Grace College - Heritage Yearbook (Winona Lake, IN)

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Amazing Grace... How do men in the state prison take classes from Grace College in- structors? Through a college pro- gram developed as an outcropping of Professor Ken Taylor’s involve- ment in Prison Fellowship. This ministry marks our instructors as a unique group of people, as well as giving the inmates at the Michigan City prison an opportunity to re- ceive college credit. Among those who have been or are presently involved in this ministry are Dr. Theodore Hildebrandt, Dr. W. Merwin Forbes, Dr. Robert Mathisen, Professor Kenneth Tay- lor, Nurse Joan Taylor, and Chap- lain Roy Roberts. Chaplain Roy Roberts, at one time, worked in the home office of Prison Fellowship as the Director of Church Relations, and also led many discipleship seminars. Pr ofessor Ken Taylor is currently the coordinator of the Michigan Ci- ty program, serves on the state ad- visory committee, and along with his wife Joan, conducts marriage and discipleship seminars through- out the country for Prison Fellow- ship. Ample opportunities have arisen for student involvement as well. Many have served internships at the Westville Correction Center — assisting the chaplain, aiding a counselor, and helping to teach art classes. Some have even had the chance to conduct a choir and lead other recreational activities. Not only have there been open- ings to minister to the inmates, but the inmates have ministered. Tay- lor said he had received many ben- efits from his involvement. He met a host of unique individuals and has developed long-lasting deep friendships tempered with love. A greater appreciation was gained for the fact that God is building His church — even in prison — and no one can stay His hand. Further un- derstnding of heaven was gained, as well as a realization that heaven would be filled with individuals of diverse backgrounds and expres- sions of faith. As the instructors here at Grace College have learned, reaching out to others can be an unexpected blessing! And our min- istry teams, as well as instructors, help to make Grace truly amazing!

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Christian service was always held before me as the highest call- ing. Most of my young life I felt that, like my Father, I would like to be a pastor. I went to college in- tending to prepare myself to enter Grace Theological Seminary, and I elected the church music major be- cause of my special interests in that field and because I thought it would complement the pastoral program in seminary. I entered the seminary in 1950, and began teach- ing music part-time. Upon my graduation from seminary, I be- came a full-time instructor in the music department. My 38 years of ministry in the classroom, the rehearsal hall, and the church platform have been ex- tremely fulfilling and rewarding. My greatest satisfactions have been in the feeling that God has given me a unique opportunity to guide musical servants in being more-ef- fective in musical ministries, and in giving me close relationships with a vast number of quality Christian people, now spanning several gen- erations. | suppose my greatest earthly love is people; next is mu- sic. Making music with people has given me a sense of belonging to them and feeling they belong to me — a treasure I could never buy, but was given to me along with the salary I have been paid for doing what I love the most. Moving to the Alumni Depart- ment will not end my involvement with music and musicians; it will, however, give me opportunities for strengthening ties with the people I have known and appreciated through more than five decades of continuous learning and sharing with others what God has given me. I face my final weeks in ‘my department” with gratitude for what the Lord and Grace Schools have given me in these 38 richest of years, and in amazement that I should have been so blessed. Prof Ogden, on the far right, with the 1955 concert choir. Prof directs the singing in chapel.

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It is the unexpected that makes Grace truly amazing. Take Paul Zeltwanger for instance, a senior Accounting and Business major from Mishawaka, Indiana. Be- hind the cool consistency of his play on the basketball court is a respected man with a heart for oth- ers. Paul grew up playing basketball with his father, brother, and neigh- borhood friends at the six-foot rim in their backyard. Like every Hoo- sier, he had dreams of a dazzling basketball career. Yet something happened during his eighth grade year that put those plans into per- spective. He saw the film A Thief In The Night about the endtimes, and he realized the seriousness of the issue of eternity. Paul’s dad is a pastor, and he talked it over with him and made a decision to trust Christ as his personal Savior. Paul was first attracted to Grace through his contact with Coach Jim Kessler at summer basketball camps. Coach K had a real concern for his players, and they in turn exhibited genuine friendliness. It has been those same people who have had the most impact on Paul during his four years in Winona Lake. ‘Coach cares that the guys grow up to be mature men,” Zeltwanger testifies. To meet that end, the team is given valuable ex- periences — like the recent trip to the Bahamas. Conducting chapel services, giving basketball clinics, and teaching physical education classes are ministries not only to others but also by Coach K to the team. There are verses that the team memorizes, a devotional giv- en by the team chaplain, Bruce Bar- low, before each game, and Kessler also strives to relate game situa- tions to real life. Coach K’s ministry to the team has had a strong impact on Paul's life. Amazing Grace...