The Tide’s Currents...Biblical leaders. You'll also find out how you can partner with us in this venture. Currents of change swirl around us, here, in the far reaches of the Pacific.

The Tide’s Currents Pacific Islands University August 2018

In this issue . . .

President Merrell’s message

Successes and gifts

PIU featured in Liebenzell

Mission USA’s Live Ready

Update on Dave Owen

What can you do??

Student in the Spotlight (insert)

Praise and Prayer (insert)

President’s Message I just had a conversation with a pastor who serves in one of the Micronesian communities. Pastor "Adam" is a new friend. He told me another version of a story I have heard many times. "Most of our pastors have no formal training." I am confident that many of the pastors Adam referred to are Godly men, who have ministry gifts from the Holy Spirit, and that they are hard workers. In my career as a pastor I knew some men who were extraordinary pastors, though they had no

college or seminary training. As I think back, however, I am very impressed with the difference that having college-level preparation for the task made in my ministry. Those who succeed without such teaching/discipleship are the exception rather than the rule. As I finish this article, I am in between two funerals for Island church leaders. Rev. Mokut William was former President of the Evangelical Church of Chuuk. Rev. Hiob Ngirachemoi was a leader in the Palauan Evangelical Church The churches in Micronesia need a new generation of leaders who can accurately handle the scripture and who have the skills to minister effectively. My passion is church ministry, but I also agree with the great Theologian/Statesman, Abraham Kuyper, who said, “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, ‘Mine!’” I am convinced that the Lord of Glory did not leave His Church impotent to establish His dominion in all areas of life. I humbly submit that PIU is a tool in the Master's hands, uniquely positioned to help provide leaders who see the world Biblically. In this edition of The Tides Currents, you can read about the role of PIU in helping to provide Leaders where the need is great. From our student spotlight article about a young man working with children to a summary from a recent Liebenzell Mission USA publication "Theological Education as Missions," with several stops along the way, you'll read about the work PIU is doing to fill the need for Biblical leaders. You'll also find out how you can partner with us in this venture. Currents of change swirl around us, here, in the far reaches of the Pacific. We are seeking to plot our course by the unchanging truth of God's word. There is room in the canoe. Join us!

“I think people want to know what PIU did for me. I am personally most impressed with what PIU continues to do in me through the foundation that was laid by the faculty. I haven’t stopped building on that foundation, and I believe PIU helped me have the judgment needed to build well.”

Alumni Quote of the Week

The Tide’s

Currents is a regular publication of Pacific Islands University

with the purpose of keeping friends of PIU abreast of current events and ways

they can be involved with the University.

Mission Statement

PIU exists to provide accessible, excellent,

transformational Christian higher education and

ministry training to the people of Micronesia, the Pacific Islands, and to the

ends of the earth. As such, our mission is to prepare men and women with a biblical worldview for

leadership and service in life, work, and ministry in the global community and

the church. Editors: J. Combs

S. Refilong

Donations from the TakeCare Foundation and supporting churches help eliminate road-blocks on the Information Superhighway The TakeCare Foundation, part of TakeCare Insurance Co. (a respected member of the Guam business community), shares an interest with PIU in helping second language English learners gain a mastery of English—a skill that opens many doors of opportunity. TakeCare recently awarded PIU a $5,000 grant to purchase to computers to upgrade our Study Center; this facili-ty enhances our ability to carry out English language programs. A number of months ago President Howard Merrell put out a request for good used computers. Gateway Bible Church rose to that challenge. We now have more than 15 “new to us” comput-ers that will be used in our library, and elsewhere. They will greatly improve our fleet.

Bayview Church, gave us a gift to replace the floor in part of the Study Center. Some PIU staff and students are providing the elbow-grease to tear out the old and install the new. Hopefully, the next Tide’s Currents will include pictures of the updated and improved Study Center.

Rev. Hiob Ngirachemoi, Pastor of Koror Evangelical Church in Palau, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of PIU, and all-around good guy, left this life for heav-en, July 3, 2018. Hiob was a graduate of MIBS and former staff member at PIBC. Our prayers are with his wife, Leah, and chilldren, Micah and Jireh. We will miss Hiob’s room-filling, heart-warming smiles. His passing reminds us of the importance of PIU’s mission to raise up a new generation of Godly leaders. No one will replace Hiob Ngirachemoi, but someone must take not only his place, but the place of other leaders who have finished their race.

I

n L

oving

Mem

ory

1958- 2018

A Tribute to a Dear Friend

Update on Dave and Joyce Owen:

Dave has been experiencing the best health he has had for perhaps two years. He and Joyce were able to travel to Cincinnati to visit son, Mike, and his family.

