Month: October 2018
Volleyball Team Wins Last Three Matches of Regular Season
The lady Royals volleyball team won the last three matches of their season.
On Thursday they beat Crown College. The sets were 25-6, 25-5 and 25-5. On Saturday they were victorious against both Alice Lloyd College and Welch College. They won against Alice Lloyd College in three sets that went 25-18, 25-18 and 25-13. Later in the evening, they won against Welch College 25-19, 25-14 and 25-20.
Head Coach Robin Vannoy, who is in her third season as head coach at Johnson, said that she was really happy with how the girls played Wednesday night.
“Tonight was a team effort by everybody,” Vannoy said. “We had the opportunity to get everybody in the match. We are hosting regionals and we hope everybody comes out.”
The Lady Royals finished their season 22-7. The regional schedule should be released soon.
JUFL Cycling Event Raises over $30,000 for Missions
Over Spring Break (March 17-21) faculty and students from JUFL participated in the Key West Bike Ride 2018 (#KWBR2018), a cycling tour created by Ends of the Earth Cycling (a division of New Mission Systems International).
In 2016 Ends Cycling hosted the Tennessee Bike Ride in conjunction with JU—a 300-mile trek from JUTN to VA and back. After experiencing near-freezing temperatures in the Cherokee National Forest in March 2016, Ends made a decision to host this year’s JU-partnered tour in Florida.
The KWBR2018 took more than 30 cyclists, and support staff from NMSI headquarters in Ft. Myers to the southernmost point of the U.S. in Key West. Cyclists included students Christian Arnold, Jessica Hammock, Rodrigo Monteroso, Leah Hardin, and Dr. Les Hardin (Professor of NT). Seth McManus (student, SGA President) and Elisabeth Arnold (alumnus) provided support staff for the tour.
Ends Cycling hosts tours specifically to raise money and awareness of worldwide mission work. This year’s KWBR2018 sought to raise money for Africa Hope’s School of Youth Ministry Training. The median age on the continent of Africa is currently 18 years old, making youth ministry key for the growth of the Kingdom there.
Justin Hanneken, Executive Director of Ends Cycling, had the following to say about Ends Cycling’s partnership with JU:
“Following a successful Tennessee Bike Ride in March 2016, we at Ends Cycling were so excited to partner with Johnson University again. We knew the only way this would work for the Key West Bike Ride 2017 was to have the tour over JU’s Spring Break. We also knew that God would have to provide a staff member on campus to help us out. He did exactly that through our ‘bro’ and friend, Dr. Les Hardin. Les organized an incredible group of students and JU alumni who were an absolute blessing to the team! Over the course of 5 days, we became family and God was glorified as we had the opportunity to #PrayPedalRepeat for the youth of Africa.”
Each Ends Cycling participant is asked to commit to raise funds for the designated mission. The KWBR2018 group raised an excess of $30,000 to promote and facilitate youth work in Africa.
Participants in Key West Bike Ride had the following to say about their experiences:
“The KWBR was an awesome way to spend my spring break. Even though I’m not a cyclist, I found a way to plug-in and help serve the riders by moving equipment, helping with worship, and preaching at one of the stops.” —Seth McManus, SGA President
“Intentional discipleship occurs at every part in the team: praising one another for daily accomplishments, pushing one another to work harder, and supporting one another when trouble arises.” —Christian Arnold, JUFL Alumnus and M.A. Student
“KWBR was an awesome opportunity that trained my body and exercised my faith. Carving out specific time to train 6 days a week helped me prioritize my day and even helped me do better in my classes because I was forced to stick to a strict schedule. On the ride I was constantly praying for YouthHOPE in Africa because being on the bike for 8 or so hours a day provides a great opportunity for focusing on prayer.” —Jessica Hammock, JUFL student
“The past two years (2017 & 2018), I have served as a support staff member caring for the needs of cyclists. It is such a rewarding experience as I grow close to people from different faith backgrounds all coming together to use their love of cycling for the cause of global youth outreach.” —Elisabeth Arnold, JUFL Alumnus
JUFL students will once again have the opportunity to participate in the KWBR this upcoming Spring Break (Mar. 16-21, 2019). KWBR19 will raise funds for youth work in Thailand. Anyone interested in cycling or helping as a support staff member is encouraged to speak with Dr. Les Hardin for more information.
