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PROFILE
Whether it’s teaching in the classroom, coaching on the basketball court or leading and serving in mission opportunities at HLA, Gregg Preston is there. We took a few minutes to get inside his head and find out why he does what he does. HC: Gregg, what brought you to Hillcrest? GP: My senior year of college, Rodney Venberg (Lutheran Brethren Missionary & Pastor) asked me if I had ever considered teaching at Hillcrest. I was intrigued at the thought of being able to freely use God’s word as the foundation of all truth and decided to pursue a teaching career at Hillcrest. HC: After 19 years, what motivates you to stay at Hillcrest? GP: After 19 years of teaching at Hillcrest, I thoroughly enjoy the mission of the school, the students who come from all over the world, the variety of courses that I get to teach, the freedom to develop my own curriculum, the opportunity to go with the students on mission projects,
the ministry with the guys basketball program, the school administration and staff and the opportunity to see God’s Holy Spirit bring young people to an understanding of His work on the cross. I have also been tremendously encourgaged in my faith in Christ by the authenticity, questions and enthusiasm by which the Hillcrest students express and live out their faith each year. HC: Preston tests are famous around the halls of Hillcrest for their challenging, all-essay response questions. Why do you choose to forego the traditional multiple-choice? GP: I think that to truly evaluate an understanding of biblical or historical concepts, students must express them by a written essay or oral evaluation. Academically, I desire for each student to be able to recognize