The View (September 1998)

THE
MAGAZINE
OF
COVENANT
COLLEGE
Contents
i
Campus News
Covenam Passes the 1,000 Mark in Enrollment • Edith SchaeUerand
Douglas Gresham Spoke in Spring Chapels • Pacully Added and Promoted
• Maclellan Residence 1 lall in Use • Giving Gifts of Appreciated Securities •
Quest Alumni Plan Appreciation Banquet • Faculty and Staff Service Awards
4 Fall Semester Calendar
5 Gifts in Honor and Memory
A list ol gills received this year in honor or in memory of loved ones.
6 The Church Christ's Body Ministering
to a Broken \Aforld
Professor Brian Pikkcrt writes on the local church's role in reclaiming the
inner city.
7 Vision and Tools to Advance the Kingdom
Covenant's unique Christian economic development minor prepares
graduates to take Christ to the inner cities and the Third World.
8 Seeking the Peace of the City
Alumni Mark Gornik '84, Sara (Bclz 78) Drexlcr, Jim Graulcy '82 and
Chris Hatch '90 describe their experience in mercy ministries.
ti
Christ—The Fount of Renewal and
Re-formation
"II a biblically based education were merely to enable the middle class to
become mutually well off, then it would not really be a Christ-centered
education at all" —President Frank Brock.
12 Alumni
News, notes and photos sent in by alumni from across the nation.
13 Covenant's Own Brady Bunch
It's hardly news when two Covenant alumni get married, but this may be
the first time two alumni have gotten their parents hitched!
On the Cover
"Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the
city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray
to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you
too will prosper."—Jeremiah 29:7
SEPTEMBER 1998
The quarterly magazine of
Covenant College, the college of the
Presbyterian Church in America
Published by the Dcvclopmau Office
Director
D.C. Dreger
Editor
Denis Fogo
Contributing writers
D.C. Dreger
Brian Fikkcrl
Denis Fogo
Copy editor
Karen (Newton) Fogo '89
Designer
Swigcr Associates, Greenville, S.C.
Contact the editor at
Editor. The View
Development Office
Covenam College
14049 Scenic Highway
Lookout Ml, GA 30750-4164
Phone: (706) 820-1572, ext. 1233
Fax: (706) 820-0893
Email: ihcview@covenanl.eclu
Send alumni notes to
Alumni Director
Covenam College
14049 Scenic Highway
Lookout Mt., GA 30750-4164
Phone: (706) 820-1572, ext. 1649
Fax: (706) 820-0893
Email: alumni@covenam.cdu
© Covenam College, 1998.
Articles may be reprinted with permission
of the editor.
Covenant College complies with federal and state
requirements for nondiscriminalion on the basis
of age. race, color, gender, handicaps, or national
or ethnic origin in lire adminislralion of its
policies and programs.
Mission Statement
The Views purpose is to: Encourage alumni,
parents and friends lo keep Christ prv-emineni
in all areas of their lives • Give alumni, parents
and friends—our most imponantambassadors—
stories and informaiion aboul the college, its
students, alumni, faculty, and staff • Provide
alumni with an ongoing connection to the
Covenant communin • Give Gods people news
about Covenant that will encourage them to
praise, thank and petition our 1 leavenly Father.
Covmant~
"In all things . . . Christ Pre-eminent"
Campus
Covenant Passes the 1,000 Mark
in Enrollment
The college enrolled more than 1,000 students for the
hrst time this semester. At least 250 new students will
bring the number of traditional students to
approximately 770. Quest currently has about 180
students in its program. The masters of education
program has 61 students.
News
Faculty Added and Promoted
Four new members joined the faculty this semester:
Robert Littlcjohn is the new vice president for
academic affairs; Robert Bryan is associate professor of
information and computer science;Jay Green is
assistant professor of history; and Phillip Morton is
prolessor of education.
Several faculty have been promoted: Jeff Hall to dean of
faculty, Paul Morton '83 to associate professor of history,
Patricia Ralston '88 to assistant professor of English,
Randy Smith to associate professor of information and
computer science, and Oliver Trimicw 72 to associate
professor of interdisciplinary studies.
Edith Schaeffer and Douglas Gresham
Spoke in Spring Chapels
Edith Schaeffer, wife of Francis Schaeffer, and Douglas
Gresham, stepson of C.S. Lewis, both spoke in chapel
during spring semester. During Edith Schaeffer's visit,
the first Francis and Edith Schaeffer Scholarship was
awarded to Sam Hettinger '99, a Canadian Bible major
with a mission emphasis.
