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72nd Commencement Ceremony - May 6, 2011
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On Friday, May 6, 2011, one hundred fifty-eight graduates will receive their degrees from Valley Forge Christian College (VFCC). Family and friends of the graduates will hear Eastern Bible Institute alum, Don Storms '55, give the 72nd Commencement Address.
 In 1975, Don became Senior V.P. at the PTL Club in Charlotte, N.C. He and his wife, Ruth, had a half-hour music TV program "Accent on Music".
Today, Don continues to minister with U.S. Mission America Placement Service (MAPS) building churches and Teen Challenge centers across the country.
Both Baccalaureate and Commencement will be broadcast live over the Internet on Friday at 10 am and 3 pm, respectively.
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Music Technology Summer Graduate Courses
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 Valley Forge Christian College offers a Masters of Music in Music Technology. The degree and its associated coursework cover music production, digital video, multimedia, and music notation. The musical and technical skills needed by creative artists and communicators are emphasized. The curriculum includes current technologies and research. Much of the program can be completed through distance learning (the education track can be fully completed online). Worship leaders, practicing performers, composers and educators alike will benefit from this training. Valley Forge Christian College's facilities include a state-of-the-art digital audio recording studio, SD and HD broadcast studios, a fifteen-station video editing lab, a ten-station audio production suite and a multimedia production room. Students will each be assigned a fully-equipped workstation during the class. |
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Summer Trips to Argentina and Beyond
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 VFCC students will be ministering and sharing the heart of God over the summer in Argentina May 11-22, 2011. Follow their blog to read about the amazing stories as this ministry trip unfolds. Additionally, there are five students participating in a program to teach English in a South Korean University July 16-August 16, 2011. VFCC also has students who will be interning over the summer in Germany, Mozambique, Belgium and more. Keep these students in your prayers for God's love to flow through them to those they meet and minister during their travels. |
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Miracle Baby Turns 10
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 In 2001, the Forge Report published an article about the birth of a miracle baby. Born September 13, 2000, Daniel Kelly Anderson was born to Stephen '95 and Rebecca (Kasulke) '95 Anderson. He was born almost three months early, and along with low lung function, was diagnosed with CHARGE syndrome. CHARGE syndrome is a recognizable genetic pattern of birth defects that results in medical and physical difficulties. Now, 10 years later, Daniel is celebrating life as an active fourth-grade honor roll student.
Click here to read more about Daniel's story »
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Studies Abroad Semester in Uganda
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 Rachel Martin, a senior majoring in Social Work, had the opportunity to study abroad in Uganda this past fall semester with 31 other individuals. She recalls this experience as her best semester of college thus far. "It is hard for me to sum up the four month trip because the experience changed me so much," Rachel says. "I grew in God and as a person".
In the four months Rachel was in Uganda, she did her Social Work junior practicum, visited the genocide spots of Rwanda, lived with an Ugandan family in both the city and in the bush, took 16 credits, and interacted with a new culture in a way she never had before. One of the most impactful experiences she encountered while she was there was the idea of simple living. "I only had a few outfits, all of which were composed of skirts. I ate rice and beans for almost every meal. It was all around easier to live a simple life," Rachel recalls. She learned what it was like to live as an Ugandan; the benefits and the detriments. She also learned about relationships as the group she went there with were essentially forced to be together at all times, and she learned what it is like to truly love others as though they were your own family.
Rachel wishes more people could experience what she experienced. The beauty of the country alone is reason enough to go, but the four months of experience, learning, and growing that she had were truly incredible and have helped shape her life and who she is as a person. "I am so thankful that I got to experience a semester abroad."
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Alum Receives Citadel Heart of Learning Award
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 Carrie Mitton '03, was recognized out of 2,500 nominations as a finalist in her Chester County district for the Citadel Heart of Learning Award. This is "a nationally recognized program through Citadel Banking and the Chester County Intermediate Unit designed to honor and thank Chester County's teachers while raising awareness of the impact that their hard work and dedication have on students, families, and the entire community."
Click here to read more about this exciting honor for Carrie »
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Community Service Day a Success!
