oF doLLArs - North Central University

Nine Days:
Global Impact
The Practical
Side of Jewelry
NCU Family
Reaches the World
The official magazine of North Central University
Dick Brogden’s
James Bond Moment
www.northcentral.edu
Fall 2008
Venture expeditions
rAises tHousAnds
Your life.
our mission.
oF doLLArs
For HurtinG And
HopeLess peopLe
How Aaron Smith and Co.
use extreme sports as
a fund raising vehicle to
impact lives around the
globe for Christ.
water
for Africa
hurricane relief
help for
aids orphans
Andrew Nelson
NCU Class of 2006
UPFRONT
From tHe president
Breaking all the rules, North Central first
opened it’s doors in 1930 at the start of the Great
Depression. Founding President FJ Lindquist, along with the
faculty and students at the time were committed to a calling, and they
knew the mission was greater than the circumstances.
We’ve all felt the effects of the current economic crisis. From gas and grocery prices
to interest rates and investment losses, most Americans have felt the reality of what
is being widely referred to as a crisis.
The reality is that no matter how much we enjoy reading about miracles like the
parting of the Red Sea, if we’re honest, we do not enjoy standing at the Red Sea when
it is yet to be parted and the Egyptian army is closing in behind us.
Still, as the people of God, we are no less confident in our calling. We are called to
reach the hurting around the world, and do what we can to minister to their needs,
both physical and spiritual. God is no less God when the economy is in crisis, and
His commission is no less urgent. Young men and women need an education at a
place like NCU; a place where they can become spiritual leaders as well as prepare to
be leaders in offices, conference rooms, churches and schools.
NCU remains committed to those young men and women, and we are doing everything we can to keep the cost of attendance within their reach. As a result, our past,
present and future students continue to be able to receive the training they need
to change the world, and they are truly making a difference, meeting physical and
economic needs far greater than what many of us will ever face, and meeting great
spiritual needs with the message of hope in Christ.
I hope their stories will encourage and inspire you
to keep your mission in focus in the midst of your
current challenges.
Dr. Gordon Anderson is the sixth president
of North Central University.
NCU Magazine | Fall 08
612.343.4741 • president@northcentral.edu
2
Fall 08 Global Impact
CONTENTS
feAtures
Big Adventures
eternal Purposes
nCu Goes Global
Faculty and students work to
address current world issues.
From reaching the growing
Islamic population to fighting human trafficking, as the
world gets smaller, we can
reach farther. 16
Aaron smith travels the globe
as an adventurer, raising
money for the less fortunate
and changing the lives of
those who participate. 14
DePArtments
upfront
From The President 2
KNOF Studio Coming to
Campus 8
insight
Jewelry is Practical,
Life Changing 10
Not your Typical Spring
Break Destination 6
NCU Athletics 11
SSC Director
Goes Nuts 7
Student Outreach, Work
and Graduation 12
Connect
move
unite
Aaron Smith 21
Upcoming Events 27
Alumni Updates 24
Dick Brogden 22
Nicole Silvernagel 23
3
NCU Magazine | Fall 08
The Director's Desk 4
Global Worship
Movement 9
NCU Receives
High Marks 13
UPFRONT
the director's desk
You never know where your talent, gifts and passions will take you.
When Aaron Smith attended North Central he was a Journalism major
trying to discover where he fit in with God’s plan. He threw himself
into the leadership opportunities available within Student Development, eventually overseeing the Leadership Development Committee,
bringing leadership to the over 250 student leaders at the school. He
also began raising money for missions by biking across the world. Like
many developing leaders attending NCU, figuring out where you fit is
a process. Smith built friendships with many people, mentors like Paul
Hurckman (‘96, Pastoral Studies), youth pastors like Ryan Skoog (‘00,
Missions) and students too numerous to count.
Skoog cofounded Venture Expeditions as a mechanism to engage people
in tangible ways to impact causes involving social justice. Smith now
directs the organization and this year’s big challenge was a partnership
with Blood: Water Mission, which has a goal to build 1000 wells in African communities without access to clean water. Aaron took his experience with biking and fund raising and organized the Ride: Well Bike
Tour that took place this summer. One of my favorite authors, Donald
Miller, was one of the riders, and he blogged as the team crossed the
country. The Ride: Well team together raised $200,000 to help people
on the other side of the world. I was able to meet up with the Ride:Well
team in Dallas as they biked across America. I was so impressed with
the commitment each rider showed, but extremely proud of the NCU
Alums who have taken their gifts to make a difference in the world. You
never know how your passions will all come together…
NCU Magazine
North Central University
910 Elliot Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55404
1.800.289.6222
admissions@northcentral.edu
Administrators
President: Dr. Gordon Anderson
V.P., Academic Affairs:
Dr. Thomas Burkman
V.P., Advancement:
Dr. Paul Freitag
V.P., Business: Cheryl Book
Exec. Dir., Fine Arts: Larry Bach
V.P., Student Development:
Mike Nosser
Exec. Dir., University Relations:
Nate Ruch
Editorial
Nate Ruch, Editor-In-Chief
npruch@northcentral.edu
Ryan Decker, Managing Editor
rtdecker@northcentral.edu
Danette Matty, Staff Writer
danette.matty@mail.northcentral.edu
Design
Mike Norman, Media Coordinator
Creative & Art Director
for NCU magazine
mhnorman@northcentral.edu
Contact
Alumni Office
alumni@northcentral.edu
Main Switchboard 612.343.4400
Media Relations 612.343.4153
mediarelations@northcentral.edu
University Relations 612.343.4747
Website
www.northcentral.edu
Web Coordinator: Andy George
webmaster@northcentral.edu
Nate Ruch with the Ride Well team in Dallas
NCU Magazine is mailed free
of charge to alumni, donors and
friends of North Central University. North Central University is a
Christ-centered Pentecostal school
with a commitment to academic
excellence that prepares students to
fulfill biblical models of leadership
and ministry throughout the world.
Ephesians 4:11-12
© 2008 North Central University.
All rights reserved.
NCU Magazine | Fall 08
Your life. Our mission.
Inspiring and helping you to achieve your
God-given calling and purpose is the heart
of our mission at NCU. As you see the icon
at left throughout the Magazine, we hope it
will remind you to share YOUR story with us.
4
A surrendered life
is a life worth living.
Partners for Progress 2008
NCU is preparing leaders who have surrendered their
lives for Kingdom work.
Our annual Partners for Progress banquet celebrates
those lives, with testimonies shared by our graduates and
students, and a performance by the NCU Chorale. We
would like to extend special thanks to all who attended.
If you were unable to join us in person, you can still
make an impact by participating in this fundraising
campaign. Simply e-mail advancement@northcentral.edu
or call 612.343.4743 to reach the Advancement office for
further info. You can also donate online by visiting :
www.northcentral.edu/donate.
iNSiGHT
not Your typical
spring Break Destination.
Prayer
Encouragement
Relationships
Service
Understanding
5 Core values
of ninedays
LINK
To read more about
how the ninedays
experience challenged
the world view, made
the world smaller, and
influenced the future plans
of five students go to www.
northcentral.edu/magazine
Ghana. Ireland. Utah. Armenia. Nicaragua.
Ask one of 80 NCU students where they spent
their spring break, and those are just some of
the answers you’ll hear. The students, studying
at NCU in 20 different majors, made the most
of ninedays opportunities - and lived to tell
about it.