Douglas Gresham warned
graduating seniors to hold
fast to Christ during their
career years: "If you don't
have the arms of Jesus
Christ to fall into when you
reach the top of the career
ladder, you will have no
place to go but down."
a
Maclellan Residence Hall in Use
The hrst phase of Maclellan Residence Hall is complete.
Ninety-six students moved in at the end of August. A
dedication ceremony for the new building is scheduled
for September 15. All of the earth moving necessary to
begin building Ashe Activities Center is complete and
the steel support beams are on site.
AMPUS NEWS
Making a Gift of Appreciated Securities
gift ol appreciated securities to Covenant
can greatly benefit you by providing tax
benefits through a charitable income tax
deduction.
$30,000. If you make a gift of these securities outright to
Covenant, you immediately receive a $30,000 charitable
income lax deduction and avoid capital gains taxes. At a
capital gains tax rate of 20%, the tax due on a gain of
$20,000 is $4,000.
Outright Gifts of Appreciated Securities
Long-term appreciated securities are stocks or bonds
that have been owned lor at least a year and have
increased in value. Making a gift of appreciated securities
benefits a donor in two ways—the donor receives a
charitable income tax deduction for the full fair market
value of the securities while avoiding capital gains taxes
on the appreciated securities. The gain is measured by
the dillerence between the cost basis (the amount
originally paid lor the stock), and its current lair market
value.
For example, suppose you hold 1,000 shares of stock
that were purchased at least a year ago. When you
bought the stocks they were worth $10 per share, and
today they are worth $30 per share for a total of
Stock Loss
If you have experienced a stock loss because of a drop in
the value of your stock, such as with an initial public
offering (IPO), it is unwise to give the stock directly to
Covenant. It is far better to sell your stock, take the loss
on your lax return, and then donate the proceeds to
Covenant, thus obtaining a charitable income tax
deduction for your gift and a capital loss.
For further information on gifts of appreciated securities,
please contact D.C. Dreger, Director of Development at
(706) 820-1572, ext. 1229 or email at
dreger@covenanl.edu.
You can establish a
Quest
Alumni Plan i^ppreciation Banquet
scholarship at
Covenant College
October 1 7
^Ln Appreciation Banquet
honoring the people who helped Quest graduates
complete their degrees will be held at The Cellar
Restaurant in Chattanooga at 6:30 p.m. October 17.
This is an opportunity to recognize the sacrifice and
contributions ol someone special—parents, children,
spouse, or friend.
Would you like to establish a scholarship at Covenant?
Have you always thought you could not afford it?
Consider funding a scholarship through a bequest,
which is an amount of money or a percentage of your
estate that you leave to Covenant in your will.
A minimum of $25,000 is needed to fund an endowed
scholarship. Through a bequest you can:
Tickets are $12.50 per person for the buffet dinner
and desert. There is limited reserved seating, so send
a check before September 25 to: Covenant College
Quest Banquet, 14049 Scenic Highway, Lookout Mm.,
GA 30750; $15 if after September 25.
■ Make a gift through your estate while
preserving the funds you need to live on
■ Enjoy the satisfaction of affecting the
lives of future generations of young people
Come enjoy good food, fellowship and great door
prizes. You should have received information in the
mail, but if you have further questions call the Quest
office at (423) 265-7784 or leave a message at (423)
954-2592 for Denise Reed, Quest alumni president.
CAMPUS NEWS
For more information about creating an endowed
fund, please contact D.C. Dreger, Director of
Development at (706) 820-1572, ext 1229 or email at
dreger@covenantedu.
