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Football isn’t the only sport to follow this time of year! Both the women’s volleyball and soccer teams are competing in national tournaments the week after Thanksgiving.
The women’s volleyball team will compete in the 39th Annual NAIA National Volleyball Championship in Sioux City, Iowa. The Lady Trolls will be competing in pool play against Missouri Baptist University; Hastings College; and Ottawa University. This marks the second final site national tournament appearance for the Trolls, who also qualified in 2013.
Trinity’s pool play schedule is:
–Nov. 27 (Tuesday) – vs Missouri Baptist at 9 am (CST)
–Nov. 28 (Wednesday) – vs Hastings at 12 pm (CST)
–Nov. 29 (Thursday) – vs Ottawa at 10 am (CST)
The Trolls advanced to the NAIA National Championship Final with a win over Bellevue University (Nebraska) in the Opening Round on Nov. 17.
The top two teams from each pool will advance to the single-elimination bracket starting on Nov. 30. The championship match will take place on Dec. 1 at 7 pm. For a complete list of the pool play teams and schedule, click here.
The women’s soccer team will be making their national tournament appearance at the NCCAA DI Women’s Soccer National Championship at Austin-Tindall Soccer Complex in Kissimmee, Fla. They will be take on Columbia International University; Campbellsville University; and Ottawa University Arizona in pool play.
The pool play schedule is:
–Nov. 26 (Monday) — vs Columbia International at 11 am (CST)
–Nov. 27 (Tuesday) – vs Campbellsville at 11 am (CST)
–Nov. 29 (Thursday) — vs Ottawa at 11 am (CST)
Click here for more information about the tournament.
The Trolls won their spot in the national tournament by claiming the NCCAA Region Championship title in a 1-0 overtime victory against Trinity International University on Nov. 17.
Assistant Professor of History Kyle Dieleman, Ph.D., recently spoke at a conference in the Netherlands which explored the impact of the Synod of Dordt. According to Dieleman, the conference began on Nov. 14, 400 years to the day when the Synod of Dordt first convened.
Dieleman spoke on “Education and Sabbath observance in Dutch Reformed churches.” He said, “The presentation generated lots of good questions and discussions.”
The conference, “The International Synod of Dordt (1618-1619): Contents, Contexts, and Effects, 17th–21st Centuries,” took place in Dordrecht, Netherlands and drew an international audience.
According to conference organizers, “The Synod of Dordrecht was held in 1618 and 1619 on the authority of the States-General of the Dutch Republic to resolve a conflict within the Reformed Church in the Netherlands about the doctrine of predestination that had arisen at Leiden’s theological faculty in 1602. At the same time, the synod was to re-establish the unity of the young state of the United Provinces in a crucial stage of the Eighty Years’ War (1568-1648), part of the broader confrontation between Catholic and Protestant powers in Europe since the Reformation.”
The Synod led to the Canons of Dort, the Church Order of Dort, and the States Bible, and it deeply affected religious life, theological tradition, and cultural identity in the Netherlands and its overseas territories. “The 400th anniversary of Synod in 2018 and 2019 is a welcome opportunity to revisit its historical significance as well as its actual standing, both in an academic, multidisciplinary, and transconfessional way,” organizers said.
Looking for the perfect gifts for your favorite Trolls? Don’t forget to shop the Black Friday Sale at the Trinity Bookstore!
From Wednesday, Nov. 21 to Sunday, Nov. 25, you can take 25% off your Trinity imprinted items. From sweatshirts to license plate frames, you can find just what you’re looking to put under the tree on Christmas morning.
Check out the Bookstore website for more information and to see the selection of great items.
Over the years, Trinity has been blessed to develop strong ties to Indonesia, including a Memorandum of Understanding with South-East Asia Bible Seminary Malang, known as Seminari Alkitab Asia Tenggara (SAAT), which Trinity President Kurt D. Dykstra, J.D., and SAAT President Martus Adinugraha Maleachi, Ph.D., signed in May.