Team Russia, became “Team World” after being diverted first to Armenia, then because of a
state of emergency there, re-routed to Amsterdam before finally ending up in Italy. Samantha Pollack, a junior at the time of the trip, said
the emphasis on their mission was to build
relationships and support the international
Christians who were part of the host church
in Italy. “The church was really diverse, a lot
of Africans, Liberians, a lot of people from all
over the world.” Many of these internationals
worked in Italian homes, considering themselves “agents in a secret mission field,” Pollack
said. “So we were just encouraging them. They
loved when we tried their language and made
efforts to be part of their world.”
Team Utah held interfaith dialogues with
Mormon students at Brigham Young Univer-
Roy lucier
sity, where many
Elissa Fortner
had never talked
with an evangeliclaire Russell
cal Christian. A few
Joy cassellius
BYU girls connected
Samantha pollack
so well with the
ninedays girls they
accepted an invitation
to a fun movie night and sleepover.
Comprised largely of Carlstrom Deaf Studies
students, Team Puerto Rico spent mornings
playing with deaf children and helping them
with homework, showing and sharing the
message of the Bible. Many of the children
they reached had never heard of a deaf person going to college. An enthusiastic team of
deaf students from North Central certainly
changed that!
Ministry and Volunteer Coordinator Adam
Schnaare estimates that some 2,000 people
were impacted by ninedays teams this year.
The teams were supervised by student director Sam Pollack and advisor Jolene Cassellius, Dean of Community Life.
students from the following majors participated in the 2008 ninedays
NCU Magazine | Fall 08
aSl ......................................... 3
English .................................... 2
pschychology ......................... 1
biblical Studies ....................... 1
English Writing .........................
Undeclared ............................. 6
business admn. ...................... 3
Evangelism/church planting .. 4
Urban Development............... 1
church music.......................... 1
IcS ........................................ 11
Urban ministries ..................... 2
comm. arts ............................ 1
music ...................................... 2
Worship arts .......................... 3
contemporary christian music 1
music performance major ...... 1
Youth Development ............... 5
Elementary Education ............ 3
pastoral Studies ................... 10
Youth ministries.................... 10
An estimated 2000 people from 5 countries on 4 continents were impacted by the 2008 ninedays mission
teams. to learn more about ninedays mission trips, go to www.northcentral.edu/currentstudents/studentdevelopment/ncsa/boardofdirectors/ninedays
6
iNSiGHT
ssC introduces
its new Career
Placement services
NCU is excited to welcome
Jake Kuiper to the SSC
team as Career Placement
Coordinator. Our career
placement program is a
new and exciting service
that students and alumni
are encouraged to take advantage of. We strive not
only to provide possible
career opportunities, but to
also send a well prepared
student or alumnus to the
interview and ultimately the
job site.
If you are
interested
in learning more
about
these new
services or
would be
interested in serving as a
professional contact to our
students, you are encouraged to either stop by the
Student Success Center
or contact Jake using the
information below.
Jake Kuiper
North Central University
910 Elliot Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55404
e-mail:
jdkuiper@northcentral.edu
phone:
612.343.3511
ssC Director Goes nuts
M
ake that Nutty. Professor Nutty, the
weekend persona of Todd Monger,
Director of NCU’s Student Success Center
(SSC). Monger turned the crazy meter up
a notch at Emmanuel Christian Center’s
summer VBS, “The Power Lab.” With his
pet lab rat “Sparky” assisting him, Monger
conducted the theme-related experiments
and object lessons which, he says, “did not
work out quite right,” much to the delight
of the approximate 275 children in daily
attendance.
Monger wrote, directed, and performed
the sketches for his Professor Nutty
character, Sparky, and four kids who
stumbled across the lab to learn about
Jesus. He also built the “Bible Machine,”
an 8-foot computer/puppet they used to
research biblical accounts of Jesus’ power.
The “Power Lab” VBS marks Todd’s third
year as front man for the annual VBS
program.
When he takes off the lab coat, Monger
is dedicated to helping college students
transition successfully into life at NCU
and beyond. In Monger’s five years at
North Central he has developed and expanded the SCC into a program that has
become a model for other colleges and
universities across the U.S.
Monger oversees a dedicated SSC staff of
professionals and student volunteers, who
provide services ranging from personal
counseling to academic tutoring to job
and career placement services.
the student success Center (ssC) services
* Exam Proctoring
* Tutoring
* Academic Coaching
* Workshops
More at www.northcentral.edu/studentsuccesscenter
7
NCU Magazine | Fall 08
* Academic Support
* Career & Life Calling
* Personal Counseling
* Disability Services
* Employment
INSIGHT
New KNOF Studios Under Construction on NCU Campus
Just one year ago, you read in
NCU magazine about alumnae Grace Adam (’51), who
cofounded KNOF-FM in Saint
Paul with her husband Fred as a
full-time Christian radio station.
Grace donated KNOF-FM (95.3)
to North Central in 2007, after 47
years of faithful broadcast ministry. We’re excited to bring you an
update on this truly amazing gift.
As North Central worked to carry on the now joined missions of NCU and KNOF, it was decided to adopt a format
of worship music, prayer, and God’s call to take the Good
News to the ends of the earth. As a result, KNOF will be
adopting the format of Praise FM, which will go on the air
(and the world wide web) in the next few weeks.
We’re also excited to tell you that KNOF programming will
be originating from new studios being built on the campus
of North Central! The station will benefit from a strong
relationship with existing Praise
FM stations currently heard in
western Minnesota, receiving
help in developing programming and donated equipment.
The heart of Praise FM is to
invite people into the presence
of God and see wholehearted
worshippers touch the whole
world. Your prayers and financial support are welcome and
needed. The cost of building the studios and improving the
signal strength will total $432,000, and just under 15% of
that has been raised so far.
For more information please contact David McIver,
KNOF’s Executive Director of Media Ministry at 612-3434786. You can also designate support to the project by
sending your gift to North Central University, 95.3 Praise
FM Radio, 910 Elliot Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55404.
NCU Magazine | Fall 08
Class of 1948 Reunited for 60-Year Anniversary
North Central University
was honored to have the
“Master’s Builders” class of
1948 on campus October
3-4, 2008 to celebrate their
60th year class reunion.
Two days of wonderful autumn weather was a great
backdrop for the activities
and fellowship. The event
was planned by Bill Venske
and Nimrod Anderson,
members of the Class of ‘48.
8
There were overwhelming
reports of the provision of
God in the lives of these
saints. One told of his
experiences assisting in the
startup of seven different
churches. Another shared
about many years of evangelistic travel emphasizing
the baptism of the Holy
Spirit. Others shared how
they have been a part of
helping numerous North
Central students financially
as well as being able to
provide jobs for them while
they were completing their
studies.
