Alumni Spotlight: Sarah Suttles

After graduating seminary at CIU in 2012, I moved to Japan for 4 years (2012-2016). I taught at a university there and served in the local church.

In 2016 I moved to Seoul, South Korea (where I currently live). I am teaching at a university here and I am heavily involved in a church here. I am on the leadership team and am involved in discipleship and teaching.

I believe my degree at CIU gave me the tools to be able to study the Bible, teach God's word, and to disciple others. I have found these tools to be useful in every country that I have gone to.

I am currently pursuing my PhD in Intercultural Studies at CIU and I am hoping to defend this fall.

Dr. David Croteau speaks at Heritage Baptist Church

Watch Dr. David Croteau's message, "The Glories of the Gospel," delivered at Heritage Baptist Church in Lynchburg, VA on August 11, 2019.

Dr. Croteau is Professor of New Testament & Greek at CIU-SSM.

Dean's Devos: "Lessons on Prayer from Jesus"

by Dr. John Harvey

Of the four gospels, Luke’s Gospel tells us the most about Jesus and prayer. We can learn four lessons from what Luke tells us about Jesus’ example of and instructions on prayer.

Lesson #1: For Jesus, prayer was private (Luke 5:16).

As busy as he was, Jesus made it a point to find time to be alone with his heavenly Father every day. What is the time you have set aside every day for a private conversation with your heavenly Father?

Lesson #2: For Jesus, prayer was a priority (Luke 6:12).

Jesus regularly got up and prayed in the morning while it was still dark, On the night before his chose his disciples he prayed all night. Do you make prayer your first priority, or is it your last resort?

Lesson #3: For Jesus, prayer was passionate (Luke 22:39-46).

When Jesus prayed in the Gethsemane, he prayed so fervently that his sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground. When was the last time you were that passionate about a request you were bringing to the Father?

Lesson #4: For Jesus, prayer should be persistent (Luke 11:5-10).

Jesus told his disciples to keep on seeking knocking, and asking because God is listening and knows how to give good gifts when his children ask. What is one request about which you need to be more persistent in prayer?

CIU professor contributes to major denominational project

By Bob Holmes

Columbia International University Professor Dr. John Crutchfield calls it “an act of worship to God and an act of love for His people.”

Crutchfield, the CIU Middle Eastern Studies program director and a professor of Bible, is one of a committee of three Hebrew scholars and a liturgist who revised the Coverdale Psalter of 1537 for inclusion in the new Book of Common Prayer (BCP) of 2019.

The new BCP is the standard prayer book for the Anglican Church in North America. The last revision of Coverdale's Psalter included renowned Anglican authors T.S. Eliot and C.S. Lewis on the committee.

The mandate from the College of Bishops was to modernize the language and verify the accuracy of the original Coverdale Psalter, while preserving as much as possible the majesty and beauty of Coverdale's original translation.

Crutchfield says he has never worked harder on a scholarly project since his doctoral dissertation.

“The project demanded the best of my academic training,” Crutchfield said. “The Hebrew poetry of the Psalms can be very tough, and we as a committee needed to bring all of our scholarship to bear on understanding clearly what the inspired poet was writing.”

Crutchfield noted a collegial tone among the committee as they worked on the project.

“There were no big egos in the room, no infighting, no defensive turf-wars or anything of that nature,” Crutchfield said. “Just other scholars, gathered around the Hebrew text, wrestling with how to best render that text into beautiful English. That is a wonderful thing!”

The completed prayer book was presented to Archbishop Foley Beach at the Provincial Assembly in June. As part of that event, Crutchfield and the rest of the committee conducted a workshop explaining the history, scope, and method of their work. But those who worked on the project are officially anonymous.

“The longer I worked on this project, the more important this anonymity became for me, Crutchfield said. “This is not a personal publishing achievement. My name will never be officially attached to it or appear in the BCP as a member of the committee. This anonymity freed us to view our work together as an act of worship to God and an act of love for His people. Our scholarly effort was serving the Church, not the Academy. And to me, that is a beautiful thing.”

