Emmaus News

Ashleigh Wilson and Lewis Shin Announced as Coaches

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 11:54:46 -0500

Emmaus Bible College is proud to announce two new coaches for this upcoming Athletic year: Ashleigh Wilson as Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach and Lewis Shin as Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach.

Ashleigh Wilson will be serving as Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach. In 2012, she acquired her Bachelor’s in Biblical Studies and Music Education at Emmaus. While attending Emmaus, she played all four years of basketball and was a team captain during her senior year. Ashleigh now resides in Dubuque where she teaches music at Roosevelt Middle School.

Lewis Shin will be serving this year as Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach. Lewis graduated with his Bachelor’s in Biblical Studies and Business Administration from Emmaus in 2011. He played soccer at Emmaus from 2007-2011 and was a captain as a senior. Lewis and his wife Hannah are currently living in Dubuque and expecting their first child in July.

Alumnus Ben Strautmann Announced as Head Women's Volleyball Coach

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 13:30:24 -0500

Emmaus Alumnus Ben Strautmann will be serving this year as the Head Women’s Volleyball Coach. In 2013 he acquired his Bachelor’s in Biblical Studies and Business Administration at Emmaus. In addition to playing four years of volleyball in high school he was a captain of the first Men’s Club volleyball team in 2012. Ben and his wife Emily are currently happily raising their black labrador, Bagheera.

Emmaus Bible College Announces Sixth President

Wed, 29 May 2013 10:05:16 -0500

May 28, 2013

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Philip Boom as the sixth president of Emmaus Bible College, effective July 1, 2013.

Phil Boom brings extensive management and leadership experience to the role of president at Emmaus. He served as board member and chair at Hickory Cove Bible Camp in Taylorsville, North Carolina, and elder at Brandywine Bible Chapel, Wilmington, Delaware. In 2010 Mr. Boom joined the Emmaus faculty as the founding chair of the Business Department and program director of the Business Administration major. He currently serves as elder at Asbury Community Chapel, Dubuque, Iowa.

Mr. Boom has also demonstrated effective leadership in business settings. During his thirty-year career at DuPont Company in Wilmington, Delaware (1980-2010), Phil held a variety of responsibilities in areas of business development, marketing, operations management, and global business leadership. Additional details about Phil and his family can be found here.

The Emmaus Board of Trustees has articulated the following core commitments for this time of transition at the College:

Commitment to Biblical truth and its life-changing impact
Commitment to Biblical higher education
Commitment to our distinctive teaching positions, particularly those relating to the church and end times
Commitment to our historical constituency, the Plymouth brethren, as well as our broader evangelical constituency
Commitment to excellence in programs and services

The Board believes that Phil Boom shares these commitments and is the right man to provide leadership for the College as it seeks to achieve its historical mission for the 21st-century. In his three years at Emmaus, Phil has evidenced the head, heart, and hands of a servant-leader, and we look forward to seeing what the Lord accomplishes through him in his role as president.

The formal installation of Philip Boom as president of Emmaus is planned for Saturday, November 2, 2013.

The 2013 Iron Sharpens Iron Church Leadership Development...

Thu, 23 May 2013 12:06:36 -0500

The 2013 Iron Sharpens Iron Church Leadership Development Conference at Emmaus Bible College begins tonight. We are pleased to welcome Dr. D.A. Carson as our keynote speaker as we explore together The Glory of the Gospel. Plenary speakers include Alexander Strauch and Mark Stevenson, and we anticipate a wonderful time of quality teaching, warm fellowship and encouragement.

Visit isi13.emmaus.edu to learn more about this incredible event.

Alumnus Kyle Graw Announced as Head Women's Basketball Coach

Mon, 20 May 2013 14:15:00 -0500

Emmaus is excited to announce alumnus Kyle Graw as Head Women’s Basketball Coach for the 2013-2014 season! Kyle graduated with his Bachelor’s in Biblical Studies and Youth Ministry from Emmaus in 2010. He played basketball for the Eagles alongside Athletic Director Luke Wilkerson from 2007-2010. Kyle and his wife Tina have a son, Elijah, and a daughter, Laila Rose.

