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FALL 2009

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Dr. Jim Eckman, PresidentI just fi nished reading Ronald C. White, Jr.’s recently pub-lished and masterful biography of Abraham Lincoln. White focuses on the decision-making processes of Lincoln and on a detailed analysis of Lincoln’s speeches—both his rhetoric and his oratory. What impressed me the most was White’s insights into Lincoln’s theology. Lincoln did not join a church but, while president, he regularly attended the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C., which was pastored by Phineas Densmore Gurley. Gurley studied at Princeton Theological Seminary under the great Calvinist scholar, Charles Hodge. Gurley stressed God’s providence in the affairs of men and thereby strengthened Lincoln’s deep-seated commitment to the providence of Almighty God. Phrases and arguments that were a part of Gurley’s sermons inched themselves into Lincoln’s speeches.

At some point during the latter part of Lincoln’s presidency, he wrote, on a small piece of paper, his thoughts on the question of the presence of God during the Civil War: “In the present civil war it is quite possible that God’s purpose is something different from the purpose of either party—and yet human instrumentalities, working just as they do, are of the best adaptation to effect His purpose.” This piece was not found until after Lincoln’s death.

Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address is perhaps the greatest and most profound address ever delivered by an American president. In the address, he concentrated on God as the primary actor in the Civil War. He described God’s actions: “He now wills to remove... He gives to both North and South, this terrible war... Yet, if God wills that it continue.” He ob-served that both sides in this terrible war “read the same Bible and pray to the same God.” In the 701 words of his address, Lincoln mentioned God 14 times, quoted from the Bible 4 times and invoked prayer 3 times. Quoting from Matthew 18:7, Lincoln decreed that God can also be the au-thor of judgment, and the Civil War should be understood in that way. In this remarkable address, Lincoln made an

A Non-Church

Culture In

Need Of Leaders

unexpected political and religious move. Speaking on the eve of military victory in 1865, when many expected him to celebrate the successes of the Union, he called upon his audience to recognize a perilous evil in their midst. Instead of self-congratulation, he asked his fel-low citizens for self-analysis. Because of the horrifi c na-ture of slavery, the nation deserved God’s discipline. He reminded his audience that the stain of slavery was en-meshed in the very fabric of American history—from the beginning. As White observes, “His images reached their zenith in ‘until every drop of blood drawn with the lash, shall be paid by another drawn with the sword.’” The sword of military battle was the judgment of God. Lincoln concluded his address: “With malice toward none, with charity for all, with fi rmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to fi nish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his or-phan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.” He championed forgiveness and reconciliation—key virtues, sourced in God—for a lasting peace!

Lincoln was the most remarkable president this nation has ever had. He did not give simple answers to complex questions. He wrestled with his theology but saw God’s providence in everything. He believed that a President must lead and must challenge the nation’s citizens to be virtuous and righteous. And, in doing so, he never hesitated to refer to God and to Scripture. Our nation desperately needs leaders such as Lincoln.

This is the mission of Grace University: Raising up a new generation who believe that to serve is to lead and to lead is to serve. But these new generational leaders will face a challenging culture. I coordinate an annual meeting of the Midwest ABHE Presidents. [ABHE stands for the Association for Biblical Higher Education, one of the ac-crediting associations of Grace University.] At that meet-ing in late September, the ABHE President, Dr. Ralph En-low, shared that 85% of American churches are stagnant in terms of growth, while only 15% are actually growing. Hence, graduates from institutions like Grace are going out into a “non-church culture.” More than anything, this development refl ects the lack of institutional com-mitment for Postmodern people. Life is all about me and my needs, not about institutions. There is therefore little institutional loyalty among this Postmodern generation. In much of North America, the church is not as relevant in peoples’ lives as it once was. Historian and cultural critic, Leonard Sweet, has suggested that in this Post-modern world being experiential, participatory, image-rich and connective is what the Postmodern is seeking. The technology that permeates our culture feeds these sentiments.

So, what do we do? Historically, institutions such as Grace University have been a product of and a catalyst for spiritual movements of God. Perhaps we need to re-energize this focus. Are we alert to these spiritual movements? As Grace’s President, I am asking this very question. Spiritual renewal comes from the church, not the state. Whatever the vocation of this new generation of leaders now studying at Grace, I want them to have a deep-seated, overwhelming commitment to the church. For that reason, our focus is on servant leadership and life change—phrases central to our mission. Pray for us! Support us! Speak well of us! We desire to raise up change agents who love, lead and serve the church.

