A Sea Of Red

For many of us Old Hags, Ed Dobson was one of the primary reasons we loved LU so much back in the day. He was a phenomenal campus pastor. Here's an update on how he's doing these days after all of his ilness since he moved up to Michigan:

Retired Calvary pastor joins Cornerstone staff
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
By Charles Honey

Press Religion Editor

GRAND RAPIDS -- Before he became one of West Michigan's leading ministers, the Rev. Ed Dobson was a university administrator.

The retired pastor of Calvary Church will return to a campus setting at Cornerstone University, where he has been named pastor in residence.

University officials Monday announced the creation of a new position, specially suited to Dobson's gifts. They said his 30-plus years of ministry, as well as his battle with Lou Gehrig's disease, offer a unique spiritual resource to Cornerstone's 2,700 students.

"Ed Dobson is in terms of ministry one of the leading names in the country," said university President Rex Rogers. "His experiences are broad and deep. We'd like to bring that kind of winsomeness in front of our students."

Though details have not been worked out, Dobson, 56, will speak occasionally at student chapel, meet with students and faculty, and may lead devotionals with university trustees in what he called an "open-ended" arrangement.

"It's a new idea for them and for me, so we're just going to pursue it a step at a time," said Dobson, who retired in 2005 after 18 years at Calvary. "Given that I worked for 14 1/2 years in a university setting, I think it's a good match."

Before coming to Calvary, Dobson served as a dean and vice president for student affairs at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., founded by the Rev. Jerry Falwell. He also was associate pastor at Falwell's Thomas Road Baptist Church.

Dobson was diagnosed in 2001 with ALS, better known as Lou Gehrig's disease, which destroys the nerves controlling muscle movement. He continues to preach in local churches, and said he is up to the task of taking on the unpaid Cornerstone post.

He said he wanted the pastor in residence position "to influence, hopefully, a whole younger generation (and) to pass on some of the wisdom that I've gained through all these years in ministry."

Calvary's close relationship with Cornerstone, formerly Grand Rapids Baptist College, and Dobson's pastoral gifts with students make it a natural fit, Rogers said.

"The students coming to us today are from a more and more secularized culture," Rogers said. "Our challenge in terms of our Christian mission is greater than ever. The more we can support and minister to them, both intellectually and spiritually, the better.

"So a fellow like Dr. Dobson with his 30 years of ministry and his life experience, boy, he's ready-made for that."

Send e-mail to the author: choney@grpress.com

http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index ... xml&coll=6

Yes, "Dean Dobson" as he was so affectionately called, was and still is one of the greatest pastors I've had the privilege to be ministered by.

I had the opportunity to visit his church in GR several times and am so glad to see he's still able to do what he loves.

Were any of you "old hags" on the board, part of the group that built him a sports car from a kit as a gift from the student body? I wasn't there when they did this and gave it to him but I think he drove it to work almost everyday thereafter, including all my years as a student. He really is a great human being and an outstanding preacher. My wife used to baby sit his kids from time to time; he and his wife - Lorna - gave us our first living room couch and chairs when they replaced their living room furniture.

I remember him driving the car, but that's where my connection ends.

Some of you young guys may not realize he also was passionate about the LU soccer team and had some influence in helping that program get more established as an assistant coach while working in administration.

I was a freshman at BJU when Ed was either a jr or sr there, he was a very good soccer player, I believe he was the first soccer coach at LBC. I saw Ed last year at the home coming alumni meeting before the homecoming game 2005. May God bless his ministry and his life. I believe his kids also graduated from LU.

I was just looking at the '78 and the '79 year books and Dean Dobson was the head soccer coach for those years so I think forever is right about his being the first head soccer coach. Some of his associate coaches were Ray Locy (one time band director) and Chuck Wemp (I believe Sumner's son). I'm going to scan a couple of pictures of him from those year books and post them later.

As promised Dean Dobson and his new "car" - a gift from the students in 1979.

I never knew Ed Dobson had a connection to Liberty. He is pretty much a household name in Grand Rapids. I know he will be appreciated at Cornerstone.

Once upon a time he was Jerry's heir apparent. He's one of the most gifted teachers I've ever had the pleasure of hearing.

Ed Dobson is in the 1976 LBC annual soccer section and the record that year was 5-5

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong but I think he has three earned doctorates. Outside of Jerry, he's the one I appreciated learning from the most at LU.

I remember his Sunday evening messages on campus - he used to tell "Rosie" stories about his dog.

I'm glad he's able to stay active after his diagnosis. I heard him speak one Sunday at Calvary Church, and he hadn't changed a bit.

Not sure about 3 doctorates, but I think he was one from a seminary and also an Ed.D. from either UVa or Tech. Anybody know what kind of car that is in the scanned pic?

Cider Jim wrote:Not sure about 3 doctorates, but I think he was one from a seminary and also an Ed.D. from either UVa or Tech. Anybody know what kind of car that is in the scanned pic?

I think it was a kit car, but not sure, I had already left by then. Doesn't look like any contemporaries from the mid-late 70's that I drove anyway.

I believe it was a kit modeled on an old MG.

I met Ed Dobson here in Cadillac in October at a conference. He is a humble man of God and is still very interested in the welfare of his Liberty Family. He did look much more beatnik than he did during his LU days

Oh man, I remember that car! I was there when he was presented with it. I had no idea he had Lou Gehrigs......but am thrilled to know he is doing as well as he is.

The car was an MG kit car which was paid for and assembled as a true labor of love by LU students. I can't remember the name of the guy who was the moving force behind the idea, but I remember he spent waaaaay too much time working on it and I don't think his grades were too good that semester.

a friend of mine named Steve Grandstaff from VA Beach worked on the car....at least that's what my old memory says.and yes, he was the first head soccer coach. i recall all those practices on treasure island the fall of 1978

i worked for SAGA (soviet attempt to gag america, as we fondly called it) serving you sweaty football players after practice at TI!

Here is the latest update on Ed Dobson

http://blog.mlive.com/grpress/2008/05/t ... _to_l.html

"I have a deep interest in promoting the Jesus lifestyle," said Dobson, 58, who retired from Calvary in 2005 because he is battling Lou Gehrig's disease, or ALS. "If we can get students deeply committed to following Jesus' teaching, we can probably change the world." ... As one who shares Dobson's passion for Christ, Stowell said he can't think of anyone better for the new position. "He's going to wear white robes and sandals, and be Jesus on campus for us," Stowell added with a laugh.

Love the man and his teaching ministry but not a big fan of the beard.

Its hard to believe that is Eddie! Glad to see he is functioning so well in spite of his medical condition.

And I had no idea that Joe Stowell was at Cornerstone as well. That is two nice hires by that school.

I'm glad he's doing so well and his new position sounds perfect for him.

Not so much a fan of the beard. Hard to believe that is him.

We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. 2 Cor. 4: 10-12

The ongoing sermon of the life of Ed Dobson challenges me to more fully surrender to Christ. I keep thinking about the term "genre." Ed Dobson, Amy Charmichael, Henri Nouwen, Dallas Willard....and so many other lives of authentic Christ-followers. Lord Jesus, please help me to be more like you.