"This is a good business we’re involved in, folks. A glorious business."

Tue, 14 May 2013 14:15:39 -0500

“This is a good business we’re involved in, folks. A glorious business.”

- Dr. Dan Smith in Wrap-Up Days devotions

Well Done: Alumnus Honors Former Faculty with Choral Piece

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 16:21:55 -0500

It’s not everyday that you get to participate in a world premiere. Thanks to recent alumnus Aaron Fullan, the Emmaus Ensemble was able to do just that, by performing his choral piece Well Done for the very first time at their Tour Concert in March. Aaron composed Well Done, a 4-part choral piece based on Matthew 25:21 and I Corinthians 15:55, as a memorial to former Emmaus faculty member Dr. Dave Reid, who went home to be with the Lord on January 31, 2012. Dr. Dave, lovingly nicknamed “Dr. Grace” by those who studied with him, was a beloved faculty member at Emmaus for nearly 30 years, teaching Old Testament Survey and Hermeneutics to generations of students.

At the concert, Dr. David MacLeod, friend and colleague of Dr. Reid, gave a stirring tribute to the man he called “a thoroughgoing Bible man.” He said this of his friend: “When I think of Dr. Dave Reid, my spirit is lifted. I thank God for him. And I’m filled with admiration for a man who lived his life to the full, doing business for the Master.”

Aaron also paid tribute to Dr. Reid at the concert. Though he did not know Dr. Reid well, Aaron said of him, “It was very easy to see that he had invested in what is eternal, and that is people.” Aaron’s sole interaction with Dr. Dave was when he spoke his last chapel message at Emmaus, appropriately entitled “Pass the Baton.” It was enough to leave a lasting impression, and stir in him a desire to pay tribute to this honorable man:

“Dr. Dave was a man who lived his life in view of what was to come after; I want to live my life in the same manner. My aim in writing this piece was to pay homage to a man that knew what it meant to live life to the fullest: a life devoted to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. All other life goals pale in comparison. To Him be all the glory.”

Ensemble Director Elisa Cooper, who taught and directed Aaron during his four years at Emmaus, was glad to afford Aaron the opportunity of his piece being performed by the Ensemble:

“Aaron was a wonderful student and very talented pianist, but his interest in composing did not surface until near the end of his program. I was very impressed with his first piece written for his senior recital, and when he approached me about composing this piece for the Ensemble, I knew we would get something special. The Ensemble really enjoyed learning and performing Well Done, and we look forward to possibly working with Aaron on some future projects.”

After graduating with a Music Ministry degree in the spring of 2012, Aaron married his longtime girlfriend Tabby Krahling, also an Emmaus alumnus. They now live in Thomson, Illinois, where they both work as baristas at the Heirloom Market & Cafe. Recently, Aaron has been able to utilize his music and drama gifts in the company’s new offshoot: Heirloom Audio. Moving to Thomson has also allowed him to return to his home church, Gateway Bible Chapel in Clinton, IA, where he leads the music ministry.

If you missed hearing the first performance of Aaron’s piece, plan to attend the Spring Concert at Emmaus, when the Ensemble sings Well Done for the final time this year. The event is this Sunday, April 21st at 7:30pm in the beautiful Marble Chapel at Emmaus, and will include performances by all four of Emmaus’s music groups: the Ensemble, Chapel Choir, Men’s Quartet, and the Ladies Trio.

Click here to view a sample of Well Done, in a collage of the music and Dr. Reid’s tribute.

Aaron Fullan

God is Wonderful: A Telegraph Herald Article on Jossy Seriphin

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:34:00 -0500

An article was recently published in the Dubuque Telegraph Herald on Jossy Seriphin, a junior at Emmaus. The article was entitled “God is Wonderful” and tells Jossy’s unique story of how and why he came from Haiti to Emmaus.

