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Development . Likewise , he has expertise in solar electric and thermal heating and cooling systems specifications and planning .
On the mission field , Minott ’ s professional training complements his spiritual ambitions . In developing nations , such an approach is common for pastors who need to help support themselves , given limited resources .
While students at top-tier universities are encouraged to make the most of their educational training , Minott said they should take a broader , more kingdom-oriented view . “ Giving yourself to world missions really is a very reasonable option for Ivy League students ,” said Minott , who accepted Christ as his personal savior at age 9 .
“ When I was 17 and went off to college , nowhere in my thinking was anyone who encouraged me to do missions ,” he recalled . “ Why shouldn ’ t the best and the brightest sacrifice and go off to the missionary field ?”
Since 2002 , Minott has been involved with about two dozen missionary trips to the Dominican Republic , plus a few to Jamaica and one to Haiti . “ It ’ s the highlight of my year ,” said Minott , who ventures to the Dominican Republic every July .
Likewise , Minott said business-savvy individuals can help congregants in these countries try out their entrepreneurial skills , in part to help support church operations . “ Money needs to multiply ,” said Minott . “ I would rather give to a microbusiness that becomes self-sustaining . In the future , I would not have to give again . I could give to another .”
For example , Minott has watched the success of some individuals who started raising pigs in the Dominican Republic . Female pigs generally produce litters three times a year , providing
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a steady stream of supplemental income . “ Pigs are really productive ,” he said .
Whether pulling from agricultural training or other specialties , students can take their “ expertise from Cornell and help a pastor in enterprise ,” said Minott , who attended Bethel Grove Bible Church as a student at Cornell .
As well , some professionals can use their credentials to gain access to countries with strict admittance requirements . That creates strategic opportunities to spread Christ ’ s plan of redemption across nations .
“ Business majors need to think about supporting the expansion of the Gospel in places where it is not ,” Minott said . “ That ’ s an entry . That ’ s Christian boots on the ground .”
Along those lines , those who pour their professional energies into careers in the United States can help finance foreign missionary service . At the same time , as Christians enter the workforce , they should be mindful of higher purposes .
“ We are stewards of the time and life that has been given to us . We are there to be salt and light . Everything we do belongs to Him ,” Minott said . “ Do coworkers know you are actually a Christian ?”
For Minott , passion for missionary service remains paramount and reflects his admiration of God ’ s plan to redeem mankind . “ My heart is fully engaged ,” he said . “ The Holy Spirit changes lives .”
Plus , “ my richest and deepest relationships are with people whom I met through missions work . It ’ s also a lot of fun . It really is such an adventure .” | cu
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c o r n e l l n e w s - i n - b r i e f
Christian-Muslim Dialogue
This fall , the Cornell International Christian Fellowship ( CICF ) hosted a Christian-Muslim dialogue on campus . Prior to the event , CICF offered training sessions that included prayer for the event and teaching about the beliefs of the Muslim faith . The Christian-Muslim dialogue was open to the Cornell community and held at Anabel Taylor Hall .
CICF is a student-led , culturally diverse community of students . For more than 20 years , the organization has included members from nearly 100 countries and members of the Ithaca , New York community .
A Worship Workshop
Cornell Worship Workshop hosted New Song , an evening of alternative expressions , on November 20 . The event was held in the Carriage House Café , a charming , restored , two-story carriage house with a full-service restaurant and events hall . The gathering featured the Ruach String Ensemble , jazz worship , soaking music for refreshing , as well as combinations of electronic music , rap , poetry , and original compositions .
Joe Salzano , a jazz saxophone / woodwinds instructor in Cornell ’ s music department , leads the Worship Workshop to train believers in musical expressions of adoration . He noted New Song featured an impressive range of talent .
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