CU Hears Dr. Matthew Sleeth Discuss Earth Stewardship

• by Campbellsville University

CAMPBELLSVILLE, KY (11/17/2009)(readMedia)-- "How does God speak to you in your life?" asked Dr. Matthew Sleeth, former emergency room physician, at a Kentucky Heartland Institute on Public Policy (KHIPP) event at Campbellsville University recently.

Answers from the audience varied from sports, experiences, God's Word, music and relationships, but Sleeth found nature to be his window to God's voice.

While on vacation near the Gulf of Mexico, Sleeth told his wife the biggest problem in the world is the world is dying. "I say this because of the changes I've seen in the world in my own life."

At the time Sleeth discovered this problem, he did not have religion in his life so he didn't know what to do about the issue. It was then that he read Matthew 7:1, which is similar to Ghandi's quote "Be the change you wish to see in the world."

Sleeth said, "We're capable of spotting flaws in others, yet we fail to recognize our own mistakes." It was then that he decided to change his lifestyle.

"God calls us to make radical change and gives us the power to make radical change," he said.

Sleeth's book, Serve God, Save the Planet: A Christian Call to Action, highlights his new environmental awareness.

Through new awareness, Sleeth developed a theology on trees as a symbol of the Lord. He said, "If there's a vine, a bush or a tree, God is there. Psalm 1 says 'a righteous person is like a tree.' Trees appear over one thousand times in the Bible."

This theology is also seen through the life of Christ. "Christ was born and he became a carpenter. After He was raised from the dead, he was mistaken as a gardener this was not a mistake."

Sleeth encourages students to help the environment by cleaning up and by planting trees. He said a tree is "the only gift to give that can keep growing bigger, better and more beautiful."

While on campus, Sleeth toured Clay Hill Memorial Forest, a 135-acre environmental center owned by Campbellsville University.

He was also interviewed by John Chowning, vice president for church and external relations and executive assistant to the president, on his show, "Dialogue on Public Issues" on TV-4, Comcast Cable Channel 10, Sunday, Dec. 27, at 8 a.m.; Monday, Dec. 28, at 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.; and Wednesday, Dec. 30, at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Campbellsville University is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and has an enrollment of 3,006 students who represent 97 Kentucky counties, 30 states and 37 foreign nations. Listed in U.S.News & World Report's 2010 "America's Best Colleges," CU is ranked 23rd in "Best Baccalaureate Colleges" in the South, tied for fifth in "most international students" and fourth in "up-and-coming" schools in baccalaureate colleges in the South. CU has been ranked 17 consecutive years with U.S.News & World Report. The university has also been named to America's Best Christian Colleges and to G.I. Jobs magazine as a Military Friendly School. Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his 11th year as president.

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Dr. Matthew Sleeth and Dr. Gordon Weddle, director of Clay Hill Memorial Forest, tour the forest on his visit to Campbellsville University. (Campbellsville University Photo by Bayarmagnai "Max" Nergui )

Dr. Matthew Sleeth speaks at the Kentucky Heartland Institute on Public Policy event. (Campbellsville University Photo by Munkh-Amgalan Galsanjamts)