Aging is inevitable, and for many, it signals the beginning of a new chapter - one where you cross off bucket list items and live life to the fullest, on your own terms. However, for some men, aging is a horrible prospect, filled with chronic fatigue, irritability, and inability to perform in the bedroom. If you're concerned about life in middle age and beyond, we've got great news: there are easy, proven steps that you can take to help stop the negative effect of aging.
Global Life Rejuvenation was founded to give men a new lease on life - one that includes less body fat, fewer mood swings, and more energy as you age. If you're ready to look and feel younger, it's time to consider TRT (testosterone replacement therapy), and growth hormone peptides. These therapies for men are effective, safe, and customized to fit your goals, so you can keep loving life as you get older.
TRT, and growth hormone peptide therapies bridge the gap between your old life and the more vibrant, happier version of you. With a simple click or call, you can be well on your way to a brighter future. After all, you deserve to be the one in charge of your wellness and health. Now, you have the tools to do so - backed by science and applied by our team of TRT and HRT experts with more than 13 years of experience.
For men, getting older comes with its perks, like living life on their own terms and not having to "sweat the small stuff" day in and day out. At the same time, there are aspects of aging that men dread, like hormonal changes. Yes, you read that right – men, not just women, go through hormonal changes as they age. For men, the biggest change involves a drop in testosterone.
Lower levels of testosterone can wreak havoc on a male's mind and body and when left untreated, can result in symptoms like:
Those symptoms are concerning, but with testosterone replacement therapy and anti-aging medicine, many males improve their quality of life with age. The good news is that TRT and anti-aging meds aren't only reserved for "old guys." In fact, there's no magic age at which men should start thinking about hormone replacement therapy. Everyone's body is different, so if you're experiencing the above conditions in your mid-30s, TRT could be a viable solution when you consult with a doctor.
Testosterone is a crucial hormone for men and plays an important role throughout the male lifespan. Most of a male's testosterone is produced through the testicles. Also called the male sex hormone, testosterone starts playing its part during puberty.
When a male goes through puberty, testosterone helps males develop:
As boys turn to men and men grow older, testosterone levels deplete naturally. Sometimes, events like injuries and chronic health conditions like diabetes can lower testosterone levels. Unfortunately, when a man loses too much T, it results in hypogonadism. When this happens, the testosterone must be replaced, or the male will suffer from symptoms like muscle loss, low libido, and even depression.
TRT is exactly what it sounds like: a treatment option for men that replaces testosterone so that your body regulates hormones properly and restores balance to your life. Also called androgen replacement therapy, TRT alleviates the symptoms that men experience with low T.
Originally lab-synthesized in 1935, testosterone has grown in popularity since it was produced. Today, TRT and other testosterone treatments are among the most popular prescriptions in the U.S.
Without getting too deep into the science, TRT works by giving your body the essential testosterone it needs to function correctly. As the primary androgen for both males and females, testosterone impacts many of the body's natural processes – especially those needed for overall health. For example, men with low T are more prone to serious problems like cardiovascular disease and even type-2 diabetes.
When your body quits making enough testosterone, it causes your health to suffer until a solution is presented. That's where TRT and anti-aging medicine for men can help. TRT helps balance your hormones and replenish your depleted testosterone. With time, your body will begin to heal, and many symptoms like low libido and irritability begin to diminish.
For men, aging is the biggest contributor to lower testosterone levels, though there are other causes like obesity, drug abuse, testicular injuries, and certain prescribed medications. Sometimes, long-term health conditions like AIDS, cirrhosis of the liver, and kidney disease can lower testosterone levels.
When a man's testosterone levels drop significantly, it alters his body's ratio of estrogen and testosterone. Lower testosterone levels cause more abdominal fat, which in turn results in increased aromatase, which converts even more testosterone into estrogen.
If you're concerned that you might have low T, you're not alone. Millions of men in the U.S. feel the same way. The best way to find out if your testosterone is low is to get your levels tested.
For sustainable testosterone replacement therapy benefits, you must consult with hormone doctors and experts like those you can find at Global Life Rejuvenation. That way, you can find the root cause of your hormone problems, and our team can craft a personalized HRT plan tailored to your needs.