Out of an original class of
100 members, 27 were in
attendance, one coming all
the way from England. The
alumni who returned were
able to take a driving tour
around the city of Minne-
apolis where many recalled
memories of their time in
the city when they attended
North Central. They were
also excited to take a tour
of the campus, including
the highlight of the tour,
the former Chapel area on
the second floor of Miller
Hall, which now houses
the Elementary Education
Department lab facility.
iNSiGHT
Global Worship movement
For generations God has been at work redeeming lives in
Trinidad. In May Global Worship Movement (GWM), led
by Peter (’88 Church Music) and Dannell Shu, both NCU
Adjunct faculty in the Fine Arts Department, joined God
along with seven local churches in this ongoing work of
the Holy Spirit. GWM is an evangelistic worship team that
integrates movement into worship while leading people in
responding to God as a community. The 12-member Trinidad worship team included NCU students Ben Bouissieres
(guitar), Sean Gilbert (percussion), Josh Hinckley (drums),
Dan Lanctot (keys), Mai Lia Yang (dancer), NCU alumnus
Grant Conklin (sound engineer), and several professional
Twin Cities worship artists. During the 12-day mission trip
GWM led 14 worship events in churches, public schools, a
maximum security prison, outdoor
outreach events in poor neighbor
neighborhoods, plus a hands-on worship
workshop. Over 2,600 people heard the
gospel and during the altar calls 286 people
responded to God’s invitation to join Him in intimate relationship through Christ. Glory to God! For further details on
these testimonies, photos, and to hear about how GWM helped
their host church establish critical infrastructure for their
worship team visit www.GlobalWorshipMovement.org
9
NCU Magazine | Fall 08
Peter shu
Graduated: 1988
major: Church Music
Wife: Dannell
married: 5 years
Position: Adjunct Faculty since 1999
Department: Fine Arts
Classes taught: Applied Piano, Jazz Workshop Ensembles
iNSiGHT
Jewelry is Practical,
life Changing
M
ost women love
jewelry, but for those
around the globe who have
been impacted by the ministry of Tim and Michelle
Zello, it’s literally changed
their lives.
Tim, a 1993 graduate of
NCU, and his wife Michelle
are the founders of Jewels
4 God International, a nonprofit organization that
provides job skills (training
in making and marketing
handcrafted jewelry) and
professional counseling
services for people rescued
from human trafficking,
addiction and abandonment. The organization is
focused on assuring their
successful re-integration
into society, employability,
to enter those prisons. It was there
he realized the
necessity of
helping others learn skills to
reenter society.
and financial independence.
Jewels 4 God has impacted
individuals in India, South
Africa, Pakistan, Jamaica,
El Salvador, Aruba, Serbia,
Swaziland and Sri Lanka.
Zello says, “The ministry
centers we are raising up
are becoming indigenous
and receive much needed
operational support
through jewelry sales.”
The idea behind Jewels 4
God stemmed from Tim’s
time in nine Siberian prisons distributing the Book
of Hope to thousands of
inmates beginning in 1993,
becoming the first foreigner
tim Zello
ministry: Jewels 4 God
learn more:
www.jewels4god.org
www.bookofhope.net
nCu Graduation: 1993
www.asianaeducationdevelopment.org
major: Pastoral Studies
Wife: Michelle
Children: Rachel (10) and Luke (6)
NCU Magazine | Fall 08
Countries impacted by the Zellos: 86
10
“North Central was a
wonderful time in my
life where God birthed
in my heart a burden
and passion for foreign
missions,” Zello says. Since
being married in 1995, Tim
and Michelle have served
with Global Teen Challenge in Russia, authored
numerous books, tracts and
leadership training manuals, and helped start three
churches in Mongolia. Tim
also completed a Masters of
Arts from AGTS in 1995.
iNSiGHT
nCu student Athlete leaders Kick off
leadership Weekend with Volunteer effort
NCU student athletes packed meals at Twin Cities-based
charity Feed My Starving Children during the 2008 LCC &
SAAC Training Day.
The 2008 Fall Sports Leadership Retreat began with members
of the Leadership Counsel of Captains (LCC) and the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) volunteering at the
Brooklyn Park facility of Feed My Starving Children.
The athletes helped pack 6,696 meals, enough to feed
approximately 18 children for an entire year. FMSC is a
non-profit organization that works specifically with small
orphanages, individual missionaries, and relief organizations to help feed children and provide health care services
for families all over the globe.
To find out more about FMSC visit their website www.fmsc.org
minnesota twins Visit nCu Chapel service
On Thursday, September 25, 2008 the North Central
campus got a visit from a group of Minnesota Twins Baseball
players. Starting pitchers Scott Baker and Kevin Slowey along
with infielder Adam Everett each participated in an onstage interview during NCU’s chapel service.
rams make second nationals Appearance
The 2008 NCU Rams Baseball team was runner up at
regional finals. Four players were named to the all-region
team, while Head Coach Tim Beasley was named Regional
Coach of the Year.
The trio each took their turn fielding questions from
KNOF Radio Manager David McIver about the role their
faith has played in their careers and in their everyday lives.
The service ended with NCU athletes joining the Twins
players for a time of prayer.
Junior Josiah Urlaub, Pitcher and Third Base
Senior Tom Beilke, Pitcher
Senior P.J. Davis, Catcher
Sophomore Jed McGuire, Outfield
Twins Players (from left) kevin Slowey, Scott Baker, Adam Everett
Slowey was sent to the mound as the starting pitcher that
night for the Twins, who were able to go on to win, claiming a sweep over the Chicago White Sox. The victory also
moved the Twins into first place in the American League’s
Central Division at the time.
A full transcript of the interview is available online at
www.northcentral.edu/magazine
11
NCU Magazine | Fall 08
Despite coming up empty in the win column at the national
tournament the Rams represented themselves and their
university well. Umpires, coaches, and tournament directors
took notice of how hard the team played regardless of the
scoreboard. That sentiment was reinforced as NCU received
the 2008 Team Sportsmanship Award which is voted on by
the coaches of each team. Their 2007 and 2008 appearances
in the NCCAA DII National Tournament are the first in
school history for NCU Baseball.
INSIGHT
Reaching The World Begins Across the Street
Students Serve Community
Away from Classrooms
Over 500 North Central University students
took some time away from the classroom to
serve the local community on September 10,
2008. Community Outreach Day, an annual
service event that involves NCU students, faculty, and staff, servicing various organizations,
and projects within the community.
Community Outreach began with hard work and concluded with a picnic
in Elliot Park.
Jobs Fair 2008 Helps Students
Connect with Local Companies
NCU Magazine | Fall 08
Local vendors gathered at North Central University
for the annual Jobs Fair on September 18, 2008. Students looking for full-time or part-time work were
able to interact with employers who were looking for
people to fill their job openings. Fourteen different
businesses were represented by associates who set up
booths with information about their openings.
Many of the participating vendors are located within
walking distance of North Central, making it convenient for students without vehicles to work off campus. This year’s Jobs Fair included fourteen different
businesses compared to last year’s nine. Feedback
from the vendors showed this year’s event was a
success. Plans are already in the works for Jobs Fair
2009 which will include internship opportunities
that will allow students an avenue into their career
field once they complete their time at North Central.
12
Some of the work done by students included
yard work, cleaning and organizing, painting, maintenance, and much more. With over
one thousand working hours completed by
students, Community Outreach Day was
able to serve a total of 33 different locations
throughout Minneapolis. Following their service projects, students and faculty participated
in a neighborhood picnic in Elliot Park. The
picnic was open to guests from the neighborhood free of charge.
Congratulations, Class of 2008!!
141 Graduates turned their tassels and received their degrees
during Commencement activities on May 9, 2008. Ceremonies took place at Emmanuel
Christian Center, as the Class of
‘08 was addressed by keynote
speaker Senator Bill Hardiman of Michigan and senior class
speaker Cortney Eklund.
Pictures from Commencement, including the class picture, are
available for online viewing and purchase through Kodak Gallery.
You can access the link through the NCU website by visiting the
Alumni & Friends page and clicking on “Graduation Pictures”
near the bottom of the page.
