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JBU Sends Team to Enactus World Cup in London

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What: JBU will send off the JBU Enactus team to the Enactus World Cup in London. When: Saturday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m.
Where: Simmons Great Hall B (Park in the Simmons Great Hall parking lot.)
Why: For the first time in university history, JBU’s Enactus team will compete against 35 countries at the Enactus World Cup Sept. 26 – 28 in London, England. JBU Enactus was named the 2017 Enactus United States National Champions in Kansas City, Missouri this May, defeating over 200 universities and colleges from around the nation. The Enactus team will perform their World Cup presentation at the sendoff ceremony on Saturday.

JBU’s Enactus team consists of 64 students from 22 states and nine countries. In the final round of the 2017 Enactus United States National Championship, four JBU students gave a 17-minute presentation highlighting the team’s most notable entrepreneurial projects — Yellow Crate, a mobile app that alerts grocery store customers of food pantry needs; the Guatemala Water Project, an initiative to implement a water purification system, and provide health and hygiene education throughout Guatemala; and Shredify, a local document destruction service that certifies eight Siloam Springs Adult Development Center employees. JBU’s Enactus program has placed in the top four at the U.S. National Expo five times since 2003.

JBU Holds Public Forum on Intersection of Religion and Politics

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John Brown University will host New York Times bestselling author Rod Dreher and former White House staffer Michael Wear in a public forum on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 6:30 p.m. in the Simmons Great Hall. At the event, titled “Reimagining Faith and Public Life,” Wear and Dreher will discuss the role of Christians in shaping public policy in the U.S. and will answer questions from the audience following the discussion.

“JBU’s Honors Scholars Program and Department of Political Science are excited to welcome Dreher and Wear to share their experiences and perspectives on the integration of faith and public life with our community,” Trisha Posey, director of the Honors Scholars Program, said. “JBU encourages a campus environment where students of differing majors and political affiliations can come together to discuss a variety of topics, including religion and politics. This forum will challenge the university’s community to consider how to authentically incorporate faith in today’s political climate.”

Rod Dreher, the senior editor at “The American Conservative,” recently published the New York Times bestseller “The Benedict Option: A Strategy for Christians in a Post-Christian Nation,” in which he recounts church history as a strategy for how Christians should interact in today’s culture. Other work from Dreher has been published in the New York Post, National Review, and the Washington Times, and he has appeared on NPR, CNN, Fox News and the BBC.

Michael Wear recently published “Reclaiming Hope: Lessons Learned in the Obama White House about the Future of Faith in America,” which details his experience leading evangelical outreach initiatives and managing the White House’s engagement on values and religious issues as a

young, Christian White House staffer. Wear ultimately counsels Christians on how and why they must be involved in shaping the momentum of U.S. culture.

Tuesday night’s forum, funded with support from the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), will be filmed and published to view online on AEI’s “Values and Capitalism” website. AEI also provided funding for both authors’ books to be used for faculty, staff and student book clubs in preparation for the event.

In addition, Michael Wear will address JBU students in chapel on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. in the Cathedral of the Ozarks.

John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top ranked regional university (U.S. News Best Colleges, 2018), JBU enrolls more than 2,500 students from 41 states and 50 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers more than 40 majors, with top programs including business administration, graphic design, engineering, construction management, counseling, teacher education and nursing.

Graphic Novelist, ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ and ‘Superman’ Comic Author Gene Luen Yang to Keynote JBU’s Writing and Arts Festival

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John Brown University welcomes award-winning graphic novelist and comic book author Gene Luen Yang to speak on Thursday, Sept. 21 at 6:30 p.m. in the Cathedral of the Ozarks. Yang, who won the L.A. Times Book Prize for his graphic novel “Boxers & Saints” and wrote 18 comics for the Nickelodeon cartoon “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” is the keynote speaker for JBU’s 11th annual Giving Voice: A Festival of Writing and the Arts.

