The Experience Magazine - Summer 2008 by Warner Pacific University

THE EXPERIENCE

The magazine of Warner Pacific College

Summer 2008

Thank you, President Jay

FROM THE PRESIDENT

A President of Leadership, Character and Commitment

ith mixed emotions, the WPC board of trustees accepted President Jay Barber’s resignation during the May 2008 board meeting. Over the last 12 years, President Jay has led the college from a position of financial insecurity to the strongest financial condition it has enjoyed since it’s founding 71 years ago. That accomplishment alone is worthy of accolades. However, Jay’s leadership has produced deep change not only in the financial integrity of the college, but in many other important dimensions of the college’s operation as well. Internally, Jay instituted a new management structure that allows for collaborative decision making and enhances communication throughPresident Jay Barber ’64 and wife, Jan . out the institution. Jay restored intercollegiate athletics in 1999, and the success of the program has become a real connection point for students, alumni, family and friends of the college. Under President Jay’s leadership the board has adopted a new policy governance model which enhances the relationship between the board and staff, and allows the board to focus on strategic issues. The list of President Jay’s accomplishments is long, but more importantly, his personal character and commitment to the college have been exemplary. Finding an equal to replace him will be a very daunting task. The Board of Trustees has established a search committee that will be working with an outside firm to develop a comprehensive plan for recruiting candidates, a proces that will involve input from various stakeholder groups. In the meantime, we are very thankful to have Dr. Andrea Cook serving as the interim president. With Andrea in place, the board has every confidence that there will be no break in the positive momentum the institution has enjoyed over the last three years. We are thrilled for President Jay to be able to retire and enjoy spending more time with his wife, Jan, and their grandchildren. To make sure he doesn’t escape too quickly, the board has named Dr. Barber President Emeritus and has given him a few assignments that should keep him closely connected to the college for at least the next couple of years. I’m sure I speak for all trustees when I say to Jay, thank you for your long standing commitment and leadership. The college is in a much better place because of your influence. You are loved and appreciated by all.

THE EXPERIENCE TheExperience@warnerpacific.edu EDITOR / PHOTOGRAPHER / DESIGNER SCOTT A. THOMPSON sthompson@warnerpacific.edu 503-517-1123 CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Rev. Darcy Fast ’69 Jim Teague ’75 CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Isabell Chenowith “The Experience” is produced three times a year by Warner Pacific College for its alumni and constituents. Opinions expressed are those of individual authors and do not necessarily reflect official policies of Warner Pacific College. Contact us at TheExperience@warnerpacific.edu or write to The Experience, Warner Pacific College, 2219 SE 68th Ave., Portland, OR, 97215. Warner Pacific is an urban, Christ-centered liberal arts college dedicated to providing students from diverse backgrounds an education that prepares them for the spiritual, moral, social, vocational, and technological challenges of the 21st Century. WPC is affiliated with the Church of God, Anderson, Ind. PRESIDENT EMERITUS JAY A. BARBER, JR. ’64 jbarber@warnerpacific.edu 503-517-1212 INTERIM PRESIDENT ANDREA COOK, PH.D acook@warnerpacific.edu 503-517-1246 Warner Pacific College 2219 SE 68th Ave Portland, OR 97215 503-517-1000 www.warnerpacific.edu Please send comments, story suggestions, and corrections to: TheExperience@warnerpacific.edu Scott A. Thompson, Editor 503-517-1123.

Jim Teague ’75 Chairman of the Board of Trustees

Cover Photo: President Jay Barber ’64 receives applause from (left) Dr. Andrea Cook, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, and Dr. Cole Dawson, Vice President of Academic Affairs, during Warner Pacific’s May 10 Commencement. Photo by Scott A. Thompson.

THE EXPERIE N C E Summer 2008

FEATURES 4 PRESIDENT BARBER REFLECTS ON HIS LEGACY After leaving office May 30, President Emeritus Jay Barber ’64 speaks about the standout moments of his tenure. 9

AMBASSADORS TO THE ASIAN CHURCH A four-member mission team from Warner Pacific lends its help to a youth conference in Bangladesh and the work of the Church of God in northern India.

4 9

10 BECOMING OURSELVES A few alumni share how their Warner Pacific experience shaped their lives and helped them discover their life calling. 12

REDEMPTION STORY First-time author William Paul Young ’78 writes the best-selling novel “The Shack” to represent how God can redeem even the deepest of hurts.

THE MISSING CUB A former major league pitcher examines why he walked away from the game he loved and chose the path of ministry instead - with no regrets. - By Darcy Fast ’69

DEPARTMENTS 4 Campus News TAKING SHAPE The Egtvedt / McGuire Auditorium remodel is well underway, with crews working steadily to have the project completed in time for the start of the classes in August. The wood framing above is for the new kitchen on the east end of Egtvedt. To watch the progress of the construction project, visit our webcam on the home page of www.warnerpacific.edu.

Class Notes

Alumni Profiles

In Memoriam 3

COLLEGE NEWS

Barber reflects on his legacy After leaving office May 30, President Emeritus Jay Barber spoke with “The Experience” about the standout moments of his twelve years of service and what lies ahead for Warner Pacific. How long had you been considering your retirement? It has been about a year. I went to a Church of God Administrators’ conference in Fritzlar, Germany in March 2007. Being there with the other college presidents and having an opportunity to get away, I really began thinking about transition and looking ahead. I am as confident about the timing of my retirement as I was accepting the presidency in 2006. There are so many exciting things happening at Warner Pacific. Could you describe the circumstances that led you to consider becoming Warner Pacific’s president? I had worked as a Vice President at Warner Pacific under President Marshall Christensen from 1981 to 1988. I then did a short-term consulting role with the YMCA – Columbia Willamette before

didn’t say a high point was the phone call I received on December 29, 2003 from an old friend I hadn’t connected with for fifty years that resulted in the college receiving a $1.2 million stock gift. That gift, along with others from this donor and his wife, allowed us to retire our long-standing debt with GEOS International, the Japanese company from which the college had borrowed money back in the 1980s. In my prayers, I had asked the Lord to send us an angel donor. We needed a kickstart and this donor and his wife really were the answers to that prayer. How crucial was reinstating the intercollegiate athletics in 1999 for you?

I’m grateful for a life-changing twelve years. It has been an honor and a privilege for Jan and me. We pray that God continue to bless Warner Pacific College.

going to the Oregon Health and Science Foundation here in Portland. I started there as the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relationship and later was appointed Director of the Foundation. In 1996, the chair of Warner Pacific’s presidential search committee called me and asked if I would consider being a candidate for the opening at Warner Pacific. My immediate response was to say, “I’m honored, but no. I’m happy in what I’m doing.” He then said, “Well, I understand that, but would you at least pray about it?” I joke now that I should have said no to that, too, but I said I certainly would. Jan and I both have loved our time at Warner Pacific, but ultimately I thought we were done. I went home and talked with Jan about the phone call, and her immediate response was, “Don’t you realize that what you’ve been doing, particularly at OHSU, the relationships you’ve developed with donors, and corporate and community leaders has positioned you for this? Don’t you see that this is what God is doing?” That’s when her words opened my eyes. Right then we felt very peaceful about that. And I think having the confidence that the Lord was in it gave me the courage with the search committee to be very straight forward and candid. Many times when you interview, you try to find out what these people are looking for and fit into that. I didn’t approach it that way at all. What were some of the significant events you are proud of during your time at Warner? What I see as my legacy at Warner Pacific comes down to the graduates. Those were some of the most formative and rewarding relationships for Jan and me. That said, I’d be disingenuous if I

In my first interview with the presidential search committee, I said that if I were selected as president, one of the first things I would do is move to reinstate intercollegiate athletics. There weren’t unanimous feelings about that, because there were members of the search committee that had voted to discontinue Athletics in 1993 in order to save costs. I think bringing back intercollegiate Athletics was one of the most important decisions in terms of reclaiming that tradition of Warner Pacific. It’s such an important part of the fabric of the ethos of the campus now. I also believed that the key to that success would be finding the right leadership, and so being able to attract Bart Valentine ’75 to come and be the athletic director was a key factor in where we are today. How did the idea of the Adult Degree Program come to pass? Earlier in this decade, enrollment in what was then known as our Degree Completion Program was declining. We feared we only had about two years before we would have to close it. Then I met with some fellow Christian college presidents at a meeting in Colorado Springs, Colo. and the president of LeTourneau University in Texas described how his school had been in almost our identical circumstances, but now was bringing in substantial revenue from its adult degree program. That got my attention. Warner Pacific’s partnership with the Institute for Professional Development, which handles the marketing and recruitment aspects of the Adult Degree Program, has been huge. That program has grown beyond our expectations and is meeting a critical need for our adult students. It has brought a new energy to the college and has allowed us to expand to satellite campuses around the city. It is truly extraordinary. What do the next six months look like for you? I’ll be following up with prospective donors that we have identified in the capital campaign throughout the country. I’m also going to be calling on pastors to assure them of the commitment of the college to

The Experience

Continued on pg. 5

Continued from pg. 4 the Church of God and our continuing need for their support. That will be my focus. I’ve also been appointed as the first Murdock Fellow at the Murdock Charitable Trust, in Vancouver [Wash.]. They’ve instituted a program of appointing persons that they identify as leaders from education and government and I’ll be a consultant to them, particularly working with small notfor-profits that have budgets of $1 million or less and teaching teach them the basics of fundraising.

