Hillcrest Connection Spring 2016

HILLCREST SPRING 2016

CONNECTION

WHY WE

COMPETE PAGE 4

P L U S

8 A SIGNIFICANT TENURE 12 AXIS ENGAGES WORLDVIEW 18 DOMINICAN DIARY 24 MICHAEL LEVANG PROFILE

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GREETING

Dear Alumni and Friends, Greetings from Hillcrest!

This spring issue of the Hillcrest Connection comes to you as we approach the culmination of another full year of Gospel and academic investment into the lives of our students.

Preps for finals soon begin in earnest, graduation is just around the corner, and seniors cherish every last Todd Mathison '79 moment of their Hillcrest CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER experience. Many of you fondly remember your time at Hillcrest. We hope this issue of the Hillcrest Connection brings some of those memories to mind as you read about the impact Hillcrest is making in students today.

Every aspect of our ministry seeks to shape and equip our students as Christ-representatives in the world today.

Read about the intensive training for our students to own a comprehensive Christian worldview; how athletic endeavors reach beyond the field or court, even as we celebrate victory and learn from defeat; student articles reveal their developing perspectives on life and culture. Our faculty and staff are

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devoted to using their realm of ministry for Christ, and it shows in the lives of our students. For this, we praise God. Change is in the air, as our President, Rev. Steve Brue, announced that he will be stepping down from the President’s Office after the school year ends. Under President Brue’s leadership, HLA experienced significant changes in both traditional and international enrollment, and he led an expansion of the campus from the lone “Castle on the Hill” to a “Campus along the River.” Remember Steve and Linda in your prayers as they enter a new phase of life, and pray also for the HLA Board of Directors as they seek the Lord’s provision for a new president.

We will be hosting a reception for President Brue at graduation after the traditional song from the seniors on the front steps. We would love to see you at grad weekend this year (May 27-29).

Also, be sure to save the date and make plans to join us for our Centennial celebration at Homecoming this fall, September 30 & October 1. And thank you for remembering Hillcrest in your prayers and stewardship.

Sincerely in Christ,

Todd Mathison, Chief Advancement Officer

HILLCRESTCONNECTION

| SPRING 2016 |

IN THIS ISSUE

4 Feature

Beyond the Court

14 Campus News AXIS at Formations Week Academic & Athletic News

18 Mission

Dominican Republic Diary

22 Current

Dissecting Political Labels

24 Profile

Michael Levang Crossing Cultures: Nhi Nguyen

8 Focus

28 Alumni News

Steve Brue Concludes 25 Years of Service to HLA

Spring 2016 TODD MATHISON '79 | CAO Editor-in-Chief advancement@ffhillcrest.org STEVE BRUE '76 | President Contributing Editor sbrue@ffhillcrest.org

Hillcrest Lutheran Academy 610 Hillcrest Drive Fergus Falls, MN 56537 www.ffhillcrest.org

RYAN ERICKSON '03 Managing Editor/Graphic Design rerickson@ffhillcrest.org WAYNE STENDER '02 Contributing Editor wstender@ffhillcrest.org

Announcements In Memory HIT Turns 50

HILLCREST ACADEMY BOARD OF DIRECTORS JAHN DYVIK '79 | Secretary Long Lake, MN

VAUGHN KAVLIE '82 Eden Prairie, MN

ERIC EWAN '92 Fergus Falls, MN

SUSAN LEACH Naperville, IL

KATHERINE HEGGLAND '00 Brooklyn, NY

OLAV SANDNES | Chair Mt. Bethel, PA

MARK SOHOLT '67 Cape Coral, FL

MISSION STATEMENT The mission of Hillcrest Lutheran Academy is to equip students in a Christ-centered, Bible-based environment for a life of eternal significance.

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FEATURE

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FEATURE

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“Stick your neck out if you want to, but remember, it’s your neck.”

Those words pierced Phil Werdal in 1956. Stiff opposition hindered Hillcrest’s athletic director from creating a competitive sports program, but his leadership created a Gospel testimony that is echoing long after the first buzzer sounded 60 years ago.

Werdal’s courage started an athletic program that bolted Hillcrest to state and national success. Accolades from the Minnesota Independent High School League in 1965 and the National Christian basketball tournament in 1974 put a nearly decade-old sports program on a victor’s stand relatively quickly.

THE COURT

Under the guidance of Bill Colbeck, sports at Hillcrest catapulted beBY WAYNE STENDER '02 yond the sights of men like Werdal and his successor, athletic director Jeff Christenson. Sports in the shadow of the steeple strive to shine the bright light of the Gospel into the darkness, embodying

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FEATURE The boys basketball team, answering the call of senior leadership, started praying for their opponents. One four-year varsity player was tasked with contacting friends from opposing schools to gather prayer requests. The Comets spent time in the locker room with the TV off and game-plan on hold, praying for opponents. This practice sparked a desire to pray for the girls basketball team, which resulted in a post-game meal where each boy shared affirmations about specific girls basketball players Phil Werdal outfits G.T. over slices of pizza, bought and Gunhus with football gear paid for by the boys team. This public display is a brief glimpse during the 1958 season. into hearts forged through training in Hillcrest athletics.

the Comet name that jerseys don 60 years after Werdal stretched out his neck. An experience of Comet sports is not just a source of fond memories for past generations of Hillcrest students, but continues to be a key component of learning to live a life of eternal significance for Hillcrest students today.

On a chilly January night this past winter, two sophomore girls walked from Hillcrest’s Student Union to their dorm rooms in the Castle. Their faces beamed, almost lighting the path to the feet of one of their deans. The girls finished a team meeting with the boys basketball team, who put together a meal for the girls after a doubleheader game. The boys' actions moved the girls tell their dean, “This is why we came to Hillcrest.”

