Vol. 11, Issue 2, Summer, 2016

College News

A publication for Alumni & Friends

Presidential Search Enters New Phase The search for Kuyper’s next president entered a new phase of the process. The Transition Team, with the approval of the Board of Trustees, retained the services of a search agency, JobfitMatters (JFM). Together, JFM and the Transition Team developed an online survey which was sent to constituents in May. The information gathered from the survey will help inform the Transition Team on the desired characteristics of the next president.

Members of JFM were present on campus Ben Hoekman’s presentation on the theology of welcoming children to the Lord’s Supper for two days in April conducting initial fact finding interviews. During their visit they met with key stakeholders and held group STUDENT meetings (listening posts) with students, staff and faculty. SCHOLAR Visit kuyper.edu/presidentialtransition for DAY more information on the transition process. “Ora et labora”—pray and work—the phrase appearing on Kuyper College’s seal, represents a key distinctive of the College. One of the clearest expressions of this phrase College Plans is the annual Student Scholar Day. It takes place at the end of the winter semester and is devoted to showcasing and Not Finalized? celebrating the kingdom-focused academic achievements Do you know someone who is not sure of their fall college plans? If you do, you may of Kuyper students. want to let them know that Kuyper still has fall scholarship opportunities for students in the The day began with Academic Honors what has become the annual Student following programs: Convocation, a student award ceremony Scholar Day in 2011. “We wanted to • Business Leadership filled with prayer and testimonies of emphasize that being practice-oriented is • Ministry - Pre-Seminary God’s work. Throughout the rest of the not at odds with being scholarly. In fact, • Missions - Intercultural Studies day students were able to demonstrate they go together,” said Parler. • Music and Worship how their academic achievements, That’s where the “work” part comes • Social Work prayers and work undergird rigorous in. Kuyper students are passionate • Teacher Education scholarship. about many areas of study, and by the • Youth Ministry According to Professor of Theological time they graduate all will have served If you know someone, you can refer them Studies, Dr. Branson Parler, Kuyper has in some capacity through service to Kuyper at www.kuyper.edu/refer or email long been a practice-oriented school. learning and internship requirements, [email protected]. We will promptly Parler, together with professors Dr. Judi and opportunities on and off campus. follow up with pertinent information. Meerman, Dr. Carol Hochhalter and Professor Allison Backous, developed See SCHOLAR DAY, Page 4 Please also refer a student that may be interested in starting at Kuyper College at a later date! LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Pushing Beyond Our Limitations

“Dig deeper!” the instructor yelled out to our spin class at the Y. As some two dozen of us strained on our stationary bikes to “add just ten more RPM” and then to ”maintain that RPM but add one more level of resistance,” I couldn’t help but be thankful there wasn’t a monitor on the wall showing each bike’s level of output.

All the same, I knew and appreciated the fact and strengthened to respond better than ever to our mission. You staff of the College, how that without that instructor’s encouragement, God’s call upon their lives. you have dug deep to give extra measures I wouldn’t be pushing myself near as hard as of service to students and to the College I am reminded of James in chapter one, verse I should. Though the back of my knees felt community. Trustees, you too have dug four telling us that “Perseverance must finish its like your cheeks do after trying to blow up a deeply to provide hours and hours of help work so that you may be mature and complete, balloon that refuses to expand, I knew I had to and guidance to the College in many areas not lacking anything.” There are many aspects give it a little more effort. Dig deeper. and in many ways. And, there are many more of life that challenge us to persevere. For us Reading through the draft of the material going at Kuyper, faculty interact with a great variety of you who are digging deeper to find more into this month’s Kuyper News, I immediately of students, holding a commitment to each students for Kuyper, to connect Kuyper with thought back to that experience at the Y. The one to bring him and her to the greatest level meaningful relationships that further our spirit of instruction and the willingness of our of maturity possible. This calls for a lot of mission, and to “storm the gates of heaven” students to be pushed beyond self-perceived perseverance! Under this challenging academic with your prayers asking for God’s help and limitations truly reflect the push to “dig deeper.” rigor and the expectations placed upon student blessing upon this institution. Thank you The primary goal of our faculty is not to teach; interns, students increasingly rely upon the all for your faithfulness, determination and their goal is to see each student achieve levels of Lord for strength and guidance, reaching persistence in service! awareness, insight, ability and motivation they levels of maturity they never envisioned for would not otherwise think themselves capable themselves as freshmen. Digging deeper. of. Along with this, the primary goal of our students is not to get through an expected four You donors to the College, you have been Dr. Nicholas V. Kroeze years of College; their goal is to be stretched digging deeper to help us sustain and further President