2
Faculty and Staff
Service Awards
Covenant congratulates
the following faculty
and staff for their years
of dedicated sendee to
the college:
Faculty
25 Years
Edward Kellogg
Henry Krabbendam
15 Years
James Wildeman
Parents
Visitation Weekend
(all parents of current students and alumni invited)
Friday—Sunday, October 9—11
Come Thursday night so you can go to classes the next day
with your student
■ Cookout
■ Scots soccer
■ Meet members of the parents council
10 Years
Robert Ashlock
David Friberg
David Hoover
Oliver Trimiew
■ Meet new academic leadership
(Including vice president and dean of faculty)
■ See campus improvements
5 Years
William Dennison
Daniel MacDougall
Donald Petcher
Staff
35 Years
Phyllis Crooks
25 Years
Craig Lyon
20 Years
Dale Lee
10 Years
Donald Bailey
Ramona Moore
Herman Griggs
Contact
5 Years
Michael Hardie
Kent Huff
Matthew Vos
Troy Duble at (706) 820-1572, ext. 1646
Lucas Mininger at (706) 820-7209
or email: parent@covenant.edu
3
CAMPUS NEWS
fal Isemestercalendar
august
22
22-27
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Freshmen and transfer students arrive
New student orientation
Opening convocation, 7:00pm
First day of classes
September
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A
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Men's soccer v. Berry
Women's soccer v. Cumberland
Cross-country: Berry Invitational
Men's soccer v. Embry Riddle
Women's soccer v. Lmdsey Wilson
Women's soccer v. Lee
Volleyball v. Tennessee Temple
Men's soccer v. Lee
Volleyball: Tennessee Temple Tournament
Cross-country: University of the South
Men's soccer v. Bluefield
Women's soccer v. Birmingham Southern
Maclellan Mall dedication
Women's soccer v. Bryan
Volleyball v. University of the South
Men's soccer v. Cumberland
Volleyball v. Milligan
Cross-country: Powerade Invitational (Chattanooga)
Volleyball v. Montreal
Men's soccer v. Life
Volleyball v. King
Women's soccer v. North Georgia
Men's soccer v. Tennessee Temple
Volleyball v. Bryan
Day of prayer
Volleyball v. Bluefield
Cross-country: Commodore C.C. Classic
Men's soccer v. Montreal
Women's soccer v. Montreal
Women's soccer v. Tennessee Wesleyan
Volleyball v. Lee
Men's soccer v. Bryan
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NEWS
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Board of trustees meeting
Volleyball v. Clinch Valley
Cross-country: Midway Open
Men's soccer v. Milligan
Women's soccer v. Milligan
Volleyball v. University of the South
Men's soccer v. Tennessee Wesleyan
Women's soccer v. U, of Alabama-Huntsville
Volleyball v. Abraham Baldwin
Homecoming
Cross-country: Stormy Petrel Classic
Men's soccer v. King
Women's soccer v. King
Men's soccer v. St. Francis
Volleyball v. Maryville
Women's soccer v. Berry
Volleyball v. Tennessee Temple
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■
Men's soccer v. Piedmont
Men's soccer v. Anderson
Fall break
Men's soccer v. Martin Methodist
Volleyball v. Oglethorpe
Women's soccer v. Midway
Volleyball v. Bryan
Volleyball v. Montreal
Volleyball v. King
Men's soccer v. North Georgia
Women's soccer v. Piedmont
Volleyball v. Milligan
Cross-country: Southeastern Classic
Men's soccer TVAC semi-finals
Women's soccer TVAC semi-finals
Men's soccer TVAC Finals
Volleyball v. Clinch Valley
Cross-country: NAIA Mid-South Regionals
Volleyball v. Bluefield
Women's soccer TVAC Finals
Women's basketball v. Lee
Men's basketball v. Lee
Men's basketball v. Free Will Baptist
Women's basketball v. Shorter
Women & Men's Soccer NAIA Mid-South Regionals
Volleyball TVAC Conference Tournament
Women's basketball v. Bluefield
Men's basketball v. Bluefield
Women's basketball v. Bryan
Men's basketball v. Bryan
Women's basketball v. Clinch Valley
Men's basketball v. Clinch Valley
