Witnessing Through Business

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Summer 2007 | Volume 9, No. 2
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Message
The Multnomah Bible College and Biblical Seminary
m u l t n o m a h
www.multnomah.edu/message
If it’s Bible you want,
then you want Multnomah!
Witnessing
Through
Business
Multnomah grads in
the secular workplace
by Benjamin Tertin
W
Glenn Zirkle, owner
of WSCO Petroleum
Corporation, now
employs more than
500 people. He credits
Multnomah with
preparing him for
business success.
hen Christians separate ministry
from day-to-day life, the enemy
grins. Satan understands the immense
power of biblical truth; and he prefers that
if Christians must speak about God, they
do so in the confines of their churches.
“Ministry is only meant for Sunday
mornings, Awanas and church settings,”
Satan whispers. “Your secular job in the
‘real world’ doesn’t count. You are part of
the workforce—not the ministry.” Those
who accept this deception miss lifetimes
of opportunities for communicating lifegiving truth to a broken world.
Graduates from Multnomah Bible
College and Biblical Seminary often
go on to lead church congregations,
teach youth groups, and work in other
“full-time Christian ministries,” and
these worthwhile careers seem most
compatible with the majors the school
offers. But many other graduates integrate the biblical, moral principles that
Multnomah teaches with successful
continued on page 2
On the Cusp of
Consolidation
Page 3
Journey of a
Journalism
Student
Page 5
The One who
Called Us
Page 8
n
Inspiring High-schoolers Pg 6
n
Ellen Swope Scholarship Pg 7
n
Experiencing Multnomah Pg 15
Multnomah Message / Fall 2002
Check out our new Media Library at
www.multnomah.edu/message
M u l t n o m a h G r a d s Continued from Page 1
careers throughout the secular business
world—careers they consider as opportunities to minister full time.
The following Multnomah graduates
entered into the secular business world
understanding that effective ministry
focuses on life more than location.
Glenn Zirkle attended
Multnomah from
1976-79 to strengthen
his understanding of
Scripture—not to study
business, finance, or
the skills necessary for commanding a
sizeable petroleum company. After additional education from Portland State
University and Warner Pacific College,
“The principles of running
a successful business are
found in Scripture. You
cannot take shortcuts.
You cannot mess with
peoples’ lives, and you
have to operate with
integrity. This builds your
reputation within the
business community and
with the people that
work for you.”
both located in Oregon, Mr. Zirkle
went on to work for WSCO Petroleum
Corp. Within twelve years, Mr. Zirkle
purchased the company, which now
employs more than 500 people. He
credits Multnomah with preparing him
for business success.
Mr. Zirkle described his studies
under Dr. Roger Congdon as the fondest
of his Multnomah memories. “He [Dr.
Congdon] was so good at inspiring
a student to work harder than they
Multnomah Message / Summer 2007
thought they had the capacity to because
his homework load was so much heavier
than any other professors’,” Mr. Zirkle
said, noting that he took Dr. Congdon’s
courses every semester except one. But
Multnomah provided more than a good
work ethic.
“The principles of running a
successful business are found in
Scripture,” Mr. Zirkle said. “You cannot
take shortcuts. You cannot mess with
peoples’ lives, and you have to operate
with integrity. This builds your reputation within the business community and
with the people that work for you.”
As owner of WSCO Petroleum,
Oregon’s thirty-second largest company,
Mr. Zirkle recognizes his immense
sphere of influence. He said, “Every time
my life brushes up against someone
else’s, I have an opportunity to leave the
fragrance of Christ.”
Gary and Audie
Kearley graduated
from Multnomah in
1961. After serving
as a youth pastor in
the church for more
than twenty years, the couple founded
JDW Distributors in 1987. Located east
of Los Angeles in Orange, California, the
company is a wholesale distributor of
gourmet specialty products from more
than fifty manufacturers. These include
Ghirardelli, Sweet Shop Chocolates,
Too Good Gourmet Cookies, and Caffe
D’amore. Their products are shipped to
large, department store accounts such
as Bullock’s, Neiman Marcus, and Saks
Fifth Avenue. JDW also works with
small confectionaries, gift shops, florists,
boutiques, and other enterprises in the
gift-basket industry.
Mr. Kearley said he and his wife
decided to go into business at a time
when he desperately needed a job.
“We really believed that we were only
going to do this for one year,” he said,
Although many of their
friends criticized them
for leaving church
ministry to enter into
a secular business, the
Kearleys believe God
prompted their decision
and has taught them to
use everyday business
practice as a ministry.
admitting that at the time he had no
experience in sales or business.
“The first day out, I visited the only
chocolate shop I knew in Laguna Beach,”
he said, “and by the time I got home, the
owner called, saying, ‘Gary, I want that
chocolate. When can I get that
chocolate?’” From that point, the
business took off.
“Wherever Gary went,” Mrs.
Kearley said, “people seemed to
buy whatever he was selling.”
In 2000, the company lost
their account with Disneyland—a
$10,000-per-week account. But God
immediately provided new business that
compensated for more than what was
lost, Mr. Kearley said.
Although many of their friends
criticized them for leaving church
ministry to enter into a secular business,
the Kearleys believe God prompted their
decision and has taught them to use
everyday business practice as a ministry.
“Word gets around when you truly
care about your customers,” Mrs. Kearley
said. “Word gets around when you pay
your bills on time.”
Recognizing the necessity of face-toface interaction for effective ministry, the
Kearleys have developed closer personal
relationships with business associates by
continued on page 9
P r e sid e n t ’ s
C o l u m n
Cusp
On
the
of
Consolidation
Conversion Experiences
bout five years ago, Dr. Daniel
Aleshire, executive director
of The Association of
Theological Schools,
surveyed our thirtypage strategic planning
document. “Good job!” he remarked.
“Just make sure you allow room for
‘conversion’ experiences!” He encouraged
us to remain open to the unpredictable,
the surprising, even the miraculous
leading of God at Multnomah.
Now, five years later, I write to
announce the unexpected! Last April
and May, a process of study, planning,
and implementation leading to a formal
consolidation of Multnomah Bible
College & Biblical Seminary and Western
Seminary was authorized by the trustee
boards of the two institutions.
Close Encounters
Multnomah and Western have had
several such conversations over the last
twenty years. I have been involved, one
way or another, in all of them. But for
a variety of reasons, none ever came to
this point of passing a joint resolution by
both trustee boards.
