Dr. Sonny Guild honoring June and Ira Hill

World Wide Witness

This is the second year of the World Wide Witness program. The purpose of WWW is to encourage students to serve God through short-term missions involvement with experienced mentors. Two tracks are available: summer internships of six to ten weeks, and after-graduation apprenticeships of six to eighteen months. Students are expected to serve the missionaries and local churches, to study language and culture, and to develop their spirituality and practical ministry skills by observing and listening to the missionary supervisors and national church leaders, as well as by trying things out for themselves. Over 30 students served as interns during the summer of 2002. This year there are 35 students planning to take part in summer internships through WWW. These students represent twenty different majors. Four students are from universities other than ACU (Howard Payne, Louisiana State, North Carolina, and Harding). Students are going to thirteen countries on six continents. Four students will be entering the longer apprentice program this year, three going to Africa and one to Thailand. Wimon Walker (missions faculty) and Gary Green(missions coordinator for Latin America) direct the World Wide Witness program. The WWW program provides practical experience now and helps students determine the degree of their future involvement in missions. Many full-time missionaries, like Jay and Cathy Ables, began their missions journey with an apprenticeship/internship program like WWW. Our prayer is that missions will find a permanent place within the hearts of these young men and women and that many of them will become full-time missionaries.

We Join Forces Again With the Mental Research Institute

For the second year in a row, the Department of Marriage & Family Therapy at Abilene Christian University joins forces with the Mental Research Institute of Palo Alto California to bring a live, interactive graduate level course to Abilene.

The Mental Research Institute was the first research and training institute for the field of Marriage & Family Therapy in the world. Names synonymous with the field, like Don D. Jackson, MD; Virginia Satir, MSW; John Weakland; Jay Haley, Paul Watzlawick, Ph.D.; Richard Fisch, MD; Lynn Hoffman; and a host of others were trained and worked at the Mental Research Institute. It is largely through the works of these individuals, their research and writings that the field of Marriage and Family Therapy was born. The Department of Marriage and Family Therapy at Abilene Christian University has developed a collaborative relationship with the Mental Research Institute, and its director Dr. Wendel Ray, to bring our graduate students face to face with many of the original theoreticians and founders of our field. Peter D. Bradley, Ph.D., who is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Marriage & Family Therapy at Abilene Christian University, has also been named Teaching Faculty with the Mental Research Institute. Dr. Bradley is leading this project and is working to develop further collaboration with the Mental Research Institute.

The importance of this relationship has many facets. It allows our graduate students the opportunity to interact with several of the leaders and founders of their chosen profession. Many of the textbooks used in their graduate education were either written by or make reference to the work of these people. This course also puts ACU's program in the forefront as prospective students compare our program with other universities, as well as in our integration of technology in graduate education. Although this course is not currently required in the degree program it was proven to be a success, and the department anticipates higher attendance this year. Last years course drew professionals from the Houston, Dallas and greater Abilene area as well as from ACU graduate students.

This year's course will offer mental health professionals the opportunity to receive continuing education credit for any portion of the course they choose to attend. Adding this option will allow graduate students and professionals from around the state to take further advantage of this unique opportunity. This course will be offered in a three-weekend format. The dates will be June 6 & 7; June 20 & 21; and June 27 & 28.

For more information please e-mail Peter D. Bradley, Ph.D. at Bradley@bible.acu.edu or call the Department of Marriage & Family Therapy at (325) 674-3778.

Youth and Family Ministry Skills Seminar

ACU's Center for Youth and Family Ministry is offering an intensive skills seminar for youth ministers who are struggling or did not receive much formal training in youth ministry. This will not be a general seminar in youth ministry skills. Prior to the seminar, the youth minister and church leadership will complete evaluations. This will help us target the unique growth areas for each minister. The seminar will provide opportunities to show development in those skill areas.

Areas of evaluation will be: Organization, Teaching Skills, Written Communication, Relational Ability, Program Development, Creativity, Conflict Resolution, Ministry to Parents, Elder Relationships, Counseling Skills, Volunteer Recruitment, Volunteer Equipping, and Financial Management.