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The girls followed suit throughout their season. Fans and parents wait a little longer after games end to congratulate the Lady Comets on game nights. The girls pre-arrange a prayer time with opponents that is conducted after the game ends, a tradition passed down from varsity captains since 2010. The prayer time took a decisive step forward this year, when the girls purchased roses for the Norman County East girls basketball team on Hillcrest’s senior night. The action nearly drove the opposing coach to tears, causing him to craft a short note to Hillcrest commenting on the love and support his team feels coming to Hillcrest’s campus.

The heart of athletics at Hillcrest reverberates Werdal’s vision in creating a Christ-centered competitive program. Athletic traditions are carried forward by a desire to fulfill the original intent of the school.

Through sports, Hillcrest students have opportunities to build faith, form character, and witness to friends and others.

FEATURE

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A nearly decade-old relationship with Pelican Rapids ended this past soccer season, but not before students had opportunity to tell teammates from varied backgrounds the saving message of the Gospel. Two-hour bus rides for Hillcrest soccer players spark cross-cultural investigations into the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Hillcrest’s cooperative soccer program unites public school students with Hillcrest-trained disciples. Sitting in Hillcrest’s apologetic program equips many students to address arguments and show love, working to draw friends and teammates closer to Christ as shoelaces criss-cross fingers and shin pads snap to legs in the middle of conversations.

This discipleship environment was joined with significant success for Hillcrest athletics this season. Boys soccer coach, Rod Jensen, worked with his team daily to keep a humble heart and aggressive approach to a sport he’s coached at Hillcrest for over a decade, accumulating over 200 wins. Jensen’s team scored 106 goals this year, giving up only six to opponents. But after their final game, losing 3-2 in overtime, his players stood in a solemn line waiting for their opponents to finish their celebration so that the Comets could congratulate them. What disappointed Comet players most was the fact that they would not join in the huddle again as a team.

The co-op boys soccer team prays together for the last time following their playoff loss to St. Cloud Apollo.

Pre-game devotions with parent and local pastor, Mark Tungseth

Comet Basketball found a great deal of success this year as well. Fans watched Hillcrest’s single game scoring record transfer from Scott Colbeck to Chris Tungseth. Gregg Preston earned his 400th win in coaching the Comets to an undefeated season and 2nd place state ranking when playoffs started. The Comets lost a nail-biter in the section semi-finals. After the awards were put on the shelf, Preston heard from the opposing coach that his community recognized the way Hillcrest carried themselves after the loss, demonstrating that the Comets knew how to win as well as lose with great character.

Preston reiterated the sentiment the soccer team had made some five months earlier — the most frustrating part of athletics at Hillcrest is the final game; it marks a definitive end of gathering together in locker room prayer and Bible study.

Werdal faced opposition to start competitive sports because the school sought to remain true to its call for Biblical training. The stories coming out of the locker rooms from this year show God’s faithfulness to use all aspects of the Hillcrest experience to form faith, forge character, and share the Gospel, the founding purposes of Hillcrest Lutheran Academy.

The boys and girls basketball teams pause for a photo after sharing a meal together and praying for each other.

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FOCUS

Steve Brue is completing 25 years of combined service to Hillcrest Academy as Instructor, Campus Pastor, Principal and President.

A

significant TENURE

BY CAROL STENDER

S

teve Brue made his first connection with Hillcrest Lutheran Academy as a toddler.

“My earliest recollections are of Bethel Church and Hillcrest,” Steve Brue recalled.

“I was learning to ride my trike on the sidewalk by Alcott (avenue) and I would see the big building across the street. I knew dad was there. There was an instant affinity to this place for me and my siblings.”

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FOCUS

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Steve is completing 25 years at HLA, serving as art teacher, campus pastor, principal, and since 2004, president of Hillcrest. He is resigning his position after the school year ends to pursue a family venture with his wife, Linda, their four children and spouses, and five grandchildren.

Steve moved to Fergus Falls with his siblings and parents, Pastor Don and Verna Mae, when his father took a position at Lutheran Brethren Schools. His early association led to a career at Hillcrest Lutheran Academy (HLA).

The influence of Steve’s father helped shape a ministry with students, parents, staff, school supporters and the community. “Dad was a very kind and friendly and smiley person,” he said. “I believe he impacted a lot of people's lives through his kindness and encouragement. Just his character and his work as a pastor and teacher in the school made him a role model.”

Steve followed his father to Hillcrest when the school offered a 10-12 high school education. Steve graduated from HLA in 1976.

He then attended what is now M-State and transferred to Bethel University where he received a K-12 certification in art education.

While at Bethel, Steve started dating Linda Senum, a Hillcrest alumna. The two married in 1980 after Steve completed his student teaching requirement.

The couple returned to Fergus Falls where Steve enrolled in the Lutheran Brethren Seminary. It didn’t surprise Pastor Don that Steve was entering the ministry. “Parents will ask their kids what they are going to be someday,” Steve said. “I think my dad knew my heart’s desire. His encouraging demeanor led me to that. When I said, ‘Dad, I will be enrolling in the seminary,’ he was delighted. It gave him great joy.”

Steve’s art degree was also put to good use. Hillcrest asked him to teach while he attended seminary. “I was shocked to know there was an opening here,” he said. “It was great to continue my work in the seminary and to teach.” The experience helped him see the value of ministry to teenagers. “It was a great way to use art as an expression of our great Creator and what He has put in all of us and to use our talents to bring him glory.”

