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| Interim President Peter Wiebe makes a point during his message Sunday morning, August 17, titled "What is This Place?" |
August 18, 2003
Students from 16 countries and
27 states in the U.S. arrived at Hesston College during Opening Weekend
August 15-17, 2003. After a weekend of activities that included orientation
for freshman and international students, registration for classes, a
parents breakfast, a reception for president's scholars, and the annual
mod olympics, classes began Monday, August 18.
During the opening convocation Friday
evening, August 15, Campus Pastor Kevin Wilder acknowledged that many
are having an Abrahamic moment, noting the parallels between God's call
to Abraham to travel to an unknown place that would become his home
(Hebrews 11:8-10), and what faculty, staff, returning students, parents,
and freshmen are experiencing.
"But by faith, we will make
Hesston College a good place," Wilder said. "This journey
will have some similarities to the brochures, but it will be different,
hard, good, and I believe better than the brochures say."
Wilder also observed that faith
will make a community at the college. "It is faith in Jesus, not
faith in faith," he said. "It's about trusting that Jesus
will lead us, even when we aren't so sure today. It is giving ourselves
to Christ and trusting that his agenda will ultimately succeed."
At the end of Wilder's message,
Academic Dean Marc Yoder welcomed G. Lamar Roth to the Hesston College
community as the new Dean of Students. Roth began in his new role June
16. After leading a prayer for Roth,
Yoder presented him with a wooden staff made by Lee Hertzler of Hesston.
"This is a symbol of your new leadership position," Yoder
said. "You will both guide, direct, and shepherd your staff and
students.
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| Sophomore Joe Shetler, Phoenix, Ariz, attempts to transport water in the frisbee he is holding on his head during the competition of the annual Mod Olympics Sunday evening, August 17. |
Sunday morning August 17, a worship
service in Yost Center culminated the weekend of activities and beginnings.
Speaking on the theme, "What is this Place," and basing his
message on Philippians 1:3-11, Interim President Peter Wiebe identified
eight important characteristics of Hesston College.
"This is a place of praise
and celebration," he said, noting that some of this celebration
and worship occurs in formal ways, like chapel, and informal ways, like
student gatherings.
"Hesston College is a place
of prayer," he emphasized. "We believe that what we are about
is far greater than what the faculty and staff can do. As Paul says
in Philippians 1, God can do exceeding abundantly above all that we
ask or think."
Sharing from personal experience,
Wiebe continued, "God is always in the business of surprising us.
I thought I was coming to help the college. I hadn't anticipated what
it would do for me. It's been a time of spiritual renewal."
Wiebe also underlined the importance
of Hesston College's past, its history. He recounted how Anna Smith
King, who as a woman couldn't speak on the floor at a regional Mennonite
conference in La Junta, Colo., in October 1907, wrote a note sharing
her conviction that a school in the West would advance the kingdom of
God.
"We are indebted to her and
others who went before us and left us this legacy," Wiebe said.
"We at Hesston are great prospectors,"
Wiebe said, "and like Paul, we believe that God who began a good
work in you will complete it. We believe in the future, the future of
the church of Jesus Christ."
Wiebe, who began as interim president
July 1, said he's already been impressed with the heart of compassion
of the college's faculty and staff. "We want to be warm and instill
a passion for Jesus Christ," he explained.
Wiebe concluded by pointing out
that Hesston College is "a place in the providence of God. We believe
that the things that will happen will turn out to the furtherance of
the Gospel."
Following the message, those in
attendance participated in a litany of installation for Wiebe, who is
serving as interim president for one year.