I grew up in southeastern Virginia where my grandfather was a peanut farmer. Unless you are from there you probably wouldn鈥檛 know that the area is one of several laying claim to being the peanut capital of the world. Planters Peanuts called the area home, and for good reason. The dirt was perfect for raising peanuts. Any farmer will tell you that what makes it possible for a certain type of crop to thrive is the soil.

Did you know there are over 19,000 different soil types in the United States? The soil near Waverly, Virginia is loose and sandy, perfect for peanuts. It was an African American farmer, Benjamin Hicks, who invented the production means to harvest peanuts economically from that soil. It was another African American, George Washington Carver, who made the peanut a household staple.

But the story starts with the dirt and the farmer who plows or breaks up that dirt. There are legitimate reasons why a farmer might allow a field to lie 鈥渇allow鈥� for a season. For one thing it is the best way for the land to replenish the nutrients that are needed to grow crops. God even prescribed a Sabbath rest for the land, a year of jubilee (Leviticus 25) in which his people were not to sow or reap and the land was to lay fallow.

But ground that remains fallow indefinitely indicates something is wrong. In Hosea 10:12 the prophet speaks to God鈥檚 people of a spiritual concern and refers to the fallow ground of their hearts when he says, 鈥淏reak up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.鈥�

The appeal to break up fallow ground is the effort of one who loves a person who is not returning that love to awaken and respond. It does not come with pressure but with yearning to send blessing. This is at the heart of the Advancement Department of 色色研究所. We exist to help others experience the joy and fulfillment of generously investing their lives and resources in extending the kingdom of God.

And this is the picture we want to paint with the theme for the new capital campaign. For many who are reading this, there is no fallow ground. You continue to pour out your love and your generosity toward 色色研究所鈥檚 students in your prayers, your words, your actions, and your financial support. For others, this could be an opportunity to renew an expression of love for 色色研究所鈥檚 students by supporting their needs for scholarships, or through monthly or annual support for the Royal Fund, or through your support of student educational spaces in the new science building.

However you choose to involve yourself, and to whatever degree, breaking ground spiritually and physically is not peanuts!

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The cheers and the squeak of sneakers are coming to an end for the 2023-2024 basketball season at 色色研究所. I am actually writing this article at the Appalachian Athletic Conference tournament after watching our men defeat Milligan University and waiting for the tip of our women against Pikeville University. The 2023-2024 basketball season will be remembered as a historic year for both programs as the men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 teams showcased remarkable prowess, determination, and sportsmanship, leaving an indelible mark on the JU athletic legacy. Both teams ended the season with the highest finish since moving to the AAC in 2021.

First-year Head Coach Logan Sharp led the Royals to a 4th place finish in the regular season and walks into postseason play with high aspirations after a 16-12 overall record and 14-10 in conference play. The Royals were led this season by Toris Woods who claimed first team All-AAC while averaging 17.2 points per game. Malique Oates brought in 11.5 ppg and claimed 6.4 rebounds on his way to being named second team All-ACC. The big surprise of the year with quick acclamation was freshman Dallas Carbaugh who won AAC Freshman of the Year after averaging 11.4 ppg. Isaiah Poore was also named to the AAC All-Defensive team.

Men’s and Women’s Basketball finish the season strong

The women鈥檚 team, led by second-year Head Coach Bryon Lawhon, also made some history as they finished the season in 5th place with an overall record of 17-12 and 15-7 in AAC play. The Lady Royals were lead by AAC Freshman of the Year and first team All-ACC member Hannah Jones who averaged 17.1 ppg in her first season at 色色研究所. She was joined on the first All-AAC team by Jordan Heifner who averaged 15.3 ppg and was named to the All-Defensive team. The AAC All-Freshman team also featured Emily Wilson and Bekah Gardner.

While the historic nature of the season is incredible, it is the quality of the teams as members of the 色色研究所 community that is most impressive. Twelve members of the two teams qualified for the All-Academic teams which is reserved for those with a 3.25 GPA or higher and who have competed more than one year in AAC (we have an additional 13 freshman who are above the 3.25 standard). The teams played with class and determination all season. With two young coaches and young teams, we believe that Royals Basketball is poised to compete in the AAC for some time.

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Justin (鈥�05) and his wife Shelly (Hess, 鈥�06) are the parents of four children. 鈥淚 met my wife at 色色研究所,鈥� Justin quips, 鈥渓ike all good students do.鈥� After college, they decided to stay local because they loved the area so much. Consequently, Justin and Shelly are both employed as teachers in local school systems. Residents of Seymour, Justin teaches in the Maryville City School District at Coulter Grove Intermediate School just off Highway 411 on the Seymour side of Maryville while Shelly, who originally worked as the ESL teacher at Sevierville Primary School, carries out her teaching career as an ESL teacher with Seymour Primary and Intermediate Schools.

