his father R.C. McQuilkin,

the first president of CIU.


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widow grieving the recent loss of her husband. A young pastorstruggling in a small church. A middle-aged couple sensing

God leading them to a midlife career change. A recoveringalcoholic. An elderly couple whose adult son with small chil-

dren faces major cancer surgery. A woman whose unsaved

husband forbids her to read her Bible and pray at home.College students seeking to know Gods will for their

future. A tired missionary on furlough, looking for rest andrefreshment in order to return to her demanding front-lineduties. A full-time Christian worker plagued with doubts anddeep feelings of inadequacy. A father and mother agonizingover their need to forgive someone they felt had unjustlytreated their child. All of the above actual cases were represen-tative of the conference crowd who attended the CIU Week

at Americas Keswick Bible Conference in Whiting, N.J. in late August.The two keynote speakers for the week were CIUs President Emeritus, Dr. Robertson McQuilkin,and CIUs Chancellor, Dr. George Murray. Following CIUs historic motto To Know Him and to

Make Him Known, each morning McQuilkin gave Bible messages onvictorious Christian living (To Know Him), and each evening Murraygave Bible messages on world evangelization (To Make Him Known).Besides the strong Bible messages, the daily meetings included muchlively singing, high quality special music, and first-person testimonies ofthose who were experiencing victory through surrender to, and faith in

Christ. On the final night of the conference, many stood to indicate life-changing decisions made during the week.Some of the CIU friends and alumni who attended the Keswick confer-

ence said it reminded them of the historic Ben Lippen conferences thatCIU conducted for many years in Asheville, N.C. Along with the twodaily Bible messages, each day the Keswick conference featured amissionary hour during which six different CIU alumni sharedabout their ministries in China, Indonesia, Angola and North America.At the end of the week, the Keswick leadership encouraged theconference guests to give a special missionary offering. A total of

$2,000 was received and given to CIU to aid students training formissionary service.

Americas Keswick is hosting another CIU Week July 25-30, 2010.Robertson McQuilkin will return as a featured speaker. He'll be joinedby CIU President Dr. Bill Jones. For more information about how youcan attend, contact Donnette Moak at CIU ([email protected]) or (800)777-2227, ext. 5011 or Ruth Schmidt at Americas Keswick([email protected]) or (800) 453-7942. I


Americas Keswick

CIUs Motto is Theme for Conference

CIU Week at Americas KeswickEditors Note: Beginning with ColumbiaInternational Universitys first president,R.C. McQuilkin, the school has beeninfluential in Americas Keswick, amulti-generational, cross-culturalministry and conference center based inNew Jersey. It features biblical teachingon Victorious Christian Living that leadsto deeper personal relationships with

Jesus Christ and transformed lives.www.americaskeswick.org

A circle of prayer atAmericas Keswickin Whiting, N.J.

Addiction recovery support groups are among the many ministries atAmericas Keswick.


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Victorious Christian Living is all aboutconnecting the dots. The Lords hand isevident in one aspect of our lives; then,years later, we see and understandhow he ties the experiences together

for His glory.As a somewhat rebellious teenager,Merle Dye wasnt keen on leaving hishome in Salisbury, N.C., to attend theevangelical Christian boarding schoolfor boys, located (then) at ColumbiaBible Colleges Ben Lippen ConferenceCenter on a mountain near Asheville. Itdid not matter to him that the nameBen Lippen is a Scottish phrase mean-

ing Mountain of Trust. All thatmattered was that his parents recog-nized he was unsaved and decided BenLippen would be good for his soul.

It was a sacrifice for them, says Dye,now in his 70s, but a gracious andloving sacrifice that I recognized later.

His mothers salary as a librarian wasused to pay tuition when Dye enteredthe (then) all-boys school. The year was1951. By his junior year, Ben Lippenbegan allowing girls to attend. Dye saysthere were a total of 10 students in hisgraduating class in 1954. (They remainvery close and celebrated their 50threunion in 2004 by reminiscing onthe former Asheville campus and thepresent Columbia campus.)

I went into Ben Lippen unsaved, but

between my junior and senior year Icommitted my life to the Lord. A bigreason for that, when I look back on it,was that I had a very important influ-ence in my life, that of my Bible teacher,(and headmaster) Robertson McQuilkin.He was also my class advisor, and thespiritual emphasis taught was amazing.

Dye says that Gods Word permeatedevery minute detail of life at Ben Lippen:

Bible classes, chapel, student life, staffrelationships, friendships, conversation,general studies.