Are you used to blasting through a productive day and accomplishing all your daily goals? Do you find yourself losing muscle mass and the craving to be intimate with your partner? Does your partner complain about how irritable you have become? If you're not usually a curmudgeon, your body could be giving you a sign. It could be time to speak with a doctor about TRT and anti-aging medicine for men in Zarephath, NJ.
If you're experiencing any of the following symptoms, you might be battling against low testosterone:
One of the most common reasons that men choose TRT is because they have lost that "spark" with their partner. It's not easy for a man to hear that they're not performing like they used to. Intimacy is a powerful part of any relationship. When a once-healthy sex life dwindles, it can cause serious relationship issues.
The good news is that low libido doesn't have to be a permanent problem. TRT and anti-aging medicines help revert hormone levels back into their normal range. When this happens, many men have a more enjoyable life full of intimacy and sex drive.
Weak erections – it's an uncomfortable subject for many men in the U.S. to talk about. It's even worse to experience first-hand. You're in the midst of an intimate moment, and you can't do your part. Despite being perfectly normal, many men put blame and shame upon themselves when they can't achieve an erection. And while the inability to perform sexually can be caused by poor diet, obesity, and chronic health conditions, low testosterone is often a contributing factor.
Fortunately, weak erections are a treatable condition. The best way to regain your confidence and ability in bed is to speak with your doctor. Once any underlying conditions are discovered, options like TRT may be the best course of treatment.
Hair Loss
Do you find it harder and harder to work out and lift weights in the gym? Are you having problems lifting heavy items that you once had no problem lifting?
Recent studies show that when men are inactive, they lose .5% of muscle strength every year, from ages 25 to 60. After 60, muscle loss doubles every decade. While some muscle loss is common as men age, a significant portion can be tied to low testosterone levels. When a man's T levels drop, so does his muscle mass.
Testosterone is a much-needed component used in gaining and retaining muscle mass. That's why many doctors prescribe TRT Zarephath, NJ, for men having problems with strength. One recent study found that men who increased their testosterone levels using TRT gained as much as 2.5 pounds of muscle mass.
Whether your gym performance is lacking, or you can't lift heavy items like you used to, don't blame it all on age. You could be suffering from hypogonadism.
If you're like millions of other men in their late 20s and 30s, dealing with hair loss is a reality you don't want to face. Closely related to testosterone decline and hormone imbalances, hair loss is distressing for many men. This common symptom is often related to a derivative of testosterone called DHT. Excess amounts of DHT cause hair follicles to halt their production, causing follicles to die.
Because hair located at the front and crown is more sensitive to DHT, it grows slower than other follicles and eventually stops growing permanently. Thankfully, TRT and anti-aging treatments for men in Zarephath, NJ, is now available to address hair loss for good.
While it's true that you can't change your genes, you can change the effects of low testosterone on your body. Whether you're suffering from thinning hair or hair loss across your entire head, TRT and other hormone therapies can stop hair loss and even reverse the process.
Also called "man boobs," gynecomastia is essentially the enlargement of male breast tissue. This increase in fatty tissue is often caused by hormonal imbalances and an increase in estrogen. For men, estrogen levels are elevated during andropause. Also called male menopause, andropause usually happens because of a lack of testosterone.
If you're a man between the ages of 40 and 55, and you're embarrassed by having large breasts, don't lose hope. TRT is a safe, effective way to eliminate the underlying cause of gynecomastia without invasive surgery. With a custom HRT and fitness program, you can bring your testosterone and estrogen levels back to normal before you know it.
Decreased energy was once considered a normal part of aging. Today, many doctors know better. Advances in technology and our understanding of testosterone show that low T and lack of energy often go hand-in-hand.
If you're struggling to enjoy activities like playing with your kids or hiking in a park due to lack of energy, it could be a sign of low T. Of course, getting tired is perfectly normal for any man. But if you're suffering from continual fatigue, a lack of enjoyment, or a decrease in energy, it might be time to speak with a doctor.
Whether you're having a tough time getting through your day or can't finish activities you used to love, TRT could help.
A study from 2011 showed that men who lose a week's worth of sleep can experience lowered testosterone levels – as much as 15%, according to experts. Additional research into the topic found almost 15% of workers only get five hours of sleep (or less) per night. These findings suggest that sleep loss negatively impacts T levels and wellbeing.
