Category: Off Campus

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Q&A With Redbox Missionary Adrienne Scrima

Senior Communication Studies major Adrienne Scrima is currently studying abroad at the King’s College in New York City. This past summer Adrienne was one of the students accepted into Grove City College’s unique Redbox Missions program, where accepted students are granted funds to complete mission work of their choosing throughout the summer. 

Why did you decide to pursue the redbox program and what did that process look like?

I applied my sophomore year and was rejected, but encouraged to apply again my junior year. I applied because it was a great opportunity to do any kind of mission work on scholarship. I applied my junior year after Dr. Graham stopped me in the hallway to follow up and encourage me again. That happened the day after I asked friends to pray for my summer plans. I applied, interviewed (funnily enough my interview sophomore year went far better), went to the theology/missions training sessions, met for meals with the Red Box students, and spent months and months researching, consulting, and praying about my missions decision.

Can you describe your program and the calling you felt towards that area?Adrienne

I applied to Athletes in Action after a speaker at Fellowship of Christian Athletes spoke about how he was impacted by his experience at an AIA camp. I definitely didn’t feel called. It was the last thing I wanted to do. I thought God had better plans for me, ones that would be more sacrificial and less fun. However, God’s plan was easy to see when every other option for the summer fell through.

What were some favorite moments from the summer?

I began to see that God has gifted me in ways that are advantageous as a journalist. I started to see journalism as ministry. It actually prepped me for my King’s College study abroad journalism program. By far, the best part was the community. Everyone was extremely intentional on being open, vulnerable, and gritty about personal issues. Interns for example, initiated group discussions on homosexuality, beauty, and diversity.

How your experience affected you and impacted those around you, relationally and in your faith?

Relationally, I get to live the rest of my life miserable that I may never experience community like that again. But actually, it just showed me how valuable intentional Christian community is. And how fun it is. I entered the program with the goal to get to know myself better. I felt as though I had a ton of blind spots and wasn’t sure of how I came across. I made sure to ask people why they complimented me or get feedback, criticism on my actions. And my faith is always on a high when I can dialog with others freely and openly about God.

Adrienne2What would you say to a student considering applying for the redbox program? Is it worth it?

Yes. You can do whatever you want. Red Box isn’t for a specific kind of person, Its perfect for any Christian, regardless of calling, with a willingness to serve. Also, learn from my mistakes and don’t think too hard about it. I tried to be the best steward of the scholarship I could be, thus indecisively passing decision deadlines.

Anything else you might like to add that isn’t covered above?

GOD KNOWS WHAT YOU WANT/NEED BETTER THAN YOU DO.

 

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Students Fight for Life – Gosnell Documentary Showing

In 2010 the nation was shocked when a high-profile federal raid of 3801 Lancaster Rd. in Philadelphia revealed that the abortion clinic housed in that building bore countless violations of health and safety laws and resulting in accusations of murder for 7 infants and one woman. Kermit Gosnell was arrested, accused and convicted in a case that became a beacon of hope for the pro-life movement across the nation, yet few know the details from which the accusations resulted.

This year a documentary called 3801 Lancaster: An American Tragedy was released, the first to include actual interviews from Gosnell. A few weeks before the November release the Pennsylvania Family Institute contacted the Center for Vision and Values on Grove City’s campus to offer students the opportunity to host a premiere at the Guthrie theater in downtown Grove City. Center for Vision and Values student fellow Elijah Coryell teamed up with campus pro-life group Life Advocates, primarily secretary Angela Kim, to bring about the event. About the importance of the film Kim said, “3801 Lancaster is particularly relevant because it isn’t just pro-life. It is reflecting facts that no one can deny—the true story of a man who was convicted of three counts of first-degree murder for infanticide, and more importantly, it raises awareness to the possibility that Gosnell isn’t necessarily ‘special.’”

Gosnell

The event was designed in a way and marketed so as to bring the community together with the general student body in bringing awareness to this important topic. Life Advocates started a multifaceted marketing campaign with a poster campaign, chain emails, social media advertising and speaking about the event in 15+ classes.

The event showcased not only student initiative in taking advantage of opportunities to put together events with real impact towards events they care about, but also connecting with the greater community surrounding Grove City College.

About the general reception from the audience Coryell said, “The showing evoked a mixed reaction from the audience–a mixture of shock, somberness, and steely determination. Shocked by the horrors revealed, somber in the face of the inhumanity, and steeled to do anything to prevent such tragedy from happening again.”

You can watch the documentary here.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Inner City Outreach – New York City

At Grove City College there are many unique opportunities, not the least of which are the inner-city-outreach trips which are planned, led and manned by students. These trips are an incredible opportunity to take the Christian truth and grace taught and fostered at the college out into the world to serve. ICO trips take place during Thanksgiving and Spring breaks, and both intercession sessions, and range in location from the Dominican Republic to Guatemala to Canton Ohio. This year saw the second Thanksgiving trip to New York City with a team of 12 students, including the three leaders James Leach, Kira Hellwig and Aurthur LaMotta.

