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“I love Andrew like a
brother. He’s a very
good and genuine
man, even though he’s
not great at accepting
compliments,”
said Ford McArver,
summing up the
selfless nature of his
former roommate that
has inspired the faith
of many.
When Pastor Andrew Brunson was
imprisoned in Turkey in late 2016 and
charged with both espionage and
terrorism, he found himself in the middle of
United States-Turkey relations and dramatic
headlines. McArver remembers thinking
that his jailing was very surreal. He never
thought his kind, gentle Ben Lippen School
Friends recall their days
together at original
campus in the 1980s
By Margaret Chase
and Wheaton College roommate, who
planted churches in Turkey for 23 years,
would become a global headline, even
praying for President Donald Trump at the
White House.
“I think it’s fair to say that Andrew began
a personal spiritual journey at Ben Lippen.
I could see a growing shepherd’s heart,”
McArver said of their days together when
Ben Lippen was a boarding school in
North Carolina. “He used to get up in the
morning to study the Word before class.
Seeds were clearly being laid for him to
go from a Turkish prison to the Oval Office
later on in his life.”
At a personal level, McArver adds, “Andrew
always encouraged me and said he was
praying for me.”
While a Ben Lippen student, Brunson
developed a deep relationship with Drama
and French teacher Peter Mehegan, who
encouraged him in his studies and spiritual
journey.
“Andrew is one of the most courageous,
determined and ingenuous men I have
met,” Mehegan said, recalling that his
relationship with Brunson began after
reprimanding him in the school hallway.
“It wasn’t long before
we starting meeting
together regularly
for prayer over a pot
of preset Mr. Coffee
in the early morning
hours with more guys
from the dorm joining
us, one by one. It
often turned into a
relationship builder
for all.”
Both McArver and Mehegan immediately
began raising awareness for Brunson’s case
when they heard of his imprisonment, and
never gave up hope. McArver contacted
the local officials in Brunson’s home state of
North Carolina and Washington, D.C.
“I was honored and happy to do what I
could to get Andrew’s case known and go
to battle for him,” McArver said. “It was a
lot of prayer, when you’re on your knees
begging for protection for your friend and
you don’t know what the outcome is, that’s
all you can do.”
Similarly, Mehegan began raising
awareness for Brunson’s situation.
“I heard of his arrest near the day it
occurred, because his mother had
Ben Lippen School alumnus
Ford McArver (left) with
Andrew Brunson
Peter Mehegan (left)
with Andrew Brunson
Ben Lippen School
in Asheville, NC
Brunson (left) with
teacher Peter Mehegan
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CIU Today
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Spring 2019