On this special episode of the Inside LCCS podcast, Rob Maupin discusses an exciting training workshop on the Lincoln campus at the end of June.  Youth ministers, youth leaders, and core youth group members are invited to spend June 25-27 in Lincoln to get specialized leadership training for their contexts from some experienced mentors and teachers.  Listen as Rob discusses what participants can expect and what some of the workshop leaders will present.

Click here to register and learn more details about The Exchange event, June 25-27, 2009.

Graduating senior Caleb Wright - Photo by Michael Gowin

Commencement will take place on the LCCS campus this Saturday, May 16.  This week’s interview subject, business administration major Caleb Wright, will be there to collect his diploma and head out into the world as a Lincoln servant-leader.  Enjoy this episode of the Inside LCCS podcast as Caleb discusses:

• Growing up, literally, in the church
• Choosing to attend LCC and enroll in the business administration program after a visit with business professor Eric Teoro
• Learning about himself through some conversations with his sister and a friend and deciding to make some changes for the better
• Good things learned in the business program that have helped prepare him for life after LCC
• A seven-month internship experience with Indiana Caterpillar dealer MacAllister Machinery
• Returning to campus for his final year and working part-time as a worship minister for Lincoln Christian Church
• Taking a position with MacAllister Machinery as the “Continuous Improvement Specialist” after commencement this May
• The value of having good connections to get started and working hard once on the job
• Advice for undergrads: take advantage of the opportunities in front of you
• A recommended book: 8 To Be Great by Richard St. John

President Keith Ray - Photo by Michael Gowin

As mentioned yesterday, LCCS celebrated its 65th anniversary on May 5 with a special chapel service, message from Dr. Tom Tanner, and an announcement about an upcoming change to the school’s name.  On this episode of the Inside LCCS podcast, President Keith Ray discusses some of the institution’s recent challenges as well as its hope for the future.  Listen as Dr. Ray explains:

• Challenges faced by the school in light of its missional niche and the recent economic climate
• Budget trimming to help control costs while attempting to provide an excellent education for students
• Encouraging churches, donors, and supporters to continue to partner with the school and send students to campus
• Renewed recruiting leadership with a new director of admissions
• New plans for marketing and branding
• Celebrating the legacy of Lincoln’s 65 years with a new name–Lincoln Christian University–and new online programs through The Hargrove School
• Timeline for the rollout of the new university identity (see the FAQ and rationale — PDF documents)

Your comments and questions are invited: feel free to leave your feedback below.

Today marks the school’s celebration of its 65th anniversary.  On May 4, 1944, Earl C. Hargrove obtained a charter from the State of Illinois to establish Lincoln Bible Institute in Lincoln, Illinois.  To commemorate the occasion, Tuesday morning’s chapel service featured a brief message and an 11-minute “65-point” video by Dr. Tom Tanner.  In addition, Tom has written a book entitled Verses and Voices that tells the story of Lincoln from its founding to today.  That book (plus the DVD of the 65 point history) is available today and can be ordered through the web site.  Dr. Tanner was interviewed on Episode 025 of the Inside LCCS podcast–you can hear more of his backstory in that interview.

President Dr. Keith Ray also announced that the school will be changing its name from Lincoln Christian College and Seminary to Lincoln Christian University.  Dr. Ray has written a white paper (PDF) reflecting on the name change as well as a “frequently asked questions” document (PDF) to help explain the reasons for the change.

Dr. Ray will be featured on the next episode of the podcast.  He will explain some of the school’s challenges of the last few years and discuss the name change as well.  Look for that podcast here tomorrow.

Jon Gainer in the Jessie C. Eury Library - Photo by Michael Gowin

This episode of the Inside LCCS podcast features LincUp student Jon Gainer.  Jon will be finishing his undergraduate degree in June and plans to move his family to Ukraine to begin a church planting ministry there next fall.  Jon’s life revolves around the idea that he has been in control and out of control of his life at times, while being reminded that he needs to trust God.  Listen as John describes:

• His upbringing in a Lutheran home and faith journey after high school in the Marine Corps and the following years
• The instrumental role of Karl Roberts and Bettendorf Christian Church in his family’s life
• Leaving college to start an art gallery–a “worthwhile” learning experience
• Feeling called–very reluctantly–to pursue a future in missions after a short-term trip to Ukraine
• Coming to Lincoln to study because “it just felt right”
• How LincUp (plus running a business and having a family) has been one of the hardest things he’s done
• How experience with a previous employer led to his starting CampaignPros, a political campaign marketing business
• Plans for starting a church planting ministry in Ukraine this fall
• Business plans while living in Ukraine
• Marriage and children

Brian Mills in The Warehouse student center - Photo by Michael Gowin

This episode of the Inside LCCS podcast features Brian Mills, Vice President of Student Development.  Brian has served in several roles since his arrival here as a student in the Seminary including head resident, campus minister, and his current position.  As you’ll hear, Brian has a heart for the mission of the school and its students preparing for Kingdom service.  Listen as he discusses:

