Fall 2012 Newsletter

This fall our campus is reading through the New Testament together and journaling individually on the daily reading. Recently, as I read the Bible passage for the day, Paul’s words to the Ephesian elders once again sprang from the page, “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace” (Acts 20:24).

Paul was crystal clear about this: the mission matters.

When I was being interviewed by the Board of Trustees prior to coming to Kingswood University, I asked them whether the assignment was simply to preserve the institution or whether it was to fulfill the mission of training workers for the Harvest, whatever the cost. Our board members were unanimous – the mission is what matters, not preserving the name of the institution or holding on to memories. Nothing matters more than the mission.

We exist to glorify God by equipping Christ-like servant leaders for global impact. Our mission is not survival – neither individual nor institutional. Our mission is completing the task of testifying to the Good News of God’s grace extended to us in Christ Jesus. Until all have heard, our work is not yet done.

Our faculty and staff understand the strategic importance of training the next generation of ministry leaders. Imagine the multiplied impact of just one student, transformed by the power of grace and equipped to lead a congregation, a youth ministry, or a mission agency. Imagine the exponential return on investment of one life lived for God that touches hundreds, perhaps thousands, of other lives over the course of 40 or 50 years of ministry.

Lynn Erskine, Kingswood University’s Class Valedictorian of 2003 and a former Admissions Counselor, died tragically on September 2, 2012. Lynn, just 31 years old, was the loving husband to Natasha (a 2007 Kingswood alumnus) and the adoring father of their two young girls, Roya and Alea.

Lynn faithfully invested his life in sharing the Good News of God’s grace with as many people as possible. His full-time assignment was serving as Worship and Missions Pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church in Truro, Nova Scotia, but his heart for the world took him on mission trips to India and Haiti. He organized a “Run from Hunger” team and was training for the Nova Scotia Running Weekend to raise support to care for starving children.

Lynn influenced many young people through teaching private piano and voice lessons and by being the piano accompanist for choral groups. In each of those settings, he exemplified what it means to be a Christ-like servant leader. The students and staff of Kingswood University played a significant part in God’s preparation journey for Lynn’s life of global impact. And, Kingswood University is better because he was part of our lives.

Once again this year, more than 200 students, some from as far away as New Zealand and Hong Kong, have gathered on our campus to prepare to answer God’s call on their lives and become workers for the Harvest. We must not fail in our mission to equip each one of these emerging leaders for their Kingdom assignments.

We’re counting on your partnership. The simple truth is that we cannot accomplish this mission without your prayers and financial support.

The time is short. The need is great. The mission matters.

Dr. Mark GorveattePresident

Celebrating the Mission

Lessons I’ll Never Forget

An old Chinese proverb says, “Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.”

Each fall the halls of Kingswood are filled anew with passionate God-called men and women who are eager to

learn. Some of those who walked these halls of learning in the past reflect on the “treasure” that has followed them.

These lessons have become interwoven into the very nature of those who minister. Today’s students are ready to receive their

“treasures” that will equip them to be servant leaders in the Body of Christ.

With thankfulness to God, we are pleased to report that donations for the Kingswood Annual Fund increased by 39% this year, from $234,980 in FY11 to $327,429 in FY12. We are so grateful for those who, through prayer and giving, have partnered with us in Kingswood’s mission of preparing God-called individuals to serve the Church and impact the world with the love of Christ.

We also celebrate 29 donors who are entering their 30th year of giving. By faithfully giving, year after year, they have invested in the lives of nearly 900 graduates who are serving Christ in every region of the world.

Twenty-nine years ago, Kevin MacCallum (former student ’77) started giving a scholarship in memory of his grandmother, Lauretta MacCallum. Now, he and his wife Suzel can’t imagine not giving. “To know that we are impacting lives that have the potential of reaching far more lives makes our giving much more meaningful.”

Years ago, Kingswood caught the attention of Al and Helen Berry. They were struck with the “product” of the university and loved to hear student testimonies, singing, and preaching. Though both are deceased (Al passed away this July), the Berrys always saw their donations as “seed money” for the harvest (Matthew 9:37,38) and made sure that their legacy of giving would continue through their estate.

Art and “Posie” Ingersoll feel that the university is the heart and soul of the Atlantic District of The Wesleyan Church. With Art having served on the Board of Trustees for over twenty years and his brother, the late Dr. H. R. Ingersoll, as the District Superintendent for nearly three decades, the commitment to faithfully give to the ministry of Kingswood for nearly thirty years is as natural as tithing to their local church ministry.