Cross-country: NAIA National Championships
Women's basketball v. Virginia Intermont
Men's basketball v. Virginia Intermont
Women's basketball v. King
Men's basketball v. King
Thanksgiving break
Women's basketball v. Columbus State
Women's basketball v. Piedmont
Men's basketball v. LaGrange
Men's basketball v. Thomas
Madrigal dinners
Men's basketball v. Mercer
Women's basketball v. Trevecca Nazarene
Women's basketball v. Milligan
Men's basketball v. Milligan
Last day of classes
Women's basketball v. Tennessee Temple
Men's basketball v. Tennessee Temple
Final examinations
Gifts in Honor or in Memory
Gifts have been received this year in honor or in memory of those listed below. Covenant is grateful to the
contributors and privileged to be associated with the following:
Doroihy T. Acomb
Heather Leigh Aiken
Mr. and Mrs Hugh Allen
Mrs. Hattie R. Allen
Rev. Robert S. Allyn II (1950-1996)
Jessica Ashley Ames
Richard Ames
Charles Anderson
Helen M. Anderson
Mark Arnold
Eileen Auel
Alan Kenneth Austin
Ann Avis
Robert Avis
Oliver W Babikow
William Allen Baker
Dr. Nicholas R Barker
Sandra Gale Barker
Mrs. Nettie Barkley
Dr. Marion D. Bames
Danny Bates
Jean Belz and Max Belz
Robert O. Birchler
Dr. Alice Bodle
Scott and Lansing Bosgraf
Christopher M. Braaksma
Dawn and Holly Brady
Sarah Katherine Britton
Frank Brock and family
Kim Hinson Brock
Mrs. Myra Kruesi Brock
Max E. Brown
Bill and Alice Burke
EdgarS. Burkins
H. Lennon Caines
Dr. David Calhoun
George and Sherie Clark
Gordon H. Clark
Ray Clark
Joe and Karin Clumpner
Clyde C. Cobb
John and Barbara Crane
Ray and Lilly Crawford—50th wedding anniversary
Dr. Thomas G. Cross
June M. Dare
Mary B. Darling
Jeremy Davis
Robert and Dora DeMoss
Clarence A. denDulk
Phillip Downing
Don and Marie Dull—50th wedding anniversary
Chris and Melissa Dyches
A1 Earle
Mary G. Edwards
Presley W Edwards
Nancy Maynard Ellis
Cedric Evearitt
Mabel E Faulkner
Sue Sims Fields
Rev. and Mrs. Frank L. Fiol
Adam Christopher Fish
Ensign Jeffrey R. Frey
Eihclyn Gartman
Dr. Donovan Graham
Artie and Susan Green
Harriet Elizabeth Hein
Leah Hcisig
Mr. W Mack Hewitt
Rev. and Mrs. Harold Flight
Mr. Albert liodge
Mr. and Mrs. John D. 1 lolmes Sr.
James O. Holton IV
Harold and jean Horn
Dr. John E. Huckaba
Valerie Anne Jarrard
Pastor Raymond Johnson
Joshua Leonard Kamp
James King
Andrew Kinzler
Travis and Sophie Knight
Dr. Hendtik Krabbendam
Ken Kullmar
Abraham Kuyper
Donald Lamsey
Alfred B. Lang
Browyn Rayburn Leonard
Sarah Leverctt
Courtney Gail Ligon
Jum Luikart
Craig Lyon
George and Ella MacLaren
Hugh O. Maclellan Sr.
Rev. William A. Mahlow Sr.
William Mailhiot
Millard Ray Mason
Nadine Kingsbury Mathis
James Matthew McCartney
William Donald McColley
Sean and Erik McDaniel
Mary McDougall
B.E McLelland
Reg McLelland
Harry H. Meinersjr.
Jody Miller
C. G. Mills
Rev Carter Mills
Mrs. Alice Warner Miltow
Sylvia Moll
Bob and Pat Monroe
Dr. Jack Muller
Mrs. Jean Nardin
Louise D. Nylander
Mrs. Mary T. Olsen
Joe A. Oppert
James B. Ordersjr.
Keith David Ormsby
TheodoreJ. Pappas
Jonah Parker
Dauris W Ration
Jake Ration
Charles P Pearce
Joan Peitit
Margaret (Peg) Phillips
Vernon Pierce
5
George L. Pinner
Steve Piluch
Scott Probasco
Kenneth E. Queathem
Debbie Ellis Rasa
Dr. Robert S. Rayburn
Scott Raymond
Laurel Reames
Rev. Tim Reed
Weslel Y. Reed
Jill Sheplcy Richards
E. Caroline Richesal
Julia Robertson
Robert M. Row ton
John W and Pearl H. Sanderson
Thomas R. Scalisc
Mr. and Mrs. Rudy Schmidt
Mrs. Dtura Roark Shropshire
George and Hazel Sinclair
Peter Sluisjr.
Isabel Temple Smam
Hugh A. Smith
Mable S. Sodergren
Dr. Eleanor Anne Soltau
Mrs. Marsha Spink
Rev. William Spink Jr.
Geraldine Steensma
Matthew Van Stelle
George B. Storey
1 lumcr Tobia Stout
Richard and Donna Strom
Daniel J. Summers Jr.
