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Trinity Christian College is pleased to announce Pastor Jonathan Brooks as the commencement speaker for the ceremony celebrating the Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 graduates. Brooks currently serves as the lead pastor at Lawndale Christian Community Church and was the former pastor of Canaan Community Church in Chicago for 15 years. He also serves as an adjunct Professor for Northern Seminary in their Christian Community Development Program and Trinity’s Semester in Chicago Program. He previously served as the Chicago City Director for Mission Year, a yearlong service program focusing on the intersections of faith and justice.

Pastor Brooks has been an educator in inner-city Chicago for over a decade and firmly believes in investing in your local community. He deeply desires to impress this virtue on all who will listen, whether in congregation, classroom, or community.

Brooks holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Tuskegee University, a Master of Arts in Teaching from National Louis University, and a Master of Divinity from Northern Seminary in Christian Community Development. He is dedicated to using his academic knowledge, practical tools, and ministry training to make a real difference in neglected neighborhoods across Chicago. His work is not just theoretical – it is about turning his convictions into tangible solutions that will shape the future of our city. With his wife and two children, he resides in North Lawndale, a testament to his commitment to the community he serves.

Pastah J, as he is affectionately called, is a sought-after speaker, writer, and artist. He has written numerous blogs and contributed to various books through speaking, training, and consulting. He is the author of the book “Church Forsaken: Practicing Presence in Neglected Neighborhoods,” published by InterVarsity Press. In his book, Brooks challenges local churches to rediscover that loving our neighbors means loving our neighborhoods. Unpacking the themes of Jeremiah 29, he shows how Christians can be fully present in local communities, building homes and planting gardens for the common good.

This year’s commencement will honor the graduates of Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 at one ceremony held off-campus at Ozinga Field, 14011 Kenton Ave. Crestwood, IL 60445, on Friday, May 3rd, at 7 p.m.

Click here to learn more.

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What started as an idea to highlight and celebrate Christian scholarship across Trinity Christian College’s campus has taken on a life of its own over the past 25 years. OPUS is often described as an academic carnival, complete with snacks, parades, and raffle prizes. This year, a local favorite, Lucky Burrito, was on campus to provide tacos to students, faculty, and staff, making everyone feel part of the celebration.

The combination of scholarly presentations across various disciplines with a festive atmosphere makes for a memorable and unique event for students and attendees. OPUS continues to be a great opportunity to showcase intellectual growth and community building.

Sarah Krause, OPUS Committee Co-Chair, expressed, “OPUS 2024 is officially in the books, and we are so grateful for how this year’s celebration turned out. Congratulations to all the competition winners, but more importantly to all who competed! Many judges commented that they had a REALLY difficult time selecting winners, which speaks to the high quality of presentations that were shown or delivered. Everyone who presented or performed should feel encouraged by their work!”

Winners of competitions were:

OPUS Literary Arts Competition Winners

Fiction/Drama:

1st Place: Chase Hadley – “Can of Corn”

2nd Place: MJ Huizenga – “What It Takes”

Poetry:

1st Place: Chase Hadley – “Stockholm”

2nd Place: Njoki Mukuria – “Black Tears for Baobab”

 

OPUS Music Competition Winners

Vocal Solo: 

1st  place: Keila Rivera

2nd place: Emily Hawkins

Instrumental Solo:

1st place: Jared Peters

Vocal Ensemble:

1st place: Audrey Yonkman, Eden Elling, Jared Peters

2nd place: Carvell Anderson, Keila Rivera

Instrumental Ensemble:

1st place: Joseph Talluto, Ashley Yonkman

2nd place: Haley Wedster, Jared Peters

Original Musical Composition:

1st place: Nathan Hiltner – “Event Horizon”
 

OPUS Art & Design Winners

Graphic Design:

1st place: Lydia Rascher – “Timeless Sand”

2nd place: Lydia Rascher – “Untitled”

3rd place: MJ Huizenga – “Love Hate Tees”