Yang, a strong proponent of greater diversity in stories and media, is a 2016 MacArthur Fellow and the first graphic novelist to be named a National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. His first-ever graphic novel “American Born Chinese” was named a finalist for the National Book Award. Having spoken out against the lack of diversity in the casting of “Avatar: The Last Airbender” movie, Yang was commissioned to write the “Avatar: The Last Airbender” comic books and later co-wrote “Superman” for DC Comics.

JBU’s Giving Voice Festival, funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, celebrates writing and the arts through workshops, readings and presentations from acclaimed writers. This year the festival welcomes Yang, creative nonfiction writer Lisa Ohlen Harris and author, preacher and spoken word poet David Bowden.

“We are thrilled to welcome these talented writers and artists to our festival,” Traci Manos, JBU instructor of English and director of Giving Voice, said. “As a young person, I had the opportunity to shake hands with a writer I respected and have her sign a book for me. I can’t overstate the

impact the experience had on my life. I’m excited to see what these young people will be inspired to create as a result of meeting this year’s guest authors.”

Harris will kick off the festival on Wednesday, Sept. 20 at 5 p.m. with a book signing at the Siloam Springs Public Library. On Thursday, Sept. 21, Yang will speak and Bowden will perform for an opening convocation at 10:30 a.m., and a talk and concert at 6:30 p.m. in the Cathedral of the Ozarks.

The evening talk and concert is open to the public and costs $5, which includes Pure Joy Ice Cream at intermission. Pre-registration secures priority seating and is available online through Sept. 18 at jbu.edu/givingvoice/tickets/.

The festival will end Friday, Sept. 22 with over 200 local high school students attending workshops taught by guest writer Harris and JBU faculty in a variety of genres including poetry, nonfiction, songwriting, calligraphy, theatre, stop motion film and screen printing.

For more information about the event, visit jbu.edu/givingvoice.

John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top ranked regional university (U.S. News Best Colleges, 2017), JBU enrolls more than 2,700 students from 40 states and 37 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, degree completion and concurrent education programs. JBU offers more than 39 majors, with top programs including business administration, graphic design, engineering, construction management, counseling, teacher education and nursing.

photography by Albert Law : www.porkbellystudio.com

Maher to perform concert at U of O Sept. 22

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Eight-time Grammy-nominated contemporary Christian singer and songwriter Matt Maher will perform a concert at University of the Ozarks on Friday, Sept. 22, as part of the university’s 2017-18 Walton Arts & Ideas Series (WAIS)

The concert, which begins at 6 p.m. on the campus mall, is being held in conjunction with the college’s Family Weekend. The public is invited to attend and there is no cost for admission. Guests are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs.

Since his 2008 major label debut, Maher has become a staple in the artistic and songwriting community. He has garnered multiple radio successes writing and recording songs like “Lord, I Need You,” “Hold Us Together,” “Christ Is Risen,” “All The People Said Amen” and “Your Grace Is Enough.”

Maher has penned songs recorded by Chris Tomlin, Crowder, Third Day, Matt Redman, Hillsong, Passion, Jesus Culture and Bethel among others. In 2015, he was presented Dove Awards for Songwriter of the Year and Worship Song of the Year.

Originally from Newfoundland, Canada, Maher got his start in church music at St. Timothy Catholic Church in Mesa, Arizona, while studying jazz at Arizona State University.

He has written and produced seven solo albums, three of which have reached the Top 25 Christian Albums Billboard chart. Four of his singles have reached the Top 25 Christian Songs chart. Maher has written or co-written five No. 1 radio singles.

In a 2013 career highlight, he performed in Rio de Janeiro before Pope Francis and a crowd of three million. In 2015, Maher was awarded his first RIAA Gold certification for “Lord, I Need You.”

His latest album release in 2015, “Saints and Sinners,” is a call for social justice rooted in the work of historic faith leaders such as Martin Luther King, Jr., and Mother Teresa.

Maher currently lives in Nashville with his wife and children.

The theme for this year’s seven-event Walton series is Music: The Universal Language. The series is presented by the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation. A list of the upcoming events can be found at www.ozarks.edu/WAIS.