The Revised Coverdale Psalter is now available for purchase as part of the new BCP from Anglican Liturgy Press.

Columbia International University consistently ranks among the Top Regional Universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report. Excitement is growing on campus with CIU’s first baseball program in development and new academic programs such as the Doctor of Ministerial Leadership. Request information on enrollment at CIU and Columbia Biblical Seminary or call (800) 777-2227, ext. 5024.

Alumni Spotlight: Beverly Charles (2016, MA in Member Care)

While I was working on my Masters in Ministry Care, I was already serving as a missionary with Greater Europe Mission in Sibiu, Romania. I am still there, serving in local ministry. However, my main responsibility is Member Care within my organization. My title is Member Care Facilitator and I work with missionaries in Southeastern Europe, Singles in GEM, as well as working on a leadership team that plans yearly spiritual retreats for women. I am thankful to have experienced CIU's ground-breaking role in training and equipping people to serve missionaries well with good Member Care. Not only did I greatly benefit from the Biblical courses I took, but my degree's classes touched on all facets of Member Care. The internship in Pastoral Counseling was also a great help.

CIU professor gives key address to missiologists

Dr. Michelle Raven, director of the International Community Development and Disaster Relief/Emergency Management programs at Columbia International University, gave the opening plenary address to the 2019 Evangelical Missiological Society (EMS) annual meeting in Dallas on Sept. 13. Raven was also co-chair of the 2019 EMS with the theme “Mission Amid Global Crises.”

Raven’s talk, “From the Classroom to the Disaster,” included reflections on her own journey in mission and relief when she was an Air Officer in Iraq tasked with rebuilding a devastated region. Raven emphasized the need to be trained well in evangelism, discipleship, and church planting while also gaining competencies and skills in disaster relief and emergency management. Illustrating practically from her relief work in South Carolina and Puerto Rico, she also talked about the need to train students to respond to crises and spiritual needs.

Following her talk, Dr. Aminta Arrington, professor of intercultural studies at John Brown University responded, affirming the imperative for Christians to take the lead in relieving human suffering and ministering to the whole person.

Columbia International University consistently ranks among the Top Regional Universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report. Excitement is growing on campus with CIU’s first baseball program in development and new academic programs such as the Doctor of Ministerial Leadership. Request information on enrollment at CIU and Columbia Biblical Seminary or call (800) 777-2227, ext. 5024.

Christian Life Conference (CLC)

CLC is a wonderful opportunity for spiritual renewal and personal commitment for the CIU family, September 16-19, 2019. Prayer Day is Wednesday, September 18. 

Alumni Spotlight: Ross Skjold (Bachelor of Arts Pastoral Ministries, 2014)

"The education I received at CIU shaped me tremendously and equipped to teach, disciple, and lead God's people in a local church context. My mind was stirred to drink deeply from God's Word. My heart was gripped by his grand vision to see the gospel spread among the nations. And I was trained in the practical skills necessary for a healthy ministry. Both in the classroom and through personal relationships with professors, my experience at CIU has enabled me to serve God and his people more faithfully and effectively."

Christian Life Conference, September 16 - 19

CIU among the Best Regional Universities in the South

The 2020 U.S. News & World Report rankings are out, and Columbia International University continues to be among the Best Regional Universities in the South, ahead of nine other South Carolina public and private schools.

According to the report’s methodology page, schools are ranked by graduation and retention rates, the percentage of students from impoverished families who graduate, class size, student to faculty ratio, opinions of college presidents and deans, per-student spending, test scores and the percent of alumni who donate to the school.

The annual rankings also recognize CIU at #12 among Best Value Schools in the South and one of the Best Colleges for Veterans in the South.

To be a Best Value School, the report takes into account a school's academic quality, as indicated by its 2020 U.S. News Best Colleges ranking, and the 2018-2019 net cost of attendance for a student who received the average level of need-based financial aid. In other words, the higher the quality of the program and the lower the cost, the better the deal.