Maria Sundean
Dr. John Tallent
Andrew J. Tant
Gregory Keith Terry
Julia S. Ulrich
Mr. C. Byron Vaughan
Adele Delia Vecchia
Dr. Louis J. Voskuil
Ignatius A. Wagner
Susan C. Waite
A.Jean Warburton
Mr. Porier Warner
Jonathan Willey
C. Tyler Willison
Cary Whaley
Dr. Jerry Young
Jesus Christ
That Chrisi be pre-eminent
Bordwine Funeral Home
Covenant College Class of 1963
Covenant College Graduates from Covenant
Presbyterian Church, Saint Louis, Missouri
Covcnani College History Department
Covenant College Staff
First Presbyierian Church, Troy, Alabama
Fligher education
CAMPUS NEWS
the
Church:
Christ's
Body
Ministering
Broken
to
a
World
by Dr. Brian Fikkert
5--"
» t-
V
Sin is like an evil lyrant seeking to subject
the entire universe to its reign. Bodies
and souls, individuals and communities,
families and nations—all appear to be
under the oppression of the kingdom of
darkness. The effectsare all too obvious—
poverty, malnutrition, disease and despair—just to
name a few. But there is hope! Christ has conquered
the tyranny of sin and death. His kingdom reigns over
every inch of the universe giving hope to the blind,
the lame, the leper, the deaf, the dead and the poor.
being the primary focus of the deacons. A welldeveloped, holistic, word and deed ministry on the
part of the Church emerged.
In contrast, one of the most striking features of the
American church in the twentieth century has been
the large-scale retreat of evangelical Christians from
social concern. At the start of this century, evangelicals
were legitimately dismayed at the spread of the "Social
Gospel" by liberal elements in the Church providing
humanitarian assistance to the poor without declaring
the message of salvation through repentance and faith
A distinguishing characteristic of the early
Church was the importance it placed on "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he
declaring the Kingdom of God in the same
anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He
manner that Jesus did: ministering in both
word and deed to the poor, the blind and the has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
oppressed. The leaders of the Protestant and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the
Reformation also emphasized caring for the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor"
needy. John Calvin viewed the reLuke 4:18-19
establishment of the office of deacon as a
precondition for true spiritual revival. He implemented in Jesus Christ. In reaction, evangelicals largely
holistic, church-based community development in retreated from social involvement, abandoning the
his church in Geneva. When John Knox founded the care of the poor to theologically liberal elements in
Presbyterian denomination in the sixteenth century, the Church and eventually to widespread government
he divided Scotland into parishes. Each parish programs. This fleeing from social concern was in
congregation cared for the spiritual and temporal such stark contrast to the previous three hundred
needs of all the inhabitants in the parish with the poor years that one noted historian sadly refers to the
twentieth century as "The Great Reversal" in the life of
the American evangelical church.
With some hopeful exceptions, a large segment of the
evangelical church is not equipped to minister to the
economic needs of its communities. In fact, there is little
commitment on the part of most U.S. churches to alleviate
poverty. What makes this situation all the more
frustrating is that the need is greater than ever before
for the Church of Jesus Christ to play a lead role in
poverty alleviation. Recently adopted welfare-reform
legislation is designed to increase the role of grassroots
private sector agencies dealing with the poor.
Furthermore, this legislation includes a provision
prohibiting states from discriminating against faithbased ministries when allocating funds for
poverty-alleviation programs.
'It was [Christ] who gave some to be evangelists,
and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare
God's people for works of service, so that the
body of Christ may be built up"
Ephesians 4:11-12
While there is tremendous opportunity for the Church
to play an expanded role in poverty alleviation, it is not
well positioned to meet this challenge. Even if a
congregation wants to minister to the economic needs
of its community, it is unlikely that it has the technical
know-how or experience to meet those needs. A
congregation would find it very difficult to hire a person
with the necessary skills and experience since few training
grounds producing such people exist. In fact, Covenant
College's new economic development minor is the only
undergraduate program in any Christian college training
future church leaders in the technical aspects of churchbased economic development.
It is never easy to keep the word and deed aspects of the
Church's task in proper balance. Most churches basically
decide to do one or the other. 1 am convinced that Scripture
commands the Church do both—reflecting the fullness
of Christ, who ministered in a holistic fashion and has
equipped His church to do the same.
Brian Fikkert received his master's degree and doctorate in
economics from Yale University. His bachelor's degree is in
mathematics from Dordt College.
vision and tools to
advance the kingdom
,
Covenant's Unique Christian
/ith the exception
ol . „
,
....
1
i
Economic Development Minor
Covenant College „ „ , .
. „ ,
.