The Commencement ceremony DVD is also available by contacting Katy Kiger, Assistant Registrar, at 612.343.4407 or krkiger@
northcentral.edu. DVDs are available for $15.
iNSiGHT
nCu receives High marks
nCu Again recognized
with midwest’s Best
schools
The Princeton Review
has posted their 2009 Best
Colleges: Region by Region
school selections and
profiles on www.PrincetonReview.com
and North Central University is again
one of the schools receiving the Best
Midwestern College designation.
Institutions were commended for excellent academics, admissions selectivity, financial aid, fire safety, quality of
life, the Green rating (a comprehensive
measure of a school’s performance as
an environmentally aware and responsible institution), and total enrollment.
nCu selected for 2008
Best of minneapolis Award
North Central University has been
selected for the 2008 Best of Minneapolis Award in the Colleges & Universities category by the U.S. Local Business
Association (USLBA).
The USLBA “Best of Local Business”
Award Program recognizes outstanding
local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USLBA identifies
companies they believe have achieved
exceptional marketing success in
their local community and business
category. These are local companies
that enhance the positive image of
small business through service to their
customers and community.
us neWs takes notice
For the first time, NCU has
been included in the US News
and World Report’s list of
America’s Best Colleges.
Breaking into this prestigious
list is an exciting confirmation
of the continued improvement
and strength of NCU and our
academic programs. NCU was
listed in the category “Baccalaureate Colleges (Midwest).”
north Central university receives Highest Accreditation renewal
North Central University
is pleased to announce that
the Higher Learning Commission, a commission of
the North Central Association of Colleges and
Schools, has awarded NCU
the highest accreditation
renewal period possible 10 years.
Dr. Thomas Burkman, Vice
President of Academic
Affairs
visit, seeking to verify all
reported data. Their evaluation found that North
Central is truly delivering
the quality education we
promote.
students and their families.”
The North Central Association of Colleges
and Schools is the largest
regional accrediting agency
in the United States and is
responsible for accrediting
some of the largest and
most prestigious institutions of higher learning.
For more information
about the Higher Learning
Commission or the North
Central Association of
Colleges and Schools,
visit them at:
www.NCAHLC.org
13
NCU Magazine | Fall 08
This renewal comes
after three years of selfstudy and analysis of the
institution’s programs,
curriculum, and facilities. Following the period
of self-study, a team of
four higher education
professionals came to our
campus for an in-depth
Dr. Thomas Burkman,
Vice President of Academic
Affairs, affirms that this
process was a total community effort with wonderful contributions from
students, staff and faculty,
as well as alumni and friends
of the university. “The North
Central University community can be proud of the
educational experience it
offers to its many students,”
Burkman said. “This renewal
of our accreditation reflects
our ongoing commitment
to quality in our academic
and student development
programs. We are blessed
to have so many outstanding people working to serve
ConquerinG PHYsiCAl
meetinG
Adventures
Adventure impact Point
I
n 2002, while journalism
major Aaron Smith was a
junior at NCU, friend Mike
Dobbelmann asked him to
bike across the United States
with him. At first, Smith said
“no.” “But as I prayed,” he
recalls, “the idea kept surfacing and I knew that I was
supposed to do it for a cause.”
In March 2002 their ride
across the country to fund
a church plant in Argentina
through Speed-the-Light
raised $17,000, leaving their
goal of $10,000 in the dust.
In the weeks and years
following that first trip,
Smith and his
co-adventurers
have turned their
passion for making
a difference into
Venture Expeditions, a non-profit
organization that
sponsors biking and hiking
trips to raise funds for worthy
causes. Venture Expeditions
involve intense physical challenges, like cross-country biking and mountain climbing,
to raise awareness and funds
that not only benefit worthy
causes around the world, but
provide life-shaping, faith-
forming experiences for participants.
(Imagine the faithforming elements
of a trek up Mount
Kilimanjaro - at
19,340 feet, Africa’s
highest peak. In
2007, the Venture team spent
a week facilitating a free soccer clinic for orphans before
the climb.)
In a few short years those
trips have covered thousands
of miles across Africa, Asia,
Europe and the United States.
More than 80 individuals
have participated in the trips,
and the $450,000 raised has
helped build orphanages,
Bible colleges and churches,
dig clean wells, and made
a difference in the lives of
orphans, people living with
HIV/AIDS, the homeless, and
victims of natural disaster.
This summer Venture
facilitated the Ride:Well Tour,
a bicycle trip from Los Angeles to Washington D.C. to
raise funds and awareness for
Blood: Water Mission and the
1,000 Wells Project. Blood:
Water Mission is a grassroots movement, founded
by Christian recording artists
NCU Magazine | Fall 08
nCu Alumni who have participated in Venture expeditions since its inception
Aaron smith, Jesse Olson, mike Dobbelmann, Jimmy Papia, nick tompkins, Annie Withnall dobbelmann, Ryan Skoog,
Stephanie Falk, Krista smith, Mark durene, Chris Woelfle, Jake Smith, ethan miller, Wayne Thompson, Jonathan Heide,
Brad Hanson, Michelle Spallino, Josh iniguez, Andrew Nelson, david Gatlin, kyle Johnson, michael White, Melody Heide,
keith Cich, George Carr, Ali Schulz, Peter Hansen, Amy Hansen, seanna murray, Tristen Cassel, Dayna Christiansen, Jon kuert,
Camille Pridmore, Aaron McGee, Brad linger, kevin Miles, Keith ronald Powers, Josias Hansen, Elissa kuert, Brianne Olson
14
CHAllenGes
PrACtiCAl neeDs
Venture expeditions
Year
Expedition
Raised
Mission
2002
Biked across us
$17,000
Church plant
in Argentina (STL)
2003
Biked from Portugal to Poland
$23,000
Cry Africa
2004
two teams biked from san Diego $22,000
Cry Africa
to Vancouver, BC (1,400 miles) and
from Phoenix through the Great Divide to Banff, Alberta (1,650 miles)
2005
Biked through thailand
$23,000
Ministry training school
in Thailand
2006
relief ride
$9,500
Local relief for
Twin Cities residents
2007
multiple expeditions on mt.
$8,000
Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak
Child Restoration
Outreach
2008
ride:Well tour from lA to DC
1,000 wells in Africa
$200,000
For a full list, visit www.ventureexpeditions.org
tem… but what is dead grass
compared to helping people
obtain clean water?” says
Steph G, in a note accompanying her donation.
In the process, supporters are learning about how
HIV/AIDS affects African
communities, and what it
means to partner humbly
with communities to pursue
transformation. Singer Brandon Heath showed his support by joining the ride for a
benefit concert in Dallas, and
Sixpence None the Richer
played in Nashville along
with Matthew Perryman
Jones. The team’s time in
Texas raised $120,000 alone,
contributing to the $200,000
total raised for Blood: Water
Mission.
Venture Expeditions
delivers a chance for participants to “benefit the world”
Average number expeditions each summer: 6.5
Average age of participants: 23
oldest participant: 55
Youngest participant: 18
How to get involved: For more information,
go to www.ventureexpeditions.org or contact Aaron
at asmith@ventrueonline.org.
Who takes Venture excursions?
People who have a passion for adventure travel
and desire to minister to people around the world
and “discover your soul.”
Combining compassion
and practical ways to help
people, Smith essentially
looks for the world’s greatest
crises and locks on to the accompanying humanitarian,
social, and spiritual needs.
Those needs are the starting
point and another expedition is born. “Our focus is
on providing service and
monetary assistance to faithbased organizations that
help orphans and the dis-
eased, along with victims of
injustice and disaster,” Smith
said. For Venture Expeditions, conquering physical
challenges is meeting critical
physical needs.