A Kuyper Intern’s Story Jelle Koersen, class of 2016, writes about his kids before the meeting at their home and drops them off afterwards— three-month internship in Toronto, Canada allowing us to meet the children and their parents where they live. My prayer for this ministry is that transformation of people will happen Having been raised in a rural part of Canada, I wanted to learn more within their own neighborhood. about the church and ministry in the Canadian context and how At The Lighthouse I also served on their fundraising committee, helping parachurch organizations function. So, Toronto was a good opportunity to plan their largest fundraising event of the year. Through this I was able to be stretched in an urban setting at The Lighthouse Centre. to learn the challenges non-profit organizations face in raising funds to Besides helping to unload two trucks every week and stocking shelves, I support their programs. was also able to interact with and get to know the clients. Some were quite Through this internship I learned that it is one thing to go on a short- open about sharing why they were there—mostly because there was not term mission trip, but it’s something very different to live in the midst of enough money at the end of the week to feed their children. brokenness and see how painfully slow community transformation can be. But because of The Lighthouse—through language education, the In addition, once a week I taught a two-hour-long English as a Second food bank, job skill training and many other community programs that Language class to a group of Chinese senior citizens. And every other take place—lives and the community are changing. Saturday, I volunteered at a neighborhood children’s ministry called Kids Church. What makes this ministry unique is that rather than parents I pray that God will show me where He wants me to work through having to drop off the kids at Kids Church, each volunteer picks up the Him—the places that desperately need His grace.

2 KUYPER COLLEGE NEWS STEWARDSHIP IN MY WORDS Are Your Plans A Small Engine as Obsolete as That Can the Rotary Phone? I could not be more proud. This past April, sitting in a large room in downtown Grand Rapids A technology company took out a full-page ad announcing with nearly 200 other college students, faculty the release of their spectacular new computer. The headline and business leaders from West , I was Marc Andreas promised, “The personal computer with expandable impressed with the poise and professionalism Assistant Professor memory, advanced peripherals and comprehensive of Business Leadership demonstrated by 19 Kuyper College students. As software, so it will never become and Program Director part of six teams from our Business Leadership obsolete.” The year was 1979 Entrepreneurship course, these students were and the computer was competing in the M West Challenge, the largest collegiate business plan the Atari 800. competition in . A total of 50 teams from nine colleges “Presenting with a great mix Nearly and universities, including Grand forty years of confidence and humility, Valley State University, Calvin later, we’ve College, , Aquinas our students represented seen many College, , Kuyper very well. It was products and services Kendall College of Art and Design, go the way of the Atari 800, clear that they were putting and Grand including VCRs, rotary telephones Rapids Community College, were their skills and knowledge and encyclopedias. But what you may not vying for the $40,000 in cash prizes have considered is that your estate plan could be into practice as they didn’t awarded to the top teams. While obsolete as well. present business ideas Kuyper was the smallest school, It’s time to update your estate plan if you’ve experienced the with the newest business program focused on making the following: in the competition, two Kuyper most money, but rather how teams came away with $1,000 • Family changes—Perhaps your family has recently impact awards! their ideas could solve real grown, or a loved one has passed. Are your children problems in the world and financially stable with potentially no need for Presenting with a great mix of inheritance? confidence and humility, our improve people’s lives.” • Financial changes—Did your financial situation shift students represented Kuyper very when you retired or sold a business? Changes like these well. It was clear that they were putting their skills and knowledge into practice have tax implications, but there may be investment as they didn’t present business ideas focused on making the most money, but opportunities that could lessen their impact. rather how their ideas could solve real problems in the world and improve • Priorities change—As seasons of life change, sometimes people’s lives. It’s a great honor to be at Kuyper to help young people see that we experience a shift in what is nearest to our heart. their dreams and ideas to improve the world—or better yet “reform” this broken world—can become reality. Does your current estate plan reflect what’s most important Just nine days earlier, these same Business Leadership Entrepreneurship students to you? Ensuring your estate plan is up to date and a true were at Kuyper’s dining hall cheering on more than two dozen high school reflection of your personal values is a form of exercising biblical students competing in our Triple Bottom Line Business Idea Contest. The stewardship—a practice that will never go out of style. Having Contest allows high school students to compete for cash prizes while learning an up-to-date will means you acknowledge that everything how business can do much more than make money, but rather improve the world you own has been given to you by God and you want to take around them through having a triple bottom line that includes measuring its care of it wisely—even after your death. Did you know you can impact on people and the planet while still making a profit. The top two winning designate a gift in your will to a ministry you care about? This high school teams presented ideas to use second-hand clothing in Africa to create action will not only set a powerful example for your family, but it jobs and start a bakery employing autistic youth. also gives you an opportunity to invest in eternal, incorruptible kingdom purposes too. Matthew 6:20 says “…lay up for How blessed we are at Kuyper to work with young people who, filled with yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust the Holy Spirit, have incredible ideas and passion to follow the words of destroys and where thieves do not break in or steal.” Jesus to build His kingdom “on Earth as it is in heaven.”