Each minister will be expected to bring samples of their written material, class lessons, and a case study they are currently handling in their ministry. All work will be peer reviewed by other youth ministers and by Robert Oglesby. We want to build a safe environment to learn and grow together.

Schedule

May 12th 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
May 13th 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Cost: $175.00 (Three meals, snacks, and drinks included in registration fee)

Class sizes will be limited to promote a safe and intimate learning community of ministers.

All sessions will be held in the ACU Bible Building.

Who Facilitates the Seminar? Robert Oglesby will lead this seminar. He has been involved in youth ministry for over 20 years in the local church. He was the youth & family minister at the Southern Hills Church in Abilene, TX for 15 years. He continues to serve that same church part-time as a Family Minister for the last 5 years. Robert continues his involvement with youth as a Sr. High Life Group leader, a co-director of a 4th-8th grade summer camp, and coordinates Trek groups each summer.

Robert currently teaches full-time at ACU in the Bible department. The youth ministry department is the largest academic trainer of youth ministers in the country. He is a consultant to churches and youth ministers around the nation. Robert Oglesby

Next Skills Seminar: August 2003

The Doctor of Ministry Program: Comings and Goings

We have eight new students beginning the program this June: 1) Michael Harbour, Houston, Texas Michael is currently the senior minister for the Southeast Church of Christ in Houston. He completed his masters here at ACU. 2) Bryan Brigham, Abilene, Texas Bryan works with the singles ministry of the Beltway Park Baptist Church in Abilene. He completed both his M.Div. and his MA at Logsdon School of Theology, Hardin-Simmons University. 3) Gregg Marutzky, Coppell, Texas Gregg is employed by the DFW Church of Christ in Carrollton, Texas, where he serves as the church evangelist. He comes to us with an M.Div. from Pepperdine University, Malibu, California. 4) Allen Burris, Mitchell, Indiana Allen serves the Mitchell Church of Christ as their senior minister. His masters was completed at David Lipscomb University, Nashville, Tennessee. 5) Kelvin Kelley, Abilene, Texas Kelvin is currently the senior pastor of the Mount Zion Baptist Church in Abilene. He also completed an M.Div. and MA at Logsdon School of Theology. 6) Jeff Christian, Tyler, Texas Jeff serves as the preaching minister for the Glenwood Church of Christ. He completed all of his masters' work at ACU. 7) Jonathan Camp, Little Rock, Arkansas John works with the Little Rock Church as their minister of outreach. He completed his M.Div. degree with Harding Graduate School of Religion, Memphis, Tennessee. 8) John Grant, Norman, Oklahoma John is employed by the Alameda Church of Christ in Norman, Oklahoma, where he serves as the discipling minister. John also completed his M.Div. with ACU.

On May 10, we will have two new Doctors of Ministry: 1) Dr. John Knox, Woodward, Oklahoma John has served as the senior minister for the Fifth Street Church of Christ in Woodward for the past five years. The focus of his final project was "the development of a Christian crisis response team equipped to provide ministry to individuals traumatized by the onset of a critical incident." 2) Dr. Paul Fike, Canton, Texas Paul is completing his second year as the pulpit minister of the Canton Church of Christ. His final project focused on the formation of a leadership team for his congregation.

For more information regarding the Doctor of Ministry Program at ACU, please call (325) 674-3732 or email ministry@bible.acu.edu.

Prepared for the Reign of God: ACU Summer Workshop, July 24-26, 2003

"The time is fulfilled," Jesus preached, "and the kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe the good news" (Mark 1:15). Hear the astonishing news! In Jesus, God has ushered in a new day. This new day is not limited by death or sin or human conflict. This is a day marked by the characteristics of God: peace, justice, and love. Good news. "Repent and believe the good news." The kingdom of God is not business as usual. We cannot remain the same and welcome the reign of God. We must turn our lives in a new direction so that we can be formed in the shape of the kingdom. The church has the awesome responsibility of forming people for the kingdom of God.