The bottom line is that men who have trouble sleeping often suffer from lower testosterone levels as a result. If you find yourself exhausted at the end of the day but toss and turn all night long, you might have low T.
TRT and anti-aging medicines can restore your T levels back to normal, which can help you sleep better with proper diet and exercise.
You're feeling down about everything, and there's no solid explanation for why you're in such a crummy mood. Your daily life is great and full of success, but you can't help but feel unexcited and unmotivated. If you're experiencing symptoms like these, you may be depressed – and it may stem from low testosterone.
A research study from Munich found that men with depression also commonly had low testosterone levels. This same study also found that depressed men had cortisol levels that were 67% higher than other men. Because higher cortisol levels lead to lower levels of testosterone, the chances of severe depression increase.
Depression is a very real disorder and should always be diagnosed and treated by your doctor. One treatment option gaining in popularity is TRT for depression. Studies show that when TRT is used to restore hormone levels, men enjoy a lighter, more improved mood. That's great news for men who are depressed and have not had success with other treatments like anti-depression medicines, which alter the brain's chemistry.
Ask anyone over the age of 50 how their memory is, and they'll tell you it wasn't what it used to be. Memory loss and lack of concentration occur naturally as we age – these aren't always signs of dementia or Alzheimer's.
However, what many men consider a symptom of age may be caused by low testosterone. A 2006 study found that males with low T levels performed poorly on cognitive skill tests. These results suggest that low testosterone may play a part in reducing cognitive ability. If you're having trouble staying on task or remembering what your schedule is for the day, it might not be due to your age. It might be because your testosterone levels are too low. If you're having trouble concentrating or remembering daily tasks, it could be time to talk to your doctor.
Why? The aforementioned study found that participating men experienced improved cognitive skills when using TRT.
Even though today's society is more inclusive of large people, few adults enjoy gaining weight as they age. Despite their best efforts, many men just can't shed the extra pounds around their midsections, increasing their risk of heart disease and cancer.
Often, male weight gain is caused by hormone imbalances that slow the metabolism and cause weight to pile on. This phase of life is called andropause and happens when there is a lack of testosterone in the body. Couple that with high cortisol levels, and you've got a recipe for flabby guts and double chins.
Fortunately, TRT treatments and physician-led weight loss programs can correct hormone imbalances and lead to healthy weight loss for men.
The benefits of hormone replacement therapy for men are numerous. TRT not only grants relief from low-T symptoms but can help give protection against age-related diseases. Additionally, doctors now recognize male testosterone as an important role in alleviating depression.
Some of the most exciting benefits of TRT can include:
Because men do not go through a specific period of hormonal changes like women do (called menopause), many doctors refer to "male menopause" as androgen decline. This is just another term for low testosterone, but like female menopause, the symptoms can be serious and affect your quality of life.
The best way to fight back against male menopause is with male HRT treatment from Global Life Rejuvenation. We provide the following HRT treatments for men:
Our treatment options are personalized for your body and are available as creams, gels, injectables, and implantable pellets. To find out if testosterone replacement therapy is safe for you, contact Global Life Rejuvenation today to schedule your comprehensive testing and anti-aging treatment consultation.
Growth hormone peptides are an innovative therapy that boosts the natural human growth hormone production in a person's body. These exciting treatment options help slow down the aging process and give you a chance at restoring your youth.
Sermorelin is a synthetic hormone peptide, like GHRH, which triggers the release of growth hormones. When used under the care of a qualified physician, Sermorelin can help you lose weight, increase your energy levels, and help you feel much younger.
Human growth hormone (HGH) therapy has been used for years to treat hormone deficiencies. Unlike HGH, which directly replaces declining human growth hormone levels, Sermorelin addresses the underlying cause of decreased HGH, stimulating the pituitary gland naturally. This approach keeps the mechanisms of growth hormone production active.
Benefits of Sermorelin include:
Ipamorelin helps to release growth hormones in a person's body by mimicking a peptide called ghrelin. Ghrelin is one of three hormones which work together to regulate the growth hormone levels released by the pituitary gland. Because Ipamorelin stimulates the body to produce growth hormone, your body won't stop its natural growth hormone production, which occurs with synthetic HGH.