We were entrenched in our focus onthe Lord, not distracted from it, he says.He points out that Victorious ChristianLiving was modeled in the faculty andstaff. We experienced the Lordtogether, and it made a profound

difference in my life.Dyes two brothers followed in hisfootsteps and attended Ben Lippen as

well. The summer before his senior yearat Ben Lippen, Dye was called tomissions and naturally attendedColumbia International University, thencalled Columbia Bible College. At that

time, they were at the forefront in offer-ing a degree in Bible and Missions, hesays. After being in the field for a time,he then came back to CIU and achievedhis masters degree in Missions.

What has been interesting to Dye isseeing the Lord connect all the dots andto be able to not only live out the teach-ing that he obtained at Ben Lippen andCIU, but to see the same threads run

through his entire family.He met his wife at CIU; and, because

of her nursing and Bible degrees, shewas invaluable in the mission fields ofEthiopia and Sudan, where the coupleserved a total of 21 years. Out of fivechildren, four have attended CIU. Threechildren and a brother are missionaries.One child teaches Bible in a publicschool in North Carolina. Some grand-children and a niece and nephew havealso attended Ben Lippen School.

For years, Dye has experienced Godswill for Him and for his familymembers. Just being able to learn atBen Lippen and CIU, how the Scripturesdefine Gods will for us, to be able tohave faith and trust in all aspects of ourlives, and then to see my family

members enjoying the same. Its amaz-ing.Dye relates a time when a top notch,

godly national in Ethiopia first under-stood that the Scriptures all tiedtogether. That was victorious! saysDye. Before that, he had only learned itpiecemeal, but because of what I wasable to share with him from my educa-tion, he realized for the first time that it

related. It really made a difference in hispreaching and teaching. He became amighty vessel in Gods hands and wasable to teach scripturally. That was areal rejoicing time for me.

He adds, The idea that Gods passingit on that he continues to open doors that others are growing and experi-encing the truth of God. Thats just a real

blessing.I


Ben Lippen School

A Family Affair

VictoriousChristian

LivingAcross the

Generations at BenLippen School

Editors Note: Ben Lippen School was founded byColumbia International University in 1940 as an

evangelical boarding school at CIUs Ben LippenConference Center near Asheville, N.C. The school

was moved to CIUs campus in 1988 and todayBen Lippen High School, Middle School and two

Elementary schools total nearly 800 students from

the Columbia, S.C. area as well as boardingstudents from around the world.

Merle Dye andhis wife June


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:: Autumn 2009 :: 17

Both New Life 91.9 and 89.7 WMHK inColumbia, broadcasting ministries ofColumbia International University, spreadthe message of the gospel throughChristian music, testimonies, and teaching.That message often touches a chord and,when it does, the broadcasters lend theirown ears to hear and understand theimpact so that they can then share with

others.Such was the case with Thomas and

Angela Cromer. The story about theirrocky marriage that was pulled out of themire by God was so powerful, that NewLife 91.9 videotaped the couple andfeatured their testimony to VictoriousChristian Living on the stations website.

We often have dramatic stories, saysPaulo, but this is probably the one thatsbeen the most publicized. This marriage

like so many others was on the vergeof ending, but by Gods miraculous work by Him using the station in their lives it was saved.

Thomas and Angela began their relation-ship without God in 1999. She moved inwith him, and by the time they got marriedthey were ill equipped to have a healthyrelationship. They fought often. He trav-eled and drank too much. When he did

want to be at home, Angela, 12 years hisjunior, wanted to go out. The bottom line,

says Thomas, was that God was notpresent in their lives.

It was after their problems had over-whelmed them that Thomas beganlistening to 91.9. He had drifted fromhis wife carousing, as he puts it. Shesays she felt like she had lost herselfand wanted a divorce.

I always thought Christian music was

a joke, admits Thomas. I grew up withheavy metal. That music is powerful, butthe direction it takes your heart and mindin is not good. But the more I listened to91.9, the more I found myself going backthere. Gradually, I began to hope. Themusic that spoke to me was almostanything by Third Day, Casting Crowns,

Jeremy Camp, and Todd Agnew. However,the one song that really hit me most wasNicole Nordamans Holy.

Thomas says he was at his home, alone,realizing that an extramarital affair he hadentered into would destroy his marriage.That song came on the radio and I foundmyself kneeling, crying, and begging forGod to save me from my life. Had that nothappened, I dont think that I would haveturned toward faith like I did.