Teaching was a Steve and his brothers are pictured with great experience, their father in the back yard of their according to Steve, house on Alcott Ave in Fergus Falls. but it meant extendL-R: Tom, Steve, Charles & Don Brue. ing his seminary courses. What is typically a three-year program became seven years. During his third year in seminary, Steve was asked to teach full-time at Hillcrest.

Once he completed seminary training, Steve was called to serve the Lutheran Brethren church in Briarcliff Manor in New York as assistant pastor. The assignment was part of the Lutheran Brethren’s mentorship program. His mentor was the future president of the Lutheran Brethren, Joel Egge.

“We moved our young family to Briarcliff,” Steve recalled. “It was good. We were near Linda’s family and they got to be around our children. It was just a real wonderful time for our family to be together with her parents and siblings.”

Campus Pastor | '96-'98 Art Instructor | '82-'87 Steve oversaw a renovation of the Art room. The changes he made are still in place today.

Steve is pictured participating in a "See You at the Pole" prayer meeting during his tenure as Campus Pastor.

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FOCUS

In 1993, Steve received a call to Triumph Lutheran Brethren Church in Moorhead. The congregation was growing and his work as an associate pastor supported lead pastor Jeff Seaver, another Hillcrest alumnus.

Steve’s work at Triumph centered mainly on church administration. He cultivated congregational connection, organized small group Bible studies, and aided in guiding the Stephen’s Ministry.

Three years after moving to Triumph, Steve received a call from Hillcrest to fill the school’s new campus pastor position. “It was a pretty easy decision to make,” he said.

Steve said his new role as Hillcrest’s campus pastor reopened his understanding with teens and today’s culture. He found students receptive to programs. He encouraged student-led praise and worship, modeling the program from Triumph’s worship ministry.

Steve worked under the guidance of Principal Bill Colbeck. Colbeck’s work at Hillcrest increased regional awareness for HLA. The school held accreditation and continued to develop relationships with independent associations, continuing a notable membership with the Minnesota State High School League, he said.

When Bill Colbeck retired as Hillcrest principal, Steve was asked to fill the principal’s position. While he was interested, Steve didn’t hold the credentials necessary at that time. He started a Master’s program as he stepped into his new leadership role as Hillcrest’s principal.

His first order of business was pretty obvious. In fact, there was almost an unspoken mandate, Steve said. Other schools made it clear they didn’t want to play sports in what is now known as Hillcrest’s old gymnasium. To accommodate the teams and fans, Hillcrest was forced to use the M-State gym, Fergus Falls’ local community college, for basketball games.

“We felt a pressure and need to improve our campus,” Steve said. While people wanted a new gymnasium built, there were other building needs that needed to take place first. It was the start of building projects that brought Hillcrest from a castle on the hill to a campus on the river.

Under Steve’s first years of leadership, Hillcrest installed an elevator in the main building, installed new interior stairwells, renovated

Principal | '98-'04 Steve was officially installed as Principal of HLA by LBS President Joel Egge in the fall of 1998.

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the dormitory lounges, and transferred the “I will remember these years of ministry boys dorm to the Sletta with gratitude and thanksgiving to God. Strom building. The I have always been impressed with the former Faith and Feldedication and quality of our faculty and lowship printshop and staff. It has been a privilege for me to work office building became with [them], as we’ve shared the mission home to the Hillcrest of equipping students for a life of eternal Junior High after a series of renovations. significance. I remain very confident in Recent renovations inHillcrest’s current leadership team, and clude an update to the trust that the Lord will continue to use this classroom section, part school significantly for his glory.” of the $5 million Fresh — STEVE BRUE Breeze campaign that Steve guided. It was the largest campaign to date for Hillcrest Academy.

Before the classroom updates, Steve directed the construction of a new gym, now known as the Student Activities Center, constructed in 2004. The new building proved a transformational addition to the Hillcrest campus.

The Student Activities Center built momentum for the school that started seeing increased numbers of international students applying to Hillcrest, the Lutheran Brethren’s discipleship training school for teens. Last year, as the Lutheran Brethren seminary constructed a new facility connected with the offices of the synod, the seminary building transformed into a Student Union and cafeteria that now serves Hillcrest’s rising student population.

Steve’s influence isn’t held inside these brick and mortar projects.

During his tenure, the school established a mission program, revamped mission conferences, and continues the traditional prayer days. The short-term mission projects started with a basketball mission to Florida, expanded to a cross-cultural experience to Mexico, and continues today through an intentional community adoption in the Dominican Republic.

“Lutheran Brethren Schools has a history of being mission minded,” Steve said. “Its emphasis has been to train and equip students to be a part of that. That emphasis is there today.”

The school is more diverse than Steve’s first years in

FOCUS

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While a number of areas are new or enhanced at Hillcrest, some of the traditions and relationships Hillcrest fostered over the years continued during Steve’s tenure. The Danielsen School in Bergen, Norway sends nearly 30 students to Hillcrest each year. The 27 year partnership has been granted another five years of support from the Norwegian government, Steve added.

Steve served as principal from 1998 to 2004, and in 2004, he became the school’s president. Fundraising became one of the primary duties in the newly created president’s position. Steve noted that his position as president fostered new friendships and fortified ongoing relationships. He plans to stay in contact with the friendships made with contributors to Hillcrest Academy after he leaves the president’s office this summer.

leadership. The Hillcrest castle not only houses students from locations in the United States, but is now home to students from over 10 countries. “It’s amazing, and I think it fulfills this core value.”

Steve reiterated the renewed vision of Hillcrest Academy from the Lutheran Brethren as he described the international flavor now at Hillcrest. “The school has always had a mission mindset. Now we have students from China, Vietnam and Korea. It’s interesting hearing the discussions during history class where the instructors bring the truth of history during World War II and those students process the injustices that happened during that time, and they hear of God’s love and forgiveness.”

