Eagle Heights Press is pleased to announce the publication of John Gooch’s latest book, titled Playing With the Big Kids: Central Methodist University 1982-2016.

Playing With the Big Kids is a history of Central Methodist University in Fayette, Missouri from 1982-2016. This is a book about transformation, or how a sleepy little college in a sleepy little town in rural Missouri became a university.

All proceeds from the sale of this book will be used to fund a scholarship at Central Methodist University.

Also available in ebook.

To purchase copies of this title, whether in ebook or hardcover, contact the Central Methodist University bookstore.

John Gooch is a native Missourian and a 1960 graduate of Central College with a degree in history. He has also received the Master of Divinity degree from Garrett/Evangelical Seminary, and the Ph.D. in church history from St. Louis University. His career includes being pastor of United Methodist churches in Missouri, a university and seminary professor, curriculum editor at the United Methodist Publishing House, and author of 14 other books, and dozens of articles and curriculum units.

He and his wife, Beth, met at Central, and have been married as of this writing for some 58 years. They are the parents of Nina (Central Methodist, ’84) and Carl, the parents-in-law of Erica and Kelly, and the grand-parents of Kaitlin and Jada. He and Beth enjoy travel, bridge, the St. Louis Cardinals, reading, and being with friends. They live in retirement in Lees Summit, MO.