Archives: News Stories

Over the winter break, Troll athletes didn’t just spend time with family and relax–members of the track and field and women’s volleyball teams went on a service trip to Costa Rica, where they partnered with Going the Distance Adventure Ministries in serving a local community in hurricane relief efforts and sharing the gospel.

“Working with the church people and attending the church services showed me how amazing our God is,” said Alex Clark ’17. “Although we speak a different language we still serve the same God and can feel their passion for Christ.

Upon arriving in Costa Rica for the one-week trip, the group of 43 saw first-hand the devastation left when Hurricane Otto swept through the country in late November. The team members dedicated themselves to helping those affected by the hurricane, as well as ministering to the community in other ways. They teamed up with a local church and worked to repair homes; paint soccer goal posts, fencing, benches, and dugouts; sorted thousands of pieces of donated clothing; and distributed medicine, clothing, toys, and food.

The teams also interacted with the local residents through a carnival where they performed Bible story skits, played games with the children, and served coffee and snacks. They also hosted a community-wide sports night that involved a variety of games such as volleyball, soccer, kickball, and frisbee.

Every morning started with devotions centered on a theme of “Planting Seeds”. Evenings included praise and worship, sharing highlights and testimonies, as well as an Impact Point message. “It was inspiring to see how much the church people loved the Lord and were devoted to their faith even after the destruction by the hurricane,” reflected Rachel Verhage ’17. “I was impacted by how warmly they welcomed us with open arms and prayed and worshipped with us who were strangers.”

Trinity was pleased to welcome Dr. Kristen Deede Johnson, associate professor of theology and Christian formation at Western Theological Seminary, to campus on Jan. 16, as the first speaker in the 2017 WorldView series.

The Trinity community had several chances to learn from Johnson, co-author of the Christianity Today 2017 award-winning book, The Justice Calling: Where Passion Meets Perseverance. Johnson gave the meditation at Chapel in the morning, and then gave a lecture the Fireside Room in the afternoon. Additionally, she visited Dr. Steve VanderVeen’s Strategic Management class and had lunch with students.

During Chapel, Johnson reflected on Psalm 103 and offered her thoughts on the “The Gift and the Call of God’s Hesed Love.” While there is no word in English that directly translates from hesed, Johnson said it is often translated as “steadfast love,” “loving kindness,” or “mercy.” “I believe it is one of the most significant words to know when it comes to understanding God’s love and our calling,” she said.

In her afternoon session, Johnson spoke about how to integrate the call to justice in each person’s individual calling. “The Justice Calling is not really a how-to, but a why-to book,” she said. “It’s about why are we called to care about injustice in this world.”

WorldView is Trinity’s annual community and college series for film, word, current events and music. Upcoming WorldView sessions and speakers include:

• Thursday, Feb. 16
  Tim Brown, retired director of music at Clare College, Cambridge University, England

• Friday, Feb. 24
  John Cotton Richmond, founder of The Human Trafficking Institute

• Wednesday, April 5
  Rahsaan Graham, Sector Director of Child Protection & Education at World Vision

To learn more, visit trnty.edu/worldview

The dean’s list is Trinity Christian College’s highest academic honor. Only full-time students who have earned a 3.5 grade point average for the semester merit this distinction.

His last words as our first word. That is the message that Trinity Pres. Kurt D. Dykstra, J.D., offered at the first Chapel of 2017.

The message explored Christ’s Great Commissioning in Matthew 28, which was read by Juliana Dykstra ’20: “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’”

In particular, Dykstra urged worshipers to consider both the baptizing aspects and the teaching aspects of Christ’s words. Many of us are comfortable with the idea of baptism, but not as comfortable with teaching others about the Bible, he said. However, when it comes to making disciples through teaching and baptism, baptism is only half of the equation. “We like deeds, but we may shy away from words,” Dykstra said. “We live in Deedsville. We also need to live in Wordsville.”

As a studio art major, Andrea Sanchez ’17 isn’t just studying the Chicago art scene—she’s now part of it, with a solo show at Rootwork Gallery.

Her show, “The Leaving: An Exhibition of Taking and Leaving Behind,” is on exhibit through Jan. 22 at the gallery, located in the city’s Pilsen Arts District. It’s a multi-media exploration of what people take forward and what must stay behind. Sanchez said the pieces in the show were inspired by visits to the remnants of the small town of Goeselville, Ill. The settlement’s inhabitants abandoned Goeselville about a century ago, when the Rock Island Railroad bypassed the town and went instead through what is now Tinley Park, Ill.

While Iowa may not always be considered at the forefront of the civil rights movement, it has often led the way among northern and Midwestern states, Dr. David Brodnax, Sr., professor of history, said during a recent podcast by the Midwest History Association.