The last discussion occurred
five years ago. As it turned out,
regional accreditation issues rendered
consolidation impossible. Because we
were deep in the pursuit of accreditation
with Northwest Commission on Colleges
and University, a union with Western
would have either delayed accreditation
unnecessarily or complicated it
unbelievably. But we entered the
dialogue in good faith. Western’s
president, Dr. Bert Downs, and I agreed
to emerge from those discussions
Multnomah clarified and reaffirmed the
centrality of both the seminary and the
Bible college to our institutional vision.
So, when talks resumed, an important
foundation was laid.
Majoring on the Majors
Last December, Dr. Tom Tunnicliff,
Western’s board chair, dropped by
my office to reopen the conversation.
It was timely, he said, to look again
at the possibility of collaboration.
“Last April and May, a process of study,
planning, and implementation leading to a
formal consolidation of Multnomah Bible
College & Biblical Seminary and Western
Seminary was authorized by the trustee
boards of the two institutions.”
as good friends and as institutional
colleagues, regardless of the outcome.
This indeed happened, paving the path
for resuming talks five years later.
In retrospect, I see the Lord’s hand
in earlier discussions. For example, after
thoroughly reflecting on our institutional
values, mission, and distinctives,
Join the discussion! Learn more about consolidation
at www.multnomah.edu/consolidation
After bringing him up to speed on
Multnomah, I encouraged him to
contact Multnomah’s board chair,
Dr. Jack Dryden. Since securing
regional accreditation in July 2006
and with about five new program
initiatives in the planning, approval,
or implementation stages, there was
a lot on our plate. Nobody wanted
distractions. More importantly, board
continued on page 4
Multnomah Message / Summer 2007
3
P r e sid e n t ’ s
C o l u m n
Continued from Page 3
leadership—and ownership—of this
process was essential.
After Dr. Tunnicliff and Dr. Dryden
talked and prayed, they convened the
executive committees of both boards.
Over the ensuing months, we initiated
relationship-development and trustbuilding between the committees and
eventually considered all kinds of issues:
from mission statements to facility usage,
from academic programs to campus
community, from doctrinal distinctives
to extension education.
partnership exist. For example, our
complementary missions provide a solid
foundation for integration, enhancing
vital, institutional growth. Such
growth can emerge in the excellence
and number of academic offerings;
the elimination of redundancies in
expenses and offerings; an enriched
combination of faculty resources;
deeper financial stability; greater
impact on local, regional, and national
recruitment; positive interest among
student prospects and donors; and an
graduate school almost inevitable
within a university model. And, in the
third world, where many Multnomah
graduates serve, “university” is less
confusing than “college.”
Dr. Tunnicliff invited Dr. Robert
Cooley, president emeritus of Gordon
Conwell Theological Seminary, to
serve as our consultant. Very early, he
suggested that the two trustee boards
form a task force to study, plan, and
implement a collaboration process. But,
he cautioned, there must be a specific
endpoint in mind. In this case, it should
be the creation of a new university in
No longer were we asking, “What are
the Northwest that would retain its
the compelling reasons why these two
strong niche in the teaching of Bible and
theology and in the training of men and
institutions should collaborate?”
women for ministry effectiveness in the
Instead, the question became, “What are
church, in the community, and in the
the overwhelming reasons why we should world. Within this university would be
a Bible college, a graduate school, and a
not move forward together?”
new consolidated seminary.
In this plan, Western Seminary
But this was a process bathed in
enlarged capacity to serve our graduates. and Multnomah Biblical Seminary
prayer, from start to finish. Each of
Above all, when both institutions
would begin a process of affiliation —
us detected something unique was
bring their individual strengths to
planning ways to share their resources
happening. We experienced an almost
such a partnership, the stewardship of
with one another while still operating as
palpable sense of the presence of the
resources will energize opportunities to distinct seminaries. Multnomah Bible
Spirit of God, keeping us focused on the
serve Christ and His kingdom.
College would initiate structuring a
“macro” issues: doctrinal convictions,
university for the college and a future
core values, mission, vision, historical
The Idea of a University
graduate school.
roots. The two committees were keenly
One thorny issue lingered. How can
It is this model that guides the task
aware of the dangers of distraction by
you consolidate two, free-standing
force. The end is not a preordained
minutia. They majored on the majors.
institutions when one (Western) is a
contract but a roadmap. Thus, the work
Eventually, the primary question
seminary and the other (Multnomah) is of discovery will head the task force’s
changed. No longer were we asking,
a Bible college and a seminary? Without summer agenda.
“What are the compelling reasons
a careful, structured process, one or
why these two institutions should
more of the three entities could easily
“The End of the Beginning”
collaborate?” Instead, the question
feel marginalized.
Winston Churchill, speaking after the
became, “What are the overwhelming
Providentially, Multnomah’s faculty first significant victory of World War II,
reasons why we should not move forward had recommended a university model to delivered a memorable quote that applies
together?” We sensed the overwhelming
our trustees in January. One reason for
here. “This is not the end,” he thundered.
leading of the Holy Spirit without
this was simple. Adding non-seminary
“It is not even the beginning of the end.
removing our “fiduciary” glasses.
masters’ programs (e.g., the Master of
But perhaps it is the end of
Of course, compelling reasons for
Arts in Teaching) makes a Multnomah
the beginning!”
Under God’s leading, our two
trustee boards have initiated an
Read the President’s Annual Report, and learn more about
Dr. Lockwood’s leadership at www.multnomah.edu/message
Multnomah Message / Summer 2007
continued on page 9
From Multnomah to Managing Editor
The journey of a journalism student
by Mike R icheson
M
ore than two years have
passed since I graduated from
Multnomah Bible College, and I still
think about that small, beautiful campus
nearly every day.
I can’t pick just one aspect of
the college that most impacted me.
The combination of gifted students,
impossibly smart professors, challenging
academics, student ministry and the
chance to plunge into the Bible hour after
hour was often overwhelming.
After attending Montana State
University for two years, Multnomah
was a dream come true. No other
subjects could possibly hold my attention
like God’s Word. Once I heard about
Multnomah, I immediately filled out
an application. I chose the school sightunseen; I had never even been to Portland.
Maybe the best part about attending
Multnomah was what I didn’t expect.