Honorable Mention: Allison Tillema – “Front Cover”

Sculpture:

1st place: MJ Huizenga – “Hate Mail Origami”

2nd place: Maggie Otto – “Ring Ring”

3rd place: Kit Miller – “Wash Up”

Drawing/Painting:

1st place: Amanda Csuka – “Seasons and Second Life”

2nd place: Sydney Wood – “Where’s Kit”

3rd place:  Maggie Otto – “Continual 3”

Honorable Mention: Yuri Coleman – “Storm”

Honorable Mention: Amanda Csuka – “The Feeling of a Concert”

Honorable Mention: Nora Johnson – “The Man in the Moon”

Honorable Mention: Abigail Rhoda – “Dear Old World”
Print/Photo:

1st place: Karla Rosales – “Navajo Land”

2nd place: Hope McIntosh – “A Book about the Everyday”

3rd place: Amanda Csuka – “Flower portraits”

3rd place: Abigail Rhoda – untitled

Honorable Mention: Becca French

Honorable Mention: Ren Amador – “postcard”

Best in Show: MJ Huizenga – Gender Reveal Ball

 

OPUS Creation Care Competition Winner

Leah Lisowski – The Rice is Right: Golden Rice & the Fight Against Vitamin A Deficiency Worldwide

 

OPUS Poster Presentation Winners

1st place – Martin Sheehan

Influence of Dark Matter Particles During Interstellar Travel

1st place – Mia Musick

Perceptions of Masculinity: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

2nd place – Sarah Conners

Pawsitively Connected: Investigating Animal-Assisted Interventions in Adolescent Group Work

3rd place – Bethany Moultrie

Can Granny Ease the Pain? Researching Self-Esteem in Adolescent Youth being Raised by Grandparents

OPUS Presentation Showdown Winners:

1st place: MJ Huizenga

2nd place: (tied) Sharon Jegadish and Leah Lisowski

Honorable Mention: Jared Peters, Mary Mathieu

 

 

On a bright spring morning in March, students and faculty gathered in the Grand Lobby on the campus of Trinity Christian College for the third annual interdisciplinary simulation known as STAT!: Simulation, Training, and Teamwork. This unique event aimed to engage students in developing their professional identity and competency in communication and problem-solving across various disciplines.

Led by six dedicated faculty members representing four disciplines—Social Work, Nursing, Education, and Clinical Counseling—STAT! provided students with a safe environment to practice and hone their skills through real-world scenarios. The primary objective was to foster collaboration among students from different fields, allowing them to work together to solve complex challenges without the fear of causing harm.

This year’s simulation focused on extreme heat temperatures in the rural community of Trollsboro. Building upon the success of previous simulations, which tackled issues such as a chemical spill and lead poisoning, the faculty designed scenarios that tested students’ ability to respond effectively to crises.

The interdisciplinary nature of the simulation was made possible through collaborative grants from Trinity’s Faculty Development Committee. This investment enabled faculty members to create immersive learning experiences that mirrored the complexities of professional environments.

Following the event, students expressed their enthusiasm and engagement with the collaboration. One student emailed her professor to share her positive experience, stating, “I had a lot of fun and was super engaged with the exercise.” Another student highlighted the value of learning to collaborate with professionals from other fields, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary teamwork in addressing societal challenges.

Faculty members also noted the success of STAT! “It has been remarkable to see students from four different professions learning to communicate and solve problems together. I am always struck by how professional and focused our students are and how the exercise shows how Christians can model good communication skills to make a difference in solving the world’s problems,” stated Dr. Bill Boerman-Cornell, Professor of Education.

Dr. Cini Bretzlaff-Holstein, Director of the Online BSW Program and Professor of Social Work, emphasized the life-giving nature of collaboration among faculty and students. She said, “Planning, preparing, and facilitating any experiential learning experience for students is always energizing, but this interdisciplinary simulation in which Trinity faculty across disciplines collaborate is a whole other level of energizing work. We six faculty from four different disciplines engage in our own form of interdisciplinary work, giving us opportunities to think about how our collaborative efforts in which we brainstorm together, think creatively and innovatively together, and share different responsibilities based on our strengths and gifts mirror what we want for our students in their interdisciplinary simulation experience.”