In a forum on Nov. 15, faculty, staff, and a student shared their recent experiences in the Southeast Asian nation. Throughout the presentations, speakers repeatedly mentioned the role of Trinity’s Professor of Theology Yudha Thianto, Ph.D., a native of Indonesia, who has faithfully nurtured and expanded these ties.
Dr. Bill Van Groningen, Trinity’s Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual Formation, and his wife Connie Van Groningen, Administrative Coordinator for the Nursing Department, discussed the 10 days they spent in Indonesia doing service work and speaking engagements in May and June this year. “It’s a very welcoming place, and Indonesians are so very accommodating,” said Connie. Said Pastor Bill, “God is doing good work there.”
Next, Hannah Slager ’21 spoke about the month she spent in Indonesia over the summer. During her time there, she taught English and science in two elementary schools. One was very affluent and Westernized, while the other was rural with fewer resources. While there, Slager realized the importance of flexibility. She began her teaching without knowing anything about her students, amid constantly shifting schedules. “The students were so eager to learn and so generous and hospitable,” said Slager.
Jeanine Mozie, Trinity’s Director of Admissions Operations, then discussed her trip to Indonesia this month. “In 10 days, I visited eight schools in two cities and presented to well over 700 students,” she said. Mozie also spent time with the families of several current Trinity students.
Professor of Music Mark Peters, Ph.D., also spoke about his sabbatical in Indonesia during the spring of 2018, where he served as visiting professor at SAAT.
“It all began in 2016, when Yudha asked if I would like to go to Indonesia,” said Peters. Peters went for a short trip that year, and began laying the groundwork for his sabbatical then.
Peters also shared parts of a presentation that his children prepared about their own experiences in Indonesia. Peters reflected on his time teaching four courses at SAAT and the relationships the family forged at Wesley International School where his wife, Candace, who serves as staff accompanist for Trinity’s Music Department, taught. He also described his time teaching at SAAT Ministry Center in Jakarta and attending church at Malang English Service, as well as lecturing in North Sumatra.
“There is a strong relationship between Trinity and SAAT,” said Peters. “SAAT is a special place.”
The Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO), in residence at Trinity Christian College, continues its 41st year of bringing beautiful music to the Southland with its upcoming program “Chamber Gems: A Musical Journey” on Saturday, Nov. 17.
Maestro Stilian Kirov leads the orchestra into a musical journey throughout the night. The night begins in England with Elgar’s Serenade, to the Czech Republic with Neruda’s Trumpet Concerto in E-flat, then to Norway with Grieg’s Holberg Suite. The jewel in the crown is Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 1 performed by Bulgarian guest soloists Nadejda Tzanova, piano and Peter Makedonski, trumpet.
Kirov expressed excitement for this upcoming program, “This is a concert that involves mainly strings, but it is also fascinating to witness the unlimited orchestral colors the composers were able to create through their musical genius,” he said. “It is really a program of mostly exciting discoveries that I am sure our audiences will love.”
The concert will feature two prominent and internationally award winning Bulgarian guest soloists Nadejda Tzanova, piano and Peter Makedonski, trumpet.
Tzanova has been awarded over 20 prizes and honors including: “Hopes, Talents, and Masters” in Albania; “Zeiler” in Greece; and “Valentino Buki” in Italy, just to name a few. Makedonski is a laureate of numerous competitions including National Competiton for Singers and Instrumentalists, Young Musical Talents, Ohrid Pearls, and many more.
Kirov said, “They bring first of all a fantastic program with Shostakovich’s First Piano Concerto and Neruda’s Trumpet Concerto. They bring their outstanding artistry and exciting music making. Their duo has been named Ensemble of the Year in Bulgaria. They are prize-winners of many competitions, received many awards, and are truly extraordinary artists.”
