More on God and Man
If the power of the Gospel is not felt throughout the length and breadth of the land, anarchy and misrule, degradation and misery, corruption and darkness, will reign without mitigation or end.
Daniel Webster
I would like to augment the article "God and Man at Dartmouth" by Dan Nelson '75 in the March issue by telling about the Dartmouth Area Christian Fellowship.
Since 1970-71, the DACF has grown from barely six regular members to over 125 committed Christian students this school year. The Fellowship is nearly the largest single student activity on campus now and its development shows no signs of letting up.
What is behind such a religious revival at the College?
"I can really see Christ living in the Christians here," says Cary Huffman, an instructor in the Math Department. "They are consistent in their Christianity. They live it. It is not hypocrisy as in many other churches."
The strength of the Fellowship lies in its commitment to bless God. Over the past five years, it has grounded its existence on a powerful prayer life with a peaceful patience to mature as a body. In the process, God has raised up one elder, David Zelie '73. As elder, Zelie has continued to call for an attitude of steadfast and patient prayer. "Our purposes," says Zelie, "are to bless God, to raise people up who will love and serve Him, and to welcome people into a warm fellowship with Jesus Christ." Zelie concludes that "where God is being praised and blessed and Jesus being lifted up, there will be a people who are both blessed and a blessing."
The body has done a lot of "waiting on the Lord." There have been no snap decisions to rush into this or that ministry. Part of this attitude comes from Psalm 127: "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain." The other part of this attitude is best expressed by Tim Geise '74: "A personal relationship with God is the best basis for fellowship with men."
Chris Funk '78 confirms that in her life God must come first. "In committing myself to Jesus, I am finding the best in myself and stripping away a lot of the junk. At the same time I am feeling a greater capacity for commitment to people than ever before."
Within the DACF, the quality of interpersonal commitment is unique. Christian Dartmouth students are living together as roommates, holding dormitory and fraternity Bible studies, fielding intramural athletic teams, and learning to work together as small groups in both social and evangelical outreaches. In addition, several recent graduates of the College have forsaken better job and educational opportunities elsewhere to remain in the area to continue their work with the Fellowship.
"I feel like I have a personal stake in the Fellowship," says Kim Emerson '78. "It is the only Christian body I have ever known." For her part, Emerson and five other coeds are leading a group, Gleaners, to help young area girls, ages 10-14, gain a clearer understanding and perspective of Christianity. Recently, three of the girls asked Jesus to come into their lives.
There is a similar group for boys called Crusaders. This ministry began in the fall of 1970 for the purpose of bringing area boys into a living relationship with Christ. One Crusader mother, Mrs. Harry Dow of Hanover, recognizes the significance of the group: "So many young people drop religion when they leave home. These young men, however, have stood firm in what they believe in. I am grateful for what they have given to my son."
"One Spirit One Voice" is a singing group dedicated to glorifying God and sharing the Gospel message in music. It sprang out of the Fellowship 18 months ago and is led by Phil Stebbins '74 and his fiance, Betsey Cox '77. It has given performances for churches in various parts of New England.
Mike Yoshi '78 had the idea that "if someone could just hear that Jesus message in a song, I am convinced that they would.listen." The idea took shape on Friday, April 2, when Yoshi and Lee McCune '78 inaugurated a radio program on WDCR as "a way for contemporary Christianity to speak to people." The show airs from 1 to 3 a.m. Friday nights.
A newspaper is being published this spring by the Fellowship. Co-editors Emerson and Tom McAllister '75 feel that "the paper should address itself to the Christian perspective on many of the controversial issues facing our society today." McAllister sees this as a "new direction for the Fellowship," yet he also believes that as a body "we are maturing into a more balanced walk of faith and action. . . . We have got to be real - as people and as Christians."
Vox Clamantis in Deserto?
Charlie Potts, a senior from Wauwatosa,Wisconsin, has also been a member of thefootball team.
