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Jojo Wilkes Hired as Head Volleyball Coach

Jojo Wilkes Hired as Head Volleyball Coach

“What an honor and a gift it is to be at Calvary as the head volleyball coach.”

Dr. Alex Granados, president of Calvary University is pleased to announce Jojo Wilkes has been hired as the new Women’s Head Volleyball Coach at Calvary University. The former Faith Baptist Bible College volleyball standout has been named the tenth head coach in the history of the Calvary University volleyball program.  
 
Wilkes most recently served as the assistant coach for Spurgeon College from 2021-2023. She worked alongside head coach Evie Stanton to build and transform the Knights program into a NCCAA SW Region contender. 
 
“We are excited to welcome Jojo Wilkes as our new head coach for the Lady Warriors,” said Calvary University Athletic Director Jeanette Regier. “Coach Wilkes understands and is passionate about Calvary University’s mission of helping students live according to the Biblical worldview and serve both in the church and throughout the world. We believe she will carry on these Calvary values with great distinction and enhance the culture of our athletic program.” 
 
As an accomplished player for the legendary coach, Lanny Nihart, Jojo was a vital member of four impressive Faith Eagle teams from 2012-2015. She was named Second Team All American as an outside hitter in 2014, and then switched positions during her senior season to play Libero. She received the NCCAA North Region Libero of the year award during her final campaign and was named to the NCCAA North Regional First Team in 2013, 2014, and 2015.   
 
“It is an exciting time for Calvary University Volleyball as we bring on Jojo Wilkes as our head coach. Having played volleyball against Calvary teams for six seasons, she is no stranger to the Calvary ethos”, said CU Athletic Director, Jeanette Regier. “She brings a wealth of knowledge, a love for Christ, and a work ethic that will elevate our program.” 
 
Wilkes got into coaching starting in August of 2016 at Grand View Christian School in Des Moines, Iowa, while she was a teacher there. Two years later, she took a position teaching and coaching in the program at Fourth Baptist Christian School in Plymouth, Minnesota. She served in the volleyball program there for three years before moving to Kansas City and joining the Spurgeon College staff. 
 
“What an honor and a gift it is to be at Calvary as the head volleyball coach. The years I spent playing volleyball had a great impact on my life, and I hope to be able to give the teams I coach a similar experience,” noted Wilkes. “I’m ready to implement what I have learned over the years from my mentors and excited to bring in players and families to compete at Calvary.” 
 
Jojo married her husband Marcus seven years ago this coming August. They have two beautiful children, Addie (2) and Cohen (10 mo). They currently live in Overland Park, Kansas. 
 
“We are excited to introduce Jojo Wilkes as our new head women’s volleyball coach. During my conversations with her, I was impressed by her leadership skills, coaching philosophy, and level of commitment to the student-athletes. I have no doubt Jojo will be an excellent fit for our athletic department and our volleyball program will thrive under her direction,” said Matt Sanders, Calvary’s Associate Athletic Director. “We are excited to see how she will help Calvary Athletics in our mission to develop and graduate true crown chasers.” 
 
Welcome to Calvary Volleyball, Jojo! 

Jojo Wilkes and her husband, Marcus, live in Overland Park, KS, with their two children.

Alumni Update: Rob Jordon

Alumni Update: Rob Jordon

“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” 

Rob Jordan, a Biblical Counseling graduate from Calvary University, has recently written a book, launched a website, and been promoted to be the leader of the Mental Health and Wellness Group at Amazon. Rob is Youth and Worship Pastor at his local church and graduated from Calvary in 2021 with a degree in Biblical Counseling; he also has a degree in Biblical Studies from Ethnos360 and is currently in the Master’s program at Grand Canyon University for mental health counseling. 

In his recently published book, Blueprints for Caring, Rob Jordan (CU21) presents the concept of individuals becoming the person that they once needed or desired in their growing up years. “Writing the book was a wonderful exercise in applying all that I’ve learned through Calvary University’s writing courses. Personally, it allowed me to take a felt and seen need—the anemic ability of the local church to do soul care—and build a foundation of how we can meet that need practically.” He went on to say that many people have been impacted by his book as they too have felt this need as vocational pastors. Others have been challenged by the book, realizing the need for this kind of ministry in churches today. Blueprints for Caring “…crosses the borders of theological camps and denominations and focuses on the ‘working faith’ found in James 1 & 2. The scaffolding, if you will, for the book came from an idea shared by Garret Higbee in ‘Scripture and Counseling,’ as he explains the possibility of the church to be a hospital for those who are struggling,” Rob explained.

