October 13, 2017

Christians need active love, chapel speaker says

Believers show their Christian faith by the fruit they produce through a changed and changing lifestyle, pastor Bryan Loritts told students during chapel at California Baptist University Oct. 10.

One of the most important fruits is love. Jesus said people will know His disciples by their love, Loritts said, not by the arguments on Facebook, not by the books they read or not by the school they attend.

“An unloving Christian is an oxymoron. It is a contradiction in terms,” Loritts said.

Loritts is the lead pastor of Abundant Life Church in Silicon Valley, California, and he also serves as president of the Kainos Movement, an organization committed to seeing the multi-ethnic church become the new normal.

“Love is strange, friends. Love costs,” Loritts said. “We must learn to do life with people who don’t look like us, act like us, think like us.”

Loritts preached on Hosea, the prophet whom God instructed to marry Gomer, a prostitute. Hosea had to repeatedly go after Gomer. It represents how God relates to believers, who repeatedly sin, but God has this astounding love for people, Loritts added.

“It is God who steps into relationship with us,” Loritts said. “We’re all Gomers and the sight of a holy God [in relationship] with us is strange.”

Because of God’s love and sacrifice for us, we need to learn to love others in such a way, Loritts said.

“What does it look like to love somebody? Love someone long enough and deeply enough, it will inevitably look strange at times,” Loritts said. “What authenticates the veracity of my Christianity is my capacity and ability and actions in love.”

University responds to incident at pre-season NBA game

On Oct. 4, an incident occurred at a pre-season NBA basketball game at the Ontario Citizens Business Bank Arena that involved two California Baptist University students. While this was not an event affiliated with CBU, the incident has garnered strong reactions.

CBU President Dr. Ronald Ellis addressed the situation on a message sent out Oct. 9.

Fellow Lancers:

News reports, social media postings and strong reaction surrounding an incident involving two students from California Baptist University at a public arena in Ontario, California continue to reverberate days after a recording of the event went viral. The outcry and outrage being expressed are not surprising and, in many cases, are entirely proper.

The despicable behavior displayed in the recording of the incident is an extreme departure from the positive Christian values that are central to the culture of California Baptist University and does not represent the vast majority of CBU students, employees and alumni. I cannot stress this too strongly. This incident clearly does not reflect the caring spirit of CBU or the Code of Conduct expected of every member of the CBU community, requiring that all persons be treated with dignity and respect. Reported violations, including this one, are vigorously investigated. Persons found in violation of the CBU Code of Conduct are subject to disciplinary consequences that may include expulsion from the university.

California Baptist University strongly upholds the rights and freedoms guaranteed to all under the Constitution and laws of the United States of America and does not condone or support actions or expressions in denial of those rights. Hatred and hateful behavior are not welcome and will not be tolerated at California Baptist University.

I have informed the CBU Board of Trustees about this matter in their oversight capacity. I assured them, as I assure you now, that we are actively and deliberately pursuing the due process investigation that began several days ago to determine appropriate actions in response to the incident. We also are cooperating fully with law enforcement and other parties involved as inquiries into this incident go forward.

In the meantime, I ask every member of the California Baptist University community to join me in praying for all who have been affected by this unfortunate incident. I pray that our words and deeds will humbly and unmistakably represent the abiding love of God, demonstrate genuine respect for all, and reaffirm the traditional values that have been taught and embraced at CBU for generations.

Ronald L. Ellis, Ph.D.
President

CAVAD students practice their craft at pool shoot

The College of Architecture, Visual Arts & Design (CAVAD) took learning outside to the cool, crisp waters of the Lancer Aquatic Center at its annual pool shoot on Oct. 7.

Michael Berger, program director of graphic design and photography, said pool shots require students to get out of their comfort zones.

“There is a tendency in the classroom or studio for the shots or images to come easy or come to them,” Berger said. “In the pool, they have to be intentional in the planning and execution of their concept.”

Students had the opportunity to shoot on the pool deck, shallow water or deep underwater.

“The students must learn to direct models while dealing with difficult elements such as treading water,” Berger said. “They learn to fight for the shot and assert themselves with their camera.”

For Akaylia McClellan, a freshman graphic design major, it was the first time she operated equipment designed for underwater shooting.

“I never shot underwater before, and I thought it was cool to learn the techniques,” McClellan said.

Cameron Cash, a graphic design sophomore, took pictures underwater.

“Working with light on the water is a lot harder than expected; it brings a whole other realm of light,” Cash said.

Berger said that the shoot is also an opportunity for students to build camaraderie.

“It’s a great time of fellowship, and we have fun in the process,” Berger said. “The facilities are excellent, and it is a great opportunity for students to capture different types of images.”

CBU dedicates College of Health Science campus

The day was warm, the sun was shining and spirits were just as bright as the College of Health Science at California Baptist University dedicated its campus on Oct. 4.

Faculty, staff, city officials, health professionals and university supporters were on hand for the dedication.

“Students will be trained to live their life’s purpose in this wonderful field of helping others,” said Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, president of CBU. “We hope we remember this day as not a beginning but another pause on the way to what’s ahead for us.”

The facility is now the main campus for the College of Health Science that includes multiple office spaces, classrooms and labs to host a broad range of programs including two associate degree programs plus nine undergraduate and five graduate programs.

