Class project, ‘Anabaptists: Called to Serve’ documentary, receives special merit award

GOSHEN, Ind. – A 20-minute documentary, “Anabaptists: Called to Serve,” produced by the Goshen College Electronic Media Production III class during May 2005, won a special merit award Oct. 14 at the Programs for the Theological Exploration of Vocation (PTEV) National Student Film Competition, sponsored by the religion division of Lilly Endowment Inc. in Indianapolis.

The contest was part of a student conference for 88 colleges and universities that have grants funding Programs for the Theological Exploration of Vocation. Goshen College, Eastern Mennonite University and Bluffton University all have PTEV grants and brought groups of students to the conference.

“Anabaptists: Called to Serve” explores historical and current understandings of vocation among Anabaptists and Mennonites. Both scholars and lay folks offer their reflections on the concept of calling or vocation. Special attention is given to business and government involvement, as they have traditionally been more controversial professions. Persons interviewed include Professor of History John D. Roth, Professor of Bible and Religion Keith Graber Miller, CALL Grant Coordinator Becky Horst, Editor of “The Mennonite” and Goshen City Councilman Everett Thomas, Goshen Mayor Allan Kauffman and President of MEDA Allan Sauder.

Martin Doblemeier, an award-winning documentary maker who specializes in religious topics, was one of the judges of the 18 contest entries. While awarding the special certificate of merit to the Goshen College student documentary, Doblemeier praised the entry as “really quite a wonderful film.”

The production team for the documentary included 2005 graduates Mark Gingerich and David Helmuth and current seniors Alburn Binkley (Bausman, Pa.), Rachel Sprunger (Scottdale, Pa.) and Katrina Dyck (Thomasboro, Ill.). The students were advised by Associate Professor of Communication Ron Johnson and assisted by several other students. Plans for distribution of the documentary on DVD are being finalized.

Editors: For more information about this release, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a four-year residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S.News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu/.