Cedarville Stories Cedarville University

A Man With a Purpose
After leading students at Cedarville University to worship the Lord for 40+ years, Jim Cato has retired. Celebrate his story on this episode of the Cedarville Stories Podcast.
Jim Cato quickly learned as a young man that his skills were better used off the field than playing football. So he tried Bible college, which didn’t work out either, and he eventually dropped out.
But after getting married, he and his new wife learned about this small school called Cedarville College in Ohio. They packed up their belongings and moved to Ohio, before even applying or knowing where they were going to live.
Jim went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in music, still without any clue of what he wanted to do with his life — or how he would use a degree in music. But the Lord began opening doors, including the opportunity to lead a music team on a missions trip to Australia.
Shortly after, a position became available in Cedarville’s Christian Ministries department. The position was focused on training music teams to travel and minister overseas. Even with Jim’s limited experience, he got the job — and he’s never left!
Jim has faithfully served with Christian Ministries for over 40 years, including taking various trips with Global Outreach, including one providing hurricane relief after Hurricane Harvey.
And, instead of solely ministering to the residents in Houston who were affected by the hurricane, in the end, Jim was the one who needed care.
After a few days of working in homes with Cedarville students, Jim began to experience headaches. But these were not his typical headaches, as the pain increased each  day.
Eventually, the pain led Jim to wake up his roommate in the middle of the night and ask to be taken to an emergency room. And the trip to the hospital proved challenging, as neither the driver nor Jim knew Houston well enough to navigate the trip.
After being rushed to the hospital, and doctors performing a battery of tests, Jim learned that he had a brain tumor that needed to be removed immediately.
As Jim outlines, not only did he find a hospital to care for him, he went to the hospital best known in Houston for brain surgeries. Only God could direct Jim’s path this perfectly.
After several days in the hospital, Jim returned to Ohio, and the Lord used that time to strengthen his faith and reinforce his purpose — to worship God and teach others to worship Him.
https://share.transistor.fm/s/1646140c

Dick Walker: A Cedarville Legacy
Dick Walker, the father of Getting Started Weekend, passed away on February 9, 2024. Remember his legacy with this episode of the Cedarville Stories Podcast.
Dick Walker served at Cedarville for 42 years, arriving at the University in 1970. His first job at Cedarville? Assistant food service manager. But he is best known for his 40 years in student life and campus activities, serving as a resident director, Dean of Men, Director of Campus Activities, and finally in the Office of Alumni Relations.
He had a huge impact on the lives of hundreds of students. One of his most enduring contributions was the creation of Getting Started Weekend, which is a signature weekend of events on campus each year.
Driven by his desire to see new students welcomed and feeling at home at Cedarville, Dick began Getting Started Weekend, now one of the most highly anticipated events on the campus calendar.
On Commencement weekend, 2018, Dick was surprised with a very special honor: a new university residence hall would be named in his honor. Walker Hall is located across from the Doden Field House and Fitness Recreation Center.
https://share.transistor.fm/s/e3c0e12c

Cyclones and C-Sections
It was a whirlwind morning for Allison and Brandon Williams when they awoke on Wednesday, February 28. They knew this was the day they would meet their third child, but what transpired leading up to Allison’s delivery was totally unexpected.  
In fact, to this day, they realize it was a blur, a story they recount on the Cedarville Stories Podcast. 
The couple was anticipating an early-morning cesarean section. However, chaos ensued when a tornado blew down their street, delaying their trip and turning a 15-to-20-minute drive into an hour-and-a-half journey to the Springfield hospital.  
In the predawn hours, the couple sought refuge in their basement, praying for the safety of their neighbors and nearby family as the tornado wreaked havoc on their countryside neighborhood.  
Once the storm passed, Allison and Brandon ventured out amidst the chaos to find a route to the hospital, experiencing a roller coaster of emotions at seeing the damaged houses that filled their neighborhood.  
These emotions turned to joy later in the day when they welcomed their third daughter, Darcy — or, as her grandfather would call her, “Dot,” short for Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. 
https://share.transistor.fm/s/b539cafd