I met the most stellar people I’ve ever
known—friends that I will cherish for a
Because my time at Multnomah
not only had made me a proficient
writer but also a skilled designer who
could lay out pages, I was hired at a
daily newspaper in my hometown of
Kalispell, Montana. As management
realized I could perform a number of
different tasks, I began working in many
different areas.
Now I run a newspaper. Not bad
for someone who walked onto
Multnomah’s campus without
the ability to write anything!
Within a year, the publisher came
to me and explained that an editor job
writer. I served as the editor of The Voice, had opened up at one of the company’s
Multnomah’s long-running student
papers—the most award-winning weekly
newspaper. That experience alone was
in Montana.
worth three years of tuition.
“You should probably apply,” he said.
The number of writing awards I won
Now I run a newspaper. Not
began to grow, and I unexpectedly found bad for someone who walked onto
myself in the running for a
Multnomah’s campus without the
paid internship through the
ability to write anything!
Maybe the best part about attending University of Oregon. I was the
Now, all this isn’t to try and pass
Multnomah was what I didn’t expect... first Multnomah student ever
myself off as a genius (as an editor, I’m
chosen for that internship and, usually called much worse), but to show
when I became a journalism student.
that Multnomah means more than
out of the 10 students selected
Bible and theology alone. People like
lifetime. But the most unexpected step
that year, I was the only student who
me graduate every year and enter the
was when I became a journalism student. didn’t attend a large university.
secular workforce. I’m a well-educated
Little did I know a little blue building
Clearly, Professor Staatz was doing
Christian with a large audience, and
(now tan) on the corner of Multnomah’s something right.
that never would have happened if I
campus would take over my life.
Life changed radically during
hadn’t decided to give Multnomah and
Along with a tight-knit bunch of
my three years at Multnomah. I came
journalism a try. M
journalism students, I began the process
looking to feed my desire for the best
of learning how to communicate through Bible education I could find. That desire
Author Bio
writing. Our professor, Ann Staatz, began had been met daily, and I assumed that
to teach us the skills for working at
after Multnomah I would just move in to
Mike Richeson graduated from Multnomah in
newspapers or magazines.
being a pastor.
2005 with degree in journalism. He works as
During the next three years, I
What’s the saying? “We plan, and
the managing editor of the Bigfork Eagle newsworked hard at becoming a proficient
God laughs.” That should be my motto.
paper in Bigfork, Montana.
Multnomah Message / Summer 2007
The Invisible Children Project
Inspiring high-schoolers to change the world
by Kelly Wilbanks
J
on Bryant, an alumnus of Multnomah
Bible College, teaches high school
History and Geography and coaches
freshman football. His inspiration
to teach high school came from the
training he received from the professors at Multnomah. Bryant
says, “Many of the things
I do in my classes reflect
the teaching I received at
Multnomah. For example,
Ray Lubeck’s ability to entice
students to tackle theological
complexities has helped me
avoid giving ‘easy answers.’
Garry Friesen’s
accountability group also
gave Bryant a model for listening to
young men and encouraging them in
their faith. Sophomore, Chase Merill says,
“Mr. Bryant has changed the way I ever
imagined a friendship between a student
and teacher could be. He is the one that
has kept me going and encouraged me
with his uplifting words and prayers.”
Bryant has been teaching for a total
of four years, two of which have been at
Whitney High School in Sacramento’s
public school system. Bryant’s leadership
and compassion is making a difference in
the lives of the students he teaches, which
in turn is helping them impact the world.
Two years ago, Bryant became aware
of the Invisible Children movement
through a video post on MySpace.com.
The video showed young African children
being ripped from their beds at night and
forced to serve in The Lord’s Resistance
Army in Uganda. After previewing the
video, Bryant saw that it not only fit well
with his current curriculum, it could also
empower students to make a difference.
The Invisible Children movement was
Multnomah Message / Summer 2007
initiated by three college students, Jason
Russell, Loren Poole and Bobby Bailey,
who visited Uganda in 2003. During
their stay in Africa they discovered that
children are regularly abducted by the
LRA to be trained as child soldiers. Once
pressed into service,
these children would be
witnesses to countless
horrors: rape, abduction,
maiming and in some
cases be forced to do the
same. Because of this,
Thousands of children
would flee their homes
nightly and walk miles to
find shelter in hospitals or
bus parks to escape abduction.
When Russell, Poole and Bailey
came back to America, they went public
with their footage. The 50,000 invisible
children of Uganda became visible
through their documentary and nonprofit
organization, Invisible Children Inc.
When Jon showed the video to
his students, they were immediately
motivated to take action. He now advises
The Invisible Children Project (ICP) at
Whitney. The ICP is a group of students
supporting the work of the Invisible
Children movement, which raises money
and global awareness for the plight of
children in Uganda. Bryant has never
doubted his student’s abilities and
thoroughly enjoys brainstorming and
helping them think of ways to support
this movement.
Bryn Hobson, a sophomore in
Bryant’s class says, “Invisible Children has
really opened my mind and heart up to
non-profits. It’s shown me how incredibly
selfish I am, and all the things I take for
granted—like my education, family, and
most of all my security.”
Whitney students specifically raise
money for the Schools for Schools program
to renovate high schools in northern
Uganda. This program aids former childsoldiers in re-integration into normal
civic life through education and extensive
psychological evaluation and treatment.
The money raised provides essentials like
water, books, teachers, new classroom
facilities and technology.
Megan Green, a sophomore, says, “I
became involved with Invisible Children
after Mr. Bryant showed us the video in
class. We were all shocked and compelled
to do something. So far we have made
about $12,500 in the past two years with
book sales, bake sales, t-shirts, concerts,
and more.”
Teaching can be a strain on one’s time
and finances as well as the heart. Bryant’s
wife, Lisa keeps him going. He says, “Lisa
encourages me daily by helping grade
papers, telling me when a lesson looks
boring, and sending me emails through
the day. We are still ‘Team Bryant.’”
Teaching, of course, can have its
highs as well as its lows, but Bryant says,
“Students make connections between life
and what they are learning in my class.
If what I have taught them affects what
they do outside the classroom, I’ve done
my job.” Bryant is making a difference
in the lives his students, who in turn, are
impacting the lives of students halfway
across the world. M
Author Bio
Kelly Wilbanks is an alumnus
of Multnomah Bible College
and lives with her new
husband in Portland, Oregon.
