ALUMNI NEWS - 1980s
Dan McArthur and his family are moving back to Zimbabwe, Africa in April as Missionaries. They have been in the United States the last 4 years. Their main work will be to expand the orphan program they started 5 years ago to help the 1.5 million orphans in Zimbabwe.
Walter T. Wells, ('81), a blues musician whose energetic showmanship won audiences from blues clubs and radio shows to churches, died March 14, 2007 after suffering a stroke and heart attack at his Burlington, Kentucky home. He was 54. Mr. Wells played all types of music from Piedmont to Chicago Blues, ragtime, classical jazz and bluegrass, but he specialized in acoustic blues. He was employed by the Internal Revenue Service where he was an agent and senior reviewer of employee pension plans. Survivors include his wife, Barbara, mother, Frances of Indianapolis, sister, Martha Rhodes and several cousins.
P.V John and wife Molly have been missionaries in India since leaving CCU in 1981. Their ministry has grown immensely over the years. They currently serve numerous village churches, two orphanages and a hospital built in honor of P.V's mentor, Dr. Lewis Foster. They are also actively involved in various social outreach efforts among the Hindu community in South India.
Priya (John '03) and husband Ben Richmonds have been blessed by the birth of their first child, Kezia Divya, on May 20th, 2006. Grandparents P.V. ('81) and Molly John came all the way from India to welcome their granddaughter into their lives.
Dan Gilliam has released his first book entitled: God Touches: Finding Faith in the Cracks and Spaces of My Life. In it he shares some of the valuable, if not inspiring lessons he has learned about humanity, spirituality, and the kingdom of God. Dan is also an accomplished singer/songwriter and has shared the stage with many well known Christian artists such as Audio Adrenaline, Rich Mullins, Big Tent Revival, Jennifer Knapp and The Newsboys. He is also a painter who has sold his oil and acrylic paintings in the U.S. and abroad. Dan says, “It is only by the grace of God that I have a story to tell, a song to sing and a picture to paint.” His website is www.DanGilliam.net .
Dave Thurman recently led a team of five on a mission trip to Northeast India, culminating in reaching the Maram Tribe (one of 16 Naga tribes) in northeast Asia, none of whom had ever seen white people before. Dave has helped lead numerous mission trips to Africa, India, and Haiti, especially focusing on the training and equipping of preachers. He presently serves as the Adults Minister at The Church at Mt. Gilead in Morresville, Indiana. His son Drew is a sophomore at CCU.
Joe Rosen celebrated his heart transplant of 20 years in October of 2005.
Jeff Faull went to Austria to teach and lecture last fall at Haus Edelweiss. Jeff has also been to Africa several times on mission trips and is planning to go to India to teach soon. He says, "When you see what other people in the world have been through, it changes you." Jeff has been the Senior Minister at Mount Gilead in Mooresville for 18 years. His daughter, Lindsay, is studying worship at CCU.
John ('88, '90) and Peggy ('84) Bush celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary and their 16th year in full-time ministry this summer. They are thankful to the Lord for his blessings.
Rainette (Mecklem)('85)and Charles Swift are excited to announce the birth of their daughter, Kaelyn Nicole, born on June 23, 2006 and weighing 7 lbs 8 oz.
Brian Orahood led in planting Lake Christian Church in 1999 in Palmyra , Virginia . This year they are building a 450 seat auditorium housed in a monolithic dome, the first building of its kind in Virginia.
Andy Thomas has just completed his 20 th year of student ministries and is enjoying his most recent ministry back at his home church in Rossville, Illinois where he also directs a Community Teen Center.
Matt and Sara Anne McGue are celebrating 20 years of both marriage and ministry this year. They are presently in Charlotte, NC where they planted a church 2 years ago. They have two boys - Mikel (14) and Benjamin (11).
Larry ('86) and Wendy Lipps welcomed Jesse Alan Lipps into their family on March 29, 2005. He joined big sister Ana Beth and big brothers Micah and Caleb. Larry is Children and Families Minister at Bethany Christian Church in Anderson, Indiana.
Dan Roberts completed his Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership last June.
Susan Roberts is working as Regional Trainer for the Southern Region for Sorenson Communications, Inc. Sorenson is the leading Video Relay Services provider for the deaf.
Shamra Gaverick ('88) married Dale Martin on July 3 rd , 2005 in Appleton , WI . They now live in Ostrander , MN . Sharma became the step-mother of Elizabeth (8) and Kathleen (7).
John ('88, '90) and Peggy ('84) Bush celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary and their 16th year in full-time ministry this summer. They are thankful to the Lord for his blessings.
Alumni Association 