Though the initial link may be a student or a program, every donor has a connection to the university and its mission. Together, we are equipping Christ-like servant leaders for global impact.

Operating Revenues Operating Expenditures

Entering 30 Years of Giving

Peter Moore (’92), Director of Operations for Global Partners of The Wesleyan Church, remembers well the sermon, “Who Fixed the Roof?” Observing staff faithfully working behind the scenes, Moore learned what it means to dig in deep to get things done.

As a high school dropout, R. Kenneth McGeorge (HS ’62) enrolled in the high school program that was offered in the early days of the college. He learned the value of study, hard work, and diligence. Today, as President and CEO of York Care Centre, he leads the successful operation of an aging care centre with assisted living and nursing home facilities in Fredericton, New Brunswick. “I think the school rescued a lot of people like me.”

Steve Bradley (’72), Lead Pastor of Brown’s Chapel Wesleyan Church in Greenfield, Indiana, learned that “ministry is doing whatever needs to be done.” This has been his philosophy of ministry for forty years, helping him to do both the enjoyable and less enjoyable.

For three decades Dean Brown’s (’82) ministry has been based on the lesson, “No sacrifice is too great for me to make if it allows me opportunity to share the love of Christ with another human being.” He is the Lead Pastor of Vantage Pointe Church in Queensbury, New York, and is “forever grateful” that his life intersected with Kingswood University.

A copy of our latest audited financial statements is available upon request.Financial Highlights July 2011 - June 2012

Mark Taber (’82) speaks of that unforgettable day in chapel when God called him to make His Word accessible to the “Ethne” (unreached) in their heart language. He is a Bible Translator and the Pacific Area Director for SIL International (Summer Institute of Linguistics, Inc).

Tuition - $1,709,804

Student Residence Services - $453,364

Student Food Services - $449,934

Wesleyan Church Grant - $1,229,981

Donations - $327,429

Auxiliary Income - $106,652

Other Income - $97,778

39%

10%

10%

28%

8%

3%

2%

$4,374,942

Academic Services - $925,965

Student & Spiritual Life - $217,447

Scholarships & Financial Aid - $305,065

Food & Residence Services - $758,617

Development & Admissions - $725,428

Finance/Administration - $463,593

Plant Operations - $417,351

Debt Service & Auxiliary Enterprises - $405,008

Other - $156,400

21%5%

7%17%17%11%9%9%

4%

$4,374,874www.kings

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d.ed

u

Leading Nowfor the Future

Student Council leaders are developing ministry and leadership skills as they serve the student body. They are eager to see lives transformed as students experience community, classroom learning, and ministry opportunities through Kingswood University.

“We want students to be empowered to live holy lives and to become ambassadors for the gospel,” said Jason Parker, President of the Student Council. He regularly engages students in ministry to the poor, homeless, and recovering addict.

By example and personal obedience, Student Council Vice President, John Gorveatte, wants the campus to be “a place where prayer is happening all the time, and worship arises out of dorm rooms.”

Outreach Association President Carolina Peters has a “continuously growing” passion for today’s broken generation and is coordinating opportunities for student-led ministries.

Jessica DeWitt, as President of the Drama Association, is creating new dramas to be used during outreach events, youth retreats, and chapel services.

These student leaders, along with the others on Student Council, are eager to use their God-given gifts. Leading now will shape their skills for future ministry.

“I pray that God would harness every part of our being this year,” said Parker, “and will use us to accomplish His purposes.”

As our freshmen join the student community at Kingswood University, parents and friends are asking, “Are you making friends? What are they like?”

The company we keep include students like these:

First year student Jason Kitchen and his wife Ellie sold their house and moved, along with their six children, to campus. As future missionaries, God has led them to Kingswood “to gain a firm foundation in evangelism, Bible education, and discipleship.”

All throughout high school, freshman Sarah Collins competed as a wrestler, medaling in both provincial and national meets. Though she was invited by the head coach to join Canada’s national team of women’s wrestling, Sarah knew that it was not what God had in mind for her. “I was putting sports ahead of God. I am now following His heavenly plan instead of my earthly one.”

