Meet successful CSU alum & those who are following in their footsteps 4 Students serving in Mission Scranton 19 Ways to lower your tuition 29 How to change the world (from right where you are) ho’s got next? Who will take our places? What will next look like, and who will God grace to become the faithful movers and shakers that create it? Who will help others to know God and follow Him? I want next to come from this university, and I’m confident it will. I get to meet a lot of alumni, and let me tell you, that is one of the best fringe benefits of being CSU’s president. I always enjoy finding some who are serving just as I expected, but I am also excited by alumni who serve in exceptional ways. I’m talking about unusual avenues of service that they pioneered, developing new and nuanced methodologies that are highly effective. You will read about some of those alumni in the pages that follow. This school has an impressive array of graduates in a wide variety of careers. They show consistent courage to apply clear, forward thinking and the Bible to their chosen field with exceptional creativity. CSU alumni are the examples and partners this school needs to help get graduates to next. Truth be told, I sometimes meet alumni who live for the past. You know who I am talking about: people who conclude that since nothing is what it used it be, everything around them seems flawed. “Everybody loves progress,” the old saying goes, “but nobody loves change.” Change threatens them, and they circle the wagons to keep it away. Resisting next turns folks like this into a uniformly unhappy lot. But change is at the heart of biblical faith. Paul commands us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). Transformation is such a dramatic, energetic, emphatic expression for change! The transformation affects the root of everything that makes us who we are; the Holy Spirit works in us to realign the way we think. Through the Bible, He leads us to understand, embrace and align with God’s plans and purpose. He shows us how to use our career— that platform from which we serve him—to help people meet Christ and become like Him. Transformed thinkers are immersed in next! That sort of perspective on next is woven into every degree that CSU has ever offered at every level. It is what we are. Who’s got next? Those of us who immerse ourselves in the Word of God will approach next with an open and adventurous spirit. We will help others find next. Who’s got next? Jesus Christ will build His church. That is the most certain statement we can make about next. He will use well- equipped disciples to lead the way. No matter our career, we must use what we gained at CSU to introduce people we live with and work with to an eternal relationship with God. Ultimately, God’s got next. The good news for us is, He offers us the opportunity to help others find it. Let’s get this done together. Dr. Jim Lytle (’77, ’81, ’84) is a three-time CSU alumnus and the university’s 10th president ABOUT THE COVER Recent CSU grad Domingo Rodriguez (’19) gives a child a boost through Mission Scranton, an organization dedicated to bringing the love of Christ to children and teens in nearby Scranton, Pennsylvania. Photo by Darrell Goemaat 4 Students on Mission See how CSU staff and students are bringing the good news of Christ to kids in inner-city Scranton. 16 Coach Rick Harrison The former All-American has returned to his alma mater as Lady Defender basketball coach. 7 Who’s Got Next? More than 17,000 alumni are making a difference for Christ. Now, who will be the next to fill open positions—and to create new ones? WWHO’S GOT NEXT? “Summit Magazine” Fall 2019 ©2019 Clarks Summit University All Rights Reserved See our Academic Programs: 21 Undergraduate 24 Graduate 24 Seminary 20 Fast-Track Education Fast track your goals through Accelerated and High School Dual Enrollment programs. 28 Global Seminary Baptist Bible Seminary offers doctoral degree programs through partnership in Russia. 29 How can I Change the World? We all want to change the world. Discover practical ways to make a difference without leaving your own town. 39 Double Play (and Double Impact) Bailey twins prepare to point people to Christ through campus leadership, Defender baseball and hands-on learning experiences. Editor: Erika A. Bruckner (’04) Graphic Design: Hybrid Studios, Dena Cambra (’07) Photography: Nathan Miller (’15), Jessica Eddy (‘19), Eszter Lisztes, Greg Allen (’81), Makaela Johnson, Samuel Corrêa (’19), Ryan Buchanan (’18) Darrell Goemaat CONNECT WITH US President Dr. Jim Lytle (’77, ’81, ’84) jlytle@ClarksSummitU.edu Executive Director of Alumni and Development Paul Golden (’91, ’95) pgolden@ClarksSummitU.edu Executive Director of Marketing and Communications Dena Cambra (’07) dcambra@ClarksSummitU.edu 538 Venard Road Clarks Summit, PA 18411 