Ipamorelin causes growth hormone secretion that resembles natural release patterns rather than being constantly elevated from HGH. Because ipamorelin stimulates the natural production of growth hormone, our patients can use this treatment long-term with fewer health risks.
One of the biggest benefits of Ipamorelin is that it is suitable for both men and women. It provides significant short and long-term benefits in age management therapies, boosting patients' overall health, wellbeing, and outlook on life. When growth hormone is produced by the pituitary gland using Ipamorelin, clients report amazing benefits.
Some of those benefits include:
Whether you are considering our TRT services, HRT for women, or our growth hormone peptide services, we are here to help. The first step to turning back the hand of time starts by contacting Global Life Rejuvenation.
Our friendly, knowledgeable TRT and HRT experts can help answer your questions and walk you through our procedures. From there, we'll figure out which treatments are right for you. Before you know it, you'll be well on your way to looking and feeling better than you have in years!
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If you are a resident of New Jersey, we take for granted how relatively easy it is to say some of the confusing town names that are around here, but just imagine living 3,000 miles away and trying to pronounce these...Only True New Jersey Locals Can Pronounce These 10 Town NamesDon't call yourself a local unless you know how to pronounce these places.Gallery Credit: Diana TylerAllamuchyLooks may be deceiving, but Allamuchy is pronounced Al-uh-moochie. Not Al-la-mew-chie or Al-la-much-ee. It's the ...
If you are a resident of New Jersey, we take for granted how relatively easy it is to say some of the confusing town names that are around here, but just imagine living 3,000 miles away and trying to pronounce these...
Don't call yourself a local unless you know how to pronounce these places.
Gallery Credit: Diana Tyler
Looks may be deceiving, but Allamuchy is pronounced Al-uh-moochie. Not Al-la-mew-chie or Al-la-much-ee. It's the Native American name for "place in the hills."
Before you scratch your head too hard, it's Glaw-ster. Not Glow-ster, or Glow-cest-ter, or Glow-chester.
Diana Tyler
This is a tough one. It's Ab-see-kin. Not Ab-se-con, named after the Native American word for bay.
Diana Tyler
Named after Charles Ewing like You-wing. Not Ewing like Ew-wing.
Diana Tyler
Technically, the correct way to pronounce the word Buena is Bway-na. But the New Jersey town is pronounced Buh-you-nuh.
Diana Tyler
Okay, I've botched this one before. It's Moon-a-key, not Moon-a-chee, named after a Native American Chief.
Diana Tyler
It's Fork-ed River, not forked river as in the past tense of fork.
Diana Tyler
Monmouth, known for Monmouth County, Monmouth Park etc, is named after Monmouthshire in Wales. It's pronounced Mon-muth, not Mon-mouth (and don't put too much emphasis on the N either).
Diana Tyler
The town of Hopatcong is a Native American word for "stone over water." It's pronounced Ho-Pat-Kong.
Diana Tyler
Lenape is a name of a High School and park in NJ. But it's actually named after the Native American Lenape tribe. It's pronounced Len-uh-pee.
That is exactly the mission that a few editors at OnlyInYourState recently set out to accomplish.
They just published a video that featured people from California attempting to pronounce some Jersey cities.
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In all fairness, they did pretty well with some and failed miserably at others. Take a look...
How much do you make? These are the occupations in New Jersey with the highest median annual compensation. Source: Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022
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Canva/Townsquare Media
Canva/Townsquare Media
Nearly 5,000 participants are expected at MuckFest New Jersey on July 20 at Zarephath Christian Church in the Somerset section of Franklin Township.MuckFest is a 5K mud obstacle course that requires no training and is for any level from beginner to star athlete. The cause of the fun course the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, a nonprofit that mobilizes people and resources to help everyone affected by multiple sclerosis and cure the disease."100 percent of funds raised by MuckFest runners support the Nat...
Nearly 5,000 participants are expected at MuckFest New Jersey on July 20 at Zarephath Christian Church in the Somerset section of Franklin Township.