Speaking with host John Luack on “Heartland History,” Brodnax pointed to Iowa being the first Northern state after the Civil War to give black men the right to vote, in 1868. More recently, Barack Obama’s victory in the 2008 Iowa Democratic Caucus helped to solidify his candidacy in the presidential race. “It proved Obama was a different kind of black candidate,” said Brodnax.

Brodnax participated in the podcast while attending the Northern Great Plains History Conference in St. Cloud, Minn. He also spoke on a conference panel about the topic, “‘Because They Were the Only Negro Children’: Racial Isolation & Progress in Dallas County, Iowa, 1860-1910.”

Brodnax discussed a variety of topics during the podcast, including the work on his book manuscript, “Breathing the Freedom’s Air: The African American Struggle for Equal Citizenship in Iowa, 1830-1900,” which he is currently revising for publication. He also talked about his own family history, black college athletes in Iowa, the Great Migration, and why Midwestern history matters.

Click here to listen to the entire podcast.

–By Faith Lorenz ’17

Every time you enjoy just about any tangible thing on Trinity’s campus, it’s probably thanks to the hard work of the team in the Physical Plant department. They’re the men and women in charge of maintaining the buildings, the grounds, and the fleet vehicles, as well as setting up and taking down for Trinity events on-campus.

Though they often go about their jobs unobtrusively, Physical Plant staff interact with students through the student-worker program and by collaborating with the students hosting special events.

The Physical Plant staff loves taking care of Trinity’s beautiful campus. “The work we do enables students to live and learn on a campus that is clean and well maintained,” said Tim Timmons, director of Physical Plant.

Physical Plant staff works year-round to make sure everything runs smoothly and the campus maintains its well-manicured state. Members of the Physical Plant team include:

• Steve Boeringa – Maintenance
• Carol Bosma – Physical Plant Office Coordinator
• Rich Czajkowski – Assistant Director of Physical Plant
• Janet Kosmal – Facilities Coordinator
• Will Olsen – Maintenance
• Roger Neitzel – Maintenance
• Rick Scanlan – Maintenance
• Bob Schutt – Maintenance
• Mark Smilde — Setup Coordinator/Utility
• Tim Timmons — Director of Physical Plant

So when you return from winter break to paths and parking spaces cleared of snow, or from summer vacation to lusch green lawns, remember to thank the dedicated staff of the Physical Plant Department!

Trinity is pleased to announce the winners of the 2016 Alumni of the Year Awards. “We honor and celebrate the contributions of six people who have made a lasting impact on the Trinity community and around the world,” said Brad Laninga ’89, director of alumni and donor relations.

Alumni of the Year, Cliff  & Cristine Wiener ‘93

Cliff & Cristine Wiener have been serving with Youth With a Mission (YWAM) for the past 15 years–six of those in China and the last 11 in Perth, Australia. Cliff serves on the core leadership team which oversees ministry in the schools. He is responsible for the “on the ground” expansion of the ministry.  Cristine is currently working in finance and accounts with YWAM and will be moving into a position of leadership of a discipleship training school in the near future.

Cliff and Cristine have three children: Sam (15), Avery (13), and Katie (10).

Learn more about the Wiener’s ministry in Australia: YWAM: Perth and Step, Study, Teac

Honorary Alumnus of the Year – Staff, Dave Jousma

Dave Jousma came to Trinity in 2004 as the A/V coordinator, a new position for the College. Since then, Jousma has grown to love the school. “Working with students on a daily basis keeps me thinking young,” he says.

Jousma has been married to Kristine since 1980. “It was the best thing that has ever happened to me,” he says. They have two sons, Jett ’08, ’13 and Jordan ’17. Jett married fellow Trinity alum Amber Van Dam ’07, ’13.

Honorary Alumnus of the Year – Faculty, Burt Rozema

Dr. Burt Rozema has served a variety of roles at Trinity, including professor of Greek, vice president for academic and student affairs, and dean of academic services. He is currently director of off-campus programs. Throughout his time at Trinity, Rozema has been a wise, caring, thoughtful, and skilled academic administrator, an eloquent defender of the liberal arts and academic excellence, and a person who loves the College and loves students.

Honorary Alumni of the Year – Friends, Terry & Linda Van Der Aa

Terry & Linda Van Der Aa are long-time friends of the College, offering their financial support, spiritual leadership, and commitment of time and talents. They served as co-chairs of the campaign cabinet in the effort to build Ozinga Chapel and Heritage Science Center. Terry served on or led the search committee for the last three College presidents. Their concept of honoring the leaders and founders of the College is still visible on the Heritage Wall in the entrance to the Science Center. Terry and Linda have also supported Trinity in countless ways that extend far beyond expectations.

In selecting Alumni of the Year award recipients, the College seeks individuals that have:

• Excellence in vocation
• Spiritual impact
• Concern for students
• Lasting influence

Click here to watch the 2016 Alumni Awards Ceremony.