ValorCast is the official podcast of Evangel University, a Christian liberal arts college located in Springfield, Missouri. Through the lens of student, faculty and staff, and alumni stories, ValorCast shares about the ways God is using Evangel to shape the future of Christian higher education.

Visit our website for more: www.evangel.edu.

ValorCast is the official podcast of Evangel University, a Christian liberal arts college located in Springfield, Missouri. Through the lens of student, faculty and staff, and alumni stories, ValorCast shares about the ways God is using Evangel to shape the future of Christian higher education.

Visit our website for more: www.evangel.edu.

ValorCast is the official podcast of Evangel University, a Christian liberal arts college located in Springfield, Missouri. Through the lens of student, faculty and staff, and alumni stories, ValorCast shares about the ways God is using Evangel to shape the future of Christian higher education.

Visit our website for more: www.evangel.edu.

ValorCast is the official podcast of Evangel University, a Christian liberal arts college located in Springfield, Missouri. Through the lens of student, faculty and staff, and alumni stories, ValorCast shares about the ways God is using Evangel to shape the future of Christian higher education.

Visit our website for more: www.evangel.edu.

ValorCast is the official podcast of Evangel University, a Christian liberal arts college located in Springfield, Missouri. Through the lens of student, faculty and staff, and alumni stories, ValorCast shares about the ways God is using Evangel to shape the future of Christian higher education.

Visit our website for more: www.evangel.edu.

In the first episode after our reboot, ValorCast is joined by Cecilia Corbin, Evangel’s Coordinator of Spiritual Life and Discipleship. Cecilia shares about EU’s Spirit-driven culture and the importance of the spiritual walk to every college student.

Visit our website for more: www.evangel.edu.

In 2000, Becky was awarded the E.M. & Estella Clark Award for Excellence in Teaching, Scholarship, and Service.

In 2009, she was awarded the Delta Alpha (Distinguished Educator Award) at General Council by the Alliance for Assemblies of God Higher Education.

During Becky’s time at Evangel, she was active in the International Reading Association and served on many state committees.  In 2012 she was awarded the Celebrate Literacy Award for the state of Missouri.

Becky currently serves as the President of Evangel University Advocates, and is an adjunct faculty member of the Education Dept.

Becky and Duane are members of Evangel Temple Christian Center (Assembly of God)

Chase is the author of The 5 Masculine Instincts. His work draws from history, psychology, literature, and a rich narrative approach to Scripture to help readers think more deeply about faith and life. He has written for Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, Ekstasis, Bible Engagement Project, and Influence Magazine. In addition, he hosts the Pastor Writer Podcast (pastorwriter.com), where he interviews Christian authors on writing and publishing. 

Capel brings a wealth of coaching experience from multiple levels to the Evangel staff, including a total of six seasons spanning two separate stints on Jenkins' bench. Prior to his return to EU in 2019, Capel spent nine seasons at the NCAA Division I level on the coaching staffs at Florida State and Stetson, in addition to one year as an assistant coach at the junior college level with Jacksonville College.

As a player for EU from 2000-04, Capel helped usher in perhaps the most successful periods in program history as part of a banner career that saw the Kentucky native earn All-Heart Conference honors. In all, he scored 1,060 points and grabbed 456 rebounds to help EU claim two regular-season Heart titles. Most notably, he was a member of Evangel's 2002 national championship team that finished 35-1 and was consistently the NAIA's top-ranked squad throughout the season.

Steve McMichael is an ordained minister and Registered Nurse. He served in Africa for eighteen years prior to joining Evangel University in August 2020 as Missionary in Residence. While residing in Africa, he pastored international churches and assisted with pastoral education and developing outreach ministries, including extensive outreaches to migrants and refugees. He is passionate about the local church as Jesus builds and graces it to reach the greater community. Steve is married to Jennifer and they have one daughter, Leah.

Beverly brings a wealth of spiritual, academic, and basketball leadership to Evangel where he becomes the seventh head coach in program history. 

Most recently, he spent the last two seasons as the head coach of 16U and 14U Nike Girls EYBL Team in New York. He also served as an assistant coach for the 17U team where he coached four high major players ranked in the ESPN Top 50. In 2019, Beverly served as an assistant coach at NCAA Division I Hofstra University with the women's basketball team.  

Beverly played collegiately at NCAA Division I Virginia Military Institute where he was one of the top defensive players in the Big South Conference. He played professionally in the inaugural National Professional Basketball League in 2007 for the Hudson Valley Hawks leading them to the NPBL championship where he was the team's leading rebounder. 

Beverly graduated from VMI in 2006 with a degree in computer science and a minor in psychology and math, reaching the ranks of S-6 Lieutenant. 

He and his wife Danielle have three children. 