Angela noticed a change in her husband.She saw him reading his Bible and listen-

ing to 91.9. She began to listen as well.Angela fell in love with Jaci Valasquez,

Barlow Girl, Casting Crowns, Third Day,and Zoe Girl, Thomas said. The musicfrom 91.9 built a bridge between us. Themusic helped guide her the same way itguided me.

Thomas and Angela began to talk. Theysought counseling. They became closertogether and better parents to their twochildren. Most importantly, says Thomas,is that they allowed God to be ever presentin their lives.

Our marriage is saved. Its difficult,because all marriages are hard work, butits saved. Definitely a miracle.

Thomas says that although the couplehas been married seven years, he feels likeit has only been three because theirmarriage truly began when they asked

God to become a part of it.You never know how a story is going toresonate with people, says Paulo. Thisstory and others, like the married man whopulled up to a gentlemans club and wasgoing to go inside when he saw ourlicense tag on the front of his car reflecting back at him in the establish-ments window. He backed his car out andbegan to work on his marriage. These are

powerful and encouraging stories evidences of God at work. I

Broadcasting

Listeners Living Victoriously

CIU Radio Stations Impact Familiesin the CarolinasJoe Paulo has been with New Life 91.9 in Charlotte, N.C., for 15years. He hears, almost daily, about how God is working inpeoples lives.

That song (Holy) came on the radio and I found myself kneeling, crying,

and begging for God to save me from my life. Had that not happened, I

dont think that I would have turned toward faith like I did.

Thomas andAngela Cromer


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he CIU 2009 Alumni of the Yearare examples to all of us that

Victorious Christian Living isavailable to believers who yieldto, and trust in our loving Lord tofill him or her with His Spirit. The

recipients are members of the samefamily: Alan Thompson (class of 55),Paul Thompson (62), their sister Carolyn

Ayers (73) and Carolyns husband PhilipAyers (76).

Paul Thompson has clarity of focus onGods work in the leadership of theCuban church. This razor-focus reflectsGods focus and commitment to buildingHis church as it advances against thegates of hell. And even though he cannotlive in Cuba full time, Pauls effortscontinue to bear fruit from the seedssown by his father Elmer Thompson and

other missionaries to Cuba from a gener-ation ago.Alan Thompson has seen God leverage

his teaching gifts to multiply churchplanters around the world. Currently hisgifts of the Spirit are invested throughthe ministry of Redeemer PresbyterianChurch in New York City with a worldcities focus.

Carolyn Ayers has walked a trail ofsuffering after being diagnosed withmultiple sclerosis while she was a CIUstudent. Now paralyzed and in manyways imprisoned in her body, she stillcommunicates trust in God and anenduring hope. She is the prayer warriorof the family. And her husband Philconsistently displays the fruit of theSpirit in his kind loving care of Carolyn.

The story of the life of every Christianis that God is love and we are blessed tobe the object of His focus and redeem-ing love. And since He created us in Hisimage, and as He restores us after the

damage of sin, we become more likeHim; we love. The Thompson family is a

testimony that when we walk in victory,we love as God loves.

You can see the Alumni of theYear presentation and a video updateon campus expansion from CIU

President Bill Jones by visitingwww.ciu.edu/alumni. I


Alumni Connection

Victorious Christian Living

Exemplified by Alumni of the YearBy Dr. Roy KingDirector of CIU Alumni Ministries

CIU President Bill Jones introduces Alumni of the Year (from left) Carolyn ThompsonAyers and her husband Phil, Allen Thompson and his wife Marilyn, Paul Thompson

and his wife Carol, and Honorary Alumni Grace Thompson Lehman and LesLehman. The Lehmans were named honorary alumni for over 20 years of service atBen Lippen School in Asheville and Columbia.

The story of the life of every Christian is thatGod is love and we are blessed to be theobject of His focus and redeeming love.


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:: Autumn 2009 :: 19

Resources

New Books Authored by CIU ProfessorsFor information on purchasing these books, contact the CIU Bookstore at (800) 777-2227, ext. 5263 or [email protected].

The Passion of the

Servant by Don N.

Howell Jr.

Dr. Don Howell, aprofessor of New

Testament in ColumbiaInternational UniversitySeminary & School ofMissions, describes the

gospels as Passion narratives with extendedintroductions. Howells studies of the gospelsfollow the life of Jesus in a chronologicalsequence while attempting to preserve theunique contribution of each of the gospel

accounts. Jesus is portrayed as King andcovenant keeper (Matthew), asobedient Son-servant (Mark), as the

perfect Man among men (Luke), andas the eternal Son of God (John), the

only person ever born whose centralpurpose in living was to die. Published

by Wipf and Stock.