Prepares Graduates to Take
t ere is simp y no inner Qties and
undergraduale program
m any Christian college
training future church
leaders to use the tools of church-based economic
development," says Covenant economics professor Dr. Brian
Fikkert. With his specialty in economic development theory,
policy and strategy, he has been instrumental in establishing
Covenant's unique economic development minor since
joining the faculty in 1997.
"In Covenant's economic development program, we think
in kingdom terms," Fikkert explains. Students study poveny
by examining the comprehensive impact of sin's tyranny and
oppression. "But our studies do not end in despair because
we also explore how Christ's kingdom can bring healing to
every dimension of reality. We examine how the Church, the
body and fullness of Christ, has been instituted to declare
Christ's reign through holistic word and deed ministry,"
Fikkert adds. The program is designed to equip students
with poverty alleviation strategies for use in holistic churchbased community development ministries.
The economic development minor has two tracks: one
focusing on poverty in the United States and the other focusing
on poverty internationally. Courses in the minor include:
U.S. Urban Poverty, History and Culture of African Americans,
Small Business Management, Ministries of Mercy, Christian
Economic Community Development: Models and Tech¬
niques, Third World Development, Cultural Anthropology,
and a Christian Community Development Internship.
Approximately a dozen students participated in the minor
program during its first year.
Leading academics teach students state-of-the-art theory and
practice in economic development. Experienced practitioners
equip students with proven techniques for use in community
development programs. Students are then given practical
experience as interns in church-based, Christian community
development agencies. The program's goal is to produce
graduates with both a kingdom vision for church-based
mercy ministry and the practical tools to advance that vision.
FEATURE
Mark Gornik '84 and his
wife. Dr. Rita Aszalos,
recently moved from
Baltimore's Sandtown
community to facilitate a
new church emphasizing
community ministiy in
HaHcm.
Habitat for Humanity is
building l\\auy-sc\ en new
lumws on Leslie Street in
the Saiullown community
of Baltimore, /mn uling
safe, affordable housing so
Itxal residents can Ixrome
homeowners.
E
I
N
G
THE
T
Peace
of
the
Gornik says he left Covenant with a deepening love for
Scripture and a desire to live the Word faithfully—which
for him meant embracing the inner city. While attending
New City Fellowship, PCA, during his time at Covenant,
he began to understand that "the Gospel was powerful
enough to change the inner city." He took the "three R"
method of John Perkins as his ministry model: relocation—
live among those to whom you seek to minister;
reconciliation—restore the broken relationships between
God and man and each man to his neighbor; redistribution—
offer your gifts, abilities and resources for the empowerment
of the poor.
Several ALUMNI are INVOLVED in holistic ministries or
economic development in various forms. The following
are a few of their stories.
Twelve years ago Mark Gornik '84 and another family
moved to the eroding Sandtown community of Baltimore,
Maryland, with the goal of being good neighbors. Gornik
and his wife, Rita, recently relocated to Harlem in New
York City to be good neighbors in another trouhled
community, but they leave behind a robust network of
church-based community organizations in Sandtown that
continue to transform the neighborhood.
FEATURE
City
8
In 1988, the group that became NewSong Community
Church began meeting in Gomik's living room. Steve and
Mary (Lutz) Smallman '85 were also involved in planting
the church and have continued in the ministry there. That
same year the group bought a vacant building and began
two years of renovations to turn it into a base for the church
and its ministries. The group targeted a 10-block area of
Sandtown for holistic ministry.
Drexler works with Westminster's 650 middle and senior
high students to show them that everything they do can
be done as an act of service. Students are encouraged to
take what they are gifted at or interested in and use it to
help others. They are also taught that serving begins close
to home. Honoring upperclassmen by planning the juniorsenior banquet is as much of an act of service as ladling
soup at a homeless shelter.
The church's first service outreach was aimed at eliminating
some of the 1,000 vacant houses in Sandtown and providing
opportunities for low-income families to purchase homes.
Since establishing Sandtown Habitat for Humanity in 1989,
they have renovated or built more than 100 homes and
have 50 units under way.
Drexler constantly reminds students to be "PhilippiansTwo" servants, doing "nothing out of selfish ambition or
vain conceit, but in humility consider each other better
than yourselves . . . look not only to your own interests,
but also to the interest of others. Your attitude should be
the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who being in very nature
God, did not consider equality with God something to be
grasped, but made himself nothing, taking on the very
nature of a servant" (Philippians 2:3-7).