MuckFest is a 5K mud obstacle course that requires no training and is for any level from beginner to star athlete. The cause of the fun course the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, a nonprofit that mobilizes people and resources to help everyone affected by multiple sclerosis and cure the disease.
"100 percent of funds raised by MuckFest runners support the National MS Society’s mission to stop MS in its tracks, restore what has been lost, and end MS forever," organizers said. "To date, MuckFest event participants have raised more than $30.7 million for the Society. A new study shows twice as many people in the United States are facing the challenges of MS than previously thought. Now more than ever, we must accelerate our efforts to help the nearly 1 million people with MS live their best lives and end this disease for good."
SEE ALSO: Franklin's Hamilton Street improves with student housing
Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable, often disabling disease that disrupts the flow of information within the brain and between the brain and body. Symptoms vary from person to person and range from numbness and tingling, to walking difficulties, fatigue, dizziness, pain, depression, blindness and paralysis.
Most people are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with three times more women than men with the disease. Early and ongoing treatment with an FDA-approved therapy can make a difference, according to National MS Society.
Among 18 MuckFest obstacles are a Giant Swing, Crash Landing, Mt. Muck, Spider Web, Belly Crawl, Finish Line, Triple Pits and Big Balls. Presented locally by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, MuckFest also takes place in Boston, Chicago, Denver and Philadelphia.
Participants still can register on-site for $105 each. A free Lil' Muckers course is available to youth.
When: 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 20
Where: Zarephath Christian Church, 2 Upper Pond Road, Somerset section of Franklin
Cost: Free admission for spectators
Info: muckfest.com, nationalmssociety.org
Bob Makin has won 11 New Jersey Press Association Awards and four Best of Gannett Awards. A news veteran of nearly 40 years, Makin covers business and entertainment. Contact him at 732-565-7319 and [email protected].
Zarephath Christian Church announces plans to construct a new ministry center in Franklin Township, NJ, allowing the ministry to expand in order to meet the growing needs of their congregation and the community they serve.After a season of faith, including a lot of prayer and meticulous planning, we are deeply grateful to the Lord for providing the funds necessary to break ground and to begin construction of the first stage of the new “ZAREPHATH MINISTRY CENTER....
After a season of faith, including a lot of prayer and meticulous planning, we are deeply grateful to the Lord for providing the funds necessary to break ground and to begin construction of the first stage of the new “ZAREPHATH MINISTRY CENTER.
Zarephath Christian Church has announced plans to construct a 56,000 square-foot, multi-purpose ministry center in Franklin Township, across the street from its current location and next to the Children’s Ministry Center, located at 595 Weston Canal Road. A Groundbreaking Ceremony will be held Sunday, June 2 at 1:00 p.m. following a special “Everyone Under the Tent” Sunday Worship Service, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Both events are open to the public.
Over the course of the last eight years, Zarephath Christian Church, a ministry of The Pillar of Fire, has grown from 200 congregants to over 1,500 with three services held each weekend. In addition, their sister ministry, Urban Impact, an outreach to inner city young men and women, has also experienced significant growth. These ministries have outgrown their present facilities and, according to ministry leaders, it is necessary to expand the walls of their tent to increase the impact on the community they serve.
The new ZAREPHATH MINISTRY CENTER, a 2,200 occupant-capacity facility, is projected to be completed in the fall of 2014. The Center’s features will include a gymnasium, which will also serve as the location for Sunday worship services, as well as church and Urban Impact offices, classrooms, meeting rooms, a café, kitchen and small health and wellness center. It is important to note that the site for the new Zarephath Ministry Center is outside the current flood zone. This is significant, since the current facilities have been increasingly impacted by recurring flood devastation in recent years.
When asked to reflect on Zarephath Christian Church’s new facility, Pastor Rob Cruver, Senior Pastor of the church, stated, “After a season of faith, including a lot of prayer and meticulous planning, we are deeply grateful to the Lord for providing the funds necessary to break ground and to begin construction of the first stage of the new “ZAREPHATH MINISTRY CENTER.”
Zarephath Christian Church (ZCC) is a multicultural, multigenerational congregation. While it operates under the auspices of The Pillar of Fire, founded in 1901 as an offshoot of the Wesleyan Church, ZCC's Sunday services feel more like a non-denominational expression of faith. The teaching/preaching by Pastor Rob Cruver is presented in a relevant, authentic style, and music is featured in the contemporary Christian rock genre with a full band.
