MBU Hosts Business Community Breakfast
On August 14, 2018, MBU hosted a free breakfast for the local business community of Watertown, WI. Maranatha is thankful for the wonderful relationships with the local Watertown businesses. The breakfast served the purpose of providing community members with an overview of what Maranatha is doing and what opportunities are available to the community. Dr. Matt Davis, Executive Vice President of Maranatha, opened the presentation by thanking the attendees and then introducing the speakers.
Dr. Davis turned the podium over to Janet Tschida, director of Maranatha’s Music Preparatory School. She highlighted the two community programs that are offered here at Maranatha—the Music Preparatory School and Kiddie Kampus.
Kiddie Kampus has been rated as a five star daycare provider by YoungStar. It cares for about 90 children in the Watertown community. Miss Tschida explained that parents describe Kiddie Kampus as “a home away from home.” Currently, they have a waiting list of more than 40 children. Tschida also noted that Kiddie Kampus is focused on developing the ‘whole child’—physically, intellectually, emotionally, socially, and artistically. Parents appreciate the Christian values that are taught, like respecting others and doing what is right when no one is paying attention.
Tschida went on to discuss Maranatha’s Music Preparatory School, which currently has over 150 students. She eagerly addressed the ‘myths’ of the program, the first being that the school only offers piano lessons, to which she stated, “we offer lessons in piano, strings, brass, winds, and voice.” Another myth is that the Music Preparatory School only offers private lessons. Maranatha’s Music Prep School offers everything from private lessons, group lessons, six levels of theory classes, performance classes, and lessons for all ages, explained Tschida.
Up next at the podium was Dr. David Ledgerwood, the Chair of the Music Department. He noted that each year, a surprisingly high amount of Maranatha’s resident students are involved in the choirs, bands, and dramatic presentation opportunities offered at Maranatha. Dr. Ledgerwood announced that this year, Maranatha is partaking in the Watertown concert series by holding a Christmas concert on December 8th at Calvary Baptist Church in Watertown.
Following Dr. Ledgerwood came Mark Herbster, Maranatha’s new Dean of College of Bible and Church Ministries and Maranatha Baptist Seminary. In addition, he will serve as the Director of Student Discipleship. Prior to joining Maranatha, Herbster and his family traveled across the U.S. in full time evangelism.
Herbster shared his excitement in coming to Watertown to train ministers and fulfill the role of Director of Student Discipleship. “The passion of my heart is that we would launch out of Watertown, WI…young people who are solid Christians in every walk of life, and that they would be good businessmen, great nurses and doctors, lawyers, professionals, carpenters, and ministers who are training for church ministry,” said Herbster.
Dr. Marriot, president of Maranatha, concluded the breakfast by sharing some university achievements, his own background and personal testimony, and the purpose and vision of Maranatha Baptist University. “We know that God put us here not just to reach the world, but God put us here to have a friendship, a fellowship, and a ministry emphasis with our community, and we’re doing everything we can to do that,” said Marriot. “Our desire is to be what God would have us to be in this place, and we are here for the Praise of His Glory.”
To watch the recording of this presentation, go here.