We have just learned from CNN that since changing the scheduled air date of the GC segment from tomorrow, it is scheduled right now to air first on Tuesday, May 6 (day of Indiana primary) during the American Morning show (6-9 a.m.), and then a longer piece on Sunday, May 11 between 10 p.m. and midnight.
When Goshen College senior Sheldon Good heard he might have a chance to be on CNN, he thought it was connected to his work on the Worm Project during his internship with Franconia Conference last summer.
It wasn’t until a few days later, when the college sent out an email about the opportunity to be interviewed by a national news network for a series on young voters, that he made the connection. Good responded to the email and was one of seven students selected to be a part of the panel.
CNN wanted to speak with Mennonites who are first-time voters this year and learn their views on the presidential election. With the Indiana presidential primary happening on May 6, they decided to visit Goshen College and hear from students about what political issues are important to them, as well as how their Mennonite faith informs their politics.
On Tuesday, April 15, CNN anchor Rick Sanchez hosted a roundtable discussion with seven Goshen College students as part of a series called “League of First Time Voters.” According to The Truth newspaper, Sanchez said “We’re talking to a group of Americans a lot of people don’t know about, but will soon know a lot about,” Sanchez said, “in their own words.”
Sanchez asked the students questions about foreign policy, immigration, Iraq, race, pacifism, youth engagement in politics this year, patriotism, social issues and the presidential candidates. CNN has previously taped similar discussions at the University of Scranton, a Jesuit institution in Pennsylvania, and Spelman College, a historically black college in Atlanta.
“It was an amazing experience,” says Good, who is a member of Salford Mennonite Church.
The taping was held at College Mennonite Church, which also serves as Goshen’s chapel. Only students involved in the event were allowed to enter the building, and inside local media were interviewing and photographing the students.
For Good, it was a chance to talk about two things he’s passionate about: faith and politics. It was also a chance for the communications major to observe the process and see the other side of national media.
Good says that CNN staff were really surprised at how well the college students conducted themselves, which was both flattering and humbling.
“I keep saying when I talked to people, I think CNN got what they came for—and I mean that in a good way.”
The students talked about their perspective as global citizens, emphasizing not only how decisions made here affect not only the United States, but people around the world. They also talked about the role their Anabaptist faith has played in shaping that perspective.
“It felt like we were representing more than ourselves . . . It was definitely humbling.”
The CNN segment at Goshen College is scheduled to air on the “American Morning” show, which is hosted by John Roberts and Kiran Chetry (Monday-Friday, 6-9 a.m.), on April 23, but will also be available on www.cnn.com and may air during other CNN programs.
Other students who participated in the roundtable included Elizabeth Beachy, Kalona, Iowa; Rebecca Fast, a dual U.S.-Canadian citizen; Peter Koontz, Goshen, Ind.; Adriel Santiago, Souderton, Pa.; Jennifer Speight, Cleveland, Ohio; and Kendra Joy Sprunger, Goshen, Ind.
From Goshen College Public Relations Office. Franconia Conference staff contributed to this report. Photos courtesy of Goshen College.
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Tending the souls of conference ministers and tending the system of denominational ministry is the way Gilberto Flores sees his new role in Mennonite Church USA Executive Leadership.
“At the denominational level, we faced the need to recreate ourselves, including a name that suggests we are moving toward a better understanding of who we are. If we are called denominational ministers, then that is what we are,” Flores says. “Our intention is to function as the ears of the denomination, to be more care-giving in our leadership and to reflect a missional intention in our name.”
On April 19, 
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Tyson then recounted his own journey of faith and why he chose to be baptized at this point in his life.
Debra has eighteen years experience helping individuals assess their strengths and make career and life choices. In her career counseling business, Career Transitions, Debra makes extensive use of SIMA®, the System for Identifying Motivated Abilities, an assessment process which identifies and describes the motivated strengths of individuals. She has conducted the 2-day workshop Discovering My Design, and co-taught courses on career counseling at 
For the past thirty years, Walter has been practicing the art of life transitions by re-locating a dozen times and serving as a social worker, service program administrator, pastor, and now, transition coach! He and his wife, Joy, are the parents of two sons, Benjamin and Alexander. Walter’s favorite quote of all time is this from Jesus: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life…and learn the unforced rhythms of grace.”