As the day drew to a close, it was clear that the students and faculty recognized immense value in this collaboration exercise. This time together served as a testament to the power of interdisciplinary education in shaping future professionals equipped to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges. STAT! had once again proven to be a transformative experience for all involved, paving the way for continued growth and innovation in interdisciplinary learning at Trinity Christian College.

Click here to learn more about these academic programs and more.

 -Mary (Honey) Mathieu ’27

Trinity offers a variety of academic programs for students, ranging from psychology to business and beyond. Two business students, Justin Egan and Daniela Meza, offer unique insights into how the business program at Trinity sets them up to thrive in their academic journeys and future careers. Egan states “Business students are given a lot of resources to help them succeed while building business-related skills. One such resource is Capsim, a website used in classrooms that acts as a business simulator, allowing students to learn through competitive business challenges in a supportive environment. Additional helpful resources include business major meetings and career fairs, which help with future career networking opportunities.” Meza further notes, “Trinity does an excellent job of providing real-life scenarios inside and outside the classroom. Through her internship with the College’s Co-Op Program, she gained experience in customer service, project management, and market research, which she notes are all valuable skills for business professionals.” In addition, the College provides a well-rounded education to students and offers additional opportunities outside of the classroom that help shape students’ potential in future leadership and vocational roles.

When asked what is unique about the College’s business program, Egan said, “Students can participate in classes more often due to smaller class sizes and have the opportunity to build a closer relationship with their professors who come to know their students by name.” Meza agrees with Egan but adds “The business program offers a unique balance of academic rigor, faith integration, hands-on learning, and leadership development.” At Trinity, students are not only shaped academically but also personally. The whole person is developed through the many campus spiritual and extracurricular activities that help students thrive.

When asked for advice they would give to incoming or current students considering pursuing business as their major, Egan emphasizes the importance of “Building relationships with other students, professors, and staff as creating a positive image of yourself now as a student will only help your future networking opportunities as a working professional.” Meza wants students to know that “Majoring in business is truly what you make of it, so it is important to explore different areas of the field to see what aligns with what you like and your strengths.” College is all about self-discovery, and Trinity guides students to discover the best version of themselves through the many opportunities that the College provides business majors and all students.

 To learn more about the Business Program at Trinity, click here.

-Hope Heeg ’22

Trinity is preparing students on campus and beyond Palos Heights, IL, through an off-campus program called Semester in Spain (SIS). Leslie Osorio, who studied in Spain during her 2023 spring semester, is just one of the many students on this path. During her junior year at Trinity, Osorio decided she wanted to study off-campus in Spain. During her time studying, she knew this was something she wanted to pursue. She started as a nursing major but was elated to learn about the exciting opportunity to study off-campus with the changing of her major. Osorio noted that she “was thrilled and couldn’t wait for this unique experience. I was excited to get to know another part of the world…and to expand my understanding and appreciation of the people, culture, language, and history”. Osorio states that Trinity had been a crucial part of her preparation to study off-campus and overseas. She said, “Their mentorship and the robust programs at Trinity were instrumental in realizing my study abroad ambitions”. Because of this encouragement and support, she was able to spend a semester in Spain.

Studying off-campus broadens students’ cultural horizons, fostering adaptability and global awareness, which are essential in today’s interconnected world. Additionally, it provides unique opportunities for personal growth, pushing individuals beyond their comfort zones and enhancing their independence. The SIS staff are a crucial part of aiding this experience. The SIS team has created a smooth application process and an accessible experience for Trinity students.