The Barber Years 1996 - Jay Barber becomes WPC’s sixth president 1999 - Intercollegiate Athletics reinstated 2004 - Adult Degree Program launched 2005 - Institutional Debt relieved

Any final thoughts?

2008 - New Student Commons construction

I believe that broken relationships limit the work of God and as far as I could, I committed myself to bring about reconciliation with individuals who were estranged from the college. And I believe the progress we made had a lot to do with the way God blessed the institution. Jan and I will cherish our times at Warner Pacific - worshipping in chapel, enjoying faculty and staff gatherings, and otherwise forging lifelong friendships. Of course, Jan and I will never forget the day we slipped off our shoes and headed down the freshman orientation water slide in our street clothes! That is a fun memory, but once is enough. I could not be more positive about the future of Warner Pacific. I think, ultimately, when the history is written, the turnaround story will be based upon the payoff of our institutional debt, the success of the Adult Degree Program, and the jump-start of construction on the main campus that will help boost traditional enrollment. Of course, none of this would have happened if it were not for a wonderful team of visionary leaders from among our staff and faculty who never stopped believing that this institution was not only viable, but that it was going to prosper. With Dr. Andrea Cook as interim president, we have excellent leadership in place. The Board of Trustees has a difficult assignment of finding my replacement, but I don’t anticipate the college losing any momentum. I’m grateful for a life-changing twelve years. It has been an honor and a privilege for Jan and I. We pray God will continue to bless Warner Pacific.

Please mark your calendars for September 15, 2008, when Warner Pacific will celebrate the retirement of President Jay and Jan with a gala celebration in Portland at a location to be determined. Details will be released soon.

(Clockwise) President Barber at Harvest Banquet 2005; President Barber and GEOS Int. President Tsuneo Kusunoki sign a friendship agreement in January 2007 following WPC’s final payment on its multi-million dollar loan with the Japanese company; (R to L) John Parker ’73, Board of Trustees Chairman Jim Teague ’75, WPC student body president Kari Knutzen ’08, college CFO Wayne Pederson, and Barber break ground on the Egtvedt Student Commons project on April 3, 2008.

Summer 2008

CAMPUS NEWS

Knights men lose overtime heartbreaker in national tournament Ninth-seeded Bethel (Ind.) defeated Warner Pacific 86-73 in the first round of the 17th annual NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball National Championship, March 12, at College of the Ozarks, in Point Lookout, Mo. With the score tied at 70, a last second basket by Warner Pacific forward Jeremy Reedal ’08 was nullified because it had touched a guide wire above the rim before falling through the rim, putting it out of play. Bethel dominated the overtime period, finishing on a 14 - 0 run.

Class of ’08 largest in college history The mood of Warner Pacific’s Spring Commencement service at New Hope Community Church May 10 was at times raucous as friends and family cheered on 153 graduates, the most ever in one single class, including Kerian (Soley) Walton ’04, ’08 (MMOL), one of the first 24 graduates of the Adult Degree Program’s Master of Management and Organizational Leadership Program. Also pictured are (left) Dr. Toni Pauls, Dean of the Adult Degree Program, and Dr. Andrea Cook, Vice President for Institutional Advancement.

Executive Assistant Connie Bless retires Executive Assistant to the President, Connie Bless, retired in March following nine years at the college. She and her husband, Gail, have completed their retirement home on the Oregon Coast.

Bless

Biology professor Whitehead accepts corporate position Biology professor Dr. Ted Whitehead ’88 has accepted a position as the Director of Quality Assurance and Food Safety Whitehead with YoCream International, based in Portland, Ore. Whitehead served on the faculty of the Science and Mathematics Department for nine years. Church leaders gather for Western Area Regional Ministerium Warner Pacific hosted the annual Western Area Regional Ministerium, April 1-3 on campus. The event welcomed ministers from throughout the west for three days of workshops, worship services, and fellowship. The college hosts the event every other year. The Experience

Williams speaks at Wesleyan conference Ethics and Religion professor Dr. Bryan Williams spoke at the 7th annual meeting of the Wesleyan Philosophical Society (WPS), March 13, at Duke University Divinity School, in Durham, N.C. Williams, the organizations current president, titled his address “Via Media Philosophy: A Wesleyan Theory of Pilgrimage Unto Deep Truths, Material and Nonmaterial.” Rosado takes helm of Urban Studies Program Caleb Rosado, Ph.D., is the new director of WP’s Urban Studies Program. Rosado most recently served as a professor at Southern Rosado Connecticut State University, in New Haven, Conn. A native of Puerto Rico, Rosado has taught and written extensively on race relations, cultural identity, religion, and the sociology of Latino culture.

Isabal Chenoweth

Steding takes WNBA job, Gregg named new women’s basketball coach After seven seasons as Warner Pacific’s head women’s basketball coach, Katy Steding accepted an assistant coaching position with the expansion Atlanta Dream of the WNBA in April. Steding led the Knights to two NAIA Division II National Tournament appearances, in 2004 and 2006 and was the Cascade Conference Women’s Steding Coach of the Year in 2006. Steding also held the position of Director of Marketing and College Relations for two years. Replacing Steding is Matt Gregg, who coached the girls’ basketball team at FreeGregg man High School near Spokane, Wash., for the last five years. His teams went 103 and 24 with three appearances at the Washington State Class A Tournament and a second place finish in 2005.

Scott A. Thompson

College receives $190,000 from Gloria Law estate The estate of Gloria (Elias) Law ’46 has given Warner Pacific a cash gift of $190,000. Law passed Law away in 2005. She taught and counseled high school students for thirty-nine years in southern California. After retiring, she volunteered at Warner Pacific College for fourteen years, serving as a mentor for students, staff, and faculty alike. She eventually was named an honorary member of the faculty. In 2005, Warner Pacific established the Gloria Law Legacy Award, which is given to members of the Warner Pacific community who demonstrate volunteer service.

Four Knights compete at NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships Four WP athletes competed at the 2008 NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships in St.. Louis, Mo. in May.

Continued on pg. 9

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Creating an oasis for special kids

Photos by Scott A. Thompson

his spring, approximately 40 Warner Pacific employees, students, and alumni helped turn a little-used courtyard at nearby Pioneer Special School into a recreational area for special needs high school students, complete with a basketball hoop, chin-up bars, a hummingbird garden, and raised garden beds for vegetables. Pioneer School is part of Portland Public Schools and works with students from kindergarten to age 21 whose social and emotional challenges preclude them from mainstream classes. Pioneer operates in three separate buildings near Warner Pacific’s main campus, including Youngson Elementary, but its high school resides in a former nursing home. “Our project involved taking the courtyard of the school and turning it into a space that’s a more appropriate for high schoolers,” said Andy Magel ’05, an AmeriCorp *VISTA volunteer at Warner Pacific who spearheaded the project. A $500 grant from Oregon Volunteers kickstarted the project and Magel garnered an additional $4,500 in cash - including $1000 from the WP student government - as well as donations of materials, equipment, and labor from area businesses. “This project is so meaningful [to our students}, not only in normalizing the look of this older building, but then to offer some amazing resources during the day,”said Rick Franks, the assistant vice principal of Pioneer’s high school annex. Participating businesses included ACT Construction, Ross Island Sand and Gravel, Brundage-Bone, Brothers Concrete Cutting, Court Sports, Chipotle Restaurant, Portland Nursery, Star Rentals, and Portland Parks and Recreation. “We just reached out to the community, and told them what we were doing and and everyone was really responsive,” said Magel.

Warner Pacific college volunteers who contributed to the Pioneer School project included (clockwise) Kenny Johnson ’10, Cameron ’06 and Aaron Marvin ’05 of ACT Construction, and Lauren Perry ’09. (Bottom) The completed courtyard.

Alumni and Friends invited to sing with WP choir in Carnegie Hall next March

Warner Pacific choral director Dr. Thomas Miller will conduct a choir comprised of WP students, alumni, and friends in a performance of Haydn’s “Mass in Time of War” with a live orchestra at Carnegie Hall in New York City, March 29, 2009. Also joining the Warner Pacific singers will be members of the Tualatin and Tigard High School choirs, Our Saviors Lutheran choir, Novum Chamber Singers, and the Oregon Chamber Singers. The entire trip is March 26 - 30 and includes sight-seeing tours. The cost is $1,149 per person, excluding airfare. Contact professor Miller at 503-517-1059 or tmiller@warnerpacific.edu.

