Charlie Alcock – Kid at Heart

Charlie Alcock

Charlie Alcock is an Assistant Professor of Youth Ministries and Chaplain/Director of Youth Ministry Events at Incharlie.alcockdiana Wesleyan University. He has an administrative, faculty type of background paired with Student Ministry events. It mixes the classroom with planning events for people, and, “It really is the perfect blend,” says Alcock.

 

Alcock came to IWU first from a small church in his hometown. He cherishes his years as a student here. “I was a mixed bag when I came in. I was a P.E. major, actually, and finished with a double major in Music and Christian Ministry,” he stated. Alcock travelled each summer with His Instrument and participated in Chorale for his five years on campus.

 

This year, Alcock was asked by The Wesleyan Church to plan out the general sessions for General Conference. He plans to take his knowledge on youth conventions and use it to benefit General Conference. Alcock said, “In essence, I will create an environment for worship and business at the same time. I will design the look, sound, lights, and media. Each session needs to flow.”

 

Alcock’s passions align with his career, and that makes him excel at his job and influence those around him greatly.

 

Written by Emily Lehner, a writer for the Alumni Center and a sophomore Writing major at IWU. She is active on the cross country and track teams. She is passionate about using her writing skills to share the good news of Christ with others and writes often on her personal blog at www.emilylehner.wordpress.com.

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“Worry” – Devotion Day 5

By: Emily Lehner

DEVO 5

Philippians 4:6 says,

 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

 

If I could do everything my way, I would. However, if I could do everything my way, why would I need others? Why would I need God?

 

There’s a beauty in letting go of control, and while most consider it foolish to trust and hope in something unseen, the Bible says, “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint,” (Isaiah 40:31).

 

This is easier said than done, and I believe it is very applicable to every American’s life currently. Worrying is the popular thing to do in our nation. With a presidential campaign unlike one we have seen in past years, we should be worried. But, Christ commands us differently. He commands us to run from anxiousness.

 

After all, God has the ultimate authority over the entire world. If that doesn’t make you feel confident, I don’t know what can. Persecutions have a high chance of appearing in the near future for those who call themselves followers of Christ. In fact, trials have already started becoming more and more apparent. When faced with uncertainty, limits, and struggle, rejoice! Because in the midst of it all, we have an everlasting hope, and we know the future is in the hands of the Creator of the Universe. Who better to hold it?

 

Written by Emily Lehner, a writer for the Alumni Center and a sophomore Writing major at IWU. She is active on the cross country and track teams. She is passionate about using her writing skills to share the good news of Christ with others and writes often on her personal blog at www.emilylehner.wordpress.com.

“Idols” – Devotion Day 4

By: Emily Lehner

DEVO 4

When I think of idolatry, I think of a gold statue of a king, and I know for certain that I am not bowing down to one of those everyday. So, why should I become concerned with idolatry?

 

The truth is that idolatry comes in many different forms than we realize, and idolatry can go unseen for quite awhile before we realize how we practice it.

 

In my life and the lives of my loved ones, I have seen multiple examples of idolatry. It usually revolves around a love for money — a desire to have more and spend more money. We take the value of money for granted. There is a balance between letting something consume your life and using something out of gratefulness.

 

There are many things that we are called to be good stewards of. 1 Peter 4 states,

“As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.”

 

I encourage you to look into your life and decide what is removing you from or prohibiting your worship with Christ. Whether it be money, work, your kids or your spouse, we must be cautious not to place one above our relationship with Christ.

 

Written by Emily Lehner, a writer for the Alumni Center and a sophomore Writing major at IWU. She is active on the cross country and track teams. She is passionate about using her writing skills to share the good news of Christ with others and writes often on her personal blog at www.emilylehner.wordpress.com.

“Seeing the Seeds Grow” – Devotion Day 3

By: Emily Lehner

DEVO 3

Matthew 28:19 says,

 

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

 

Looking back on past few years, I realize there are times in my life when I felt this Call strongly. There times are when it was so strong that I primarily hid in the shadows nervous to approach someone or make conversation or speak up for biblical truths.

 

However, there are also times when I was readily bold enough to act or to say something. I remember after those times, though, desiring to see the outcome. I wanted to see if what I had said about Jesus was influential. I wanted to see the seeds I had possibly planted sprout.