The growth and results
of Venture Expeditions is,
in Smith’s view, a result of
people “who were willing to
step out of the boat, make
sacrifices and seek God’s will,
no matter how crazy it may
seem.”
15
NCU Magazine | Fall 08
Jars of Clay,. to personally
and creatively empower African communities to provide
clean blood and clean water
projects. The 1000 Wells
Project is building 1000 wells
and clean water projects in
1000 African communities.
The Ride: Well Tour
received national press from
a variety of sources, in part
because of the well known
people who got behind it.
New York Times Best-Selling
Author, Donald Miller (Blue
Like Jazz), joined Venture on
the ride, blogging daily about
the experience on his web
site. The team was joined
along the way by businesses,
churches, schools, artists and
individuals collecting funds
to sponsor the construction
of wells in Africa. “I had
planned on using the money
to install a sprinkler sys-
As World Gets smaller, nCu reaches further
As the World Gets smaller
the need for Biblical Justice
looms large
Y
our car – even if it’s American made – probably has
parts made in Germany, Japan, or Korea. When you
call your credit card help line, the person answering your
questions could very well be in India. A young girl with
big dreams might be promised a job in the US only to be
held captive, smuggled across international boundaries
and coerced into sexual slavery.
These are the realities of globalization. The world is
getting smaller and we’re all affected by the shrinkage – in
ways as different as the examples above.
Dr. Nan Muhovich, Professor, Intercultural Studies & Languages, quotes Yale Global Online when asked
whether globalization is good or bad: “Some pessimists
The Biblical Justice Center is located in the Mansion at the corner of Elliot and 17th St., which it strategically shares with the
Intercultural Studies and Business Administration Departments.
NCU Magazine | Fall 08
“Biblical justice means being righteous, showing compassion to the
oppressed poor, orphans, widows, and aliens as God Himself does.”
see increased interdependence as a terribly destructive
trend, while optimists see a more diverse, better life for
all.” Whether one’s perspective is positive or negative,
Muhovich says globalization, with its increased interdependence of world economic markets has led to “increasing economic disparities
between the rich and the
poor of all nations.”
For better or worse, the
reality is that globalization
has increased each person’s
ability to have a global impact; social justice from a
biblical standpoint means
it’s our responsibility to
help where we can.
To many, social jusDr. Nan Muhovich,
tice means every individual
Professor, Intercultural
is entitled to equal rights
Studies & Languages
and participation in social,
educational, and economic opportunities. At NCU we’re
taking a closer look, not at a socio-politically motivated
theory, but scripturally inspired attitudes toward biblical
justice—the term Dr. Muhovich prefers. “Biblical justice
means justice as it is taught in the biblical text,” she said,
16
noting that justice in the Hebrew text is often translated as
righteousness.
“It is not simply a legal term, although we find a concern for justice in the Old Testament Law. We also see it
taught in the wisdom literature (Psalm 82; Job 29:11-17)
and in the prophets (Isaiah 58:6-12; Jer. 22:3). Biblical
justice means being righteous, showing compassion to
the oppressed poor, orphans, widows, and aliens as God
Himself does.”
The awareness of these disparities has motivated
Muhovich, ICS Department Chair Dr. Buzz Brookman, and
fellow ICS Professor Dr. Bob Brenneman to, in Brookman’s
words, “bring issues of biblical justice more directly into
the curriculum and co-curricular activities of our department.” Brookman says he, Muhovich and Brenneman
wanted the ICS program to give students ways to “explore
what the biblical text has to say about justice in general,
and at the same time, offer practical experience opportunities for students to engage issues of biblical justice in
real-life settings.”
This principal is also the basis of a new initiative called
The Biblical Justice Center at NCU. Muhovich says the goal
is to follow Jesus’ own model of holistic ministry: “The
Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me
to preach Good News to the poor, to proclaim freedom for
Addressing Current issues effecting the Globe
27 Million
700,000
20%Male
30% in domestic
servitude
80% Female
12 Million
17% in other
10% in agriculture
46% in sex trade
16,000
50% of females
are children
46% of all people
there are an estimated 27 million
people enslaved
today.
compare that to 400
years of the mid
atlantic Slave trade
where an estimated
12 million people
were enslaved
World wide there are
700,000 people
trafficked each year
In the United States
16,000 people are trafficked each year
Source for chart information:
Not For Sale campaign
the prisoners, recovery of sight for the blind, to release the
oppressed, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
(Luke 4:18-19) Biblical justice is a holistic message, combining the Great Commandment with the Great Commission. As followers of Christ, Muhovich says, “we must love
both God and the needy holistically.”
fighting for freedom –
stopping the Abuse
of Human trafficking
D
trafficked are in the sex
trade
80% of all
people trafficked
are female
30% of the people
Half the females are
under 18 years old
trafficked are domestic
servants
10% of the people
trafficked are agricultural workers
17% of people trafficked are doing other
work
ficking of Humans), hosted
by North Central University and the Biblical Justice
Center on April 26, 2008.
Exhibit booths, workshops,
films, panel discussions and
speakers revealed the scope
of human abuse in its many
forms. The hope is that
organizations and individuals can effectively educate
people, then turn knowledge into action against
Dick Wexler, Spokesman
human trafficking.
Not For Sale Campaign
Workshop speaker Dick
Wexler, whose research to
answer the question, “What is Human Trafficking?” landed
him on the state Human Trafficking Force for the Minnesota
Department of Health. Before that, he’d been on the way to
retirement from his law practice when his son, Mark, invited
him to be part of Not For Sale, “the campaign to end slavery
in our lifetime.”
For NCU and The Biblical Justice Center, educating
people is a huge step in combating human abuse. Through17
NCU Magazine | Fall 08
uring the Mid Atlantic Slave trade, from the 1500s to
the mid 1800s, an estimated 12 million slaves were
shipped and sold throughout the world. Today there are
roughly 27 million people enslaved, 50,000 trafficked into
the US alone, according to the U.S. Central Intelligence
Agency. The Justice Department estimates up to 17,000 more
people are trafficked in the US each year, a higher level of
slave traffic than in colonial America.
The passion of NCU faculty and students not only to
raise awareness, but also do something about this global
issue led to the PATHs Conference (Partnering Against Traf-
20% of all people
trafficked are male
our growing ABilitY to make a difference in the lives of people around
facts about trafficking Victims
many victims do not speak english
and are unable to communicate with
service providers, police, or others
who might be able to help them.
Victims are often kept isolated and
activities restricted to prevent them
from seeking help.
space to work, eat, and sleep is
common.
the fear of being deported fuels
distrust of health providers, government and police.
typically, victims are escorted or
guarded by traffickers or associates
of traffickers.
Victims may be unaware that
what is being done to them is a
crime – they often do not consider
themselves victims, and may blame
themselves for their situation.
Confinement to a room or small
As a coping mechanism, victims
may develop loyalties or positive
feelings toward their captors – to
the extent of trying to protect the
trafficker from authorities.
Victims may not know where they
are, because traffickers frequently
move them to escape detection.
often the fear for the safety of
family in home country influences
victims’ actions
Source: www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking/campaign_kits/index.html
out the conference students and faculty were exhorted to
fight alongside these organizations against slavery not only
around the globe but in one’s own community. Organizations like those represented at the conference are looking for
people willing to take even the smallest step beyond sympathy.
In their lifetime, a majority of people connect with someone affected by some kind of abuse, whether they know it or
not. And everyone can help in some way.