At this year's Summer Workshop, Mike Cope of Highland Church of Christ in Abilene will challenge us with a call to kingdom repentance and suggest ways our churches can prepare people for the reign of God. Featured speaker for the Children's Workshop will be Shelley Neilson, Portland, Oregon and will be addressing "The Reign of God and the Formation of Children." Eddie Sharp of University Church of Christ in Abilene will present "The Reign of God in the Faith Formation" for the Adult portion of our workshop.

We trust the theme speakers, classroom teachers, and other programs will provide you with beneficial information and biblical inspiration. And we hope you take time to acquaint yourself with ACU, meet new friends, and visit with old acquaintances. Thanks again for coming. - Dr. Mark Love, Director of Ministry Events

Registration Fee $30
New this year! We will provide registered guests with an armband that will allow them access to a complimentary dinner Friday evening and discounts at participating vendor exhibits. Please register by using the Registration and Housing Forms on our web site or in the printed brochure. Registration will begin at 1 p.m. Thursday, July 24, in McGlothlin Campus Center. Register online at our web site http://www.acu.edu/events/summerworkshop.html

For Housing Information:
HousingForm.pdf

Residence Hall Housing
$25 per person
Apartment Housing
$50 per person

For more information contact Lisa Murphy at murphy@bible.acu.edu or phone 325-674-3750.

Lectures on Preaching

Make your plans now to attend ACU's Lectures on Preaching, September 18, 2003. This year's theme will be "Proclaiming the Reign of God." Featured speakers this year will be Dr. John York, Lipscomb University, Nashville, Tennessee, and Dwight Robarts, Preaching Minister, Skillman Ave. Church of Christ, Dallas, Texas. In addition to York and Robarts' presentations, Lectures on Preaching will include breakout sessions featuring sermon content and design from passages concerning the reign of God. The highlight of Lectures on Preaching this year, as with all years, will be the luncheon when we honor longtime servants who have faithfully preached the gospel. A complete schedule will soon be available on our website Major Events.

Summer Seminar in Missions

Seminar is changing this year and offers some unique opportunities, not only for first time students, but especially for missionaries who will be in the States on furlough at that time.

Two sessions of concentrated courses, each six days long, will have a three-day Missions Focus sandwiched in between for the participation of students in both sessions. We are bringing in a Missions specialist, Gary Corwin, Associate Editor of the Evangelical Missions Quarterly. He will be teaching on three aspects of leadership development: The Christ of Leadership Development, The Curricula of Leadership Development and the Challenges of Leadership Development. There will be a menu of short training modules during the afternoons addressing such topics as: The Work of a Missions Committee, Evangelism, Reaching the World of Islam, A Faith Response to Poverty, Managing Stress and Financial Challenges for Missionaries: Taxes and Financial Planning. Seminar and Missions Focus is designed for missionaries, those planning to do missions and for church leaders responsible for overseeing missions and evangelism in their churches. If you attend a Seminar course you automatically are enrolled in Missions Focus. If attending only Missions Focus the fee is $100.00. Churches who send more than one participant to Missions Focus will pay only $10.00 for each additional registrant.

For the first time Missionary Care is going to be part of Seminar. ACU is partnering with several health professionals in the Abilene to offer their services to missionary families on furlough who are attending Seminar. Some services to be offered are an eye exam, a dental cleaning and a physical check up. These services will be offered free to the first 6 people who sign up.

If you would like to challenge your mind with a course for credit or non-credit during one or both of the two sessions (May 19-26 or May 30-June 6), check out the course offerings at www.acu.edu/missions and click on Summer Seminar in Missions at ACU. At the bottom of the page are links to forms for enrollment, scholarship application, reference forms and cost of the Seminar. Generous scholarships are available. We sincerely hope you will join us for Seminar this year and for the NEW Missions Focus. Contact our office to register, 915-674-3711.