Alumni in ActionAlumni in Action is presented quarterly and highlights an alumnus that shows the love of Christ through their community. The first Alumni in Action award was given in August 2010. If you would like to submit your name or nominate someone for this honor, please click here.
December 2011 - Park GillespiePark is a gear on your car where the drive train remains inert and immobile. Park is also a 1984 graduate of Emmanuel Christian School who never was inert or immobile. He was an active student and has remained an active adult representing the Lord well throughout his career in teaching and in politics. He began h
 is career at Emmanuel in 1969. A proud member of the class of ’84, Park Gillespie was homecoming king and class president his senior year. Park joked that he promised to return his homecoming scepter 27 years ago but never did. His daughters enjoyed playing with it. Upon graduation from ECS, Park set his sights on Bob Jones University where he graduated in 1989 with a degree in Political Science with an education certificate. He taught for 16 years in public school in Charlotte, North Carolina. He told the ECS students in a live Skyped interview on December 8th that of all the things he has done, he most enjoyed teaching because he was able to have an impact on 1,500 students. Sadly, ten of his students have already died. In 1999 Park was nominated WBTV’S Teacher of the Year. Park credits Coach Roy Parmelee, then history teacher at ECS (for whom the Parmelee Gymnasium is named), for instilling in him a passion for history and a passion for teaching. In 2004 Park won the “American Candidate TV Show” mock presidential election on Showtime Network where he worked with Montel Williams, Dennis Miller, Frank Luntz, Ed Rollins, Joe Trippi and Donna Brazile (who managed Al Gore’s race). Between 2005-2010 Park was a leader in the Education Reform School Choice Movement in South Carolina. He also helped manage the campaigns of several conservative candidates on the local, state, and national level. Park Gillespie has defended conservative ideals and a biblical worldview on national talk radio shows including that of Michael Reagan. He has been featured in the Charlotte Observer, USA Today, NY Times, Chicago Tribune, and in the LA Times. He is a member of the U.S. Commission for civil rights and is on the advisory board.
Park has a passion for sharing God’s truth with young people of all ages. For over 20 years he has taught Biblical Unity, Evangelism and Christian apologetics, and other classes at his church. Currently, Park is the Director of Constituent Services to Congressman Mick Mulvaney.
He told the students that one of the lessons he learned at Emmanuel was that “Only one life soon will be past, only what is done for Christ will last.” He said that the last time he was at Emmanuel the pictures of the class of ’84 hung over a Coke machine. All that he thought was so important as a student was temporal—not eternal. He directed the students to Ecclesiastes 12- “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth.” He said, “Someday you will stand before your creator. When you consider everything about life—fear God and keep his commandments. Your time on earth is so limited. Seek Him while He may be found.”
Park has worked with the Chinese persecuted church and with refugees in Africa. However, he told the students of all that he has done, he is most proud of his years of teaching and the time he has spent pointing young people to Jesus.
Emmanuel Christian School is proud to make Park Gillespie a recipient of Alumni in Action award for December 2011. His passion and accomplishments are inspiring. He is a shining example of how committed Christians can have a positive impact on our world.
September 2011 - Bob Furniss An alumnus from yet a different decade—one from the class of 1978-- was the third recipient of the Alumni in Action award presented in September, 2011. Bob Furniss presently lives in Bartlett, Tennessee. He owns a consulting company called Touchpoint Associates (www.touchpointassociates.com). Bob is an author, a speaker, a consultant, an active member of his community, and an active follower of Jesus Christ. Bob’s company allows him to interact with 3,000 to 5,000 people each year. He uses this platform to be open about his salvation and commitment to Jesus Christ. Bob and his wife are also active in their church. They have taught high school teens and have worked with the college ministry for years. For the past seven years he and his wife have been involved in working with high school students in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. They often travel to the country to work with a group called Point of Impact (http://pointofimpact.wordpress.com/). The ministry provides education, medical assistance and food to more than 360 of the poorest kids in four different neighborhoods in Tegucigalpa. Bob also serves on the board.
The Furnisses have been married for 31 years. Their daughter is a teacher. Their son is presently preparing for the ministry as he studies at a seminary. In reflecting on his family Bob comments, “We are blessed. We are over-blessed!” He rejoices in God’s goodness.
Bob is passionate about people. “Passion produces Passion” he writes in his blog (www.bobfurniss.com). (Yes, and he Tweets as well!) Bob’s book can be found on Amazon.com. It relates to his field of expertise—Powerful Ideas for Transforming Your Contact Center. His company has large corporations as clients including FedEx, Delta, and DePaul University.
In addition, Bob Furniss serves on various boards including a board at his local state university. He is also a leader in his church. Upon reflecting on his upbringing at Emmanuel, Bob says he did not become a sold-out follower of Christ until about 8 years ago. When he speaks to high school and college students he tells them, “Don’t waste your life. Choose now to make a difference living as a New Testament Christian."
