Rexius Event Center

After decades of hopes and dreams and many years of hard work and sacrificial giving by individuals and corporate donors, NHCC's new Rexius Event Center facility was dedicated on campus on Sunday, August 3, 2008, at 2:00 pm. Over three hundred guests were on hand for the celebration, including current students, alumni, faculty, staff, donors, construction participants, and friends of the College.

NHCC has been serving Lane County and the Lord Jesus Christ since it was founded by Fred Hornshuh in 1925. The College has trained thousands of men and women for Christian leadership and ministry, and its alumni are making a difference for Christ in various roles and in places across the U.S. and in many nations of the world. As a Christian academic institution that is growing in its influence and in the ways that it fulfills its mission, the College has needed a facility appropriate to its expanding vision and quality of service to its students and constituents. The Rexius Event Center is the answer to many prayers and much hard work offered over many years.

Special recognition was noted in various areas of the facility:

The new facility is named in honor of Sol and Lil Rexius, who are the parents of NHCC alumni Ray Rexius, Marv Rexius, and June Rexius Sutton. Sol and Lil Rexius were strong Christians in Eugene throughout their lives, and were founders of what became Rexius Forest By-Products. The College is grateful for the strong support of Ray and Arlene Rexius and the Rexius family. Ray Rexius provided remarks, and led in a prayer of dedication for the facility.

The facility's new chapel auditorium has been named Stewart Chapel, in honor of the ministries of M. J. and Ruth Stewart. M. J. Stewart was Vice President of Open Bible Churches, OBC Pacific Region Superintendent, pastor of many churches, a strong prophetic figure in the Open Bible movement, and he and Ruth were considered spiritual parents to many. The College is grateful for the strong support of the OBC Pacific Region Board of Directors, Bethel Open Bible Church in Lodi, CA, Creekside Open Bible Church in Martinez, CA, and many other churches throughout the region. Brother Stewart provided remarks, and led in a prayer of dedication for the chapel.

The upper lobby was named in honor of the ministries of Ken and Trudy Piper, with loving and generous support provided by the churches of OBC's Southeastern Region. Ken Piper was an alumnus of Florida Beacon College and Open Bible College, and was a strong national leader in Open Bible's history, serving on the national board and as Southeastern Region Superintendent from 1968 until his death in 2002. The College was delighted to have Trudy Piper and three of her children in attendance, accompanied by Kris Beaird, OBC Director of Women's Ministries and wife of current Southeastern Region Superintendent Jim Beaird. Julie Cole, wife of former EBC president David Cole, led in a prayer of blessing over the Piper family, the ongoing fruit of the ministries of Ken and Trudy Piper, and the ministries of the Southeastern Region of OBC.

The gymnasium in the new facility was named Cordeiro Court, in honor of the ministries of Wayne and Anna Cordeiro. Wayne and Anna are EBC grads from 1975 and 1976, and Wayne is known the world over as an author, musician, leader, teacher, and as pastor of New Hope Christian Fellowship in Honolulu, Hawaii. New Hope is one of the fastest growing and innovative churches in the nation, and has planted many new churches out of its congregation. Wayne is also founder and president of Pacific Rim Bible College. The College is grateful for the strong support of New Hope International Ministries, Infogroup NW, and Industrial Finishes. Wayne Cordeiro provided remarks, and led in a prayer of dedication over the gymnasium.

Dr. Jeff Farmer, president of Open Bible Churches, led in the dedication of the new Open Bible Archives and Heritage Center. The new Center is the official repository of Open Bible Churches records and memorabilia, and includes (in development) a beautiful museum area with exhibits and displays. Also in development is the soon-to-come Hart Armstrong Research Room. Jeff led in prayer over the new Center, and Open Bible Churches were aided in their launching the new facility by generous estate gifts from Hart and Iona Armstrong and Senethea Meyer.