Leslie Routman, the Director of TCC Sevilla, noted, “SIS holds multiple information sessions on campus throughout the school year to be sure students are aware of the great opportunity that is open to them as Trinity students to study in Sevilla. The US-based team is available to answer any questions about the application process, helps with the visa application, meets with students to advise them, and is in constant communication before departure”. At Trinity, studying off-campus is highly recommended, and because of this, the application process is broken down to accommodate students and to make the process less rigorous. Routman spoke on how “transfer of credits, course selection, and even familiarity with classroom platforms is simplified by the shared experience.”

Trinity’s mission states, “We strive to offer the highest quality of instruction to prepare students for excellence in further study and careers beyond Trinity…” Just as Trinity wants their students to succeed, the SIS faculty hopes for the same through The Semester in Spain program. Many students, like Leslie Osorio, give us insight into how a semester in Spain can truly impact students and help further the intellectual and spiritual growth of students at Trinity Christian College.

To learn more about Semester in Spain, click here.

 -Josue Manishimwe ’25

Many questions linger in the minds of international students as they embark on the daunting yet exciting application process to study abroad, like whether they will be able to succeed, how they will be accepted as students from another country, and more. Upon reading Trinity Christian College’s commitment to diversity: “Because our mission in Christian higher education is not limited by ethnic or cultural differences, we consciously seek to develop a multiethnic, multinational, and multi-denominational student body. We affirm our commitment to work toward greater diversity not only in regard to our racial, ethnic, and cultural demographic but also in regard to acceptance, appreciation, honor, and equality within our campus climate.” Students can find a sense of reassurance and know that Trinity Christian College is not only the place for international students to succeed but is also committed to ensuring that international students are set up to thrive.

The Office of International Students and Academic Services (OISAS) meets the unique needs of international students that arise from the application to the orientation stage of a student. Trinity Christian College understands the need to provide communication and help to students from a central focal point.

International students must settle, feel at home, understand campus culture, and learn institutional norms to thrive. Trinity Christian College came up with several compulsory courses that seek to ensure an international student is familiarized with the norms of the school and its Christian values, the faculty, students, the city of Chicago, and its suburbs, and engage students in topics that will build and hone their thinking and writing processes. The aim is holistic development, enabling students to integrate into the school and broader American community.

One international student, Asaph PradodeMeloFigueiredo, explained how the classes in nearby Chicago enabled him to learn more about the city and surrounding communities. He explained that it would have been impossible if f he had tried to do that on his own, but Trinty bridged that gap to make it possible.

Finally, the Cooper Center assists international students in finding internships, part-time work, and opportunities to put their education into practice. Although courses and programs aid acculturation, students may need help launching their careers.

By providing specialized offices, programs, and courses, Trinity compounded what international students need to become formidable forces academically and socially, enabling them to stride confidently towards a better future.

Click here to learn more about the International Student Program at Trinity Christian College.

In January, a large group of Trinity students, faculty, and staff traveled to Michigan to participate in the annual Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival for Region Three. This festival and conference series, known widely as KCACTF, was established in 1960 to highlight the excellent work of university theater programs nationwide through awards, presentations, workshops, competitions, and performances.

This year, 17 Trinity students competed, a record for the College theatre program. They were as follows:

  • Justine Andre-Jackson (presented her lighting co-design for The Crucible as part of the Design Technology and Management Competition)
  • Nyla Bellamy (competed in the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Competition)
  • Cristian Contreras (competed in the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Competition)
  • Liza Gavalova (competed in the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Competition, auditioned for Next Steps)
  • Sam Hoffman (competed in the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Competition)
  • MJ Huizenga (competed in the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Competition, auditioned for Next Steps)
  • Carlie Jenkins (wrote journalistically for the Institute for Theatre Journalism and Advocacy)
  • Adriana Klein (competed in the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Competition, wrote journalistically for the Institute for Theatre Journalism and Advocacy, auditioned for Next Steps)
  • Taylor Moes (participated in the Stage Management Intensive)
  • Mikey Moore (presented his costume design for Delirium’s Daughters as part of the Design Technology and Management Competition)
  • Mia Musick (competed in the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Competition and acted in the NPP One-Act Play Festival)
  • Jared Peters (presented his lighting co-design for The Crucible as part of the Design Technology and Management Competition)
  • Steven Polcyn (competed in the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Competition)
  • Luke Rotman (competed in the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Competition)
  • Bianca Sotelo (presented her unrealized scenic design as part of the Design Technology and Management Competition)
  • Anika Wicker (presented her stage management prompt book for The Crucible as part of the Stage Management Fellowship, participated in the Stage Management Intensive)
  • Ashley Yonkman (presented her costume co-design for The Crucible as part of the Design Technology and Management Competition)