Summer 2008

STUDENT LIFE

Marine family faces year apart as dad serves in Iraq

The Patterson family

Marine sergeant Rob Patterson ’11 heads to Iraq for his second tour in four years while his wife Casey (Montgomery) ’08 and daughter Hailey wait at home. Scott A.Thompson

he first time Marine sergeant Rob Patterson ’11 served a tour of duty in Iraq in 2004, he left behind future wife Casey (Montgomery) Patterson ’08. This time around, the stakes are even higher. In May, Patterson said goodbye to Casey and their 20 monthold daughter Hailey to report to Camp Pendleton, Calif., for a year of active duty, seven months of which he’ll spend in Iraq as a member of a Marine Logistics Battalion. “It’s obviously different this time because we have a child and Casey has to take care of Hailey by herself,” said Rob, 24. “We were learning about each other the [first] time, but this time, we have so much more invested in the relationship. It’s really hard.” Originally from Muskegon, Mich., Rob, just completed his sophomore year at Warner Pacific, while Casey, 28, still has a few summer classes left to earn her Health and Human Kinetics degree. She originally attended WP from 2000 to 2004, but left before graduating. Casey will stay in Portland with Hailey and hopes to start Warner Pacific’s Master of Education program this September. She works as a supervisor at a Tigard, Ore. company that manages prepayments for phone cards and has family to help with childcare. However, it will still be a trying year without Rob. “People have been awkward with us because they’re not really sure how to help,” said Casey. “But my family has been wonderful, helping me out when I need a break.”

Rob and Casey were introduced four years ago through a mutual friend in California only a few weeks before Rob left for a nine month tour in Iraq in February 2004. They dated via phone and the internet while Rob was stationed at an airfield in eastern Iraq as part of Marine Wing Support Squadron 373. The Pattersons married on December 29, 2004, in California, following Rob’s return, and later relocated to Portland so Rob could play soccer at Warner Pacific. Rob admits it was a challenge staying focused on his studies this spring. To help prepare herself emotionally for Rob’s tour, Casey wrote her Humanities 410 senior thesis on the impact that deployment has on military families. She said after reading approximately 40 books on the subject, she was able to deal with the subject objectively. “Reading the first three books, I bawled,” said Casey. “By about the tenth book, it was like reading any other book.” Rob can’t talk about his mission, but says this will definitely be his last. “You kind of accept it,” said Rob. “There’s not a lot you can do.”

sk recent graduate Eric Alston ’08 allows top undergraduate students in Orwhy changes in the body following a egon to gain practical research experience in heart attack can be more dangerous OHSU labs. He is the fifth WP student in as than the attack itself. This past year, the many years to qualify for the program. The Habecker lab was examining the Biology major from Medford, Ore. contributed to research at Oregon Health and cause of increased sympathetic nerve density Science University that examined how the sympathetic nervous system – which causes the heart to speed up when a person is scared or Biology major Eric Alston ’08 examines changes in nerve excited – may contribute to cell density following heart attacks as a Murdock scholar abnormal heart rhythm, or at Oregon Health and Science University. “arrhythmia,” following a myocardial infarction (MI), the medical term for a heart – or hyperinervation – in the heart tissue attack. of mice that had undergone medically-in“Hundreds of thousands of people die each duced MI’s. The lab team wanted to see if a year because of arrhythmias after they’ve particular receptor found in cardiac sympasurvived the heart attack, so we assume the thetic neurons, called p75, contributes to the sympathetic nervous system is involved,” hyperinervation. To do so, they used tissue Alston said. samples from mice genetically bred to be born Alston worked in the lab of principal without p75 to see whether hyperinervation investigator Dr. Beth Habecker in OHSU’s would take place, regardless. Department of Physiology and PharmacolAlston compared minute sections of the ogy as part as the Murdock Collaborative mouse hearts using a technique called imUndergraduate Research Program, which munohistochemistry. He “tagged” the sym-

Rhythms of the Heart

The Experience

pathetic nerves in the tissue samples with antibodies that were treated with a chemical that glows under fluorescent light, making the miniscule nerves more visible under a microscope. Alston “It looks like lightning bolts across the tissue,” Alston said. The study found an increase in nerve density in the mice without the p75 receptor, which suggests that a different neuron receptor is involved. When Habecker’s team publishes a paper on the study, Alston will be the second author listed. “That’s a pretty big honor,” Alston said. Alston hopes to pursue a career in dentistry and believes the lab experience he gained at OHSU will enhance his skills as a dentist. In the meantime, he will work in the Habecker lab through the summer while he applies to dental schools.

CAMPUS NEWS

MISSIONS @ WP

Continued from pg. 6 Brett Van Asch ’09 (Glendora, Calif.) placed eleventh in the men’s decathlon, sophomore Jill Peoples ’10 (Morton, Wash.) placed fourteenth in the women’s javelin (and also received All-Academic honors from the Cascade Conference), freshman Karim Shakalia ’11 (Troutdale, Ore.) participated in the men’s 10k, and sophomore Katie Annas ’10 (West Linn, Ore.) competed in the women’s 400 intermediate hurdles. Warner Pacific Admissions campaign earns industry award Warner Pacific College’s marketing partner Richard Harrison Bailey / The Agency based in South Bend, Ind. - has received a first place Aogee Award for designing the college’s current “Ever Wonder?” student recruitment campaign. The Apogee Society is a Florida-based organization that specifically recognizes the efforts of small and mid-sized advertising firms. Ace in the hole tops tenth annual WPC Golf Tournament Golfers enjoyed ideal weather and camaraderie at the tenth annual Warner Pacific Golf Tournament, June 17, at Langdon Farms Country Club, near Aurora, Oregon, but none more than Tim Bergler, son of longtime college supporter Ed Bergler. The younger Bergler used a five iron to Bergler nail a hole-in-one from 171 yards out on the Par 3, 13th hole and win a 2009 Pontiac Vibe, courtesy of tournament sponsor Weston Pontiac GMC Kia. “It took one bounce and went in the cup,” Bergler said. Music major sings in chorus of Portland Opera’s “Aida” Music Education major Josh Weir ’09 took his singing voice to a new level as a member of the chorus of Portland Opera’s lavish producWeir tion of Giuseppe Verdi’s Egyptian-themed “Aida” at Keller Auditorium last May. Weir said that juggling school work, a part-time job, and rehearsals was exhausting, but the experience was worth it. “Portland has a really great music scene,” Weir said. “The number one thing is networking and getting to know people.”

Ambassadors to the Asian church A four-member mission team from Warner Pacific lends its help to a youth conference in Bangladesh and the work of Church of God missions in Northern India.

small mission team representing Warner Pacific journeyed to Bangladesh and India last May to assist the work of the Church of God in the region. During a ten-day stay, the team of Religion professor Dr. John Johnson, Scott Pousche ’08, Johnny Pike ’07, and Mt. Scott Church of God youth pastor Aaron Walton ’06 taught at a Bengali youth conference, visited rural schools run by the Church of God, and served at a missions center in Calcutta, India. “[The trip] opened my eyes to the idea of missions and evangelism,” said Walton. “This is the first time I can really say I stepped out in faith and went on an adventure. God showed up in amazing ways.” The centerpiece event of the trip was a five-day youth conference in the Bengali capital city Dhaka. The conference welcomed approximately 70 high school students, pastors, and Church of God leaders involved with youth ministry from around the country. With the help of translators, the foursome team taught on discipleship, servanthood, leadership, and worship. They also participated in foot washing service. Following the conference, the team drove seven hours north to the city of Lalmonirhat, from which they made day trips to rural villages where the Church of God runs camps and schools for Muslim and Hindu children. They were welcomed by long lines of children clad in bright orange shirts greeting them in Bengali and fledgling English. International relief organizations sponsor the children, but the Church of God operates the schools. “When you understand that the camp and sponsors are keeping these children from starving, you realize you’re participating in something that is impacting hundreds of souls through people conveying Christ’s love,” said Pike. Summer 2008

Pousche, Walton, Johnson, and Pike together and (above) at a Bengali youth conference.

After two days in the north, the team returned to Dhaka and then flew to Calcutta, India for a short two-day visit to the Church of God’s mission center for northern India. They helped prepare a mailing that the

“We were crammed into a hallway in a two-story concrete building and we had one of the greatest church services of our lives.” - Aaron Walton ’06

church was planning to send to major political leaders in the country. During their only evening in Calcutta, the team took part in a remarkable worship time with approximately 40 Christians crammed into the hallway of a two-story concrete home. “We had one of the greatest church services of our lives,” said Walton. “We sang songs, listened to testimonies and prayed. This was the first time I truly experienced church in its most authentic surrounding. All these families had was God, and that was more than enough for them.”

COVER STORY

Becoming Ourselves

Edited by Scott A. Thompson

We invited a few alumni to share how their Warner Pacific experience shaped their lives and helped them discover - in some cases unexpectedly - their life calling. Here’s what they had to say.