For more on the work of Ends of the Earth Cycling, visit www.endscycling.com and follow them at #PrayPedalRepeat.
Satire: What Riles me up with Riley — Lobby Couples
You know what Riles me up : Lobby couples. Imagine that it’s a Saturday and you want to watch the big game with your buddies. You’ve all got your jerseys on; you’ve ordered hot wings and pizza as well. It’s going to be a great day. Suddenly, as you ride the elevator down to the lobby: BOOM! You see the freshest lobby couple around watching the Notebook for the 18th time. It’s happened to everyone at some point at Johnson. We have been hit with the problem and awkwardness that arises from the aforementioned lobby couples. Whether you want to watch a movie with friends, play a board game, or even get some homework done, lobby couples have been depriving us of our right as Johnson students to use the lobbies in peace.
Seriously guys, how did we get to this point? It’s like we are being held captive in our own lobbies. “Hmm…where could we go for a romantic night out on the town? Well, I hear that the lobby is nice this time of year. Why don’t we go and watch six hours of romantic comedies on Netflix while I awkwardly put my arm around you the entire time?” Look lobby couples, when you decide to have date night in the lobby, you are not having a romantic evening. You are essentially inviting the entirety of Johnson on a date. Trust me, we hear and see a lot more than you would probably like us to. I understand that the theme of chapel is participation in the Gospel, but the entirety of Johnson doesn’t want to participate in your relationship.
While looking at this problem I was struck with the question: why do we have lobby couples? I think I’ve come to a conclusion. The real problem is that some people enter their first relationships in college. Being in a first relationship is fun and exciting, but out of this arises…lobby couples. When people get a girlfriend or boyfriend for the first time, they want to shove it in everyone else’s face to subconsciously get back at all the people who never believed it would happen. Thus, we subsequently get lobby couples trying to show off the fact that they got game to their homeboys and homegirls. Another theory I have had is that there are not enough places to hang out on campus for couples. Granted, the open dorms thing is working wonders. You would think that couples would be satisfied spending time with each other once a month while being stared at by passing freshman.
Lobby couples, I know it seems like I’m out for blood here, but I just want my lobby back. Hopefully in the future we can invent some kind of transportation device that allows couples to go off campus for dates, but alas, I assume I’ll probably suffer for now. Lobby couples, if you actually do get a chance to read this and wonder in your heart how you can bring about change, I would advocate for staying a respectable 10 feet from your boyfriend or girlfriend with limited-to-no physical contact, maybe a handshake if you’re feeling rebellious.
JUFL’s Missions Emphasis Week focuses on justice
Johnson University Florida welcomed dozens of missionaries and missions organizations Oct. 2-4 for Missions Emphasis Week.
Noteworthy among them was featured speaker David Peters, a JU alumnus and Director of Strategic Planning for Rapha House. He shared about God’s desire for justice and the work of Rapha house.
His first message of the week clearly laid out the calling of all Christians to justice from Matt. 23: 23-24. He said, “whatever you think your particular calling is, whether you are right about it or whether you are wrong about it, there are some things that I know you are called to,” that is, the weightier matters of the law.
He summarized the church’s primary calling as the need to pursue justice for all “the marginalized, the forgotten, the oppressed, the powerless, and the voiceless more diligently than any other institution in the world.”
The pursuit of justice for oppressed people is precisely why Rapha House exists. Rapha House is a nonprofit organization whose primary goal is to end sex trafficking and slavery around the world through the raising of awareness and the rescue and aftercare of survivors.
Although efforts have been directed towards this mission, there are still 40-46 million people in slavery today. A large percentage of them being children.
Rapha House has participated in Missions Emphasis Week for several years. Florida Christian and Johnson students have been involved in their work on various levels from donations to missions trips.
During this week, some students have committed to supporting the cause of Rapha House both financially and prayerfully. Brittnay Parsons, a junior, reflected on the work of Rapha House: “I have never witnessed God’s power more than I have through learning about Rapha House.”
Peters understood that not every student’s fight for justice looks the same. However, all students were exhorted to seek justice in every sphere of their lives. “There is justice to be done in the home”, explained Peters.