When describing his newly developed website, TheBuildingProject.org, Rob said, “From the onset our goal and focus has been on people, not a denomination or a physical building.” The goal of the ministry is to bring the practical education of biblical counseling and counseling skills to church and ministry leaders to better care for the people God has entrusted to them. Rob went on to explain how The Building Project seeks to equip pastors and elders for the equipping of the saints, as described in Ephesians 4. “The groundwork and foundations have been laid, and the last bit of prep work for these Blueprints conferences is wrapping up. My vision is to be able to travel to local churches or fellowships and offer this training as early as Fall 2022, as well as continue to produce content for the encouragement and training of the church.” At the moment, Rob and his team are patiently waiting for God to make those connections, as well as “finding some pilot sites where we can observe and note any changes that may need to be made in this curriculum.” 

In Pastor Rob’s leadership position at Amazon, he has had impactful experiences that have grown him tremendously as a leader in his field: “Being asked to lead the Mental Health and Wellness group at my Amazon site was an honor and I have been able to see some progress in my immediate sphere of influence as an advocate for mental health. This has truly been my missions field, working with people who have different worldviews.” He went on to say that he has had the privilege of presenting the Gospel to those he works with, discussing topics such as identity, LGBTQ+ topics, depression, and suicide. Some of the people he had the opportunity to speak with includeded “a driver who had come back in rage, but was able to leave our discussion feeling understood and encouraged; employees who have struggled with anxiety and PTSD feeling understood and supported; a transgender coworker who had a horrible experience with the church and is trying to understand why God made them the way they are but is still willing to ask questions and talk about God because they don’t feel judged.” Rob believes this has been a wonderful opportunity for him to bring the love of God to lost people and, from a professional standpoint, “…promote mental health and the resources offered by Amazon…to help create a culture shift around the shame of talking about mental health.” 

Rob mentioned that his education at Calvary University has been hugely influential in his job opportunities, and he attributes all his success to what God did in his life through Calvary and its counseling department. “Biblical counseling has at its core the heart of discipleship. No matter what field or ministry a student feels led to go into, the most important aspect of any ministry or business, as far as Christians are concerned, is our love and care for them; the Biblical Counseling department at CU does a tremendous job of showing how to do this practically.” 

 

Rob Jordon has been taking up exciting career opportunities since he graduated from Calvary University. 

Calvary Proudly Hosts Sam Rotman Piano Concert

Calvary Proudly Hosts Sam Rotman Piano Concert

Calvary University is proud to host seasoned concert pianist, Mr. Sam Rotman, and his performance, Beethoven’s 250th Anniversary Concert.

Mr. Rotman received his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the Juilliard School in N.Y.C. His most prestigious award was being a Laureate Winner at the 4th International Beethoven Competition in Vienna, Austria in 1973. In 1978, Mr. Rotman participated in the 6th International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in Moscow, Russia. Mr. Rotman has given over 3,100 performances in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, South America, Eastern and Western Europe, Southeast Asia, South Africa, India, China, and Russia, totaling 61 countries.

Mr. Rotman has devoted a specific area of his musical life to the study and performance of the works of Beethoven. Beginning with a series of all Beethoven concerts in 1970 (the Beethoven bi‑centennial), he was presented on Public Broadcast System in a special Beethoven concert. He has also released an all-Beethoven CD, featuring five major works of the composer. For the 250th anniversary of the birth of Beethoven, Mr. Rotman will be performing an all-Beethoven program.

The concert at Calvary will be an All-Beethoven program in celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the birth of Beethoven.

In May 2016, Mr. Rotman was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts Degree from The Master’s University.  He is the only recipient of such an Honorary Doctorate in the school’s history.

