For AU School of Theology students, Dr. Robert Langat of Kenya hopes to shine a new light on perceptions of missions work.

During his year-long residency at AU, Langat will teach three classes: African Religion and Culture, History of Missions and Biblical Theology of Poverty. In addition to teaching, he will offer two public lectures: “Understanding Leadership in a Culture Not Our Own” and “Theology of the Poor.”

With one semester already under his belt at AU, Langat is enthusiastic about interacting with students. “I ask them to compare African and American culture and then ask them what they learned,” he said.

He hopes that his classes will illuminate new perspectives about the role of missions for seminary students. “I hope that the History of Missions class will help students know how to do it better. They don’t want to make mistakes that have already been made. Historically, many have condemned culture without considering what is Christian and what is cultural,” Langat said. “There is a new way to do missions work: Partnership. Missionaries must understand the culture they are in.”

Many students are anticipating Dr. Langat’s class, Biblical Theology of Poverty. According to Dr. Langat, the course will explore the relationship between God, people and property from a biblical standpoint. “All material things were created by God. However, God did not want people to be poor. The idea of property was created by people. However, there is a distinction between theology of poverty and the prosperity gospel.”

Dr. Langat came to AU through a relationship with a former SOT student who visited Kenya and stayed at their house for several weeks. Through this relationship Dr. Langat became connected to AU. “I got invited by Dr. Sebastian to be a professor in residence,” he explained. “I am happy to be here. My colleagues are well informed. During our discussions we share our experiences and share our culture as we sit around the table.”

—David Hynds is the Web Content Specialist for Anderson University.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,750 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2008, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the fourth consecutive year. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing and theology.

[Nick Pease is a student at Anderson University and is currently serving in Afghanistan.]

I can’t deny it, I won’t deny it and you can’t change my mind: I love Christmas.

I’m a fan of holidays in general — most mean either presents, great food or knocking on strangers’ doors for candy — all good things in my book. But, wow, do I love Christmas!

Ben Randel says he sincerely enjoys going to work each morning.

Ben is a student in the Residential MBA program at Anderson University. For his internship with the RMBA program, Ben works as a quality consultant at Riley Hospital in Indianapolis.

As a young girl, Sarah Walker had visited the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. She knew early on it was a place she belonged and wanted to work at in the future. For Sarah, that dream became reality when she was one of 140 accepted out of 600 applicants to serve as a Summer III nursing intern.

Anderson University freshman Sarah Boesing, recently received the Bell Award from WLKY (Channel 32, CBS), for her work with Break the Grey, a ministry that encourages families facing childhood cancer and other life-altering illnesses. Break the Grey was developed in 2005 by Boesing, a nursing major and a native of New Albany, Indiana, when she was 15.

The Bell Awards are given by the “Spirit of Louisville Foundation” through WLKY to those who give back to the community through volunteering and service. Boesing’s positive impact to the area caught the attention of the foundation that then presented her with the award at their annual ceremony.

“I don’t think I deserved to win the Bell Award,” said Boesing. “It’s pretty prestigious and in my mind what I do isn’t worth something that great. Break the Grey is a passion for me and I don’t do it to just get awards.”

During her time with Break the Grey, Boesing’s activities have included raising money for the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society, mailing “care packages” to emotionally distraught families, throwing “no-more-chemo” celebrations, and fundraising for bone marrow transplants just to name a few.

Boesing was born with a terminal kidney disease and spent significant time at a children’s hospital in her hometown at an early age. These experiences gave her a chance to meet and interact with many children and families facing childhood cancer. After a kidney transplant in August 2001, she felt God calling her back to the hospital where she grew up.

“The award is designed to honor local citizens that personify the ‘Spirit of Louisville,’” stated Debbie Roberson, Bell Awards Program Director. “Sarah let her compassion inspire her to take negative and turn it into positive by transforming her adversity into strength. We are so pleased to see Break the Grey growing into other communities.”

Break the Grey strives to share love and hope by serving, supporting, and encouraging families who are patients of the childhood cancer units at Kosair Children’s Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky and Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. The name is derived from the winter months during which parties for these families are regularly conducted. During its history, Break the Grey has ministered to over 100 families in four different states.

—Erin Helvering is a student worker on campus in the University Communications office. She is a freshman communications major from Anderson, Ind.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,750 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2008, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the fourth consecutive year. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing and theology.

Luciana Schulle BA ’05 returned to her alma mater recently when her cantata, The Mothers of Plaza de Mayo, was performed as part of Park Place Church of God’s Coolidge Concert Series. The cantata tells the story of the many mothers who lost their young adult children in Argentina during what Schulle calls a “dirty war.” Directed by Dr. Rick Sowers, the piece was performed by the women of the Anderson University Chorale, with AU Alumna and faculty member Marci Wagnon as soloist.

Schulle was born in Brazil in 1979, not long after the government in neighboring Argentina quelled protests of the government by the country’s young adults by kidnapping, torturing, and many times killing them. The families never knew what happened to the children after they were ripped from their homes.