Heather Phillips ’06

or perhaps buried in the fiction section of Powell’s books. But my time spent at school was different. As I tried to find my place in the world and discover who I really was, I was struck over and over again by the need to let go. The unique perspective that Warner Pacific takes in its approach to education challenged me to take the focus off of myself and live in meaningful community amongst my peers, learning for the first time what it meant to put someone else’s needs before my own. I was challenged to study with integrity and purpose, working diligently to see where my studies could benefit not just myself, but the world I had been called to serve. I was challenged to find a calling, not just a passion or vocation, but a calling to service where my passions would

Youth minister City Crossroads Ministries San Francisco, Calif.

used to think of my mind like an old leather suitcase, filled with tattered volumes of knowledge and adorned with the stamps of experiences. I would go to school, read the classics, and fill my suitcase so that at any given moment I could set it down on the sidewalk, open it up and show off the treasures inside, tempting each passerby to admire the keepsakes decorating its sides…a postcard from Paris or a scuff from a long summer in Mexico. Knowledge was something to be obtained, kept The unique perspective that Warner Pacific neatly tucked away until it was takes in its approach to education challenged needed for problem solving or me to take the focus off of myself and live in polite conversation. This was, of course, before I meaningful community amongst my peers, ever stepped foot into a class- learning for the first time what it meant to put room at Warner Pacific College. In the three years I spent trying someone else’s needs before my own. to fill my suitcase, I was challenged not only by what I was learning, but why I was learning it. The knowledge of the world meet the needs of a community. and the truth of the Gospel were too vast and deep to fit in any fleet In living and working, faith and philosophy, I was challenged to of baggage, let alone my tired leather overnight bag. step outside of myself, to take my self-centered world and turn it So it was time to set down my luggage and venture out into life, inside out, letting Christ be the center and turning my focus from to find the meaning of Christ’s promise that the one who loses evmy work to His. erything will find true life. Two years after leaving school and trying to live out all the many I began to study with purpose. Not just handing in assignments, things I embraced in my time there, I find that my whole perspecbut letting the words of Parker Palmer and Henri Nouwen, Fredtive has changed. When I look to furthering my education, I am no rick Buechner and Chaim Potok reverberate through me, shaking longer struck with the image of carting around knowledge like a loose the hibernating questions that challenged the life I had always fashionable accessory to my life. Instead I see where education has known. During my time at Warner Pacific, I was poked, prodded, become a part of who I am becoming. Who it is that Christ has made and coaxed out of my comfort zone, awakening a deeper part of me to be from the beginning, as He strips away more of who I am myself, reinventing and rearranging my faith, as I became what I in my selfish humanity, I am able to become a more vivid reflection can only describe as less of myself. of my creator. This seems strange because, like most people in their twenties, I My purpose is no longer a self serving quest for a collection of spent a majority of my time trying to “find myself”. As if one day knowledge but rather a labor of love through Christ, where the I would run into the ‘real’ me hiding in some Portland coffee shop more I learn the more I am able to give away. 10

The Experience

Alex Ryan ’64 Retired manager of Forensic Psychiatric Services British Columbia, Canada.

came to Warner Pacific in 1959, all the way from the island of St. Kitts in the Caribbean. I was brought up in the Church of God. One day I was looking through a youth magazine and saw a story about Warner Pacific and a picture of students carrying books into the new Otto F. Linn Library. There was something about that scene that caught my attention and I thought that was the school I wanted to go to. Only, I had no idea how I was going to get there or pay for this school. Then in early in September 1959, I got a telegram from the college saying they would offer me a tuition scholarship. I was on my way. I had to travel to the U.S. Consulate in Trinidad to get my visa. I arrived on a Monday morning unannounced and said I was there for my visa. It was seemingly impossible to do that in one day, but during my physical, I told the doctor I was going to Bible school. He took my document and stamped “RUSH” on them. I sailed through every process that day and got my visa. It was an incredible thing. I left Trinidad two days later and flew to Portland.

he road to Warner Pacific began for me in high school seeing the band Shalom at the Kansas State Youth Convention. They probably didn’t see themselves this way, but in my book, they were rock stars. They had made some really great records, which was something I knew I wanted to do. Later, on a campus visit, I met music professors Duane Hamlin and Stan Stanford, who reached out to me like I was something special. I came to find out, that’s just how they treated everyone. I was not a model student. One term, I didn’t pass 9 credits of classes. (Don’t tell my kids). Two people helped me to turn things around. Music professor Dr. Dennis Esselstrom, who was a genius to me, admitted to me he once bombed a whole semester of classes. He became accessible and human that day. Then a friend, Rex Williamson ‘82, said, “You’re so stupid. If you’d just go to class you’d make ‘Cs’, because you’ll a least know what’s going on.” I took him up on his challenge and learned that half of life really was just about showing up.

I majored in Bible / Theology and Psychology at Warner Pacific. On the campus itself, there was a sense of camaraderie and acceptance all the way around. I saw myself going into education after graduation but plans for a teaching position fell through,

clinics in England. That put a burning interest in me to pursue psychology more. In 1965, I moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, where I again found work as a psychiatric social worker. Once I had settled, I married my wife Mary, who I had known from St. Kitts, and she came Canada with me. I earned my master’s degree at the University of British Columbia and for twenty years specialized in forensic psychiatry. I eventually became the manager of all the forensic psychiatric services for British Columbia. I retired eleven years ago from the Forensic Services to serve as in a part-time minister at Richmond Church of God. As I look back over my life I can identify several significant “memorial stones.” My time at Warner Pacific College looms large among them. The faculty profoundly shaped my life in preparing me for God’s preferred future for me. But little did I know that I was also blazing the way for several future members of my

The [Warner Pacific] faculty profoundly shaped my life in preparing me for God’s preferred future for me. so I went to England, where three of my sisters lived. Through some people I met at a Bible study, I found a job as the equivalent of a psychiatric social worker at a mental health facility in Salford, near Manchester. This happened to be one of the top mental health

family. My daughter, Varetta (Ryan) Mayes ’79, graduated from WP, as did my late brother, Jack ’72. Two of my nieces attended, and a son of one of those nieces is currently a student and one of his siblings is planning to enroll in the fall. In effect, my Warner Pacific experience continues.

Dean Baskerville ’84 Record producer, Oregon City, Oregon I think I learned the most about learning from Music professor Dr. Dennis Plies. He went the extra mile to figure out how to reach me where I was at, and get me to where I could be. He was a role model for how to live life with integrity and how to laugh at yourself. This seems funny to say about a college, but Warner Pacific was a safe place for me to learn about failure. It was a community of people, who, for a time, became an extended family that cared for me through my failings and successes. Since leaving Warner Pacific, I’ve stumbled into a career of recording music. I’ve worked on three Sheryl Crow records and received an industry award for engineering Crow’s single, “Soak Up The Sun,” in 2003. Summer 2008

I’ve also worked with Everclear, Tom Grant, Jeff Trott, Dave Boman, Dr. Walter and Daphanie Saul, Gary Hemenway ’04, and violinist Aaron Meyer. I’ve had to learn how to work with a variety of personalities and people who don’t know the Lord. In a weird way, I’ve found a mission field. When I least expect it, I keep getting opportunities to share my faith. 11

BECOMING OURSELVES

Annette Coyle ’08 Senior Staff Accountant Portland, Ore.

n 2006, I enrolled in the college’s Adult Degree Program. I had tried college before, but never finished, and as far as I was concerned, Warner Pacific was my last chance to get a bachelor’s degree. An education at Warner Pacific begins and ends on a solid foundation of integrity, ethics, and values. Two weeks into the second course, Management Theory & Practice, I was “let go” from my job. My employer and I both knew that I didn’t need a business

degree to be a paralegal and my desire to go back to school was just too threatening. I put Warner Pacific’s foundation to the test. Could it bear my loss of employment and still provide me with the stability and control I needed to get through this dilemma? Two weeks later, I was offered what seemed like a “too good to be true” job and felt incredibly lucky to have landed on my feet. Two months went by and I was taking the course Organizational Behavior, which examined the psychology of individual and group behavior in an organization. From that class, I realized there was something seriously wrong with the culture of the company I worked for. I approached upper

management about some serious recurring issues and even offered suggestions on how to remedy the problems. Instead of thanking me or offering to change the behavior, the CEO said there’s a time and place to be ethical and that’s at home with her husband and children. There was no room for God in the workplace. So what was I going do? Could I work for someone like this? By the time the five-week course was over, I had found another job. So what does integrity, ethics, and values mean to me? It means pulling my head out of the sand and thinking about how I think about my place in the world. By the time I was done with Religious Themes in American Culture my priorities for coming back to school had completely changed. Professor Bill Dobrenen challenged me not to worry so much about what I think, but why I think the way I do. The English novelist George Eliot once said, “It’s never too late to become what you might have been.” Warner Pacific didn’t make me a better student; it made me a better thinker.