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 VFCC demonstrated its enduring commitment to service and environmental stewardship in its own back yard as students, faculty and staff participated in the annual tradition of Community Service Day. Students cleaned local roads and parks, performed light manual labor projects, and landscaped senior citizens' lawns.
Click here to view a photo gallery »
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Lady Patriots Highlighted by CCSN
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 Christian College Sports Network (CCSN) is featuring a video on the VFCC Women's Basketball team and their trip to the National Tournament. The video was directed by Digital Media student Dave Manning, with the participation of many Digital Media students and professors. Highlights of the video include the players' journey to the tournament, how the VFCC Digital Media crew played an integral role in broadcasting the event, as well as an interview with Trent McGee, creator and Director of CCSN. Trent states, "There is no other [team] I'd rather partner with than Valley Forge Digital Media..." Click here to watch the video » |
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Applied Urban Ministry Course
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 The real world is diverse, increasingly urban, and hurting. Valley Forge Christian College is strategically located with mega mission fields literally at our doorstep! Through a monthly, weekend, on-site Applied Urban class, VFCC is positively impacting cities, and preparing future church planters. Students leave their classroom desks to learn through the life experiences of dynamic urban ministers, accompanying them in hands-on ministry to the destitute in Pittsburgh, Reading and Philadelphia, Pa. This class educates, equips and inspires cross-cultural church planters, city pastors, and all those with a call to urban ministry. The Urban Ministry course will equip students with tools to fulfill God's call on their lives. Through the anointed ministers, who teach the classes, students discover how much God cares for individuals in the mega cities. Students will be empowered to share, one-on-one, the good news of the gospel, as they introduce those living on the streets to a vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ. As students pray for the sick and thank God for transformed lives, you will witness miracles. Through practical ministry students serve nourishing food to the hungry and accompany seekers to a brand new church. For more information on this course, contact Victoria Lee at 610.917.3911. |
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Stepping Stone Family Fun Run
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 On Saturday, April 16, 2011, the Stepping Stone Education Center hosted the 2nd Annual Stepping Stone Education Center's Family Fun Run. All proceeds of the run benefited the Scholarship Fund which provides funds to the needy children enrolled in the Stepping Stone Education Center. The day included a 5K and a one-mile family walk.  Kyle Young '10 was the overall first place winner of the 5K, finishing the race with an impressive time of 17:19. VFCC Assistant Professor and Academic Counselor, Kathy Terragnoli '83, finished first place in her age category as well. Other representatives from the college included Professor, Kristin Mathias and her husband, Storms Research Center Director, Paul Mathias. 45 entrants finished the 5K race and 27 entrants finished the one-mile walk. "The race was fun and it felt good to support a great cause," Kathy stated. "Next year we hope to have an even greater participation." The Stepping Stone Education Center provides full time pre-school to three, four, and five year olds, includes a Kindergarten Enrichment class, a summer program for pre-school and school age children, and an after-school program. |
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Fulbright Students Plant 40 Trees on Campus
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 VFCC hosted 30 of the nearly 140 Fulbright students from nearly 65 countries for the 2011 Philadelphia Fulbright Seminar that took place April 7-10, 2011. They were joined by VFCC students, faculty and staff, and planted 40 trees in various locations around campus.
Click here to view a photo gallery »
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Spring Blood Drive Success
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 On Monday, April 11, 2011, VFCC hosted a Red Cross Blood Drive. 78 donors gave blood, 65 units were collected, and 195 lives were saved! In addition to this, the Platelet Ambassador received a verbal commitment from at least 20 people to give platelets in the future, so VFCC can now host platelet giving as well. Thank you to all you who were involved in this day! Please keep your eyes posted for the next Red Cross blood drive in early November.
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Alumni & Friends Reception at General Council
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 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. President Meyer and his wife, Evie, 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! |
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Ministering Through the Airways
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 As a VFCC student, Harry Pressley '82, would never have guessed that his sermons would one day be heard hundreds of miles away. But when God opens a door, sometimes He opens it through the airwaves.