As the book of Micah says, “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Coffeehouse signups are here, auditions next week
Coffeehouse will take place in the Underground Coffeeshop, located in the Eubanks Activity Center on campus, Monday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m.
Coffeehouse is a time for the campus community to come together and share their talents with one another. Some people sing, others read poetry they have written, and some choose to display artwork on tables for all to observe.
Those who participate also have the option to enjoy a cup of coffee from the Underground Coffeeshop for just $1.
For anyone who would like to share his or her talents with the rest of Johnson’s community, signups will be taking place this week during lunch hours in the Gally Commons.
Another option for signing up is to follow the link posted below:
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=stgK6lCHmk-pvSkMSboCL5Ytmb4lCPdNsyTzGXeOzK9UOFRLVjBaNjk3Wjk4NVFNUk1IRVhLWURQVi4u&fbclid=IwAR0dk-gs1VnYNt_ZNOSZLX1rQoiLAYYnb0w9ZtBhaCzM8Oid9IBr6tG7biE
Those who sign up for coffeehouse will need to participate in auditions, which will be held on Monday, Oct. 29 from 7-9 p.m. and Thursday, Nov. 1 from 7-9 p.m.
JU Choir Holds Fall Concert
On Monday Oct. 15, the University Choir and Vox Royale performed various songs for an audience compromised of students, parents, and notable members of the staff and faculty.
The choir sang “Sorida”, “Be Thou My Vision”, “Joshua” and “A Clare Benediction.” The Voy Royale sang “And So It Goes” by Billy Joel. The Voy Royale Men’s Quartet sang “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” by Randy Newman.
The evening also featured various soloists. Jackie Jackson did a solo during “Sorida”, Allen Ramsey performed “Polonaise in G Minor” on the piano, and Jasmine Stacy sang “Lascia ch’io pianga.” Also featured during the performance of “Sorida” was a group of four students who played various percussion instruments to accompany the song.
At the end of the concert, the choir ended by celebrating the success of the evening. One of those students was freshman Emma Holley.
“I feel amazing,” said Holley. “The pieces were fabulous. I enjoy singing with this group. This is a great choir group that we have. It is filled with a bunch of loving, sweet and energetic people, and I am so happy to call them my family.”
Opinion: Exercise Your Right to Vote
About 250 years ago, a bunch of spunky farmers and shop owners decided that they were done with living under British imperial rule. In 1775, those farmers and shop owners fired “the shot heard around the world” and after a few more years of fighting, America won its independence.
Now that’s a story all of us have heard a million times in school, on the 4th of July, and several other times throughout our lives. However, it is worth repeating because it teaches us an important lesson: our basic human rights are important. And one of those rights is the right to have our voice be heard.
After the revolution ended, the founding fathers of our nation got together and over the course of a few years came to eventually draft the Constitution. Within that august document is the right for white men to vote. Once our society eventually came to its senses we finally gave everyone the right to vote. This key part of our republic has been used countless times throughout history to effect change in our nation. Countless men and women have died protecting the right for everyone to vote as well.
Fast forward to modern days. Since 1920 women have been allowed to vote. The percentage of the population that is eligible to vote who actually did vote has hovered around 50 to 60 percent. That is a huge problem! That means that only about half the population takes the time to get out on election day and exercise one of their fundamental rights and responsibilities. A right in which countless thousands have died for over the years. This is just wrong.
For years now, whenever I walk around or scroll through social media, all I’ve heard is people complaining about all factions of government. Now hear me on this: it’s more than okay to give your opinion on what the government is or should be doing, but don’t complain unless you’re willing to do something about it. The easiest thing you can do is get out and vote on election day. Do you like how your Congressman or Senator is representing you in Congress? Great, go vote for them. Do you absolutely despise your Congressman or Senator and want someone else in office? Great, go vote for that other candidate. A lot of people think that one vote can’t make a difference and that’s one reason they stay home on election day, but imagine if everyone who thought that way got out and voted. There would be thousands of new votes which could drastically change the system.
Now I understand that trying to get the poll between 6 A.M. and 6 P.M. can be hard especially for those who work or have kids. Lucky for you, the system has created a solution for you to get your vote in without having to wait in line on election day. Also, most of us college kids here at JU won’t be in our home counties on election day. This solution works for us too. Allow me to introduce you to the absentee ballot.
