Johnson University Alumni Connections and Reflections

Josh Oldfield (JUTN '05)  was recently selected to compete on a fight card for Tap Cancer Out (TCO) on October 24, 2020, in Charlotte, North Carolina. This is a grappling match (no strikes) that will end with a submission (Tap Out) or a judge's decision at the end of 7 minutes. Competitors raise funds to help TCO conribute more than $1,000,000 to beneficiary organizations like Alex's Lemonade Stand, American Cancer Society, and others. Josh has participated with this cause for the last few years and is impressed with TCO's transparency and integrity. When asked to name someone to fight for, Josh remembered David "Doc" Reece (JUTN '70, former faculty) as one of the more indomitable men he'd ever known. Doc's loss this year was a blow to so many in the Johnson Family. So, with Cindy's and Sarah's blessing, Josh is hoping to honor Doc's memory with his efforts in the octagon. You can learn more at https://wecan.tapcancerout.org/fighting-f

 It was pushing 10:30 AM Central Time when my co-laborer in ministry drove his truck onto the property of Instituto Biblico Christiano in Caracol, Honduras. I will never forget the graven look on his face as he asked me if I had heard about what was happening in the United States.  Being in a remote area of the country with sketchy cell phone service (no land lines), he was not surprised at my ignorance. He handed me a video tape and informed me that, earlier that morning, a pair of passenger jets had flown into the World Trade Center towers in New York, another jet hit the Pentagon, and another crashed on a field in Pennsylvania. His words were like a gut punch, leaving me breathless and sick at the same time.  I sat in disbelief and in tears as I watched a video recording of the morning's news cast. I remember feeling helpless and hurting for my country and could only wonder how my siblings, parents, and entire extended family were dealing with the fear that gripped the nation th

 Johnson University Alumni Connections and Reflections for Friday, September 4, 2020 Sigma Mu Delta As I was driving to campus this week, I heard a news report about the challenges facing fraternities and sororities at colleges campuses across the country due to COVID-19.  It inspired me to reflect on the only unofficial fraternity/sorority ever to exist at Johnson University. Does anyone remember Sigma Mu Delta?  During Wednesday small-group chapels, some students would spend time with Harvesters (missions emphasis group), the Timothy Club (preaching emphasis group), or any number of other small groups dedicated to a particular emphasis or subject of study. Sigma Mu Delta was one such group. When I returned to Johnson University as an employee in 2002, I was given the opportunity to take on the leadership of this small group as a part of my role as the Christian Service Coordinator. I knew it was a service-oriented chapel but I had no idea where the group got it's name. Sigma Mu D

 Here are a few of this week's connections and reflections regarding alumni of Johnson University. In an attempt to increase communication with all alumni, I have started sending out greetings on the day an alumnus celebrates a birthday. Some have replied to express gratitude and expand our dialogue. Billy (JUTN '09) and Holly (Crawford '09) Knieriem both celebrated birthdays this week and they said, "We are grateful for the impact Johnson has had on our lives and our ministry!" They serve with Morrison Hill Christian Church in Kingston, Tennessee. Trish (Wells, JUTN '04) Hansard said, "I am truly blessed with 69 years.  I am very thankful for God's mercy and grace!" David Enyart (JUTN '68, former faculty) said, "We have a great love for the college and wish the very best for those serve and study in that place. Our grandson, Andrew, is a freshman at JU this fall. He is the youngest child of our daughter Crystal, and he

Friday Evening Connections and Reflections Have you seen the news that Andrew Peterson and Arron Chambers (both graduates of the Florida campus) will be offering a very special evening of music and devotion on September 12?  For a $10 ticket to benefit scholarships for Johnson University Florida students, you can watch Andrew sing and Arron preach. Learn more and register at  https://alumni.johnsonu.edu/e/let-there-be-light/ . This week, Johnson University welcomed a new crop of students to Kimberlin Heights, Tennessee and Kissimmee, Florida. It is great to see this new group of students who are eager to start preparing for a career focused on extending God's kingdom. Please join me in praying for these new students and all those who are returning to campus this weekend. Among these new students is Adam Dillon, the son of Chad (JUTN '99) and Nicole (Flowers, JUTN '00) Dillon . As they were about to depart campus, Chad said, "Crazy to think we just moved our youngest

Friday Evening Connections and Reflections for August 14, 2020 I was recently contacted by an alumnus of the University who wanted to know about the annual cost of alumni dues and how he could submit his name for nomination to the Council of Seventy. While I could easily help him with the alumni dues question ($20-$35 depending on retirement/individual/couple status), his Council of Seventy inquiry was a different story. In order to help you understand why, let me offer you a brief history of the Council of Seventy. President R.M. Bell worked with the Alumni Association to establish the Council of Seventy in 1963. Dr. Tommy Smith wrote, "This body of alumni was elected by the Alumni Association to serve in an advisory capacity to the trustees and 'to promote the general welfare of the College.'" ( Above Every Other Desire , p. 94) In the years since its founding, the Council of Seventy lost its advisory capacity to the trustees and became little more than a sub-set of