The Forge Report: General Council Special Edition

General Council Special Edition

VFCC Unveils Mobile Media Command Center

Wondering what you saw rolling down the highway?

Valley Forge Christian College (VFCC) is unveiling their mobile Media Command Center (mMCC) today at the Assemblies of God National Fine Arts Festival 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. It houses digital recording facilities with two sound isolated rooms that will be independently operating for multiple simultaneous performances. Powered by Digidesign and Presonus, the technology inside the mobile Media Command Center is some of the most advanced in the industry.

VFCC's mobile Media Command Center

The mMCC will be used to record presentations of high school students from around the country. Worship teams, bands, and vocal and instrumental solos and ensembles will be able to record live tracks while their fans look on. In just a matter of minutes, they will walk away from the mMCC with a professional studio recording of what they have performed. In addition, students will have a chance to receive great giveaways from sponsors such as D'Addario, Planet Waves, Korg and Pro-Mark.

VFCC's brand new mMCC, a 48-foot semi-trailer outfitted with state-of-the-art digital recording equipment and instructional space, has been the brain child of Lee Bilotta, Assistant Professor of Music, for several years. With the support of Digital Media Professor, Dan Desrosiers, the team was able to bring to reality the concept that would ultimately become the new mMCC.

Over the summer, Bilotta, Desrosiers, and a small team of dedicated faculty, staff, students, and one special Retired Volunteer transformed the empty white trailer into a one-of-a-kind space filled with opportunity. The team renovated every inch inside the trailer, adding insulation, a ceiling, flooring, paint, lights and a soundproof music recording room. Don Lippmann, a Retired Volunteer, was an immense help, donating hours of service to install all of the electrical work. He and his wife, Olive, have been coming to the campus for many years to donate their time. This year, they also become major financial donors of the unique project.

VFCC also wishes to thank the following volunteers, whom without their invaluable help, this project would not have been possible: Doug Smith, Sean Day, Alicia Desrosiers, Ben Franco, Frankie Fusco and Karen Smith. Other contributors include staff Graphic Designer, Brian Lee, Director of Alumni Services, Kristie Overly, and Integrated Promotions owner, Chris May. VFCC is also grateful for driver, Mike Baronsky and the Pneuma and Chosen ministry team students that helped load the mMCC for its trip to National Fine Arts Festival.

While at General Council, the mMCC will operate in place of VFCC's customary Fine Arts music recording studio. It provides more space for larger instruments and ensembles, and offers an incomparable experience for musicians.

The mMMC will also be used for VFCC's Summer Technology Tour, which will make its debut in the summer of 2012. During this two-day Audio Technology and Video Production event, church audio engineers, video technicians, and worship leaders will gain hands-on experience to benefit their ministries..

A Look Back and A Look Ahead

Can you believe that in just a few short years we will be celebrating our 75th Anniversary? Preparations are already underway for this historic milestone. To spread awareness of this event, the 2011 General Council booth is featuring a 20-foot display with a timeline of important milestones in the college's history, and a look at where alumni Missionaries are serving around the world today.

The timeline includes captions and pictures that depict memorable times. From its humble beginning in 1939 as the two-year Maranatha Summer Bible School to the four-year accredited institution we know today, VFCC has grown and matured in ways that were once only dreamed of.

In VFCC's Flower Chapel, 47 flags hang on the walls to serve as a constant reminder of alumni serving around the world, from Albania to Zambia. Samplings of these flags are featured on the General Council display, as well as on a special "In FOCUS" slideshow featuring some of these alumni Missionaries around the world. Displaying pictures of these alumni and their families provides information as to where they are serving and how VFCC has prepared them for the work they are doing or have done. Dr. Don Meyer often calls attention to the flags that represent each one of these alumni and wonders aloud if there might be a current student who will answer God's call to a foreign field. It is often heard and counted aloud that "perhaps out of this next class will be country number 48, 49, 50, 51..."

You don't want to miss this! If you will be at General Council this week, please drop on by and take a peek. If you are not in Phoenix this week, there are still plenty of opportunities for you to view this remarkable display. Stay tuned for upcoming 75th Anniversary events and news.

If you have memories or pictures that you would like to share, please send an email to Kristie Overly, Director of Alumni Services, at kaoverly@vfcc.edu.

Did You Know VFCC is Giving Away Scholarships?

Do you know of a student that has competed in the Fine Arts Festival at a District or National level? Have they mastered a musical instrument? Each year, VFCC offers music and renewable Fine Arts scholarships to a number of qualifying students! If they have placed at the top of the District or National level of the Fine Arts competition in any category, they could receive up to $1,500 per category.

If music is their forte, they may be eligible to receive a music scholarship from the Music Department of up to $2,000 per year. They may even qualify for the college's Virtuoso scholarship - a full-tuition award given to select students who excel in their musical fields. Click here to get more information about how to qualify and apply for these multitalented scholarships!

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. 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!

VFCC Launches Youth Studies Online

Youth Studies Online...Crazy? Crazy good!

Think it's crazy to get youth ministry training online? VFCC has created a way that you can learn the heart and soul of youth ministry - way beyond just resources - with the flexibility you need with your busy schedule. Whether you're full time, part time, paid or volunteer, the training found through Youth Studies Online (YSO) will catapult your youth ministry to a whole new level!

YSO is an exciting hybrid online training opportunity available this fall out of the Youth Studies department of VFCC, and is being highlighted at General Council. Phil Baker, Program Director, will be on hand to answer any questions and discuss in greater detail. If you are not at General Council, you may contact him at pabaker@vfcc.edu.

The Youth Ministry Certificate consists of 10 college-level accredited courses and can be earned in just 18 months. In many Assemblies of God districts, this meets the requirements for ministry certification.

Committed to theological faithfulness, personal development and specializing in the unique needs of the emerging generations, YSO is an online learning environment bringing youth ministry training to you, anytime, anywhere - and at $99 per credit, it's a price that can fit any church's budget!

Click here to access YouthStudiesOnline.com »

Children's Ministry Online Modules Coming Soon!

Perhaps you've attended a conference or class and said to yourself, "I wish I could take that material home and watch it again." Or maybe you wished that the CD you purchased at a conference included the PowerPoint presentation as well as the audio recording. CMUO4U now gives you both.

Allowing you to purchase quality children's ministry training that you can watch or listen to over and over again, CMUO4U is providing a collection of modules taught by leaders in the children's ministry field - anytime, anywhere. Each stand-alone module is designed with your personal growth and enrichment in mind. Modules are available in budget-friendly segments so that you can invest in a module piece-by-piece or all at once as your budget allows.

Renew your enthusiasm
Enhance your skills
Achieve a higher level of understanding
Dare to grow personally and professionally

Dynamic Children's Ministry Training...
...for you
...for your leaders
...for the children

Offline training for your online needs
Downloadable personal enrichment
Low-priced professional development

CMUO4U is coming this fall. Please stop by our General Council booth to pick up a flyer. You may also contact Jason Rhode at jason.rhode@cmuo.com for more information.

DATES TO REMEMBER