A publication for alumni and friends. Vol. 5, Issue 3, Fall, 2010 When people think of places in need of missionaries, New Zealand is not usually one of the first countries to come to mind. Most people think of New Zealand as a veritable paradise. “It wasn’t the first to come to our minds, either,” said Travis Scott (class of 2000), church planter in Auckland, New Zealand, together with his wife, Brooke, under Grace Presbyterian Church of New Zealand (GPCNZ). “And while it is true that the New Zealand landscape is one Church planting on the of the most beautiful in the world, it is Church planting on the also true that the culture is in desperate otherother sideside ofof thethe worldworld need of the gospel of Christ.” According New Zealand The Auckland, New Zealand, skyline continued on page 4 Boots on the campground Leading worship Editor’s Note: This past spring, as there to be effective. As a youth worker I at the RYF part of their training, a group of Kuyper will set up many retreats and need to do students visited several camp facilities my homework before bringing youth to a The Reformed Youth Forum (RYF) and then spent time hiking in Colorado. site. The first, and probably most critical, was held in Grand Rapids this past June. Josh Westhouse (class of question when comparing It preceded the Uniting General Council, 2010) was part of the retreat facilities/camps is which marked the merging of the World group. Below, he writes to ask, “What are my Alliance of Reformed Churches and the about his experiences. primary objectives— Reformed Ecumenical Council into the Hiking boots...check, meaning, what am I trying World Communion of Reformed polypropylene shirt...check, to accomplish by bringing Churches. The RYF offered a unique wool sweater...check, rain my group to this particular opportunity for Christian youth from gear...check. These are just property? Is it group around the world—North and Latin a few of the things we were cooperation? Leadership? America, Asia, Europe, Africa and the told to pack up for our Kuyper students Relaxation? Discipleship? Pacific Rim countries—to share their journey into the Rocky backpacking in Colorado Evangelism? Depending dreams and vision for the World Mountains this past spring. on the answer to that Communion and for their own church Our trip didn’t start in Colorado. It question, I can then filter out camps that families and communities. started by visiting a few local camps to cater to my intended purpose. It is a Kuyper alumna Stephanie Bergman learn why a camp’s programming is set up mindset of seeing one camp not as better (class of 2010) was a member of the team the way it is. Look at Camp Geneva, than another, but as one with different that spent many weeks planning the Camp Roger, Grace Adventure or Spring focuses and purposes. Having toured these worship liturgies for the four-day meeting. Hill for example; they each have their Hiking unique list of assets that allows ministry Worship continued on page 6 continued on page 6 Kuyper College equips students with a biblical, Reformed worldview to serve effectively Christ’s church and His world. L E T T E R F R O M T H E P R E S I D E N T New academic dean Kuyper College provost, Dr. Melvin The excitement of a new school year has Flikkema, energized the campus with many eager students— announced the freshmen beginning a new phase in their lives and appointment of Dr. returning students connecting up with good friends Tamara Rosier as and community. We faculty and staff are very academic dean at the enthused to interact with these students once again College. Prior to her in the classroom and around the campus as they do appointment, Dr. as much to motivate us as we them. A good example Rosier was assistant of this was with the first chapel of the year which Dr. Tamara Rosier director of the Pew was, simply, an open microphone with the invitation Faculty Teaching and Learning Center at Grand Valley State to share how anyone had seen God work in/through University. “We’re fortunate to have such a them over the summer. There was not a moment’s hesitation as student talented and dedicated educational leader after student came up to share briefly. A clear message was sent about as Dr. Rosier join our institution,” said the nature of these students and how free they are to seek and share the Flikkema. “Her demonstrated knowledge presence of Christ no matter where they are! It’s very inspirational! and broad experience in developing We shouldn’t be surprised by this. The unique mission of Kuyper with academic and faculty programs in higher our emphasis on ministry and service certainly works to draw a certain education will serve the students, faculty kind of student. The level of spiritual care and mutual encouragement and the school very well.” they show toward each other give a pastoral feeling to the campus. At Prior to her position at Grand Valley, the same time, they create a vibrant and energetic atmosphere through Dr. Rosier was dean for faculty development as well as director of the Center for their enthusiasm in responding to what they deeply feel as God’s call in Excellence in Learning and Teaching their lives. We faculty and staff are privileged to be part of their lives, as at Cornerstone University. you are as parents, friends and supporters of these students and of the In her role at Kuyper, Dr. Rosier will college. I hope you are encouraged as you read the stories in this issue be responsible for faculty development. and reflect on how important you are in helping these men and women She will also direct and oversee all of the extend God’s grace into today’s world. Thank you for being part of functions of the Registrar’s Office. “I am their—and our—lives in a marvelous way! delighted to have the opportunity to be at Kuyper, a growing and thriving institution that continues to train and educate students to make a difference in our world,” said Dr. Rosier. Dr. Rosier is a sought-after speaker at higher education conferences and Dr. Nicholas V. Kroeze workshops on topics such as: Teaching That President Unlocks Student Potential, Motivating the Millennial Learner, Keys to the Classroom: Approaches to Teaching and Learning, and Why Teach Students to Think about Their Own Thinking? In addition, Dr. Rosier holds a B.A. in English and an M.A. in Educational Leadership from Grand Valley State University and a Ph.D. in Leadership in Higher Education and Teaching, Learning and Leadership from Western Michigan University. 2 I N M Y W O R D S The goal Branson Parler their dead, stony hearts exchanged for hearts alive and beating Assistant Professor of Theological Studies with the purposeful pulse of God’s Spirit. When Jesus’ disciples With respect to number of students, Kuyper clamored for power and Peter rebuked Him for mentioning the is a small school. I see that as good news. God possibility of failure, Jesus set his face like flint to endure what has shown that He is a God who confounds looked like the ultimate defeat: death, even death on a cross. the means and methods of the world’s logic, God’s wisdom and power are not the wisdom and power of including the “bigger is better” mentality that the world. I am reminded of this daily at Kuyper, because the pervades much of our culture. Amidst the goal is not more numbers or flashy programs. The goal is not for clamor that constantly demands more of, well, faculty or students to grab the spotlight of the local or national just about everything, God’s kingdom comes media. The goal is not to bow to standards that the wider culture not by might, nor by power, but by the ever-fresh breezes from would set for us. The goal is both bigger and smaller: to love God’s Spirit, who entrusts the treasure of His kingdom to frail God and love one another. In training and engaging students, jars of clay. I want them to embrace this goal of loving God and one another, When God wanted to further His purposes, He didn’t choose and then realize that this grandiose-sounding goal can only be the awe-inspiring Tower of Babel, but Abraham and his nomadic lived out one concrete situation and decision at a time. It might family. The people of Israel thought having a powerful king like not have the sparkle and pizzazz that some might like, but the other nations would be best; God allowed this for a time but commitment to love God and one another in the little things made clear that His kind of king was a Suffering Servant. is what, by God’s grace, makes a big difference in our world. When the people mourned the smoldering stones of Solomon’s destroyed temple, God’s mouthpiece Ezekiel promised that God’s “In My Words” is a feature of The Kuyper College News people themselves would become God’s dwelling place by having highlighting first-person stories by Kuyper College faculty and staff. S T E W A R D S H I P A foundation for giving Kuyper College counts on the success of its annual fund Who benefits? to enhance the education all students receive. Like most The entire Kuyper College community benefits from the gifts to institutions, tuition doesn’t cover the full cost of educating a the annual fund.