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Mens SoccerWhat a difference a year makes . . . right. This time last year the Royals soccer team fi nished with 8 players. This year GU travels with 15 guys on the active roster. “I’m able to sub players in at crucial times and this makes our team stay energized. As a soccer coach, I appreciate each of the players and their hearts to play hard each game” says Coach McNeel. In one three game stretch, the Royals beat Cen-tral Bible College 5-0, tied Barclay 1-1,

WOMens VolleyballIt is not even the middle of October and the Lady Royals have already taken part in four volleyball tournaments. They have garnered two 2nd places fi nish-es and a 1st place fi nish. “This has helped us improve our mental game which is important since we are a young team that lost four seniors from last year’s National Tournament Qualifi er,” says Coach Taulborg. They have had a busy fall playing traditional NCCAA ri-vals like Manhattan, Faith Baptist, and

Nebraska Christian. However, they have also competed against NAIA schools like Sioux Falls, Mt. Marty, and College of St. Mary. Although their record doesn’t re-fl ect the success they have experienced as a team, their National Ranking does as the Lady Royals are ranked 6th nationally in the NCCAA Division II. The Regional tournament is coming up as the team will travel to Springfi eld, MO on October 26-31 to once again compete for a trip to the National Tournament in Florida.

and beat Calvary Bible College 4-0. The team is demonstrating the art of team work in soccer. “The guys are coming together as a team and they are working well together,” Coach McNeel said. The big end of the year test will come at Regionals, when the team travels down to Springfi eld, MO October 26-31 to compete for a spot at the National Soccer Tournament in Florida.

NEW! Royals WebsiteVISIT THE REDESIGNED HOME OF THE GRACE ROYALSWWW.GRACEROYALS.COM

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JourneyJourneyto theto the

landlandof theof theBible...As Grace University’s President, it is my privilege to lead an annual tour of Israel, which this year was in September. The tour is a comprehensive one, focusing on such important sites as Caesarea, Megiddo, Mt. Carmel, Tiberias, Caper-naum, Chorazin, Bethsaida, Qumran, the Dead Sea, Masada, En Gedi, Beer-sheba, and three full days in Jerusalem. The time in Jerusalem stresses the min-istry of Jesus in this wonderful city, so central to Judaism, Islam and Christian-ity. Much emphasis is given to Temple Mount and the area immediately sur-rounding the Mount. The South Steps of the Temple are now open and one can walk the very steps Jesus would have walked to get to the Temple. On the west side of Temple Mount is the very street Jesus would have walked, which connected the Temple with the pool of Siloam to the south. When we looked at the enormous stones hurled off Temple Mount by the Roman sol-diers, the words of Jesus, “. . . Truly, I say to you, not one stone here shall be left upon another, which will not be torn down,” came alive.

As always, one of the most special sites of Jerusalem is to stand on the Mount of Olives, east of the Old City. It was a beautiful day—bright and sparkling. From that Mount, I preached on the words of Jesus in the Olivet Discourse of Matthew 24-25. We looked across the Kidron Valley and viewed the eastern gate, now walled shut. Most scholars believe this is the gate through which Jesus will enter Jerusalem when He re-turns. We viewed the “pinnacle” (the southeast corner of Temple Mount), where Satan tempted Jesus. Then we walked down the valley to Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed as His disciples slept. There is an olive tree in the gar-den, which many believe dates to the time of Jesus. Our devotional in the Garden focused on the prayer life and ministry of Jesus.

One other special and treasured mo-ment of this year’s tour was the bap-tism. Each year, I hold a baptismal service in the Jordan River. This year, every single member of the tour group wanted to be baptized. What a special

moment! As we had our service, we prayed, sang and worshipped in the Jordan. For some, it was a special time of spiritual renewal in their lives. Each year, I conclude our time in Israel with a commu-nion service at the Garden Tomb, north of the Old City in Jerusalem. What a unique way to end our tour!

If you are interested in traveling to Israel with me, please call my of-fi ce and plan to join me for a time of spiritual renewal in the Land of the Bible.

