Decade of the 1980's

Marc Downing '81

Marc Downing, class of '81 went from ECS to Furman University  graduating in '85 with a degree in Chemistry.  He continued his education at the University of South Florida, earning his MD in '90.  He completed  his study of General Surgery at University of Toledo in '98 and specialized in Pediatric Surgery at Ohio State, finishing in 2001. Since then, he has been practicing at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, MI.

Marc gives thanks and praise to the Lord for all that he has done in his life. An active member of his church. He is also “giving back” with medical ministry trips to  Liberia, West Africa and Tansen, Nepal.

Marc and his wife, Cindy, have two teenage children, Maggie and Austin. You can reconnect with Marc at downingm@bronsonhg.org

 Curt and Kelly Sanders '84

The Sanders  family is unique in that it boasts four ECS alumni.  Curt and the former Kelly Lynch, both members of the class of 1984 have had their two oldest daughters, Brooke (' 02) and Courtney ('08) join the ranks of alumni. Curt and Kelly invite their friends to reconnect at SandFam5@comcast.com.

Jeff and Lanise Clark Walters '84

ECS high-school sweethearts, Jeff and Lanise married in 1991.  They lived in Atlanta for 12 years where both  children were born - Sydney, 10/07/97 and Ty, 12/8/00. After the birth of Ty, they decided it was time to get out of the big city. They chose Asheville, NC, since there was family near by. They have now made Western North Carolina their home for the past five years and can't imagine living anywhere else. Asheville is filled with artists of every kind and it was there that Lanise felt a call to her inner creativity.  She spent lots of time painting and gardening. She soon decided to start selling some of her creations at a local retail shop in town where she opened up a small booth. She now has outlets throughout the south in several states and many cities. Twisted wire crosses have become her trade mark and most popular item.  All of her products  are scripture based and inspirational in nature. You can view a sample of her creative designs at www.Lagniappedesigns.net or contact Lanise at agniappedesigns@hotmail.com
Jeff describes himself as a business man who has to travel more he likes.

Kirby and Russ DeLozier '84

After graduation, Russ went to Georgia Tech to study Chemical Engineering, while Kirby remained in Ft. Myers and studied business. They married in April of 1988. They presently live in Dalton, GA. 
Russ works as a manager for a company that specializes in Post Consumer Carpet Reclamation.  Kirby keeps busy caring for their three beautiful children: April, 4/7/93, Bryce, 10/9/96 and Brett, 2/3/200.  Seen above at their 25th reunion, Russ and Kirby invite all of their old friends from school to contact them at  kldelozier@windstream.net  and rdelozier@windstream.net
 

Dr. Calvin ('84) and Krista (Erickson '86) Eshbaugh

 
“We can look back on our lives and see God's hand in so many ways. God definitely used ECS to grow each of us spiritually and academically, but we are most grateful that God used ECS as a tool to help us find the blessing of a Godly spouse. Calvin went off to Duke University in North Carolina for college and then did his medical school training at the University of Miami. I went to Stetson University in Deland, FL and majored in Music Education. I then went on to the University of Miami School of Music and earned my Master's Degree in Music Ed. We were married in 1992. I taught public school music in Miami while Calvin finished Medical School. God then opened doors for Calvin to do his Ophthalmology Residency Training with Texas A&M at Scott and White Hospital in Temple, Texas. During that time, God blessed our family with three boys: Andrew (now 11), Daniel (now 9), and Christopher (now 6). After completing his fellowship at Cleveland Clinic, Calvin was offered a staff position at Scott and White Hospital. He has just been honored with the title of Vice Chairman of the Dept. of Ophthalmology: Director- Division of Refractive Surgery at the Scott & White Institure. I have had the joy of being a stay at home mom and even took the 2006-07 school year to home school the boys. I have been employed with the Conservatory at University of Mary Hardin Baylor since 2000 where I am the director of the Preparatory Children's choir. I am active in the music and children's ministries at church. We are striving to pass on to our boys the great lessons we learned at ECS. The weekly memory verses were difficult back then, but now we're so glad that those words were implanted in our hearts. The picture above was taken in April 2007 in a field of Texas bluebonnets.”

Mark Gerl ('87) and Family

After graduating from ECS in 1987, Mark went to Toccoa Falls College in Georgia. He graduated in 1993 with a degree in Youth Ministries. He worked for the college in the Financial Aid department while waiting for his future wife, Debbie, to graduate. They were married in Toccoa in 1994. Mark is the Network Administrator at The Galloway School, a private school in Atlanta.
 
