Summer missions teams spend 106 days in service

Summer missions teams spend 106 days in service

With final exams now nearly one month in the rearview mirror, Lipscomb students have turned their focus to their next objective – serving Christ across the globe this summer. Over the course of 106 days, from May 4 through Aug. 17, Lipscomb Missions will have 24 teams on the ground in 18 different countries. The timeframe is broad in scope – all summer long – and so are the locations and types of services being offered. From discipline-specific trips in Engineering that will be serving communities in Guatemala and the Dominican Republic to a first year trip to Moldova where a team of graduate psychology students will be providing therapeutic counseling to girls once caught in human trafficking, some students have the opportunity to take what they have learned in the classroom and apply it in a mission field. Students will experience a variety of cultures, from the two trips to Australia (Brisbane and Perth) where students will engage growing churches and encourage youth, to two trips in India where Lipscomb teams will spend five weeks in Mumbai, Delhi and Calcutta ministering in a country where Christians are the minority. In each of these missions, students will have the unique chance to literally “go into all the world,” as Jesus directs his followers in Mark 16:15. This year’s 24 summer trips are a record for Lipscomb Missions, up from 20 trips in 2011 and just eight trips three years ago in 2009. There has been a significant shift in the landscape of the Missions Program as the number of trips offered has flipped from being heavily weighted on spring break efforts to the current majority of summer trips leading...

Rock ‘n’ roll, Mike Farris-style, one highlight of upcoming TOKENS

The fiery Mike Farris and the Roseland Rhythm Revue will be among the highlights of “The Welcome Table” – the next edition of TOKENS–which will be at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Ryman Auditorium.In addition to under-the-radar star Farris, whose performances are flavored by old-fashioned revival shows, performers include Ketch Secor and Critter Fuqua of Old Crow Medicine Show, the Nashville Choir, Buddy Greene, Odessa Settles, Brother Preacher, the Most Outstanding Horeb Mountain Boys (Jeff Taylor, Aubrey Haynie, Byron House, Chris Brown, and Pete Huttlinger) and more. Of course, this is just the latest installment in the series of multi-faceted productions envisioned by Lee Camp, professor of theology and ethics at Lipscomb University. TOKENS features some of Nashville’s best musicians and songwriters. Each show also includes a theology lecture and creates an environment to promote good conversation. “TOKENS involves theology, humor and modern culture set to the tune of a bluegrass string band that’s just as likely to play Mozart as they are Guthrie,” said Jesse Baker, graduate of Lipscomb University who has been attending TOKENS for the past five years. “So, in short, it’s a little bit of everything I love most, and when you put it in the Ryman and have it benefit Room In The Inn, it becomes one of the most memorable experiences you’ll ever have in Nashville.” According to the TOKENS website, tickets can be purchased at all Ticketmaster Outlets; the Ryman Box Office (615.889.3060); or Lipscomb University Allen Arena Box Office.  Tickets are $27.50 to $34.50. For groups of 15 or more, and for students, get a 10% discount (and no fees) through...
Homecoming queen’s tale of Ugandan ministry stirs students

Homecoming queen’s tale of Ugandan ministry stirs students

When Katie Davis told Lipscomb students how she went from being a homecoming queen in one of the nation’s most affluent suburbs to becoming a mother to 13 Ugandan orphans, it struck a note. “Katie came to speak in chapel last week, and I was truly inspired for the rest of the day,” said Megan Crawford, a senior elementary education major from Bartlett, Tenn. Four years ago, Davis was homecoming queen at Ravenwood High School in Brentwood. Her life was full of good friends, a loving family and boyfriend, and a cute yellow convertible. She was planning to go to college with her boyfriend in the fall of 2008 and study nursing. But God had other plans. After graduating high school, she went to Uganda for a year to teach kindergarten at a local orphanage. She saw this as a temporary move, but God didn’t. Today, Davis is living in Uganda sharing her home with 13 orphaned or abandoned girls, ages 2 to 15. Davis is the legal guardian or foster mother for all of them and hopes to one day adopt them. “As someone her age who has been to Africa, I could relate to a lot of the poverty and emotions she has experienced while living there,” said Crawford. By law, Davis is too young to adopt in Uganda, said child welfare officer Caroline Bankusha. The rules say an adoptive parent must be at least 25 years old and at least 21 years older than the child being adopted. Davis has also started a nonprofit organization called Amazima Ministries. With support from U.S. donors, Amazima helps 400 children go...

Student faves among city’s best in annual poll

Students in search of good quality and good value likely would appreciate that some of Nashville’s best eats, coffee and entertainment can be found not far from campus. That’s at least according to readers of the Nashville Scene, which highlights Lipscomb student favorites in this year’s “Best of Nashville 2011: Culinary Heroes and Villians” issue. As is the case every year, the best-of issue offers its picks and readers’ choices for a number of categories, including places to get used clothes or hot Joe. For the “Best Breakfast” category, the readers suggestions aren’t particularly unpredictable: Pancake Pantry, Noshville and Cracker Barrel. “Best Cheap Eats” suggests Calypso Café, Local Taco and Mas Tacos. Need a good cup of Joe and a nice study atmosphere? Readers of the Scene recommend Fido, Frothy Monkey or Bongo Java. All are less than 10 minutes from the Lipscomb campus. For a list of all the Best of Nashville 2011 results, visit...
15 years and counting: Coldplay resonates on stage and recording

15 years and counting: Coldplay resonates on stage and recording

Fifteen years of meditative wordplay and music later, Coldplay still captivates crowds. The band, formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland, has its sixth album “Mylo Xyloto” set for release later this month. And Coldplay hardly has slowed down on the live stage as well, as demonstrated in a recent stop in Atlanta as headliners of  Music Midtown, a Sept. 24 festival at Piedmont Park. Other acts included Nashville transplants The Black Keys, Manchester Orchestra, Cage the Elephant and Young the Giant. But the day belonged to Coldplay, which has mastered the art of audience interaction, not only with music. As multi-colored beach balls are tossed throughout the crowd, the band’s neon light show gets people engrossed in their musical rhythms. “Mylo Xyloto” will be available for purchase Oct. 24. Several singles already have been released, including “Paradise” and “Every Tear Drop is a Waterfall.” The Atlanta stop is part of a tour that continues through the end of the year, with shows in various countries such as South Africa, the UK, France and Germany. Chris Martin once proclaimed the band’s music as “limestone rock” in comparison to “hard rock.” The band’s music has been called “meditative” and “blue romantic.” Many critics have deemed Martin’s lyrical wordplay as feminist. During the band’s early years, Coldplay became widely known in the media for giving 10 percent of the band’s profits to charity, which they continue to do. The band also asks that any gifts intended for them are donated to charity, according to a response on the FAQ section of Coldplay’s website. Bassist Guy Berryman...