ClarksSummitU.edu 570.586.2400 CLARKS SUMMIT UNIVERSITY offers Christ-centered academic distinction and practical, real- world experience in both on-campus and online learning options. Fully accredited programs span from High School Dual Enrollment to more than 40 undergraduate majors, customizable master’s programs and doctoral degrees. The starting five are showing fatigue, and the sixth man is eager to jump off the bench and contribute. This image of a basketball game is similar to what we see in a bigger picture. We’ve been around since 1932. That means CSU has long prepared men and women to serve Christ around the globe in many different professional fields. We’re proud of our alumni who are leading businesses, planting churches, teaching students, writing books and serving their communities in a wide variety of ways. But who’s got next? Who’s going to fill these roles when those currently serving are ready to move on to their next adventure? And even more, who’s willing to step up with visionary leadership, creating new paths to work and serve in ways no one has envisioned before? With a biblical foundation and career preparation from CSU, our students are ready to step up into established careers, and they have what it takes to bring new ideas to life—reaching people through ministries and professions in innovative ways. In fact, some of our students are already doing this, not waiting until they receive a diploma to start making a difference. Who’s got next? At CSU, we do.4 SUMMIT MAGAZINE | Fall 20194 SUMMIT MAGAZINE | Fall 2019 In Action: Love, Learning & Leadership A glimpse inside Mission ScrantonClarks Summit University 5 The sun is beginning to set on Valley View Terrace, a low-income, subsidized housing community in South Scranton, Pennsylvania. I’m sitting at a picnic table, and in front of me, children of all ages and ethnicities are playing at the playground. Some boys are participating in a wild game of kickball; girls draw with chalk on the sidewalk, while younger children take turns on the monkey bars and play tag. This is a typical Monday evening for Mission Scranton, a nonprofit organization that has organized a weekly ministry for children and teens in this community for over 25 years. Building community My first day at this ministry was in 2017, when I was just entering my senior year of college at Clarks Summit University. I remember being very fearful as I entered this community for the first time. To a small-town Iowa girl, this urban experience was out of my comfort zone. Within five minutes of being at Valley View, I remember a small brown hand slipping into mine. A 5-year-old girl smiled up at me: “Hi! My name’s Alexa! Do you want to play with me?” I felt love swelling in my heart for this community I didn’t even know yet, and I knew God was confirming my call to missions and my burden for the lost. That moment changed my life, and my perspective on ministry, forever. Instead of building the next after- school program or providing a Sunday-school structure that kids often don’t fit into, discipleship and relationship building are the main focus of Mission Scranton. We want to invest into kids, not make them fit into a program. Mission Scranton’s vision is to help inner-city families live victoriously, and this is accomplished through carefully developed programs, spiritual teaching and holistic development for children and young people. There are over 40 volunteers who serve with Mission Scranton in four areas of weekly ministry: a structured kids’ track, a discipleship- focused teen track, an Elevate Night to focus on homework and life skills development and transportation to a local church every week. Most of the volunteers are students or staff from Clarks Summit University. A day in kids’ track After the kids play games, the other volunteers and I lead the group of 20 to 30 kids through the community to a multi-purpose room on the bottom floor of an apartment building. Mission Scranton has permission to use this room from the Catholic organization “Friends of the Poor,” but the growing number of children that we attract every year means we have all but outgrown these accommodations. Some days, due to partnerships with local church volunteers, we are able to provide a meal for the kids. For some of the kids, it might be their only option for supper. Today the kids enter and sit on the floor—it’ll take a few minutes to calm everyone down, and volunteers— mostly college students from Clarks Summit University or high school students from local churches—spread themselves among the kids to help them pay attention. I’m teaching tonight about the battle of Jericho. This environment is not your typical Sunday School lesson, and holding the attention of the multiple age groups is not easy! I’ve found that having the kids act out the Bible lesson helps them learn