Sources: www.gvnet.com, http://abcnews.go.com
release: students take the
lead
NCU Magazine | Fall 08
R
enae Post, Chelsea Wilcox and Teresa Jean Blanden
are NCU students with a passion to combat human
trafficking. Together they’ve started ‘Release,’ a student led
ministry to combat human trafficking, but their shared calling and passion became real to them in very different ways.
“At first I knew that the Lord was calling me to work
with broken women, however, I didn’t know what that was
going to look like,” says Post. She recalls God flashing an
image through her mind of a little girl in Cambodia sold for
prostitution. “I began to pray about it and ask the Lord if
that meant anything,” she said.
Post began to research the issue of children sold into
prostitution and “stumbled” upon sex trafficking. Her heart
was burdened and she asked God to confirm if she was to
work in this field. “Two weeks later a missionary from Romania spoke in chapel and started talking about girls who
were trafficked. He said not everyone was called to work with
this; however, there were some people in the audience who
18
God was calling.” After talking with the missionary, Post felt
God’s confirmation that this was the direction she should go.
An AIM (Ambassadors in Mission) trip to Thailand the
summer of 2006, before her freshman year at North Central,
opened Wilcox’s eyes to the world of human trafficking
– specifically the sex trade. “It’s one thing to hear about
atrocities such as human trafficking, but it is another thing
to be where these atrocities are taking place,” Wilcox said.
On the last night of the trip, Wilcox’s team stayed in a hotel
in Bangkok, Thailand’s capitol city. When the rest of the
team ventured out to the night bazaar, Wilcox stayed at the
hotel. When the others returned, it was obvious they were
disturbed by what they witnessed. “One of the leaders saw
shop windows advertising women… live women, like pieces
of meat for the hungry eye. Many of the brothels had open
doors so one could easily see inside. As they passed an open
door, someone handed them a menu,” not for a restaurant,
but a menu with different sex acts on it. “Women being
forced to perform sexual acts had been reduced to a list with
corresponding prices,” Wilcox anguished. After hearing the
stories about what her team members saw, she said, “I knew
that human trafficking wasn’t just something that made me
feel bad, it was something I wanted to stop.”
The rest of the summer, Wilcox said the topic showed
up when she least expected it, even when she happened to
turn on the television. In Fall of 2006, Post was a Discipleship Leader in Wilcox’ residence hall. “I learned a lot about
human trafficking that year between Renae and the research
I did on my own,” Wilcox said. She took the knowledge she
gained and shared it with people she knew.
The following fall (2007), Post and Wilcox, along with
Blanden, invited several students to join them one evening
a week to pray, dialogue, and “do something” about human
the world is also our growing resPonsiBilitY to do all we can.
“i knew that human trafficking wasn’t just something that made me feel
bad, it was something that i wanted to stop.”
trafficking. “Release” was born. Each week they focused
on different areas of trafficking, highlighting news from
around the U.S. and the world. Post said, “We would discuss
our volunteering opportunities in the city and open a door
for them to help with organizations like Breaking Free”
(an organization which helps women and girls involved in
systems of prostitution). They hosted a small fundraiser as
part of the PATH conference in April 2008, at which fellow
students partnered with them selling bags made by survivors of modern-day slavery.
Wilcox is optimistically practical about Release’s reach so
far. “As far as what Release has been doing...I am so amazed
at what God has allowed us to do.”
Post plans to have Release represented at similar conferences held throughout the states at other universities. “We
are going to stay connected with organizations that are
working to combat this issue, and we want to be involved
with what they are doing.”
Jihad vs. mcWorld: Helping
Christians understand islam
Reaching Out With Respect
25
“The whole idea of the McDonaldization of the world
- some call it Americanization – makes it very difficult for
a lot of Muslims to know how to respond to it. They see
their own cultural values being eroded, and they see western
culture, especially American culture, challenging Islamic
culture.”
One response on the part of Muslims is to flow with it,
become part of it. “A lot of young people have done that,”
Brenneman says. “Their heroes are western pop stars, as
opposed to more traditional religious figures.” But the cost
of conformity leads to losing some traditional values such
as hospitality, honor and family that they should be commended for.
“Others are resisting and trying to find their own identity
within Islam in an increasingly radical way, totally rejecting the
reality of westernization and even declaring Jihad against it.”
Although the headlines focus on the terrorists and
radicals, most Muslims are searching for a third way,
taking from the best of what globalization brings to the
world, like technology, without losing their own sense
of cultural identity. In reality, the majority of Christians
and the majority of Muslims want the same things—to live
in peace, earn a living, and raise wholesome families. The
difference, however, is our beliefs about how to make those
desires a reality. Often Muslims need to see Christ’s love
for them through the lives of His followers before they will
begin to be open to the message of Christ.
Dr. Brenneman and NCU are helping students and
church leaders relate to global-minded Muslims by providing two courses on Islam and teaching seminars at churches
so Christians can base their attitudes and treatment of
Muslims on “loving our neighbors” rather than on fear and
media stereotypes. Dr. Brenneman takes NCU students each
year to the Middle East to allow them to experience the rich
culture and people, and give Muslims the opportunity to
meet real Christians who take their faith seriously and neutralize the American stereotypes.
Through this relational approach, Dr. Brenneman is
confident the love of Christ can be made clear in a way that
will captivate hearts—the hearts of people he has invested
his life to reach.
19
NCU Magazine | Fall 08
years spent helping
Muslims understand
the Western “Christian”
world and Western Christians
understand Islam have
shaped Dr. Bob Brenneman’s
insights. Now those insights
shape the success of North
Central students who have
a passion to reach out effectively to Muslims around
the globe. Having lived in
Dr. Bob Brenneman,
the Middle East for 14 years
Professor, Intercultural
(4 in Iraq, 10 in Turkey),
Studies & Languages
with continued annual visits
to see his adult children still there, he has observed firsthand
how globalization and the increasing Muslim population in
America are connected.
“I think the Muslim world is probably at the apex of the
whole struggle with globalization versus what some call local-
ization.” A professor of Intercultural Studies & Languages, Dr.
Brenneman borrows the catchphrase ‘Jihad vs. McWorld’ from
Benjamin Barber’s book of the same name, referring to the
provocative title for imagery to help understand the concept.
A Priceless Education
A message from the Director of Admissions
How dreadful would it be to dream something but not be able to do it? How awful must it be to
aspire to something but not to be able to afford and attain it?
At North Central University, we don’t want you to ever experience those things. That’s why we’re
committed to making sure gaining an outstanding, accredited; quality Christian university education is more affordable than you thought.
NCU’s costs are significantly lower than most other four-year Christian colleges or universities in
Troy Pearson,
Director of Addmisions
the nation. In fact, an NCU education’s price tag is closely comparable to valued public institutions.
What’s more, NCU helps its students benefit from well over $14 million in financial aid each year.
In addition to student-specific financial assistance, NCU’s locale provides for nearly countless employment opportunities within the Twin Cities.
NCU makes it possible to afford your schooling with tuition that is over $10,000 less per-year than
Contact the Admissions
Office at:
comparable private Christian institutions. NCU provides a top-flight academic experience by pro-
www.northcentral.edu
1.800.289.6222
affordable cost. Compare us and see for yourself. NCU’s total coast for a full-time residential student
viding a quality of education which ranks among the nation’s top private and public schools at an
is $19,500.
