Fall Update 2017
Education that Engages Faith Professionally and Personally Know someone considering postsecondary education or continuing their studies? Visit us at tyndale.ca. What a privilege it is to contribute to the spiritual and educational formation of today s university student! Tyndale University College provides a rich academic experience that is enhanced by our Christian values and integration. Every student experiences a full education, whether in the sciences, humanities, social sciences or fine arts, that is supplemented by whole person, co-curricular programming and commitment. Our post-baccalaureate Bachelor of Education program has supplied public and private schools with our finest teacher candidates for 10 years. As a parent of two adult daughters, both graduates of Christian universities, I attest unequivocally to the profound impact Christian professors, mentors and educators had on their spiritual formation and personal development. I hope for the same experience for every high school graduate and young adult. This is demonstrated through Scott Wessel [BA Biblical Studies and Theology 2018], who transferred to Tyndale from another university and discovered professors who truly wanted him to succeed, providing him with wisdom and counsel. Roxanne Oduro [BA English 2017] was encouraged by the community she found here through clubs and intramural sports like hockey and wrestling. Today s culture and education system seeks to divide and divest from our biblical foundation. Tyndale provides a fully integrative Christian education that enables our graduates to enter the boardroom, work breakroom, classroom or living room with the ability to engage with people intelligently and confidently, with both their deep faith and educational competency. Barry M. Smith, PhD Senior Vice President Academic & Dean of the University College We are blessed with our rich history as a premier Bible college for over 100 years. Now we stand ready to serve today s church as a growing, dynamic Christian university. It would be my desire that every person planning on a university education would consider how Tyndale contributes to that critical formation and education.
Overcoming Obstacles As the Student Speaker at Tyndale s Convocation Chapel this past April, Sarah Mair [MDiv 2017] has never let disability slow her down. Overcoming the obstacle of hearing impairment, she plans to continue her studies with a doctorate in Christian Education someday. Her hope is to incorporate social justice and accessibility in her work for people with disabilities. Managing life with a disability comes with a host of challenges, in which Sarah was not immune. She endured bullying in childhood, isolation in her youth, leading to low self-esteem and depression. All these issues culminated in a suicide attempt in 2006, the lowest point in her life. She was hospitalized for a week. She shares her story with the hope it will help others who are dealing with similar issues. She wants them to know that they are not alone in their struggles. She cried out to the Lord during these difficult days and asked Him to transform her life. He showed me in John 9 the disability was not a punishment, it was a way of glorifying Himself in me. With this new hope and direction in her life, she plans to use her abilities to help others in the church. Your support makes social justice and accessibility possible. There is so much of a unique need deaf people have when it comes to being able to participate in worship services, notes Sarah. She believes the church needs to find a way to be more inclusive, not only to the deaf community, but to people with mental health issues or other forms of disabilities. The major barrier people with disabilities face is an attitudinal barrier. What I m hoping to do with my doctorate is to figure out how we can best celebrate the uniqueness of each person in the body of Christ. Initially, Sarah was apprehensive about coming to Tyndale. However, she found enormous support from staff and faculty. What really made a difference was the class sizes. Professors try to foster a sense of community in their classrooms that spills over into the hallways. Coming to Tyndale is one of the best decisions I ve ever made in my life!
Lighting the City I learned how to be relevant, how to really incarnate from Tyndale. Reaching out to the hip-hop community in the city of Toronto is a unique ministry called City Lights led by Youngdo Kang [MDiv 2002]. A few short years ago, Youngdo felt a call to this particular demographic. Most people aren t trying to cross that bridge to tell them about Jesus, he notes. Your support bridges the gap for this unique community to hear about or reconnect with Jesus. Youngdo started out pastoring at local churches and took the opportunity to start a small group centered on hip-hop for young adults. His own interest in the genre helped him connect. In those early days, they met in coffee shops, shared CDs and talked about rappers, all while incorporating Bible study. Eventually the ministry evolved, welcoming Christians and non-christians across a wide demographic, and became independently known as City Lights. Eventually, Youngdo moved away from a church structure, allowing for a more open and honest environment for the group. A lot of the hip-hop community know the facts about Jesus, but many have been hurt by the church. At certain events, I ll speak more about reconciliation, or even just show that Christians are real people. Currently, there are three different venues across the city. One space is more for breakers (breakdancing), while the other two provide a creative space for emcees (rappers), where lyrics are more positive and encouraging than the mainstream. It s a place for people to talk and support one another. When people share, they are very accepting. They ask, how can we help? How can we pray for you? I m really thankful to God for that. As he faces various challenges, Youngdo is thankful for his Tyndale experience. Tyndale prepared me for ministry. At Tyndale, I learned how to be relevant, how to really incarnate (bring to their reality) the love of Christ. The courses that I took and professors I had, they re still helpful now. This is the most difficult thing I ve ever done, but it s also the most enjoyable ministry I ve ever done.