became a Christian at Warner Pacific. I was actually saved at a spiritual life retreat the spring of my freshman year. I hadn’t been that spiritually inclined, so once I became a Christian, I started to do a lot of reading and pursuing spiritual things. I studied physical education and ministry and competed in basketball and baseball. I learned from some influential professors and coaches. I was the student body president my senior year and a member of the Board of Trustees helped me find a youth minister position at Fresno First Church of God, in Fresno, Calif. I’ve always had parallel careers in ministry and education. While doing ministry, I earned a master’s degree in physical

education at Fresno State University and then went on to the Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary in Fresno. I did a pastorate at the Church of God in Citrus Hights, Calif. for seven years before taking a full-time teaching job in the Round Valley School District in northern California. I taught high school physical education and directed their continuation school. Later, I taught social science and history at Caruthers High School, near Fresno, for fifteen years. For the last two years, I’ve taught physical education and served as the Athletic Direc-

Ron Kruse ’69

Rev. Lou Ann Houle ’82

of the Religion department, was not only a professor but he was a counselor. Finally, Dr. Mary Strong got me excited about women in ministry. She was an incredible woman who believed that God calls both women and men into the ministry. I would remember her words later in my career when, as an associate pastor, I wondered if God would ever have me serve as a senior pastor. I attribute my music ministry to Warner Pacific, too. The professors encouraged me to be actively involved in a [local] church, so while I was a graduate student, I became the music director and worship pastor at the Lents Gilbert Church of God, in Portland. That solidified

my understanding of what the Church of God was. In 1999, senior ministry plopped in my lap. I had done associate ministry and music at two different churches. The Church of God in my home town of Elma, Wash. had experienced a splite and was tiny. Our family of four doubled the size of the congregation, and yet they believed that God still had work to do in the Elma community. I became ordained and took on the role of full-time senior pastor. I’m grateful for how Warner Pacific helped set my path for a ministry that has meant so much to me, my family, and the Elma community.

Senior Pastor Elma Church of God, Elma, Wash.

believe God’s call for me to do vocational ministry developed at Warner Pacific. In the 1970s, I decided to pursue a Master of Religion degree at Warner Pacific with a sacred music emphasis. I learned from some remarkable professors, such as John W. V. Smith, who wrote a book about the History of the Church of God. Dr. Richard Craghead ’56, the head 12

The Experience

Teacher / Minister Fresno, Calif. tor at Tranquility High School, in Fresno County. Meanwhile, I’ve been active in ministry in the Fresno area. I helped establish Life Ministries of Fresno, through which I work with people recovering from drugs and alcohol abuse. I’m very pro-Warner Pacific and grateful for its lasting impact on my life.

Laurie Craghead ’81

Kelli (Lander) Shuler ’00

Assistant Legal Council Deschutes County Bend, Ore.

Church of God Missionary Tanzania

started out at Warner Pacific wanting to be a physical therapist, but ended up majoring in Social Science. Admittedly, I had always had in the back of my mind the possibility being a lawyer. Professor Charles Nielsen strongly encouraged me to get an internship with Hardy Myers, who is now Oregon’s’ Attorney General, but who was Oregon’s Speaker of the House in 1980. Mr. Myers assigned me to go to various meetings to learn what people were saying about Portland’s then-proposed comprehensive land use plan. After graduating from Warner Pacific, I worked as a data analyst for a few years and later as a secretary and assistant to Oregon senator Rod Monroe ’64, ’95 (M.Rel.). It was during the 1987 Oregon state legislative session that I started developing an interest in environmental law. In 1989, I attended law school at Northwestern School of Law of Lewis and Clark College in Portland. I found that Warner Pacific had given me enough of a well-rounded background to succeed in law school.

I was sworn in as an attorney in September 1992 and I opened my own my private practice out of my Gresham home, advising clients - primarily other attorneys - regarding land use issues.When the opportunity in Deschutes County opened up seven years ago, it was ideal for me. I am currently the legal advisor to the Deschutes County (Ore.) Board of County Commissioners, primarily with planning and zoning. Additionally, I advise the Community Development Department and sometimes other county offices. My husband, Brent Hutchison ’77, and I have met wonderful people in Central Oregon. Brent works in the IT department of Deschutes County. We enjoy the generally slower pace of the area.

Jeffrey Scott ’01 Worship Pastor New Beginnings Church Portland, Ore.

was raised in Glendale, Ariz. and had planned on playing football at a major state university until I learned the school was withdrawing my athletic scholarship at the last minute. A few days later, an admissions counselor from Warner Pacific called out of the blue and I decided to visit the college. As soon as I arrived, I knew it was the place for me. I studied music and ministry and there were a number of staff and faculty that made all of the difference in the world. It was Religion professor Dr. Steve Carver who encouraged me to get plugged into a local church that turned out to beThe Urban Church of Portland. That may have been

the single most important factor to what my Warner Pacific education brought. In our religion classes, we would struggle with these deeper truths, while at church I was able to stay rooted in making a practical difference in the lives of kids, many of whom had family members involved in gangs and drugs. Warner Pacific provided the perfect tools to allow me to hear what God was speaking and to see what He was really doing around me and within me. Currently, I am the worship director at New Beginnings Christian Center. We have a diverse congregation with every ethnicity you can imagine - with blue collar and white collar folks all worshipping together. Even though we have a nice shiny building, I get our choirs out into the community. It’s engrained in everything I do now. It’s not about the music, but serving others. Summer 2008

knew that Warner would be the place I could prepare for the ministry God had for me, but I never imagined that ministry would take me to Africa. The people at Warner Pacific that had the most impact on me were the professors. They were more like mentors than teachers and prepared us to apply what we were learning to our lives and future ministries. Ironically, I remember laughing the day that Religion professor David Markle asked me if I had ever considered majoring

in Missions. I studied Health and Human Kinetics and taught at Kings Way School in Vancouver, Wash. after graduating, but for now, God has called my family (husband, Ben, and one-year old son, Noah) to direct the Church of God’s Children of Promise (COP) program in Tanzania. COP is a child sponsorship program that provides food, education, basic medical care, and spiritual nurturing to children around the world, and in Tanzania, it sponsors more than 750 children who attend the Aldersgate Education Center, in Babati, Manyara. It is comprised of primary and secondary schools. We oversee a staff of two and work with local committees at a number of sites to ensure that children’s needs are being met. Last October, we finished construction on the first dorm building for the primary students at Aldersgate. The teachers, students, and community watched with excitement as this beautiful building was constructed. God had His hand on this project each step of the way, and the results were better than we had imagined. When people ask us what a typical day is like it is nearly impossible to answer. I am so thankful the professors at Warner Pacific prepared me in this way. 13

CLASS NOTES

FROM THE DIRECTOR

60’s Doug Hamilton ’65 is retiring from Evergreen Public Schools, Vancouver, Wash., after a career spanning 38 years. During his time in the district, Doug had several different job positions including high school language arts and drama teacher, audiovisual specialist, and district office manager of instructional technology and television production. From 1965-70 Doug was also a drama and speech instructor at WPC. Doug’s wife, Susan (LaVelle) ’67, retired in June 2006 from her career as an elementary teacher in Evergreen. Doug and Susan live in Vancouver and plan to travel.

An exciting fall season for alumni and parents

irst let me congratultae the 153 graduates of the Class of 2008. It has been fun, identifying our newest grads driving through town as they sport their new Warner Pacific Alumni license plate frame. Again, we honor your accomplishment. We are planning some wonderful events this fall that should appeal to alumni and parents. • I encourage you to make every effort to join us for the Grand Re-Opening Ceremony of the Egtvedt / McGuire remodel on September 27th.

Director of Alumni, Parent, and Church Relations dmcguire @warnerpacific.edu

• Please also be aware of our Phone-a-Thon Blitz September 15 - 17 with 25 callers raising money for student scholarships. Please plan now for your donation, modeling for our students the giving spirit of our alumni. Remember, 1000 alumni giving $50 will meet our goal. In advance, I say ‘Thank You’ for your dedication and support!

Nancy (Pigg) Pitts ’67 has been a missionary in Nairobi, Kenya since January 2008. She is on a three-year assignment and teaches in the Religion Department at Africa Nazarene University and is also serving as the Alumni Association Coordinator. Her husband, Mark, is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic. Pitts was formerly the Congregational Care pastor at Kirkland Church of the Nazarene, in Kirkland, Wash. They have five adult children.

• Parents, we are planning a Family Weekend on October 3-5 where you can return to campus and spend a fun weekend with your student (or students) and meet other Warner Pacific families. There will be food and games and some great surprises. We will send out more information about the event soon. • Stay connected with WP Alumni and Friends by joining the Warner Pacific Alumni Group on Facebook.com. Create a personal account and chat with colleagues from years past. Event dates, special news and alumni pictures will be posted for your perusal. See for yourself at www.facebook.com.