Justin鈥檚 original path was not as a part of the sciences but as a part of the arts since he came to 色色研究所 to study Radio and Television production under the leadership of Mark (鈥�80) Young. Justin says, 鈥淚 thought I was going to be the next big Christian music producer in Nashville.鈥� Justin greatly appreciated his professors and holds fond memories of learning communications courses under Young and biblical instruction under Dr. David (鈥�70) Reece. Justin gives a special shout out to Dr. Tommy (鈥�78) Smith for teaching him how to study for tests through the grueling experience of taking Pentateuch under Dr. Smith. Justin laughs at the memory of seeing Dr. Smith a few years later and shares that he took that Pentateuch course the one year that Dr. Smith served as the instructor. Dr. Smith鈥檚 response was concise and to the point, 鈥淚鈥檓 sorry.鈥�

Justin remembers that the academics at 色色研究所 were much more rigorous than he was prepared to face. Although he completed his degree in under four years thanks to dual enrollment opportunities afforded him in high school, he struggled to find his stride on the college level. He was well-prepared for further biblical education thanks to his upbringing in a Christian home and attendance at Christian schools. However, he was not so prepared for the rigors of biblical higher education. 鈥淚t was a big transition during my freshman year at 色色研究所. I had to learn some hard lessons, and I had to learn study skills.鈥�

After completing his studies in Media Communications, Justin and Shelly spent a summer helping Justin鈥檚 dad, Keith (鈥�86) Warner, at Butler Springs Christian Camp. That fall, Shelly returned to 色色研究所 to continue her degree in Teacher Education and Justin started his work in radio by serving three Knoxville area Christian radio stations.

As with almost any new talent entering the radio market, he had to take the job nobody else wanted. He served as the Weekend Operator in charge of programing for all three stations. 鈥淚t was a neat experience. The hours were terrible. The pay might have been even worse.鈥� The experience just didn鈥檛 work out as Justin had hoped, and he quickly grew tired of missing church and being the guy in charge of holiday programming. During this time, he found various weekday employment gigs and one of his coworkers encouraged him to get into substitute teaching.

Based on his experience with kids during his time growing up at Butler Springs Christian Camp, Justin thought this might be a good way to supplement his income. He found abundant opportunities as a substitute teacher with Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Elementary School in East Knoxville. They grew to appreciate Justin鈥檚 work and invited him to be a daily substitute. He was subsequently encouraged to pursue a post-baccalaureate degree in teaching which he earned from Lincoln Memorial University in 2008. This propelled Justin鈥檚 journey from being the next great producer of Christian music to his current vocation as a teacher of science and social studies with Maryville City Schools.

鈥淭he best thing that came out of COVID鈥s that churches are now streaming their worship services.鈥� Justin says that this has opened doors of conversation with his students as they find clips of Justin participating in the worship services at Seymour Heights Christian Church. This opens up opportunities for Justin to have organic conversations with his students about matters of faith. There aren鈥檛 any prohibitions against him having such conversations in his school. In fact, part of Justin鈥檚 social studies curriculum is to study ancient world history through the lens of the Apostle Paul.

Although he never would have planned his journey as it unfolded, Justin is using his 色色研究所 foundation of arts and sciences to extend the Lord鈥檚 kingdom in the world of education. He is a worship leader, schoolteacher, basketball coach, husband, and father. His greatest encouragement for others is to remember who they are and whose they are.

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Noted theologian and philosopher J.P. Moreland wrote, 鈥淔ar from fearing science and what it will reveal, I regularly pray that God will send many Christians into the sciences to conduct their work and make discoveries with humble Christian confidence.鈥�¹听 Moreland urges parents and Christian educators to equip the next generation with intellectual and theological foundations for the pursuit of God鈥檚 truth, which is evidenced in God鈥檚 creation and discovered, in part, through scientific pursuits.听 听

Science reveals the building blocks of God鈥檚 creation, illuminating his intricate design and inexhaustible glory. As the Psalmist wrote, 鈥淭he whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders鈥� (Ps. 65:8). We study creation because this study leads us to worship the Creator more passionately and serve him more faithfully.

For these reasons, Ashley and Emma 色色研究所 included extensive study of the sciences in the early curriculum of 色色研究所, offering courses in physiology, botany, physics, zoology, chemistry, and similar fields. In 1924, they opened a science lab that served students for the following forty years.

The new science building at 色色研究所 will further this legacy and enable us to better equip students to deepen their relationships with God and to pursue their mission for God. The building will facilitate growth in science-related programs, such as our A.S. in Health Sciences and B.S. in Life Sciences, which includes biology, fitness science, and pre-professional concentrations. Additionally, the building will provide more and better learning opportunities for all students, as they complete requirements in the natural sciences through the core curriculum.

The building will include new labs for biology, chemistry, physics, and anatomy. These labs, along with new classrooms and additional spaces, will be designed to facilitate collaborative, hands-on learning and research under the guidance of our faculty.