Mark and Debbie have two sons, Nathan Allen, (12/02/97) and Daniel Paul, (6/04/04). They live in Woodstock, GA where they are active in the Woodstock CMA church, unique in that it has four distinct congregations which share the same facilities. Each Sunday, the gospel is preached in English, Russian, Spanish and Portuguese.
 
When asked what was his favorite memory of ECS, Mark replied it had to be Drama Class, skits for chapel and of course, “The Three Amigos.”

Dr. Philip Goff ('82)

Dr. Philip Goff earned his B.A. in Religion at Nyack College in 1986, graduating cum laude. He went on to earn a M.A. in 1988 in Religious Studies from the University of Kansas, graduating summa cum laude. Philip was awarded his PhD. in 1993 from North Carolina, Chapel Hill, again in Religious Studies.
    Philip is currently a professor of Religious Studies and the Director of the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture at Indiana University. Dr. Goff has been honored with various awards including:
Who’s Who Among Teachers 2000-02, 2004-05, 2005-6;
Who’s Who in America 2000-02;
Who’s Who in the World 1999-01;
Outstanding People of the Twentieth Century 2000;
2000 Outstanding Intellectuals of the 20th Century 2000.
    Dr. Goff has nearly one hundred articles, book chapters, reviews and academic papers published. He is a coeditor of Themes in American Religion and Culture, University of North Carolina Press. He has coauthored two books with Paul Harvey on religion in America as well as several others on various religious themes. Forthcoming books include: The Soul of John Adams, By Radio Every Sunday and the Rise of Modern Evangelicalism.

Timothy and Lisa Tomlison ('87) Flay, Jr.

 
After graduation, Lisa went to Edison Community College earning her A. A. Degree in Theatre in 1989. She went from there to Florida Atlantic University earning a B.F.A. in Acting and Directing. She married Timothy Flay Jr. in 1992, whom she met in the Theatre department of F. A.U. She graduated from Florida Atlantic in 1995 with a M. Ed in Elementary Education. She taught a few years in a public elementary school as a general classroom teacher, then had her son Timmy in 1999. She was able to stay at home for two years then went back to teaching until her daughter, Lindsey was born in 2003. She began teaching at Calvary Christian Academy in the fall of 2004. This is her 4th year as the middle school and high school drama teacher. Incidentally, her husband, Tim, is her boss as he is the Director of Fine Arts at C. C. A. She is ecstatic that all she teaches is Drama. The school is nearing completion on a new 700 seat state of the art theater.
 
Lisa wrote, “ God is so faithful and it is so true that if we 'delight ourselves in the Lord, he will give us the desires of our heart.' I remember when I first went back to school to get my teaching degree all I wanted to do was to teach drama in a Christian school, and here I am doing it.”

Brian Hawkins ('86) and Family

After graduation from ECS in 1986, Brian went to Palm Beach Atlantic College and graduated in '90 with a BS in Psychology. He met his wife Julie while a student there. They were married in '91 and now have three children, Brett, 15, Amanda, 13 and Drew, 9.

Following graduation from PBA, he entered the US Army as a paratrooper and Intelligence Analyst.  His primary stations were Ft. Bragg and the Republic of Panama.  He served almost six years and received a Master's in Psychology from the University of Oklahoma while in the service.

About that time, God, through a series of events, turned his life in a direction that he would never have expected and he found himself in a work that He can't escape even if he wanted to.  He started working with the Florida Baptist Children's Home straight from the  military.  In 1990 he left  Florida Children's and went to the Georgia Children and Family Services as the Area Director/Administrator for south Georgia.  He continues to serve there to this date.  In 2003 he completed a Doctorate in Child and Youth Studies through Nova Southeastern University.  He has done a little adjunct teaching  with a few colleges along the way as well.

To say that his family are active members of the community of Baxley, GA is a gross under-statement . He and wife, Julie, are both Sunday School teachers at the First Baptist Church and  serve on various committees. Julie sings in the ensemble and Brian is an active deacon.  He volunteers at a local prison every Sunday morning providing worship and counseling opportunities.  He and Julie also serve on the boards for United Way, Boys and Girls Club and House of Care Health Services. Brian coaches recreational league soccer. Julie is a licensed social worker and is the Board of Education social worker for their county.  She  also works as a therapist for a local Christian counseling agency.