Ellen Swope Endowed Scholarship
In honor of Multnomah’s beloved nurse
by Amanda Ng
A
window on Multnomah Bible
College and Biblical Seminary’s
campus proudly displays the words,
stenciled in gold, “Ellen Swope Wellness
Center.” Multnomah’s nurse, Ellen Swope,
affectionately known as “Nurse Ellen,” died
unexpectedly due to a brain aneurysm
on September 20, 2006. In remembrance
of her, students petitioned to have the
wellness center renamed after her.
As Nurse Ellen battled against the
aneurysm for more than a week, students
continuously prayed for her healing,
stuck get-well cards on her office window,
and left flowers for her—gestures of love
toward a woman who offered endless
love toward students throughout her four
years at Multnomah.
“Ellen had a supernatural gift of
loving people,” said Harriet Congdon,
Nurse Ellen’s friend of thirty years.
According to her, Nurse Ellen spent
an entire summer ferrying her when
People on
campus remember
Nurse Ellen as a
selfless giver and
compassionate
friend.
mercy and compassion.”
In remembrance of
Nurse Ellen’s joyful nature, a
“Celebration of Life” service
was held on September 29,
at Central Bible Church
reflecting and honoring
her memory. Nurse Ellen’s
husband, Steve, sons Colin
and Ian, and other loved
ones said their last goodbyes
to her during the service.
People on campus remember Nurse
Ellen as a selfless giver and
compassionate friend. In
October 2006, Multnomah’s
“She was a real example of somebody who
newspaper, “The Voice,”
lived beyond her years.”
published an article on Nurse
~ Kelly Wilbanks, former Multnomah staff
Ellen that contained students’
and staff members’ thoughts
“She was so patient with all the students’
and impressions of her.
needs, and she had compassion for everyNurse Ellen will continue
body....she was just always there for them.”
her active service to students
~ Nicole Christianson, Multnomah student
through the established
Ellen Swope Endowed
Scholarship. The scholarship
will be awarded to new or
Mrs. Congdon had a broken foot. One of returning Multnomah Bible College
Mrs. Congdon’s sons once told her that
students who have expressed good faith
he never remembered seeing Nurse Ellen and intention to go into the following
grumpy or angry. “She demonstrated
ministries, listed in preferential order:
and displayed the life of God in her,”
Christian missionary health related work,
Mrs. Congdon said. “She has the gift of
general health related work, or Christian
missionary work. The student has to have
a 2.0 GPA average and show demonstrable
need for financial assistance.
At present, forty-two donors have
generously given to this fund, collecting
a principal sum of $51,210. If you would
like to give to this scholarship, you can
give online at www.multnomah.edu/goto/
giving and select “Ellen Swope Endowed
Scholarship” as the designation, or you
can make any checks for the scholarship
payable to Multnomah Bible College
and Biblical Seminary with a memo
designation of “Ellen Swope Endowed
Scholarship.” M
Author Bio
Amanda Ng is a current
Journalism student at
Multnomah Bible College.
Multnomah Message / Summer 2007
He who Called us
How far could your gift go?
by Ray Keen
G
od brings us a myriad of choices
everyday, yet very few of us stretch
toward the potential God has for us. I
don’t mean being busy for God. Many
of us are “busy for God,” but we may
be missing the opportunities God has
for us today.
Dr. John G. Mitchell, Multnomah’s
founder, was a man who listened to God’s
call. Upon realizing that God was calling
him to preach, he discussed this with his
supervisor in the machine shop where he
was working.
Dr. Mitchell said, “I’m a Jonah.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I’ve been fighting God. He wants me
to go out into the prairies preaching.”
“You a preacher?” “Well, I’m not a
preacher, but the Lord wants me to go out
and give my testimony.”
“But you stutter. You’ve got a brogue
nobody understands.”
“Well, the Lord wants me to go.”
“Mitchell, you’ll never make a
preacher…”
God made Mitchell a preacher…
After preaching for an hour, to have
them say, “What are you stopping for?
Give us the rest of it.” I preached until
11 or 12 o’clock at night, three or four
hours to hungry people who for the
first time were hearing the wonderful
grace of God. (ibid., 56)
Over the last several years, I’ve been
discovering God’s call on my own life.
He made me to bring needs and gifts
Today, God is calling a mother to
together. I enjoy linking people who
reach beyond her front door to embrace can’t go on without help to those who
those hard to love children next door.
can’t go on unless they help. Here at
God is calling a businessman to use the
Multnomah I see some students with the
Lord’s resources for His eternal purposes. same calling to preach that Dr. Mitchell
God is calling an elderly widow to
had. They are steadily discovering their
serve and pray for others she will see
gifts, and they are so ablaze with God’s
today. God is calling a young person
purposes that it takes discipline for
with an entrepreneurial drive who will
them to focus in this season of study.
help develop the mission strategy of the They are convinced of God’s calling, but
church for the next twenty years.
unsure of how He will provide for their
These are the people God directs to needs. They know they should be here,
Multnomah.
but often don’t have enough for next
semester’s tuition.
Your support allows their training
Lion of God: A Biography of John G. Mitchell,
here to blossom into a life of faithful
D.D., Dick Bohrer (Multnomah Bible College,
ministry. If you’d like to partner with
1995), 55.
God’s work here at Multnomah, please
contact me. I’d love to see what God
will do! We’ve included a reply envelope
“His divine power has given us
in this issue of the Message for your
convenience and, as always, please
everything we need for life and godliness
continue to pray with us! M
through our knowledge of him who called
us by his own glory and goodness.”
Author Bio
Multnomah Message / Summer 2007
2 Peter 1:3
Ray Keen is the Director of
Development at Multnomah
Bible College and Biblical
Seminary. He lives in Portland,
Oregon with his wife Rachel
and two children.
M u l t n o m a h G r a d s Continued from Page 2
Summer 2007 | Volume 9, No. 2
m u l t n o m a h
Gary Kearley of JDW Distributors.
opening their warehouse to customers—
an uncommon practice among wholesalers—and offering gift-basket-making
classes to beginning entrepreneurs.
The Kearleys said that Multnomah
instilled in them the moral principles
that continue to fuel business success,
both financial and spiritual. And they
said that staying connected to some of
their Multnomah classmates for more
than forty years has provided encouragement and a foundational accountability
structure throughout their career.