Other NewSong ministries include: NewSong Community
Learning Center, NewSong Family Health Services,
NewSong Arts & Media and EDEN Jobs, a job placement
and job readiness training center. "In everything we do, we
try to do our best—never second best," Gornik says. Local
and state leaders and even former President Jimmy Carter
have praised the church's efforts. Gornik describes the
hands-on approach of NewSong as "how we give witness
in the name of Jesus to God's new kingdom—a kingdom
not just of the world of ideas but for the world in which
we live."
Rev. Steve Smallman '85 of
NewSong Community Church
in Baltimore, Maryland, leads
worship at the dedication of a
Sandtown Habitat for
Humanity house. The organ¬
ization's goal is to build or
renovate 200 homes by 2000.
Sara (Belz '78) Drexler's
job is to instill an "otherscentered" attitude right
down to her students' toes.
For twelve years as director
of community service and
leadership development at
Westminster Chris¬
tian Academy, St.
Louis, Missouri, she
has facilitated stu¬
dents in learning to
serve others. The
school's dedication to
developing the next
century's
studentleaders is so strong
that it sets each
Wednesday afternoon
aside for its 100
seniors to serve in the
community.
Westminster teaches leadership through servanthood. Class
presidents and vice presidents plan service projects for their
class and "learn how to find a need and meet it," Drexler
explains. Students are not forced into service projects that
do not fit their gifts or interests. Drexler is a strong proponent
of giving students ownership of their projects and allowing
them to choose how they will serve others. Students keep
journals on their experiences and Drexler visits the projects
and encourages students to tell her how things are going.
Service projects at Westminster include tutoring, presenting
"Mr. Science" shows at public schools, taking urban kids
camping, working at a homeless shelter and serving the
elderly, sick and disabled.
"Covenant taught me to take the Bible and go! The world
belongs to you because it belongs to your heavenly Father—
go take care of it, redeem it, restore it. My heart is full of
pleasure at the prospect of teaching kids to focus on others,"
Drexler says.
Jim Grauley '82 works out his faith and calling by restoring
inner-city neighborhoods as Southeastern manager of
NationsBank Community Development Corporation (CDC).
He partners with cities and community groups, providing
"business discipline," technical expertise and capital that
turn a vision into an economically viable project. He can
actually help non-profits take on much larger projects than
they dreamed possible. NationsBank CDC has renovated
or built 6,000 housing units representing $125 million in
development in the last five years. The CDC is active in
Memphis, Nashville, Atlanta, Jacksonville and Miami.
Grauley feels God prepared him
for such a position and called him
to this vocation. He received a
bachelor's degree in engineering
through Covenant's dual degree
program with Georgia Tech. He
also has an MBA. "There are easier
ways to make a living, but this is
the best arena to work out my
faith," he says.
He admits that as a subsidiary of
NationsBank, the CDCs work is
good public relations for the bank
and fulfills its legal obligation to
invest in communities where it has
branches; however, he doesn't just
give money away. "Doing the right
thing is good business and
profitable," Grauley says. The
developments become win-win
opportunities for both the bank and
the communities. The bank est¬
ablishes new customers in formerly
depressed neighborhoods and
profits by loaning money to eco¬
nomically sound projects generated
by its development coqtoration. The
neighborhoods are revitalized as
their members are alforded the
opportunity of home ownership.
"When other commercial interests
begin moving into the neigh¬
borhood, we have worked ourselves
out of our job," which is the CDCs
goal, Grauley says.
Hope for Chattanooga is a
relatively new Christian com¬
munity development corporation
with many Covenant ties. It is a
ministry of New City Fellowship,
PCA, pastored by Randy Nabors
'72. Its director is Chris Hatch
'90, and Beth Ann (Volkers '93)
Jim Grauley 182 (left) ami NationsBank CDC
Rolleston runs the organization's
Atlanta Development Manager Joe Brown
GLAD tutoring program and
fxirtner with local non-profits to create better
summer reading camp. Professor
inner-city housing by providing "business
Brian Fikkert is on the board of
discipline," technical skills and capital.
