PHOTOS COURTESY OF KODY LINDGREN

The green goat opportunity

LOCAL NEWS 2

News 3

NEWS 4

FEATURES 5

Opinion 6

Sports 7

Calendar 8

Issue Three Friday, April 13, 2012 thevictoryvoice.wordpress.com

Lions are ready to play

ball!

Page 7

Viral Gospel 2012 Page 3

voice.

See “Art” on page 4

From the courtroom to the field

Page 5

Inside

See “Haiti” on page 2

The experience of a lifetime

thevictory

By Kody Lindgren Contributing Reporter

The greatest thing that you realize about Haiti is the importance of people. The cities are bustling with people; even more so than in the United States. Thou-sands upon thousands of people were just on the streets, and because you stick out like a sore thumb, people are constantly running to sell stuff to the “rich Ameri-cans.” Then, here you are with your dis-posable camera and matching t-shirts and reality smacks you in the face. “Here are

people in which I no way can relate to. They have a different culture, lifestyle, government, language and appearance.” The first night as we went back to the mission complex to sleep, we were excited for what was about to happen dur-ing the next week. Yet, we knew that a few photos and news articles had not pre-pared us middle-class Americans for what awaited us in the poorest country in the western hemisphere.

From playing base-ball at the U.S. Steelyard to doing mission work in Hai-ti, Victory Christian Acade-my (VCA) has always pro-vided interesting activities

for its students. Recently, a new opportunity opened up for the artistically in-clined.

Thanks to art teacher Deanna Abner, students have been able to

CONTENTS

Junior Kody Lindgren reaches out to a young child.

Members from the VCA missions team and two Haitian teenagers show off their

muscular strength.

VCA art teacher Mrs. Abner

PHOTO BY MACKENZIE JONES

By Ellen Cooper Staff Reporter

Continued from page 1

thevictoryvoice

As we began each day, we were all stunned by the beauty of Haiti. Our complex was right on the coast and its beauty was comparable to something out of a classic “paradise” photograph. Just taking a group of Haitian kids to the beach for a day, was a treat for them. We drank from coconuts, sat in the shade of a tall palm tree and felt the cool ocean breeze. It all looked just like paradise. Each day we would go out and do a small service project such as going to a feeding center or a moun-tain church. But the highlight of each day was spending time with the kids from the orphanage. We played soc-cer, Frisbee, badminton, softball; danced, hid Easter egg, sang songs and had a spa day for the girls. Mostly, we just enjoyed being fellow teenagers with them. Some of the older boys knew English so we were

able to communicate a bit with them but when the language barrier got in the way, we laughed instead. Every-day was an amazing and unique expe-rience. We got to know each of them and became friends. The last night before we left, we had a Haitian barbecue. We or-dered BBQ chicken, set up chairs from the church and a large speaker for playing music. When nightfall came we decorated the place to look like a party and ate all of our food. When one of our adult lead-ers offered to dance with the leader of the girls orphanage home, we cranked out island music and everyone began to dance; American and Haitians alike. We talked to one of the leaders and they said this was probably the best night of the kids’ life. On this special night, they were in Jacmel. They enjoyed the evening and seemed to forget that they were orphans; they were chil-

dren of God dearly, loved and blessed. It was one of the hardest things to leave them that night. We probably took half an hour saying our goodbyes, mostly through hugs and tears rather than words (which can’t always be un-derstood). Coming back, I found my-self much more open to people, taken by the fact that I can com-municate with them. Haiti changed my life, because I don't see skin color anymore; I see peo-ple, just like me, individually and wonderfully created by God.

Haiti

Senior Madeline Parker talks to Haitian children. VCA missions director Laura Lindgren and a Haitian child

The VCA missions team on top of Pastor Jean Claude’s house.