The heart of everything we do at evangel is equipping our students to transform the world. The specifics of how that happens, however, depend on how and where the Spirit has call each individual to serve. In today's podcast you'll hear from Admiral Vern Clark, whose calling included leading a 120 billion dollar organization with approximately 900,000 employees and contractors in his role as Chief of Naval Operations for the United States Navy. At the time, he was the only person to fill that role who was not a graduate of the Naval Academy. Admiral Clark is an alum of Evangel, and he frequently tells people how he met his wife Connie, also an Evangel graduate, on a speedbump in front of the library on campus. Admiral Clark went on to earn an MBA before embarking on a distinguished career in the Navy. His number one priority as Chief of Naval Operations was to "win the battle for people" which led to the best recruiting and retention rates in naval history. Admiral Clark is a passionate servant of Jesus Christ, whose light has shown in the highest reaches of power in Washington D.C. and around the globe.

This story was shared at a special event led by retired president Dr. Carol Taylor a couple of years ago, and we can't think of a better way to commemorate this 20 year anniversary of 9/11 than sharing it with you.

Among his many great achievements, and highly significant for the athletic program, Dr. Spence developed the idea of adding football. Since that inaugural season in 1977, football has gained national attention as a highly competitive program. He also championed the reinstitution of men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s golf, softball, and track and field. Numerous building projects were also completed during his tenure, with the renovation of the baseball and softball fields and the completion of the baseball and softball field house. In total, in his career, fourteen projects were overseen by Dr. Spence (that also included the Mabee Student Fitness Center, two residence halls, the Cantrell Student Union, and most recently the Riggs Administration Building).

Athletically, Evangel enjoyed success, capturing the 2002 NAIA National Championship in Men’s Basketball, the 1986 NCAA National Championship in Women’s Basketball, and advancing to two national semi-finals in football, two NAIA national semi-finals in Women’s Basketball, and individual champions in track and field.

In October 2013, during Homecoming, Evangel commemorated Dr. Spence’s legacy as University President and revered spiritual leader by formally naming the chapel building the Robert H. Spence Chapel.

For this episode, Hector and Phil interview three individuals who were there at the beginning of the football program: Jon Spence, Rich Wood, and Ed McCabe. They are members of “The Originals”, the name we use to describe our football players who played at Evangel between 1977 and 1984.

Since 2010, LifePoint Church has experienced incredible growth, being recognized by Outreach Magazine as #1 on its 2018 list of 100 fastest growing churches.

Mike and his wife, Stephanie, serve in ministry together and have 4 amazing daughters.

Dr. Burnette is our 2021 AGTS Alum of the Year.

Capel finished with 733 points in his junior season and 730 points as a senior to vault up the list as he stands as the all-time three-point leader. The only player to make more than 100 three-pointers in a single-season the Kentucky native finished his career with 405 three-pointers.

A three-time all-American, Capel was also a three-time First Team All-Heart of America selection. Capel also holds the school record for most three-pointers in a game after knocking down 10 on January 31, 2009, at Graceland.

Capel helped the team to one of the winningest senior classes winning 92 games and making three trips to the NAIA National Tournament. Evangel also won the Heart Conference regular season in 2008 and earned two conference tournament championships in 2006 and 2008 advancing to the second round of the NAIA National Tournament.

Kay coordinates the use of data to make it possible to build relevant content and identify specific action steps. Her work has included development of digital audits and social media integration, with demonstrated skills in strategic planning, digital message development and delivery, social media, video production, and trends analysis. Clients have included Hallmark/Crown Media, NPD Group, US Foods, Kellogg’s, Dine Equity, Chili’s, IHG International, AOL, Gannett Media, Nexstar Broadcasting, and more. She is serving in her third term on the international board of directors of Convoy of Hope.

John graduated from AGTS in 2011 with his doctorate in international studies. He began his studies at CBC and earned a bachelor’s degree in Bible in 1995. He also holds a master’s from Reformed Theological Seminary. John and his wife, Cheryl, have served 10 years in pastoral ministry and 20 as Assemblies of God missionaries.

Speaking of his experience at AGTS, John said, “Because my knowledge grew and my skills were sharpened, I was able to make a more meaningful contribution to our organization, which has been personally and professionally rewarding.”

Steve graduated from CBC in 1990 with a double-major in missions and Bible, as well as an A.A. in music. While there, he did an internship at Central Assembly in Springfield. Upon graduation, Steve was hired as the youngest youth pastor in Central’s history. His career includes church planting and 16 years in national leadership with Youth Alive and AG Youth Ministries. During those years, he earned a master’s degree from AGTS in 2006 and a Ph.D. in intercultural ministries from AGTS in 2014.

Interestingly, since 2019, Steve has again served as youth and associate pastor at Central Assembly in Springfield, making him the youngest AND oldest youth pastor in that church’s history. He is married to Melissa Pulis, who serves Evangel as program and logistics coordinator for EU’s Center for Compassion — a partnership program with Convoy of Hope.

Kelsey met her husband, Michael, on a summer service trip to Croatia with other Evangel, AGTS and CBC students. After graduation, they returned to her home state, where she earned her M.B.A. from the University of Arkansas in 2008, and her Juris Doctorate at the University of Arkansas School of Law (Fayetteville) in 2012.

“Evangel placed me in an environment where I was able to thrive academically, but also spiritually,” she said. “I learned the importance of having a mentor and serving others, while also working hard.”