God Restores When Michael was 25 years old, he had never been meaningfully employed. He has a developmental disability that prevents him from reading and writing. Michael is not alone in his struggle. Nearly 50 percent of people living with disabilities are unemployed in Canada. Alicia Wilson [BA Psychology & Philosophy, 2009] saw this problem in her own community of Hamilton, Ontario. Alicia founded Restoration Project, which provides meaningful employment opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities. Using a mentorship model, she and her team offer carpentry workshops to adults with developmental disabilities, so they can learn the necessary skills to create new items from recycled materials and reclaimed wood. These items are then sold in trade shows, and the profits create a sustainable model of employment. Your investment in Tyndale students like Alicia helps create meaningful employment for people living with disabilities. Those interested in making woodworking a long-term goal have the opportunity to join Alicia s artisan program. Michael was the very first to join. Through the mentorship and training he received at Restoration Project, Michael has found meaningful employment for the first time in his life. Michael always wanted a real job, and now he has something that gives him purpose, says Alicia. For him, money isn t the motivating factor it s the fact he can make money. He s grown in confidence. It s not just about restoring the physical materials, says Alicia. In our culture, it s easy to throw away something once it s no longer of use. We do this with materials, but at times we can also do this with people. The entire process of Restoration Project is a reflection of the restorative nature of God s character.
News This fall, we welcome back returning students and faculty, as well as new faces and new students entering Tyndale s halls for the first time. A warm welcome to Dr. Nancy Ross, Associate Professor of Psychology, and Dr. Madison Pierce, Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies and Theology, who have joined as new faculty with the University College. Much has changed on campus over the course of the summer as a number of renovation projects come to completion, including a new traffic light and entranceway, an expanded parking lot, new classrooms and changes in our residence space. At our Homecoming event, we celebrated together with our Distinguished Alumni who have each made a distinct contribution to society with their diligent work and heart for sharing Christ. Visit us at tyndale.ca/alumni/ distinguished-alumni to discover more about each of them. The Open Learning Centre (OLC) offers a variety of continuing education and professional development opportunities. The Enneagram Certificate (spiritually grounded personality system) is available this fall alongside a Certificate in Accessible Ministries. Find out more at tyndale.ca/tsfc. Be sure to set aside Saturday, December 2, for our annual Christmas in the Chapel featuring the Tyndale Community Choir with special guest Ben Heppner. The Tyndale Fund Make an impact for God and His purposes. We live in a world where too many live in the margins of society because of obstacles like disabilities and race. People carrying the message of Christ are so desperately needed. Armed with their Tyndale education, alumni and students bravely go to the margins and bring Christ with them. You make this possible. Thank you for supporting Tyndale. Thank you for helping sustain and advance the Tyndale mission. Your passionate prayers, support, and gifts make a lasting impact. This *2017-2018 year has many challenges ahead. The Tyndale Fund needs $1.65 million to help equip the next generation to reach the marginalized. To date, 27% has been raised. Your gifts affect programs, scholarships and bursaries, faculty, staff, activities and infrastructure. Meeting these real, practical needs of today certifies that the needs of tomorrow are met by Tyndale graduates. Your support ensures that students are continually prepared with disciplined minds, transformed characters, and passionate faith. Thank you! To make a gift to the Tyndale Fund, call 416.226.6620 ext. 4117 or visit giving.tyndale.ca. $1.65M 27% As of September 21, 2017 *Tyndale s fiscal year ends April 30
Events Oct 14 Oct 20 Oct 21 Nov 10 Nov 17 Nov 18 Nov 18 Dec 2 Dec 9 Enneagram Certificate Module 1: Introduction to the Nine Different Patterns of the Enneagram Remembering Dr. Ian S. Rennie Certificate in Accessible Ministry Module 2: Understanding Accessibility Mental Health First Aid for Adults Who Interact with Youth Mental Health First Aid Basic Tyndale Youth Ministry Leadership Conference Certificate in Accessible Ministry Module 3: Belonging and the Body Christmas in the Chapel Enneagram Certificate Module 2: Enneagram and Relationships For More Information, Visit: tyndale.ca/events