Urban Impact, ZCC's sister ministry, reaches out to inner city youth from Queens, the Bronx, New Brunswick, Jersey City, and Long Island. Through summer camps, monthly programs, individual mentorships, and work in conjunction with local church youth groups, Urban Impact has positively influenced some of the community’s most at-risk teens.
Zarephath Christian Church continues to welcome visitors to worship with their growing congregation. For more information, visit Zarephath Christian Church’s website at http://www.zarephath.org. Additional information on Urban Impact may be obtained by visiting their website at http://www.urban-impact.org.
See below for a look at some of the most popular youth soccer tournaments taking place over Memorial Day weekend throughout New Jersey, New York and Connecticut.+Read: FC DELCO Players Cup set for 17th edition over Memorial Day weekendAvon Memorial Day Tournament ...
See below for a look at some of the most popular youth soccer tournaments taking place over Memorial Day weekend throughout New Jersey, New York and Connecticut.
+Read: FC DELCO Players Cup set for 17th edition over Memorial Day weekend
Avon Memorial Day Tournament Attending Teams | Schedule / Results May 28-29 Avon, CT
Boys and girls teams from the U-9 through U-14 age groups will play in the 28th Annual Avon Memorial Day Tournament this weekend in Connecticut. The tournament field includes 88 teams representing clubs from New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and the host state.
Brick Memorial Day Soccer Tournament Attending Teams | Schedule / Results May 28-29 Jersey Shore, Brick, NJ
Brick Soccer Club will play host to 71 teams making the short trip from their neighboring New Jersey clubs in addition to several New York sides in a two-day event held at Drum Point and Pinewood Park. The tournament includes U-8 through U-15 competition, with each team playing a minimum of three games over the course of the weekend.
Cougar Soccer Club Memorial Day Tournament Attending Teams | Schedule / Results May 28-29 Maplewood, NJ
Entering its 35th year of play, the Cougar SC Memorial Day Tournament will feature 83 U-8 through U-14 teams playing at multiple venues around Maplewood and South Orange, NJ. Clubs from around New Jersey and New York will be sending teams to the event which has provided convenient access to local since the early 1980s.
+Read: Potomac Memorial Tournament set to kick off 37th edition
East Fishkill Memorial Day Tournament Attending Teams | Schedule / Results May 28-29 East Fishkill, NY
Closing in on four full decades of hosting Memorial Day competition, East Fishkill Soccer Club continues this weekend with the 37th running of its annual tournament. Nearly 150 teams will take part in the event, hailing from throughout Eastern New York, as well as New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
PDA Girls Showcase / ECNL NJ Showcase Attending Teams | Schedule / Results | College Coaches May 28-30 Zarephath, NJ
In one of the most highly anticipated college showcase events of the year, PDA and the ECNL combine to host premier level girls teams from all over the country. The tournament pairs some of the best ECNL match-ups of the season with the nation’s top non-ECNL squads, providing college coaches with a central destination to watch many of the most coveted recruits.
EDP Cup (U11-U14 Weekend) Attending Teams | Schedule / Results May 28-30 Hammonton, NJ
An eclectic group of teams from New York, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, Canada and the host state of New Jersey will participate in the EDP Cup U-11 through U-14 weekend. Age groups will be as many as nine divisions deep, providing each attending team with evenly-matched opponents.
EDP Memorial Day Classic Attending Teams | Schedule / Results | College Coaches May 28-30 Lakehurst, NJ
More than 260 teams are set to participate in the EDP Memorial Day Classic, another New Jersey-based event which will generate a significant amount of interest from college coaches in the showcase age groups. In addition to drawing talented teams from up and down the East Coast in the older divisions, younger divisions competing in small-sided play will feature as many as four flights per age group.
Manalapan Memorial Day Tournament Attending Teams | Schedule / Results May 27-29 Manalapan, NJ
One of the largest tournaments in the country on the holiday weekend, the 2016 Manalapan Memorial Day Tournament will feature 400 teams representing clubs from New York, Pennsylvania and an overwhelming majority from the host state of New Jersey. The event is one of the most popular in the younger age groups, going as many as four flights deep in the U-9 through U-13 divisions.