Mr. Rotman’s recordings include:

  • Impressions: Piano Portraits of Claude Debussy;
  • Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition with Piano Works by Rachmaninoff, and
  • Piano Music of Beethoven.

Reviewers in the United States, and France have noted the following about Mr. Rotman’s performances:

“Mr. Rotman is a pianist of no small talent. He possesses a thoroughly prepared technique. He is a mature and thoughtful interpreter and his playing is convincing and alive, He enjoys his work and is able to communicate his ideas and his enthusiasm to his audience. His playing was profound, expressive, dynamic, and exciting.”

“Mr. Rotman’s interpretation of the Beethoven “Pathetique” Sonata left you with nothing more to wish for as far as getting close to the composer’s dramatic way of gaining his listeners. All of the many details of this music were being expressed. Every piece was played with the same brilliance.”

In addition to his concert, Mr. Rotman will give his Christian testimony.

The performance will be held on Monday, November 8, 2021 at 7:00 PM in Calvary University’s Liberty Chapel on 1570 Elmwood Ave, Kansas City, Missouri. All are welcome to attend, free of charge. 

 

EXPLORE MISSIONS EVENT

EXPLORE MISSIONS EVENT

ON THE CAMPUS OF CALVARY UNIVERSITY

KANSAS CITY, MO
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LOCATION

The CABRE Building
on the campus of Calvary University
15900 Kensington Ave.
Kansas City MO 64147
(see map on this page)

 

SCHEDULE

Thursday, November 17, 2022
evening
9:00-10:00
HAYSTACK PRAYER MEETING

Mobilizing Missions, Zane Bloom

Friday, November 18, 2022
Morning
10:30-10:50AM
SYNERGY WITH CALVARY AND BMW
12:00-1:00 p.m.
Lunch
afternoon
1:00-1:20
EXPERIENCE MISSIONS WITH BMW

Projects, places, and people for global internships

1:30-2:20
MOVED BY COMPASSION

Engaging the Biblical Mandate of Compassion Ministry

2:30-2:50
PATHWAYS IN MISSION

Evaluating personal readiness and determining next steps

3:00-3:50
CHURCH DECONSTRUCTION

Finding appropriate methods and models for building healthy churches everywhere

6:00
Pizza
Evening
6:30-6:50pm
SUPPORT RAISING WORKSHOP #1

Building a support schedule 

7:00-7:20pm
SUPPORT RAISING WORKSHOP #2

Building a presentation packet and video promo

7:30-7:50pm
SUPPORT RAISING WORKSHOP #3

Building a mission trip planning guide and deploy checklist

Saturday, November 19, 2022
Morning
9:00AM
Continental Breakfast
9:30-9:40AM
EXPERIENCE MISSIONS WITH BMW

Projects, places, and people for global internships

9:40-9:50AM
CALVARY STUDENTS IN MISSIONS

Katie Haskell, Eidene Anderson, Ken Heizer, Joel Bourdess, Sarah Wile

10:00-11:15AM
TEN TRANSFORMATIONS IN MISSIONS

Issues, trends, problems, and opportunities

11:30-12:00PM
CAMPUS TOUR & CLOSING

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Dr. Bonine reflects on time with Calvary alumni in Europe

Dr. Bonine reflects on time with Calvary alumni in Europe

Bonine’s travels took him all across Europe, traveling via train by night, and visiting Calvary alumni serving as missionaries by day.

“I told the people I met along the way about my visits with Calvary grads, which then led to several spiritual conversations!”

At the turn of the century, Dr. Tom Bonine got the idea to backpack through Europe so he could “visit the Calvary graduates doing mission work in Europe.” Bonine wanted to assure them that the Calvary students were praying for them. When he got the idea for the trip, he “didn’t hesitate whatsoever.” In July of 2000, he bought a 30-day Eurail Pass and began his travels. 

