�۶�ֱ�� alumna accepts challenge to minister around the world

“At GWU, I was challenged to make my faith my own. For the first time, I found a faith that was personal and not passed down.”

“When will you come back?” The children’s innocent question tugged at Shelby Robinson’s heart. The 2017 alumna of �۶�ֱ�� University had played with them all afternoon in a slum in the Philippines. Her visit was arranged by World Race, an 11-country, 11-month mission trip around the world. She wouldn’t be back. Tomorrow, her team would move to Cambodia, and then on to Vietnam, Kosovo, Bosnia, Romania, Zambia, Lesotho and South Africa.

Other volunteers from Kids International Ministry (KIM) and World Race would bring food and offer the children a chance to go to school. “I am making the decision to trust,” Robinson wrote in her blog. “To trust that the Lord called me to this place. To trust that He is calling me to the next. To trust that those kids will remember the love of Jesus we showed them.”

A native of Marion, N.C., Robinson majored in biblical studies at �۶�ֱ��. Equipped by her classes, she started a children’s ministry at Ross Grove Baptist Church in Shelby, N.C. After graduation, she worked part time at Airport Baptist Church in Greer, S.C., and attended her home church, New Hope Missionary Baptist in Old Fort, N.C. While exploring divinity schools and other options, she found the website for World Race. She felt called to join the adventure and take God’s love to people around the world. All three churches supported her decision with gifts and prayer.

Her first stops were in Indonesia and Thailand. While ministering to hungry children and victims of human trafficking, she realized that God’s amazing love extends to the victims and the criminals. She is also thankful that the GWU faculty taught her to study and apply scripture to her life. “At GWU, I was challenged to make my faith my own,” Robinson affirmed. “For the first time, I found a faith that was personal and not passed down.”

One religion professor who influenced her the most was Dr. Paula Qualls. Robinson had a class with Qualls every semester, except for one. “In addition to the standard classes, Dr. Qualls was my honors thesis mentor,” she noted. “She pushed me to think outside of the box and encouraged me with every conversation.” 

Robinson’s thesis, “African Hospitality: Building Bridges with a New Hermeneutic,” examined biblical hospitality in light of the culture found in Africa. She chose the topic after participating in a GWU-sponsored mission trip to East Africa. “Every culture has had its own form of hospitality, and because of this thesis, I am more aware of how some cultures have a form of biblical hospitality even if they aren’t followers of Christ,” she reflected. “It has been a really interesting way to see Jesus in the faces of those that I have met on the World Race.” 

While her studies deepened her understanding of scripture, Robinson also grew in her faith by participating in the GWU Christian community. “The friendships I made pushed me closer and closer to Christ and encouraged me in my walk with Him,” she observed. “The student-led worship services were always a highlight of my week. The Religious Studies Association gave me the opportunity to step into leadership and brought memories that I won’t soon forget.”

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“The whole environment of �۶�ֱ�� was very influential in shaping my ministry and helping me hear God’s call and direction.”

Jack Eason ’91 recently celebrated 30 years in the ministry he founded when he was a student at �۶�ֱ�� University. Originally called Crossover Ministries, the international organization has changed over the years and is now known as Crossover Cups Mission.

“While at �۶�ֱ��, I traveled, speaking for churches and youth groups,” related Eason, who lives in Greenville, S.C. “Then, I started leading worship for youth conferences, put together a band, wrote dozens of songs, and recorded albums.”

One of his songs, “Everyday” was recorded by the Christian music group, Newsong, on its album, “Rescue.” Crossover assumed production of a local radio show, the Sound of Light, which experienced national syndication from 1996-2010. The ministry launched a similar TV show that ran from 2000-2006.

About the time the radio show ended, Eason’s ministry began to evolve again through a partnership with Mike Williams and the Cups of Cold Water Project. Now, the main focus is leading a mission in the Dominican Republic (DR) and fighting human trafficking. “The DR is No. 4 in the world for human trafficking,” Eason offered. “We fight it by educating children, teaching life skills, and sharing the hope of Jesus.”