We are proud of Jossy’s representation of Emmaus and the Lord, and we’re very excited to be a part of his dream to open a Christian school upon returning to Haiti.

Click here to read the story Haitian Man: God is Wonderful.

Elementary Education Students on Week-Long Internship in Tennessee

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 13:49:00 -0500

Every year, juniors in the Elementary Education program engage in a week-long teaching internship in Tennessee, where they are given the opportunity to spend the week in a classroom, interacting with students and other teachers while teaching a unit they have prepared.

Last Saturday, twelve juniors took off for Tennessee, and today began teaching their units in grades 1, 2, 3 and 6. Susie Henderson, the Elementary Education Program Director, had this to say about the trip:

“One of the unique features of the Elementary Education Program at Emmaus is that our students get into the classroom from year one, and one of the most valuable classroom experiences prior to student teaching is our week-long teaching internship. During spring of their junior year, students spend the first part of the semester learning to develop lesson plans, then travel to Murfreesboro, Tennessee where they spend an entire week in a classroom teaching those lessons and learning from a master teacher and room full of “master students” who help them develop their classroom management skills, confidence, ability to adapt lessons, and a whole host of other skills that can only be learned by doing.”

Please pray for these 12 students as they learn and grow this week! Pictures and updates will be posted to Twitter and Facebook.

4/10/13 UPDATE: We have been warmly welcomed to the schools here in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Each day the students teach their lessons, then work with the classroom teacher during the rest of the day. It is a pleasure to see our students learning and growing, as their elementary students enthusiastically enjoy the lessons they have prepared.

We value your prayers as the week continues. Please pray for rest and good health for the students and that each will continue to be a rich blessing to those around them.

Susie Henderson

4/11/13 UPDATE: Our students shared what they see as the value of this internship. Here are some of their thoughts:

“The best learning occurs through experience. This is what we are doing—experiencing and hearing of the experiences of others.” (Jossy Seriphin)

“This week has been a confidence builder and very practical. We learn the head knowledge in our classes, but this provides the practicality of us delivering what’s on paper.” (Eli Ramos & Heather Grimm)

“The value is we are seeing something we will be doing for maybe the rest of our lives. I’m learning that I love it. It’s motivating and reminds us of why we’re going to school.” (Jeannie Loudon)

Thanks so much! Keep praying!

Because He Lives: An Easter Devotion from the President

Sun, 31 Mar 2013 10:49:00 -0500

Picture the disciples—troubled, knowing the Lord was going away—and really having an uncertain future. Thomas said, “We don’t know the way.”

Of course, the claim of the Lord is so impactful—“I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but by me” (John 14:6).

In John 14, Jesus comforted his disciples in three ways that comfort us today as well.

He said, “Let not your heart be troubled… I go to prepare a place for you” (vs. 1-2). There is a place for you! Easter fills us with hope because there is a place for us. Goodness and mercy are our escorts and will push us into the Father’s house someday soon. There is no better place than the Father’s house.
Jesus also said, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27). The peace of God in our lives is related to the presence of God in our lives. This reminds us of the high priestly blessing in Numbers 6:24-26: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” God’s blessing ultimately leads to Shalom. For troubled hearts, and because he lives, we can know Shalom and all the peace his presence brings.
In verse 19, the Lord said, “Because I live, you will live also.” Let not our hearts be troubled! We rest our hearts in the power of his resurrected life. His resurrection is documented in history. Death is not the end of things, just a passing over. It is true today that we have life in Christ, but also for all of our days. When we step over the threshold into heaven we will know that. He is the one who gives life like no other.

Together we can rejoice in the resurrection, and together we can sing, “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow… Because He lives, all fear is gone… Because I know He holds the future… and life is worth the living just because He lives.”

