Approximately 40 guests arrived by bus from the University of
Illinois Urbana-Champaign, including 32 students, and joined Dr.
Ray, members of LCU's faculty and 20 students from LCU's China
Institute for a 2:30 p.m. performance. Christmas in the Chapel
celebrates the Christmas season with beautiful stage settings,
acting, music and original scripts that showcase the artistic
talents and skills of the LCU Worship Ministry and Chorale.
The international guests and students were treated to this year's
presentation of "Once Upon a Christmas Knight," an original story
about a wealthy but headstrong descendant of Good King Wenceslas. At
the show's end, the international group was brought onstage and
acknowledged before the audience, then given a backstage tour that
included photographs with cast members. A special dinner at LCU's
Henderson Hall cafe completed the festivities.
"We had a splendid time," said Dr. Aaron Bird, director of Axiom
House, a residential ministry at UIUC for Christian international
students. "The hospitality shown from President Ray, Jeff Colleen,
Weilun Lee, Belinda Landry and Sue Jones was top-notch ... all
positive; our students were so appreciative."
LCU's Chinese population appreciated the event as well, according
to Weilun Lee, associate director of the China Institute. "Our
students were very excited about the whole affair," Lee said.
"Several of them spoke at the dinner and were so glad to be a part
of it all. We never know what God will do by this visit."
One LCU China Institute student echoed that excitement and
expressed gratitude for what God did for her through the event. "I
was so thankful that God gave me the chance to see people of the
same origin as I am while in a different country," the student said.
"We gathered together in the love of Christ and could feel the
warmth and support of each other. I hope such activity can continue
in the future."
The international gathering at LCU's Christmas in the Chapel was
the result of a monthslong effort by several individuals. Lee and
Keith Snyder, LCU's associate vice president of development, worked
from the LCU campus. Bird and fellow Axiom leader Gary Umphrey
oversaw preparations for the UIUC international students and
chaperones. Pulling it all together was Andy Baker, pastor of River
Valley Church of Christ in Fisher, and members of his church's
international outreach ministry.
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"River Valley has been involved with international students at
UIUC for years by volunteering host families," Baker said. "This
year we wanted to expand our involvement ... so we established an
International Student Outreach fund to which our members could
contribute."
Baker noted that a conversation last year with Ray about LCU's
Chinese Institute prompted the idea to connect international
students from both universities. Later, a more formal meeting
established Christmas in the Chapel as the best venue to accomplish
the connection.
"All that was left was to coordinate transportation and
financing," Baker said. "It took a lot of emails and phones calls,
but it was very gratifying to work with people who had the same
vision."
Plans are already underway to begin preparations for next year.
"International students are a growing population on college
campuses in the United States," Ray said. "It is thrilling to see
students from our campus interact with guests from around the world.
LCU is glad to participate in the education of global citizenry."
One of LCU's China Institute students was equally happy about the
LCU's participation. "I am so proud to be a student of Lincoln
Christian University," the student said following the event. "We
have a big, open heart to embrace people around the world. In fact,
we have great vision for the future and the world."
[Text from file received from
Lincoln Christian University]
Established in Lincoln in 1944, LCU's mission is to equip Christians
to serve and lead in the church, the workplace and the world. Today,
Lincoln Christian University offers a variety of degree programs for
undergraduate, graduate and seminary students. Classes are offered
on campus, at extension sites and online. To learn more, visit
www.lincolnchristian.edu.
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