 

I think that often we don’t see the fruits of our time spent spreading the Gospel. The majority of the time, we walk away from a conversation wondering if we made a difference in someone’s life, and at times, it makes us curious as to whether our time was well spent or not.

 

Whether we see the fruits of our labor or not, I am reminded of how worthy of our time this task Christ has called us to is. If we pause to truly think about the importance of one’s Salvation, it is evident how crucial it is for us to pursue non-believers. Therefore, regardless of seeing the outcome or not, dive head first into making disciples. If you were a nonbeliever, you would be grateful that someone chose to pursue you.

 

Written by Emily Lehner, a writer for the Alumni Center and a sophomore Writing major at IWU. She is active on the cross country and track teams. She is passionate about using her writing skills to share the good news of Christ with others and writes often on her personal blog at www.emilylehner.wordpress.com.

“The Cost of Discipleship” – Devotion Day 2

By: Emily Lehner

DEVO 2

Renewal in Christ brings duty. Being a follower of Christ is no small task. In America, for now, it may be easy to proclaim you are a Christian, but it certainly is much more difficult to become a disciple of Christ — to dive head first into His will and lose things of this world as a result of following Him. This isn’t an excuse, though.

 

Luke 14 shares some specific insights on what it means to be a disciple of Christ. Verse 33 says,

 

“In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.”

How closely do we grasp onto the ways of this world? Do we hold on too tight to realize the true call of Christ? We get distracted by the world so quickly, but how often do we get distracted by God’s work? How often do we allow the Word of God to pull us away from the world toward discipleship?

 

Loving Christ is life-altering, and “Christian” isn’t meant to just be a word that we call ourselves. Being made new in Christ changes our lives. We change our living direction to align with His. We say, “Lord, Your will be done.”

 

Written by Emily Lehner, a writer for the Alumni Center and a sophomore Writing major at IWU. She is active on the cross country and track teams. She is passionate about using her writing skills to share the good news of Christ with others and writes often on her personal blog at www.emilylehner.wordpress.com.

Chris Conrad: District Superintendent of the W. MI District of the Wesleyan Church

Chris Conrad is the District Superintendent for West Michigan District of the Wesleyan Church.. “My goal in my job is to serve as a pastor and leader to churches in this region, helping all accomplish the mission of seeing everyone come to have a deep relationship with Jesus Christ and be filled with the Holy Spirit,” he said. He focuses on encouraging and empowering church leaders to be successful. He currently serves on the IWU board and previously he completed a master’s degree there. He is also currently working toward a PhD in Organizational Leadership at IWU.

 

Conrad will be attending General Conference as a delegate. He holds the position of elder or ordained delegate, and will be leading a group of people from the West Michigan District to General Conference. thumbnail_chris_conrand-12-2His main goal regarding General Conference is to spread awareness about colleges and universities. At General Conference this year, there are memorials suggesting that the funds being given to colleges be reduced.

 

“I, personally, believe that our colleges and universities are the future of our denomination. They are key in raising up leaders for today and tomorrow’s generation,” said Conrad. He plans to help strengthen Wesleyan colleges. He believes his passion for this subject roots in his time spent pursuing a degree at IWU and his involvement as a board member. Conrad believes in the future for Wesleyan colleges and sees them as a place where leaders are made.

 

Written by Emily Lehner, a writer for the Alumni Center and a sophomore Writing major at IWU. She is active on the cross country and track teams. She is passionate about using her writing skills to share the good news of Christ with others and writes often on her personal blog at www.emilylehner.wordpress.com.

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Dan Bickel: District Superintendent of the Wisconsin District of the Wesleyan Church

Dan Bickel is the District Superintendent of the Wisconsin District of the Wesleyan Church. He has held this position for fifteen years, and his job varies depending on necessity and time of year. He oversees pastors on administrative and pastoral sides. Bickel is active on committees involving decision-making, ministerial development and a partnership with Global Partners. Over the last fifteen years, he has worked side by side with Global Partners to form the Wesleyan Church in Nicaragua.