70’s Rev. Bruce Steffensen ’75 has stepped into the newly developed position of Pastoral Health Director with the Association of Churches of God in Oregon and Southwest Washington. He and his wife, Debi (Schmidt) ’77, most recently served as the founding pastors of New Life Christian Fellowship (Church of God) in Mariposa, Calif. Steffensen also serves on the Warner Pacific Board of Trustees. Soon-to-retire music educator JoAnn D. Armstrong ’72 was one of 21 recipients of a 2008 Mayor’s Arts Award presented by the Bellingham Arts Commission, in Bellingham, Wash. last April. For 20 years, Armstrong has taught music fundamentals for children through her company Keyboard Kids. Students range in age from 18 months to 13 years of age and Armstrong teaches voice, percussion, sight reading, aural skills, and group performance.

80’s Pastor Joel Collier ’84 took became senior pastor of Gales Creek Church of God, in Gales Creek, Ore. in November 2007. He formerly worked for four years as the associate pastor of administration for Richmond Community Church, in Portland, Ore. In

Finally, I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve you as the Alumni, Church and Parent Relations Director. I encourage you to enjoy every moment of your summer: sit on the deck, watch a sunrise, send a note to an alum, eat an ice cream cone, run through the sprinkler, and thank the Lord for a beautiful day.

SAVE THE DATE Alumni and Friends Picnic August 5 @ Noon Oregon State Camp Meeting Brooks, Ore. Convocation August 26, 10:30 a.m. McGuire Auditorium Grand Re-Opening of Egtvedt/McGuire September 27 Family Weekend Oct. 3-5 For parents and current students William Paul Young Author of the “The Shack” October 14, 10:30 a.m.

Continued on pg. 15 14

Dana McGuire

The Experience

Alumni, Parents and Friends Night Out Nov. 8 at 6 p.m. Enjoy dinner on campus before taking in Warner Pacific’s Fall play $25 each, $45 couple President Jay Barber’s Retirement Gala Nov. 15, Location TBA Christmas Concert and Dessert Nov. 23 McGuire Auditorium Tickets available for $10 Homecoming 2009 January 23-24 Decade Reunions: Class of ’49, ’59, ’69, ’79, ’89, ’99

ALUMNI PROFILES

Haskins wins second state championship, but is ready for new role at Jefferson High

Continued from pg. 14 addition to ministry, Joel has a background in banking and teaching. Last year, he also completed a low-residency doctor of ministry degree from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, in South Hamilton, Mass. Joel’s wife, Glenna (LaFont) ’84 is a nurse at Adventist Hospital, in SE Portland.

90’s Michelle (Fast ) Collins ’91, was the worship leader for the 2008 Spring Convention of the Association of Churches of God in Oregon and Southwest Washington, held at the Eugene Hilton, in Eugene, Ore., May 16 and 17. Collins is the worship leader at Mt. Scott Church of God, in Portland, Ore. Karen (Pettit) ’92 and Ralph Horn welcomed their second daughter, Natalie Grace, on June 9, 2007 in Portland, Ore. Natalie weighed 6 pounds and 3 ounces. She joins sister Josie, 6.

Natalie Horn

In March, David Bolls ’93 took the position of Assistant General Counsel for the Outdoor Channel, a cable channel devoted to recreation. Bolls will advise the Outdoor Channel on a broad range of legal matters. Most recently, Bolls served as corporate legal counsel for Tenacity Entertainment and Extreme Sports Channel.

However, this season may turn out to be Haskins’ last. In March, he stepped in as the interim administrator of the John H. Johnson Academy for Young Men - one of four academies that operate within Jefferson’s building - following the abrupt resignation of the previous administrator. The all-boys academy opened last fall with 50 students from grades six through nine, with the intent of presenting a rigorous curriculum that will increase the number of students continuing on to college. Haskins has applied for the permanent position and will step down as basketball coach if hired. “I think it’s a great concept,” said Haskins. “I have an affinity for helping young men and this gives me that opportunity. There’s been enough literature written to show the success of gender specific schools. I think there is a time and a place for them and the time is now.”

This spring, Issac Dixon ’93 became the new Regional Director of the Office of Diversity at Providence Health and Services in Portland, Ore. He had previously served as the Regional DirecDixon tor of Employment at Providence for a little over a year. Dixon is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Organization and Management from Capella University. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Urban League of Portland.

00’s Traci (Grenz) ’01 and Eric Vogt (pictured) were married May 17, 2008 at Mt. Scott Church of God, in Portland, Ore. Reverend David Shrout BA’75, M.Rel ’77 helped The Vogts perform the wedding and members of the wedding party included Kerri (Cissna) Heath ’01, Danielle (Capps) Valentine ’05, and Jessie (Thompson) Adam ’01. Jess Hutchison ’99 and Conner Peckham ’09 performed music. Traci is the Director of Leadership Development and Student Programs at Warner Pacific and Eric is an engineer for Freightliner, in Portland. Summer 2008

Jim Clark / Portland Tribune

t was another banner year for Jefferson High School (Portland, Ore.) boys’ basketball coach and athletic director Marshall Haskins ’85, as he led the boys’ team to the 2008 Oregon 5A championship on March 15, defeating Corvallis 58 to 55 at McArthur Court in Eugene, Ore. The victory was especially sweet given that the Jefferson girls’ basketball team had won its own 5A title against Hermiston the week prior. “It was a pretty proud moment for me,” said Haskins, a 1981 Jefferson graduate who studied business and played basketball at Warner Pacific from 1981 to 1985. Prior to joining Jefferson’s staff in 1998, Haskins spent ten years working for Self Enhancement Inc., a community service organization headquartered in NE Portland. During Haskin’s ten years as coach, the Jefferson boys’ team has placed sixth or better at the state tournament eight times.

Jefferson High (Portland, Ore.) boys’ basketball coach Marshall Haskins ’85 led the Democrats to the 2008 Oregon 5A title in March. He is also the interim administrator of the Johnson Academy for Young Men.

Jessie (Fox) ’02 and Brian Passon ’02 gave birth to Ava Giana on Sept. 13, 2007 in Hartford, Conn. She weighed seven pounds and four ounces and was 20 inches long. Brian is part Owner and Ava Passon Director of Corporate Fitness and Health. Jessie owns her own photography business at www.jessicapasson.com. Pamela and Paul Anderson ’02 welcomed their first child, Ben Phillip, on September 16, 2007 at Kaiser Sunnyside, in Clackamas, Ore. Ben was eight pounds, five ounces and 22 inches long. Paul works in Brooks, Ore. at Freight Logistics. Karen Frenette ’03 recently returned from teaching a year of 5th grade in South Carolina, where her husband Jeff ’92 was deployed with the Army at Ft. Jackson for the last two years. The family is now back in Sherwood, Ore. and includes daughters Natalie (16) and Jane (14). Karen now teaches 3rd grade at Crater Elementary School in Newberg and is pursuing a master’s degree in Educational Administration through Capella University. Jeff is back to work in the Special Investigations Unit with Country Insurance. Marci (Whittlesey) Young ’03 has taught 5th graders at Crossroads Christian School, in Portland, Ore. for the past three years. On July 18, 2007 she and her husband Greg wel-