Kirov, who also hails from Bulgaria, describes the personal connection he has to one of the soloists. “Peter Makedonski and I go way back as we went to the same music high school in Bulgaria. I believe we even played few times in the school orchestra together, so this adds another very personal exciting aspect as well.”
The upcoming concert has something that all music lovers alike can enjoy. “We have music by some great romantic composers, like Greig and Elgar, but also some more ‘edgy’ pieces like Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 1, as well as, some music of the more distant past like Neruda’s Trumpet Concerto, which is very much in the classical style. I am very much looking forward to this exciting evening,” Kirov said.
Concert single tickets start at $27 in advance. Student tickets are $10, and group tickets are available with a minimum of seven patrons. Ticketing fees may apply. New subscriber rates of up to 40% off are still available for 3, 4, 5 or all 6 concert packages.
Over the years, Trinity’s Nursing Department has graduated students who have gone on to change the lives of their patients and communities through highly skilled nursing with a Christian perspective. And with the faithful support of the TANA Pledge, the benefits of a BSN from Trinity will spread even further.
The Trinity Nursing Alumni Association (TANA) Pledge is an endowment fund created by Marv Roelofs and his wife, Dr. Lois Roelofs, Professor of Nursing Emeritus.
“I created this TANA pledge based upon the presentations given by Trinity nursing alumni at their alumni brunch on Nov. 4, 2017,” said Mr. Roelofs, who passed away earlier this year. “The testimonies given of the nursing care services they provide were powerful. I, and others in attendance, heard exciting and enthusiastic comments about the nursing profession. Their testimonies were an enthusiastic endorsement of the Trinity nursing program and its Christian perspective of service.”
The endowment has set a goal of achieving a $500,000 to $1 million TANA fund for Trinity’s nursing program, with an annual 5% distribution that would generate $25,000 to $50,000 annually for scholarships and nursing program special equipment.
The Roelofs have led by example and have donated $10,000 to encourage alumni to sign the TANA Pledge. By committing to the TANA Pledge, participants agree to give a monthly or annual donation for five or more years.
Said Amy Nagelkirk ’92, chair of the TANA board, “The TANA Board is grateful for the vision of Marv Roelofs and his encouragement to offer the TANA Pledge to alumni as a gift of gratitude and service to Trinity. We are committed to being good stewards of your gifts which will be used to support the students enrolled in the nursing program of Trinity Christian College and the needs of the nursing department. Marv passed away on July 25, 2018. His legacy of generosity and service to others will be remembered by his family and the students and faculty of the nursing department.”
To learn more, click here. To sign the TANA Pledge and ensure that future Trinity BSN students continue to make a difference in a world that needs them, click here.
Trinity was blessed to welcome Dr. Scot McKnight, Julius R. Mantey Chair of New Testament at our partner institution Northern Seminary, to campus for a WorldView lecture and other events on Nov. 7.
For his WorldView lecture in the Vermeer Fireside Room, McKnight spoke on the topic of subversion, particularly the Apostle Paul’s response to the church at Corinth. “Paul was a suberverter of values that were contrary to the way of Jesus,” he said. “He believed that the ways of Rome were not the ways of Jesus. He wanted the Corinthians to understand the resurrection life.”
Since the Romans valued qualities such as eloquence and image, while despising those who did manual labor, Paul deliberately worked to upend those expectations. And as Paul did with the Romans, McKnight called on attendees to recognize the worldliness of America now.
McKnight also spoke at a meeting presented by the Cooperativity Club, tackling a different subject—human evolution. McKnight, who describes himself as a theistic evolutionist, discussed the book he co-authored with Dennis Venema, “Adam and the Genome: Reading Scripture after Genetic Science.” In view of scientific discoveries, McKnight urged attendees to consider several approaches when reading the Bible: reading contextually, reading historically, reading the narrative theologically, and reading it with an eye towards science. “We need to help people in the church not be afraid of scientists,” he said.