The school also experienced a new paradigm of governance during Steve’s term. In 2003, Hillcrest became a subsidiary corporation of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren. Steve directed a restructure for Hillcrest in an effort to be more effective, which included the creation of a board of directors to govern the school ministry. Steve explained that instead of leadership meeting a couple times a year, which the prior board directing the school had done in the past, Hillcrest’s board of directors now meet five times a year, working closely with the school’s administration. “It streamlined the decision making process,” Steve said.

While he may not walk Hillcrest’s campus as a staff member after the school year ends, Steve said he will continue to support Hillcrest and its mission. Steve and Linda have been prayerfully considering their future over the past few years. “We’ve been praying that the Lord would open doors or close them,” Steve said. “We wanted to be part of Hillcrest, should that be the way things would go, but we also have had a desire to be more connected with our family…You always want to be open to do the Lord’s will and you want to have the energy to continue doing the things you are involved in. Linda and I have stayed connected with our children and their families and we love being with them.”

God’s plan for the couple became clear over the past few months as all of their children - Matt, Nick, Ben and Lindsey - are now living in the Twin Cities. “We have always been very connected with our children, and when we became grandparents, we began thinking about our careers and future,” he said. “You evaluate things and think about the importance of family.”

Steve & Linda's Family President | '04-'16 Following the school's reorganization as a subsidiary of the CLB, Steve was appointed President.

L-R: Hudson, Dahlia & Nicolas (H'03) Brue; Matthew (H'00), Finn, Lilianna & Faith Brue; Steve, Fiona (Nick) & Linda Brue; Benjamin Brue (H'05); Reagan, Kevin & Lindsey (H'08) Swedin.

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STEWARDSHIP BOARD STATEMENT ON HLA LEADERSHIP TRANSITION Dear Alumni and Friends of Hillcrest, As an era is drawing to a close, the Board of Directors of Hillcrest is pausing to recognize the enormous progress that has been made over the past 20+ years under the capable and visionary leadership of Steve Brue. Through his tenure and tireless commitment to Hillcrest, the school has transitioned to become an independent educational institution under the auspices of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren. Through his tenure, Steve has set Hillcrest on its current course, and strengthened its financial foundation through the successful completion of the $5 million Fresh Breeze Capital Campaign – allowing the next leader to build on this strengthened foundation to serve students in the years ahead. Steve’s passion for helping prepare young men and women for lives of significance and Kingdom building has been his driving force and guiding light while at Hillcrest – first as Campus Pastor, then as Principal, and finally as President. We wish Steve and Linda the very best as they move on to the next chapter of their lives.

Steve’s resignation has triggered the initiation of the process of searching for a new president for Hillcrest Lutheran Academy.

The Board’s intention is to take the time needed to get input from members of all Hillcrest stakeholders in terms of the qualifications the next president needs to lead Hillcrest in the years ahead. As we prepare for this season of leadership transition, we ask that you join with us in praying for our school, our administrators, faculty, and students. Additionally, please know that we will be working closely with our administrative team to ensure that the day-to-day management of Hillcrest continues smoothly. You will be hearing much more about the search process and the timeline in the coming weeks and months.

While we are sad to see Steve leave, we are confident and excited about Hillcrest’s future – largely because of the strength and commitment of the current administration and staff. The Executive Team of Principal Jeff Isaac, Business Manager Brad Martinson, and Chief Advancement Officer – Rev. Todd Mathison, has deep Hillcrest roots and the knowledge of every aspect of the Hillcrest operation to effectively execute the mission of Hillcrest.

We think it is accurate to say that each and every administrator, teacher, and staff member of Hillcrest is serving the student body by following God’s calling. Through sacrifices and modest compensation, they are indelibly impacting the Hillcrest students’ spiritual, emotional and educational lives. We are eternally grateful for each of you!

Jahn Dyvik ‘79, Secretary

HLA

HILLCREST BOARD OF DIRECTORS Olav E. Sandnes P’07, Chairman

Vaughn Kavlie ‘82 Kathy Heggland ‘00 Mark Soholt ‘67 Eric Ewan ‘92 Susan Leach P’12

HLA

Heritage society

Legacy club

The HLA Heritage Society acknowledges those who have named Hillcrest in an estate gift.

Stanley Arlton Estate

Roy & Barbara Heggland

Kenneth & Mavis Austin

Hillside Lutheran Brethren Missions

Nicholas & Leann Roberts

Interstate Inc.

J. Burdean & Kay Rogness

John & Cheryl Backstrom Steve Benjamin Irv & Kay Bergsagel Steve & Linda Brue

Stanley Arlton Estate

Robert Lokkesmoe

Irv & Kay Bergsagel

Myrtle Nilsen Estate

Keven & Debbie Crabtree

William Colbeck Estate

John & Donna Olson

Lane & Lori Chrisopherson

Keven & Debbie Crabtree

Kevin & Linda Patch

Evelyn Ebner Estate

Evelyn Ebner Estate

Glenn & Yvonne Rogness

Joel & Barbara Egge

Joel & Barbara Egge

LaWayne & Beverly Rogness

Marian Egge Estate

Marian Egge Estate

Dwight & Gwen Schmidt

Mabel L. Foss Estate

Lisa Schultz-Fred

Rich & Karen Iverson

Norma Senum

Rev. Gaylord and Jeanette Jacobson

Ethan Windahl

Selma Langeland Estate

We would love to include any who have named Hillcrest in their estate plans. Please contact President Steve Brue at 218-739-3371 to discuss this further.