In 2015, the College of Health Science campus relocated to the former Riverside Christian Schools campus on Monroe Street across from the Lancers Outdoor Athletic Complex. The Health Science campus comprises more than 70,000 square feet under roof on more than 11 acres. A $17.5 million-plus remodel transformed the campus into a state-of-the-art learning center.

Dr. Charles Sands, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, said the Health Science campus is a place for students to grow and learn how to serve.

“As a university committed to the Great Commission, I’m excited to be a part of a college and a campus that focuses on serving other people,” Sands said. “Our entire university does that and the College of Health Science is a microcosm of that.”

Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey said he has watched CBU grow over the years into a university whose reach can be felt throughout Riverside and across the globe.

“I find it fitting that CBU would invest in the health sciences field, not only to prepare students to face the challenges of a growing aging population and to meet the demands of a shortage of health care professionals in our city and our region, but because we know that a great portion of Christ’s earthly ministries were dedicated to healing the sick and reaching out to the least and the last and the lost,” Bailey said.

Judy Carpenter, chief operating officer and president of Riverside Medical Clinic, said linkages between educational systems and employers are critical in increasing the supply of health care providers.

“We commend you for your commitment in training our future health care providers. This expansion will prove to be vital in addressing the shortage of health care providers in our region,” Carpenter said. “By training students, our future providers, our region will benefit.”

Event offers CBU students an opportunity to “taste” culture

Students at California Baptist University had their palates roused at the Taste the Nations event on Oct. 3.

International Student Services hosted the event, held in Stamps Courtyard that featured opportunities for students to taste cuisines from around the world. Additionally, international students staffed the booths, allowing them to introduce their peers to cultural foods.

“There are many different aspects to culture, with food being one of them,” said Leslie Shelton, director of International Student Services. “We hope that through this event, international students have the opportunity to share their culture with others as well as give domestic students an opportunity to experience new cultures through food.”

Food booths included treats such as baklava and ayran (a yogurt beverage) from the Middle East; plantain chips and chin chin (a fried snack) from Africa; lumpia (a spring roll) from Southeast Asia; Pao de Queijo (Brazilian cheese bread) from Latin America; and an exotic booth that featured silkworm. The food was supplied from various vendors, many that specialize in serving specific ethnic foods.

Daniel Chow, a junior from China who volunteered at the event, said he misses a noodle dish from home.

“This event allows students to be exposed to things that are normal for us,” Chow said.

Bailee Gonsal, a pre-nursing freshman, tried a chocolate biscuit called Tim Tam, a staple of the Polynesian culture.

“I went because I am always open to trying new foods and exploring new cultures and this was the perfect opportunity to do so,” Gonsal said. “You don’t just learn about it, you experience it by tasting the food firsthand.”

Daniel Frachou, a business administration freshman, tried many different candies and sodas from different countries.

“This event is an explosion of culture in every direction,” Frachou said.

Fall 2017 enrollment continues record trend at CBU

Fall 2017 enrollment at California Baptist University set another record with 9,941 students, an increase of 8.6 percent over the previous year, President Ronald L. Ellis announced Sept. 29.

The increase numbered 784 more students than the record 9,157 enrollment in 2016, Ellis said. He noted that the 2017 full time equivalent (FTE) enrollment figure of 9,984 is 902 FTE’s or 9.9 percent greater than the 2016 figure.

Ellis announced the latest record enrollment at the regular fall meeting of the CBU Board of Trustees. He told trustees the triple-digit enrollment growth in 2017 follows three years of 600-plus increases (610, 698, 618) one four-digit upsurge (1,113), and three more triple-digit increases (813, 584, and 616).

“Add the current year increase of 784 and over the last eight years CBU enrollment has grown 5,836 on a base of 4,105 in fall 2009—a 142 percent increase in eight years,” Ellis declared.

During its 67-year history, California Baptist University has seen 17 triple-digit or greater year-over-year increases—all of them occurring since fall 1995.

Since Ellis became president in November 1994, CBU enrollment has grown by 9,133 students. This year’s 9,941 enrollment is 12.3 times greater than the 808 students enrolled in 1994.

“Fall 2017 is another record breaking enrollment increase on top of a sustained 23 years of significant increases,” Ellis told the trustees. “It puts CBU ahead of schedule to attain the 12,000 by 2025 goal,” Ellis observed.

Chapel speaker urges students to join in reaching all nations

Dr. Todd Ahrend, founder and international director of The Traveling Team, urged students at chapel on Sept. 28 at California Baptist University to join God’s mission of making His name known to all nations.

The Traveling Team is a ministry that aims to mobilize university students to live out the Great Commission. Ahrend and his wife have spent almost two decades traveling both nation-wide and abroad, speaking to thousands of people about involvement in world evangelization.

Ahrend highlighted Genesis 12 where God calls out Abraham and says that all peoples will be blessed through him. There are hundreds of references in the Bible that God wants to reach all peoples, nations, tribes, tongues and languages, he added.

“Are you on board … are you saying ‘God, I want to follow what you want me to do’?” Ahrend said.

Additionally, Ahrend spoke about several Great Commission passages, including the most well-known one, Matthew 28:18-20. He also mentioned Acts 1:8: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

“It’s not about your abilities, it’s about your availability,” Ahrend said.

Ahrend challenged the students to go on a cross-cultural mission trip while in college and to seek God’s will for their lives.

“God has a heart for the nations. Is that a big enough reason to say, ‘Lord, I want to align my purpose with yours’?” Ahrend asked.