Their busy family has found their life's work, their place of service and their passion in Baxley. Brian thanks ECS and the teachers here for filling in the gaps that the public school system had left in his education. His ECS family wishes him well and hopes he gets back to visit us real soon.

Cris ('88) and Barb (Dawson) ('89) Hart

and daughters, Courtney and  Kate

The Hart Family is alive and well in St. Marys, GA. Since Chris' graduation in 1988 and  Barb's in 1989, they have been busy with      all the good things and life experiences that the world has to offer.  They ran into each other at the Edison Mall in 1990 while Chris was home on leave from the U. S. Navy. After that, they were all but inseparable - when Uncle Sam permitted. They were married in 1994 while Chris was stationed at Kingsbay Naval Submarine Base, where he was serving aboard the USS Tennessee, a Trident Submarine. 

They had their first child , Katie, in 1996 and were soon blessed with another girl,  Courtney the day after Christmas in 1998. Barb was blessed to be a stay at home mom while Chris spent many months aboard ship deployed around the world.  In 2002, Barb had the opportunity to fulfill a childhood dream and opened her own art studio.

When Chris made Chief Petty Officer, he was assigned duty on the USS Louisiana and transferred to Bangor Submarine Base in Washington State. During that time, Barb was able to go back to college and continue her education. From there, the young family   was able to       travel and got to see a number of places like Mount Rushmore, the Grand Canyon, the Redwoods, British Columbia and Hawaii.

During that time Chris worked diligently to get transfered back to the East Coast and Kingsbay. In June of 2007 they moved right back into their old house that they had rented while they were away.  Chris is now permanently on shore duty and never has to worry about leaving for another long patrol.

Chris plans to retirement in 2010 when he has completed  22 years of service to his country. Chris and Barb recently hosted the twenty year reunion of the class of 1988.  They  would love to hear from any of their old classmates. Contact the Harts at  hart110@comcast.net

Krista Portman ('88) Ferguson and Family

After ECS, I attended Oral Roberts University and where I earned a degree in Music Education.  I also met my husband there on a blind date and told my friends that night that I was going to marry him.  We lived in Reno, Nevada as newlyweds where I taught K-6 music and Marc was a youth pastor.  We had Hannah there and then moved to Ohio when she was 8 weeks old.  (We didn't want Hannah to grow up without knowing her grandparents, so we came to this side of the country.)  We currently attend a Nazarene church and are helping with a new church plant.  I sing in the worship band and feel young and hip doing that!  My four kids and I have sung in church together a few times.  One of my favorite sounds in the world is hearing them sing.  I am gearing up to begin homeschooling our crew starting in the fall and am very excited about that.  The things I do for me: work out with my neighbor every morning at 5:30 and scrapbook any chance I can get. 

Thanks Krista

kristathequeen@yahoo.com

Scott Benedict '88, and Family,

Stephanie, Zack and Ally

After graduating in 1988,  Scott went to Baptist Bible College in Clark's Summit, PA  and graduated with a B. S. in Youth Ministries in 1992.  In July of that same year he married Stephanie.  From 1994 to 2005 he served as a Youth Pastor in several cities in PA. During this time, their children, Zack, (1995) and Ally, (1997) were born. While in Tunkhannock, PA in 2005, he became a Behavioral Counselor in the school system.  He is currently working on his Master Degree. In June 2005, Scott's wife and children were in a terrible car accident. All had to be life-flighted to a trauma hospital. Scott says only God's grace and healing power brought ahem all through this challenge.

Following his high school love, Scott continues to work with the youth soccer league, evidently passing his talent on to his son who last year was one of just 100 students under 12 to make the first cut for Pennsylvania's Olympic Development Program. He didn't make the final cut but as his coach/dad reminds us, “There is always next year.”  Sister, Ally, also loves soccer but her larger interests lie in art, drama, and music.

The following quotes are from Scott's letter to the school which he wanted to share with all. “My years being a Youth Pastor were incredible.  I saw God do some things I could never imagine in the lives of hundreds of middle and high school students.  But, the most incredible thing that God did was to finally break through my hard heart.  After 4 years as a Youth Pastor, I finally quit being a fake.  One night, when I was a speaker at a high school retreat, God touched my life, opened my eyes and I became a child of God. Never before had I been real and never since, by the grace of God, have I been the same.

Which brings me to an apology. I want to personally apologize to every one of you reading this for how I was in high school.  I know that I was a jerk, a bully, a fool, insecure, stupid, attention-seeking and ridiculously sarcastic. I really wish I could personally say it to each of you, but I'm sorry. Please forgive me for being a total jerk. Thanks.” 

