The Forge Report: Vol 126, March 2011

Volume 127: April 2011

Fresh Faith, Fresh Power Ministry Forum

Join us on Tuesday, April 12, 2011, for a special day event with featured author and pastor Jim Cymbala of Brooklyn Tabernacle, home of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Fresh Faith, Fresh Power, is an event that will challenge you to reach out to God for all He has planned for your life.

Fresh Faith, Fresh Power is a Valley Forge Christian College Ministry Forum event and will be an inspiring, renewing and transforming day!

Time: 10am - 3pm
Cost: $15/person. Groups of 5 or more $10/person
Lunch is included with registration.
Deadline: Registration deadline is April 5, 2011

Click here to register online »

Breakaway Event Impacts Student

When VFCC students receive word each semester that it is once again time for Breakaway, many fondly remember their own past visits. One of these students is Nicole Berkebile, a sophomore Youth Ministry major from Johnstown, Pa. Hearing about the upcoming spring event, Nicole decided to write a grateful email describing her personal experience as a Breakaway guest. "Breakaway is more than just a day of high school students 'trying on' college for a day," she states.

Click here to read her heartfelt story »

VFCC Alumnus Stands Up For His Beliefs

Pastor Gerry Stoltzfoos '90, was asked by a congressman in his church to open a session of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in prayer. Hesitating at first, Gerry finally agreed, but was surprised to receive a call from the Office of the Speaker of the House requesting a copy of his prayer. Opposed to pre-planning his conversations with God, Gerry at first said "no thank you" until his congressman friend persuaded him to reconsider. After emailing the prayer, he received word back asking him if he could edit it for one "offensive" word at the end - Jesus.

Click here to read the full story »

Commitment to Service and Environment

VFCC will once again demonstrate its enduring commitment to service and environmental stewardship in its own back yard as students, faculty and staff participate in the annual tradition of Community Service Day. Students will be cleaning local roads and parks, performing light manual labor projects, and landscaping senior citizens' lawns.

Community service and engagement have long been a tradition at VFCC, and have become a distinct part of student's educational experience. Through this campus-wide local community service day, students will be investing time in people to make a difference, reinforcing VFCC's mission and core values.

VFCC will be meeting the needs of its community on April 13, 2011. Keep our students, faculty and staff in your prayers as they model love in their own community and minister through this outreach.

Fulbright Students to Plant 40 Trees on Campus

Fulbright Scholars and Students to plant 40 trees at VFCC campus

VFCC will be hosting 30 of the nearly 140 Fulbright students from nearly 65 countries around the world for the 2011 Philadelphia Fulbright Seminar taking place April 7-10, 2011. With the theme, "Greening of the Planet: Global Challenges, Local Solutions," they will be joining VFCC students, faculty and staff on Saturday, April 9, to help plant 40 trees in various locations around campus.

These enrichment activities, an integral part of the Fulbright experience, benefit Fulbright foreign students and support the Fulbright Program's overall mission - to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.

Over three days, students will explore the theory and practice of environmental sustainability and its implications for urban living, scientific innovation, economic development and education. They will participate in interactive discussions with subject matter experts, volunteer in local community service projects, engage in group workshops and explore Philadelphia's unique role in making a local impact.

Make a Lasting Impact on VFCC

Transform lives, reach your financial goals, and make a lasting impact on Valley Forge Christian College. Planned giving can make it happen. A variety of charitable options allow you to make a significant gift to VFCC and reach future financial goals for you and your family.

Options include: charitable remainder trust, endowment, charitable gift annuity and donor advised fund. VFCC is partnering with Assemblies of God Financial Services to provide professional planned giving services.

For information on how your gift can benefit VFCC, contact:

Dr. Dan Mortensen
Vice President of Finance & Development
610.917.1440
Email

Professor Jerome Douglas Receives Ph.D.

VFCC is pleased to announce that Jerome Douglas, Church Ministries faculty, successfully defended his doctoral dissertation on January 26, 2011.

His dissertation, entitled Qoheleth: An Anti-Apocalyptic Genre for a Message of Joy, was completed through the Ph.D. program at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The emphasis of his program was on the Old Testament, focusing specifically on the book of Ecclesiastes.

Since arriving at VFCC in the fall of 2006, Professor Douglas has enjoyed teaching Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, Introduction to Biblical Languages and Beginning Hebrew I. He also teaches elective courses such as: Pentateuch, Psalms and Wisdom Literature, Historical Books, and Biblical Theology.

Please join the VFCC community in congratulating Professor Douglas on his remarkable accomplishment.

