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News Articles

BP Ledger, Sept 12 edition


EDITOR’S NOTE: BP Ledger carries items for reader information each Monday from various Southern Baptist-related entities, and news releases of interest from other sources. The items are published as received.

Today’s BP Ledger includes items from:
Cedarville University
Union University
Campbellsville University
New Hope Publishers (WMU)
World News Service

Barefoot Thursday

CEDARVILLE, Ohio (Cedarville University)–Every day we take things for granted: the privilege of living in a free country, the privilege of higher education, the privilege of basic amenities such as heat and water. On Thursday, September 8 at Cedarville University, some students chose to experience a day without one of Western life’s simple conveniences a day without shoes.

Cedarville University’s student life organization organized a Barefoot Thursday event on September 8 at Cedarville University’s campus and collected shoes, their goal being 3,220 pairs. The shoes will be taken to Liberia by Palmer Chinchen, author of True Religion, and distributed by Chinchen and volunteers to those without shoes.

The idea of a Barefoot Thursday event at Cedarville began over the summer as a discussion thread on the class of 2015s Facebook page. Each incoming freshman was required to read Palmer Chinchen’s book True Religion before they came to Cedarville this fall. The book challenges individuals to live a life of utter selflessness; a life that pours out love to others through stepping out of our comfort zones and letting God use us in unbelievable ways. At the end of each chapter is a section titled Ideas for Becoming the Expatriate. Hosting a Barefoot Sunday was one of the many ideas in the book.

After reading Chinchen’s book, the incoming students decided they wanted to play a part in this radical movement of love and sacrifice by hosting a barefoot day at Cedarville. After discussing their ideas on Facebook, the incoming students brought their ideas to the student life department at Cedarville.

Carl Ruby, vice president of student life, said the new freshman class is anxious to make a difference and very sensitive to the needs of the poor. Ruby said he is encouraged by the new spirit of volunteerism among these students, and he said he is encouraging the students to use this experience as a model for future events over their next four years at Cedarville.

We talk a lot about being a Christ-centered University, Ruby said. This gives us a chance to back up that claim with actions, and I think these students are doing something that Jesus would be doing if He were here.

Chad Smith, one of the freshmen who started the event, said this book helped him realize that there are millions of people who have legitimate needs that need to be met. Smith, aspiring to become a pastor one day, says that his outlook on life has changed. I now want to meet people’s needs, Smith said. I now want to do love. I now want to bring pieces of heaven to places of hell on earth.

The purpose of this event is for everyone to realize that we each individually need to do our own part to help a hurting world for God, said Kaitlynn Sinclair, the freshman spokesperson for the event. When we each do our individual parts together, we achieve so much more than we can ask or imagine.

Echoing Sinclair’s vision, Palmer Chinchen says in his book True Religion that he hopes to bother people. He says he wants people to live differently and to care more about others than about themselves. Your one life is critical, invaluable, Chinchen said. God put you here to do certain good for him that no one else will. And as a people, or a college, when we pool our abilities and resources we can do impossible things for Christ and His kingdom.

On September 8 students collected shoes to send to Chinchen to distribute to those who need shoes in Africa. New or gently used shoes were collected and placed in the front of the auditorium in the Jeremiah Chapel of the Dixon Ministry Center. Cedarvilles student life department is also collecting monetary donations to assist in the cost of shipping the shoes, which will be about $2,600. Student Life is asking for cardboard box donations for shipping the shoes. The shoes will travel from Cedarville to Chinchens church in Chandler, Arizona. They will then be unloaded and reloaded into an overseas shipping container and travel by ship to Liberia. Finally, the shoes will be reloaded into smaller boxes and strapped onto motorcycles to be delivered to individuals across Liberia.

Students are reaching out, sacrificing a comfort we take for granted every day: the privilege of wearing shoes. They hope to inspire individuals around the world to join the movement of radical love by choosing to make a difference.
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Green Collection of rare Bibles to be open to public for two viewings

JACKSON, Tenn. (Union University)–The Green Collection, one of the world’s largest private collections of rare Bibles, biblical texts and artifacts, will be on display at Union University and open to the public Sept. 15 and Sept. 17.

The collection, owned by Steve Green, president of Hobby Lobby, is a compilation of more than 30,000 biblical antiquities, some of which will be part of the exhibit at Union. The display is part of the “KJV400: Legacy and Impact” festival celebrating the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible.

