The Forge Report: Official Valley Forge Christian College E-Newsletter
Volume 150: April 2013
Upcoming 74th Commencement

 

 
Commencement, to occur on May 3, is a time of celebration for Valley Forge Christian College (VFCC) graduates. We want to be the first to congratulate you on your soon-to-be-earned VFCC degree and accomplishing this important milestone in your life and education. Commencement is also the culmination of your academic life at VFCC. Enjoy every moment.
 
The VFCC 74th Baccalaureate Service and the Commencement Ceremony will be webcast live at 10 am and 3 pm, respectively. The video link will be available Friday from VFCC's homepage. 

  

 

Dr. William DeSanto Celebrates 25 Years of Service 

 

 
During chapel on April 3, 2013, the entire VFCC community honored Dr. William F. DeSanto for his 25 years of academic service to VFCC. 
 
In addition to students, faculty and staff, members of Dr. DeSanto's family were in attendance. Dr. DeSanto was honored through musical performances by Liz Ebron, Kamaren Holloway, Gavin Harper, Jonathan Harris, Dr. Kevin Beery and Ron Lipscomb. Dr. DeSanto himself performed twice at the piano. Messages and tributes were given by Dr. Wood (via video), Dr. Tourville (via written letter), Dr. McLeod, Dr. Wes Smith (via phone), Dr. Meyer, Professor Kent Smith and senior student, Kaitlyn Bell. 
 
The celebration was capped with the College Choir presenting a rousing performance of the Hallelujah Chorus, led by Dr. DeSanto. Dr. DeSanto's presence here at VFCC over the last 25 years serves as a strong example of faith and commitment to God and the mission of VFCC. 

 

 

The Patriot Classic is Coming June 6th

  

The 11th Annual Valley Forge Christian College Patriot Classic will be held on Thursday, June 6, 2013, at the Kimberton Golf Club. For the past 11 years, golfers, churches, organizations and businesses have come together to raise over $75,000 in scholarships for deserving VFCC students. Each registration and sponsorship does not just pay for a round of golf or an awards dinner; it is a significant investment into the lives of students who will, in a few short years, make a lasting difference in our churches and communities. 

Due to the popularity of the Patriot Classic, there will be two shot gun starts. The first shot gun start begins at 7:30 am and will be limited to 72 golfers with breakfast and an awards luncheon. The second shot gun start begins at 12:30 pm and will accommodate 144 golfers with lunch and an awards dinner. 
 

 


Professor Terragnoli Witnesses The Miraculous

 

 

Kathleen Terragnoli '83 (commonly referred to on-campus as "Miss T"), Professor of Arts and Sciences here at VFCC, had the entire Patriot community praying for the birth of her great nephew. She now proclaims the miraculous healing power of God through the story of her great nephew's entrance into the world. 


 

VFCC Alumni Daughter in Top 4 on American Idol 

 

 
Angela Miller, daughter of VFCC Alumni Guy '89 and Tana (Zinnanti) '89 Miller, is making her mark on television! By showcasing her powerful voice and displaying her songwriting ability, Angela has made it to the Top 4 in the current season of American Idol, often performing faith-inspired songsBe sure to tune-in and vote for Angela Miller on American Idol this Wednesday at 8 pm (EST) on FOX. 

 

 

Alumnus Spreads Word of Royal Rangers in Africa

 


A continent full of young boys and girls are poised to enter into an adulthood of spiritual bondage and physical addiction. Many of them would never hear about the hope of Christ if not for Andrew Whitman '95, who is working tirelessly to introduce a children's program to a continent that desperately needs its future generations to know Christ.  

 

 Celebrating Ten Media-Filled Years 

    

 

At the time of his mandatory summer internship in 2002, it was simply a youth ministry degree requirement for Brady Treat '03. That internship experience has since turned into an incredible ten-year position in a completely different ministry than Brady first imagined. 

 

 

RISE: Documenting the Struggle of Ex-Prisoners

 

 
Ben Franco '10, professor of digital media and communications, and a team of six students are using video to raise awareness about prisoner rehabilitation programs. After being contacted by a local employee in the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, Franco and the students began to produce RISE (ReIntegration Services for Ex-offenders) - a documentary that seeks to reveal what life is really like for prison inmates, from incarceration to reentry into society.   

