by Cory Woodroof | Oct 12, 2011 | News Slider
If you either got the scent of a delicious meal or heard some good music this past Monday night, thank the folks at Open Table Nashville. Open Table Nashville recently hosted its 2nd annual Southern Cookin’ and Music Festival in the Flatt Amphitheater. The event was created to help raise money for the non-profit, interfaith organization. Brett Flener, a senior Law Justice and Society major and one of the organization’s co-founders, is very appreciative of the social and service clubs that helped with the event, as well as the other supporters of the organization. In addition to the southern food, there were several musical acts including Sarah Carter and the Pretty Ponies, Hogslop Duo, Jo’shua Odine, Relapse and Chrome Pony. Flener likes to think of the event as “spreading joy just to spread more joy.” He sees it as a “win-win” situation for everyone involved. Open Table Nashville defines itself as “a non-profit, interfaith community that disrupts cycles of poverty, journeys with the marginalized and provides education about issues of homelessness.” Open Table also works to provide community and transitional housing. Flener says that he wants everyone to know that Open Table Nashville is a community. ”We’re not really here to ‘fix’ people,” he said. “We don’t see these people as problems. We see them as brothers and sisters to be journeyed with.” Flener said that he wants Open Table Nashville to provide a community for those who have lost their own. “What we are looking to do, especially through our community houses, is to plug in and say ‘We want to be that family now,” he said. “We...
by Danielle Boyd | Sep 9, 2011 | Uncategorized
This week, 28 students packed their bags and boarded a flight to study abroad in Vienna, Austria. Each year, Lipscomb offers students (sophomores and above) the opportunity to expand their horizons through a study abroad program. “Our world is globalizing very quickly, and studying abroad equips students and gives them tools they can’t learn in a classroom,” said Melissa Swann, site director for the Vienna study abroad program. While spending three months in the country, students will live in apartment-style housing at the International Student Housing Facility, a not-for-profit agency that provides housing for students from all over the world. With the apartments located in the center of the city, students will have fast and easy access to one of Vienna’s finest shopping centers. During these three months, students will also study German and experience a whole new way of life. “I have never spoke German in my life,” said Andrew Hunt, a sophomore student traveler majoring in law, justice, and society from Centerville, Tenn. “The only thing I know how to ask for is ‘tap water’ at a restaurant, so it will be interesting to be in a culture where I cannot communicate with many people.” In order to enhance their cultural knowledge and communication skills, students will study at the Austria American Institute, an 85-year-old experienced collaborator for students studying abroad. “This exponential learning experience is provided to enhance students’ knowledge of the world around them,” Swann said, “while also continuing to strengthen their faith through small groups and community worship.” “I think I am going to do a lot of self-searching out there, growing spiritually and maturing,”...
by Hunter Patterson | Sep 9, 2011 | News Slider
On the morning the Twin Towers fell 10 years ago, our futures became a little less certain, a little more stifled. The anxiety of those first weeks – when it felt like we were living on the brink – has eased, or at least, become so routine that we don’t recognize it for what it is anymore. After all, you can only mourn the loss of life-as-we-know-it for so long before deciding to embrace what is and finding a way to move forward. To understand this is to understand – at least in part – the story of the way students and teachers have adapted to change. The change that was and still is life after 9/11. I know that I don’t speak for myself when I say that the attack felt personal. It was in our faces, in our homes, on our TVs. And most importantly, inside of our own country – on our soil. That was the case for two of Lipscomb’s own – David Hughes, former Special Forces and now Director of the Yellow Ribbon program; and Jon Corley, a student that is a part of the program, set to graduate in May. The attacks on the country hit them so hard – like it did many others – that it was one of the defining reasons they joined the fight against America’s enemies. Jon was 16 when the attacks happened. He says his experience was very different from what most of us went through when the first plane hit the tower. Jon was home alone that day. He was in bed, sick, and was woken...
by Amy Roberts | Aug 31, 2011 | News Slider
The story of Timothy Hill’s life is a lasting example of a young man’s desire to serve. God worked in Timothy for the 13 years he lived on earth and his passion and story is best captured in the book by his mother, Fern Hill, called Graduation to Glory. Timothy told his parents he wanted someday to “build a place where homeless kids could live, be loved, feel safe and have wide open spaces to ride horses.” Timothy began working at age 12 to save money for the land where he could make his dream become a reality. On May 11, 1972, a tragic bicycle-truck accident ended Timothy’s life at the young age of 13. His mother, wanting a way to commemorate his life, wrote a book entitled, Graduation to Glory, which recounted his selfless years and his dream of opening a ranch for homeless children. His parents, Jerry and Fern Hill, adopted their son’s dream, and God has blessed the journey ever since. Timothy Hill Children’s ranch opened its doors for the first time on November 15, 1980. For years, THCR has been a safe haven for children during their desperate time of abuse, neglect and crisis. It’s a 70 acre, farm-style campus, located in Riverhead, New York. For more than 30 years the work done at THCR has made significant differences to more than 700 young men. The goal is to help them see the bigger picture than what is in front of them and that every person who comes to THCR to hear and believe that they are valuable. It also teaches that everyone has gifts...
by Danielle Boyd | Jun 16, 2011 | News Slider
Impacting lives, guiding spiritual growth and building community through fun and excitement is the hope for Lipscomb’s 10 day summer enrichment camp called IMPACT. IMPACT is one of Lipscomb’s largest summer camps, hosting more than 2500 students from all over the Southeast for both junior high and high school students. Beginning June 17th-27th students, faculty, counselors and youth ministers will come together for a time of worship and prayer. “For 10 days IMPACT will have speakers, activities, games, worship time and entertainment for students to be exposed to and get excited about their faith,” said Assistant professor of youth and family ministry, Walter Surdacki. This year the camp will have tons of great games and entertainment such as: musicians, comedians, jugglers, karaoke, softball, baseball and etc. in order for students to enjoy a time of continuous fun and excitement. Of course while having fun, students will also have the opportunity to build their faith through group worship, nightly devotion and classes lead by youth ministers from all over the Southeast. Leah Raich, a senior public relations major from Memphis, Tenn. thinks that IMPACT is something very healthy to be involved in. “Impact is a good place for students to be surrounded other people who have been in their position,” Raich said. “They can learn from their mistakes and successes in order to grow spiritually.” IMPACT is not only a camp for students to have fun, but rather a place for spiritual growth and renewal. “The goal is for students to feel like they are not alone in their faith,” Surdacki said. “IMPACT is really just a great chance for...