The VCA missions teams prays be-

fore a meal.

page2

Juniors Miranda Drakos, Nikki Geer and a Haitian teenager

Junior Nikki Geer and a Haitian teenager

STUDENTS AIM TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL thevictoryvoice page3

By Samantha Weiler Managing Editor

It began when Lily Glennon shot her hand up and answered a rhe-torical question in her fourth hour Bible class. Having just shown Koney 2012, teacher, Mr. Andrew Jones, asked a single question: “If people get this excited over something pretty small, why don’t people get this ex-cited about the Gospel?”

Glennon took it literally and asked, “Well, why?” And in that moment, Jones realized there was not a sufficient an-swer. He invited students who were interested to stick around for lunch and talk about, as he put it, “finding practical ways that we can be objec-tive and intentional about sharing the Gospel.” Instead of “jumping on the bandwagon” of the social-justice-cause-of-the-month, “we actually have a purpose,” said Jones, “sharing the most essential message of history.” Glennon added, "Why should Koney (an evil man) get more publicity than something that’s been going on since the beginning of time?” These teens discussed everything from videos to

posters, using what was so successful about the Koney video—the power of social media— to come up with ways that they could spread the Gospel most effectively. One teenager in attendance was junior Kody Lindgren. He, along with a “solid group of guys” (Daniel Ronjak, Jordan Armstrong, Jon Walker and Colin Wilson) have now, nearly a month later, set up definite plans for making this “viral gospel” a reality.

“We were initially inspired by Mr. Jones with the idea for a vid-eo,” Lindgren said, “and we decided that we needed to live out our faith practically.” But, before they set to work on a video rallying other churches to their cause, Lindgren pointed out, “our starting point right now is to do God's will.” That is their first goal: glorify God.

“Instead of the basis that we want to make a film about sharing the gospel,” Lindgren said, “we want to get footage of us sharing with people. We feel the call to spread the Gospel to our neighbors, and it would be cool if a film could come out of that.” The group will begin by “serving the broken,” namely, by beginning rela-tionships with people in a trailer park community. The group plans to see what material needs they can meet, and once they have found ways to personally live out this conviction, “only then do we feel that God's will would be for a film to come out of this, a film calling others to personal action.” Their second goal is to: share the Gospel in a practical way. From there, they see the video as a way they

can fulfill their final goal: equip churches to share the gospel. “When we make our film,” explained Lind-gren, “we want to share it with churches to inspire them to continue reaching out to the local community and helping the hurting people and spreading the gospel.”

Instead of showcasing the needs of the hurting people in their community, Lindgren explained that the film, “will primarily show a kind of model for defining what the Gospel is, how to share it lovingly and with care, not forcefully; how to tap into the local church for resources to help needs, and finally how to help contin-ue to minister to others.” The group, isn’t looking for strong support or a group of people to join them right off the bat. People can join their move-ment along the way, “but we want to have some skin in the project our-selves. This is something that we want to do as men of Christ,” said Lind-gren. “All from a ragtag group of teenagers, we aren't professional evangelists and none of us have minis-try degrees. We’re just guys who love God and want to love others,” said Lindgren. “It’s not a Bible assignment, not a cool youth group idea; it’s a personal conviction that every mem-ber of our group desires to do some-thing about,” said Lindgren.

PHOTO BY SAMANTHA WEILER

(L to R) Walker, Ronjak and Lindgren are all aiming to spread the Gospel.

All from a ragtag group of teen-agers, we aren't professional

evangelists and none of us have ministry degrees. We’re just

guys who love God and want to love others.

- Junior Kody Lindgren

GOAT

EVENTS AND GARDENS ON THE HORIZON

thevictoryvoice page4

Continued from page 1

display their artwork at an up and coming local business, curiously named The Green Goat. The Green Goat, owned by Connie Bowman, sells art and repurposed furniture.

Due to a friendship be-tween Bowman and Abner, VCA students were able to display and sell their artwork at The Green Goat. “She” (Bowman) came to me over Christmas break,” says Abner, “and told me her business ideas and how she wanted to have a bunch of goat art hanging around the space.”

Thus, a new project was born. Students in Abner’s high school art classes were asked to create a 2-dimensional picture of a green goat in their choice of artistic medium. In addition to the honor of having art in a local business, the students get 100 percent selling price of their work.

