The Forge Report: Vol 135, January 2012

Volume 135: January 2012

A New Semester Begins

I love the beginning of a New Year. The possibilities are limitless. And here at VFCC we are starting another semester with eager students who are hungry and thirsty for more of what God has in store for them. As we often say around here, we are trusting God that this will be the best semester and year that we have ever had. If there are ways we can be of help to you, please let us know. Blessings.

Dr. Don Meyer
President

Professor Successfully Defends Ph.D. Dissertation

Malcolm Brubaker, Professor, Bible and Theology, successfully defended his doctoral dissertation on December 7, 2011.

Dr. Brubaker's dissertation titled "Evolving Models of Missions: A Case Study of the Assemblies of God in North India: 1918 to 1949", was completed through the Ph.D. program at Regent University, in Virginia Beach, Va. The emphasis of his dissertation explored the dynamic relationship between the principle of independent "faith" missionaries and a maturing denominational missions program in institutional ministries and church planting in North India by Assemblies of God missionaries.

What a huge commitment to excellence this represents and all of us at VFCC are so very proud of him in every way.

December Chamber of Commerce Breakfast

VFCC and First National Bank co-sponsored the December Phoenixville Chamber of Commerce breakfast that was held on December 13, 2011, at Robert Ryan Catering (Columbia Station). Entertainment was provided by the VFCC Music Department. Dr. Billy DeSanto, Music Department Chair, coordinated the program for the morning. Students performed the following pieces:

Brass Ensemble Introduction
Stephanie Pyle: Vocal solo (O Come, O Come Emmanuel)
Vic Davi: Guitar solo (In Hopes)
Stephanie Merchant: Flute Solo (His Eye is On the Sparrow)
Mike Skinner/Vic Davi: Percussion and Acoustic guitar duet (131 Blues)
Mike Skinner: Percussion solo (Marimba Dances)
Ladies quartet: (Jesus, What a Wonderful Child)

The morning was enjoyed by all in attendance. Thank you to the students who performed and shared their talents with the VFCC community!

Assistant Professor Receives Status of Ph.D. Candidate

Marianne Modica, Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education, has reached an important milestone in her Ph.D. program at Rutgers University/Camden. Marianne achieved the status of Ph.D. candidate by successfully defending her dissertation proposal, tentatively titled Race in the Suburbs: Suburban High School Students Construct Race Through the Reading of Multicultural Literature. Marianne will conduct field research at a local high school this semester, studying the impact of multicultural literature on students' racial identities.

A New Year's Baby!

Stephen Stoeffler, Social Work Program Director, welcomed a new baby boy into the world early on New Year's Day. Jordan Wayne was born at the Women and Babies Hospital in Lancaster, Pa., at 5:27 am. He was 8 lbs., 12 oz. and 22.5 inches long. Jordan and Mommy (Chrissy) are doing well. Big brother, Lincoln Robert (2 years old) and big sister, Caitlin Keener (almost 4 years old) are very excited to have a new baby brother. VFCC wishes many blessings on the growing Stoeffler family!

Save the Date - Florida Alumni & Friends Reunion

The Annual Florida Alumni & Friends luncheon will take place Saturday, February 25, 2012 at The Estates at Carpenters in Lakeland, Fl.

We hope you can join us!

Click here for more information »

Video Devotionals - A Nudge Toward God

Subscribe to receive an email with Dr. Meyer's bi-monthly video devotionals, A Nudge Toward God.

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Online Giving Tool

You can give to VFCC online through a tool at vfcc.edu/give. We can attest to the wisdom and faithfulness of every person who has invested in VFCC and we thank you sincerely for considering VFCC in your giving plans. Whatever the size, your gift truly matters and inspires others to give. Your contribution will help VFCC serve students and the world through Christ through education and spiritual formation. Thank you for faithfully lifting up VFCC in prayer. Your support, both spiritual and financial, will ensure that VFCC's light will shine brightly for years to come.

Click here to give now »

Forge Report Archives

Have you missed a previous Forge Report email newsletter? You can access our archive by clicking the link below.

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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:

Kristie Overly
Director of Annual Fund, Grants & Alumni Services
610.917.1414
Email

Leadership Tools by Dr. Don Meyer

Gaines, Steve. When God Comes to Church. B&H Publishing Group: Nashville, 2007.

In Exodus 33, Moses made the strong declaration, "If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here." Today, we still need the presence of God just like Moses. Yet so often, our Christian gatherings have been less about God and more about entertaining people. Steve Gaines is the pastor of a 27,000 member church near Memphis, Tn. But his heart is on neither numbers nor success. He wants to get back to true worship of God. He calls us back to what the church was meant to be, focusing us on our true purpose. Also, he invites us to rethink the way we "do church" so that we attract the presence of God, not because He is not omnipresent and already with us, but so that our hearts will be open to being changed by Him. The church can overcome hindrances having a reformation of worship so that we are genuinely changed after being in a service because of God's awesome presence.

DATES TO REMEMBER