Dr. William J. Moore
Interim President
Emmaus Bible College

Listen to Dean Glock’s recent chapel message from 2 Timothy 2,...

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 10:59:00 -0500

Listen to Dean Glock’s recent chapel message from 2 Timothy 2, where he encouraged faculty, staff, and students to ”Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead.”

Register for Upcoming DEW!

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 11:59:39 -0500

Discover Emmaus Weekend, April 5-6, is only two weeks away! From Friday morning to Saturday lunch, prospective students from all over the country will sit in on engaging classes, talk with faculty about our programs, and stay Friday night in the dorms with current students. After classes on Friday, prospective students will join the Emmaus community as we cheer on the Dubuque Fighting Saints in their last home hockey game of the season! This spring’s Discover Emmaus Weekend promises to be a fantastic event for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, designed to give prospective students a taste of what their lives could be like as Emmaus students. Space is limited, so encourage your youth to register today!

Visit www.emmaus.edu/dew to register online.

Emmaus Bible College Earns Place on National Honor Roll for Community Service

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 17:04:00 -0500

Dubuque, Iowa – Emmaus Bible College was named to the 2013 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. This designation is the highest honor a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning, and civic engagement. It is the 6th consecutive year that Emmaus has received this honor.

“Service is central to the mission of Emmaus Bible College, and we believe strongly in preparing our graduates as servant-leaders in their churches, ministries, workplaces, and communities,” said Lisa Beatty, Vice President for Academic Affairs. “We’re honored to receive this prestigious award for the sixth consecutive year, and we owe much of it to our committed students, faculty, and staff. They put legs to their learning and serve the Dubuque and surrounding communities with energy and passion.”

Every full time student at Emmaus participates in the for-credit Servant-Leader Training (SLT) program, providing a minimum of thirty hours of service each semester. Students regularly exceed this requirement, averaging forty to forty-five hours of service per student per semester in recent years. Examples of Servant-Leader Training activities include visiting retirement communities, tutoring, working in elementary classrooms, serving in prison ministries, and assisting in after-school clubs. On Service Day every fall, faculty, staff, and students work together to complete service projects in the community. Emmaus serves an average of fifteen venues annually, including the YMCA camp, local schools, the local pregnancy center, a women’s shelter, and Dubuque Leisure Services. Organizations express gratitude for the service provided by the Emmaus community and continue to request these services. Community members frequently contact Emmaus to request student assistance for service projects due to their appreciation of the services students have provided in the past.

“Congratulations to Emmaus Bible College, its faculty, and students for its commitment to service, both in and out of the classroom,” said Wendy Spencer, CEO of CNCS. “Through its work, institutions of higher education are helping improve their local communities and create a new generation of leaders by challenging students to go beyond the traditional college experience and solve local challenges.”

Inspired by the thousands of college students who traveled across the country to support relief efforts along the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina, CNCS has administered the award since 2006 and manages the program in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, as well as the American Council on Education and Campus Compact.

More information about the Emmaus Bible College community service efforts can be found at www.emmaus.edu. More information on eligibility and the full list of Honor Roll awardees, can be found at nationalservice.gov.

The President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll honors the nation’s leading higher education institutions and their students, faculty and staff for their commitment to bettering their communities through service. These are institutions that reflect the values of exemplary community service and achieve meaningful outcomes in their communities.

Israel, the Rapture, the Tribulation, and the Kingdom

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 16:14:00 -0500

It’s a new day! And we have new insights on current events, Israel, and prophecy. Join The Friends of Israel for a Day in the Prophetic Word in Dubuque, Iowa! The conference will include a continental breakfast, messages on Bible prophecy and events taking place in America, Israel, and around the world; lunch; and a concluding session featuring “Hot Button Issues.”