Most importantly, this collegiate experience combines tremendous affordability and academic quality. The impacting spiritual environment at NCU assures you the chance learn, lead and live with
real-life faith. Compare for yourself - NCU is a great education at an affordable price!
MOVE
Not many people have slept in
a French alleyway because they
couldn’t find an open bike shop not for a few hours, but a few days.
This is exactly the predicament
Aaron Smith, 2005
NCU Graduate and
Executive director of
Venture
Expeditions
found himself in a few years
ago. “My bike was stolen [while in
France]. The team spent four days
sleeping in an alley of Montpellier waiting for bike shops to
open. They were closed
because of the Tour de
France.” Not having
funds for so much as
a bike bell, churches
back home rallied
around them
and donated enough to buy
a used bike. “it was awesome to see how God provided for us in that desperate
situation.”
One of Smith’s most memorable
moments came helping people
restore their homes after hurricane
katrina. Smith and wife krista had
tandem biked from Minneapolis
to New Orleans with their team to
raise funds for Convoy of Hope.
He recalls a member of one family, “with tears of joy in their eyes,“
saying “’i can’t believe you bicycled here from Minneapolis to
help us; many people won’t even
drive here from northern Louisiana to help.’ These people
were really touched by what
we had done. it made me
think about how far God
had come to help us, and
the sacrifices He made on
our behalf.”
AAron smitH
JoB title: Venture Expeditions Executive director
YeAr & mAJor from nCu: 2005 Journalism
fAmilY: Wife krista, 1 year old Alaithia
HoW lonG mArrieD: 4 years
fAVorite extreme sPort: Bike touring
fAVorite CouCH PotAto non-ACtiVitY:
Hanging out with my family
NCU Magazine | Fall 08
21
MOVE
“i didn’t really know what i was getting myself into…”
i didn’t really know what i was getting myself into,”
says business major Nicole Silvernagel (pictured below in NYPd sweatshirt), reflecting on a discipleship
program she was part of at Midlands Christian Center,
a church in Estcourt, in the kwazulu Natal province of
South Africa. Estcourt is a modern city flanked by the
indian Ocean and drakensberg mountains and a long
way from her hometown of Bismarck, North dakota.
each,” Silvernagel said of nearby metropolitan cities
like durban and Johannesburg. “You could be driving
down the highway and on one side of the road see
beautiful, clean homes and large businesses while on
the other side of the road you’d see squatter camps
where whole families lived in small homes made of
scrap metal or clay. On average, these homes were
about the size of a single stall garage.”
Before transferring to NCU in 2006 she committed
two years to Midlands Christian Centre whose congregation reflects the multi-cultural city it’s nestled
in. “The thing that always amazed me was how close
in location the extreme differences in living were to
Why put off her graduation for two years to serve
in Africa? Silvernagel said, “A major factor was the
opportunity to become grounded in my faith, and
strengthen my relationship with the Lord. i guess it
was a ‘God thing’ and a matter of being obedient. i
just took a step of faith and went with it.”
23
NCU Magazine | Fall 08
niCole silVernAGel
NCU Student
GrAD YeAr & mAJor from nCu:
december 2008 - Business Administration
Best JustifiCAtion for PuttinG off HomeWorK:
i’d rather talk to my roommate
fAVorite tHinG to Do on An internAtionAl fliGHt:
Sleep
soutH AfriCAn fooD You WisH You CoulD Get Here:
Fruit chutney sauce and chips
reAD more ABout niCole’s storY:
www.northcentral.edu/magazine
CONNECT
reconnecting is
simple and easy
We can be together or
apart, but reconnecting
with each other is a great
feeling. It’s like getting
an unexpected phone
call from an old friend,
or getting together with
family you haven’t seen in
years. These are the stories
that we share with each
other. Please share yours
with your extended North
Central family. Send us
a letter about your latest
personal milestone, family
addition or blessing from
God. And send us pictures!
We’d love to see them. Fill
out the form on page 20
and mail it to us, or fill
out the online form at
www.northcentral.edu/
alumni/update.
(Please send us copies of photos. Submitted photos will not be returned.)
1981
matthew Hamp (’81)
father of eight in Branson,
MO, working for Estes Express Lines in Springfield.
1982
michael Dotson (’82)
moved to Oskaloosa, IA to
take pastorate after serving
20+ years in Baraboo, WI.
1988
June (reilly) sheneman
(’88) of Montgomery, IL is
working toward a Masters
in Education through the
University of Phoenix. Her
husband David is the Media
Director at Calvary Church
in Naperville, IL. June teaches third grade at Calvary
Christian School. They have
two beautiful children ages 7
and 10. David’s grandparents
Neale D. Sheneman and Ida
Gutel, both now deceased,
were NCU alumni.
lance rensch (’88)
became lead pastor of Falls
Church, a one-year old
church plant in Sioux Fall,
SD, after 17 years of youth
ministry.
NCU Magazine | Fall 08
1991
norah long (’91) was
selected for an ensemble role
in a production of “Little
House on the Prairie” which
is playing at the Guthrie
Theatre in Minneapolis. This
marks her second season at
the Guthrie. Norah has also
released a CD and been chosen as lead vocalist in Lorie
Line’s 2008 holiday tour,
which will also yield a CD.
1992
24
BABies
steve (‘89) and Kim (lensert) Wajda (’84) adopted
Mia from China. Mia was born October 17, 2002 and
turns six this year. Their oldest daughter, Amariah is 13.
Steve and Kim oversee an orphanage in China.
todd and Andrea Chapin
In April 2008 Todd and Andrea (1995)
Chapin welcomed Grayson Ilias into
their lives after being told they could
not have children. They are preparing to
serve as Assemblies of God world missionaries (WI/N. MI district) in Scotland with Students
For Christ Europe.
James (’00) and Carmen (mcKee) sauceda (’00)
of Portage, IN, gave birth to their third child, son Zachariah Thomas Solomon Sauceda, August 14, 2007. They
have two other children – Ekaterina, in 1st grade and
Octavian, 4 years old boy. James is currently the youth
pastor at Portage First Assembly. Carmen is currently the
part-time administrator for the Children’s Ministry there.
Janelle (matthews) Gunderson (‘03) and eric
Gunderson, who were married January 3, 2004, welcomed their first baby Isaac Gregory Gunderson on Dec.
11, 2007. Eric attended NCU from Fall 2000 to Fall 2002,
then graduated from Concordia University with a degree
in Secondary Education with an emphasis in Social Studies.
Kristie Greiner-Kuranda (2004) had a baby boy,
Thomas John Kuranda on January 18, 2008, 8lbs 2 oz
and 21 inches long.
David (2005) and sara Kuglin
(2006) welcome Ian David to their
family. He was born January 6, 2008
at 7lbs 7 1/2 oz and 22” long.
CONNECT
mArriAGes
Joshua Carter (’07) of Wheeling, West Virginia married
Kristen Zurek (‘05) April 20, 2007. They recently accepted
a youth pastor positon at Destiny Church in Leesburg, VA.
Wendy (ohman) mills
(’92) is married to Kevin
Mills. They live in Plymouth, MN, with their three
children. Wendy is a full-time
stay at home mom. Kevin
finished his PhD in Music
Education and has joined the
faculty at NCU.
1995
Jason Brian santos’
(‘95) first book A Community Called Taizé: A Story of
Prayer, Worship and Reconciliation is being published by
InterVarsity Press (www.ivpress.com). Taize reflects on
the founding and formation
of this monastic community
in France and Santos’ witnessing of the brutal murder
of its founder, Brother Roger,
shortly after arriving in Taize.