The way the absentee ballot works is you apply to get the ballot, it gets mailed to you and you mail it back. It’s literally that simple. JU students, you can buy an envelope and a stamp in the campus bookstore for around 50 cents and drop it off in the slot right by the mailroom. Each state has its own policy for how to get an absentee ballot, but lucky for you we live in the age of the internet and a simple google search will tell you what you need to do.
Voting is your civic duty; however, do your best to be an informed voter. Don’t just vote blindly for a party. Vet the candidates and make sure you know who you’re voting for. Almost every single candidate will have a website with some of their core beliefs on it. Look at the issues that are important to you, choose which candidate you prefer, and then go vote. If you don’t like any candidate, write somebody in. Don’t throw away your chance to affect change in your city council, state legislature, or even in Congress.
One of the best ways to have your voice be heard in this country is to vote. There are several other ways too and I’ll probably touch on those at some point in the coming weeks as well, but for now go get your absentee ballot because election day is less than a month away! Get your ballot, get informed, and then go exercise your basic fundamental right to have your voice be heard in this country.
Girls Soccer Beats Welch College 9-1
The Lady Royals soccer team faced off against Welch College and won 9-1 last Tuesday.
In order, the first seven goals were scored by: Abby Barron, Emily Allen, Barron, Jamie Leaverton, Shelby Green, Barron and Leaverton. The last two were scored by Caley Cooper.
The one goal scored by Welch College was a result of a penalty kick.
“It was a good game,” said freshman Felipe Nixon. “We played well and I’m excited for the rest of the season.”
One of the players, Chloe Nussbaum, says that the win against Welch was a team effort.
“Not only is Welch a competitive team, but they are a quality team full of strong women,” said Nussbaum. “We enjoy competing with them as fellow Christians and sisters in Christ.”
When you crave Chick-fil-A, but it’s a Sunday
It’s that time again. When hunger strikes, what do you do? You drive to Chick-fil-A because it’s close to Johnson, only to find out that it is Sunday! Where else should one go other than Chick-fil-A itself to find out the underlying motivations involving the closing of this fast food business every Sunday?
Ty Asbury, a manager for the Chick-fil-A located on Chapman Highway in South Knoxville, graduated from Johnson in 2016. He gave the story behind this hunger panging decision to close Chick-fil-A on Sundays.
Truett Cathy, the founder of the Chick-fil-A incorporation, created a unique restaurant atmosphere that would soon set a higher standard of fast food service in America.
“In 1946 it was Truett’s first restaurant that first opened,” Asbury said. “He had experience with other restaurants that were open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.”
“He believed that it was important to set aside a day for his employees. If they so choose to go have a place for worship, they could get some rest.”
With a Christian background, Truett makes sure to keep a mindset of putting others first rather than the financial benefits of staying open an extra day.
Ty explained what these financial benefits actually included. “It almost doesn’t make sense how Chick-fil-A is so profitable missing a whole day, but again, as a company, they are so keen to take care of us as employees because we turn around and do the same thing to our guests.” He goes on to say that “You do things that are deeper than just the business aspect.”
Taking a day off each week seems like a smart way to keep productivity up. Once you give employees a chance to spend time with family and simply rest, they are able to spend the rest of the week happily catering to the customers on a higher level.
Rest has the ability to help employees put more energy into what they do and make the atmosphere positive place customers want to be a part of as they eat their food.
Rest also helps workers have a positive attitude, allowing them to feel motivated to serve customers with a smile.
Having a day off once a week for honoring the Sabbath might have a bigger impact than what you think. Ty discussed his thoughts on what makes taking Sunday off so effectively.
“The first thing that comes to mind is definitely rest…always having that guaranteed day where you can just turn inward and focus on yourself a bit and recharge those batteries because we are pouring out on people for 6 other days a week. Not everybody works six straight days, but it can take its toll,” Asbury said.
If the workers have that day off to recharge and have that opportunity to spend time at a place of worship with others, they will have more energy in helping the customer the best way possible to a point where it is truly their pleasure to serve the customer.
“We are here to serve others, we are here to glorify God through the little things,” Asbury said.