Speakers include Jim Showers, Steve Herzig, Jon Glock, Jack Fish
Registration and seating begin at 8:30 a.m.
Sessions 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost: $25 per person (includes registration, sessions, and lunch)

Registration and payment are due Monday, April 8 (please download the registration form at the link below). For more information, or to make your reservations by telephone, call The Friends of Israel at 800–257–7843, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (Eastern time) and ask for Lisa Grosso.

Click here to download the registration form

SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 2013
Emmaus Bible College
2570 Asbury Road
Dubuque, IA 52001

Emmaus: More than a Bible School

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 16:22:00 -0500

Dubuque’s Telegraph Herald recently published a feature article on Emmaus entitled “Small But Renowned Emmaus,” accompanied by the tagline: “Dubuque’s little-known college offers more than Bible studies.” The article, by TH staff writer Mary Nevans-Pederson, highlighted popular misconceptions of the college, particularly misunderstandings that exist in the Dubuque community. Lisa Beatty, Vice President for Academic Affairs, remarked: “We don’t want to stay Dubuque’s ‘best kept secret.’” In addition to a general description of the college’s dual-emphasis (Biblical Studies and Vocational/Professional Studies), several important distinctions were mentioned:

The Emmaus Experience was articulated: “Academic programs infused with biblical content, meaningful relationships between faculty, staff and students, and a campus environment conducive to spiritual and personal growth”
All class programming is infused with Biblical content
15,000 hours of community service performed annually by students
100 percent placement rate for 2012 graduates of professional programs
20 full courses offered through iTunesU at EmmausOnline (averaging 39,000 downloads every month)

In addition to the various forms of community service, Publications & Marketing Director Jesse Lange mentioned that Dubuquers interact with Emmaus students on a regular basis without realizing it, and that these students are found to be “ethical, responsible, and disciplined.” Emmaus students are well received in a growing network of local businesses and organizations who appreciate these qualities.

Also quoted was senior Julie Umstetter, who remarked on the warm, caring campus culture where the staff “really wants you to grow in your faith.”

Lange summarized Emmaus’ desire for a more accurate perception by Dubuque residents. “We are an excellent choice for Christian education, but we also want to be seen as a viable option for professional education in Dubuque’s higher-education scene.” A 100 percent job placement rate for recent Emmaus graduates of professional programs certainly merits serious consideration among students and parents pursuing Christian higher education.

The article was published in the Saturday morning paper on February 23rd, and is the first in a series of pieces that will hopefully do much to increase local visibility for Emmaus – not only in Dubuque – but also in the broader Tri-State area.

UPDATE: Click here to read the full article online.

Ensemble Tour Prayer Requests

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 15:41:01 -0600

The Ensemble left this morning on their annual spring break tour. They will be on tour until March 16 (next Saturday). Director Elisa Cooper asked for prayer in the following ways:

For an attitude of joy, thanksgiving, and worship among the Ensemble
That we would have safety and good weather in travel
That everyone will stay healthy and have stamina for the entire trip
That we will effectively communicate the truths that we are singing and that it will be evident that we believe them
That we will be a blessing to everyone who sees us at each church, hotel, restaurant, etc.
That we will encourage and serve each other as well as those we meet on the tour
That the students will draw closer to the Lord and be encouraged and challenged through this experience
That the student testimony will encourage the saints and present the claims of Christ to the unbelieving
That we will present a consistent testimony for Christ to our bus driver
That we will effectively represent the college and its ministries to our constituency
That we will do nothing to call attention to ourselves, but do everything for the glory of God

Thanks for praying!

Click here for the Ensemble Tour itinerary.

Emmaus Ensemble Tour Concert

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 14:30:00 -0600

The Emmaus Ensemble travels annually during spring break to sing at churches across the country. Departing on March 8th, this year’s Ensemble will sing a total of six concerts in Iowa, Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas, and Nebraska before returning to Dubuque on March 16th.

“The students have opportunities to get to know families in their homes each night, and we really enjoy the hospitality and fellowship of every church,” says Ensemble director Elisa Cooper. “It is exciting to share this music and our lives with everyone we meet, and we pray for a lasting impact on each person involved.”