better. Still, it might appear to be a chaotic experience where the kids haven’t learned anything. That opinion would change if any observer had a chance to listen to the small groups which follow the lesson. Even though it seems like kids aren’t paying attention, small group leaders have conversations about everything from the gospel and the Bible to bullying, family troubles and academic struggles. The night ends with us walking the kids back to their homes and apartments in the community, wishing them goodnight and gathering to evaluate the evening and pray for the kids. Long-term investment It’s not always easy. In our ministry, we have discipled kids, prayed for them and watched them grow, only to see them walk away from God. We’ve also worked with kids for years with no results, only to finally start to see a relationship deepen and trust begin to grow. Even if I never see results from my time here, I know it is all worth it. Three years after young Alexa welcomed me to her community, I get to be her small group leader, watch her grow spiritually and emotionally, attend church and become a leader among her peers. God is great! Who are the people God has placed in your life to serve, minister to, counsel and share the gospel with? Walk into their world. Be humble, and see what doors God opens up! By Haley Seboe (’17) Small group mentor at Mission Scranton and CSU admissions counselor Clarks Summit University 5 We want to invest in kids, not make them fit into a program6 SUMMIT MAGAZINE | Fall 2019 Rachel Scott, Elevate Night coordinator Sophomore Elementary Education major from Poughkeepsie, New York “I have learned that ultimately God is in control wherever we serve, and it is crucial that we commit our work to Him. Psalm 127 states that ‘unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.’ We can expend ourselves and work hard to see others come to Christ, but ultimately God is the one who directs their hearts towards Him.” Domingo Rodriguez (’19), Small group mentor Intercultural Youth Ministries graduate from West Palm Beach, Florida “I do what I do because God has made me passionate about kids, and the relationships I have formed with these teens and kids are special to me. Mission Scranton has helped me with relationships, serving and being faithful to the local church.” Mikaela Meaders, Kids Track coordinator Senior Sports Management major from Springville, Pennsylvania “I serve because God commands us to ‘go,’ and I will use the gifts God gave me to serve Him. No matter where God takes me, the life lessons I have learned from Mission Scranton will prepare me for future interactions with people of all backgrounds, so that I may spread the gospel more effectively.” Rooted in Discipleship Founded in 1994 by Dr. Mike Stallard, Mission Scranton is based on discipleship. Stallard worked at CSU for over 20 years as a professor, dean of Baptist Bible Seminary and director of Ph.D. studies. He now serves as director of international ministry for Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry and as a BBS adjunct professor. According to Stallard, the initial goal of Mission Scranton was to expose college and seminary students to multi- cultural outreach while facilitating church planting in low-income housing areas. In 1998, this ministry resulted in planting New Life Baptist Church. Stallard has seen over 300 students volunteer in the ministry. One of those students was Nathan Miller , who was then studying Communications at CSU. Miller’s involvement convicted him of a deeper passion for ministry. “A lot of my discipleship came from simply watching a man who is one of the top biblical scholars in the community bring the gospel to an often neglected and hurting community,” says Miller. “Coming into the ministry, I was in a spot where I never saw myself being in a leadership role. He [Stallard] helped me identify how God gifted me and immediately pushed me to serve.” When he graduated in 2015, Miller continued his Mission Scranton involvement. Now as executive director of Mission Scranton, alongside his full-time role at CSU, Miller disciples student volunteers. “I enjoy the opportunity to cast a vision to them individually on how God can use them and their gifts for His glory and then work through the challenges that hold them back from being in that place,” he says. Stallard, who is now chairman of the Mission Scranton Board of Directors, observed Miller’s consistent dedication through and beyond college. “This told me a lot. His heart for the kids was evident as was his ability to develop teams, which has emerged strongly the last couple of years.” Miller hopes Mission Scranton’s ministry will continue to gain greater influence as it connects with other churches and organizations. He says, “I dream about a day when we see children we have worked with for years rise