"Huntington is stronger spiritually
than it has ever been. I say that as a pastor, a
missionary, an administrator, an alum, and as a kid who
grew up around this campus. I say it with all
confidence." |
Serving as
assistant professor of educational ministries at Huntington University is like coming home for Luke Fetters (‘82) and his wife,
Audrey (Stoltzfus, ‘82).
Because his father was
dean of the graduate school, Luke grew up around the Huntington campus
from age 11. And while he never considered another college, Luke
has never second-guessed his decision to attend Huntington either.
Audrey, on the other
hand, learned of Huntington through an ad in Campus Life magazine. A
transfer student, she was looking for a school with a strong
Christian atmosphere. Luke claims that Audrey must have spotted
him on campus when she visited Huntington, and that prompted her to
attend, but actually, their romance didn't bloom until their
senior year, when they directed West Side Story together. They
were married six months after graduation.
And while the paths
that lead them to Huntington were very different, God used their
experiences at Huntington to prepare them for ministry-first in the
states, then overseas, and finally back at Huntington.
Luke's career path was
settled long before he started college. At 16, he was challenged
about full-time Christian service. "It was a choice to give
my life to fulltime service-or pack up my faith and cash it
in," he says. "I chose ministry."
And while he was
focused about full-time ministry, Luke admits he had a hard time
focusing on his work in the classroom. "I know my professors
probably were thinking, ‘Boy, if that kid would just focus, he'd
probably be able to do something!’"
Despite his early
attitude toward school, Luke graduated from Huntington in three years.
"By my last year I was performing academically at the level I
should have been performing. Huntington helped me grow up," he says.
Luke credits this
change to his relationships with some key professors, particularly
Drs. Chaney Bergdall and Dick Osberg. Luke remembers one of his
first papers for Bergdall. "I bought this old wrought-iron
typewriter, and I didn't even know to leave spaces after the
periods and commas in my paper. He was very gracious," says
Luke. But Luke says Bergdall's most gracious act to him was
"welcoming me as a part of the faculty after my performance
in his classroom!"
Audrey, meanwhile-a
self-described overachiever was serious about schooling but not
sure about her focus before coming to Huntington. She credits her
liberal-arts experience for preparing her for life on the mission
field, where she became a "jack of all trades."
For instance, she took
a reader's theatre class with Dr. Carl Zurcher. While it was
"just for fun," she used this course on the mission
field with her English-as-a-second language students, writing
several reader's theatre scripts for the mission’s
conversational-English school.
Likewise, Osberg
played a key role in shaping Luke's future ministry. "I
remember a project I turned in for my Christian-education class.
He wrote a very affirming note, saying that he could see me
handling the administrative side of big meetings. In a sense, a
lot of my ministry has been on the administrative side of big
events," Luke says.
Indeed, Luke's
ministry-planting churches in Ohio and co-founding the United
Brethren mission in Macau-has required him to pay close attention
to details. He even served on planning committees that brought
Luis Palau and Billy Graham to Macau during his years of mission
work from 1986 to 1997.
When Huntington President G.
Blair Dowden visited Macau in 1997, Luke's journey came full
circle, first as executive assistant to the president, and then as
assistant professor of educational ministries two years later.
From this unique perspective, Luke says, "Huntington is stronger
spiritually than it has ever been. I say that as a pastor, a
missionary, an administrator, an alum, and as a kid who grew up
around this campus. I say it with all confidence."
"What is still
appealing about Huntington is that it’s small enough that you feel a
sense of belonging," says Luke. Audrey concurs, citing the
campus community and close friendships as the key to her
satisfaction at Huntington. That sense of belonging made for a memorable
life experience-one that Luke and Audrey will never forget.
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