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Evangel hosts Christian Citizenship Week, Constitution Day events

Published on Sep 13, 2014 by Hannah Beers

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Evangel University Department of Social Sciences is hosting Christian Citizenship Week, Sept. 15-19, which is designed to make university students more involved in and aware of their civic responsibilities.

All events are free and open to the public.

The highlight of the week will be the Constitution Day chapel service on Friday, Sept. 19, featuring Dr. Tilahun Adera, who escaped persecution in Ethiopia in the late 1970s.

“During Citizenship Week and Constitution Day my plan is to talk about how I fled my country of birth (Ethiopia), due to political and religious persecution, and became a citizen of the United States of America — a country governed by the rule of law,” said Dr. Adera.

Dr. Adera moved to Springfield in July to become Evangel University’s new provost & vice-president for academic affairs. Prior to that, he served as the dean of the College of Health and Social Services at New Mexico State University.

“I believe the Constitution is the foundation of the rule of law,” Dr. Adera said. “The USA has prospered and has become a leading nation in all the world and the envy of many, because underlying the Constitution is the Bible. I believe the principles of Christianity underlie the principles of civil government.

“John Quincy Adams said it best when he said, ‘The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: it connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity.’”

In addition to the many events, voter registration will be an emphasis all week at Evangel. An opportunity for students to register to vote will be provided during dinnertime, Tuesday through Thursday.

“Our goal in hosting this week is to establish citizens that are informed and involved in their culture,” said Dr. Bryan Sanders, social sciences department chair and coordinator of the annual event.

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Adera speak at our Constitution Day chapel,” Sanders said. “He has made it clear that he has a passion for Christian service.”

In addition to the social sciences department, different student groups such as the Pre-Law Society, College Republicans and Pi Gamma Mu will be volunteering and hosting different events.

 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

• Monday, Sept. 15, 10 a.m., Zimmerman Hall, Room 101

Jeff Nene, national spokesperson for Convoy of Hope, will speak about the organization’s many facets and how to get actively involved.

 

Monday, Sept. 15, 8 p.m. — Barnett Recital Hall

Students will have an opportunity to volunteer for community and global outreach with different departments at Evangel University.

 

Tuesday, Sept. 16, 7 p.m. — Zimmerman Hall 102

The department of communication will be hosting a classic debate, featuring a video-watch-and-discuss session on the 1992 H. W. Bush, Clinton, Perot debate. Students are encouraged to attend and share in their knowledge of this historical event.

 

Tuesday, Sept. 16, 8 p.m. — Crusader Hall A/B

The Evangel University College Republicans are hosting Calvin Morrow, founder of Christians Uniting for Political Action, to speak on Christians and their biblical obligation to be involved in the world of politics and government. Students will also have the opportunity to meet and talk with various candidates for office from Greene County.

 

Wednesday, Sept. 17, 10 a.m. — Trask Hall, Room 102

Dr. William Griffin, professor of theology, will be lecturing on “living under the influence.” This will be a time of sharing with students how to influence the culture by their Christian lifestyle.

 

Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2 p.m. — Social Science Lobby

Students are invited to attend join Pi Gamma Mu in the social science lobby to enjoy some coffee and converse on different historical topics.

 

Thursday, Sept. 18, 5:30 p.m. — Crusader Hall Cafeteria

Students from all different disciplines will join together to compete in a “Citizenship Challenge,” a trivia game on American government.

 

Friday, Sept. 19, 10 a.m. — Chapel Auditorium

Dr. Tilahun Adera, provost/vice-president of academic affairs, will be speaking at the annual Constitution Day event. Adera grew up in Ethiopia and escaped persecution there in the late 1970s.

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