Photgraph of Matt Maher taken Friday, Aug. 7, 2015, at Century II in Wichita, Kansas.

Williams Readies for New School Year

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The Williams Baptist College campus is coming to life after fall athletic teams and student staff made their return to campus late last week. Other student leaders will continue to move back to WBC in preparation for the new semester, which officially begins with the first day of class Tuesday, August. 22.

Freshmen will move into residence halls this Friday and begin their orientation program, known as Ascend 2017.

Athletes in women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s soccer, and cheerleading have moved into the dormitories and started preseason workouts. Residence hall staff have also arrived, and they are underway with their training, as well.

“This is my favorite time of each school year, when the work of our enrollment management and student services teams over the last several months comes to fruition, and we see the arrival of new and returning students to campus for the new school year. It is such a joy to see the campus return to life after summer break,” said Dr. Jeremy Dutschke, vice president for enrollment management and student services at Williams.

All other students move into residence halls Sunday, August 20.

There will also be a welcome back concert with a purpose August 20, featuring We The Union, a collection of worship leaders from Central Arkansas. The concert will be held in WBC’s Southerland-Mabee Center beginning at 7:00 p.m., and all ticket sales will go toward sending Williams students on mission trips.

Tickets are on sale for $10 per person, or $30 per family (maximum 6 tickets). Tickets can be purchased by contacting Hayes Howell at 870-897-7701, or by email at hhowell@wbcoll.edu. They can also be purchased by visiting http://www.itickets.com/events/369240.html. There is no cost for WBC students to attend.

Classes will begin next Tuesday, and Convocation Chapel will be Wednesday, August 23, at 11 a.m. in the Manley Chapel.

WBC Hosts Welcome Back Concert with a Purpose

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The fall semester is fast approaching for Williams Baptist College, and WBC is set to kick off the new school year by hosting a welcome back concert with a purpose.  The concert, slated for Sunday, August 20, will feature We The Union, a collection of worship leaders from Central Arkansas.  The concert will be held in WBC’s Southerland-Mabee Center beginning at 7:00 p.m., and all ticket sales will go toward sending Williams students on mission trips.

Based out of Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock, We The Union writes songs and leads worship with a desire to encourage and empower churches to raise up generations of worshipers and to draw others near to God.

“Students of Williams Baptist College have been busy all summer long, all throughout the world, spreading the good news of Christ.  It is apparent that missions are on the hearts of many of the students.  From Northwest Arkansas to Peru, WBC students have traveled locally, nationally, and internationally.  For many of our students, however, when it comes to serving the church, specifically through mission trips, their calling gets blurred by the amount of money it takes to go,” said Hayes Howell, WBC’s director of campus ministries.

Every year, dozens of Williams students serve on the mission field, both locally and globally.  Missions trips are already in plan for the upcoming school year, with one set for stateside and two being international.

“My hope is that our Northeast Arkansas community rallies around our students to welcome them back to a new school year, but also supports their mission minded hearts.  By purchasing a ticket to our welcome back concert with a purpose, you can help provide clarity for many of our students by allowing the cost of mission trips to decrease,” added Howell.

Tickets are on sale or $10 per person, or $30 per family (maximum 6 tickets).  Tickets can be purchased by contacting Hayes Howell at 870-897-7701, or by email at hhowell@wbcoll.edu.  They can also be purchased by visiting http://www.itickets.com/events/369240.html.

Corporate sponsorships are also available.  For details, contact Howell.

 Williams is a four-year, liberal arts college in Walnut Ridge.

Ouachita to host Called 2 Ministry Retreat for high school students on July 28-29

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Have you sensed a call to Christian ministry? Are you interested in learning more about diverse ministry opportunities?

Ouachita Baptist University is hosting a Called 2 Ministry Retreat on Friday and Saturday, July 28-29 on Ouachita’s Arkadelphia campus. The unique two-day retreat is designed for high school students who sense God has called them into some area of vocational ministry or are interested in exploring the various areas of ministry available in today’s world.