Ephesians: A Handbook

on the Greek

Text by William

J. Larkin

Author Dr. William J.Bill Larkin is a professorof Bible, Greek and NewTestament in CIU Seminary& School of Missions. Hislatest work is a convenient, accessible hand-book that reveals and explains the intricaciesof the Greek text of Ephesians. With refer-ences to current scholarly debates relating tothe language of certain verses, Larkin explainsthe syntax of the biblical text, offers guidancefor deciding between competing semanticanalyses, deals with text-critical questions, and

more. Published by Baylor University Press.

Putting Together the Puzzle of the New

Testament by Columbia International

University President Bill Jones

The latest book by CIU President Bill Jones willhelp you piece together the New Testament. Its a

ministry tool that traces the events that occur ineach of the eight historical periods of the NewTestament, and follows the same format as itsprequel, Putting Together the Puzzle of the OldTestament. The book answers six investigative

questions for each period: What, How, When, Where, Who and Why?The Why? sections highlight Gods heart forthe nations which climaxes in thebook of Revelation when one future

day in heaven representatives fromevery tribe, tongue and nation willworship our Lord Jesus Christ as theKing of Kings and Lord of Lords. Thebook is published by Authentic Media.

Studies on the Go by David

Olshine

Dr. David Olshine, the director ofColumbia International Universitys YouthMinistry Department has written two new books with thebusy youth worker in mind. Proverbs and Philippians,Colossians, First and Second Thessalonians are a part of ZondervansStudies on the Go series. The books provide scriptural depth andsubstance to be tackled in a manageable timeframe.

Mission in the Way of Paul: Biblical Mission for the

Church in the Twenty-First Century byChristopher R. Little

CIU professor of Intercultural Studies, Dr.Christopher R. Little encourages the church to take aserious look at the missiological methods of theApostle Paul. This book demonstrates that when thechurch engages in cross-cultural mission and

ignores Pauline methods, it places unnecessaryobstacles in the path of the missionary initiative.Published by Peter Lang Publishing Group.


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2008-09 Annual Report

Columbia International University2008-2009 Annual Report

od is doing amazing thingsat Columbia InternationalUniversity. The 2008-2009fiscal year was the largest

giving year in thehistory of CIU.Despite the

economic storm that our nationhas been facing, faithful donorswho believe in CIU have beenvery generous. To them we saythank you.

As you review the figures inthe following pages, be sure tothank God for His faithfulnessto Columbia InternationalUniversity and its other ministries, BenLippen School and radio stations

WMHK in Columbia and New Life 91.9in Charlotte, N.C. Read the testimonies,and remember that they represent

about 1,000 other students in theUndergraduate School, GraduateSchool and Seminary & School ofMissions and about 800 students

who attend BenLippen School ingrades PreK-12.Meanwhile, CIUsradio stations reachthousands of peoplein the Carolinasdaily.

Please join mein praise for theresources Godis so graciously

supplying to CIU and its ministries.

Frank Bedell,

Director of Development

Margo Williams Columbia, S.C.

My passion is to teach at aseminary while mobilizing

African-Americans to serve inglobal missions.

Ji Sung Lee South Korea

God called me to preach the gospel

and make disciples of Christ toexpand His Kingdom. I have a specialpassion in preaching the Word. I willpreach the Word until the day of Hisreturn or the day of my homegoing.

$11.5 million

$12.2 million

$700,0

00

The 2008-2009fiscal year

was thelargest giving

year in thehistory of CIU.

Quasi-endowmentvalues grew $700,000

from $11.5 million to$12.2 million


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Financial ReportAudited financial statements of Columbia International University are available for inspectionon ciu.edu/impact/auditorsreport09.pdf. Independent auditors: CapinCrouse, L.L.P.

