by Brianna Langley | Mar 25, 2013 | News Slider
Growing up is hard. Growing up in the mission field is harder. Children of missionaries often go through unique difficulties and experiences most people never encounter. “The mission field was difficult for me because I felt very lonely not knowing the language,” said Lipscomb freshman Mary Katherine Avrit. “Relationships were difficult.” Mary Katherine, along with her brother, Lipscomb sophomore Christopher Avrit, grew up in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. Their parents were traveling missionaries in Southeast Asia. “At the same time, it was really good,” Mary Katherine said. “I would not be who I am today if I hadn’t been over there.” Her brother echoed his sister’s thoughts on the matter. “I would definitely raise my own kids in the mission field,” Christopher said. “Yes, there are challenges that come about, but the experiences you gain, the things you get to do and see… they stick with you.” Lipscomb’s own Dr. Earl Lavender, a Professor in the Bible department and the Director of Missions, spent his childhood in Trieste, Italy. “Italian was my first language, so English was the language I had to learn,” Dr. Lavender said. “When I moved back in elementary school, I had to repeat an elementary grade because I didn’t speak or write English well enough.” Dr. Lavender spoke openly about the bittersweet experience of growing up with two culturally different homes. “I’ve never really felt at home in American culture, but I don’t see that as a negative,” Dr. Lavender said. “I think it’s made me much more aware of a sort of global worldview that I wouldn’t have otherwise...
by Erica Aburto | Mar 13, 2013 | News Slider
Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina has been elected pope, placing him as the spiritual leader to more than 1.2 billion Roman Catholic followers. Bergoglio — who chose the name Pope Francis — is the first pope to be born in the Americas. The 266th pope is regarded as a modern pope, being non-Italian, non-European and born in South America. As the long-time archbishop of Buenos Aires, Bergoglio has been regarded by Argentinians as humble, with good reason. As a cardinal, he chose to live in a small apartment rather than a more luxurious residence, chose to take public transportation instead of a limousine and he cooked his own meals. That humility and his dedication to helping people in need and the disenfranchised poverty is likely why he chose the name “Francis,” after St. Francis of Assisi, who also chose a humble life, serving the poor and forgotten, according to Vatican onlookers. After more than two days of tallying votes, white smoke rose from the temporary chimney atop the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday evening at the Vatican, signaling the end to the search for a new pope. The chimney was installed to allow the results of the papal conclave — the collection of all the cardinals from around the world — to be reported to onlookers. By tradition, black smoke signals a decision has not been made, the white smoke comes after the pope is selected. It took five votes by the cardinals to choose the new pope. Newly elected Pope Francis appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to greet the crowd gathered at St. Peter’s Square. The crowd could be heard chanting “Viva il Papa” or “Long live the Pope.” Pope...
by David Ball | Nov 4, 2011 | News Slider
For American Christians, it can be all too easy to forget how God has blessed us so much with our country. Despite all the problems and issues our nation is undergoing, we still have the freedom to be Christians. We do not face life or death persecution for our faith on a daily basis. However, there are many people, Christians, who are faced with certain death if they are found out to be Christians. Many of us here at Lipscomb have no idea what it’s really like to face such harsh persecution because of our faith. There are some students on campus, however, who do know first hand. Here is one of Lipscomb’s own and her story on what that kind of Christian life is like. Shaman Alavi grew up and lived in Iran until four years ago when her family, in her own words, miraculously moved out of Iran and settled in the Nashville area. Shaman’s childhood for the most part was not all that different from a typical young American. She grew up with her mom and dad and younger brother, and as a young girl, she spent her time going to school and moving from town to town depending on her father’s work. Her father was a doctor and frequently moved from city to city to help provide care for those in low income areas. Iran, however, for the past 30 years, has been subject to an Islamic Republic. In this type of government citizens are to follow Islamic Law, and over the years, this government has stripped away freedoms Iranians previously enjoyed before the Islamic take-over in 1979. “There is no...
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...