Continued on pg. 18 15

ALUMNI PROFILES

ifteen years ago, William Paul Young ’78 - author of the international best-selling novel “The Shack” - was a minister with a lot of secrets. No one knew about the sexual abuse he had suffered as a child on the mission field, or the coping skills he later developed as the teenage son of an itinerant pastor constantly on the move. Young went into the ministry and managed to conceal the profound First-time author Willam Paul shame and sadness he harbored from his childhood until an extraYoung ’78 writes the best-selling marital affair at age 38 ruined his novel “The Shack” to represent ministerial career and quite nearly his marriage. Young turned to God how God can redeem even the to help put the pieces of his life back deepest of hurts. together again. “We want a spirituality that will leap frog us past the messy stuff,” said Young, “but it’s like God goes, A victim of childhood abuse, William Paul Young ’78 originally wrote his book “The Shack” as a ‘No, you’ve been praying to be gift for his six children so they would better understand his own view of God’s forgiveness. healed. Why don’t we do that?’” Young’s personal journey proif God is male. He’s not. He is 100 percent spirit and 100 percent of vides the backdrop for his smash hit “The Shack,” which tells the maleness and 100 percent of femaleness is derived from him.” story of a grief-stricken father who comes face to face with the Holy Trinity in a remote shack in the wilderness of Eastern Oregon. The Great Sadness Originally written in 2005 as a Christmas gift for his six children, The roots of what Young calls his own “The Shack” has sold over 800,000 copies worldwide since first “great sadness” stem from an early age. being published in May 2007. It has garnered the interest of major Young was a baby and first born child to misHollywood film studios and work is underway to turn it into a bigsionary parents who relocated from Canada budget motion picture. to what is now West Papua, Indonesia in the But more important to Young is that the book’s success has given early 1950s to live among the primitive Dani him a platform to speak openly about the all-encompassing grace tribe. Young’s parents became busy with their that finally brought about healing in his own life. mission projects and, for the most part, left “The Shack is a metaphor,” said Young. “Different things in their son to the care of the tribe. peoples’ lives build their shack. They get burned, hurt. Damaged “I was basically being raised by the Dani,” people hide their lies and secrets… It’s this relationship with Father, Young said. “I was around conversations Son, and Holy Spirit that we’ve been invited into. That’s where life about whether they were going to kill my is and that’s what changes us.” parents. I felt safe. I thought I was Dani. I just didn’t [make] that connection.” An unorthodox allegory To make matters worse, Young says tribal The book’s protagonist is a middle-aged man named Mack who is members began abusing him sexually at age 4. His parents were still reeling from the abduction and murder of his youngest daughunaware of the abuse, and Young never let on. Later, at age six, ter, Missy, by a stranger four years earlier. On a bitterly cold day, Young’s parents sent him to a boarding school where older boys a mysterious letter arrives from someone named “Papa,” inviting molested him the first night he arrived. Young says that throughout Mack to meet him in the very shack where Missy was presumed his childhood, he dealt with the shame of the abuse and his confused killed (her body was never found). sense of identity by becoming a performer. When Mack arrives, the bleak winter suddenly transforms into “With that kind of devastation, you have this thin layer of perfecan idyllic, spring day and the dilapidated shack becomes a cozy, tionist performance above this whole ocean of shame,” said Young. well-kept home. There, Mack meets Papa (The Creator), a dynamic “Everything is motivated by shame and you’re kind of surviving a and matronly black woman; Jesus (the Son), complete with Jewish day at a time. You become a good adapter and a better liar.” features and carpentry tools; and an Asian sylph named Sarayu (The Spirit). Mack spends a weekend sharing meals and conversing with Back “home” the Trinity, and comes to terms with - among many things - his sadYoung’s family returned to Canada when he was ten. By then he ness and anger over Missy’s death. had three other siblings and his father became an itinerant pastor in Young wanted to write a story that would serve as a legacy for British Columbia. Young attended 13 different schools before graduhis kids and help them better understand their own father and his ating from high school. He went on to Bible college in Saskatchewan concept of one’s relationship with God. He gave himself artistic for three years before transferring to Warner Pacific College, where freedom because it wasn’t intended for a wider audience. he graduated summa cum laude with a religion degree in 1978. “Since Mac is me, I wanted the guy in this story to be a little white Even Young’s time at Warner Pacific was not without controversy. guy but I wanted to go beyond a white guy in trouble needing a white First, he was the only student quoted in a local newspaper story that God-man to answer the problem,” said Young. “I’m not a Universalist. The whole path narrows down to the God-man Jesus Christ. But, theologically we have only had the presentation in imagery as Continued on page 17 16

Redemption Story

The Experience

IN MEMORIAM Continued from page 16

was critical of the college administration at the time. Then during the spring commencement service, he pulled what he thought was a mild prank that, nonetheless, outraged college leaders. “It was a great year, but I ended up in a mess,” Young said. Ministry work Young went on to do youth ministry in the 1980s at East Hill Church in Gresham, Ore., where he met his wife, Kim. He managed to

“It’s this relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit that we’ve been invited into. That’s where life is and that’s what changes us.”

- William Paul Young ’78 Author of “The Shack”

keep up appearances until 1993, when Kim discovered his affair with a family friend. Rather than divorce him, Kim demanded Young seek Christian counseling and deal with whatever issues were plaguing him. This turned out to be an eleven year process Young now refers to as his own shack. “When I came out of the shack...by the grace of God, I was one of the freest people I knew. I had no more secrets.” A story of healing When Young wrote “The Shack,” he was working for a small company in Gresham, Ore. that sold equipment used in circuit board manufacturing. He showed a manuscript to some friends with media backgrounds and they helped him polish it. Major publishers passed on the book, so Young’s friends founded the company Windswept Media, printed 11,000 copies, and marketed the book exclusively online. Once sales took off, major book sellers came calling. “We’ve watched this word-of-mouth phenomenon begin to happen,” said Young. “People are giving it to people who are hurting. That’s beautiful.” But Young doesn’t take credit for the book’s success, saying instead that it is simply evidence of God using a sincere, imperfect work to touch lives. “What God is doing with all of this I don’t have a clue,” said Young. “I’m good as long as I stay in the grace that is given me for one day. If I start thinking about what this all means, it freaks me out.” William Paul Young will speak at Warner Pacific community chapel on October 14 at 10:30 a.m. in McGuire Auditorium. Learn more at www.theshackbook.com..

Dwite Brown ’54 Dwite Denton Brown ’54 died on April 22, in WaKeeney, Kansas, just two days after his 85th birthday. He was born on April 20, 1923, in Rural Graham County, Kansas, the youngest of six children. His home was filled with love for family, for others, and for God. Dwite married Bertha Holzhauer in 1943 and the couple lived on a farm for seven years. Dwite started his pastoral ministry in McDonald, Kansas in 1951 and was ordained by the Church of God in 1952. The following year, Dwite brought Bertha and their three young children to Portland, Ore. to study at Pacific Bible College. Shortly thereafter, the couple became pastors of Rockwood Church of God, in Portland, where they stayed for over four years. While still at Rockwood, Dwite became the full-time Oregon State Evangelist, which he did for seven years. He then continued his ministry in Oregon as Director of Church Building. He assisted with 110 church building projects in seven U.S states and Canada. In 1980, Dwite and Bertha moved back home to pastor the Church of God in WaKeeney for over six years before Dwite retired. He continued to farm and work with his own construction business. Dwite was proud that seven of his family members had recognized the call to ministry as pastors. He and his “sweetheart” were to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary in June. Dwite is survived by four children, including Denda (Brown) Trapp ’68 and Paula (Brown) Wilson ’00; and 15 grandchildren, including Jerod Brown ’00, Jon Brown ’02, Teresa (Wilson) Hellstrom ’00, Chris Wilson ’96, and Trina Baker ’08.

Morris Brown ’60 Morris Merril Brown ’60 of Eugene, Ore. died May 8, 2008 of complications from Parkinson’s disease. He was 73. Brown was born July 2, 1934, in Culbertson, Neb. He married Crystal Cassler on Aug. 7, 1954. He served in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1959. He majored in Bible at Warner Pacific College and later earned a master’s degree from the University of Colorado and studied in a doctoral program in geology and geophysics at the University of Oregon. He worked as a teacher in Oregon and Australia and as a pastor on the staff of Eugene Faith Center, and at churches in Creswell, Sweet Home and Salem, Ore.

Howard Dempsey’73 Howard “Bud” Dempsey ’73, of Portland, Ore., died May 22 at age 71. He was born Jan. 16, 1937, in Centralia, Ill. He later served in the Air Force. After graduating from Warner Pacific, he worked as an assembler for Williams Air Control. In 1961, he married Patricia Thomas, who died in 1998. Survivors include two daughters, two sisters, three brothers; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Bob Meadows Former Warner Pacific music professor Robert Meadows died December 24, 2007 at the age of 80. He was born August 13, 1927 in Roseville, Calif. He began teaching at Warner Pacific in 1964 and also directed several church choirs in Portland, Ore. In 1976, Meadows took a job driving a bus for TriMet, which he did for 13 years. He is survived by four daughters. Send obituary information to alumni@ warnerpacific.edu, call 503-517-1026,

Alumnus named Nampa, Idaho Citizen of the Year.

Ray Mendenhall ’53 (left) receives a plaque commemorating his selection as Citizen of the Year from Nampa, Idaho mayor Tom Dale. (Photo courtesy of the “Idaho PressTribune”).

Summer 2008

Ray Mendenhall ’53 received the 2008 Nampa, Idaho Citizen of the Year Award during a short ceremony at the Nampa Civic Center on May 13. Mendenhall, 81, is a retired U.S. postal worker who volunteers with the Gideons Society and also writes Bible studies for inmates at the Canyon County Jail in Caldwell, Idaho. He is also the primary caretaker to his wife, Sallie ’51, who suffers from complications due to Alzheimer’s. She is 86. “It’s what Jesus did in my life that made all of this possible,” said Mendenhall. “I wouldn’t have done the things that I did if it weren’t for Him and the Holy Spirit.” 17

CLASS NOTES Continued from page 15 comed the birth of their daughter Gabriella “Gabby” Nicole.