McKnight also spoke at Chapel, focusing on a theme of “A Good Time for Goodness.” He addressed different examples and ideas of goodness, from the Apostle Peter to Dietrich Bonhoeffer. “We are called to goodness, because God is good,” he said. “I want to challenge you, in a world that needs goodness, to become agents of goodness.”
A recognized authority on the historical Jesus, early Christianity, and the New Testament, McKnight is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature and the Society for New Testament Studies. His books have been translated into Chinese, Korean, Russian, and Portuguese.
Trinity and Northern Seminary in Lisle, Ill., where McKnight teaches, offer a combined 5-year B.A. to M.Div. program. Through this program, students earn a B.A. degree in Biblical Studies from Trinity and a M.Div. from Northern in five years, instead of the usual seven.
Photo credit: Associated Colleges of Illinois
In August 2017, Trinity’s Troll underwent a makeover—the first time the beloved mascot had been redesigned in two decades. Last Friday, Trinity’s Communications Manager Amy Stickel and Senior Graphic Designer Pete Vega discussed the award-winning redesign at the Associated Colleges of Illinois Fall Conference.
The new Troll, designed by Vega, was unveiled on Aug. 25, 2017, during a women’s volleyball match between Trinity’s then-defending National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) national champions and Mt. Mercy University of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
During the presentation, “Rebranding a Troll for the Digital Age,” Vega described the creative process he undertook to give the Troll its new look. Stickel discussed the logistics of introducing the Troll to the community, both during the rollout and for those who couldn’t be in attendance on the night of the event.
The ACI presentation included the video that accompanied the unveiling of the new Troll, which highlighted past versions of the Troll, and introduced the latest iteration. The video was narrated by Wayne Messmer, nationally recognized as the “voice of the national anthem” for the Chicago Cubs and other professional sports teams.
Founded in 1952, ACI is a network of 25 private, nonprofit, residential colleges and universities. ACI supports member colleges and universities by advancing independent liberal arts and sciences education and helping underserved students succeed in college, career and life. The ACI Fall Conference took place on Nov. 2 at the Microsoft Technology Center in downtown Chicago. Along with a public relations and marketing track, the professional development meeting offered opportunities for member college and university staff working in advancement, finance, and student engagement.
Trinity Christian College is pleased to announce that Mallory Boyce ’19 has been named this year’s Lincoln Laureate. Boyce will be recognized by Gov. Bruce Rauner at the Lincoln Academy Student Laureate Convocation ceremony on Nov. 17 in Springfield, Ill.
Trinity’s selection committee said that Boyce was the clear choice for this year’s honors. “Mallory demonstrates leadership, academic excellence, and wise service,” the committee noted. “Now we are able to celebrate her labors and her joyful, savvy, articulate presence among us.”
Boyce said she is grateful for the honor. “Trinity has given so much to me, and I was humbled that the selection committee considered that I had also given something of significance to Trinity,” she said.
The annual Lincoln Academy Student Laureate Ceremony recognizes excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities by seniors from each of the state’s four-year, degree-granting colleges and universities, and one student from the community colleges in Illinois. Boyce plans to attend the ceremony with Professor of Communication Arts Craig Mattson, Ph.D., Trinity’s Honors Program Director her parents, Scott and Stephanie, as well as her boyfriend, Josiah Rosario ’17, who was Trinity’s Lincoln Laureate last year.
Boyce is majoring in social work and minoring in theology. She also leads the Women’s Ministry at Trinity. “It’s been a delight to gather with women weekly, study the Word, and live life together,” she said. “God uses women for amazing things and being able to encourage, pray, and develop programming to grow spiritually alongside the women on this campus has been the best part of my Trinity experience.”
Among her favorite classes, she points to “Basic Teachings of the Christian Faith” with Professor of Theology Keith Starkenburg, Ph.D. “It was awe-inspiring to explore the depths of the theological truths that I have known my whole life and discover how rich they really are.”