Massapequa SC Lincoln Page Tournament Attending Teams | Schedule / Results May 27-29 Massapequa, NY
Massapequa SC, which hosts several high level tournaments throughout the year, continues its Memorial Day tradition with the Lincoln Page Tournament. A total of 273 teams almost exclusively from Eastern New York are set to participate in the 2016 event, which has as many as four flights per age group in the younger divisions.
Oakwood Premier Invitational (OPI) Attending Teams | Schedule / Results | College Coaches May 27-30 Glastonbury, CT
Entering its 25th year of play, the Oakwood Premier Invitational is an annual destination for many of the top teams from throughout the Tri-State area and New England. Teams from around the host state of Connecticut, as well as Maine, Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire and Vermont make up the 130-team field for the 2016 event, which combines college showcase action with excellent competition for the younger age groups.
Scarsdale Memorial Day Tournament Attending Teams | Schedule / Results May 28 Scarsdale, NY
The 16th edition of the Scarsdale Memorial Day Tournament is coming up this weekend on Saturday, May 28. The successful one-day event will host more than 175 teams ranging from the U-8 to U-14 age groups. The tournament field is predominantly local sides from around Eastern New York, in addition to others from New Jersey and Connecticut.
Voorhees Memorial Day Classic Attending Teams | Schedule / Results May 27-39 Voorhees, NJ
A total of 137 teams are set to compete in the Voorhees Memorial Day Classic, each playing a minimum of four games over the course of the weekend. The tournament field includes a wide range of New Jersey sides, in addition to others from New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware. It is a boys and girls event with age groups spanning from U-8 to U-19.
SOMERSET — Nearly two years ago, hope for Somerset Christian College's future was literally floating away.Floodwaters from Tropical Storm Irene had swamped the private college’s campus in the Zarephath section of Franklin Township. Fourteen feet of muddy water ruined 16,000 books in the school library and sent pieces of the campus floating down the nearby Delaware & Raritan Canal.Though things looked dire, the college’s president, Dav...
SOMERSET — Nearly two years ago, hope for Somerset Christian College's future was literally floating away.
Floodwaters from Tropical Storm Irene had swamped the private college’s campus in the Zarephath section of Franklin Township. Fourteen feet of muddy water ruined 16,000 books in the school library and sent pieces of the campus floating down the nearby Delaware & Raritan Canal.
Though things looked dire, the college’s president, David Schroeder, vowed that the century-old school would not shut down.
"There was no way we would go out of business," Schroeder said.
Two years later, the school has a new name — Pillar College — along with a new campus in Somerset, a thriving site in Newark and ambitious plans to expand into other parts of New Jersey. School officials say the storm may have been one of the best things to ever happen to one of the state’s smallest colleges.
"It was a big blessing," Schroeder said. "It gives us a chance for a new start."
The college was founded in 1908 as Zarephath Bible Institute, a school to train missionaries, preachers and teachers. It was an outgrowth of Pillar of Fire International, an evangelical Christian church based on the old campus. It took its name from a description of God as a "pillar of fire to give them light" in the Bible’s Book of Exodus.
The school, which eventually was renamed Somerset Christian College, was headquartered on the church’s riverside property off Weston Canal Road in Zarephath, a few miles from what is now Route 287. In 2001, the state licensed the college to begin offering two-year associate degrees. Though it only had a few hundred students, five years later the college was approved to offer four-year degrees as it continued to expand its focus to nonreligious majors.
The Zarephath campus was nearly destroyed when Tropical Storm Floyd hit in 1999 and 8 feet of floodwater devastated several buildings. The property, which included church and college buildings, underwent a nearly $3 million renovation, school officials said. But when Tropical Storm Irene brought in even more water in 2011, the school’s president knew it was time to leave.
With no main campus and enrollment dropping, some said they doubted whether the school would survive.
B. Keith Brewer, a professor of biblical studies, had been with the school since the days it was known as Zarephath Bible Institute. As the 2011 floodwaters subsided, he said he saw the staff and the school’s leadership step up to rethink the college’s future.