Reflecting on his education from �۶�ֱ��, Eason noted the influence of his religion professors. He majored in Christian education and minored in psychology. “I wanted to help people understand who Jesus is, and I wanted to see their lives impacted for the gospel,” Eason shared. “The classes I took were such a great preparation. Whether I agreed with everything the professors said or not, all of their teaching helped me form a philosophy for doing ministry.”

He applied what he learned while serving as a youth pastor for a nearby church. “Dr. Alice Cullinan’s classes were especially practical,” he affirmed, “maybe because of the subject matter or maybe because of her presentation, but they were subjects I could immediately put to work or that answered questions students and leaders in my church were asking.”

His psychology classes were also beneficial, and Dr. David Carscaddon, professor of psychology, became a good friend. “He really connected with a lot of us in his class,” Eason observed. “His genuine interest in what we were doing outside of class made me realize the staff of the school cared about us.”

In addition to support from faculty, Eason said the surrounding community also offered encouragement. “A local pastor allowed me to plug into his church, and he would meet with a few of us each week and talk about ministry things,” Eason informed. “The whole environment of �۶�ֱ�� was very influential in shaping my ministry and helping me hear God’s call and direction.”

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“Dr. Perry Hildreth was my professor of philosophy and spiritual formation. I still use the information he gave us as I progress in my academic and ministerial careers.”

Several years before he came to �۶�ֱ�� University, Brian G. Chilton experienced doubt about his Christian beliefs. Before he could continue serving as a pastor, he had to prove the Bible’s reliability.

“I left the ministry for seven years during which time I became fascinated with Christian apologetics,” shared the 2011 GWU alumnus. “My faith was greatly strengthened by studying the works of Josh McDowell, Lee Strobel, Gary Habermas, Ravi Zacharias, and William Lane Craig. In 2007, God called me back into the ministry in a vivid fashion by saving me from a horrible lightning storm. I knew God wasn’t quite finished with me yet.”

After renewing his commitment, Chilton was ready to complete his bachelor’s degree. A resident of Yadkinville, N.C., he checked out �۶�ֱ��’s Degree Completion Program and its online offerings and satellite campus in Statesville, N.C. “I liked the undergraduate program offered at GWU, which focused both on philosophy and religion,” he stated, “With apologetics playing such an important role in modern evangelism, it was important for me to have some training in philosophy.”

The topics covered in class provided a foundation for graduate school and ministry. “Knowing the various philosophical systems and archetypes is critical in maneuvering the differing worldviews that exist in our time,” Chilton affirmed. “Theology plays a major role in one’s worldview, as well. Dr. Perry Hildreth was my professor of philosophy and spiritual formation. I still use the information he gave us as I progress in my academic and ministerial careers.”

Chilton also valued the interaction with his other professors, Dr. Kent Blevins, Dr. Don Berry, Dr. Joe Collins and Dr. Ron Williams, professor emeritus of religious studies and philosophy. “Dr. Blevins and I came to differing conclusions in some areas of systematic theology, but he challenged me to have a unified cohesive theological system,” he said. “Dr. Williams inspired me to keep pressing onward academically. Dr. Berry provided great information on how to construct academic papers. Dr. Collins taught the four ministerial models to avoid: Dictator, showboat, monk, and doubter.”

Additionally, Chilton was inspired and rejuvenated by friendships with classmates. “We had many wonderful conversations after class,” he observed. “Sometimes, I am sure our families were wondering where we were as we burnt the midnight oil in deep conversations. I cherish those memories.”

After earning his bachelor’s degree in religious studies and philosophy from GWU, Chilton earned his Master of Divinity in Theological Studies and is also pursuing his doctorate. He writes for Christian Post, (christianpost.com) a website that publishes news, information, and commentaries relevant to Christians across denominational lines.

Chilton pastors a church in Yadkin County and created a website (bellatorchristi.com) to provide a resource for those who may be struggling with certain issues of faith. “Bellator Christi is Latin for ‘warrior of Christ,’” Chilton said. “It features a free podcast at iTunes, TuneIn, Stitcher, and Google Play. Taking on the crusader theme, the website seeks to engage both theological and apologetic issues to show what Christianity teaches and why a person should believe in Christ.”

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