To be a Best College for Veterans:

• The institution is certified for the GI Bill.

• The institution participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program or is a public school that charges in-state tuition to all out-of-state veterans.

• For the third consecutive year, the institution must have enrolled a minimum of 20 veterans and active service members, or a critical mass, in the 2018-2019 academic year.

• The institution must be ranked in the top half of its 2020 edition Best Colleges ranking category.

The rankings come in a school year in which CIU is celebrating a significant increase in enrollment. CIU President Dr. Mark Smith told new students and their families that CIU is about investing in the whole person, and committed $35 million toward improvements over the last two years to make CIU the best experience possible.

Columbia International University consistently ranks among the Top Regional Universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report. Excitement is growing on campus with CIU’s first baseball program in development and new academic programs such as the Doctor of Ministerial Leadership. Request information on enrollment at CIU and Columbia Biblical Seminary or call (800) 777-2227, ext. 5024.

Remember

"WELCOME TO A NEW ACADEMIC YEAR" by Dr. John Harvey, Dean of the Seminary & School of Ministry

On August 26, the Seminary and School of Ministry began a new academic year. The Fall 2019 semester brings with it multiple reasons to thank God for his faithfulness.

• Ninety percent of the students who were with us last spring registered for fall semester courses. 
• Our new Doctoral of Ministerial Leadership degree has 26 new students registered in its first cohort. 
• Our new Doctor of Philosophy degree has 22 new students registered in its first Biblical Studies and Theological Studies seminars. 
• Our Chinese Seminary Studies initiative has 30 new students registered for masters-level courses. 
• Dr. Seth Scott has joined the Clinical Counseling team as our fourth full-time counseling faculty member. 

Would you take a few minutes to praise God with us for his goodness to SSM?

Items for which you could be praying include: 

• The addition of a Practical Theology concentration for the PhD degree and the possibility of making each of the PhD concentrations available in Chinese.
• The development of a five-year Psychology/Clinical Counseling dual degree program and a new MA program in Addictions Counseling. 
• Initial conversations regarding the development of an MA degree in Marketplace Transformation. 
• The search for the right person to lead our church-based apprenticeship initiative. 
• Glenda Nanna as she concludes work on her doctoral dissertation. 

Alumni Spotlight: Stewart Ryall (Bachelor of Science, Youth Ministry, Family & Culture, 2016)

"I serve in a local church as a family and teaching pastor. In my role, I have to combine counseling, leadership, and communication skills while caring for people from different generations and different world views. Because of what I learned at CIU I can confidently communicate the truth of Jesus Christ in a constantly changing culture. CIU gave me training, experiences, and relationships that I will be able to lean on throughout the rest of life."

Faculty Focus: David G. Cashin

Professor of Intercultural Studies

B.A., Gordon College; M.A., Dhaka University, Dhaka, Bangladesh; M.A., Ph.D., Stockholm University, Sweden

Dr. Cashin is professor of intercultural studies at Columbia Biblical Seminary and School of Ministry. Dr. Cashin obtained his bachelor of arts degree in history from Gordon College and his master of arts and doctor of philosophy in indology from Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden. While in Sweden, Dr. Cashin served as pastor of two churches. He wrote and taught courses and seminars in Islamic history, theology and Muslim-Christian relations.

For nine years Dr. Cashin served in Bangladesh as missionary, church planter, educator and development worker with SIM International. He is fluent in Bengali and Swedish and has extensive knowledge of seven other languages.

In the United States Dr. Cashin served as press secretary to the U.S. Center for World Mission and as director of research at the Samuel Zwemer Institute of Islamic Studies.

Prior to joining the faculty of Columbia Biblical Seminary and School of Missions, Dr. Cashin was principal of Valley Christian School in Northampton, Massachusetts.

Dr. Cashin is the author of The Ocean of Love: Ali Rajâ’s gam and Jnân Sâgara, The Ocean of Love: Middle Bengali Sufi Literature and the Fakirs of Bengal, The Secret of the Blessing of Abraham, Study Guide for the Blessing of Abraham, and Muhammad and the People of the Book. He also has published numerous articles on Islam and other subjects.