A native of Byron Center, Mich., Boyce said that she spends time in Chicago both recreationally and professionally. “My friends and I love to visit different neighborhoods in the city and see what there is to see – a few of our favorites include Lincoln Park, Pilsen, and Rogers Park,” she said. “Otherwise, I’ve been able to take advantage of all the resources downtown through countless field trips, and I will be doing my social work field placement at New Moms in the Austin neighborhood.”
After graduation, Boyce said she is considering which graduate program to pursue. “I am considering a couple dual degree programs – various combinations of a Masters of Social Work and a master’s degree in an area relating to theology or ministry. After grad school, I hope to work somewhere at the intersection of the Christian Church and social justice issues.”
Trinity Christian College Lincoln Laureates
2017 – R. Josiah Rosario
2016 – Courtney Kalous
2015 – Hallie Wisse
2014 – David (Woody) Lucas
2013 – Megan Anderson
2012 – Adam Perez
2011 – Alberto LaRosa
2010 – Joseph Wydra
2009 – Jon Vander Woude
2008 – Caitlin Fillmore
2007 – Elizabeth VanderSpek
2006 – Allison Backous
2005 – Erin Marshalek
2004 – Rachel Van Oort
2003 – Yvana Hansen
2002 – Evan VanderZee
2001 – Nate Bosch
2000 – Laurie Johnson
1999 – Hanna Vancer Zee
1998 – Kristen Devine
1997 – Heidi Boeck
1996 – Julie Tinklenberg
1995 – Keri Dyksterhouse
1994 – Mark Mulder
1993 – Kristen Hart
1992 – Sarah Ver Velde
1991 – Aron Reppmann
1990 – Nathan Van Der Male
1989 – Drew Sweetman
1988 – Erik Hoekstra
1987 – Kimberly Dykema
1986 – Edward Wiener, Jr.
–By Alexis Knake ’19
How Trollstock officially got started is still a mystery to us all. Of course, there are random stories passed down, various myths…
But how did Trollstock really get started?
It has been said that long ago, Trinity held an entertainment show known as “Woodstock,” which is where we get the name Trollstock now.
Things looked a lot different at Woodstock than they do now. It was held in the lawn behind Tibstra, and anyone could come up and perform, like an open mic style.
What we do know, is that Trollstock is definitely something you do NOT want to miss. Each year, the Student Activities Chair Head gets the opportunity to take Trollstock into his or her own hands and create a spectacular show.
And this year, may be looking at something even GREATER. Yes, you heard that right. This year at Trollstock, leader Breanna Eissen has some exciting things hiding in her back pocket. A theme you can look forward to seeing is one that resembles that movie loved by many, The Greatest Showman.
This year’s Trollstock theme? Glamorous Circus.
And what comes with going to a circus? Yes, Popcorn!! Garrets popcorn will be provided for every person attending. If Garretts isn’t enough incentive to get out of your dorm room, maybe seeing your highly talented classmates will! So, what else can you expect to see this year?
Well, you can expect to see fewer acts than previous years. According to Eissen, the focus is more towards the actual show itself, so the number of acts will be condensed into the most unique, exciting, and talented entertainment.
Another unique factor added to this year’s Trollstock is the addition of an opening and closing number that includes every one of the acts of Trollstock and Trinity’s own Gospel Choir.
“I hope that this year’s production will feel very theatrical, and that it leaves the audience feeling inspired and joyful,” said Eissen.
With all that and more, we hope to see the biggest crowd yet at this year’s Trollstock.
Come out and support your fellow Trolls as they conquer the stage and show you what they are made of. Because whether it’s Woodstock or Trollstock, or however this tradition got started, it has brought so many different kinds of people together to share laughs over creative acts and entertainment.
It really will be one of the greatest shows!
The 22nd Annual Trollstock will take place on Nov. 3 in Ozinga Chapel Auditorium. Doors open at 7 pm. Admission is FREE. Can’t make it to the event? Live Stream it and check out all the amazing acts!