“God used us while we worked in the
church with youth,” Mr. Kearley said, “and
I feel that while we have been in business,
we have been in full-time Christian work
just as much as we were in the other
realm. Relationships are the cement of
our business. We listened every day to
our customers and served whatever their
needs were. We were actually serving God
as we served them.” M
Author Bio
Benjamin Tertin is a current
Multnomah Bible College
student majoring in Journalism
and Bible. He resides in
Portland with his wife, Alison.
C o n s o l i d a t i o n Continued from Page 4
exciting process. Many uncertainties
exist. It will be lengthy, with both
unanticipated challenges and unexpected
breakthroughs. A substantial investment
of time, energy, and resources will be
necessary, but I believe the rewards
in expanded impact in the Northwest
for biblical education and vocational
ministry and pastoral training may well
be immeasurable.
So, this is not the end. Not by a long
shot. But perhaps, as Churchill said, it
marks the end of the beginning. Please
pray with us that our Lord will guide
us successfully to the ending of His
choosing. For questions, contact me at
dlockwood@multnomah.edu. M
P r e sid e n t ’ s C o l u m n
Dr. Daniel R. Lockwood is
President of Multnomah
Bible College and Multnomah
Biblical Seminary.
Message
The Multnomah Message will be published
three times in 2006-2007–fall, spring, and
summer–and sent free of charge to the
friends and supporters of Multnomah Bible
College and Biblical Seminary. Multnomah
is located at 8435 Northeast Glisan Street,
Portland, Oregon 97220-5898. All correspondence should be sent to Promotions/
Communications or call us at 503.251.6452
or e-mail us at procom@multnomah.edu.
If you would like to send The Message
FREE to a friend or wish to cancel your
subscription, please call 503.251.6452.
To learn more about Multnomah, visit our
Web site at www.multnomah.edu.
Publisher:
Dr. Daniel R. Lockwood, President
Managing Editor:
Kristin Kendall, Communications
Coordinator
Editorial Council:
Paul Griffin, Senior Vice President
Eric Rice, Vice President of Advancement
Robert Leary, Director of Promotions/
Communications
Michelle Peel, Director of Alumni Relations
Copy Editor:
Ellen Bascuti
Photo credits: Dave Hardy
Gary Kearley
Glenn Zirkle
Mike Richeson
SJ Harmon Photography
Design credits:
Thot Communications, Inc.
No part of this publication may be
reproduced without the expressed written
permission of Multnomah Bible College
and Biblical Seminary.
Multnomah is proud to be
a member of the following:
■ The Association of Theological Schools
■ The Association for Biblical Higher
Education
■ The Northwest Commission on
Colleges and Universities
■ The Oregon Independent Colleges
Association
■ The Evangelical Council for Financial
Accountability
■ The Christian Stewardship Association
Multnomah Message / Summer 2007
Alumni News
Keep Multnomah updated with
College Class News
1939, ex 1940 Daniel Hager, a member
of Multnomah’s first graduating class,
and his wife, Mildred, celebrated their
seventieth wedding anniversary on
December 24, 2006. They served in the
pastorate in Idaho and Oregon for 55
years. Following their retirement, they
moved back to Portland and served
as chaplains with Nursing Homes
Ministries for 15 years. Dan now lives in
an assisted living center and Mildred in
an adult foster home. The Hagers have
four children, including alumni Bethel
North Bend, Oregon. He now will be
serving as director of the South Coast
Emergency Chaplaincy programs.
Gerald and his wife, Carol, also served
for forty years as missionaries with
SIM in Ethiopia, and Gerald was on the
Conservative Baptist National Board for
many years. The Hamiltons have four
children, nine grandchildren, and seven
great-grandchildren.
The Mauch Family
Hager, ex 1961, Hannah Swankie, ex
1962, and Rhoda Reid, ex 1964.
1957, 1957 Ben and Carol (Wyckoff)
Rempel live in Longview, Texas, where
Ben sells real estate and Carol teaches
piano. One of their extracurricular
activities is a chaplaincy program at
an assisted living center. Several of the
Rempel siblings and other relatives
attended Multnomah. The Rempels
have three grown children who also
are alumni: Scott Rempel, ‘81, Robin
Rempel, ‘84, and Cherie Rempel,
‘87. Scott and Polly just moved to
Washington State from the Philippines.
Scott is the personnel director for
the Indonesian Branch with Wycliffe.
Robin, also with Wycliffe, is presently in
Uganda, East Africa, serving as a literacy
consultant. Cherie is a missionary with
Christar and works with the Kurds both
in Virginia and in Iraq.
1971 Pastor Gerald Hamilton has
retired following thirteen years of
service at Skyline Baptist Church in
10
Multnomah Message / Summer 2007
1975, 1972 Gilbert and Vivian (Turner)
Woo attend Spring Mountain Bible
Church in Clackamas, Oregon, where
Gil is the men’s ministry director.
Vivian works in the library at Western
Seminary in Portland. The Woos had
their first grandson in January 2007.
your latest news. Just visit
www.multnomah.edu/message
Ex 1978 Cheryl (Mattocks) Lewis spent six
weeks in the Gambella region of Ethiopia
opening an orphanage among the Anuak
people. Cheryl and her husband, Jack, and
their children live in Spokane, Washington.
1978 Richard DeVita and his wife,
Cecilia, live on the island of Guam.
Richard works for the National Weather
Service as a hydrometer technician.
Archive Image - Registration 1955
He is taking classes and hopes to become
a meteorologist soon. The DeVitas are
actively involved in their church, and
Cecilia plans to become involved with
Child Evangelism Fellowship.
1978, 1979 Tim and Kari (Nelson)
Raven live in Manhattan, Illinois. Tim
drives a cement mixer, and Kari is a
payroll clerk for the public elementary
with her family in American Falls, Idaho. schools. They recently reached the mileThe Mauches own their own shop,
stone of being new grandparents!
C & J Power Equipment, where they sell
and service outdoor power equipment.
1980, 1971 Bob and Jan (Wilcoxon)
Her husband, Jerry, does the ordering
Droullard recently celebrated twentyand all the technical and skill work.
five years of serving as pastor at Dover
Chris, who after fifteen years working as Community Church near Sandy, Oregon.
a nurse, transitioned to office manager,
Bob has the distinct advantage of being
bookkeeper, sales, and parts person.
aware of what life is like in the workplace
Chris says she enjoys sharing the Lord
because of his other job at Freightliner
as she goes, lifting others along the way. Corp., where he works on data manageShe also is thankful for the power of
ment and computer problem-solving.