Even though he was not physically present to receive the Alumni in Action award, he was able to share his testimony with the Emmanuel high school students through the technology of Skype.
Emmanuel is proud to name Bob Furniss, class of ’78, to be its third Alumni in Action recipient.
December 2010 - Captain Robert BeatCaptain Robert Beat, Class of 1997
 Yellow ribbons were waving from the trees in front of Emmanuel Christian School on December 17th. By the time Capt. Rob Beat arrived at his alma mater, flags and ribbons festooned the front hall. Inside the Parmelee Gymnasium, Kindergarten students were waving small American flags, high school students brandished posters, and the pep band was adding to the festive atmosphere. The students pledged the American flag, the Star Spangled Banner was sung, and Mrs. Sparks, fourth grade teacher and mother of three sons serving in the U.S. Army, read a prayer she had written for her sons and for those in the military.
Coach Regnier welcomed back the Purple Heart recipient and the second honored recipient of the Emmanuel Alumni in Action Award. Coach Regnier recounted how as a student Rob Beat lettered in three varsity sports: basketball, soccer, and baseball. His record of stealing bases still stands unbeaten. He also told of his fine character and his love for the Lord. As Capt. Rob Beat abandoned his crutch and hobbled to the podium, he smiled broadly. He joked that he had gone out of his way to dress in Emmanuel dress code that day and laughed as the students were all dressed down in Warrior green or red, white, and blue. It was so typical of the Rob Beat that the teachers remembered—always trying to fit in, to accommodate, and to please. Capt. Beat encouraged the students to keep waving the flag, to keep singing the National Anthem, and to keep praying for the soldiers. He thanked everyone for their prayers. “When you see soldiers in uniform in the airports and elsewhere, be sure to thank them. It means a lot to us.”
He recounted what had happened to him since he left Emmanuel. He attended Cedarville University and finished his degree at the University of Toledo. He told of his military experience and of his service in Afghanistan. In a self-deprecating tone, he told how his MRAP truck was hit by an IED. He was wounded as the truck slammed to the ground. Capt. Beat was later transported to Germany to receive treatment for his broken ankle. All in his vehicle survived the attack. Capt. Beat told of the history of the Purple Heart Award and why it is awarded. He claimed that he was not a hero.
After the ceremony, Rob stayed and greeted his former teachers with warmth and with the skill of a politician. “You don’t look a day older,” he told Mrs. Wolf as he hugged her. He greeted students, asked them questions, and was so personable and caring. He bent down to receive a gift from a child from the third grade who handed him a stack of cards. With charm and caring he thanked her profusely and asked if she would thank the whole class for him. Long after the rally was over, Capt. Beat was still in the hall chatting with people, admiring the changes that had been made to the building, and remembering good times. Emmanuel is proud of this alum and all who serve this wonderful country. Recently President Obama pinned the Congressional Medal of Honor on Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta. The nation was enthralled that such a man of courage could be so humble. Captain Rob Beat has many of the same qualities as Staff Sgt. Giunta. He is a man of noble character, a man every mom would be proud to claim as a son. At Emmanuel Christian School we honor God and country. It is thrilling that we can honor one of our former students “Who more than self their country loved, and mercy more than life!” He is a hero and a patriot.
   August 2010 - Brian SmithBrian Smith - Class of 1986
The Alumni in Action Award was created in 2010 to recognize alumni who are ministering to others through their actions in secular settings. (The Wall of Faith honors alumni who serve in Christian Ministry.) Brian Smith was the first recipient of this award. He was recognized during Spiritual Emphasis week in August of 2010.
Brian graduated from Emmanuel Christian School and attended Baptist Bible College. He was married to his high school sweetheart, Julie Hafner. Together they have three children who attend Emmanuel Christian School. Their son, Caleb, graduated from Emmanuel in 2011. Brian Smith owns his own company and is involved in building and renovating homes. Brian has used his building platform to minister to others. He has a fatherly-like interest in each of his workers. He mentors them and encourages them in their Spiritual walk. He also is an encourager to those who hire him.
But more than that, Brian also has a great heart for missions. He serves on the Missions Committee at Emmanuel Baptist Church. He has given hundreds of hours to help missionaries with constructing churches, buildings, and improving their homes. Brian’s missionary journeys have taken him to Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and other parts of the United States. Brian recently helped on construction at Shepherds in Wisconsin and at a Seminary in Sao Paulo, Brazil. In 2011, he hopes to travel to Germany to help a pastor remodel a building into a house of worship. Brian often takes some of his workers with him. He also packs a lot of skill and suitcases of tools. He truly loves to serve and is a blessing to all who meet and work with him.
Brian is also very involved at his church. He serves as a deacon and helps work with the youth. He is well deserving to be the first recipient of the Alumni in Action Award.
| ||||||
|
Associations
|
 |