As a whole, the students greatly enjoyed creating such unique pieces of art. “It was really random,” says junior Ashley Halpin, one of Abner’s art students, “because it’s not every day that you get asked to draw a goat.”

The students partially liked the idea that their art was going to be viewed by the general public, and were enthusiastic about the possibility of making money. Overall, the stu-dents at VCA were very excited with their new opportunity. “It’s pretty awesome knowing something I drew will be hanging in a business for eve-ryone to see,” said Halpin.

By Michelle Parr Staff Reporter

The Victory Christian Acade-my (VCA) student council presented its first ice cream social on Wednesday, March 21. The social was a “sweet suc-cess” for the nearly 45 students that attended.

Junior representative Ellen Cooper was pleased by the turnout. “I was really surprised about the amount of people in attendance; it was really

good for VCA,” said Cooper.

The council provided every-thing to make the ice cream social spe-cial. They had vanilla ice cream, which was sweetened up by a plethora of top-pings such as chocolate syrup, Butterfin-gers, and so much more. The student council hopes to continue these socials as well as start other student activities. They are striving to have a student ac-tivity every month, and are looking for suggestions to “bring the student body together.”

Another one of the latest pro-jects for the council is the victory gar-den. They started this venture in Janu-ary by planning the garden and making all the preparations. The student council wanted something to ‘spice up’ the school, but they thought they needed something that was useful as well. “We want it to be a landmark for the school; we want to give back to VCA,” said senior Sam Brown.

They broke ground on the gar-den in late February and are expected to

finish within the next couple of weeks. They hope to plant many different vege-tables such as green beans, tomatoes, beats and carrots.

The council hopes to sell 50 percent of their vegetables to people in the area, give 25 percent to any student activities that require food and give 25 percent to those in need.

The garden is an entirely stu-dent-led initiative. The money used to start the garden was raised from various student activities. “It has been a great bonding time for everyone who works on the garden. We bond over hard work,” said Brown.

The student council is hoping not to stop at simply bonding time for every person who is growing and selling vegetables, but they also plan to one day take their garden to the next level by opening a café at VCA at some point. “We would love to have somebody come up to us and say, ‘Hey, I’d like a fresh salad with fresh tomatoes,’ and be able to give it to them!” said Brown.

“It was really random, because it’s not every day that you get asked to draw a goat.”

-Junior Ashley Halpin

PHOTO BY MATTHEW STEFANSKI The victory garden is project-ed d to be finished by the end

of the school year.

OUT OF THE COURTROOM AND ONTO THE FIELD

Features thevictoryvoice page5

By Matthew Stefanski Editor-in-Chief

Personal injury attorney by day, baseball coach by night. This isn’t a mixture of “Law and Order” and “The Bad News Bears,” but the typical life of Victory Christian Academy (VCA) head baseball coach Ryan Bratcher. Bratcher originally went to Vincennes University to pursue a de-gree in Law Enforcement, but changed his major because of a high-profile tel-evision trial. “I decided I would much ra-ther do that kind of work that work odd hours as a police officer. They were televising the OJ Simpson trial which peaked my interest in law,” said Bratcher. Over a decade later, Bratcher and fellow lawyer Kevin Vander-ground founded law firm, Bratcher and Vanderground, P.C. Bratcher and Vanderground generally focus on per-sonal injury and auto accident cases.

Bratcher was also admitted to practice in all Indiana courts as well as the Northern and Southern District courts in Indiana. Bratcher also be-came a part-time prosecutor in Starke County. Among all achievements in his law career, Bratcher is most proud of becoming a member of the Indiana State Bar Association. In the fall of 2010, Bratcher began a job that has given him a chance to relive his past. He was made head baseball coach at VCA. “Baseball was a huge part of my childhood. Anytime my friends and I got together, we had to either play or watch baseball,” said Bratcher. He takes the game of baseball seriously and expects the most out of his players. “When it comes to the game of baseball stressing the im-portance of fundamentals and doing things the right way helps out the play-ers. I expect a lot out of my players, but I think my level of expectation for them is attainable,” said Bratcher.

