The Forge Report: Official Valley Forge Christian College E-Newsletter
Volume 136: February 2012
Dr. Don Meyer Awarded Commander's Coin and Patriot Award



It isn't everyday that you are allowed to lie to the college president. But Sgt. Brian Swomley, Information Technology Director at Valley Forge Christian College (VFCC), did just that to help stage a surprise President Don Meyer didn't see coming. You see, Sgt. Swomley, a National Guardsman of the 131st Transportation Company, just returned home from Afghanistan in December and he was so honored by the support Dr. Meyer provided to him while he was away that he nominated Dr. Meyer for a Commander's Coin and the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award.

Click to read the full story and view photos �

Patriots Claim AG Tournament Championship



After a one year hiatus, the VFCC men's basketball team has reclaimed the title of AG Tournament Champions. The Patriots basketball team defeated the Lions of Trinity Bible College by a final score of 76-61, in their final game of the Assemblies of God Credit Union Classic.

Click to read the full story �

Save the Date - Florida Alumni & Friends Reunion

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 �

Alumni Drummer Tours the Country

At the age of four, Brandon Mullen '08, had found every pot and pan in his house to use as a drum. Now, in his twenties, his remarkable talent is taking him all over the country.

Click to read the full story �
Blast from the Past Contest Winner



Congratulations to Ellen and Arnold Probst from Williamsport, PA - our winners of the $25 Visa Gift Card for their entry in the "Blast From the Past" picture contest.

Blast from the Past is a new feature to the Annual Report that mailed last fall. The picture above was published in this year's edition. The Probsts' remembered some details from this picture and called their old classmate, Bill Wittik (the man in the middle of the picture with his hands raised) to talk about the picture. Bill graduated in 1975. He thinks that most of these students are from the class of '75. He also thinks the picture was taken in the new classroom building where the mail boxes were.

Here are some other details that Ellen was able to recall:
  • Carolyn (Dickel) Wittik, Bill's wife, is standing to Bill's right, with her hands raised.
  • The man behind Bill's left arm is Herb Wireback.
  • The man to Bill's left and by the window, is Lee Hach.
  • The lady in front of Bill with her arms raised is Debbie Barkhymer.

Valentine's Day Contest Winners Announced



Congratulations to Kate Hebb '90 and current student, Kamaren Noel, the winners of the VFCC Valentine's Day Facebook contests. Two contests where held, one on the official Facebook page and one on the alumni Facebook page. Hebb won a dozen red roses and Noel won a dozen red roses and a gift card to a local movie theater.

Kate Hebb '90 describes meeting her husband while attending VFCC:

Mike '94 and I met at VFCC in January 1990...my last semester. He transferred to VFCC in January. He was on the basketball team and I did the stats! In 1990, after dating for five years, we got married on Valentine's Day! We have three kids and our oldest is now a sophomore at VFCC!!! We hope that she will be as blessed as we were to find our soulmate while there!!!! VFCC will always have a special place in our hearts!!! We have not missed a VFCC Homecoming since graduating in 1990!!! We had such a wonderful time there!!!

Current student, Kamaren Noel, recalls a special Valentine's Day:

Before we ever dated I hung out with my [male] best friend for open dorm. We and a few friends had a "forever alone" party where we brought the extra candy all the sweethearts had and just pigged out. We watched Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and me and my best friend cuddled for the first time (Forge appropriately of course). I then took the paper heart out of the heart shaped chocolate box and wrote a silly note to him about how much i liked him and that he was my best friend in the whole world and...2 years later, after 21 months of dating, he still has that paper heart hanging in his room.

Click here to read the other alumni love stories and visit the official VFCC Facebook page to view other current student's love stories.

Bringing Hope to Nashville

Led by Nick '91 and Kim (Holt) '89 Serban, Full Life Assembly of God in Franklin, Tenn., is now widely known as "the church that does the Hope Awards." In the past six years, the church has established itself in the community because of this annual celebration, which has opened incredible doors of favor and opportunity.

Click to read the full story �

Professor Gruber Publishes Article

Children's Ministries Specialist, Richard Gruber, had an article published in the Assemblies of God National Children's Ministry Agency e-newsletter.

Click to read the article �

Video Devotionals - A Nudge Toward God



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

Click here to view and subscribe �

Former Registrar's Love for Books

Having always loved books, Debbie Capeci, a computer science major from rural Maine, didn't think she'd actually be publishing them someday. But God began placing Debbie in jobs that deliberately and gradually taught her about her future career. In 2005, the dream for her own company, Morning Joy Media, came to life.