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The HLA Legacy Club acknowledges individuals and groups whose cumulative giving reaches $25,000 or above.

William Colbeck Estate

David & Val Egge

Lori Fedje First State Bank of Alex-Carlos Mabel L. Foss Estate Lisa & Kevin Fred Agnes Freeland Charitable Trust Adleide Gunhus G. T. & Ann Gunhus Elling & Barbara Halvorson Richard & Linda Heggland

Donald & Marie Roberts Charitable Foundation

Gladys Jensen

Darren Rogness

Elmer & Julia Kaardal

LaWayne & Bev Rogness

Grace Kvamme

Olav & Gina Sandnes

Andrew & Brenda Lacey

Security State Bank

Jack & Sharon Lacey

Rodney & Jo Scheel

Matthew & Sue Leach

Dwight & Gwen Schmidt

Paul & Ruth Lindholm

Ewald & Alice Sems

Brad & Trena Martinson

Norma Senum

Marine Nutriceuticals

Mark & Janet Soholt

Minnie Nelson

Eleanor Sollie

Nordic Contracting Co, Inc.

Dean & Doreen Stoutland

Olsoe Charitable Remainder Trust Clara Olsoe John & Donna Olson Wesley & Ruth Orrestad Otter Tail Power Co. Frank & Karen Pellegrino Irving & Helen Peterson Ron Powell

Gary & Dorinne Thompson Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Randy & Diane Trettevik Marvin & Opal Undseth Victory Lutheran Brethren Church Viking Construction Corporation

STEWARDSHIP

CLUB MEMBERSHIP Club|120 Club|250 Club|500 95 Club Members

29 Club Members

53 Club Members

Club|1000 78 Club Members

Club|2500 Club|5000 Club|10000 13 Club Members

9 Club Members

Anonymous (4) Dawn Aandahl LaVerne, CA George & Alice Aase Fergus Falls, MN Paul & Phyllis Aasness Fergus Falls, MN Peter & Katie Aasness Fergus Falls, MN Erik & Janet Ambjor Succasunna, NJ Hans & Kari Andersen East Wenatchee, WA William & Miriam Aune New Brighton, MN Philip & Joyce Aune Underwood, MN Joseph & Susan Battillo Mount Bethel, PA Liesl Rogness Beck Eden Prairie, MN Irv & Kay Bergsagel Minnetonka, MN Muriel Bergsagel Wayzata, MN Tim Bigelow Erhard, MN Allan & Judy Bjerkaas Fergus Falls, MN Ethan & Carla Bjornlie Fergus Falls, MN Marjorie Boe Ottawa, IL Joyce Boehland Arvada, CO Roger & Kay Borowski Campbell, MN John & Ellen Borseth Rockford, IL John & Colleen Both Lake Shore, MN Doug & Nancy Bounds Jamestown, ND Timothy & Lynnette Brennan Fergus Falls, MN Benjamin Brue Fergus Falls, MN Calvin & Hillary Brue St. Paul, MN Charlie & Carrie Brue Fergus Falls, MN Hans & Larissa Brue St. Paul, MN Nick & Dahlia Brue St. Paul, MN Steve & Linda Brue Fergus Falls, MN Titus & Ashley Brue Lino Lakes, MN Tom & Kari Brue Bloomington, MN Arlen Brunsvold Naperville, IL John & Larissa Campbell Edmonton, OK Capture Studios Minneapolis, MN David & Tonya Cardin Winona Lake, IN Luke & Tara Carlson Moorhead, MN Mario & Anne Castro Armonk, NY Art & Betty Christenson Fergus Falls, MN David & Dagney Christenson Lynnwood, WA David & Eunice Christenson Fergus Falls, MN Joel & Liz Christenson Fergus Falls, MN Scott & Val Christenson Fergus Falls, MN Lane & Lori Christopherson Everett, WA Countless Energy Wahpeton, ND Keven & Debbie Crabtree Fergus Falls, MN Dan & Lita Crowley Marysville, WA Clair & Sharon Daines Bozeman, MT Leif & Sonja Dalen Mt. Bethel, PA Thelma P. Dalene East Hartland, CT George & Janice Davis Thief River Falls, MN Angela Dillon Fostoria, OH Steve & Kathy Doering Fergus Falls, MN Torbjorg Donoch Scotch Plains, NJ Jahn & Amy Dyvik Long Lake, MN Michael & Dee Eastvold Fergus Falls, MN David & Val Egge Alexandria, MN Joel & Barbara Egge Fergus Falls, MN Chuck & Penny Eidem Altadena, CA Spencer Endrud Fargo, ND John Endrud Loves Park, IL Rich & Jeanene Engebretson Edina, MN Elroy & Judy Erickson Fargo, ND Gary & Cynthia Erickson Dalton, MN Jim & Marilyn Erickson Fullerton, Ca Ryan & Kristin Erickson Fergus Falls, MN Chuck & Marilyn Ewan Fergus Falls, MN Eric & Katherine Ewan Fergus Falls, MN Lori Fedje Beaverton, OR Lawn Pro of Fergus Falls Fergus Falls, MN Dr. Allan Fischer Hillsboro Beach, FL Paul & Beverly Flugstad Bothell, WA Mark & Joan Folden San Jose, CA Gay & Carol Folden Fergus Falls, MN David & Ruthann Forland Huntington, NY E. Thor & Lillian Foss Southold, NY Mark & Joanne Foss Glastonbury, CT Kevin & Lisa Fred Fergus Falls, MN Kurt & Anne Frustol Fergus Falls, MN Roger & Gloria Fuller Lancaster, WI Ron Fuhrman Moorhead, MN Doug & Judy Ganyo Jacksonville, FL Darci Gerdes Windsor, CO Grande Lake Trust Lake Park, MN Wayne & Ruth Goats Scottsdale, AZ Darren & Robin Golden Nisswa, MN Norman & Pat Gunderson Fergus Falls, MN Richard & Diane Gunhus Blue Earth, MN Victoria Hackett San Francisco, CA Roy & Heather Haegeland Lake Stevens, WA Elling & Barbara Halvorson Woodinville, WA Evelyn Hansen Snohomish, WA Tore & Vivian Hansen Mt. Bethel, PA Luke & Angela Hansen Edina, MN Les & Sandy Hanson Fergus Falls, MN