Out of this group, the following accolades were received:

  • Nyla Bellamy: Semi-Finalist for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Competition (Top 40 Collegiate Actor in the Midwest)
  • Liza Gavalova: Offered a position in the Gaiety School of Acting Summer Program at the National Theatre School of Ireland
  • Adriana Kelin: Offered a position in the Gaiety School of Acting Summer Program at the National Theatre School of Ireland
  • Mia Musick: Semi-Finalist for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Competition (Top 40 Collegiate Actor in the Midwest)

At the festival, certificates of merit are awarded for work done on productions in the region throughout the year. A Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival representative presented feedback for each mainstage show. This year, the following individuals received Certificates of Merit:

  • Justine Andre-Jackson, Excellence in Lighting Design for The Crucible
  • Katie Oomkes, Excellence in Scenic Design for The Crucible
  • Jared Peters, Excellence in Lightning Design for The Crucible
  • Ethan Santema, Excellence in Sound Design for The Crucible
  • “The Cast,” Excellence in Ensemble Acting for The Crucible (this cast included 21 actors).

Katie Oomkes ’18 and Emma Schneider ’19 accompanied the students again this year. Schneider has recently joined the KCACTF leadership team as the Institute for Theatre Journalism and Advocacy Coordinator.

Mark your calendars for the upcoming Trinity Theatre performance Passengers and Navigators on March 16th and 17th. To learn more about upcoming performances, visit the theatre box office at Trinity.

During the month of February, the Trinity community was welcomed to celebrate and enjoy a multitude of Black History Month activities, many hosted by the Black Student Union (BSU). This year included new events like the BSU Kick Back night, which offered a space to kick back, relax, and play games with friends, as well as new listening sessions each Monday morning that invited the Trinity community to enjoy refreshments while listening to the reading of excerpts from the work of Black authors.

In conjunction with Trinity Athletics, BSU hosted an R&B Night and a Blackout Night at the men’s and women’s basketball games throughout the month. These events included pizza for the students who attended and a performance by a local dance company. The BSU also held its annual Black Excellence Dinner, a formal event for students celebrating Black Heritage.

During the spring chapel series, students were challenged throughout the month of February to look to the book of John for inspiration to share their faith, fully surrender to Christ, and lean into the confidence that Christ offers us. Christian Perry ’16 shared a message at chapel on February 16th that looked at how we are called to live humbly, in unity with one another in maturity, as was instructed to followers of Christ in Ephesians 4:1-7.

Faculty and staff were encouraged to enjoy a mid-month Mosaic event featuring Dr. Dennis Edwards, Vice President for Church Relations and Dean of Seminary at North Park, as its main speaker. Dr. Edwards shared his diverse experiences as a church planter and pastor in Brooklyn, Minneapolis, and Washington, D.C.

Trinity’s annual Gospel Fest, sponsored by the Music Department, is always a popular event for students and the community to look forward to each year. Trinity’s own Gospel Choir was featured alongside other performances from students, faculty, and staff of the College. This year’s event included guest artists and focused on calling the community together to worship God as one body.

This year’s annual Black History Month Lecture was held in the Grand Lobby and was attended by faculty, staff, students, and members of the community.  This year’s speaker was Trinity Professor of History and Department Chair, Dr. David Brodnax, Sr.  Dr. Brodnax has been a faculty member since 2008.  The title of his talk was “‘As the Spirit Gave Them Ability’: A Brief History of African American Pentecostalism.”  The Black History Month Lecture was sponsored by Academic Affairs and the History Department.

