CORVALLIS CONNECTIONS

Power of Prayer

2006-10-17T14:28:00.000-07:00

Casey Campbell/Corvallis Gazette-Times
Tom Ramsay, the college pastor at Northwest Hills Community Church in Corvallis, has served as the Oregon State football team’s chaplain the past two seasons.

Tom Ramsay provides a special service to Oregon State’s players

By Cliff Kirkpatrick
Corvallis Gazette-Times

Two years ago, when Sammie Stroughter was a true freshman, he was thrust into a prominent role for the Oregon State football team as the punt returner and part-time kick returner.

At the same time he was adjusting to life away from home near Sacramento, Calif., for the first time, and all the issues that come up with college — relationships and school.

Stroughter described that time as a series of trials and tribulations. He leaned on his faith in God, and other teammates with similar beliefs to get through and settle into his new world.

“Josh Hawkins took me under his wing,” Stroughter said. “It’s good to have someone like family who believes in what you believe in. It’s good to know you are not going to step out into the world by yourself, or you are not the only person believing in Christ. Knowing you have a foundation and someone to talk to about trials and tribulations is helpful.”

Coach Mike Riley noticed Stroughter and many other players going through personal issues away from the team who bonded together through religion — primarily Christians and Mormons. Something had to be done for them.

Many asked for ideas as to where they could go for moral and spiritual support, so Riley started a voluntary nondenominational Christian-based chapel on the mornings of game day with rotating speakers. However, that wasn’t exactly what the players were looking for; they wanted something more personal.

In stepped Tom Ramsay, by chance.

Ramsay worked with teenagers with a church for about 18 years in Sacramento before he took a job with Northwest Hills Community Church in Corvallis two years ago to be the college pastor.

Being a college football fan, he contacted Riley about volunteering his services. It would be an extension of the mission of his regular job. He already works with OSU students on campus and at his church.

It wasn’t an unusual move since most of the NFL teams have chaplains, as do many other public universities such as those in the Southeastern Conference, Colorado State and Boise State.

They met during the bye week two seasons ago, and agreed to work together at the end of the season. After a spring practice he was introduced to the team.

“Many guys are searching for different things, and college is a great time for that,” Riley said. “Some of them had a church at home and are looking for something new. Tom can help bridge the gap. Tom can be a guy they can talk to. He’s a great counselor. His life is about college kids. We are very thankful for him and his church, allowing him to do this.”

Ramsay started building his relationships with the players that spring and summer. He hung around practice, invited people to his church and when players came to Riley he referred them to Ramsay.

A week before last season’s opener the guest speaker for the first game’s chapel couldn’t make it, so the Beavers turned to Ramsay. He’s become the regular for home and away games.

He tries to take what they are learning in football and match it up with the Bible. The goal is to make it interesting, encouraging and something they can use for the rest of their lives.

“The things I’m focusing on in there is giving your best and being a team player,” Ramsay said. “It’s a lot of principles. I give parables of football. There are a lot of relationships within a team, and they have to work out stuff within each other. The Bible is loaded with examples of how to make relationships better, how to perform at your best, have purpose and direction.” READ MORE

Prayer at Ninth Circuit Court [9/23]

2006-08-10T17:38:00.000-07:00

Ninth Circuit Chief Judge Mary M. Schroeder, center, met recently with members of the Advisory Board, a group of veteran attorneys who practice regularly in the federal courts of the western United States. A number of topics were discussed, including ways in which the Advisory Board could provide input to the judicial leadership of the Ninth Circuit regarding various initiatives affecting the courts. The circuit currently has a number of initiatives under way, including task forces and committees studying federal sentencing guidelines, self-represented litigants, jury reform and other issues. See and read much more here
Ninth Circuit Chief Judge Mary M. Schroeder, center, met recently with members of the Advisory Board, a group of veteran attorneys who practice regularly in the federal courts of the western United States. A number of topics were discussed, including ways in which the Advisory Board could provide input to the judicial leadership of the Ninth Circuit regarding various initiatives affecting the courts. The circuit currently has a number of initiatives under way, including task forces and committees studying federal sentencing guidelines, self-represented litigants, jury reform and other issues. See and read much more here

Prayer at Ninth Circuit Federal Court
September 23, 2006 -
12 noon -
95 Seventh Street -
San Francisco, CA 94119-3939-
9th Circut Court website

Have you seen how God has moved on the heart of governmental prayer teams from nine Western states to come together in San Francisco to stand and pray regarding the Ninth Circuit federal court? This is being organized by a lead Intercessor from Capitol Prayer in Salem, Oregon? There will be an informal prayer gathering meeting at noon in front of the federal court. There may be an informal debriefing after the prayer gathering at the court (TBA).

For those interested in attending there is a weekly Capitol Prayer intercessors prayer time in Salem. They are aware of the SF gathering on 9/23. A pastor-ministry leaders prayer groups has been formed (one in South Salem that meets on Wednesdays at the Gateway Four Square prayer room - Pastor Greg Schaub).

Salem Alliance is planning on building a prayer room in their new facilities along Broadway. God is also breaking out BIG TIME amongst the youth of the city. Nathan Weber of Dynamic Life is lead along with Pastor Stehphen Lewis of Evergreen Pres. For more information contact: Rich Howell at: HowellTalk@aol.com .
Prayer at Ninth Circuit Federal Court
September 23, 2006 -
12 noon -
95 Seventh Street -
San Francisco, CA 94119-3939-
9th Circut Court website

Have you seen how God has moved on the heart of governmental prayer teams from nine Western states to come together in San Francisco to stand and pray regarding the Ninth Circuit federal court? This is being organized by a lead Intercessor from Capitol Prayer in Salem, Oregon? There will be an informal prayer gathering meeting at noon in front of the federal court. There may be an informal debriefing after the prayer gathering at the court (TBA).

For those interested in attending there is a weekly Capitol Prayer intercessors prayer time in Salem. They are aware of the SF gathering on 9/23. A pastor-ministry leaders prayer groups has been formed (one in South Salem that meets on Wednesdays at the Gateway Four Square prayer room - Pastor Greg Schaub).

Salem Alliance is planning on building a prayer room in their new facilities along Broadway. God is also breaking out BIG TIME amongst the youth of the city. Nathan Weber of Dynamic Life is lead along with Pastor Stehphen Lewis of Evergreen Pres. For more information contact: Rich Howell at: HowellTalk@aol.com .

Welcome to CORVALLIS CONNECTIONS

2006-07-06T16:59:00.000-07:00