Special Interest   

Trace and verify lineage, troubleshoot and fix broken lines, break through "dead ends." Use multiple websites for accuracy. Solve problems in research. Use city libraries, state libraries, state archives, national archives, newspaper archives, etc. Get to the truth behind family lore. How DNA labs work and interpreting your results. Formats for family histories and memoirs. Tell stories, collect and manage photos, interview people, verify stories, create trees, assemble stories in the right format for your history, and use of software programs to present your history or memoirs. PowerPoint presentation and detailed outline. Instructor has 40+ years genealogy experience, so prepare to get your questions answered! Be sure to bring your lunch.

Ready to deepen your understanding of Scripture and grow as a person? In this course, you'll be encouraged to ask questions about the Bible in a safe space, surrounded by equally curious people. Too often, questions are met with unsatisfying answers, leaving us longing for more. In this class, we prioritize the text and create a community that encourages wrestling with it, helping to build stronger, more resilient learners. Through the BEMA Discipleship journey, you'll engage with Scripture in fresh ways, uncovering its historical and cultural context. This course isn't just about knowledge, it's about personal growth and learning to live out what you discover. BEMA Discipleship, a ministry of Impact Campus Ministries, defines ministry as "one's sacred vocation", living with purpose wherever you are and whatever you do. Whether you seek growth or want to apply this knowledge, this class will equip you to live purposefully and make a difference.

Have you ever wondered how your coffee got onto your breakfast table? Would you like to brew a better cup of coffee? Learn about the history of coffee, the supply chain from farm to cup. Discover what makes different coffees taste the way they do, and explore the fundamentals of brewing a world-class cup of coffee. Skip your morning caffeine. This class includes active participation in brewing and tasting coffee.

This course is an intensive study of the four biographical accounts of Jesus found in the New Testament – Mark, Matthew, Luke and John. Not just the content, but the authorship, purpose and comparison of each of the accounts will be studied. The goal of the course is to get an accurate grasp of the reality of Jesus’ life and what that means to humanity. A primary premise of the course is that the four accounts (commonly called the Gospels) are reliable records of witnesses, and evidence of that reliability will also be studied. This course is divided into three sections; one offered each quarter as follows: Gospels I – Introduction, background, setting, record through the 1st visit to Nazareth (beginning of Galilee ministry). Gospels II – Disorderly accounts, Nazareth to Nazareth. Gospels III – Why Jesus came, Comparison of the 4 accounts, Final year. The textbook for the first two quarters is “A Harmony of the Four Gospels” but Orville E. Daniel, available on Amazon for a little over $20, or used copies from the instructor for $10. Other required materials are a Bible (any version) and a means of taking notes.

DNA is a new and developing science. In this course we will learn how DNA is passed down through generations and how to use our DNA test results for genealogical purposes. Topics regarding who can and should be tested for best results and which test is most helpful for the individual student goal will be explored. We will also discuss potential findings that could be upsetting and why one might decide not to test. DNA test results prior to taking this course is not required. This course will help students interpret their test and also help students who are still deciding if they want to test.

The evolution of today's family is rooted in the past. This course will assist students in discovering their own past generations through official documents and other various searchable sources so they can discover how they became who they are now. Historical events pertinent to the individual's findings will be explored to help provide clues when learning how to trace family trees as well as help create the story of a past life. This will provide the historical context to allow the student to understand the choices their ancestors might have made.

This class requires reliable access to a computer or laptop (a cell phone is not sufficient) with internet access to complete online homework and review online materials.

This "Invitation to Intimacy" course is designed to demonstrate a step-by-step method of building deep hear-to-heart relationships that can last a lifetime. We will look at biblical principals based on a description of the "Bride of Christ" found in Revelation 21:9-13 and Ezekiel 48:30-35. We plan to do a deep dive into specific words contained in these passages to discover God's instructions on how to get close to him. Then we will look at how to apply what we see to our personal relationships at the same time to build, strengthen, and sustain them for many years to come.

Most NT studies focus on theological views. This study focuses on the reality of the people who wrote and those who received the books and what motivated that writing. Therefore there is a greater emphasis on geography and history and details in the text that help understand the authors and recipients. The books are studied in historical order rather than in the standard Biblical order. The goal of the course is to understand the content and context of the New Testament books and the context and motive of the authors in writing them. A primary premise of the course is that the books of the New Testament are reliable records, which is evidenced internally and externally, both in history and archaeology. This course is divided into three sections, one offered each quarter as follows: NT Survey I – covers the first (in order written) ten books of the New Testament – before any escalation of Jewish Roman conflict. NT Survey II – covers the next seventeen (in order written) books of the New Testament – after the Jewish Roman conflict escalated. NT Survey III – An in depth look at the book of Acts and the corresponding events and books of the New Testament The textbook for the first two quarters is “The Story of the New Testament”. The textbook for the third quarter is Actsplus. Each of these books will be supplied by the instructor for a cost of $5 each. Other required materials are a Bible (any version) and a means of taking notes.

Welding as a Hobby is a hands-on course designed for beginners and hobbyists interested in both practical and artistic welding. Students will learn essential welding techniques, safety protocols, and equipment operation while exploring metal as a medium for creative expression. Using primarily MIG welding, participants will practice joining, cutting, and shaping metal to create functional projects and one-of-a-kind artistic pieces. This course covers fundamental design principles, different welding processes, and practical applications, making it perfect for those looking to explore metalworking as a creative and useful skill. No prior experience required.