Each year, Trinity looks forward to celebrating Black History Month and sharing the many God-given gifts of our students, dedicated faculty, and staff. To learn more about upcoming events at Trinity, click here.

A Prairie Faith, The Religious Life of Laura Ingalls Wilder was recently released by Professor of History Dr. John Fry.  The project has been an exciting journey for Fry, as he has long had an interest in the life and faith of Ingalls-Wilder.  During his time researching the book, Fry had the opportunity to visit many of the iconic places from her life in Minnesota, Kansas, South Dakota, and beyond.

It has been seven years since the last biography of Ingalls-Wilder was published, and while the book builds on the work of previous scholars, it presents different interpretations of her life and works than others, shining a light on Wilder’s quiet faith. He surveys the Little House books, Pioneer Girl, and Wilder’s lesser-known writings, including her letters, poems, and newspaper columns. He analyzes the sources and reveals how Wilder’s down-to-earth faith and Christian morality influenced her life and work. Interweaving these investigations with Wilder’s perennially interesting life story, A Prairie Faith illustrates the Christian practices of pioneers and rural farmers during this dynamic period of American History.

“I have been working on this project since 2016, so it is a thrill to hold the book in my hands finally,” said Fry. “I could not have completed this book without the support of the Faculty Development Committee at Trinity and the encouragement of my Trinity colleagues.”

Fry was recently featured on a podcast discussing the book, which can be found here.

If you would like to get your copy of A Prairie Faith, stop into the Trinity Christian College Bookstore to grab your copy today.

Every year, Trinity accepts extraordinary students who are dedicated to making a difference in the world. The College welcomes two Founders’ Scholars among each freshman class, whose extraordinary spiritual, academic, and social leadership sets them apart. Trinity is pleased to announce our most recent Founders’ Scholars for the incoming class of 2028, Anya Carbajal from Hanford, CA, and Danielle VanderSchaaf from Jenison, MI. As Founders’ Scholars, Carbajal and VanderSchaaf have both been awarded full-tuition scholarships to the College.

Carbajal (pictured left) plans to major in Pre-Physical Therapy and looks forward to getting involved with campus ministries and intramural sports. She is currently involved with her church in teens ministry and works as a physical therapist aide and in seasonal agriculture sales.

“When I visited Trinty last year, I was blown away by how personally each faculty member acted towards me and my friends and how faith-filled the community seemed to be. After talking with the students, I learned that many of them have grown in their faith because of the community they have built with their peers. That is a community I want to be a part of,” said Carbajal.

VanderSchaaf (pictured right) plans to major in Special Education and looks forward to joining student leadership and the honors program. She is currently involved with student council at her high school, is on the varsity soccer team and volunteers her time weekly at local organizations.

“From the moment I visited Trinity, I knew I belonged here. Everybody I met was so kind and welcoming, and the Christian community was something I quickly fell in love with. I also love the teaching program and can’t wait to be a part of it,” said VanderSchaaf.

“We are excited and honored to welcome Anya and Danielle to the Trinity community this fall,” said Andy Marks, Vice President of Athletics, Enrollment, and Financial Aid. “These two young women exhibited exceptional spiritual, academic, and social leadership.  Anya and Danielle emerged from a group of exceptionally talented student leaders who all showed how they could make the Trinity community flourish and thrive.  I cannot wait to see how both gifted students will shape, lead, and impact Trinity during their tenure.”

About Trinity Christian College

Trinity Christian College, based in Palos Heights, Ill., is an accredited Christian liberal arts college offering more than 70 programs through bachelor’s, master’s, and adult degree completion courses. Founded in 1959, the College is a community of Christian scholarship committed to shaping lives and transforming culture and is continually ranked in the top tier among Regional Colleges—Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. To learn more, visit trnty.edu.