Bratcher also tries to influence his players’ actions off of the field. “I think mentoring is done more through example than words,” said Bratcher.

A relationship with each play-er is important in Bratcher’s eyes. “ It’s good to develop a relationship with these guys. When I’m here dur-ing the day. The guys always make an effort to come up to me. They are a good group of guys to be around and they are the ones that make it the most fun. Bratcher takes pride in his roles as attorney and baseball coach.

But one of his top priorities is his fami-ly. Bratcher is married to his wife Ja-mie and they have three children: Caleb, Maisy and Claire.

Faith also plays a significant role in Bratcher’s daily life. “In today’s culture, it is so common to make faith a Sunday only thing; in reality its an every day and every decision thing,” said Bratcher.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BRATCHER AND VANDERGROUND

PHOTO COURTESY OF VCA ATHLETICS

Personal Injury attorney and head baseball coach

Ryan Bratcher

“I think mentoring is done more through

example than words.”

-Attorney and head baseball coach Ryan Bratcher

Bratcher talks to his team before the season opener against Luther East.

your THE ATLAS OF VALUE

The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the writer and in no way shape or form reflect the image or mission of Victory Christian Academy.

thevictoryvoice page6

voice entertained be

Sudoku.

Expand Your Knowledge

Did you know that Mr. Mullins played basketball at

Clearwater Christian College?

Did you know that Mrs. Crain lived in Haiti for a year?

Did you know that Mr. A Jones proposed

to his wife in a series of seven letters?

By Samuel Brown News Editor

In Greek mythology the titan Atlas is responsible for carrying the heavens on the back of his shoulders. C.S. Lewis suggests likewise in his lecture “The Way” that man must hold high all incarnations of the Tao (the idea that there is one uni-versal code regarding morality, the conception of the Way the universe goes, the Road, the reality beyond all predicates that man attempts to adhere to) in direct relation to values. “If it is rejected, all value is rejected. If any value is retained it is re-tained” (Lewis, 12). Man in conjunction of holding high the Tao must also hold all values in equal exhortation. The testimony of a Christian is evident by a fidelity to all values rooted in the precepts of Biblical doctrine. This non-discriminatory practice is proclaimed constantly throughout the Bible. “…pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, pa-tience, gentleness” (1Timothy 6:11b). A Christian who acts this way is a direct contradiction to the selection the secular world utilizes in assimilating values. The pivotal difference between both these parties is perception of value. A Christian sees true value and tries to live by it through the Holy Spirit. A secularist pursues the val-ue that is either most beneficial to him or society. This is demonstrated by the actions a person performs. A resolute Christian puts any issue or dilemma through the filter of all biblical values because he is recommended to. A secularist has no such mandate, thus leading him to acknowledge the “value” most profitable. In the same manner, as Atlas holds the cos-mos on his shoulders, a Christian must hold all biblical values upon his. This may appear as a burden to a non-believer who bears only the value required in circumstance. Though he may appear burdened, it is quite the contrary. The Christian con-siders the task a privilege bestowed upon him to carry out that consequentially his God may receive glory and adoration. Christians must remain fixed on holding all Biblical values high and they must not adhere to the discriminatory practice the world pursues. All values must be held high in same way that Atlas holds the heavens.

9 5 2

4 1 6

2 3 9

8 2

7 4

3 5

7 2 3

6 4 7

1 9 6

sports notes The VCA softball team and baseball team play at IHSAA-opponent

Covenant Christian School on Tuesday April 17 at 4:30 p.m.