For information on estate planning, contact Ken Capisciolto “In My Words” is a feature of The Kuyper College News highlighting first-person stories by at [email protected] or at 616.988.3676. Kuyper College faculty and staff.

BRINGING GOD’S GRACE INTO TODAY’S CULTURE 3 SCHOLAR DAY from Page 1

However, scholarship as a starting point and foundation to that work is vital. In fact, it is the first step of that work itself. “Rigorous academic scholarship is important at Kuyper because we want to love Christ’s church and world well,” explained Parler. “Love is more than an emotion or feeling; it means we must have the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to make love concrete in practical ways. Without rigorous scholarship, we’re as likely to harm as to help those to whom God is calling us to minister.” Scholar Day, then, is the manifestation of this Kuyper mindset.

The process for student selection for Scholar Day demands that even before developing their proposal, which accompanies their application for inclusion, students identify a faculty mentor. “This mentor agrees to work with the student to hone and Kuyper College President Nick Kroeze leads faculty, staff and students during Honors Convocation shape their initial proposal,” said Parler. Students then submit their proposal to the Academic Scholarship Committee who, explores the issue of whether baptized should be aware that, technically, it “is not after evaluation, gives full or provisional children should be allowed to take part in required by Scripture or the confessions.” the Lord’s Supper. In it he argues that “by acceptance, or denies the application. Even while arguing his paper’s conclusion, in According to Parler, provisional acceptance carefully examining the Belgic Confession it, Hoekman affirms the necessity of focused means that the student’s concept is solid and the Heidelberg Catechism, two of the and researched scholarship in ministry: but their precise thesis or supporting Reformed confessions subscribed to by “Welcoming children to participate in the research needs further work. The student, the Christian Reformed Church in North sacrament of the Lord’s Supper can certainly after further work with their mentor, will America (CRCNA) and the Reformed not come without an effective understanding receive one more opportunity to present the Church of America (RCA), baptized children of the doctrinal and Scriptural teachings of revised proposal to the Committee. After a should also be invited to the Table as the sacrament. By carefully examining our student is accepted, hard work, much prayer members of God’s covenant.” Reformed confessions, and applying sound and interaction with their mentor are key In this thought provoking and well- hermeneutics, we can continue to shape the components of preparation that culminate researched thesis, Hoekman notes that faith formation and participation in the body during their presentation to the student “Although many children might have felt of believers for all of our members.” body, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and many ready to make Profession of Faith at a friends of Kuyper. younger age, many churches, including those A different, yet parallel presentation This year’s Student Scholar Day consisted in the CRCNA, have historically encouraged advocating for the church’s engagement of 23 oral and four poster presentations, younger children to wait until they were with the broader issue of mental illness was older and could understand the significance representing a wide body of scholarship in presented by Kalee DeVries, a graduating of this event” because of “the necessity of several areas, including social work ethics, senior with a double major in youth ministry affirming the Reformed confessions, and business and Christianity, songs in the and Bible/theology. In her paper, “The in being willing to fully participate in the church, interpretive discussions of