Category: Gushee News

I only encountered a few minutes of rain all the way across the country. The car is running flawlessly. Meetings are going well, and people are amazingly generous and kind to me. I could get used to this!

I am writing this from a motel near Hannibal, MO. After a refreshing time on the Grand Canyon North Rim over Memorial Day weekend, I am scurrying to get my travel plans in place and have begun my wanderings across the country.

One thing we have learned as a result of the pandemic is the value of synchronous online learning, that is, allowing online students to dial directly into the classroom while the class is in session. This has enabled us to accommodate far more students than the physical classroom can hold. It has also provided accessContinue reading May 2021

It started with strange electrical impulses coursing through my left side. Then I felt like I could pass out, but, I always feel like I might pass  out whenever something isn’t quite right in my body. I felt good enough to walk home from school that Friday evening March 12. We planned to go onlineContinue reading April 2021

By the time we landed in Orlando, we were wondering out loud why we hadn’t heard anything. Jason (IBC President), Gene (Academic Dean), and Coreen (Dean of Women) went before the accreditation committee that morning and we had expected to hear shouts of joy by email or text but had heard nothing.

Spring semester is well underway. Thank you so much for praying for us! All the students returned after Christmas break. One stepped out of full-time classes and is submitting to more intense discipleship, and God brought one new full-time student A middle-aged Navajo woman, this new student brings fresh enthusiasm and appreciation for the opportunitiesContinue reading February 2021

Riots, violence in the streets, many in the Church of Christ divided and caught in apathy, political upheaval, social unrest, a global pandemic, isolation, anxiety, racial tension, constant disappointment, loss of hope. The media has bombarded us with death statistics and dire predictions until, in order to survive emotionally, we have been forced to beContinue reading January 2021

Here’s my 2020 in review! January: Jason and family take a sabbatical for Spring Semester. I taught Personal Finance, Intro. to Missions, and music. Students were engaged and enthusiastic, particularly in the missions’ class.

The weather was fantastic—warm enough to hike without a winter jacket but cool enough to keep from overheating. Fall foliage was at its peak. Golden coins fluttered and tentatively fell from various heights above us. The three of us tromped steadily upwards until we hit around 11,000 feet in elevation. We still had about 1,300Continue reading November 2020

I’m sorry, but I just can’t come up with anything profound to say this time around (not to imply that I usually do!), so here is a quick rundown of what is happening:

Who would have thought this pandemic and accompanying restrictions would still be influencing our lives to so great an extent in September!? In this area the discomfort and anxiety is compounded by weather patterns that are equally strange: a persistent wind night after night, almost no rain during our normal monsoonal period, and excessive heat.Continue reading September 2020

Honestly, I am finding it difficult to prepare for classes, to maintain a positive outlook, and to find joy in the mundane routines of life. There is so much uncertainty, so much death, suffering, chaos, rage, injustice, and evil. It is overwhelming! I know you feel it, too. I told the Lord the other dayContinue reading August 2020

As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. When the wind has passed over it, it is no more and its place acknowledges it no longer. Psalm 103:15,16

What next?! The lostness, restlessness, anger, and despair of our world becomes more and more obvious by the day. How I wish I  could make more of a difference in some of those desperate and lonely lives!

Two weeks of classes left and so many questions about the future . . . Is it possible to have a “virtual” recital? What will our celebration Weekend look like? Will we be able to do a virtual Student Ministry Showcase on May 22nd, or maybe even one with a live audience? Will restrictions beContinue reading May 2020

The sun was warm but the breeze still bit with winter fierceness. Dead oak leaves lifted off the ground, swirling madly, and then were unceremoniously laid to rest a few feet from where they started. Meanwhile, delicate green spears raised their heads tentatively above the leaf cover. It seemed as though life and death wereContinue reading April 2020

Have you ever thought about the fact that there are hidden subcultures existing within the more obvious cultures? We had our eyes opened this year at the spring missions conference (Feb. 10-13) when we were exposed to what it would be like to be deaf in a culture that doesn’t consider deaf people to beContinue reading March 2020

The first paper in Introduction to Missions has already been done. All 7 students turned theirs in. We discussed their individual view and understanding of Missions. It is always interesting to hear what their past experience has been. Most approach missions from the viewpoint of the receiver. One of the goals of the class isContinue reading February 2020

January 2020 Blessed New Year to you! I pray your Christmas was filled with the awareness of Christ’s great sacrifice and mercy as He placed Himself in a woman’s womb and experienced human birth.

They always make me smile, those frightened fallen leaves as they scurry in front of me, driven by the cool winds of fall. They remind me of people running from impending doom. But alas, they will not escape. Winter will bury them and they will be forgotten by spring. This year there is another additionContinue reading December 2019

Thank you so much for your prayers for state authorization for IBC. An IBC team spent the day at the State Capitol last week and came back jubilant! IBC has been granted state authorization, contingent upon a few stipulations that need to be met.

Fall in Flagstaff is generally beautiful—with temperatures in the perfect range, bright sunny days and cool nights. The students and Student Life staff can testify to the prevalence of wind as well, as they just returned from four days at Lake Powell for the annual Kick-off Kampout. Thank God for the safe return of allContinue reading October 2019

Greetings, faithful servants of Christ! Thank you all for your prayers and concern regarding the fire. As far as I know, all is quiet behind the mountain. There was still smoke wafting heavenward the last time I climbed up for a look, but the danger to our homes and community is gone.

  At first I thought I wasn’t in the danger zone but before long, I started getting alerts on my phone. My stress mounted as the pillar of smoke thickened and rose higher. With dry conditions and hot temperatures, it didn’t take a whole lot to get it started. Thank God there was almost noContinue reading August 2019

Blessed summer to you! I love the longer daylight hours, more time at home, hanging out with work crews at IBC, and interacting with students still living at IBC while they continue working. God has blessed me with opportunity to backpack twice recently. I also have two weeks off right now so am working feverishlyContinue reading July 2019