Each year, the Ensemble also performs a pre-tour concert at Emmaus. The concert is Sunday, March 3rd at 7:30pm in the Marble Chapel, and will feature the world premiere of a new choral piece (Well Done) composed by alumnus Aaron Fullan. This piece was written in honor of Dr. Dave Reid who died in a skiing accident in January of 2012. Dr. Reid taught at Emmaus for twenty-eight years and impacted countless numbers of people through his life and ministry. You won’t want to miss this memorable concert.

Emmaus Bible College Presidential Search

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 13:03:29 -0600

The Board of Trustees at Emmaus Bible College has initiated a search for the college’s sixth president and invites nominations and applications for individuals who will provide outstanding leadership. The next president of Emmaus Bible College will accept responsibility for an exceptional, mission-focused Bible college that stands on a solid foundation of historical success. Prospective candidates are encouraged to review the Presidential Search Information on the Emmaus website, which provides additional details about this opportunity and the application process at:

www.emmaus.edu/president

Although applications will be accepted until the time that a new president is selected, candidates should submit materials by April 5, 2013 for the most favorable consideration. All inquiries should be directed to:

Presidential Search
Emmaus Bible College
2570 Asbury Road
Dubuque, IA 52001

presidentialsearch@emmaus.edu

Emmaus Eagles Father and Son Duo Featured in Local News

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 17:11:46 -0600

Father and son duo Paul and Caleb Ruter, teammates on the Emmaus Eagles basketball team, were recently featured on Dubuque local TV station KCRG. And while KCRG misspelled their last name “Rooter,” the Ruter story is a good one.

Paul, age 54, played for the Eagles 32 years ago, nabbing the MVP title his freshman year. He was unable to finish his one-year degree, as he was called home to farm full-time. It’s always been Paul’s dream to return to complete his degree; it’s even more of a dream come true to attend Emmaus this year with his son, Caleb.

A stand out freshman this year at Emmaus, Caleb, age 19, is leading the team in scoring. He enjoys playing with his father; in fact, he says the father-son dynamic disappears on the court. At that point, they’re just teammates.

The Emmaus Eagles just finished regular season play; they travel to Joplin, MO next week to play in the ACCA National Tournament.

Click the link below to watch the TV spot:
http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Father-and-Son-Play-Together-on-College-Basketball-Team-191757111.html

If you’d like to read a more in-depth story about the Ruters, click below to read a local Minnesota newspaper article:
http://www.thedrummer.com/DrummerFeature.htm

Emmaus SUMMEX Team on the Cover of Peruvian Magazine

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 12:10:29 -0600

Summex is a long tradition at Emmaus. For years the college has organized these faculty-led globe-trotting trips with one goal: contextual discovery of missions. During these trips we meet and learn from missionaries on location: how the Lord is bringing people to Himself throughout the world and see their strategies in real-time. We explore the local culture and customs, work at learning the language, make friends, and serve in meaningful ways as directed by the local leadership.

Click here to view a map of where we’ve been in recent years.

Recently, the 2012 Summex team was featured on the cover of a Peruvian magazine. The magazine is called “Fragrant Aroma” and is an assembly missionary publication in Peru. The picture was taken with believers in the village of Achinamisa, in the Amazon basin. We walked 10 hours through the jungle to get to this village, across quite a few rivers. A joint team of Peruvian young people, Micah Tuttle and his two oldest sons, and the Emmaus team, preached the gospel, organized children’s meetings, and taught a conference.

I was very excited to see Emmaus students on the cover of this magazine, as it demonstrates young people can have a huge worldwide impact. Praise be to God!

Joel Hernandez
Chair, Intercultural Studies Department

If you’re interested in the SUMMEX trips, or want to learn about more exciting aspects of the Intercultural Studies Program, click here.