Corporate Gift Amount Pledge Donor CountUniversity $3,823,201 $6,480,000 2,010

Ben Lippen $413,841 $6,625 553

WMHK $977,350 0 3,043

WRCM $1,533,508 $199,726 3,441

$6,747,900 $6,686,351 9,047

Total gift income, including pledges = $13,434,251

:: Autumn 2009 :: 21

General Operations

$98,278

Annual Fund$2,299,024Capital Projects

$520,592

Estate

$54,892

Endowment/Quasi Endowment

$794,708

Donor Advised Funds

$55,707

Annual Fund$214,638

Athletics

$5,850

Financial Assistance

$171,447

Special Projects$3,600

Capital Projects

$18,305Operating$971,256

Special Funds$6,094

WRCMWMHK

Operating$1,281,529

Special Funds

$40,359Capital Projects$211,620

UniversityFunds Gift Amount

Annual Fund $2,299,024

Capital Projects $520,592

Estate $54,892

Endowment/Quasi Endowment $794,708

Donor Advised Funds $55,707General Operations $98,278

$3,823,201

Ben Lippen SchoolFunds Gift Amount

Annual Fund $214,638

Athletics $5,850

Financial Assistance $171,447

Special Projects $3,600

Capital Projects $18,305$413,841

WMHKFunds Gift AmountOperating $971,256

Special Funds $6,094

WRCMFunds Gift AmountOperating $1,281,529

Special Funds $40,359

Capital Projects $211,620

David McVicker Ben Lippen School Instructor

This year, we have been blessed with some new techno-

logical tools at Ben Lippen School. All teachers at everygrade level have been issued new laptop computers. Wealso now have Middle and High School computer labs outfit-ted with computers, campus-wide Wi-Fi, and class sets ofiPod Touch devices available for teacher use.

While the new technology tools are helping us in ourquest to go from a good school to a great school, teach-ers are still the most important part of a students classroomexperience; teachers who carefully and intentionally use

technology as a tool.

Bob Radio Station Listener

I started listening to the station in

April 2001. I had just come out of back-sliding and began seeking Jesus likenever before. The station is a blessingand the music really ministers to me. Ifind myself listening to it every time Ihave the opportunity.

A higher standard.

A higher purpose.


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New Student Housing NextColumbia International University is taking steps toward

campus expansion to accommodate future growth. New studenthousing, new athletic facilities and additional academic build-ings are planned for the center of the 400-acre campus.

Initial grading and infrastructure development costing $2.2million is underway, most of it funded by an anonymous donor.

The grading covers approximately 26 acres and is expected tobe complete in thespring.

The expansionplans, which havebeen in develop-ment for over twoyears, aredesigned to accel-

erate CIUspurpose: Toeducate peoplefrom a biblicalworldview toimpact the nationswith the messageof Christ.

Already, two

residence hallshave beencompletely remodeled and refurbished. The university has alsoreceived a multi-year pledge of $4.5 million as a matching giftfor specific projects.

Keith Marion, senior vice president for development andoperations, said the next phase is new student housing for thosewho currently live off campus. This will provide them theopportunity to be more fully integrated into campus life, and the

opportunities for spiritual growth and fellowship afforded tothose who live in the residence halls, Marion said.

CIU Student ApartmentsSpiritual growth and fellowship is part of CIUs educational

triad: head, hands and heart. Much of the spiritual formation ofthe heart is developed through life on campus as students inter-act, challenge and mentor one another. There are nearly 400CIU students currently living off campus. A recent survey showsthat 80 percent of them would prefer to live on campus if afford-

able campus apartments were available.On the drawing board is an $8.2

million apartment communitylocated within walking distancefrom the center of campus. Rentalrates will be competitive to apart-ment complexes off campus.Other benefits to the studentsinclude: no commuting to class,

safety, and access to campusamenities such as the MooreFitness Center, the library, anddining hall. On-campus eventssuch as chapel will be moreaccessible to the students andtheir spouses. A community build-ing will provide an atmosphere forstudents to interact and will

feature space for social events,private study groups, kitchenette,and conference room. A green area will feature picturesquefountains with trails and paths leading from the apartmentcommunity to other areas of campus.

After the grading of the 26 acres under development iscomplete, expansion plans for other academic and buildingpriorities will be announced.

By creating this new developable area, the university now

has a canvas on which to plan its future, Marion said.I


2008-09 Annual Report

The Future of CIU is TakingShape TodayLand Development Underway

Current campus

Future athletic fields

Future housing

Future academic buildings


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:: Autumn 2009 :: 23

Artist rendering of CIU apartment community.

There are nearly 400 CIU students currently living off campus.A recent survey shows that 80 percent of them would prefer

to live on campus if affordable campus apartments were available.


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7435 Monticello Rd. PO Box 3122Columbia, SC 29230-3122

803.754.4100 Toll Free 1.800.777.2227www.ciu.edu

Address Service Requested

ConnectionVolume IX, No. 2 Autumn 2009

Non-Profit OrgUS Postage PAID

Columbia, SCPermit 129

Undergraduate Graduate SeminaryBen Lippen School 89.7 WMHK New Life 91.9

ciu connection autumn 2009

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