Bible Church and Mental Illness,” she challenges life and ministry of the church.” While passages and narratives, church engagement the church to support individuals with Hoekman acknowledges that these are of the transgender community, children and mental illness both spiritually and medically. legitimate concerns, he cites the works of the Lord’s Supper, mental illness, government many scholarly Reformed voices—including Side-by-side with strong research, aid for the poor, and the death penalty. the Synod 2011 decision from the Faith DeVries weaves Scripture throughout Ben Hoekman, a junior double majoring in Formation Committee 2011 Report from the her paper, providing a framework for music & worship and pre-seminary studies, CRCNA. The decision suggests that while understanding. On the medical side, she presented a paper—“Baptism & the Lord’s “requiring a formal public profession of faith draws information from a compelling Supper: Embracing Covenant Theology of prior to participation in the Lord’s Supper is and diverse set of sources. She features Welcoming Children to the Table”—which one pastoral approach to consider,” churches research, statistics and definitions from the

4 KUYPER COLLEGE NEWS National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), and LifeWay Research, which conducts frequent surveys on today’s church and culture. On the spiritual side, reading widely from Christian treatments on the subject, she discusses key insights from various books on mental illness and the church, such as “Darkness Is My Only Companion: A Christian Response to Mental Illness” by Dr. Kathryn Greene-McCreight, associate chaplain at the Episcopal Church at Yale, and a member of the Patient and Family Advisory Council of Yale-New Haven Psychiatric Hospital; and “Grace for the Afflicted: Viewing Mental Illness through the Eyes of Faith” by Dr. Matthew S. Stanford, CEO of the Hope and Healing Center & Institute, and adjunct professor at Baylor College of Medicine and the Department of Psychology at the University of Houston.

Through her scholarly and nuanced work, DeVries encourages the church in the work of daily ministry. “Loving a person who is battling something like depression and anxiety can simply mean taking them Ester Henen and her poster presentation out for lunch or watching a movie together,” she writes. “These are not significant acts, but they show the value of spending time together and allow the individual to get their mind off of their struggles. As much as they appreciate you asking and talking about their struggles and keeping it in the open, that should not be the main focus of the relationship.”

Besides encouraging the importance of everyday community, DeVries affirms the importance of spiritual treatment in mental health, yet also challenges churches to become literate in the medical issues of mental health in order to better serve those who are struggling. “For those whose battle is strongly rooted in biological dysfunction, other medical means of recovery are required,” she explains. “This is where the church needs to recognize the legitimacy of mental illness and refer individuals to counseling or psychotherapy where sometimes medication becomes a necessary means of remedy.” Alyssa Baar during her presentation on “Caution: Disordered Sexuality Can be Harmful to Your Health” Ora et labora was seen in Ben Hoekman and Kalee DeVries’ work, as well as in the more than two dozen other featured presentations. At the Academic Honors Convocation, commenting on what had already taken place and what was yet to come, Dr. Patricia Harris, Kuyper’s provost, said, “It doesn’t get any better than this! This is my favorite day of all days at Kuyper College.” She also encouraged her listeners that the joy of the day had “only just begun, as the Kuyper community would be rewarded throughout the day by students presenting on topics that have not only shaped their minds, but have moved their hearts.”