The Eurail Pass was a blessing of convenience during his travels, allowing him to get on and off the trains throughout countries. “I didn’t need to purchase tickets as I traveled throughout the Eurail Pass countries.” On top of simplifying transportation, the train also provided a place to sleep at night. “I could travel at night, sleep on the train, and then the missionaries didn’t feel like they needed to find housing for me.” However, his travels were not without their own set of challenges. Once, when Bonine couldn’t sleep on a train and all the hotels were booked up, he ended up sleeping on a park bench in Split, Croatia. Another difficulty was knowing which train he needed to take and when it would leave the station. Once, Bonine accidentally boarded a train through a Non-Eurail Pass country, and was scolded by the conductor for trying to show his Eurail Pass. “I gave him my envelope of German Marks and kept apologizing—in English, which was a mistake—but he let me stay on the train,” he recounted, “minus my envelope of German Marks.” 

On a typical day during Bonine’s trip, he would meet the missionary in the morning at the train station and then he would “spend the day with the missionary visiting their ministry, then return to the train station and ride the train to my next missionary appointment.”

Bonine says that it was a joy to witness Calvary grads, even his own former students, working on the mission field. He says that he found it a “huge blessing” to be able to see the good accomplished by these alumni. He was encouraged to hear the missionaries talk about “how well Calvary had prepared them for the work they were doing,” serving Christ in a myriad of ministries and helping the Europeans grow spiritually. Another fond memory Bonine recalls from his trip is meeting Europeans while on the train, “I told the people I met along the way about my visits with Calvary grads, which then led to several spiritual conversations!”

Overall, Bonine was quite satisfied by the trip. During his time there, Bonine was able to see that “Calvary’s programs of study were successfully preparing students for effective ministries,” and found that “the missionaries appreciated having someone check up on them, and to pray for them.” He is thankful that he spent his time in Europe with the Calvary graduates rather than the stereotypical tourist travels. “As I traveled across Europe by train and saw many of the tourist sites, I thought, ‘If I had spent this money to just see tourist sites, I would be very disappointed.’ The time spent with missionaries was the highlight of the trip, and it was well worth the expense.”

Bonine currently serves as adjunct faculty, teaching courses such as General Psychology and Human Growth and Development.

Fred Hendricks 2021 Alumnus of the Year

Fred Hendricks 2021 Alumnus of the Year

“My years at Calvary were the best years of my Christian life.”

Fred Hendricks has been chosen as Calvary University’s alumnus of the year. Hendricks graduated from CBC in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biblical Studies. Today, he is the senior pastor at Alton Bible Church in Alton, Illinois.

“Fred is a biblical leader,” said Dr. Allan Henderson, CU Professor of Education and Bible, who has known Hendricks for many years. “He demonstrates an ongoing commitment to the Lord through his preaching, teaching, and lifestyle. You can tell that he has a strong walk with the Lord after being with him for a few short minutes.”

Hendricks grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. While working as a barber, his boss invited him to church, where he got involved in a Bible study. He trusted Christ after memorizing John 3:18 and understanding the gospel for the first time. He served in the Vietnam war in the early 1970’s and that military service provided him the opportunity to study at Calvary.

“I thought I had died and gone to heaven,” Hendricks said about his early days at Calvary. “Along with the fellowship of the faculty, the student body was made up of the best people I’ve ever met in my life to this very day. I am still in touch with classmates who still encourage me and check in on me, and I have a ministry to them in the same way.”

He went on to Dallas Theological Seminary, graduating in 1981. He then returned to St. Louis, serving as pastor of Blessed Hope Bible Church for 17 years, and in 2002 becoming senior pastor at Alton Bible Church. In addition, he serves with Marketplace Ministries as a chaplain for various companies in the greater St. Louis metro area.

Hendricks is passionate about the values which Calvary University upholds. “I am what I am and who I am because of Calvary. I love that the school has maintained its doctrinal position. Calvary is a rare school. I wish every college-bound student could go there.”

“Being alumnus of the year is a tremendous honor,” he continued. “I am thankful that Calvary was my personal grounding in Christianity. My years at Calvary were the best years in my Christian life. I think there are many others who deserve this recognition much more than I deserve it. I am very thankful, appreciative, and grateful for it.”

Fred Hendricks was recognized as 'Alumnus of the Year' in a special presentation at Calvary's 2021 Commencement.

Fred Hendricks (CBC75) was recognized as “Alumnus of the Year” in a special presentation at Calvary’s 2021 Commencement.