ICO NYC
Team members in Times Square

When asked about what differentiated the NYC ICO Leach responded that, “ICO NYC is special in that we don’t have as many clear deliverables as other trips. NYC has better facilities then a team of 12 could ever build in 4 days. This lack of deliverables really focuses the trip on human on human interaction: the stories, emotions, philosophies, mindsets, religions, prejudices, ect. That focus makes this trip something special to me.” With a relational focus there were many unique ministerial opportunities including reaching out to the homeless of NYC which number over 60,000. The ICO NYC team also worked with the Christian Youth Theater, the New York Rescue Mission and conducted street surveys to start conversations about thankfulness with city residents.

The experiences were varied and exciting, from jumping through closing subway doors to rescue a team member stranded on the platform, to worshiping with fellow believers at the Big Apple Chapel on Sunday morning, to debriefing at the end of each day by sharing highs and lows. The team had grown close throughout the semester leading up to the trip by weekly meetings and bonding activities, but came together more than they could have predicted as they worked closely to bless the people of New York. As Leach put it, “I would totally recommend the experience!  It has definitely opened my eyes to a depraved humanity in our own backyard.  Along with that, how good it is to have the Hope which has the answers for that depravity.

ICO NYC2
Team member Elaina Kimpel with pigeons while surveying in Central Park.

 

The team kept a daily blog here, where you can read stories and see pictures from their ministry.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

The Second Annual Innovation Club Christmas Party

For those who don’t know, the Entrepreneurship Department can throw a great party, as is evidenced by the success of the innovation club’s second annual Christmas Party at Beans on Broad. The party featured many key events, including games like Settlers of Catan and Bananagrams, a white elephant gift exchange, a chili cook-off, and of course an open tab that allowed students all the coffee and pastries they could handle! Throughout the night, more than seventy five students from all different majors joined us for an evening filled with holiday cheer and of course Christmas music.

beans

The beauty that resides in this party is hard to describe. It is the culmination of a semester of great meetings for the innovation club, and a time for the whole department, and those from other departments, to unwind from a crazy semester and enjoy each other’s company. One of the times that makes this party so great is that many of our professors and staff are able to come and play games with the students. This year, professor Howley, professor Mech, and Mrs. Stillwaggon got themselves into an epic game of Settlers of Catan against reigning champion Karolina Lagerquist. Additionally, the party had a chili cook-off featuring Chicken Chili and Buffalo chili made by professor Howley, and beef and bean chili made by professor Carson. They were all so delicious that it was impossible to chose a winner!

The party has been the brainchild of the innovation club’s board of directors (Logan Hammerschmitt, Karolina Lagerquist, Ben Che, and Jordan Jensen) for the past two years. The party takes a lot of planning, but the end result greatly exceeds the effort put in. There is little doubt that this event is one of the highlights of my fall semester here at Grove City College, and the party shall continue on for years to come.

For those of you who missed the party, experience it here! Here is a 360 degree video of some of the things that happened at the party!

https://youtu.be/CZX5Ppz3e0E

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Top 10 Places You Must Visit Before Leaving Grove City College

Most of the excitement in Grove City, PA takes place on the college campus. There’s certainly no disputing that. However, although Grove City might seem a relatively sleepy town, there are many hidden gems that can make your off-campus experiences quite interesting.  Here, we’ve collected the top ten destinations (more or less in the vicinity of the college) that you must visit before you graduate.

  1. Guthrie Theatre – Built in 1927, the old-timey Guthrie boasts a movie-viewing experience “where the atmosphere of the past and the technology of the present create memories for the future.” What’s not to love? Guthrie 2
  2. Leesburg Falls – Just off a small road about 10 minutes from campus, you’ll find a beautiful waterfall just waiting to be explored. Visit in the summertime and you can wade in the pool at its base.
  3. Thrifty Threads – We all know college students are poor. Find amazing deals at this great thrift store that is always running deals. I mean, clothing there is regularly $.50, but it’s always nice to get ten items for $1.
  4. McConnells Mill State Park – With a spectacular gorge shaped by glaciers, the park provides ample space for whitewater boating, climbing, hiking and more.
  5. Emmett’s Orchard – Exploring Emmett’s makes for an excellent autumn Saturday jaunt. Although you can’t pick the fruit, you can certainly buy it. (Their honeycrisp apples are to die for!)
  6. Moraine State Park – Visit in August or September prepped to swim in the refreshing lake. Come with friends, games and a picnic.
  7. Grove City Outlets – Want a shopping excursion? People come all the way from Canada to visit the Outlets’ 140 stores, so you’re lucky to have them in your own backyard.
  8. Presque Isle State Park – A visit to Lake Erie’s beautiful beaches makes for a perfect Labor day excursion. Plus, entrance to the park is free!presque isle
  9. The Brewery – Located in quaint downtown Slippery Rock, The Brewery is a popular destination for students who have just turned 21. For those underage, the food is great too.
  10. Downtown Pittsburgh – Especially if you’re not from the Pittsburgh area, you have to visit the city at least once! You can attend a Pirates game, enjoy fine dining or see a show.

So there you go. Your off-campus experience doesn’t have to be dull–you just have to know where to go! For more ideas, visit the Grove City Area Chamber of Commerce Webpage.