God’s Word for her own needs and those That real-world connection brings a tone
around her. The Mauches have two
of realism to his sermons and classes. Bob
young adult daughters, Shannon and
and Jan have three children: Sarah, Josh,
Alanna Mauch, ex ‘07.
and Rachel.
1977 Christine (Pankratz) Mauch lives
Alumni News
1982, 1982 Brad and Deborah Ellgen
serve with Cadence International in
Frauenberg, Germany.
1984, ex ‘84 Wes and Tammy
(Urbaniak) Olson, of Kamiah, Idaho,
have four children: Lucas, age twenty,
Micah, age seventeen, Rebekah, age
thirteen, and Hannah, age six. They have
completed a curriculum film project
called “Biology 101: Biology According
to the Days of Creation.” It has been
endorsed by the Institute for Creation
Research and is now in the homeschool
Washington, have three daughters,
Meredith Grace, age seven, Celia
Elizabeth, age five, and Ava Elise, age
one. Micheal taught sixth grade in the
Northshore School District in Bothell,
Washington, for nine years before their
children were born. She is now an athome mom. Micheal received her MA
in Biblical Counseling in 1992. The
Teagues are actively involved at Cascade
Community Church in Monroe.
1991, 1991 Kevin and Kelly (Cathell)
Williamson live in Damascus, Oregon.
Kevin is the senior project advisor for
Advisicon in Portland. Kelly is the senior
head tutor of Iona Academy. Connor,
age thirteen, and Bennett, age ten, spend
their days eating and learning, and their
nights growing. Arianna, age two, spends
her days learning to talk and her nights
finding ways to keep her parents from
getting enough sleep.
Georgia and Daniel Shaw
and Christian education market. Their
Web site is www.biologyfilm.com.
1986, 1987 Ken and Trudi (Wilson)
Berding live in La Mirada, California,
where Ken is associate professor of New
Testament at Talbot School of Theology
at Biola University. He has published a
book entitled “What Are Spiritual Gifts?
Rethinking the Conventional View”
(Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2006) in which
he challenges the standard paradigm
about spiritual gifts. The Berdings were
missionaries in Turkey from
1988-1995, and returned to the U.S.
for Ken to work on his Ph.D. in New
Testament. Trudi homeschools their
teenage daughters, Lydia and Grace,
teaches a women’s Bible study, and does
premarital counseling along with Ken.
1987 Micheal (Hewitt) Teague and
her husband, Kevin, of Monroe,
1992, 1994 Mark and Candace (Ledner)
Staples have recently moved to Mesa,
Arizona, where Mark is the high school
pastor at Red Mountain Community
Church. Mark and Candace, who have
two young children, Zane, age four, and
Ivana, age two, love working with today’s
youth and are excited for God to use
them in the Valley of the Sun.
1999 Aaron Box is the youth pastor at
Seaside Christian Church in Warrenton,
Oregon. He and his wife, Jennifer, have
two children, Elizabeth, age three, and
Charles, almost one.
2000 Rochelle Potter became aware
of the serious problem of human
trafficking and sex slavery while she
was teaching English in South Korea.
Wanting to become involved in the
lives of women and children whose
personal freedoms have been taken
from them, she has since joined Youth
Visit Multnomah’s online bookstore at
www.multnomah.edu/bookstore
With a Mission, a mission organization
that encourages young people to get
involved in things like the arts, justice
issues, media, and education to impact
the world for Christ. Rochelle hopes to
address the issue of human trafficking
on a global scale.
Ex 2000 Johannes Schabauer returned
to Austria following one year of study
at Multnomah (which he says was one
of his best years). He then studied electronics and biomedicine and is now a
scientist at the Austrian Research Center.
2001 Marc Lucca works for Oregon
State Representative Kim Thatcher as
her legislative director. Marc and his
wife, Stacy, live in Stayton, Oregon, and
own a Shell gas station on Portland
Road in Salem.
2003, 2003 Jesse and Krista (Martens)
Ashmen are serving at the Torchbearer’s
Holsby Brunn Bible School in Sweden.
Jesse will be dean of students and
teaches Bible and theology courses.
Along with many administrative tasks,
Krista will be involved in hospitality and
home groups.
College Weddings
ex 1973 Dr. Georgia Grimes and
Dr. R. Daniel Shaw were married at
Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, California,
on August 19, 2006. Dan’s ninety-yearold father performed their ceremony.
Georgia attended Multnomah from
1969-1973 and also was the public relations secretary from 1971-1973 before
going into full-time ministry with North
America Indian Mission in Canada.
Daniel teaches at Fuller Seminary’s
School of Intercultural Studies and was
with Wycliffe in Papua New Guinea for
twelve years.
continued on page 12
Multnomah Message / Summer 2007
11
Alumni News
2007 Amy Knapp and James Dasher (ex
‘08) were married on September 22, 2006,
College Deaths
in Pueblo West, Colorado, where they
now reside.
1948 Verna (Smith) Kehoe passed away
College Births
1999 David Moore and his wife, Denise,
a son, Benjamin Dalton, on January 27,
2007. Benjamin joins big sister, Hannah
Marie. David is an assistant regional
director for SIL in the country where
they work.
2002, 2001 Jason and Bridget (Seib)
Doughty of Wake Forest, North
Carolina, a girl, Kiah Maeline, on
September 29, 2006. Kiah is welcomed
by big brothers Justin, age five, and
Isaac, age four.
Amy and James Dasher
husband, Benjamin, a boy, David Mikel,
born February 27, 2007. David joins
big sister Eve Katherine, age two. The
Browns live in Portland.
2005, 2006 Matt and Tessa (Chierici)
Forsythe, a boy, Parker Henri, born on
April 1, 2007. Parker Henri is named
after Parker Palmer and Henri Nouwen,
two of Matt’s favorite authors. Matt is
on Multnomah’s staff as the donor relations coordinator.
12 Multnomah Message / Summer 2007
on February 8, 2007. Following her
graduation from Multnomah, Verna
held several positions, including an
administrative position at Woodland
Park Hospital for twenty-three years.