"I also trusted in the providence of God to continue the important work of the college," Brewer said.
The college sent students to a temporary facility at a church in Warren County and to the school’s new satellite campus in an office building in Newark. The college gave half of the insurance money it got for its damaged campus to the Pillar of Fire church, which also needed to rebuild but lacked adequate flood insurance, the president said.
A new home
Then the college took the rest of the cash, along with donations from benefactors and some of its tuition revenue, and began looking for a new home, the president said. It settled on an office complex off Apgar Drive in Somerset, a few miles from its old campus.
The office space, which was transformed into classrooms and student lounges, opened this year. The college’s second campus in a building near the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark also expanded.
By the time Somerset Christian College renamed itself Pillar College in April, the school’s enrollment had bounced back to more than 450 students. School officials also were exploring finding dormitory space for students and opening additional locations in Rahway, Paterson, Phillipsburg, Rockaway and Passaic.
College officials said they do not expect to have difficulty finding students to fill new seats.
"There really seems to be a real desire for faith-based higher education," Schroeder said. "Part of it is just the lack of schools like us, particularly in New Jersey."
At the new Somerset campus, a large wooden cross stands in the student lounge where students hang out between classes. Classrooms, computer labs and offices line a brightly lit hallway in what once had been office space for an office supply company.
With no outdoor space at the new campus, students still go back to the college’s old campus in Zarephath to use the sports fields.
Freshman Faith Sanislo, 20, said she ended up at Pillar after an unhappy stint at Raritan Valley Community College.
"I told my parents how I felt, and my mother suggested that I look into Pillar. I decided to give it a try, and I fell in love with the school very quickly," said Sanislo, a business major from Somerset. "There is something about Pillar that you just do not experience anywhere else. You feel like you are part of a family.
"Everyone there wants to see you do your best and succeed," Sanislo said.
Many undergraduates say they ended up at the school through recommendations from their local churches. The college’s mission statement says it is "rooted in and committed to Christian faith and love." Students say religion does not dominate their courses, but faith has a prominent role.
"Most of us will start the class off with a prayer," said Josue Cruz, 23, a senior from New Brunswick majoring in psychology and counseling.
Cruz learned about the college through his church, enrolled and stuck with the school while it regrouped after the storm. He said there were mixed feelings among the students when the college decided to move to Somerset and change its name to Pillar. At a meeting where students voiced their concerns, Cruz said he advised his classmates the changes were for the best.
"Change may not be the easiest thing, but sometimes it’s necessary," said Cruz, president of the student government on the Somerset campus.
Though the school was founded to train ministers, religious training is now Pillar’s smallest division. Psychology, counseling and business administration and management are the school’s top majors. Tuition and fees for full-time students are about $17,000 a year. In the next three years, Pillar plans to add two undergraduate majors and two graduate programs, including a possible master’s in business administration degree, campus officials said.
Both the college and Pillar of Fire International long ago disavowed the church’s early ties to white supremacy, anti-Semitism and anti-Catholicism movements. Pillar now stresses its racial diversity and global focus when recruiting potential students, campus officials said.
The college is investing in a new bilingual program that allows students to earn an associate degree in classes taught in Spanish while taking noncredit classes to learn English.
Chinese students visit
The school also is developing relationships in China. During the summer, Pillar’s Somerset campus is hosting several sessions for Chinese students who are paying to come to New Jersey for multiweek English-language programs that include classes in American culture, baseball and learning how to cook a Thanksgiving dinner.
Meanwhile, a group of 22 Pillar students and professors is spending part of the summer in China teaching English to teenagers at a summer camp. Brewer, the biblical studies professor who also serves as head of the college’s global learning program said the U.S. students are taking Chinese-language courses, tai chi lessons and weekend trips around the country.
"A great time is being had by all and we expect this program to continue in the future as an annual event," Brewer said via e-mail from Jinhua in southeastern China.
Back home, Brewer said he sees a renewed spirit at the school.
"I am very excited about the future of Pillar College," Brewer said. "The new name will give us a broader connection with students beyond Somerset County."
With the school’s expansion continuing, Pillar College might consider applying to the state for university status one day, Schroeder said.
"That’s down the road a way," the school president said with a smile.
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