Cedarville Stories

An Unexpected Job Offer Jim and Teresa Clark left Cedarville University in the same way they entered it--together. They retired at the end of the 2023-24 academic year but before leaving they remembered their journey on the Cedarville Stories Podcast. The Clarks were settled in Fort Wayne, Indiana. They had lived there for 21 years, had just bought their dream home, and were confident this was whe...

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 a...

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...

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 anticipati...

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 V...

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, w...

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...

A Man of Commitment   In this episode of the Cedarville Stories Podcast, we delve into the remarkable journey and unwavering dedication of Dr. Daniel Estes, Distinguished Professor of Old Testament at Cedarville University.  From teaching multiple generations of the same family to completing a doctoral degree at prestigious Cambridge University, Dr. Estes has left an indelible mark on the academic...

Taking Flight in Defense of Freedom   Amid the sea of graduates preparing to receive degrees at Cedarville University stand four young men committed to defending freedom. Thaddeus Krueger, Matthew Crum, Brent Whitley, and John Thomson are on their way to becoming pilots in the United States Air Force.  While completing their coursework at Cedarville these brave young men tackled the additional res...

Bringing Light to the Silver Screen   In the often-murky world of Hollywood filmmaking, where violence, strong language, and other dark elements reign supreme, Parker Adams, a 2014 graduate of Cedarville University, is on a mission to illuminate the silver screen with hope and light.  Witnessing the emerging efforts of Christian filmmakers during his student years, Parker knew he wanted to be a pa...

Making a Difference on Capitol Hill In the halls of Capitol Hill, among the throng of suits and ties, one Ohioan stands out - Benjamin Mays, a legislative correspondent for Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley. Hailing from Middletown, Ohio, Benjamin found his calling in the heart of Washington, D.C., but his journey to the nation's capital began with a pivotal visit to Cedarville University.  As a high sc...

Running With Passion and Purpose God’s plan for the journey is often unexpected and this is certainly true for Cedarville University junior, Aaron Perry. Having played soccer for more than a decade, Aaron learned to equate running with discipline. Poor performance on the field or in practice meant running laps, sprints, or stairs. Yet after participating in a marathon during his senior year in hig...

The Power of Adoption and Sisterhood: A Story of Unbreakable Bonds   Two Cedarville University freshman students share a remarkable journey that has only deepened their faith and friendship.   Hannah Woller and Sophia Delp share an extraordinary bond that began as infants—even though they were unaware at that time. Both students were left on the doorstep of an orphanage in China just days after th...

S:10 | E:12   Debbie Matheson   Unearthing Hope: Debbie Matheson's Unexpected Journey   Join us for an inspiring episode as we delve into the remarkable story of Debbie Matheson, whose passion for gardening is rivaled only by her dedication to serving the most vulnerable in Greene County, Ohio.  While tending her half-acre of fruits and vegetables, Debbie's life takes a remarkable turn as the exec...

Unveiling Purpose: Bridging Engineering and Compassion   In a remarkable journey shaped by a childhood missions trip to Guatemala, Brianna Pacecca discovered her passion for sharing the gospel and providing clean water to those in need. Little did she anticipate that her academic pursuit in civil engineering would become a powerful tool for making a difference in the lives of people in third-world...

From Egypt to Cedarville: A Miraculous Journey Welcome to a touching episode of the Cedarville Stories Podcast, where we bring you the inspiring journey of Caroline Abdelmassih, a student in Cedarville University's Doctor of Pharmacy program.   Home for Caroline has always been in Egypt, but her pursuit of education brought her across the world to Cedarville University. This wasn't just any journe...

Bob and Jenny Czerniak   In the heart of the village of Cedarville, Bob and Jenny Czerniak embarked on a heartfelt journey to transform an ancient schoolhouse into a haven of cherished family memories.  Dating back to the 1800s, the schoolhouse stood as a relic of bygone eras, untouched for decades. Yet, with determination and love, Bob and Jenny envisioned a new chapter, crafting a cozy family ab...

Former Supreme Court Clerk addresses Criminal Justice Reform In a remarkable journey from accounting to advocacy, Matt Martens has defied the traditional narrative. Initially anticipating a career in law, Martens never envisioned becoming an author, let alone one recognized with awards. His accounting degree, initially viewed as a safeguard for legal success, unexpectedly became an asset. This exp...

A Symbiotic Relationship   Welcome to another episode of Cedarville Stories, where we explore the unique initiatives and stories that make Cedarville University stand out. Today, we dive into the inspiring collaboration between two seasoned professors, Dr. Ruth Sylvester and Dr. Lori Ferguson.  Dr. Sylvester, originally from sunny southern Florida, and Dr. Ferguson, from nearby Xenia, Ohio, both b...

A Humble Journey of Love: The Adoption of Little Joey   In the realm of social work, Melissa Brown faces the complexities of life head-on, witnessing struggles that occasionally touch her heart. Yet, it's her servant’s heart and unwavering faith in Jesus that serve as guiding lights, leading her to care for others through simple gestures — a conversation, a hug, or a prayer.  A few years back, a u...

Faith on Film   Welcome to a captivating episode of "Faith on Film," where we delve into the heart of Christian storytelling with our dynamic guest, Scott Mills. Get ready to be inspired as we explore the transformative power of the new wave in Christian filmmaking.  In this energizing conversation, Scott takes us on his journey from Cedarville University graduate in broadcasting to CEO of Engage...

Play Ball with Faith: The Fred Greetham Story   In the heart of Cleveland, Ohio, where the battle cries of sports echo through the city, Fred Greetham learned early on to cherish two words: play ball. Growing up in the shadows of Cleveland's iconic teams— the Browns, the Guardians (formerly Indians), and the Cavaliers —Fred's love for sports became a defining chapter of his life.  As a college stu...

Perceived by Glamour; Driven by Christ Sierra Bognear, a young woman with a penchant for surprises, astounded her family, excluding her brother Travis, by winning the title of Miss Michigan in 2015.  Her decision to vie for the Miss Michigan crown, despite having no prior beauty pageant experience, remained a well-guarded secret. What added an extra layer of astonishment was her covert journey to...

From Dad's Perspective: Amazing Grace "Amazing Grace" is not just a cherished hymn of the faith, but it’s also the nickname of an incredible athlete, possibly the most decorated one to emerge from Cedarville University. Grace Norman has secured gold, silver, and bronze medals in two recent Paralympics, and in 2024, she aims for the gold in the paratriathlon in Paris.  Despite her international ath...

A Few Good Men Step into the world of courage, commitment, and courtroom brilliance on this week's Cedarville Stories Podcast. Join us as we explore the journey of Col. (Ret.) Greg Thompson, who could be referred to as Cedarville's version of Tom Cruise from the movie A Few Good Men .   In a career spanning two decades in the United States Air Force, Col. Thompson served in the esteemed Judge Advo...