In 1959, she married James Kehoe
(‘47), who died in 1974. James was the
son of Rev. George Kehoe, longtime
faculty member at Multnomah. Verna
is survived by a brother and her sister,
Mildred Smith Shiprek (ex ‘47), and her
sister-in-law, Joyce Kehoe (‘51, ‘58),
former Multnomah registrar.
1949 Clifford Burshek died January 28,
2007, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Cliff had served in the military police in
Europe during World War II, then came
to know the Lord through his brother’s
Kiah Maeline Doughty
2003 Angela (Nation) Brown and her
1950 Ruth (Backus) De Smet passed
away on November 25, 2006, in Gresham,
Oregon. Ruth was a missionary with the
American Board of Missions to the Jews
for nineteen years, and married Alfons in
1990; he died in 1997. Survivors include
her stepsons, Leo De Smet, ‘51, and
Wally De Smet, ‘55.
1953 Arthur Coats, of Dunbar,
Wisconsin, passed away on March 9,
2007. He is survived by his wife, Virginia
Morgan (‘51) Coats.
Ex 1960 Betty Donnelly passed away
March 28, 2007, in Portland, Oregon.
Betty was a kindergarten teacher for
most of her thirty-seven years in the
workplace. She was an eighteen-year
Trail Blazers season-ticket holder and
was affectionately known as “Blazer
Betty” for her long and energetic
David Mikel Brown
influence. (His brother, Clarence
Burshek, also a member of the class of
1949, passed away in 1987.) Following
his graduation from Multnomah, Cliff
went to Wheaton College where he met
his wife, Dorothy. He worked in the life
insurance profession and also was active
in his church and other Christian ministries. Cliff is survived by Dorothy and
their three children and families.
ex 1949 Myrtle Johnson Swanbom,
of Fresno, California, passed away on
March 4, 2007. She is survived by her
husband, Warren Swanbom, also a
former student of the class of 1949.
Parker Henri Forsythe
devotion to the team. Betty, who was
wheelchair-bound and dependent on
public transportation for attending
home games, had been the subject of
two or three pieces in The Oregonian in
the year or two preceding her death.
1966 Jim Carter, of Milwaukie, Oregon,
a graduate of Multnomah’s Evening
School program, died January 4, 2007, at
the age of ninety-six. Jim is survived by
his wife, Gayle.
1980 Charlie Fischer, of Sundre, Alberta,
Canada, passed away February 21, 2007.
He had been a pastor for many years. He
is survived by his wife, Kaye, and three
grown children and their families. M
Alumni News
Seminary Class News
1988 Justus Ogbenna is an evangelist
who travels to Africa and Europe with
his organization, Jireh Evangelistic
Films. He is based in Jamaica, New York,
and works in real estate on the side.
Justus and his wife, Edith, have a tenyear-old daughter, Chidimna.
1974 Dennis Meola and his wife, Pat,
live in Tucson, Arizona, where he has
worked as director of partner relations
for AmeriTribes since September 2006.
Prior to their move, Dennis served for
seven years as director of communications at Avant Ministries in Kansas City,
Missouri. The Meolas attend Christ
Community Church in Tucson. Their
two adult sons live in New York City and
Kansas City.
1980, College 1986 John Perkins,
professor of history at Tarrant County
College in Fort Worth, Texas, was
recently awarded the Chancellor’s Award
for Exemplary Teaching for his strong
commitment and dedication to the ideal
of superlative instruction. Nominees
for TCC’s highest teaching award are
selected by their peers and selected by
a faculty committee. John and his wife,
Paula (Thornton), BSBE ‘86, met while
they were students at Multnomah.
Several other family members also have
attended Multnomah. Paula works as the
senior staff attorney at the 2nd Court of
Appeals in Fort Worth.
1982, 1982 Ron and Cindy
(Jacobson) Elder live in Redmond,
Washington. They had spent ten
years in Portugal where they served
as missionaries with TEAM. Ron now
works for Boeing as a cost management
analyst, and Cindy is a stay-at-home
mom. The Elders have three children,
Jonathan, age nineteen, Andrew, age
fifteen, and Natalie, age twelve.
children, Rebecca, age fourteen, Ashley,
age twelve, and Jared, age ten.
2004 Scott Purrier is senior pastor of
Evans Valley Bible Church in Wimer,
Oregon. This town in southern Oregon
is home to many loggers and farmers
and has only one church. He also is
1989 Marcia Muir was ordained in
a chaplain for the Evans Valley Fire
November 2006 in the Presbyterian
Department. His wife, Denise, worked
Church and is currently serving as an
in the registrar’s office while Scott was
interim pastor in Reedsport, Oregon.
a student at Multnomah. The Purriers
homeschool their three children, Levi,
2000 Robert Cole and his family moved age eight, Josiah, age six, and Jerushah,
from Georgia in 2006 to plant a church, age three.
Berean Reformed Baptist Church, in
Hickman, California. (Visit the Web site 2004 Victoria Fuller serves as an adjunct
at BRBChurch.com.) Robert and his
professor for Northwest Christian
wife, Dawn, have two sons, Jacob, age
College in Eugene, Oregon. She also leads
four, and Josiah, age three, with another an interdenominational weekly inductive
baby on the way. Robert says, “I often
Bible study group of about forty people
think of the impact Multnomah had on in her hometown of nearby Oakland.
our lives and my ministry. I appreciate
the integrity of the education. Rather
than simply telling the students what
they ought to believe, Multnomah
teaches student how to study the Bible
1965 Lenora Hambley and Earl Collier
for themselves. With those tools, the
were married on July 1, 2006, in Port
Holy Spirit teaches us what to believe.
Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada.
I am extremely grateful for my time at
Lenora has served as regional representaMultnomah Biblical Seminary.”
tive on the Canada home staff of SIM
for a number of years, following her
2000, College 1991 Wilson and Esther service with SIM in Africa. Earl, a farmer
(Tong) Phang serve with Barnabus
in Penhold, Alberta, Canada, had been
International in Singapore. Wilson does a widower, and Lenora gained a readycounseling, is a retreat speaker, and
made family of four grown children and
serves as an adjunct faculty member at a six grandchildren.
university in Singapore. Esther works in
the business office at the International
2004 Keith Ramsey and Donna
Community School of Singapore where Hurl were married on September 16,
their children attend. She also coaches
2006. Keith is a systems analyst and
high school volleyball and loves to run
Donna who was formerly employed at
marathons. The Phangs have three
Multnomah, works for Albertina Kerr
Centers. (photo on next page)
Seminary Weddings
Keep Multnomah updated with
your latest news. Just visit
www.multnomah.edu/message
continued
continued on
on page
page 14
14
Multnomah Message / Summer 2007
13
Alumni News
Seminary Births
1996 Marnie (DeMond) Childers and
husband, Dennis, rejoice in the birth
1992 Todd Minturn and his wife, Carrie, a
of their son, Cadence Patrick Gaege
boy, Bryce Samuel, born December 19, 2006. Childers. Cadence was born at home
Todd and Carrie serve with InterVarsity
on November 20, 2006, and joins big
Christian Fellowship in Fresno, California.
sister, Naomi.