Working as an Au Pair in Germany, Dan Henderlong, a second year student, discovered a worldview that needs Christ. Kingswood is helping him to understand more clearly the need for Jesus-centered discipleship, both in his own life and throughout the world.

Freshman Kathryn Corona started a non profit organization for abused women called Mai (“I Am” backwards ). As a survivor of abuse and negative stereotypes faced as a Cuban-Korean American child, she believes that her “suffering sheds light on the possibility of ministering to others.”

Traveling a distance of 200 kilometers on his long board, Christopher Johnson, along with a friend, skated for 17 hours, making his way from Fredericton to Moncton, New Brunswick. Their “A Skate A Day” event raised $1,500 for a toddler’s chemotherapy treatments. “This is a huge part of who I am now,” said the first year student. “It’s a call, not just a thing I did with my pal.”

Third year student Aaron Hopkins travels on the weekends and school breaks with The Welcome Home Party. The worship band leader has a heart for the Church to be “alive and active in its expression of love for the Father.”

The community we share at Kingswood is a vibrant one - a community of passionate Christ-like servant leaders equipped for global impact.

Conferences Bring Maritimers to Campus

On October 12-13, worshipers, church leaders, and worship teams from all over the Maritimes converged on campus for engage, a two-day worship arts conference directed by Kingswood’s Director of Worship, Mrs. Elizabeth Rhyno. Worship leader/songwriter/blogger David Santistevan encouraged and equipped leaders to consider more deeply the why and how of worship ministry. Some of the best musicians from the Maritimes taught breakout sessions, including Covenant Award winner, Stephanie Israelson, and two-time Covenant Award nominee, Jeff Somers. Attendees also participated in this year’s newest feature, the Songwriter Showcase Coffee House.

The following week, on October 17, nearly 200 students from Christian Schools across the Maritimes met for a World Concerns Conference. Sponsored by the Association of Christian Schools International, the annual conference for students in grades 7-12 addressed current global issues. In conjunction with Kingswood University, Dr. Fritz Kling, author of The Meeting of the Waters, spoke to both high school and university students on seven global currents that are impacting the Church. Additional seminars were taught by Kingswood professors and leaders in mission organizations and churches. Kingswood also provided high school students the opportunity to receive university credit for completing designated assignments in addition to attending the conference.

The Community We Share

If you would like to receive additional news and updates, Kingswood University emails News@Kingswood, a free monthly newsletter. You may subscribe by going towww.kingswood.edu/alumni or by calling 888-432-4400.

Pulse – Hearing the Heartbeat of God

“What does it mean to train your mind, shape your heart, and engage your hands to create men and women molded into the image of Christ?”

In looking at Christian education from a holistic perspective, Kingswood has created “sacred space” in the weekly class schedule – a full day completely set aside – to enable students’ hearts to beat in sync with the Father’s heart. This is Pulse.

“Pulse allows us, as a Body of believers, to step outside normally busy class schedules,” said Dr. David Smith, Vice President for Academic Affairs, “and to discover how to holistically take education from the classroom into the marketplace, all the

while allowing the Lord to shape His Image on the heart; individually and corporately.”

This year Pulse centers on the theme, “To Know and Be Known by God...To Know and Be Known in Community,” which is based on Colossians 1:28. Each Wednesday will have one of four focuses – head, heart, hands, or Sabbath.

Pulse kicked off with Rev. Tyler Johnston of New Brunswick explaining how the digital age affects one’s spiritual

formation. Then, Rev. Jeff Eckart, Director of Never the Same Camps, challenged students

through Ignite, a series of messages, to claim the campus for Christ through never ending prayer. On the day set aside for Christian service, students gave a helping hand to area churches, community organizations, and charities. By picking up trash, washing windows, stuffing envelopes, playing games with senior residents, and other tasks, students learned that the shaping of the heart often begins with the employment of the hands.

Taking time to hear and feel the heartbeat of God embraces academic excellence, spiritual transformation, practical effectiveness, and personal wholeness. Pulse will develop the head, heart, and hands as Kingwood University prepares next generation leaders for fulfilling the Great Commission (Mark 16:15).

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62% Canada36% USA2% International5 Canadian Provinces17 US StatesHong KongJamaicaNew ZealandSt. Kitts & Nevis

21261 New125 Returning26 Internship

male / female ratio

67% Wesleyan

26 Western StreetPO Box 5125Sussex, New Brunswick E4E 5L2

www.kingswood.edu

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