Kelsie Briggs ’03 has taught first grade at Lynchwood Elementary School in SE Portland for two years, and five years in the Centennial School District. She graduated this year with a master’s in Education in Curriculum and Instruction and Reading from Concordia University, in Portland. Gretchen (Gutschow) Roberts ’88 teaches first grade at Yacolt Primary School in Yacolt, Washington. She recently went to Malawi, Africa with her daughter for a three-week mission trip. Rachel Sanford ’04 is the Director of the North Clackamas Music Center (NCMC), which provides studio space for private lessons inside of Sunnyside Foursquare Church, in Clackamas, Ore. Sanford is also the music director and worship leader at Sunnyside Foursquare and teaches choir at Damascus Middle School, in Damascus, Ore. Sanford co-founded (NCMC) in November 2007 with WP adjunct professor Dana Green ’04, who also teaches music privately and part-time at Portland Community College. Learn more at www.northclackamasmusiccenter.com . Trina Hodo ’04 has taught 2 nd grade at Mukilteo Elementary School, in Mukilteo, Wash. for the last three and half years. She holds a master’s in education from Lesley University in Cambridge, Mass. Jeff Huston ’04 teaches physical education at Butler Creek Elementary in Gresham, Ore. He also served as an assistant coach on Portland Christian High School’s 2008 2A state champion boys’ team. Aimee C. Radford ’04 completed her first year of teaching at John F. Kennedy Jr. High School in Hanford, Calif., where she teaches 8th grade English and history. Alicia Like ’04 teaches preschool and special education at the Early Childhood Center in Vancouver, Wash. In 2006, she received a master of science degree in Education & Special Education from Touro College, in New York, N.Y. Teresa and Benjamin Rickard ’05 gave birth to Liam Morrissey on June 1, 2008 in Portland, Ore. Liam weighed eight pounds and 15 ounces and was 21 inches long. Benjamin teaches 6th graders at Redland Elementary in Oregon City, Ore. His parents are Betty (Weiks) ’89 and Rob Rickard ’70. Candice Henkin ’06 has completed her first year as a special education teacher at Mt. Pleasant Elementary, in Oregon City, Ore. 18

A class reunion thirty years young The class of 1978 hosted their thirty-year reunion over Memorial Day weekend, but invited alumni from other classes in the late 1970s and early 1980s to come. The two-day event featured a dinner and alumni concert at the Airport Sheraton hotel Saturday night, and a casual lunch at Warner Pacific on Sunday. Pictured above are (clockwise) sisters Judi (Stearns) Eubanks ’76 and Sharon (Stearns) Casey ’76, both of whom traveled from Waupaca, Wis. for the event; Gregg Skinner ’76; and Dan Conlon ’79, Connie (Schwartz) Conlon ’79, Pastor Steve Dow ’78, and music pastor Michael Beaver ’78.

and is pursuing a master’s in special education from Portland State University. Cameron Marvin ’06 recently accepted a position as the College Campus Coordinator for the mission organization Frontiers. His wife Ashley (Wells) Marvin ’07 is pursuing teaching opportunities. Tyler Caffall ’06 received a Drammy Award - the Portland Theatre Community’s acting award - as a supporting actor in the 2007 production of “House and Garden” at Artists Repertory Theatre (ART) in Portland, Ore. Caffall Caffall and his wife, Alex (Kuechler) ’07, who has done set design for a number of ART production, are heading to New York City in August so Tyler can enter a graduate program in theatre at the New School.

Jacqueline Keeney ’07 recently joined the staff of The Children’s Hour Academy, in Lake Oswego, Ore., where she works with infants and toddlers. Richelle Trute ’07 has been hired on full time at David Douglas Arthur Academy in Portland, Ore., as a 2nd grade teacher. She also married Isiac Owen on July 08. Henry Liu ’07 teaches mathematics, science, and Bible at Vancouver Christian High School in Vancouver, Wash.

Shawn Palmer ’06 will teach 3rd graders this fall at Dilley Elementary, in Forest Grove, Ore. He and Alicia (Horneman) ’06 celebrated their first year wedding anniversary this spring.

Daniel ’07 and Melissa (Johnson) Myers ’08 were married on December 29, 2007 at First Baptist Church in downtown Portland. Melissa’s matron of honor was Briana Alston ’08. Daniel and Melissa both start new The Myers teaching jobs next fall, th Daniel as an 8 grad math teacher at Dexter McCarty Middle School in Gresham, and Melissa as a music and first year Spanish teacher at the K – 12 Cascade Locks School, in Cascade Locks, Ore.

Keoni Dang ’06 teaches algebra and geometry at the brand new Fairfax High School in Phoenix, Ariz. and also coaches boys soccer and golf. He married Toni Hart in June 2008.

ADP graduate Kristian Barney ’08 will enter a 12-month MBA program at Oxford University, in Oxford, England this fall. He is currently a vice president of Fox Capital Corporation in the Portland area.

The Experience

FIRST PERSON

The Missing Cub A former major league pitcher examines why he walked away from the game he loved and chose the path of ministry, instead - with no regrets BY DARCY FAST ‘69

t was warm June day in 1968 when I heard my name called over the loudspeaker at Atlanta Stadium, then home of the Atlanta Braves. “Now pitching for Chicago, number 38: Darcy Fast.” I was a 21-year-old rookie relief pitcher for the Chicago Cubs standing on the mound in front of 25,000 booing fans, watching the legendary Hank Aaron step up to the plate (He popped out, thankfully). I had made it. My dream had come true – or so I thought. That dream didn’t turn out to be all that I had imagined. Three years later, I walked away from the game, for good. I became a high school teacher and, later, found my calling as a minister. People often ask how I decided to leave the sport I loved. It’s a question I’ve asked myself many times since. I grew up in Olympia, Wash., the son of a church organist and minister. I had always been a strong athlete and had no interest in following my dad’s footsteps into the ministry. I was actually drafted by the New York Yankees out of high school in 1965, but turned them down. The Vietnam draft was in force and without a college deferment, I risked being be called up and sent overseas. Plus, even then, I was searching for something deeper in my life. I went to Warner Pacific College, where my girlfriend (and future wife) JoAnn (Spjut) ’69 was headed, and where my father A.J. ’51 and brother Dallas ’66 had gone before. I was a confused kid and I wanted to have options. A Christian College would give me that. I studied education and science. I also played baseball for the Knights. Major league scouts kept tabs on me and in 1967, the Cubs redrafted me in the sixth round, but I made it clear that I would only sign with them if they would allow me to finish my schooling. I was going to try to be a full-time student and a professional baseball player at the same time. On weekends or after classes, I played for the Cubs’ farm team in Tacoma. I would drive to Tacoma or fly to Hawaii or even pitch in Portland against the Beavers. Then in June, two weeks after JoAnne and I were married, Chicago called me. I played a few months that summer for the Cubs before being sent back to Tacoma in August. Meanwhile, I was having some wonderful, tremendous years at Warner Pacific. President E. Joe Gilliam ’50 became a mentor to me. Professors knew what I was trying to accomplish and they worked with me. They inspired me along the way. I felt as if God had given me the natural tools to be a good baseball player and I knew he had given it to me for a reason. But I wasn’t sure what that was. There were two conflicting ideas brewing in my mind: my dream of playing professional baseball, and the hazier idea of becoming a minister. I thought 1969 was going to be my breakout year with the Cubs. However, I signed on with the Oregon National Guard to fulfill my military obligation and had to report to boot camp that next summer, when the Cub’s lost their division lead to the “Miracle Mets” in the last few weeks of the season. Some have called me the “Missing Cub,” the left-handed arm that might have stabilized the Cubs’ pitching staff. Could I have helped? I don’t know.

But baseball was clearly a business. I was traded to the expansion San Diego Padres in 1970, but again couldn’t report because of National Guard obligations. It wasn’t until 1971 that I was ready to join the Padres, but by then I was really starting to question what I was to do with my life. One day in my home, I took out a box of baseball memorabilia I had collected over the years and I felt I had really answered that in my mind. I basically said, “Lord, if this where you’re leading me, I’ll accept that.” I put the box away and never opened it for years. I started doing some teaching and coaching in Timberline High School, in Lacey, Wash. I worked with disadvantaged young people, potential dropouts. I also became very involved in our church in Olympia. Then at a Church of God family camp, a sermon by guest preacher Gerald Marvel really spoke to my heart. I didn’t go into the ministry with fear, but I felt the Lord had called me and had given me the opportunity and that I was free to make my own decision.

I felt as if God had given me the natural tools to be a good baseball player and I knew he had given it to me for a reason. But I wasn’t sure what that was. I enrolled in Faith Evangelical Seminary in Tacoma. When it came time to look for a church, my parents were interim ministers at Centralia Church of God. It was a small, struggling congregation that needed younger leadership. I preached one Sunday and they asked if I would consider coming to be their pastor. That was in 1978. I’ve been there ever since. We now have a thriving church of 700. Centralia Church of God is very involved in missions. We’ve contributed over $2 million to missions over the last ten or fifteen years. In fact, we recently built a church in Colonet, Mexico and a dormitory at a Church of God school in Tanzania. When I consider my own life, I can see there was a particular arc, that I made choices, as unsure as I felt, that finally put me on the road to the ministry. I denied it, kicking and screaming, but I finally ended up where God intended. What got me there was a simple faith that if I continued to pursue my dreams, whether in baseball, teaching, or the ministry, I would fulfill my purpose. It wasn’t the questions that got me there finally, but the choices I made. Portions of this essay come from Darcy Fast’s 2007 autobiography “The Missing Cub,” by Darcy Fast and Jonathan Kravetz, and are used by permission. The book is available from major online booksellers. Proceeds from the sale of the book will support victims of flooding in Lewis County, Wash. in 2007.

Summer 2008

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Portland, OR Permit No. 527

Return Service Requested