4 Club Members

Donald & Saundra Haugen Kim Rogness Hazel Joy Headrick David & Beverly Heggen Katherine Heggland Matthew Heggland Rich & Linda Heggland Don & Cathy Heitkamp Hillside LB Missions Paul & Sheri Hohncke Diane Ihrke Gary & Renee Isaac Jeff & Missi Isaac Rich & Karen Iverson Walter & Sonja Iverson Martha Jacobs Herb & Helen Jacobsen Elizabeth Jacobsen John & Annie Jacobsen Roger Jacobson Armin & Cheryl Jahr Ken & Ann Jensen Gladys Jensen Dennis & Kathleen Johnson Fred & Elsie Johnson Richard & Carol Johnson Tim & Karen Johnson Dawn Jones Brent & Ruth Juliot Curtis & Elaine Kavlie Vaughn & Deb Kavlie John & Janet Kilde Doug & Karin Kugel Grace Kvamme Kevin Kvamme Scott & Becky Kvamme Philip & Marilyn Labrosse Andy & Brenda Lacey Jack & Sharon Lacey Solveig Lande Paul & Jane Langseth Josiah & Lauren Larson Luther & Joann Larson Paul & Bee Larson Matthew & Sue Leach Brian & Jennifer Leivestad Carol & Michael Lewin Patricia Linson Lloyd & Thelma Listor Steve & Heidi Listor Elaine Loeschner Robert Lokkesmoe Harry Ludvigsen Jeffrey & Eileen Mahn Curt & Cheryl Markland Krista Marshall Bill & Marilyn Martinson Brad & Trena Martinson Masson Family Foundation Luther Mathison Todd & Anne Mathison John & Lisa McAteer Paige & Janet McConkey Jason & Heather McNeal Lois McNeill Daniel & Arlene Mikkelson Tom & Gladys Moline Alice Monsen Kyle & Nicole Nash Wallace & Audrey Ness Ed & Krista Newman Evan & Michelle Newman William & Marcia Nilsen Peter & Lillian Nilsen Scott & Lois Norton Kristofor Okita Joseph & Berit Olafson Manley & Janet Olsoe John & Donna Olson Dan & Ruth Ostergaard Graham & Priscilla Parker Kevin & Linda Patch Frank & Karen Pellegrino Irv & Helen Peterson Ed & Elaine Peterson Gaylen & Kristen Peterson Richard Pickett Wayne & Dianne Preston Gregg & Marie Preston Brad & Melissa Pribbenow Lowell & Paula Quam LeRoy & MaryAnn Quernemoen Rachel Quernemoen Cory & Erika Reinertson

Marysville, WA Eden Prairie, MN Denver, CO Fergus Falls, MN Brooklyn, NY Miami, FL New Port Richey, FL Mooreton, ND Succasunna, NJ Fergus Falls, MN Fergus Falls, MN Denver, CO Fergus Falls, MN Barnesville, MN Toronto, SD Seatonville, IL Mt. Bethel, PA Minnetonka, MN White Bear Lake, MN Fargo, ND Fergus Falls, MN Huntington, NY Staten Island, NY Fergus Falls, MN Boone, IA Willow City, ND Little Falls, MN Glendora, CA Fergus Falls, MN Richville, MN Eden Prairie, MN Fergus Falls, MN Fergus Falls, MN Fergus Falls, MN Williston, ND Fergus Falls, MN Saint Paul, MN Wendell, MN Wendell, MN Sioux Falls, SD Fergus Falls, MN Minneapolis, MN Bottineau, ND Fergus Falls, MN Naperville, IL Loveland, CO Keizer, OR Fargo, ND Brooklyn, NY Mt. Bethel, PA Westland, MI Salinas, CA Kerhonkson, NY Albuquerque, NM Raleigh, NC Minot, ND Fargo, ND Fergus Falls, MN Laguna Beach, CA Maddock, ND Minneapolis, MN Mt. Bethel, PA Sauk Rapids, MN Alcoa, TN Lincoln, NE Palm City, FL Erhard, MN Richfield, MN Fargo, ND Fergus Falls, MN Fergus Falls, MN Fergus Falls, MN East Hartland, CT Brewster, NY Fergus Falls, MN New Castle, DE Louisville, KY Fergus Falls, MN Fergus Falls, MN Olathe, KS Richland, WA Fergus Falls, MN Mt. Bethel, PA Menomonie, WI Wahpeton, ND Lake Park, MN Fergus Falls, MN Fergus Falls, MN Fergus Falls, MN Fergus Falls, MN Fergus Falls, MN Fergus Falls, MN Fergus Falls, MN Fergus Falls, MN