The VCA baseball team faces West Side High School at Railcats Stadium at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 21.

thevictoryvoice page7

sports The Victory Voice is the official student-produced news publication of Victory Christian Academy. The mission of The Victory Voice is to report school news to the high school reader in an accurate, truthful manner, to educate the reader on the information pre-sented, and to provide a school forum for open discussion. The opinions expressed in The Victory Voice are solely those of the writer and are not necessarily the opinions of the students, staff and administration of Victory Christian Academy. The Victory Voice is a member of the Indiana High School Press Association. Please visit us online at thevictoryvoice.wordpress.com Contact us: vcavoice@gmail.com

Staff

Editor-in-Chief Matthew Stefanski Managing Editor Sam Weiler News Editor Samuel Brown Copy Editor Logan Garnes Design Editor Lisi Dudash Staff Reporters Ellen Cooper Michelle Parr Photographers Nikki Geer Stephanie Gordon Adviser Mr. A. Jones

thevictoryvoice

THE LIONS ARE READY TO PLAY BALL!

By Matthew Stefanski Editor-in-Chief

Spring is here at last and the crack of the bat can be heard at the Vic-tory Christian Academy (VCA) batting cage. The Lions are getting ready to roar and to let loose on the other teams in the South Shore Christian Confer-ence (SSCC) this season.

With a strong starting lineup consisting of Calvin Reisigner, Peter Guess, Samuel Brown and Evan Longhi, the Lions will be a challenge for any pitcher. Team captains for the season are Calvin Reisinger and Samuel Brown.

“This team is built from guys who play because they love baseball.

It’s a privilege to play with them and I’m stoked for the rest of the season,” said captain Samuel Brown.

The Lions exude confidence in everything they do, from doing drills to running laps. The VCA Lions are pre-paring to come out hard this season. “It’s about winning, not for us, but for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” com-mented Brown.

The Lions Head Coach Ryan Bratcher is confident his Lions will get the job done. “This is a team of solid guys that love baseball and will get the job done,” stated Bratcher.

Pitcher senior Evan Longhi with captain Samuel Brown behind the plate, Jon Walker at third, Calvin Reisigner at shortstop, Evan Wilson at second, and Peter guess at first, com-prise the infield. Outfielders Josh Smith, Mack Price and Colin Wilson will start in left, center and right fields, respectively.

The VCA Lions are waiting for another chance to show what they’re made of. The SSCC beware, the Lions are here!

PHOTO COURTESY OF VCA ATHLETICS

Freshman Cade Weiler waits to hit the ball at the season opener against

Luther East.

April 2012

We want to hear from you! The Victory Voice is accepting Letters to the Editor.

Please send all letters to the editor to vcavoice@gmail.com If you send a letter, there is no guarantee that it will be published.

“Like” The Victory Voice thevictoryvoice.wordpress.com

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 School

resumes from spring break

3 BB@HAST -

4:30pm SBvs. HAST-4:30pm

4 Lord of Your

Mind Men’s Bible Study-7:00am

5BB@ LEHS-

4:30pm

SB@ Gary West Side –4:30pm

6 Good Friday

NO SCHOOL

7

8 Easter

9 10 Missions

Team - 1:45pm SB@ Kouts JV-4:00pm BB@LEHS-4:30pm

11 Lord of Your

Mind Men’s Bible Study-7:00am

Awards Chapel @ 8:05am

12 BB@ Ham-

mond Baptist-4:30pm

13 Fun Fair @

South Campus-5:00pm

14 BBvs.PCS

SB@Bowman-10:00am

15 16 SAT Testing

17 SAT Testing

Archery Club BB@CCHS– 4:30pm SB@CCHS-4:30pm

18 Lord of Your

Mind Men’s Bible Study-7:00am

19 SAT Testing 20SAT Testing

1-8 grade 21BB@Railcats

Stadium vs. West Side Gary—1:00pm SB@KTA-10:00am

22 23 Staff

Appreciation Week

24 Archery Club BB@GBS-4:30pm SBvs. South Cen-tral-4:30pm

25 Lord of Your

Mind Men’s Bible Study-7:00am

26 27 Staff Lunch-

eon 28 BB@

Bowman-10:00am SB@ LaCrosse

29 30

BB=Baseball, SB=Softball

page8 thevictoryvoice