Dave’s medical team just did another PET scan. We praise the Lord that it was clear. One more scan is scheduled in six months. If it is clear (and we expect it will be), the doctors say they will declare Dave cancer free.

The Owens are back in Eldorado CA where they moved into an apartment in Dave’s parents’ house. Dave is planning on teaching a class in PIU’s D. E. divi-sion this fall. PTL.

Perhaps you didn't know that a significant portion of our PIU staff serve as missionaries, or are partially supported as mis-sionaries. The fact is everyone who serves at PIU serves with a missionary ethos. Liebenzell Mission was instrumental in founding PIU, forty-two years ago. Several PIU staffers are Liebenzellers. LMUSA fea-tured PIU in their most recent edition of their quarterly mini-magazine, Live Ready (http://piu.edu/system/news). The mini-mag. makes the case that institutions like PIU are a vital part of missions in the 21st Century. Dr. Francis Manana, LMUSA missionary educator in Zambia, says, "Theological Colleges . . . are needed at present. . . . [O]ur hope is that . . . Leaders will be trained in higher institutions over time so that they can take our place. . . . [T]he primary role of the Missionary in the African Church is to provide Theological Education and to serve in a sup-portive role with the Nationals as they reach their own people with the Gospel of Christ." What Dr. Manana sees on the continent of Africa is equally true in Micronesia. PIU President, Rev. Howard Merrell, ech-oes Dr. Manana. "[M]issionary education is the bridge from a people group being evangelized [to] them [being] trained to become evangelists and trainers for that specific community. In the same way, that pioneer missions is about people car-rying the gospel where there aren’t enough Christians to do the job [of evangelism] the task of missionary education is about providing a next-generation of leaders in places where there are few leaders." You can read more at the link above. One of our Board members, Cita Tomada, recently put it well. "PIU offers holistic education. We provide the spiritual, as well as the intellectual." Both PIU's Bible and Theology department and our Liberal Studies department are about training leaders with a Biblical worldview. We are about part-nering with the church to effectively carry out the Great Com-mission.

To God be the Glory!

A NOTE TO LIEBENZELL USA’S GLOBAL MINISTRIES DIRECTOR BILL SCHUIT AND WIFE BARBARA, WITH A NOTE ABOUT THE PIU’S LIBRARY’S WISH LIST:

Greetings Bill and Barb,

Thank you for hosting my visit to Liebenzell

USA on May 21. I appreciated your hospitali-

ty and the opportunity to visit mission

headquarters and learn more about Lieben-

zell. Also the challenges of a transition in

leadership - I keep that in my prayers. If

there is anything Micronesian-related that

you seek for Liezenbell USA's resources

please let me know and I'll keep an eye out.

Bill - sorry that Barb and I did a lot of

"shop talk" about libraries during dinner.

You mentioned that a mention about the PIU

Library Amazon wish list could be included

in a newsletter of opportunities. It is

"Pacific Islands University Library" in Ama-

zon Wish List. Also a link from the Li-

brary's webpage: www.piu.edu/library. This

is a major source for new materials for the

Library.

Mostly books but a few DVDs - our students

really enjoy being able to watch Christian

films and documentaries. We don't have the

setup to use electronic copy. Titles are re-

quested by instructors or updates to current

titles. Subject coverage is from Biblical

and theological areas to Micronesia re-

sources that are relevant to the cultures of

our students.

Someone can provide from non-Amazon

sources - I just ask to be notified so

I will remove from the wish list and

not obtain two copies.

If more or better description needed,

please let me know.

Blessings,

Paul

A LONG AND FRUITFUL PARTNERSHIP CONTINUES—

LIEBENZELL MISSIONS & PIU

Send the enclosed card or

donate at: http://piu.edu/welcome-to-the-piu-

donation-page

Contact us

Pacific Islands University 172 Kinney’s Drive Mangilao, Guam 96913

671-734-1812 www.PIU.edu www.facebook.com/pacificislandsuniversity

What can you do??

NOT EVERYONE CAN TRAVEL TO

MICRONESIA TO SERVE AT PIU!

YOU CAN HELP THOSE WHO SERVE HERE

WORK MORE EFFECTIVLY. We are thankful to a supporting church that collected some used comput- ers to upgrade our fleet. President Merrell was able bring a number of them back with him as he returned from the states. The others were mailed. The expense of getting them from the mainland to the desktop in Guam is about $50/unit. These new-to-us computers will join the brand

new units (see page 2) to enhance student learning. Still others will be used by staff. A great way for you to add to the blessing would be to underwrite the cost of getting one or more of these computers to our campus and getting them ready to go. Also in the digital neighborhood: Our IT team has a plan to upgrade our cobbled together network. The price tag for taking this major cyber-leap forward, is about $1500. A couple of other partners provided funds to replace some worn out aircons. Our shop needs a table saw. Perhaps someone on-island has one to donate, or someone from anywhere could help us purchase one. You will notice other possible projects all through this edition of The Tide’s Currents. Part of what makes PIU work is the fact that our tuition and fees are so low. Consider becoming a regular supporter of PIU. All donors receive a PIU "Coffee with the President" mug as our way of saying thank you, and as an ongoing reminder to pray for us.