Grace University’s Fast Track Teacher Certifi cation Program offers college graduates the opportunity to obtain a state-licensed teaching endorsement in as little as 12 months. Our program integrates classroom management techniques and technology skills with a strong biblical worldview that stu-dents have come to expect from a Grace University educa-tion. Students are prepared to serve both locally and interna-tionally in a Christ-honoring manner—whether they teach in a public, private, or parochial school environment.

This post-baccalaureate, blended-learning program also of-fers existing teachers an excellent opportunity to continue their professional development by exploring key educational topics, trends, and techniques at the graduate level.G

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This is a new major de-signed to give enough mu-sic and pastoral classwork to fully prepare the student to lead worship in public settings. The concentra-tion offers another study area to foster worship in a relevant way.

Ministry and music have always been strong pro-grams at Grace; this now gives another choice for the student. Professor Rich Ramsey stated that, “It equips them across several ministry areas, teaching, preaching, counseling and leadership.”

Dr. Eckman baptises Connie Lusk in the Jordan River

Photos by Dr. Rod Lusk

November is a month of cool weather, the beginning of the holiday season and Thanksgiving. For Jose Co-varrubias and

Isabelle (Tapsoba) Covarrubias, it is a month of life change. They both came to the United States on November 3rd. The difference was Jose came from Tepic, Nayart, Mexico and Isabelle from Ouagadougou, Kadiogo, Africa in 2002 and 2003, respectively. They both come from a family of 8 siblings (5 boys and 3 girls).

It is 2007 and they are attending Grace. Jose is studying Intercultural Business and Isabelle is studying ac-counting. They have met and begin dating in November, two weeks after the anniversary date of their coming to the United States. In December of 2008, Jose proposes to Isabelle and she accepts. They begin making plans for the wedding to be held in Jose’s hometown in Mexico.

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Wedding AbroadIn the spring of 2009, Jose goes with the Edge Program to Mali, Africa. While there, Jose asks if he could fl y to Isabelle’s hometown to meet her family. It is just an hour fl ight. Before he goes, Jose contacts Isa-belle to have her fl y back home and be married in Ouagadougou. She agrees and fl ies to Africa at the end of June 2009. July 18, 2009, Jose and Isabelle are married in a tra-ditional church in her hometown. There is no doubt; God is directly guiding their lives. Two people are brought together from very differ-ent worlds and 6000 plus miles of separation to a small campus in the Midwest and God blesses them with their soulmate.

Jose will graduate in 2011 and Isa-belle this December 2009. They plan on staying in the United States after graduation, unless God sets another plan in front of them.

This is one of the many heartwarm-ing stories that are part of Grace University’s culture.

Legacy StudentsGrace University, among its many traditions, has another: legacy students. It is a testament of any school to have parents and family members rec-ommend their alma maters to their families. The other side of that is the students choose to come to Grace. It is very common to fi nd 2nd and even 3rd generation students attending. The picture shows a few that were part of the Welcome Week this past August. There are many more on the campus and we are blessed for the family referrals. It is a great honor to have these deep roots in the Grace Uni-versity family.

From left to right starting in the back row is Katie Hofer, Liz Nickel, Joelle Friesen, Charles Boehr, Steven Goodale, Janna Nickel, Zach Goodsell. Front row left to right: Janae Hofer, Andrew Hillmer, Byron Reimer, John Myer, Jeff Doerksen, Matthew Colegrove.

Festival of Christmas Dinner and ConcertGrace University Music Department & Grace University Foundation Board presents:

Joslyn Art Museum, 2200 Dodge St. Dinner: 6:00pm | Concert: 7:30pmFeaturing: Grace University Community Concert Band Grace University ChoraleSpecial guests: Papillion-LaVista South High School Concert Choir

Friday December 4, 2009

Save The DateRegister Online at: www.GraceUniversity.com/christmas or call Deb at 402.449.2819

Memorials

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The Season for Giving . . .There is typically a surge in giving to Grace University in November and December. Hopefully, partnering with Grace University in developing servant leaders is high on your generous gift giving list.We are thankful for the increase in stu-dent enrollment. Most students depend on some scholarship help and a signifi cant amount of this was given to them from the operations budget – from the generous support of friends and alumni. There is a direct correlation between the scholarship awards and the enrollment numbers. Your gift in this season helps replenish the op-erations fund to launch the next semester.