up become the future Christian leaders of their families, churches and of Mission Scranton.” Meet the student leadersClarks Summit University 7Clarks Summit University 7 WE DO! Clarks Summit University has alumni all over the world whom God works through in amazing ways. You’ll read about some of them in these pages. But there will come a time when they won’t be working their jobs anymore, whether due to a planned retirement or advancement to another position. So, then what? Who’s got next? The good news is this: God will continue His work. More CSU graduates will step up to fill valuable roles. That’s precisely what CSU does: prepare the next generation to continue God’s work around the world in a large variety of careers. So when the question “Who’s got next?” comes up—there will always be someone to say, “I’ve got next.” By Emily Gehman (’12)8 SUMMIT MAGAZINE | Fall 2019 Dr. Chris Hobbs (’00) Director of Athletics at King’s Academy, Florida “If you understand God’s Word at a high level, then everything you do gets soaked in it.” That’s what Chris Hobbs, Ed.D., describes as a Christian’s “default setting.” And that’s what he thinks is needed in the next generation of coaches and teachers. Hobbs is the director of athletics of the King’s Academy in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he leads more than 70 coaches and staff members. An alumnus of CSU’s Health and Physical Education program, Hobbs holds advanced degrees from the United States Sports Academy and Liberty University. In 2018, he was named a Top 40 under 40 leader in Coach & AD Magazine and recognized by Varsity Brands Spirit Awards as the 2019 Athletic Director of the Year. Hobbs’ driving passion goes beyond putting numbers on the board; he wants to see the Word of God permeate education, right down to the lines on the court. “Authentic pursuit of excellence is really best motivated by an authentic understanding of God’s Word and His unique design for each of us,” says Hobbs. “That’s the greatest motivation to be good at what you do.” He largely credits the CSU faculty and coaching staff for who he is today—specifically former head coach Mike Show, CSU’s recruitment and relations administrator. “I’d never met anyone that was so crazy passionate about the game of basketball, and was just as crazy passionate about their walk with the Lord… that just kind of put lightning in my veins in all the right ways.” Hobbs says it’s that kind of coaching that really impacts students both on and off the court, in both public and private educational settings. “We need Christ followers everywhere,” he admits. Athletics play a unique role in students’ lives—especially in a screen-saturated culture where sports may be the only place a student still has undivided attention to give. Hobbs believes the way to take advantage of that undivided attention is to be a person whose default setting is a biblical one. And that requires a deep and dynamic relationship with Christ and the Bible. Currently succeeding In Education... Authentic pursuit of excellence is really best movitated by an authentic understanding of God’s Word and His unique design for each of us.Kay Black (’15) Fourth Grade Teacher at Academia Los Pinares, Honduras “Education is the avenue I have to carry out the Great Commission, to love kids to Jesus…that to me is the most important part of teaching. The newest strategies for teaching reading are valuable, but if students aren’t loved well—especially in a world where many don’t receive love at home—the teachers are failing them.” Elizabeth Sheddy (’12) Teaches middle and high school English at St. John Neumann Regional Academy, Williamsport, Pennsylvania She is pursuing her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction at CSU. “CSU is preparing me well for reaching students…in helping me to teach students as entire beings—not just academic, not just physical, not just spiritual, not just relational (Luke 2:52)…CSU is equipping me not only to encourage such growth in my students, but to model it for my students.” Undergraduate student Evan Rarick Pursuing Bachelor of Science in Education, Health and Physical Education K-12 “CSU is preparing me for life after college by giving me biblical tools and principles to shape my life around that will make me a successful teacher and help me grow as a godly man. Also, the hands-on instruction and teaching is very engaging and makes you think outside of the box.” “We need teachers who see their job as a ministry. We need teachers to be a light in the public schools. For some students, the Jesus they see through their teacher may be the only time they get to see that kind of love. We need teachers who will love these students and will live Christ in front of them every day.” —Dr. Ritch Kelley CSU’s Dean of the School of Education Clarks Summit University 9Next >