At Kuyper this special day has traditionally been an expression of acknowledgement, thankfulness and worship ending with the Kuyper community gathered at Vos Chapel to delight in the Kuyper College Choir spring concert’s performance. “The point of the concert is that all of this—all of the good gifts of our life come through Jesus Christ because of what He did on the cross and as He rose again from the dead,” said Dr. Carol Hochhalter, choir director and Professor of Worship Studies. “So His love and His death and resurrection are the foundation for all of the good gifts that we enjoy today.”

Kaitlin Homan and her poster presentation

BRINGING GOD’S GRACE INTO TODAY’S CULTURE 5 BRINGING GOD’S GRACE INTO TODAY’S CULTURE 5 Dr. Douglas Felch Retires He had been in pastoral ministry in two cease from the never-ending process of in unique Felchian fashion, he added, “The churches in the Orthodox Presbyterian “Graduating to Christian maturity,” which collegiality among the faculty is exquisite.” It Church over a period of 18 years when he said involves “Embracing certain Gospel seems that among the faculty, the feeling is his wife, Susan, was offered a teaching realities such as being a committed Christian, mutual—best expressed by words from Dr. position at Calvin College. This opened an recognizing the seriousness of sin, embracing Dan Kroeze, professor of biblical studies, opportunity for him to go back to school. So the hope of grace and freedom to forgive, and who said: “Doug possesses a thorough in 1992, the Felches came to experiencing the joy of radically knowledge of the Bible and theology and is Grand Rapids. pursuing good works.” able to communicate that truth with grace and humility. His students are well prepared “When Susan started teaching Looking back over his time at for life and ministry to competently handle full time I went back to school Kuyper there are many things the Word of God.” Felch also spoke highly of Felch remembers, such as the full time,” said Dr. Douglas the staff which he “counts as friends whom teaching philosophy he first Felch, retiring professor I highly respect for their competent, diligent implemented upon arriving of theological studies at and cheerful labors on behalf of the school.” at the College. “I have always Kuyper College. He ended up Finally, he said, “There is one advantage to enjoyed teaching,” he said. earning two degrees at Calvin being a small institution—here we can foster a “When I was in the pastorate, Theological Seminary, a Th.M. sense of community between students, faculty I turned my pastoral ministry in philosophical theology in and staff.” 1995 and a Ph.D. in systematic in a teaching direction. When Dr. Douglas Felch theology in 2005. I became involved in academic As he moves to a new chapter in his life, ministry, I turned my teaching Felch will join his wife, Susan, for a return Felch said that he first became familiar with in a pastoral direction—I am grateful that trip to York, England. There, once again Kuyper College when he started worshiping Kuyper College not only allowed me, but she will direct the Calvin Semester Abroad at Harvest Orthodox Presbyterian Church encouraged me, to do so.” He also spoke Program at York St. John University in in Wyoming. “A number of families were of what he valued most during his time at England. “I look forward to returning graduates, and I was impressed by their Kuyper—the students, the faculty and staff to York to read and to grow and to be of families, their commitment to be serious who make up the Kuyper community. Of whatever informal encouragement I can to Christians, and the generous way they gave the students he said, “I have a great deal of Trinity Church York, a congregation that of their time and talents to kingdom service,” respect for them. Students at Kuyper are we’ve become acquainted with,” he said. “In he said. Felch wrote Kuyper expressing his highly motivated and seek to make the most the meantime, Lord willing, both before and interest in serving the College. Just two of their educational opportunity here.” A after York, I hope to continue to serve as weeks before the start of Kuyper’s 1998- Kuyper alumnus, Rev. Erik Schalk, class of an elder at New City Fellowship OPC here 1999 academic year, he received a call from 2002, remembers that besides “Dr. Felch, the in Grand Rapids, to do some reading and the College asking if he was interested sought-after professor,” there was also “Dr. writing, and to occasionally teach.” in teaching a section of New Testament Felch, the encouraging mentor and friend.” As Felch leaves the College, Nick Kroeze, Survey for the fall semester. “I swallowed “A few of my classmates and I became close Kuyper’s president, summarized the feelings hard and replied, ‘Absolutely!’ And after a with Dr. Felch,” said Schalk. “We would go of the Kuyper community toward their brief interview, began my teaching career at to his house to watch movies, or even hit up retiring member: “Expertise and insight are Kuyper College,” he said. Subsequently, he a new release at the theater. On the last day marvelous traits in a successful professor. was offered a full-time, tenure-track position of class our junior year, we went to his office Doug has demonstrated these throughout as an assistant professor of theological with sparkling grape juice and toasted to his years at Kuyper. What has made Doug studies in the fall of 1999. In 2008 he another great year of learning.” was granted full tenure by the College as exceptional in our minds and hearts is the Speaking of the faculty, Felch said that it has spirit with which he speaks these into the a professor—a moment he describes as been a joy to serve alongside a dedicated lives of others. Doug’s own wonder over the “marking a mutual commitment of myself group of colleagues. “They are not only hand of God in salvation and in nature has and the College to each other.” competent in their field, but committed to the made him humble and loving and caring Now, almost two decades after receiving mission of the school, and generous in service and excited—all at the same time, so that he that initial phone call from the College, Dr. to their students. To put it another way, it is draws others in to see, appreciate and feel Douglas Felch has retired. But not before not just the Bible and theology department the unimaginable majesty of God and the he stood in front of the 2016 graduating that shepherds Kuyper students. All are unfathomable grace with which God Himself class as commencement keymote speaker actively involved in this, both spiritually draws us in. We have learned these things congratulating them on their achievement, and academically. We are committed to from Doug, not so much by lecture as by the but also challenging them at no time, to encouraging each other,” he said. And then, spirit he exudes in the classroom and out.”