Dr. Cashin and his wife, Margareta, reside in Columbia.

Ph.D., Stockholm University, Sweden; press secretary, US Center for World Mission, 1977-79; director of research, Samuel Zwemer Institute of Islamic Studies, 1979-80; immigrant relations specialist, Saron Baptist Church, Gothenburg, Sweden, 1980-82; missionary, church planter, educator and development worker, SIM International, 1982-91; city translator, Eskilstuna, Sweden, 1991-94; teacher and seminar leader, Örebro Theological Seminary, 1991-95; pastor, Johanneberg Baptist and Salem Baptist Church, 1991-95; interim pastor, Stony Brook Community Church, 1996-97; principal, Valley Christian School, 1995-2001; faculty, Columbia Biblical Seminary and School of Ministry, 2001-present.

Prayer Towers

Servanthood

Blowing the shofar, Columbia International University Dean Dr. Bryan Beyer signaled in CIU's Convocation procession, ushering in another school year. Convocation, an ancient tradition, is held every year at CIU to dedicate the school's academic mission to God.

Provost Dr. James Lanpher recognized over 200 new students and several new faculty members while welcoming everyone into another school year. Events and accomplishments from the previous school year and summer activities were reviewed in a video presentation drawing loud applause from the student body, faculty and staff assembled in Shortess Chapel.

The congregational singing of the hymn "Take my Life and Let it be" and a prayer by Professor Dr. Andre Rogers set the tone for what was to follow.

"We realize we are here because of your grace and tender mercies," Rogers prayed. "We thank you for your faithfulness to all who call CIU their home."

CIU President Dr. Mark Smith delivered the Convocation message saying that he was directed over the summer to John 13:16, a theme verse for the coming school year:

"Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him."

"I challenge you today to spend a few minutes in the Word to understand a key principle about Columbia International University and our faculty and staff," Smith said. "To understand this whole idea of servanthood, I want to first take you to the beginning."

Smith focused on God's love, God's service, and God's call for us to be like Him. He retold the scene of Jesus washing the feet of His disciples in an act of humble servanthood. And then appealing to Scripture and drawing from experiences in his personal walk with God, Smith encouraged all to take on the loveliest of tasks in emulation of Jesus, giving oneself for others.

Smith finished by saying, "CIU students when you serve ..." and leaving the sentence hanging in the air, he walked to the side of the stage where a towel, bowl, and pitcher of water awaited him. Removing his Convocation regalia and getting on his knees, the president of CIU washed the feet of his special assistant, friend and faculty member, Dr. Andre Rogers giving all a visual of servanthood.

In an appropriate finish to the message, and in the tradition of CIU Convocation, the assembled sang CIU’s Alma Mater that includes in the final verse a call to service and the CIU motto:

The vision thou hast given of truth and human need, inspires us all to service to sow the precious seed. May we in consecration to Jesus Christ alone, fulfill thy sacred purpose: “TO KNOW AND MAKE HIM KNOWN.”

Columbia International University ranks #1 among colleges and universities in South Carolina by BestColleges.com. Excitement is growing on campus with CIU’s first baseball program in development, and online with CIU’s new Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership. Request information on enrollment at CIU and Columbia Biblical Seminary or call (800) 777-2227, ext. 5024.

Happy Labor Day!

Alumni Spotlight: Anthony (Tony) Opliger

"Hannah and I just celebrated thirteen years of marriage. We have four young children, one of whom we adopted from the DR Congo, We live in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where I have been serving as lead pastor within Northeast Christian Church for over ten years. Our vision as a church is to see Fort Wayne and the nations sing for joy as we proclaim and embody the good news of Jesus and His Kingdom.

The two main ways CIU shaped our leadership within the church are formation and mission. The emphasis on formation helped to ignite a passion in us to see the people around us grow in Jesus. The emphasis on mission has helped shape our church to be on mission in practical ways in the increasingly post-Christian North American context."