Alumni & Friends Reception at General Council

VFCC will be hosting an Alumni & Friends Reception at General Council on Wednesday, August 3, 2011, beginning at 9 pm in the Phoenix Convention Center. The reception is a wonderful time to reconnect with your fellow alumni and enjoy wonderful food and beverages. Dr. Don & Evie Meyer and numerous other college representatives will be there to meet you. We look forward to seeing you and hearing what the Lord has been doing in and through your ministry. Please make plans to join us!

Professor Contributes to Italian Compilation

Professor Malcom Brubaker -Testimoni Della Fede Nelle Chiese Della Riforma

When a Catholic press in Rome enlisted the help of some Protestant leaders to write about past influential men and women of the Protestant tradition, Professor Malcolm Brubaker was invited to contribute to the compilation. The finished book, Testimoni Della Fede Nelle Chiese Della Riforma, translated: Witnesses of the Faith in the Churches of the Reformation, became an A-Z biographical reference work made up of hundreds of articles about historical "witnesses of the faith."

Click here to read the full story »

Spring Break Mission Trip Photo Galleries

VFCC students spent their Spring Break ministering in Kenya, Greece, Romania and church-planting in Reading, Pa. Although these mission trips had an impact that changed lives in those that were ministered to, equally important, student's lives have been forever transformed. These mission trips allowed students to apply and excercise their faith and learning in transformative ways. Click on the link below to see some of the amazing things God did through these mission trips.

Click here to view the photo gallery »

Basketball Teams Reach National Championship

The men's basketball team reached the NCCAA II National Championship game for the second time in 3 years. They lost to two-time defending NCCAA National Champions Grace Bible College 56-76. The Patriots finished with a 29-8 record which places a tie for the best record in school history. Click here to read more about their season »

The women's basketball team reached the NCCAA II Final Four before losing to 14-time and defending NCCAA II National Champions Kentucky Christian University 51-87. The Lady Patriots finished with a 21-12 record and their first 20-win season in the history of the program. Click hear to read more about their season »

Spring Campus Visits

There is still time to register your group or student for Spring Campus Visits. All events are free!

Open House is a Saturday event for high school Juniors, Seniors and graduate students on April 2, 2011, and April 16, 2011. The day begins by having breakfast with the president. From there you head out on a campus tour, learn about life at VFCC and then connect with faculty and students in your field of interest. Continue your conversation over lunch, then attend a tour of residence halls, a financial aid seminar and personal appointments with Admissions or Financial Aid. Register online for Open House »

College-for-a-Day is an individually designed weekday visit for any high school student or graduate. An Admissions counselor will create a schedule that includes classes, a campus tour and lunch with a student host. Appointments with coaches, faculty and financial aid can also be added depending on time restrictions. Register online for College-for-a-Day »

For more information, please call 800.432.8322

Don't Miss the Spring Concert

The VFCC Music Department, under the direction of Dr. William DeSanto, will present their annual Spring Concert on Saturday, April 16, at 7:30pm in the Flower Chapel. The evening will feature performances by the VFCC Wind Ensemble, the College Choir and more.

The first half of the program will include selections by the Wind Ensemble followed by the College Choir singing excerpts from Mendelssohn's "Psalm 42". Following a short intermission the College Choir will present a variety of sacred and gospel songs.

Admission is free. For more information, visit our website or call 610.917.3954.

Save the Date for Homecoming 2011

This year, Homecoming will not be held on the 4th Friday of October but rather on the 3rd Friday. Please mark your calendars now for FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2011, and the entire week of the 17th for special Homecoming speakers, awards and reunions. Call the Alumni Office at 610.917.1414 if you have specific questions or to start planning your class reunion.

Ministry Teams - Chosen & Pneuma Now Booking

VFCC ministry teams, Pneuma and Chosen, are booking now through summer and fall 2011. While schedules are filling rapidly, dates are still available.

These student teams are available to minister in churches, youth groups, retreats, camps, or other special events.

Pneuma and Chosen desire to impact the lives of others for salvation, growth and ministry through the use of contemporary music and testimonies. The teams also share how God is working in them as they prepare for a life of service and leadership in the church and in the world.

Booking requests can be processed by calling Donna Headlee at 610.917.3954 or by visiting the link below.

Click here to book VFCC ministry teams »

New Health Center Director

VFCC is pleased to announce the addition of Michelle Keating-Sibel as the new Heatlh Center Director. Michelle is a Pennsylvania Registered Nurse. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from East Stroudsburg University, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Villanova University. Michelle is presently completing her Master of Science in Nursing at Villanova University. Prior to fulfilling a more meaningful career in nursing, Michelle held various marketing and management roles for insurance and technology companies. Michelle is married to her husband Steve. They have two wonderful boys, Christian, who is 5 years old, and Brennan, who is 5 months old.