6 KUYPER COLLEGE NEWS Community Notes

As alumni, we invite you to get MARRIAGES involved and stay in touch by calling • the Alumni Office at 877.229.0941 Andrew Zokoe (2016) and Andrea Morofsky were married on April 30, 2016. or sending us an email to • Stephen Eising (2014) and Alexandra Jones (2016) were married on May 7, 2016. [email protected] with your • Austin Kammeraad (2016) and Ellen Slomp (2014) were married on May 21, 2016. contact information or the most • Collin Vandenbosch (2016) and Allison Shear (2016) were married on May 28, 2016. recent news about you. For more • Jae Won Park (2015) and Jesslyn Bolthouse (2016) were married on June 4, 2016. information on any alumni issue, please contact Teresa Janzen BIRTHS at [email protected] or call 877.229.0941. • Jessica (VanderPloeg) Kuncaitis (2011) and her husband, Nick, welcomed Nora Sue into their family on February 8, 2016. • Angie (Kroeze) Glass (2000) and her husband, Chet, were blessed with a baby girl, Moriah Dawn, on April 4, 2016. She was welcomed home by big brothers Caleb, Jaden and Tyler. • Elizabeth (Cain) Campbell (2011) and her husband, Sam, welcomed Caleb Charles into their EVENTS family on April 5, 2016. • Peter (2002) and Kristi (Kroeze) Hofman (2004) were blessed with twin boys, Elijah and Gabriel, Kuyper International on April 11, 2016. They were welcomed home by Mark, Petra, Andrew, Isaac, Keira and Alexa. Golf Scramble • Aaron Hochhalter (2012) and his wife, Elizabeth, welcomed Lyla Grace into their family Monday, August 29 on April 18, 2016. • John (2006) and Jillian (Bos) Burden (2008), along with big brother Arie, welcomed twin boys, Week of Welcome Ira William and Roman Irving into their family on April 19, 2016. Thursday, September 1 – • Andrew (2010) and Christy (Hochhalter) Johnson (2010), along with siblings Aaron and Monday, September 5 Eastleigh, welcomed Caleb Edwin into their family on May 1, 2016. • Matt Rahme (2013) and his wife, Kailey, welcomed baby girl Quinn Yvonne into their family Registration and Classes Begin on May 13, 2016. Tuesday, September 6 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Opening Convocation Wednesday, September 7 • Donna VanderKodde (2012), assistant to the Kuyper College registrar, graduated from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary of Cornerstone University with a Master of Arts in Counseling. Faculty/Alumni Scholar Day • Jana Postma, assistant director of student life, graduated from Geneva College with a Master of Friday, September 30 Arts in Higher Education. • Lynne Kammeraad (2005) graduated from Luther Seminary with a Doctorate in Ministry in Scholarship Dinner Biblical Preaching. Tuesday, October 25 • Eddie Mercado (2016) has been appointed to the position of admissions counselor/community ambassador at Kuyper College. • Kuyper Experience Days Rebecca (Sikkes) Vandenhoek (2011) has been appointed to the position of private individual Find schedule at and family therapist at Grand Rapids Center for the Family, LLC. www.kuyper.edu/visit NEWS • Dr. Jeff Fisher,assistant professor of theological studies, recently presented at the Junius Institute Colloquium on the topic of “Johannes Oecolampadius and the Christoscopic Reading of Scripture.” Additionally, Dr. Fisher will serve as Pastor of the Week at the Christian Reformed Conference Grounds August 7 – 13. • TheKuyper College Board of Trustees approved the following faculty members for promotion to tenure: Dr. Carol Hochhalter, from Associate Professor of Worship Studies to Professor of Worship Studies, and Dr. Branson Parler, from Associate Professor of Theological Studies to Professor of Theological Studies.