Our greatest Assets!

We are blessed with some remarkable people who serve at PIU.

Nino Pate’, VP for Finance and Business, recently completed his MBA from University of Southeastern Philippines. His thesis used PIU as a model.

Dot Houde, Instructor and Chairman of the Liberal Studies Depart-ment has been appointed VP of Academics.

Alex Tavarez, Dean of Student Development will now serve as VP for Student Development.

There are an abundance of small projects that need to be done on our campus.

Two big ones, reroofing our main building, and putting new trim on the eaves are big enough, and require a level of skill to ac-complish, that I am convinced the best thing to do is to ask you to pray with me about these projects.

If the Lord leads you to inquire further about projects big or little. I’d be glad to talk with you. It would be a good time for Coffee with the President.

M aterson Maras, also known as Matty,

is a second year student here at Pa-

cific Islands University. Scott Refi-

long, PIU Alumnus and Administra-

tive Assistant recently sat down

and chatted with him. Matty was born and raised on

Guam. Though if you ask him where he is from, he will

reply, “Chuuk.” He is a graduate of Tiyan High School.

Two of Matty’s siblings are PIU grads, sister, Restme, is a

current student, and Matty’s youngest brother is coming

this fall.

Materson “Matty” Maras Student Spotlight

Why did you come to PIU ?

It was my parent’s choice. PIU was like my last option out of all the colleges here on Guam.

What are the most important things you gained at PIU?

The most important thing I gained here at PIU are leadership skills, and learning to have a personal devotion time.

Matty points to another benefit of his time at PIU, one that many of our students mention:

I also have gained a PIU family.

Matty is putting his knowledge and skills gained at PIU into good use at Calvary Baptist Church. Giving to the

community is something we emphasize at PIU.

I’m with the children from the beginning, then in the middle of the internship, they put me with the youth. Being with

the youth is really challenging, especially when it’s one of those days when they are really interested and they want

the “meat” of the message. You have to be on your toes and ready. Sundays, I do children’s ministry,

I work with the children ages 5-10 and I like how they are really into the lessons and they all jump either

to open or close our time in prayer. The reward is seeing them grow. Sunday morning, one of them

came and asked me to read about when Jesus was walking on the water. He’s been wondering how

Jesus was walking on water and stuff. The difficulties are answering their questions, not only the

children, but also the youth. Sometimes they come with hard questions. I tell them I will come

back with answers that I hopefully can get from my professors.

“ I also have gained a PIU family”

Prayers Requests As we continue into the semester, pray for our new incoming students as well as the returning students. That they work hard

on getting what needs to be done, done.

Pray for our Liebenzell Mission family headquarters as they begin their transition of new leadership with Dennis Wadley.

Continue to pray for our Palauan families especially, Leah Ngirachemoi and her two children, Micah and Jireh.

Since our last communication Dr. Jim Sawyer’s father passed, Jim and Kay (wife) have moved across the country from

California to Maine.

Pray for Dave Owen as he continues to deal with edema which is a permanent condition caused by the damage from the can-

cer.

Christel Wood was recently in California being treated for a heart condition. The news so far is encourag-

ing.

Gary Houde recently suffered a heart attack. Expectations are that he will have a good recovery. He is

recovering from a catheterization as we prepare this list.

Hartmut and Urte Scherer, citizens of Germany, continue to await word from US immigration, concern-

ing their visa.

We are looking for servants to join us in the important work that we are doing. Though we are open to

talking to prospective workers who would come on as employees of PIU, at this time we are limited to

bringing on workers who are supported through missionary support or through other means. We welcome

talking to all.

Pra

ise

Rep

ort

s We were blessed this summer to have Josh-

ua and his grandfather, David, help us with

a few non-working light fixtures around

the campus. Mr. David Beale is here for

the summer and is Robin Knapp’s father.

We recently received special gifts that ena-

bled us to purchase “aircons” which are up

and running, and one more that we are yet

to purchase and install. All these are for facul-

ty and staff offices.

Donation from several supporters are enabling us to

provide a better digital experience for our students,

in the study center and beyond.

(See page 2)

Students have been coming in and out of the offices

all summer, those off island have been sending us

envelopes containing documents that they need to

finish applications.