• The influence of parents and grandparents on his faith
• College and life experiences that eventually led him to Dallas Christian College
• Serving at Valley View Christian Church as a youth minister and singles minister
• Coming to Lincoln in 2002 to study in the Seminary in the midst of having his youngest daughter, Regan, diagnosed with a mitochondrial disorder
• Serving as the head resident of Titus Hall while working on his M.Div. and tending to his family’s needs
• Living in the tension of calling Lincoln “home” while helping prepare students to serve others
• Responsibilities as VP of Student Development
• Lincoln’s GPS model for developing students: Gifts, Passion, and Sense of Calling
• Interacting with students at their best (and their worst–but in a spirit of redemption)

Brian is also an insightful preacher.  Click here to hear his chapel sermons.

Kyle Alt in “The Well” at Jefferson Street Christian Church - Photo by Michael Gowin

This episode of the Inside LCCS podcast focuses on Kyle Alt, youth minister at Jefferson Street Christian Church in Linoln, IL.  Kyle is a graduate of the College and a student in the Seminary.  Listen as Kyle talks about:

• Growing up in “central Illinois” as a preacher’s kid
• Embracing faith for himself early in high school and then making a commitment to God in his senior year
• Enduring his mother’s death from cancer
• The love shown by the Christian community during that time of loss
• Coming to LCC, having made the decision to do so as a freshman in high school, because of the quality of the faculty
• His mentoring relationship with youth ministry professor Rondel Ramsey
• Current studies in the M.Div. program in the seminary
• Why “attitude” was the key to his experience at LCC
• Desires to be in youth ministry for as long as he’s able

Dr. Walter Zorn - Photo by Michael Gowin

On this episode of the Inside LCCS podcast, Dr. Walt Zorn, Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Languages, shares his story.  He comes from southern Georgia and brings an appreciation for God’s grace and a heart for preaching to the classroom.  Listen as Dr. Zorn discusses:

• Coming to faith in the Deep South through “spritual parents” and a call to preach the Gospel which eventually led to his enrolling as a student in Lincoln Christian Seminary
• How helping a friend learn Hebrew led to his further study of Biblical languages
• An offer to come teach languages at Lincoln Christian College
• Becoming Academic Dean at the College, which brought about regional accreditation through North Central/HLC
• Transitioning back to the classroom after five years as Academic Dean to teach Old Testament and language
• Courses taught in the College
• Continuing his call to preach through interim ministries, which also helps him teach better
• The value of his co-written two-volume commentary on Psalms
• His avid interest in the Civil War and a desire to understand it from the perspective of both the South and the North
• Current writing and publishing work, including a book project on Romans 3.22: the “faithfulness of Jesus”
• The meaning of “segula,” the ancient Biblical word on his license plate and in his studies

Hear some of Dr. Zorn’s chapel messages from the Media Services site.

Dr. Paul Boatman - Photo by Michael Gowin

Dr. Paul Boatman, Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling in the Seminary, has spent the better part of his career helping people as a counselor and helping students become better counselors.  In addition to his teaching role, he serves with Dr. Bob Lowery as co-dean of the Seminary.  Enjoy this episode of the Inside LCCS podcast as Dr. Boatman describes:

• Growing up in a Christian home with a father who served in the church and Bible college
• Being drawn to preaching ministry as a young man
• Transition from preaching ministry to counseling to teaching (via inner-city ministry in St. Louis, MO)
• Unique role as a co-dean of the Seminary
• Classroom responsibilities
• Opportunities for students studying in the Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC)
• Interest in missions and cross-cultural minisrty
• Providing pastoral care to missionaries in Zaire after the civil war in Rwanda
• Serving with the missions committee at Lincoln Christian Church
• Touring Israel with Bob Lowery and students in December 2009
• Lessons learned from grandchildren and running marathons
• Summer plans: hiking the Canyonlands in Utah, vacationing in California, fishing in Canada, and teaching in Ukraine, Austria, and Colorado

Bob Monts, Director of LincUp - Photo by Michael Gowin

Adult learners and non-traditional students have been the special focus of the work and ministry of this week’s guest on the Inside LCCS podcast.  Bob Monts, Associate Professor of Adult Education and Director of the LincUp program, shares his insights this week.  Listen as Bob discusses:

• Being raised in central Illinois and coming to Lincoln Christian College as a non-traditional student himself at the age of 27.
• Taking a preaching ministry during his first semester at Lincoln.
• Serving in churches in central Illinois, including Putnam, Streator, and Hirscher.
• Coming to LCC full-time in 2000 to develop LincUp, a distinctly “Lincoln” adult education program.
• The growth of the three degree programs in LincUp over the years.
• Development of LincUp extension sites in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Danville, Illinois.
• The diversity of the LincUp student body and the kinds of students who enroll in the program.
• Measuring success for LincUp graduates.
• The bright future for the LincUp program (in light of some yet-to-be-announced institutional changes).