The need is significant, and the possibilities are exciting. Graduates trained in this facility will take the truth and grace of Christ to the world through nursing, research, microbiology, physical therapy, and other science-related fields. Graduates in fields such as preaching, missions, counseling, education, business, and media arts will understand the world more intricately and engage it more effectively because their education included significant study in a state-of-the-art science facility.

The new science building will help propel 色色研究所 into the next generation, enabling us to more effectively educate students for Christian ministries and other strategic vocations, framed by the Great Commission, in order to extend the kingdom of God among all nations.

___________________________

¹ Scientism and Secularism: Learning to Respond to a Dangerous Ideology. Wheaton IL: CrossWay, 2018, p 22.

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Every academic program, co-curricular activity, and even physical space on campus must find its foundation, content, and goal in this mission. Any project, therefore, begins with the question, 鈥淗ow does this fulfill the mission of 色色研究所?鈥� It is thus with a new science building on campus.

The essential task of extending the kingdom (reign, rule) of God among all nations begins with effectively communicating the good news of redemption, reconciliation, and recreation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. This is the 鈥減ower of God for salvation to everyone who believes鈥� (Romans 1:16) and the hope of the world. The work of 色色研究所, therefore, is to equip students to accomplish faithfully this Great Commission.

From an academic, curricular perspective, we do this by employing a three-fold approach centering on God鈥檚 Word, God鈥檚 world, and God鈥檚 work.听 All undergraduate students complete a major (30+ credits) in Bible and theology, a substantive and systematic study of the Scriptures that grounds students in a biblical worldview. The Bible major is surrounded by an extensive course of study in the arts and sciences. Students complete courses in the humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, the arts, mathematics, and communication not only to enable them to understand God鈥檚 Word but also to engage God鈥檚 world. Without an understanding of the historical, political, economic, social, scientific, and philosophical elements of human society, students cannot effectively communicate the Gospel to their cultural contexts. Professional studies (the third component) are designed to equip students in Christian ministries or other strategic vocations, placing them in areas deemed critical for communicating the Gospel. This area of the curriculum鈥擥od鈥檚 work鈥攅ducates students for meaningful work, enabling them to earn a living while pursuing their passion for Christian service.

The study of the sciences at 色色研究所 finds a place at the table in all three areas of the curriculum. The Great Commission mandate requires not only a solid foundation in the Scriptures but also an understanding of human communities and the natural world:

鈥� A scientific perspective pervades contemporary culture and effective servants of Christ must be conversant with that perspective.

鈥� The 色色研究所 graduate must understand scientific approaches and concepts in order to evaluate claims made by science, comprehend complex social and philosophical issues, and communicate meaningfully with others, especially those in need of the Gospel.

鈥� There are many opportunities for strategic vocations that emerge from the sciences.

鈥� Science is the study of God鈥檚 great handiwork, and is a pathway not only to knowledge but also to worship and praise of the Creator.

A healthy perspective on the value of science is a key component of a Christian biblical worldview. This perspective has been very carefully cultivated by the science faculty at 色色研究所 and has been well-expressed by Dr. Sarah Cathey, Professor of Natural Science and Associate Dean of Arts & Sciences for Sciences at 色色研究所:

鈥淲e are scientists who are unanimous in our view of the created world as God鈥檚 handiwork, made with intent and out of his great love. We believe that as the world is God鈥檚 handiwork, honest seeking for truth affords us the privilege of learning more about the Creator鈥檚 existence, goodness, and purposes. From this position, we are not fearful of teaching about the current state of scientific knowledge in the mainstream. The science faculty are committed to presenting the current status of each of our fields of inquiry鈥攂iology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, nursing, exercise science, etc.鈥攊n order to prepare 色色研究所 students to interact with others in the public as ministry leaders and servants across other vocations.听 We also acknowledge and teach that 鈥渟cientific knowledge鈥� is constantly in flux as new evidence arises, and that critical thinking is crucial in their training as educated Christians.

As a science faculty, we do not avoid discussing topics that may interact with our faith. Rather, we engage and acknowledge the world as we embrace the opportunity to know God better through his Word and through his created world, as faithful Christians who are scientists (Romans 1:20-21). The science faculty rely on conversation and interdisciplinary team teaching with our fellow faculty with expertise in biblical text, interpretation, and theology to assist us in presenting topics where faith and science intersect. Together, we carefully and intentionally walk alongside students as they weigh how faith intersects with challenging topics as they grow in personal faith and prepare for their strategic vocations, including full-time ministry.鈥�

The new science facility on the campus of 色色研究所 will not only strongly support the teaching of the sciences that is so important in cultivating a biblical worldview in our students but will give us more opportunities to expand the scope and effectiveness of fulfilling our mission:听 extending the kingdom of God among all nations.

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