Along with serving as the lead pastor of Calvary Chapel Bellmawr in New Jersey, Pastor Harry is also the founder of "The Shepherd's Heart," a radio program that airs every Monday through Friday from 4-4:30 pm on Hope 90.5 FM. The program reaches listeners in Baltimore, Ohio, and as far north as New York and Maine.
Click here to read the full story »
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When Dreams Come True
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 As a third-culture kid, Justin DeMartino '07, spent most of his life in Central and South America. He later moved to the United States and began attending VFCC with a Vocal Performance major; later switching to a World Missions major. After graduation, Justin applied to the Sight and Sound theatrical company in Lancaster County, Pa., and was cast as a backup Joseph in the Joseph production. This year, God opened the doors and Justin was cast as the shared primary role of Joseph, performing, "When Dreams Come True."
Click here to read the full story »
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Make a Lasting Impact on VFCC
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 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 |
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Save the Date for Homecoming 2011
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 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 October 17 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.
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Ministry Teams - Chosen & Pneuma Now Booking
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 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 »
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Flickinger Named Head Soccer Coach
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 VFCC Athletic Director, Jon Mack, is pleased to announce Dylan Flickinger as the new head coach of the men's soccer program. A transfer student in his sophomore year, Dylan played three years of soccer for VFCC. During all three of his seasons, Dylan was named to the NCCAA II All-East Region team. Dylan was more than just a good player. He demonstrated leadership qualities from the time he set foot on campus. He was a team-captain during each of his three seasons with the Patriots and served as the President of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) during his junior and senior years. Last summer, Dylan participated in a sports ministry trip with Ambassadors in Sports (AIS), playing soccer, conducting clinics and partnering with churches, soccer clubs, and orphanages throughout the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Dylan Flickinger will be greatly assisted by Bankole "Banky" Adeosun. Coach Banky is originally from Nigeria. Banky has also been involved with AIS since 2005 as a player, coach and director. Banky currently resides in Perkiomenville, Pa.
With Coach Dylan and Coach Banky comes a desire to grow a program that excels on and off the field. Each of them brings ministry experience and a heart for discipleship. Dylan, having just completed his career with the Patriots, has a passion to see the program succeed.
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Amanda Gauthier Named Head Softball Coach
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 VFCC is pleased to announce that Amanda Gauthier '09 has been hired as the head women's softball coach. Amanda, who also serves as the head women's volleyball coach, will lead the first-year program.
Coach Gauthier played high school softball at the Master's School and Cheshire High School in Connecticut. She was named team captain and the team's most valuable player during her junior and senior seasons. She was also named to the NECSAC All-Conference team during her junior and senior seasons. She played multiple positions including catcher, third base, shortstop, and outfield.
Earlier in her high school career, while playing for Cheshire, Gauthier was named to the state tournament's All-Tournament team. Since graduating from high school, Gauthier has assisted with several softball camps and clinics including Camp Eagle Wing (Machias, ME), and Camp Eagle Feather (Rocky Hill, Conn.). Amanda has a true love for the game and is excited to be a part of building the program.
The Athletic Department is very confident that Coach Gauthier is going to get the program off to a solid start. She has great enthusiasm and energy and is a great fit for the job!
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Leadership Tools
|  by Dr. Don Meyer
Blanchard, Ken and S. Truett Cathy. The Generosity Factor. Zondervan: Grand Rapids, 2002.
Greed: one of the most tragic human flaws. One look at the unequal distribution of wealth in most of the world's societies, or the exploitation of financial and environmental resources available, and its devastating effects become obvious. But instead of writing a diatribe out of anger and frustration over man's avarice, Ken Blanchard and Cathy Truett get to the root of the issue and suggest a solution. The root issue? A desperate search for fulfillment in life. How many times have we seen a music artist or movie star who has all the fame and worldly possessions a person could ask for, yet who leads a very empty life? The solution? Generosity. The extravagant, self-sacrificing type which requires one to give freely of the four most precious resources in his possession: time, talents, treasure, and touch. A truly prosperous life is one of costly, all-encompassing giving.
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DATES TO REMEMBER
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30th Annual Northeast Regional Softball Tournament
August 4-6
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