Mary Kay Donovan ('84) Wallace and Family

After graduating from ECS, Mary Kay attended Florida State University where she earned a BS in Exercise Science. She met and married husband Marc Wallace and they had children Hannah, Luke and Matthew. The family presently live in Ft. Myers  where Mary Kay divides her time between being a home-schooling mom and a personal fitness trainer.

Of all of her teachers at ECS, Mary Kay especially remembers Mrs. Schrecengost and Mrs. Holbrook. She says that “Mrs. Schrec”  taught her never to give up on herself. “She  just wouldn't allow me to quit senior math, even though I wanted to quite often.  Some how we made it through to the end of the year. ” The experience was a lesson Mary K. has drawn on many times since in her life. She says Mrs. Holbrook stood out because she “taught with such enthusiasm”.

Mary Kay would love to hear from any of her former classmates, which include our own  Headmaster, Dr. John Hunte. She may be reached at wallace1114@embarqmail.com .

Jonathan and Becky (DeBoer '89) Woodworth

Becky graduated from ECS in 1989 and headed for Toccoa Falls College in Georgia.  She met Jon (her brother's college room mate) and they married in 1992. She graduated in 1994 with a Middle School Education Degree. She and Jon then started actively pursuing mission opportunities. Their first child, Ellie was born in 1996, followed by Hannah in 1998, Kayla in 2001, David in 2003 and Luke in 2006.

In 1997, the young family went to The Masters Missions school in North Carolina and spent a year in training both biblically and practically for  long term remote mission work.  They have been serving with the Africa Inland Church in Kenya since 1999.  Jon preaches, teaches Sunday school, and men's Bible study. He is also in charge of maintenance and construction of their base which houses a children's home, church, hospital and missionary housing. Becky teaches Sunday school, is involved with the women of the church and home schools her children.

The Samburu people that they work with raise cattle, goats and sheep for their livelihood. Many still live quite primitively in mud huts, although they now have cell phone capabilities. Their world is changing! Becky sums up their mission this way: “We are living long term in Kenya, building relationships with the people, sharing the Gospel with anyone who will listen and discipling those who desire to grow in their faith.” 

The Brock Sisters

Amy '80, Julie '81, Kim '82, Kerry '88

This is an unusual  picture for the Sentinel Family Album-a “four for one special”. If you were at ECS just about any time during the '80's you will surely remember one or all of  “the Brock Girls”. Their mother was our front desk angel for several years while the girls were here.  Pictured above is a fairly recent picture of the “fab four”.

Starting bottom left and continuing clockwise:  First is  the youngest, Kerry Brock Gwaltney, who along with her husband, Richard, is a missionary at Dalat International School in Penang, Malaysia. Richard is the Spiritual Life Director of the school and Kerry teaches 9^th and 10^th grade English. She is the chair person of the English Department and coordinates the Elementary Chapels. They have a son, Ben, and daughter, Katie.

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Behind her is Kim Brock Ahlgrim who works at Cedarville Christian College helping students with all the problems that college life brings. Kim and husband, Tom, have two children, Brianna and Blake. They also enjoy living near Kathlyn, the girls' mother, who works two days a week at the college as well. Their father, Denny, passed away in 2003. 

Amy Brock Roedding. who married ECS alumnus, Gary Roedding, is next. They have spent close to twenty years as house parents and teachers at a missionary school in Quito, Ecuador. They are presently serving as “Missionaries in Residence” at Toccoa Falls Christian College in NE Georgia. Their oldest daughter, Kora is married to Mark Taube. They live in Wheaton, IL where they minister at a local church while they prepare to go to South America as missionaries in a couple of years. Daughter Kaylyn is a sophomore at  TFC, while Kassi has just left for England where she will spend a semester studying at Oxford.

 The pretty blond on the far right is Julie Brock Bales. She and her family live in the Cleveland area where her husband, Joel,  is serving in his first pastorate at a small CMA church. Julie teaches art three days a week at a small Christian School. They have two sons, Brock and Luke and a daughter, Anna.

The girls are certainly a testimony to their parents dedication to Christian education and service. After graduating from ECS, all went to Toccoa Falls Christian College.   All of the girls are engaged in Christian service to their community in diverse ways, Christian Schools, local church ministry and  the missionary field. Already several of the third generation are  headed in that same direction.

Mom, Kathlyn is shown below with her ten grandchildren