Unexpected Blessings 
Life is filled with unexpected blessings, a reality not lost on Cedarville University rising junior Viv Wheeler. 
Originally from Guatemala, Viv was born to a mother who was unable to care for her, leading to her being put up for adoption. She was quickly selected by a couple who began the process of making her their own, only to encounter difficulties that once again left Viv alone. However, each of these hardships were part of God’s great plan to shower her with blessings and opportunities. 
Viv was ultimately adopted by the Wheelers, a loving family in Portsmouth, Ohio, who had been praying for the child destined for them by God. She grew up being loved by her parents, fishing with her dad, and preparing for a bright future, one that was again directed by the unexpected. As a junior in high school, she received a college mailer from Cedarville University that would guide the next steps of her journey. 
Intrigued by the campus community and the school's mission to glorify Jesus Christ, Viv felt drawn to pursue a degree in primary education and speech pathology. 
Driven by her desire to impact children's lives positively, Viv volunteered for an international mission trip to Guatemala to teach English. Little did she know that this trip would result in a profound reunion with her birth family thanks to God's intricate plan. 
Meeting her birth family for the first time was both thrilling and nerve-wracking for Viv. However, she discovered a family that cared deeply for her, especially her birth mother, who had fervently prayed for her every day. With the joy of being embraced by two loving families and the assurance that God had been guiding every step of her journey, Viv feels grateful for the unexpected twists and turns that have led her to where she is today. 
Join Viv as she shares more about her extraordinary journey and her aspirations for the future on the Cedarville Stories Podcast. 
https://share.transistor.fm/s/487780cd

From Graduation to Google: Building Through Technology and Testimony
From the land of Legos to the world of cutting-edge technology, Josh Thomas, a recent graduate of Cedarville University, has always possessed a keen interest in the art of building. This inherent trait led him to begin a career as a software engineer with Google.
Josh's journey into the realm of technology began at a young age, when he started constructing robots out of Legos and implementing computer-operated electronics to bring them to life. Even in the sixth grade, Josh recognized that his passion for engineering was a gift from God.
During his time at Cedarville University, Josh received guidance and mentorship from professors who instilled in him the importance of maintaining high standards and adopting a humble, lifelong learning mindset. These invaluable qualities equipped him for prestigious summer internships with both Amazon and Google.
Through his experiences during these internships, he discovered not only his ability to create advanced technological tools for data extraction and innovative applications for smartphones but also his unique position to foster meaningful relationships for the advancement of Christ's Kingdom.
As he joins the staff at Google's headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he will collaborate with leading scientists and technicians, Josh is steadfast in his belief that faith and reason are not mutually exclusive. He aims to build bridges with individuals who may harbor doubts about faith and Christianity, using his own life as a testament to their compatibility.
To delve deeper into Josh's inspiring journey, his groundbreaking technological endeavors, and his aspirations for establishing impactful relationships, tune in to the Cedarville Stories Podcast.
https://share.transistor.fm/s/b4730948

Investing in Others: A Lasting Legacy
In the coming years, the names of Phil and Pam Black may fade from memory, but their profound influence on young Christian men and women will leave a lasting mark on the kingdom of Christ.
Throughout their 51 years of marriage, the Blacks have worked side by side to raise a family, serve their local church, run a business, and support various charitable causes. Whether leading medical teams on numerous missions to Ghana or contributing to the establishment of One Bistro, a ministry dedicated to eradicating hunger and sharing the hope of Jesus in Xenia, Ohio, their focus has always been on helping those in need.
Following the example set by Jesus, Phil and Pam prioritize showing love and compassion to others, a lesson instilled in them by their own parents many years ago. They have dedicated themselves to mentoring and supporting those around them, opening their home to visiting missionaries and offering a haven to students from Cedarville University.
Phil, who worked as a pharmacist for over 30 years, viewed his profession as a form of ministry, using it to meet the needs of those in pain and suffering. His partnership with former Cedarville University president Paul Dixon led to the establishment of the University's esteemed School of Pharmacy, ensuring that Cedarville's Christian impact would spread globally.
The legacy of Phil and Pam Black's selfless devotion to serving others in the name of Jesus continues to inspire those around them. To learn more about this remarkable couple and their unwavering commitment to the Lord, tune in to the latest episode of the Cedarville Stories Podcast.
https://share.transistor.fm/s/2ac86022