The two-day retreat is co-sponsored by Ouachita, The Prestonwood Network, Cross Church School of Ministry and the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. Keynote speakers include Jarrett Stephens, teaching pastor at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Dallas; Brian Mills, college pastor at Cross Church, Fayetteville; Jeremy Nottingham, senior pastor of First Baptist Church, Brandon, Miss., and more. Worship will be led by Blake Johnson, student ministry worship leader at Prestonwood.

“Our goal for the retreat is to help prepare high school students on their journey in exploring God’s call to ministry,” said Ouachita President Ben Sells. “We look forward to our retreat leaders encouraging and equipping participants with fresh insights and practical resources.”

Retreat sessions during the event will be:

Inspirational – Participants will be blessed, encouraged and challenged during four keynote sessions led by regional pastors and worship arts ministers.

Educational – Several tracks of breakout sessions will allow participants multiple opportunities to explore options in pastoral ministry, student and children’s ministry, worship arts, women’s and men’s ministry, administration, leadership, missions and more.

Motivational – “What’s Next” wrap-up sessions will provide practical applications, ideas and resources that students can take with them to effectively start preparing for a life of service.

Space is limited for the Called 2 Ministry Retreat. Register online now at www.obu.edu/c2m. The cost is only $35 per person thanks to the retreat’s presenting sponsors. Questions? Email C2M@obu.edu.

Williams Baptist College Graduation is May 13

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An estimated 100 graduates will receive their diplomas Saturday, May 13, as Williams Baptist College holds its 2017 commencement exercises. The graduation ceremony begins at 10 a.m. in WBC’s Southerland-Mabee Center.

Senator John Boozman will deliver the commencement address. Boozman is Arkansas’s senior U.S. Senator and the dean of the state’s Congressional delegation. First elected to the Senate in 2010, he was sworn in for a second term this year. Prior to serving in the Senate, he represented Arkansas’s Third District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

WBC’s Golden Eagles, alumni who attended Williams 50 or more years ago, will also be honored at the ceremony. As has become tradition at the Williams commencement exercises, the Golden Eagles will march in with this year’s graduates.

The graduation ceremony is open to the public.

Williams is a four-year, liberal arts college at Walnut Ridge.

Ouachita to hold 130th spring commencement ceremony May 13

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Ouachita Baptist University will hold its 130th spring commencement exercises on Saturday, May 13, at 9:30 a.m. on the front lawn of the university’s historic Cone-Bottoms Hall. The ceremony will honor 293 graduates earning degrees including Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Education and Associate of Arts degrees.

Dr. Ben Sells, Ouachita president, will preside over the annual commencement exercises. Dr. Ray Granade, director of library services and professor of history, and Dr. Mike Reynolds, professor of kinesiology and leisure studies, will serve as commencement marshals. Honorary marshals are Dr. Joe Jeffers, professor emeritus of chemistry, and Julia Jones, assistant professor emerita of Spanish.

The ceremony will include an invocation by Senior Class President Jodie Webb, an elementary education major from Arlington, Tenn. Scripture reading will be led by three students from the Pruet School of Christian Studies: Mikala Butler, a Christian studies/Christian missions and sociology double major from Paragould, Ark.; Libby Hilliard, a biblical languages major from Van Buren, Ark.; and Emma Riley, a Christian studies/Christian ministries and biblical studies double major from Fort Smith, Ark.

Dr. Stan Poole, vice president for academic affairs, will introduce the graduates. Dr. Danny Hays, dean of the Pruet School of Christian Studies, will lead a responsive reading and Jay Heflin, chair of the Board of Trustees, will deliver the prayer of dedication.

Ouachita Baptist University, a leading liberal arts university, is ranked nationally among “America’s Best Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report and Forbes magazines. Founded in Arkadelphia in 1886, Ouachita seeks to foster a love of God and a love of learning in a Christ-centered learning community.

The commencement exercises will be livestreamed at livestream.com/obu. A video of the ceremony will be posted on the university website at www.obu.edu following the service. For more information about commencement, visit www.obu.edu/registrar/graduation-and-commencement.