Nick Roberts Donald & Marie Roberts Trust Les & LeAnn Rogness Darren Rogness Loran & Lois Rogness Burdean & Kay Rogness Lee & Lavonne Rogness LaWayne & Bev Rogness Kevin & Brooke Rogness Glenn & Vonnie Rogness Ryan Rogness Eugene & Rhoda Rubey Ron & Barbara Samuelsen Jack & Rochelle Sand Will Sandnes Olav & Gina Sandnes Lynn & Matthew Scarfo Danny & Diane Schatz Rod & Jo Scheel Ernie & Cathie Scheid Nick & Danielle Schmidt Dwight & Gwen Schmidt Larry Seaver Lois Seaver Ray & Ardith Seaver Margaret Seland Marvill & Eleanor Selvig Ewald & Alice Sems Paul Senum Norma Senum Arlen & Julianne Severson Tom & Jane Shulstad Leland Sjule Ed & Shirley Smith John & Tess Soholt Mark & Janet Soholt Eleanor Sollie Elwood Sollom Donald & Janet Sorenson Arna Stedjan Wayne & Nancy Stender Doug & Carol Stender Dan & Eleanor Stenoien Robert & Rhoda Stenson Dean & Doreen Stoutland Robert & Lorrette Strack Barry & Darlene Stratton Carol & Aaron Stucker Doug & Margarethe Swanson Kevin & Lindsey Swedin Wai Nam Tam Guy & Amy Taylor Justin & Phyllis Thompson Gary & Dorinne Thompson Borgny & Stan Thompson Nancy Thompson Brent & LeAnn Torkelson George & Julie Townsend Rosemary Traina Randy & Diane Trettevik Cordelia Trones Glenn Troness Mark & Cathy Tungseth Roger & Amy Twedt Lois Tweten Bruce & Lori Tysver Steve & Lois Undseth Marty & Mim Valder Ruth Vall Dave & Mary VanGrinsven Rebecca Van Veen James & Lucinda VerSteeg Elroy & Evalee Vesta Dale & Leanne Vesta David & Lynn Vettrus David & Crystal Veum Krisjohn & Lindsey Veum Victory LB Church Jason Walkup Les Watson Steve & Cynthia Whalen Andy & Margaret White Kaare & Turid Wick Arthur & Marion Wickstrom Rosalie Williamsen Jim & Cheryl Wold Richard & Oddny Wolderich Bette Woodburn Julie Ystebo Paul Ysteboe

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Stillwater, MN White Bear Lake, MN Fergus Falls, MN Moorhead, MN Fergus Falls, MN Eden Prairie, MN Fergus Falls, MN Fergus Falls, MN Fergus Falls, MN Underwood, MN Fergus Falls, MN Eugene, OR East Hartland, CT Moorhead, MN Mt. Bethel, PA Mt. Bethel, PA Island City, OR Fargo, ND Fergus Falls, MN Fargo, ND Jamestown, ND Jamestown, ND LeSueur, MN Edgerton, WI Fergus Falls, MN Fergus Falls, MN Blue Earth, MN Lehigh Acres, FL Brooklyn, NY Mt. Bethel, PA Esko, MN Pelican Rapids , MN Springfield, MO Laquey, MO Golden Valley, MN Cape Coral, FL Brooklyn, NY Rancho Palos Verdes, CA Vancouver, WA Fergus Falls, MN Fergus Falls, MN Fergus Falls, MN Minneapolis, MN St. Peter, MN Northridge , CA Rochester, MN Fergus Falls, MN Paradise Valley, AZ Burnsville, MN Roseville, MN Flanders, NJ Fergus Falls, MN Antler, ND Fergus Falls, MN East Hartland, CT Boca Raton, FL Foxhome, MN Mt. Bethel, PA Roxbury, NJ Mill Creek, WA Edina, MN Camino, CA Fergus Falls, MN Fergus Falls, MN Helena, MT Fergus Falls, MN Fergus Falls, MN Everett, WA Aitkin, MN Savage, MN Mission Viejo, CA Richfield, MN Fergus Falls, MN Sycamore, IL Watertown, MN Fegus Falls, MN Fergus Falls, MN Jamestown, ND Fergus Falls, MN Fergus Falls, MN Fullerton, CA Toccoa, GA Huntington Station, NY Fergus Falls, MN Medical Lake, WA Fergus Falls, MN Bangor, PA Rolling Hils, CA Moorhead, MN Kent, WA

MEMORIAL GIFTS Since the last issue Hillcrest Lutheran Academy has been honored to receive gifts in memory of several alumni and friends: Swanhild Aalgaard Ken Austin Lois Engebretson Anna Erickson Roger Fitzgerald Erik Fredriksen Dee Gilbertson

Valborg (Stenoien) Harvey Ruth Larson Lorraine Martinson Delores Sandberg Lorraine Simonson Gordon Stenoien Fred Ystebo

HILLCRESTCONNECTION 13

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CAMPUS NEWS

BY SOPHIA IVERSON '17

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Background: Students listen and take notes during the Axis presentation. Foreground: An Axis team member speaks to the student body.

CAMPUS NEWS

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In addition to addressing the entire student body, the Axis team spent time answering questions and exploring topics further with individual classes.

A stage stood in the middle of Hillcrest's historic gym washed with blue light and flanked by black curtains. A large screen hung 6 feet above, greeting students with the word “AXIS.” Students chattered, working to find friends to sit with. This setting caused many students to question assumptions they’ve made about the world. This is formations week at Hillcrest.

AXIS is a worldview ministry of Christian young adults who capture students’ attention. They want students to think critically about the answers they hear to some of life’s biggest questions. Their presentation explains the narrative that surrounds each worldview. They are using the fundamental elements of a story to explain worldview.

AXIS’ four presentations over two days is collectively titled Threads.

They walked students through a series of presentations showing everyone’s life holding the essential elements of a good story. Setting, character, plot, conflicts, climaxes, and resolution are terms students interacted with as AXIS meandered deeper into their presentation.