On Sept. 15 from noon-4:30 p.m. and on Sept. 17 from 1-4 p.m., the collection of rare Bibles will be viewable to visitors not attending the festival.

The exhibit will be held in the Carl Grant Events Center, and admission is free.

“The Green Collection is an amazing collection of biblical manuscripts and artifacts,” said Ray Van Neste, associate professor of biblical studies at Union and director of the R.C. Ryan Center for Biblical Studies. “It is a great opportunity for our region to have this exhibit coming to Union University during our KJV festival. The exhibit helps to tell the story of the translating of the Bible, of which the King James is a significant part.”

Among the pieces of the collection scheduled for display at Union are leaves from the Codex Climaci Rescriptus, the earliest surviving New Testament written in Jesus’ household language, a pictograph cuneiform text, a 1516 Erasmus Greek New Testament and a 1524 Luther New Testament. English Bibles that will be part of the exhibit include a 1535 Tyndale New Testament, a 1535 Coverdale Bible, a 1537 Matthews Bible, a 1539 Great Bible, a 1560 Geneva Bible and a 1611 KJV Folio.

The exhibit will consist of about 70 total pieces.

“Union University has been blessed by the kindness of the Green family to share this marvelous Bible collection with the Union community in this historic year in which we celebrate the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible,” Union President David S. Dockery said. “This amazing display will be a great gift to the Union community during the time it is on our campus.”

In addition to the Green Collection, the KJV festival exhibit will also include about 30 items from the collection of Michael Morgan, seminary musician at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Ga. Displayed items from Morgan’s collection will include several early English Bibles, psalters and most of the early revisions of the KJV.

“I can’t imagine another exhibit in the country which comes close to this,” Morgan said. “I do know that the Folger Library in Washington, D.C., and the Bodleian Library at Oxford have assembled an exhibit, but except for the fact that some of those books belonged to the kings and queens involved in the process, it won’t be any more comprehensive.”

More information about “KJV 400” is available at www.uu.edu/events/kjvlegacy.
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New study reveals Campbellsville University economic impact on Taylor County is over $93 million

CAMPBELLSVILLE, KY (Campbellsville University)– Campbellsville University has a total economic impact from its operations over $93 million in Taylor County and total local tax revenues generated by CU operations of over $1.3 million according to a new study recently completed by Younger Associates of Jackson, Tenn., a national research firm.

The economic impact of Campbellsville University and all the related operations is a measure of the total number of dollars that flow through the Taylor County economy each year because of the university.

The new study shows CU supports a total of 1,258 jobs by all related Campbellsville University operations.

The growth of economic impact from 2011 is up 3.6 percent from the 2009 amount of $90,033,155 which is an increase and is even more significant in a recessionary period when the economy otherwise decreases, according to Dr. Michael V. Carter, president.

Carter said, “As Campbellsville University moves forward in her second century of providing quality Christian higher education in this community and region, we are pleased to announce the results of the economic impact study for fiscal year 2010-2011 ending June 30, 2011.”

“The study reveals that CU has a total economic impact from its operations of over $93.2 million. This is a measure of the total number of dollars that flow through the Taylor County economy because of the operations of Campbellsville University.”

The 1,258 jobs (457 direct and 801 indirect) result in more than $42 million in wages in the local economy.

In local taxes, CU paid $1,360,509 with a total capital spending impact of $6,171,379. Local tax revenues include the direct city school utility tax, occupational taxes from employment and indirect property tax.

One out of every 10 jobs in Taylor County is supported by CU-related operations. The university accounts for 14.2 percent of total expenditures in Taylor County each year, according to the economic impact study.

Each year the staff, faculty, coaches, students, contractors, service providers and other vendors of Campbellsville University spend over $32.9 million with local businesses. Students spend over $17 million in the local economy.

“Campbellsville University plays a vital role in the stability of the county’s economy,” Carter said. “We are proud to partner with the various businesses in Taylor County.”

CU’s impact on the local economy is further illustrated by the earnings of a typical college graduate, which averages $6.7 million over a 25-year-career; the total for a high school graduate over the same period is $3.9 million. As noted in the study, the overall impact of CU’s higher education operation cannot be measured totally in terms of dollar impact.