What Schulle remembers is the many mothers, adorned with white scarves, holding public marches and demanding the whereabouts of their children. “I grew up knowing their story and it had a huge impact on my life,” she explains. Years later as a graduate music composition student at Butler University, she brought their struggle together in a cantata named for their organization, The Mothers of Plaza de Mayo. “I wanted to give these women a musical voice and write this as a tribute to them.”

The cantata, which was performed with chamber orchestra, is sung in Spanish and Latin. It has nine movements, beginning with the night the children are taken from their homes and ending with the mothers today still asking what happened to their children.

The cantata is Schulle’s final thesis for her degree at Butler, which she will receive in December. It was not required for her to find someone to perform her piece. That has just been a special bonus to her. “I never imagined that it would be performed so soon in such a wonderful way,” says Schulle. “I’m so grateful my alma mater is still supporting me.”

Ultimately, Schulle would like to see her piece performed in Argentina.

—Written by Deborah Lilly, editor of Signatures magazine.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,750 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2008, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the fourth consecutive year. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing and theology.

Last Christmas season, AU donated 291 shoeboxes to the Operation Christmas Child foundation. This year, AU has increased that number and is hoping to donate 504 boxes collectively as a campus.

The School of Theology needs an update more than any other building on campus, and now alumni and friends can help made a huge difference. Dr. James and Elizabeth York, longtime friends of the School of Theology, have promised to match $100,000 in donations made to the seminary. “What a great opportunity that the Yorks have given to the alumni and friends of the School of Theology to step forward and make a gift knowing every dollar they give will be matched by the Yorks,” says Don Taylor, the advancement officer who partners with the School of Theology.

The total $200,000 will be used to upgrade the School of Theology building. The list of improvements includes new windows and refinished pews in Miller chapel, new glass panel doors to the entrances of the building, a refinished and repainted steeple, and a new roof.

For the seminary, the relationship with the Yorks has been transforming, says David Sebastian, dean of the School of Theology. Elizabeth’s parents, Harry L. and Henrietta Harp, were longtime Church of God ministers. For years, Harry and Henrietta’s family have supported the Harp Lecture Series. James and Elizabeth have also given in other tremendous ways, such as establishing a scholarship for non-Church of God students and financing the York Seminary Village. For the second year in row, the Yorks have sponsored a visiting professor. This year it is Dr. Robert Lang’at from Kenya. He is teaching in the field of missiology, offering evening classes in African religions, the history of missions, and the biblical theology of poverty. He is also teaching a class in the Doctor of Ministry program on leadership in different contexts.

“We feel that being on the campus is one of our best recruiting tools,” says Sebastian. “When we get prospective students into the classroom and with faculty and students, that’s always a positive experience.” But sometimes the appearance of the building leaves something to be desired. Incoming donations matched by the Yorks would relieve this problem.

Anyone interested in having their gift matched can contact Deborah Lilly.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,750 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2008, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the fourth consecutive year. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing and theology.

It was a shock to Don Peslis when introducing state Sen. Tim Lanane and state Rep. Terri Austin at the Character Counts 10th anniversary block party Saturday that they really were there for him.

Peslis, who brought national character developing program Character Counts to Madison County and founded Anderson University’s Center for Character Development, had no idea that Lanane and Austin were about to present him with one of Indiana’s highest honors — the Distinguished Hoosier Award.

“Without Don Peslis, there would be no Character Counts,” Lanane said. “I myself have been proud to stand on the Senate floor and talk about Character Counts to every other senator.”

Austin presented the award to Peslis, reading from it that Peslis had made a significant contribution to his community and endeared himself in the hearts of Hoosiers for his work with Character Counts. He had earned the respect and admiration of Hoosiers across the state, read the award signed by Gov. Mitch Daniels.

Mayor Kris Ockomon expressed his pleasure at working with Peslis on Character Counts matters.

“Kids, this is your day, and this is the guy that made it happen,” he said to the crowd at the block party Saturday.

Peslis gave the credit back to the people of Anderson and those who have helped him with the program.

“This is your award,” he said to the crowd. “We just love Anderson, Indiana, and it’s been our joy to live, work and play in Anderson, Indiana, where character really does count.

“I’ve had the best job in this city for the past 15 years.”

Formed in 2000, the mission of The Center for Character Development at Anderson University is to recognize, enhance, teach and sustain positive qualities in the lives of persons in order to promote civility through character development. The intent of this initiative, now a part of the School of Education at AU, is to foster greater understanding and cooperation among individuals and organizations and help develop a positive environment to address issues that will shape the future. For more information about the Center for Character Development at Anderson University call 765-641-3861 or online at www.character-development.org.

—Aleasha Sandley is a reporter for the Herald Bulletin in Anderson, Ind.  Story republished with permission.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2008, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the fourth consecutive year. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing and theology.

Gospel music legend Sandi Patty and special guest Patrick Henry Hughes, recently featured on ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” will perform with other artists during “Sandi and Friends: A Benefit Celebrating Character” on Sunday, October 19 at 7 p.m. in Reardon Auditorium. Also featured during concert will be comedian Anita Renfroe of the YouTube phenomenon “Mom Sense,” renowned Christian recording artist Nicole C. Mullen and popular speaker/author Patsy Clairmont. All proceeds from the concert will benefit the Center for Character Development at Anderson University.