World of Opportunityby President Greg Christy

DAN ROSS

One of the distinctives we use to describe Northwestern College to prospective students and their families is that we are a small campus with a large worldview. While Orange City may be in the heart of rural America, Northwestern is committed to providing multicultural and international experiences for our students, both on campus and outside the U.S.

The stories of our international students are as unique as the students themselves (a few of them are shared on pages 20–24). Each of them has added a new perspective on the world to the educational climate at Northwestern. We are blessed by the presence and involvement of all 39 of our international students.

We also desire to have as many of our students as possible travel outside the U.S. either as part of a study abroad program, Spring Service Project or a Summer of Service. I know firsthand the value of such an experience. In 1990 I had the opportunity to travel with an Athletes in Action baseball team to Czechoslovakia, the Soviet Union, Spain and the Netherlands.

It was a wonderful learning opportunity as we experienced different cultures and saw the tremendous differences between Eastern and Western Europe. In Czechoslovakia and the Netherlands, we stayed with host families, which provided an even more in-depth look at life in those countries. It was a life-changing experience that gave me a new appreciation for other cultures and people.

Earlier this fall, I received a letter from JP Sundararajan ’00, one of our international alumni who is now an RCA-affiliated missionary (see story on page 29). JP wrote to inform me about two of our seniors, Ben Kester and Nathaniel Raak, who spent last summer in Bangalore, India, providing technical assistance for an audio recording of Scripture in the Vasavi tribal language. JP shared:

My family and I have hosted many teams in the past, and it is safe to say Ben and Nathaniel were by far some of the best individuals we have hosted. Thanks to them, the Vasavi tribe now has in their possession for the very first time an audio recording of the New Testament Scriptures. For generations to come, the Vasavi can rest assured their language will never disappear because of two young men from a little school in northwest Iowa. … I wanted to let you know we at Audio Scripture Ministries are thrilled to partner with NWC, continuing to show the world how young leaders are raised to lead for Christ, with his strength.

JP’s letter describes Northwestern’s mission in action: Ben and Nathaniel are just two of many NWC students receiving an education that helps them identify and develop the gifts and talents God has given them. Our caring, committed and capable faculty and staff challenge and nurture students to further develop their gifts and discern their calling. Then we send them into God’s world to impact the kingdom for the cause of Christ. Praise God for entrusting the lives of these diverse and dedicated young people to our care. And thank you for your continued prayers and support.

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