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SAM BURGESS | CLASS OF 2017 Students to Watch Both of my parents are teachers at a university in China. My father is a computer science instructor and my mother teaches oral English. I am the only boy in a family of five children. As a family we spent a lot of time together adventuring throughout China—hiking mountains, exploring abandoned villages, and volunteering in orphanages.

When I was 7 years old I prayed and asked God to be the King of my time as a translator and oral English instructor— life. I knew I had sinned through disobedience, anger and dishonesty. teaching pronunciation and using my Mandarin Sam Burgess I recognized that I was a sinner in need of grace and forgiveness. It to communicate effectively with my students. I Atlanta, Georgia didn’t matter that I was young; I was fully aware of my own actions and also worked in translation for various Western Major: Business the consequences. companies doing business in China. Leadership

Since that day, it has been a difficult but rewarding journey. The first few After completing my gap year, I stumbled upon years in China were not easy for me. As a teenager, I was the only white Kuyper on Google when I was searching for Christian schools with business American teenage boy in a city of programs—it was one of seven schools in the United States that I applied “I chose Kuyper because 3.5 million Chinese. I struggled to. Having been accepted by all, I chose Kuyper because it was a good fit— it was a good fit—offering a lot with feelings of confusion offering me a solid business program and challenging Bible classes to help me and bitterness toward God. I grow as a follower of Christ. me a solid business didn’t understand fully why my Once here, I found Kuyper to be a very unique place—a community made program and challenging family had moved there, or what up of people from all walks of life and where everyone knows everyone. my purpose was to be there, if Bible classes to help me grow The professors know their students by name, and because the student to any, and began hanging with the professor ratio is very low it enables a closer relationship between students as a follower of Christ.” wrong crowd. It was easier for me and professors than at most schools. While at Kuyper, I have grown to be with people that would not spiritually and academically. I’ve acquired leadership abilities as well as tell me to trust God because He had a plan… but through it all, the irony communication and conflict resolution skills. I have also learned how to is that He did have a plan. I just couldn’t see it at the time. work more effectively in groups of diverse people. God used my relationships with non-believers to open my eyes to the After graduation, I plan to pursue a master’s in international business opportunity placed before me. I started inviting my friends to church and and continue expanding my business of lifestyle, wedding and portrait got a group of guys together to study the Word. I found a deeper value and photography. Upon completing my master’s, I’d like to go back to China contentment in life from that point on. to establish my own photography company, while continuing to share the After graduating from high school I decided to take a gap year. I worked full biblical instruction that I’ve received at Kuyper with all I meet.