2005 Greg Thorn and his wife, Holly, a
girl, Madelyn Holly, on October 16, 2006.
The Thorns live in Fullerton, California.
Seminary Death
1966 Sterling Nelson, of Des Moines,
Iowa, passed away on August 16, 2005.
Sterling was a junior high math teacher.
He is survived by his wife, LaDonna
Nelson, G ‘66, who is retired after having
been a kindergarten teacher. M
Keith and Donna Ramsey
Madelyn Holly Thorn
Archive Image - Bookstore 1967
next››opportunities
New accreditation brings new possibilities
Watch this fall for our new and upcoming programs
››Degree Completion Program
››Online Education aka Multnomah››Connect
(classes available at Seminary level)
››Masters of Theology
››M.A. in Teaching
››Spiritual Formation
(emphasis within M.A. in Pastoral Studies)
››Elementary Education Major
››Hebrew Major
››Psychology Minor
››English Minor
››TESOL Certification Program
››Recreational Leadership
(concentration within Ed. Min. Major)
Plus - New features on Campus
›› Wireless Internet Access
›› Joseph C. Aldrich Student Center
›› Remodeled Dorms
find what you need to know at
14 Multnomah Message / Summer 2007
Multnomah Bible College
Multnomah Biblical Seminary
Accredited by ABHE, ATS & NWCCU
www.multnomah.edu/whatsnew | 800.275.4672
Experiencing Multnomah
Attend one of these events in your own neighborhood to experience Multnomah for yourself
OREGON
WASHINGTON
Other
Dr. Daniel R. Lockwood
Dr. Tom Hauff
Dr. Daniel R. Lockwood
Moreland Community Church
Portland, Oregon
August 25, 2007
East Vancouver Community Church
Vancouver, Washington
June 1-December 31, 2007
ABHE President’s Summit
Chicago, Illinois
September 13, 2007
Dr. Lockwood will speak at Moreland
Community Church’s children’s program.
Contact dlockwood@multnomah.edu for
more information.
Dr. Hauff will teach East Vancouver
Community Church’s Adult Education Sunday
school. Contact thauff@multnomah.edu for
more information.
Dr. Lockwood will speak at the ABHE
President’s Summit. Contact dlockwood@
multnomah.edu for more information.
Willamette Christian Church
West Linn, Oregon
September 2, 2007
Dr. Daniel R. Lockwood
Dr. Lockwood will preach at Willamette
Christian Church’s Sunday morning services.
Contact dlockwood@multnomah.edu for
more information.
University Park Baptist Church
Portland, Oregon
September 16 and 23, 2007
Dr. Lockwood will preach for Alliance Bible
Church’s Sunday morning service. Contact
dlockwood@multnomah.edu for more
information.
Dr. John Wecks
Tri-City Baptist Temple
Gladstone, Oregon
August 1, 8, 15, 2007
Dr. Wecks will speak at Tri-City Baptist
Temple’s 7 p.m. service. Contact
jwecks@multnomah.edu for more
information.
Dr. Tom and Bonnie Kopp
Countryside Community Church
Sherwood, Oregon
October 27-28, 2007
Laurelwood Baptist Church
Vancouver, Washington
August 19, 2007
Dr. Lockwood will preach for Laurelwood
Baptist Church’s Sunday morning services.
Contact dlockwood@multnomah.edu for
more information.
Harvest Community Church
Camas, Washington
August 26, 2007
Dr. Lockwood will preach at Harvest
Community Church’s Sunday morning
service. Contact dlockwood@multnomah.edu
for more information.
Professor Carley Wecks
The Bridge Church
Longview, Washington
September 21-23, 2007
Dr. Ray Lubeck
Nampa Christian High School
Nampa, Idaho
October 12, 2007
Dr. Lubeck and the World Seen ministry
of the college will present a World Seen
event at Nampa Christian High School.
Contact rlubeck@multnomah.edu for more
information.
Dr. Garry Friesen
Evangelical Theological Society meeting
San Diego, California
November 14-16, 2007
Dr. Friesen will be part of presentations
and a panel debate on “Decision Making:
Three Views” with Richard Blackaby and
Gordon Smith at the ETS meeting.
Contact gfriesen@multnomah.edu for
more information.
Professor Wecks will speak at The Bridge
Church’s Women’s retreat. The retreat will be
held at Falls Creek Retreat Center. Contact
cwecks@multnomah.edu for more
information.
Dr. Jay Held
Journey Community Church
The Kopps will speak at Countryside
Camas, Washington
Community Church’s couple’s retreat. Contact Fall 2007
tkopp@multnomah.edu for more information.
Dr. Held will continue speaking as the interim
pastor at Journey Community Church.
Contact jheld@multnomah.edu for more
information.
For a complete listing of faculty
speaking engagements, or to
request your own speaker, visit
www.multnomah.edu/message
Multnomah Message / Summer 2007
15
Summer 2007 | Volume 9, No. 2
m u l t n o m a h
Message
Nonprofit Org.
U.S. Postage
PA I D
Portland, OR
Permit No. 1102
A publication of Multnomah Bible College and Biblical Seminary
8435 Northeast Glisan Street
Portland, Oregon 97220-5898
www.multnomah.edu/message
Adult Degree Completion Program
Adult Degree Completion Program
Unfinished
Business?
Multnomah gladly introduces the new Degree
Completion Program catered just for you!
›› Classes one evening each week
›› Classes begin in September
›› Multnomah faculty instructors
›› Students will be full-time and can utilize
Federal financial aid programs
For more information, contact Multnomah at 503.251.6413.
www.multnomah.edu/degreecompletion