In part two of the three-part Homecoming review series on the Sojournal podcast, Mark Nelson answers the question of how he developed the Homecoming message he delivered on Wednesday evening, April 20, entitled "Telling a Better Story."  Following Mark's explanation, Mark's message is played in its entirety. 

Today's episode features three guests! Mike Luzadder, Mark Nelson, and Bill Wolf were key players in the formation and production of this year's Homecoming event at Johnson University Tennessee in April. I asked these three gentlemen to join me in a conversation about what went into the development of the Homecoming theme, "The Story of Our Belief," as well as what they took away from the event.

Be looking for the next two episodes of the Sojournal podcast as they will feature a brief question and answer from both Mark and Bill as an introduction to messages they preached during Homecoming. This will be your chance to hear again, or for the first time, the Wednesday morning and Wednesday evening messages.

Buddy Reed is a 1975 graduate of Johnson University Tennessee. Currently a Regional Representative for Johnson University, Buddy enjoys making connections and being an encourager to alumni in his region.  His ministry experience has given Buddy a wealth of knowledge that is useful for encouraging others in ministry.

Born and raised in the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh, Tom am a fifth generation Fodi to lay deep roots in this region. Tom and Erin (Hartman, '05) Fodi have spent most of their married lives in and around the northern suburbs. Tom graduated from Northgate High School (Bellevue) convinced he was headed for a life following in the footsteps of his military-serving father. All that changed when he sensed a call along a different path.

Tom walked away from a full-tuition ROTC scholarship to the Virginia Military Institute and transferred as an undergraduate to Johnson University. After obtaining an M.Div. from Emmanuel Christian Seminary, Tom was ordained and served in a variety of professional ministries including service as a commissioned chaplain in the US Air Force. 

Currently, Tom is a pastor, father, and civically engaged citizen running for State Representative.

Nick and Christal Haner met and married while students at Johnson University. After ministries in churches from coast to coast and missions work internationally, they are now involved with Ends of the Earth Cycling. Ends of the Earth is a ministry of New International and is focused on fundraising bike rides to support youth ministries around the world.

Every step in ministry has been taken together. Their journey included several personal and ministry related challenges but their faith remains steadfast.

Sam Cunningham is a junior at Johnson University Tennessee studying Music Technology in the School of Communication and Creative Arts.  As a music technology student, Sam is the perfect person to have as our new editor on the Sojournal team. 

In this week's episode, we have the chance to get to know Sam.  He is a third-culture-kid who calls Louisville, Kentucky, his home even though he spent the majority of his formative years growing up in northern Africa. Sam shares his Johnson experience thus far and the circumstances of life that led to his current career path.

This week's episode marks the second time in podcast history that a student will play the role of guest on the podcast. Sam Cunningham is a married student from Louisville, Kentucky.  Sam studies in the School of Communication and Creative Arts on the Music Technology program. 

Sam is this week's guest as a means of introducing him to the podcast audience as the new editor of the Sojournal podcast. He is a "third-culture-kid" which means that many of Sam's most formative years were spent in a culture other than that of the United States. In this preview he shares his appreciation of the perspective earned from growing up in multiple cultures.

Michal Ruth Penwell served as a missionary for more than eight years. Her call to missions came at they young age of 13 years old. In addition to a Christian life and a missionary focus, Michal is also passionate about art. Throughout her journey, Michal has found plenty of ways to combine her passions for Christ, missions, and art. 

In today's episode, we learn of Michal Ruth's journey to faith and her natural choice to follow in her parent's footsteps as a student at Johnson University. We will also learn about Michal Ruth's current work in children's ministry and how she is using art to continue to support people in need around the world.

Michal Ruth Penwell currently serves as a children's minister in Asheville, North Carolina. Before finding her way to this congregational ministry opportunity, Michal Ruth spent time in intercultural settings.  One of her countries of service was Thailand where she learned to appreciate the contrast between the rich and the poor.

Kaleb and Emily (Hughes) Smith met and married as students at Johnson University. Their Johnson experience included serving The school as members of summer travel teams.

After graduation, Kaleb and Emily served in local congregational ministry while Emily also served as the Administrative Assistant for Alumni and Church Relations on the Tennessee campus.

Eventually, they both felt the call to continue their education on the graduate level in Strategic Ministry through Johnson University’s partnership with Christ’s Church of the Valley in Peoria, Arizona. They now serve at Emily’s home church, Compassion Christian Church, in Savannah, Georgia.