Why give now? Maybe this personal story will illustrate the point I want to make. My wife’s birthday happened to be on Labor Day this year. We were in North Dakota helping my daughter and son-in-law with the harvest. There was a light rain early in the weekend so we did not work late on Saturday. That evening my daughter said, “I bought a big ice-cream cake for moth-er’s birthday. Should we start on that now or wait till Monday?” I said, “Of course we should start now because Jesus may return on Sunday afternoon and we will never get any of it!” They thought it was funny, but in reality we may be delaying the gift we could be making, because we think we have lots of time left to make the gift. If the Holy Spirit nudges you to give, do not delay.

At this festive time of year, most peo-ple don’t think about taxes. However, as the year winds down so do opportuni-ties to save on taxes. With this economy many people have postponed their giving to year-end. Now’s the time. A gift today counts just as much as one made earlier in the year.

As long as you make a gift to Grace Univer-sity on or by December 31, your gift counts for your 2009 taxes and reduces the tax burden you’ll have when paying taxes next year. Gifts can be in the form of cash, stock or other assets. A gift by check or cash is the easiest, but with a little planning we can help you make gifts with other assets such as real estate, jewelry, stock or com-modities. Appreciated assets such as stock not only offer you an income tax deduc-tion, but also give you capital gains ben-efi ts. With property gifts it is important that you transfer these assets to Grace Univer-sity and not sell them. Please call us when you are considering a gift other than cash. Also remember that the IRA rollover provi-sion will end at the end of 2009. Likely there will not be an extension of this op-portunity.

GIFTS THAT WILL LOWER YOUR

TAXES:1. CASH2. APPRECIATED STOCK3. GOLD OR JEWELRY4. REAL PROPERTY5. LIFE INSURANCE

Contact Mel Friesen: 402.449.2877 or mfriesen@graceu.edu website: www.gracegive.org

Walter Ediger Anonymous Best Collision, Inc Gary and Linda Danderfi eld Alan and Olivia Drake Bradley and Anne Fisher Mr and Mrs Leland Flickinger Betty Flynt Rev and Mrs Melvin R Friesen Bob and Betty Hamby Mike and Rita Hurd Gary and Debra Matteri Edwin and Lorene Pauls Chris and Alice Rider Ruth Schrag Rev and Mrs Floyd R Thiessen Lucinda Walters Washington School Jerry and Jeanette Weatherhold John and Jennie Younkin

Patsy Barnes Paul Weigle

Lena Eitzen Erwin Rempel

Florence Stone Wendell Holmes

Timothy Buschman ‘ 82Eugene Busenitz ‘58William Dahlenburg ‘46Evelyn (Thiessen) Ens ‘50Glen Epp ‘47Fernando Fast ‘50Marie (Krigor) Flickner ‘48Leora (Childerston) Goff ‘54Joe Hofer ‘52Marcella (Steiner) Huether ‘59Shirley (Kliewer) Otteson ‘72Yvonne (Luckert) Phillips ‘78Elmer Quiring ‘46Ruth Sprunger ‘55Gareth Stoesz ‘59Harry Wiens ‘47

Honorariums

Beverly Byrd

Melba Westerfi eld

Memorial and Honorarium gifts are ways to honor and remember a loved one while also furthering the educa-tional mission of Grace University.

To learn more about Grace Univer-sity’s Memorial and Honorarium Gifts Program, please call our Development Offi ce at: (877) 447-2238 or (402) 449-2813.