There are quality of life factors for which there are no definitive measures, Carter said.

“Certainly, a major factor in our community’s continuing economic growth and development is the availability of skilled workers and the availability of life-long learning opportunities via the undergraduate and graduate degree options offered by CU and the numerous options available through the Technology Training Center.

“The quality of life is further enhanced by the cultural, social, recreational and educational impacts provided by CU. We deeply appreciate the support Campbellsville University receives from the people and organizations of this great community.”

Carter said, “From the City of Campbellsville and Taylor County governments to the Chamber of Commerce and Team Taylor County to the churches and community organizations in Campbellsville, we are very fortunate to be a part of Campbellsville/Taylor County.”

Campbellsville University is anticipating a 23rd semester of record enrollment with a projected total enrollment of 3,500.

Final numbers will be announced in the near future.

Carter completed his 12th year of service at CU during which significant growth has occurred in student enrollment and number and quality of academic programs, fundraising success and enhanced campus facilities and aesthetics.
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How You Can Live Like a Missionary

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (New Hope Publishers, Woman’s Missionary Union)–Are you frustrated by your ineffectiveness in sharing the gospel and winning people to Jesus Christ? You have tried new approaches to witnessing—which work for a short time but then become stale. You need a lifestyle adjustment—not a clever new method—that will connect you with spiritual power for witnessing and meaningful relationships through which your witness can flow.

Live Like a Missionary (978-1-59669-305-0, N114139, $16.99) challenges readers to adjust their lifestyles to implement missionary principles in everyday settings, thus increasing their effectiveness at reaching people for Jesus Christ.

“Christians must make lifestyle choices reflecting their commitment to the gospel and to sharing the gospel with as many people as possible,” the book’s author, Jeff Iorg, says. “Many Christians either don’t know how to do this or have given up trying. You can live like a missionary—right where you are—by making simple, specific choices with profound results. Live Like a Missionary will help you do it.”

Live Like a Missionary applies missionary-lifestyle principles to everyday Christians, enabling Christians to more effectively communicate the gospel and lead people to faith in Jesus Christ.

“Missional living is not just for missionaries in Africa—it is for all who have heard the call to follow Jesus,” says Anthony Jordan, executive director, Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. “Insightful and challenging, this book calls for every believer to get off the bench and make an impact for Christ.”

Iorg is the president of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. Prior to his service at the seminary, Iorg was the executive director of the Northwest Baptist Convention for almost ten years. He was also the founding pastor of Greater Gresham Baptist Church in Gresham, Oregon, and has served as a pastor in Missouri and a staff pastor in Texas. Iorg teaches leadership, preaching, and church ministry courses at Golden Gate. He speaks frequently on these same subjects in conferences and other venues, including college campuses and leadership seminars. Iorg is a graduate of Hardin Simmons University (BA), Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (MDiv), and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (DMin). He is married to Ann and has three adult children. His hobbies include umpiring baseball, reading, and searching for the world’s best barbecue restaurant. His personal ministry includes outreach to the professional baseball community in the Bay Area.

Representing more than 80 authors and more than 130 individual works, the mission of New Hope® Publishers is to provide books that challenge readers to understand and be radically involved in the mission of God. New Hope Publishers is the general trade publishing imprint for WMU®, a missions auxiliary to the Southern Baptist Convention. New Hope Publishers is a member of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA).
For more information about New Hope Publishers, visit www.newhopedigital.com.
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Intelligent Design Group Wins Settlement

LOS ANGELES (World News Service) — The American Freedom Alliance (AFA) has settled a lawsuit over the cancellation of a 2009 screening of its documentary on intelligent design, Darwin’s Dilemma: The Mystery of the Cambrian Fossil Record, at the California Science Center (CSC) IMAX theater.

Now the AFA says it won’t show the film even though they have been invited back. Instead, the organization will move on after taking the $110,000 to be provided by the center’s foundation and its insurer under the settlement.

Attorney William J. Becker Jr., who represented the alliance in the case, said the AFA considers the “invitation an apology, a vindication of intelligent design, and the right of people to discuss it in a public forum.” Becker added that the AFA declined the CSC’s post-litigation invitation because it came too late and the alliance has no desire to show an outdated film at that theater.

To mitigate their damages following the initial cancellation, the AFA screened the movie at another venue, albeit one that did not have IMAX capabilities.
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