Hope for Chattanooga. Fikkert
and his economic students developed The Grass is Greener
lawn care service last spring to provide job experience for
Grauley often partners with laith-based organizations when those enrolled in Hope's Work Opportunities and Readiness
redeveloping a neighborhood block-by-block. "The Center (WORC). This summer, Markjenkins '98 interned
churches are often the only things lelt standing that work with Hope for Chattanooga's Urban Ministries Team which
in the inner city," he says. Real change comes when people provided 200 PCA youth from around the country an
embrace the Gospel, Grauley says. However, teaching opportunity to minister in an urban environment. The
biblical principles such as accountability and the value of teams spent the summer rebuilding a house given to Hope
hard work produce better results than the failed liberal for Chattanooga by the city.
models of poverty alleviation. "1 am convinced that the
Reformed Christian worldview is the best basis for "1 get excited by seeing changes in people's lives," explains
Hatch when asked about his motivation for doing
approaching economic development," Grauley says.
community development. He sees development as "a very
practical outworking of a
Calvinist worldview" ac¬
knowledging Christ's lord¬
ship over all of life.
When a local church is
involved in both word and
deed ministries, a synergy is
created, allowing each
ministry to invigorate the
other, Fikkert says. He sees
Christ's ministry as the
model for the church—his
body. In the introduction to
Acts, Luke begins with a
Clnis Hatch '90 directs Hope/or
C.hattaiuxtga, a newly fanned
Christian canwiunity development
coijxnation affiliated with New
City Fellowship, PCA.
FEAT
U
R E
10
reference to his Gospel account, saying, "1 wrote about all that Jesus began
to do and to teach." Fikkert sees this as a fitting introduction to a book
describing the early Church ministering in Christ's footsteps by both
doing and teaching the Good News. >£«
The youth group of Grace
Refonned Presbyterian
Church, PCA, Baltimore,
Maiyland, work on a house
given to HofX'for
Chattamxiga Ijy the city: Top
row from left to right are
intern Mark Jenkins '98,
Urlxtn Ministiy Team
Director Tim Simpson and
Hojxfor Chattanooga
Director Chris Hatch '90.
Mark Jenkins '98 spoil the
summer working with Hope for
Chattanooga's Urban Ministiy
Team assisting 200 PCA youth
rebuild an inner-city house.
The Fount of
Renewal
From both the Bible and from history, we leam that
individuals who were led by God were used to reform
social structures, but they did not usually do it by
starting at the influence centers. Consider Jesus—he
lived among conquered exiles far away from Rome.
The Spirit anointed Him "to set at liberty those who are
oppressed." Most of the wise and powerful of that day
rejected Jesus. But the death and resurrection of
Jesus started a re-formation that would not only shape
Rome but also the power centers in all the ensuing
cultures.
If a biblically based education were merely to enable
the middle class to become mutually well off. then it
would not really be a Christ-centered education at all.
Throughout the Bible we see God as the defender and
provider of the weak, which is why I hope every
Covenant graduate has a heart for the poor, the
oppressed and the imprisoned—both spiritually and
physically.
Anyone who has worked in the inner city knows that it
takes educational, economic and spiritual resources
11
F
and Re-formation
located in and out of the inner city to succeed. It is
especially encouraging to see Covenant graduates
develop a wide variety of full-orbed model programs in
some of our country's most needy urban centers.
Many of those who live in the cities become skeptical
of "do-gooders" who come in believing in a quick fix,
but their skepticism is transformed into action when
others come alongside, willing to walk in their shoes
and show them the way out. Those who put their
security in the Creator of the universe and find their
home in His Kingdom are empowered to expose the
world's fatally flawed trust in material wealth and
socially constructed power.
I pray for re-formation. I believe it is occurring now. I
think we will recognize it as the work of God when we
see the inner cities of America reformed. Such
reformation will reshape Wall Street, government and
international relations. The harvest is great; the
workers are few. Pray the Lord of the harvest will raise
up laborers.
—President Frank Brock
E A T U R E
Come to Homecoming on
HEY
October 9 - 10th, 1998
ALUMNI,
Diamond Dan
and the Cut Gems concert
Saturday
WHAT'S
UP?
New job? New kid?
Astonishing hair loss? Tell the View all
about it—better yet send pictures to:
Marshall Rowe, alumni director
Covenant College
14049 Scenic Highway
Lookout Mountain, Georgia 30750
(706) 820-1572 ext 1649
Or try our alumni email hotline
alumni@covenantedu
fmiiaiif
Covenant College
14049 Scenic Highway
Lookout Mountain, Georgia 30750-4164
Address Service Requested
New Building Tours
Alumni Soccer
Men's Soccer
Women's Soccer
Cookout
Class Reunion Desserts
at alumni homes
Friday 9 p.m.
10 a.m—12 p.m.
11 am.
1 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
4:30 p.m.