Friday Evening Connections and Reflections for 8/20/20

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 and last kid into college. Do well Adam." Adam joins his sister, Madison, as students at Johnson University Tennessee.

Tina Shell (JUTN '00) also dropped off her daughter, Gracie, to be a freshman at Johnson University. 

Though I have not seen them yet, I have been told that Lawrence “Larry” Woodley (JUTN '67) will have a couple of his grandchildren at JUTN this year. Larry's son, Stewart, graduated from JUTN in 1989. That's three generations of Woodleys at Johnson University.

Joey Emrick (JUTN '12) recently reached out to let me know that he is on the move in ministry. After youth ministry stints in Brookville, Florida, and Xenia, Ohio, Joey, Candace (Tichenor, JUTN '08), and their three children are moving to Covington, Indiana, where Joey will take on the Senior Minister position with First Church of Christ. Joey will preach his first sermon as minister at First Church of Christ on Sunday, September 13.

• As I spoke with Joey, I realized that we were woefully outdated in our records.  Joey married Candace in 2015.  They have three children: Jolee (4), Corban (3), and Justise (6 mo). Congratulations Joey and Candace!

Aaron (JUTN '11) and Marley (Wallace, JUTN '12) Brunsman recently celebrated their 9th wedding anniversary. Marley said, "I’m super grateful to have married my best friend, the guy that gets me. For our anniversary celebration, we wore comfortable clothes to The Burgers - Lenoir City (which was DELICIOUS!), and had a blast at East Tennessee Axe Throwing! Thanks for a great 9 years, love!" It appears Aaron is pretty good at the axe throwing thing. 

As you know, this pandemic has displaced many missionary families. I recently learned of an alumni couple who work as English teachers in China. They are unable to return to their work and are searching for ways to engage the Chinese community in Knoxville. If you know of anyone in the Knoxville community who would be willing to rent out an apartment, townhouse, or small house on a month by month basis, please let me know. You can email me at alumni@johnsonu.edu. 

My colleague on the Florida campus, Alan Tison (JUFL '81) led the funeral proceedings this week for his uncle, and former Florida trustee, Robert Tison. Please be in prayer for the Tison family.

On August 18, Jeremy Hayes (JUTN '11) became a chaplain resident at the University of Tennessee Medical Center.

While it happened more than 30 years after most people thought it would, Wilbur Reid III (JUTN '20), son of Wilbur and Linda Reid, finally became a graduate of Johnson University.  Wilbur earned his Master of Arts in New Testament and walked during summer commencement exercises held on Saturday, August 15.  Congratulations Wilbur!  Welcome to the alumni family!

Here's a fun photo for you.  This is Tom Fodi (JUTN '05).  He has decided to return to academia by enrolling in Johnson University's online Master of Arts in Business Administration. Here, he is honoring the traditional "first day of school" photograph. Welcome back, Tom!

Are you a graduate of Johnson University, Florida Christian College, Johnson Bible College, or Central Florida Bible College?  If so, make sure to join the Alumni Community (https://alumni.johnsonu.edu) so that you can connect with fellow alumni, stay updated on alumni news like this, and keep other updated on your own life and ministry.