UPCOMING EVENTS

CONTACT GRACECONTACT GRACE::www.graceuniversity.eduwww.graceroyals.comwww.issuesinperspective.comdevelopment@graceu.edualumni@graceu.edu

October 30 October 30 Band Festival Concert (Suckau Chapel)Band Festival Concert (Suckau Chapel)

December 4December 4Festival of Christmas (Dinner & Concert)Festival of Christmas (Dinner & Concert)

January 4-15January 4-15Winter SessionWinter Session

January 19January 19Grad & TUG classes beginGrad & TUG classes begin

January 21-23January 21-23GodspellGodspell

March 28-29March 28-29Royals DaysRoyals Days

April 11-12April 11-12G.R.A.C.E. DaysG.R.A.C.E. Days

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Most recently from central Nebraska, by way of Omaha, Mexico, Kansas, California, Japan, Texas, and Virgin-ia, Stephen Jones joined the ranks of Grace University’s full time faculty

this year. Jones is a graduate of Grace’s Bible and Intercultural Studies (B.A.) and Bible and Business Administration (B.S.) programs. After graduation he worked with the Boy Scouts and held positions ranging from a hotel clerk in Omaha to cowhand at the foot of the Sandhills. He is married to Jennie and has two chil-dren, Rosemarie and Owen. Jones pursued his Masters of Arts in In-tercultural Relations at a program co-ordinated between the University of the Pacifi c (Stockton, CA) and the Intercul-tural Communication Institute (Portland, OR).

Jones has focused his graduate studies and research in the area of Global Ser-vice-Learning, which is a perfect match

Welcome Week

for Grace University’s dynamic 6-month EDGE program, which itself is a global service-learning endeavor. Jones is excited to be directing the Grace University Intercultural Studies Program. He traveled to Mali to teach in May 2007 and again in February and May of 2009 before joining the faculty full-time. He is passionate about helping our students to understand how to engage in mission in a changing world, and is especially excited about the opportunity to consider how our educational process can help students to interact responsibly with the Christian church which is now dominated by the global south. He is grateful for the rela-tionship we have with the EEPM Church in Mali, which gracefully hosts our students and helps them to understand missions from a broader and biblically integrated perspective.

Favorite Season: FallFavorite Airline: AirFranceFavorite Cheese: CamembertFavorite Past Job: CowboyFavorite Movie: Lord of the Rings TrilogyFavorite Bible Verse: 2 Cor 3:17-18

Stephen Jones

Justin BroganI started my journey with Grace Uni-versity as an EXCEL student then went on into the MA in Counseling Program where I graduated in May 2005. I re-cently defended my dissertation at Re-gent University in Counselor Education and Supervision.

I come to GU from the Glenwood Re-source Center, as a Psychologist II I served people with intellectual dis-abilities. I enjoy golfi ng with my father, working around the house, playing table tennis (see you at the table), and spend-

ing time with my family (my greatest passion). I started with GU as an Adjunct Professor in the EXCEL Program. Current-ly, I work in the Counseling Program, but hope to see other students around cam-pus, so feel free to say HI sometime!!

My wife Mandy and I have been married for 12 years and we have two wonderful children, Coral 5 and Aedan 1 1/2. We attend First Christian and my favorite Bi-ble verse is Matthew 11:12. I’m glad to be part of GU and I’m really looking forward to seeing you around campus!!

New Faculty Spotlight

Summer is over and the new group of freshman converged on the Grace campus: This is Welcome Week. New places, new faces. The week is full of activities that allow the student to meet their new classmates and get to know the professors.

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Phone 402.449.2941Fax 402.449.2925

www.GraceUniversity.edu

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This past July marked Grace’s 4th Annual Golf4Grace event. This years’ special host was Wal-ly Armstrong (www.wallyarm-strong.com). He has played in over 300 PGA events and is now an inspirational speaker and au-thor.

Eighty-four golfers teed off at Indian Creek Golf Course af-ter Wally gave a fun and help-ful morning clinic. The weather was cool and overcast - a very pleasant surprise in the heat of the summer. Wally played a hole with all the golfers and gave each one a personalized, signed copy of his book, “The Mulli-gan”. Once again, the Wood-house Auto Family furnished a “hole in one” prize of a car. There were over 25 hole spon-

sors, with return Event Sponsor, the Orizon Group. After the golf, the participants were treated to dinner. During that time, Wally gave an inspirational message about golf, his faith and how he is able to minister to people.

The Golf4Grace event raises awareness of Grace University’s programs and presence in the Omaha area. The proceeds from this event are fed right back into the university to strength-en scholarships and programs. Grace thanks all the sponsors and the committee for their work in making another successful event. Committee members: Doug Troupe, Chuck Sigerson, Craig Wilkins, Scott Miner, Jim Jacoby, Chris Pruitt and John Hundahl.

Wally correcting Judah’s swing