 

“I reach back to Indiana Wesleyan and consider it as a piece in both my personal and my ministerial and educational development,” said Bickel. A year before attending IWU, he felt clearly, that he was to become involved in some type of vocational ministry. Although knowing his call before hand, he says a number of professors helped confirm this call.

 

His time at IWU revolved around art, athletics and the ministry program; which allowed Bickel to have mentors in every department. He remembers specifically benefitting from the wisdom of Wilbur and Ardelia Williams and the basketball coaches. “There were a number of key people that I was very much in touch with throughout those years that impacted my development,” he stated.
Bickel will be a delegate at General Conference and participate in decision-making. The Wisconsin District, this year, has forwarded a memorial regarding urban missional churches.

 

Written by Emily Lehner, a writer for the Alumni Center and a sophomore Writing major at IWU. She is active on the cross country and track teams. She is passionate about using her writing skills to share the good news of Christ with others and writes often on her personal blog at www.emilylehner.wordpress.com.

 

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Kevin Batman: IWU Legacy

batman_focus

Kevin Batman is the General Treasurer for the Wesleyan Church. He serves on a number of boards and committees, where he works some with businesses and churches in a local setting. As a member of Executive Cabinet and General Board, Batman will be represented at General Conference as a delegate in which he will vote, speak on possible changes to the church and other proposals and be prepared to answer questions pertaining to both.  

 

Batman graduated from IWU with Bachelor degrees in Accounting and Political Science. He said, “IWU was a place where I made lifelong friends and had many adventures.” Several of Batman’s family members including all his siblings, children and wife have attended Indiana Wesleyan thus far. His father was previously a trustee. “IWU has just been such a part of our family throughout the years,” he said.

 

Batman believes in the impact IWU has had on his life. “When you leave your home and family, you learn many things. My freshman year was especially formative for me. It is formative for everyone,” he said. He gives his time at IWU the credit for many of his lifelong friendships he still holds onto, and looks forward to seeing how IWU will continue to be formative for future generations of family after him. .

 

Written by Emily Lehner, a writer for the Alumni Center and a sophomore Writing major at IWU. She is active on the cross country and track teams. She is passionate about using her writing skills to share the good news of Christ with others and writes often on her personal blog at www.emilylehner.wordpress.com.

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McCallum and Jackson: Global Partners

“Everyone who hears can be made new.” -Global Partners

 

Chad McCallum is the Director of Mobilization for Global Partners and a graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University. Dennis Jackson is the Executive Director for Global Partners, also an alumnus of IWU. He is passionate mccallum2about seeing the expanse of The Gospel throughout nations around the world. He has past experience in church planting and pastoral roles. These two serve missionaries and the world through their ministry.

 

Global Partners serves at the global missions expression of the Wesleyan Church. They have missionaries serving in 90 countries of the world. He oversees a team of people who work to enlist and empower men and women who want to serve around the world. He visits schools and churches promoting global missions.

 

“Being a partner with the Wesleyan church, our role in General Conference is hosting the Sunday morning service. It will be solely dedicated to talking about how God is at work around the world and capturing a vision for the church,” McCallum says. Global Partners and McCallum will be active in pursuing relationships during General Conference time. McCallum states, “In Scripture, Jesus asked us to send out laborers into his harvest field. We have, right now, just over 200 missionaries serving globally. Our vision by the year 2020 is that we will see the numbers grow to 400 serving globally.”

 

McCallum believes that, “lifelong friendships that were formed during his days at IWU,” have greatly influence his ministry to this day. He continues to connect with people and follow the mission’s jackson2statement, “Amplifying local church mission for global transformation.” He also says that, “the investment that professors like, Dr. Wayne Wright, Dr. Bud Bence and many others have made in my life has influenced my ministry greatly.”

 

Dennis Jackson is the Executive Director of Global Partners. He has a passion to spread The Gospel. Rev. Rick Carder says this regarding Dr. Jackson, “Dr. Jackson is a very intentional leader with a desire to serve local missionaries. He is strategic in his objectives as well as personal as he compassionately works with our missionaries in their respective mission field.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Written by Emily Lehner, a writer for the Alumni Center and a sophomore Writing major at IWU. She is active on the cross country and track teams. She is passionate about using her writing skills to share the good news of Christ with others and writes often on her personal blog at www.emilylehner.wordpress.com.

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