The forward was written by
Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
Amy (Dargan) (’98) Parker
of Bothell, WA is married to
Steve, a law school student at
Seattle University who works
for Microsoft as an immigration paralegal. Amy is an RN
at Edmonds Surgery Center.
They have two children,
Alexandra, 5 and Joshua, 2.
Kim (’98) and Dana (’98)
forbes just celebrated their
10-year wedding anniversary.
They have two children,
Jaben Emerson born Oct.
15, 2002 and Myla Grace
born Jan. 31, 2005. Dana is
a doctoral academic advisor
working for Capella University, and previous to that was
a Resident Director for NCU
and then Bethel University.
He is also teaching as adjunct
faculty at NCU. Kim has
worked at Teen Challenge
Minnesota for 10 years.
2002
Amy (Venzke) mcGuire
(’02) is married to Patrick
McGuire and currently
teaches in North Saint Paul,
MN.
sarah (Peterson) lee
(’02) and husband Brian
lee (’01) are working at a
hospital in Olympia, WA.
Brian is in the biomedical
department. Sarah assists the
Director of the EC, and has
started graduate studies in
Government from Regent
University (Virginia Beach,
VA).
Jennifer Holmes (’02)
is the business owner of
Holmes Websites and a parttime mental health worker at
Cumberland, PA’s Holy Spirit
Hospital, in the behavioral
health inpatient unit.
Daniel Johnson (’02)
of Chicopee, MA is married to Elizabeth Peloquin.
Daniel was ordained with
the Assemblies of God in
the Southern New England
district and now works with
Chi Alpha in Amherst, MA.
2003
nicholas and Jessica
lusk (‘03) After 12 weeks of
YWAM training, outreach,
visioneering, and an additional 9 months in places like
Sweden, Norway, France, and
Ireland, Nicholas and Jessica
Lusk are newly appointed
missionaries to Oxford, New
Zealand. Previously, they
pastored in Duluth, MN for
five years.
2004
stephanie nolan (’04)
lives in Jacksonville, FL.
Gena (ross) Bounds (’05)
obtained a Bachelors Degree
in Business Administration with a concentration
in Organizational Psychology and development from
American Intercontinental
University in April 2008. She
moved from Minneapolis to
Shawnee Mission, KS in May
2008.
2005
Jeanette thulin (’05)
was the Music Director
of Celebration Church in
Lakeville, MN for two years
until September ‘07 when she
began traveling in full-time
music ministry with her family throughout the Midwest
and overseas.
2006
Angela (squige) Casey
(’06) is the head counselor
at Life Challenge of Southeastern Michigan (a one
year residential program for
people 18 and older with life
controlling problems).
2007
sarah smida (‘07) After
receiving her A/G license to
continuned on pg. 26
25
NCU Magazine | Fall 08
troy and Heidi Darrin
enjoyed their first spring as
missionaries in Moldova
(Eastern Europe), helping
host teams from Minnesota,
Florida and Montana. Their
daughter Heather is 16, and
oldest son Jotham graduated
in May 2008 from Ripon
College in Wisconsin. June
18, 2008, Troy and Heidi celebrated their 25th wedding
anniversary.
1998
Amaryah (Kooistra) laBeff (’05) and Harmony laBeff
(‘03) were married on June 24, 2007. Both are working at
LaGrange Christian Assembly in LaGrange Highlands, IL.
Harmony is the High School Youth Director and Amaryah is
both the Website and Children’s Ministries Director.
CONNECT
Alumni Awards
memoriAls:
Dorothy (richards) House (‘46) passed
away March 31, 2008 in Twin Falls, Idaho.
She was 83.
elda r. mcDonald (‘36) of Minnesota
passed away July 9, 2007.
rev. nathan lutes (‘54) passed away
Aug. 18, 2007. He was a nursing assistant.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce L. Lutes of
Nebraska.
preach, Sarah (Intercultural
Studies with a certificate in
TEFL) founded Justice North
(www.justicenorth.org),
a faith-based anti-human
trafficking organization in
Minneapolis. She is also a
full-time assistant teacher at
Head Start in Coon Rapids,
MN.
LINK
The Alumni Association
wishes to honor those
people who add something extraordinary to
their ministries, jobs and
relationships. You can
nominate an alumnus
to receive the Young
Alumnus Award, Lifetime
Achievement Award or
Distinguished Service
Award. Nominations can
be completed online at
www.northcentral.edu/
alumni/award or by
calling 612.343.4742.
reConneCt
ernest moen (‘53) served on the NCU
Board of Regents for 21 years, including 12
years as Chairman of the Board. Rev. Moen
went to be with the Lord on March 4, 2008,
in Sun City West, AZ. Rev. Moen also pastored 7 churches for a total of 30 years, and
the Pentecostal Preaching Chair at NCU has
been named in his honor since its establishment in 2002
nathan Boyer (’07) is the
youth pastor at Faith Assembly of God in Olivet, MI.
Amy Covert (’07) lives
in Lansing, MI, where she
works in a state-run adult
foster care home and as a
private music instructor.
nCu to You
Bring NCU to you by scheduling one of our faculty members for your next conference, service or seminar. Please call 612.343.4747 to find a relevant speaker, or visit www.northcentral.
edu/pastorschurches and click on 'Speakers Bureau' for a list of speakers and topics.
www.northcentral.edu/alumnifriends/update
Please return to: Alumni Office, 910 Elliot Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55404
Name:
Current Occupation
Address:
Children (include ages)
City:
State:
Zip:
E-mail:
Years attended North Central:
NCU Magazine | Spring 08
Year of Graduation:
Major:
Further Education:
r Yes this information may be published in NCU Magazine
26
Jennifer (Juckett) Posegate (’07) and michael
Posegate (’08) were married on May 24, 2008 and
live in Minneapolis. Jennifer
works at the NCU IRC.
Additional Information
UNITE
› 2008 Fall
Commencement
› Songs of the Season
December 12, 2008
December 5, 6 & 7, 2008
You are invited to join us for “Songs of the Season,” an annual
production of the Fine Arts Department at NCU. Join us for
a time of incredible music that celebrates the Christmas
season! This event is always a special time, featuring both
traditional and contemporary favorites.
Commencement ceremonies for students graduating in December 2008 will
take place at 11AM on
Friday, Dec. 12, 2008 in
the Trask Word & Worship Center. For details,
directions, and updated
information, visit www.
northcentral.edu.
Bring a student to Visit!
Below you’ll see the special visit options for this year. These visit days will give
students a chance to get a closer look at programs they may be thinking about
as they weigh college options. You can even check out some classes and meet
the professors.
For more information, including registration, or to set up your own personalized
visit check it out on the web:
March 26-27, 2009
www.northcentral.edu/visit
2008–2009 Visit Day events
December 5
march 26-27
october 10
January 23
Junior Visit Day
April 17
Senior Visit Day
november 7
february 13
April 24
Athletics Visit Day
november 14
Church Ministries Visit Day
Fine Arts Visit Day
Church Ministries
& Athletics Visit Day
Spring College Days
Transfer Student Visit Day
Leadership Visit Day
Save the date for the biggest visit opportunity of
the year. College Days
2009 will take place Thursday and Friday, March 26
& 27. All the details and
registration info will be
available at www.ncucollegedays.com beginning
in December.
february 20
Liberal Arts Visit Day
27
NCU Magazine | Fall 08
september 25
Liberal Arts Visit Day
› 2009
College Days
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