Click to read the full story �

David Akers: What a Difference a Year Makes

Pro football kicker, David Akers, shared his story in Chapel last year. Here is an amazing story about God's blessings in his life since his visit to VFCC.

Click here read the ESPN article �

So... What Is There To Do Around VFCC?

We have prepared a list of events and activities to do this winter within about an hour driving time of campus. We hope you enjoy it!

Click to view the listing of events �

Health Center Reminders

Cold Prevention Tip

A simple but effective way to prevent colds is to make a conscious effort to keep your hands away from your face, especially your nose and eyes.

What's New in February
  • 2/13 - Registered dietician Sue Hurd from Sodexo will be at the VFCC campus to discuss heart-healthy snacks.
  • 2/13 - Paint the Campus Pink - Various events around campus to help raise awareness and fundraisers to benefit patients with cancer in VFCC's local community.
  • 2/27 - Cooking demo in the Dining Commons, "Cooking with Oils"
  • 2/27 - Only Results Fitness class starts at 12 pm in the Back Porch.

VFCC Ministry Teams Now Booking for 2012



VFCC ministry teams, Pneuma and Chosen, are booking now through summer and fall 2012. 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 �

Healthy Mondays Now at the Dining Commons



VFCC Health and Dining Services have partnered to create a program to support health and wellness initiatives through education, nutrition and physical activity. Healthy Mondays will take place throughout the semester and include cooking demonstrations, information tables, guest speakers and events. Click here to read more about our Healthy Monday program.

The next cooking demos will be held on February 27, 2012, at 11:30 am and 12:30 pm in the Dining Commons at the Red Hot Chef.

Online Giving Tool

 

Give to VFCCYou 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.

Click here to access the Forge Report archive �

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.

AG Financial SolutionsFor information on how your gift can benefit VFCC, contact:

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

New Executive Director of Development

VFCC is pleased to welcome the new Executive Director of Development, Samuel Lufi. He brings to this ministry a rich background in the Assemblies of God and also significant development experience with The American Bible Society. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Philosophy from Cumberland College, Williamsburg, Ky., and has one more course to finish his Master's Degree in Theological Studies at Palmer Seminary.

We are grateful for God's guidance to bring Lufi to our leadership initiatives on behalf of the advancement of Valley Forge Christian College. Let's pray together for God's anointing and blessing upon him during these exciting days.

New Distance Learning Coordinator & Videographer

Doug Smith is a recent graduate of VFCC who worked in Digital Media, Marketing and Recording Arts while he was a student. He served as a Youth Pastor in both Lakewood and East Brunswick, N.J., before returning to VFCC with his wife, Karen, and two boys, Aidan and Noah, to complete a dual major in Digital Media and Youth Ministry.

Smith has worked on many projects around campus, including the VFCC Mobile Media Command Center, photographing campus events, and creating Dr. Meyer's one-minute devotionals called "A Nudge Toward God."

Leadership Tools by Dr. Don Meyer
Dr. Don Meyers
Keyes, Ralph. The Writer's Book of Hope. Henry Holt and Co: New York, 2003.


In the past I have endorsed many good books to encourage the writer on their quest. This is another one, written for further on the journey. What is a writer to do after the last word is written? Ralph Keyes presents "The Writer's Book of Hope: Getting from Frustration to Publication." At some point, a writer will face discouragement, frustration or fear. Keyes presents tactics to process these inevitable emotions in healthy ways, as well as giving suggestions for finding encouragement. Perhaps his most helpful section deals with understanding publishers and not dwelling on discouragement or rejection. He admonishes his readers to put aside excuses or fears and instead work to get your writing published. Keep hope alive and keep working to share your writing with others.

DATES TO REMEMBER

Paint the Campus Pink - Praying for a Cure REFRESH 2012 Breakaway - Campus Visits Open House - Campus Visits

   

 

REFRESH: a day of refreshing for area youth leaders

March 3

 

Honors Study Tour to Italy

March 8-19

 

Spring Break

March 10-18

 

Breakaway

March 22-23

 

Academic Open House

April 14

 

Community Service Day

April 18

 

Academic Open House

April 21

 

Spring Concert

April 21

 

73rd Commencement

May 4

QUICK LINKS

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VFCC.edu - 800.432.8322 - Preparing individuals for a life of service and leadership in the church and in the world.