  

  

Alumni Plant Pensacola Coffee House Church  

 

 

VFCC alumni Steve '06 and Brooke (Bland) '06 Gagne are hard at work planting Helios Church. After being called out of Detroit to minister in Florida, the Gagnes encountered unexpected obstacles that ultimately led to a new church plant in Pensacola. Despite their location in the southern portion of America's "Bible Belt," they face challenges that most church planters never encounter. Yet even in those challenges, God continues to do amazing works in their lives. 

VFCC Dominates Captiv8 Film Festival Awards

 

 
Churches often get a "bad rap" for the quality of their digital media content, but eight student groups from several Assemblies of God (AG) colleges and universities have proven that excellence in craft is not in opposition to Christian character. Captiv8 Film Festival, the first national film competition for AG schools, showcased eight excellent short films (produced by these student production teams), all of which were created in just 48 hours! Impressively, two VFCC teams dominated the competition with an unbelievable level of creativity and quality.   

 

 

Spring Break Missions Trips

  

 

VFCC students and staff members traveled around the world last month and gave up spring break relaxation to embrace the difficult task of worldwide evangelization. Missions teams carried the love of Jesus Christ, traveling to Europe, Asia and Central America.  

  

 

REFRESH Philly

 

 

Thanks in part to the faithful service of Tim Latiff '06, VFCC Admissions Counselor, over 600 people attended REFRESH Philly - an event designed to equip church youth leaders and engage teenage students. REFRESH, a concept originated by Professor Phil Baker, VFCC Youth Specialist, became a reality that impacted many in the Delaware Valley. 


 

VFCC Office of Marketing Wins Award

 

The Office of Marketing at VFCC received a Bronze CUPPIE Award on March 15, 2013 from CUPPRAP, the Association of Communicators in Education, for their creative excellence in marketing and communications. 

This award was announced at the annual Spring Professional Development Conference. VFCC was recognized from more than 260 entries that were received from colleges, universities and providers of private, specialized and secondary education in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Delaware and Maryland. Judges included designers, writers, educators, corporate executives and media professionals. 

 

VFCC Ministry Teams Now Booking for 2013

 


VFCC ministry teams, Pneuma and Chosen, are booking now through summer and fall 2013. 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 contacting Donna Headlee at 610.917.3954.

 

Online Giving Tool

 

Give to VFCCYou can read about giving opportunities at VFCC by going to vfcc.edu/give where you can make your donation online. We sincerely thank you for considering VFCC as a recipient of your generosity. Whatever the size, your gift truly matters and inspires others to give. Your contribution will help VFCC train students to be leaders in the church and in the world 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.

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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.

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

Dr. Don Meyer
President
610.917.1402   |   [email protected]

Leadership Tools by Dr. Don Meyer

Dr. Don Meyer

Chand, Samuel R. Who Moved Your Ladder? Your Next Bold Move. Mall Publishing Co: Niles, 2004.


Life is like a ladder that we are all climbing. Each person's rungs (i.e. situations, experiences, life lessons, goals, decisions, etc.) may be different, but we all are going in the same direction. We can see behind us the things that have gotten us to where we are today, and we all have our future in mind yet can only move to it one rung at a time. It can be a treacherous journey, this life we live and often the exhilaration of the climb escapes us. We are left tired and weary wondering if we will ever make it to the next step. Samuel Chand, author of the book, Who Moved Your Ladder? Your Next Bold Move is no different than any other person. Starting as a dishwasher and janitor of Beulah Heights Bible College, he found himself holding the position of president there years later. There is no doubt that through his climb he wondered where the joy of the journey had escaped. He writes to those who may be feeling that their determination in life is gone or that they aren't heading in the same direction they used to be. He explains how to regain that joy of the climb and how to prepare to take that next bold move in life.    

DATES TO REMEMBER

 
Final Exams 
April 29-May 2 
 
Baccalaureate
May 3 
 
74th Commencement
May 3 
  
Patriot Classic
June 6
 

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PREPARING INDIVIDUALS FOR A LIFE OF SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP IN THE CHURCH AND IN THE WORLD.