AXIS says the basic components of a story reflect the fundamental beliefs of people living out their life story.

Using movie clips and music as examples, AXIS explained the idea of a meta-narrative, or overarching story. They used narratives of movies to show that the worlds crafted by Hollywood have a connection to a larger story. These examples from popular culture show that everyone has a meta-narrative. Understanding the structure of a story, mixed with a sense that there is an overarching story to each view of the world, students began their deep dive into life issues with AXIS. Students saw through the presentation that they are surrounded by many different views of the world, and because Hillcrest has students from all over the world, many students have very different worldviews.

Periodic pauses throughout each of AXIS’ four presentations offered students time to take notes. AXIS is creative. They gave students a handbook and directed them to draw pictures that reflect the ideas of each worldview. The tapestry of images revealed an overarching explanation for students. They saw that there are two main worldviews working to eliminate God in society. Students scribbled down the names Modernism and Postmodernism.

Images of beakers and the atomic symbol filled in the blank titled "science" under modernism. Students learn that modern thought kicked God off his throne as they followed the story of modernism. Science and suspicion are king. Students saw modernism’s ultimate goal is progress, finding victory in winning. AXIS left students with an understanding that modernism leaves people empty, hopeless and wanting more.

As other worldviews were explained the problem of evil was introduced.

“Why is there evil?” is a question many have faced, either in evangelizing friends or wrestling with God themselves. Students sat in anticipation.

Their postmodern world doesn’t offer a structure for evil.

The AXIS team carefully showed how Christianity logically offers the best explanation to the problem of evil. The group explained how other worldviews are crafting a storyline explaining evil that is inconsistent or unbelievable with the storyline they’re following. Students started to see the logic of Christianity after AXIS offered that evil is the absence of good, the result of sin that started in the garden. Students began to see evil as mankind’s work to craft the world without God. The presentation overturned stones that some students hadn’t thought to look under.

AXIS closed their presentation on evil with a remedy. They said Jesus is the answer and the church is the hands and feet of Christ that work in the world. They note that the church takes cues from Jesus’ redemptive work on the cross and rising from the grave.

Through the two days AXIS was on campus students grew bold. They saw that AXIS isn’t afraid to deal with doubt. When the group visited Bible classes between presentations, students hit them with hard questions.

AXIS challenged students to ask their questions and dig deeper into what the students believe. AXIS believes doing this will help students’ faith grow deep, strengthening it for challenges ahead.

The last of the four presentations from AXIS walked students through the Gospel. Drawing cues from Tim Keller’s Prodigal God, AXIS used the parable as a capstone to explain the metanarrative of the Christian view of the world. Students saw brokenness in the world through the story, but understand the Gospel in a new way as the story turned to focus on Christ.

In the days following AXIS’ presentation teachers took to debriefing students. In Mr. Preston’s Philosophy and Religion class students wrestled with the topic of doubt. The classroom discussion revealed how God used AXIS to bring a sense of closure to some, where many felt if they have doubts it makes them a bad Christian. Students say they are learning to use their doubts for good, asking questions to find true answers. It is likely that some found the presentation annoying. Some said the two days AXIS presented were difficult because it caused them to think and forced uncomfortable thoughts. Regardless, this is the plight of education, calling students to think about reality, asking what they really believe to be true. And at Hillcrest, this type of education calls students to think differently than the world; focusing on God’s design and order and how it is more consistent with the natural world than any other view.

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CAMPUS NEWS

L-R: Thomas Martinson, Luke Bowman, Jacob Steinle, Hans Frank-Holzner, Daniel Preston

HILLCREST KNOWLEDGE BOWL GOES TO STATE COMPETITION Hillcrest students recognized at the Tri-College math competition awards cerermony.

HILLCREST TEAMS TAKE FIRST, SECOND AND FITH PLACE TROPHIES AT TRI-COLLEGE MATH COMPETITION A teacher approached a Hillcrest instructor at the Tri-College Math competition to say that his team's goal was to score higher than one Hillcrest student. The three Hillcrest teams competing in the Senior High division (grades 11-12) took first, second, and fifth places. Hillcrest took first place in the Beginning High School division (grades 9-10) as well.

The Tri-College Competition is written by the math departments of the colleges and universities in the Fargo-Moorhead community. Over 40 schools and 80 or more eight-student teams competed at each level.

Hillcrest students took top honors in the

team and individual competition. At the High School level, Anqi Wang (1st), Kelly Kim (2nd), Elaine Yi (3rd) took top honors.

Also in the top ten were Di Zhou, Joseph Ryu, J.J. Lee, and Sherry Xiao. At the Beginning High School level, Heejin Jeong placed 3rd and Eric Konynenbelt placed 4th.

Hillcrest’s teams hold an international flavor, consisting of American, Korean, Chinese, Russian, and Vietnamese students.

HLA sent 46 students to the competition this year. 2016 marks the ninth year in the last ten that Hillcrest has won first place for the Senior High division.

Hillcrest is sending its second team in two years to the state Knowledge Bowl meet, and this team is soaring into the competition.

The two meets leading up to the regional competition saw Hillcrest outscore opponents by 20+ points. An average score per round is 12, but Hillcrest’s top teams consistently score between 15 to 20 points, showing complete dominance in the field.

Thomas Martinson, Luke Bowman, Hans Frank-Holzner, Daniel Preston, and Jake Steinle will represent Hillcrest at the State meet April 13 and 14. The group of Juniors earned their second trip to state, but were unable to attend last year due to the Choir tour. This year the group will be able to stand in the state meet and compete.

HILLCREST ROBOTICS CO-OP RECEIVES TOP HONORS tion and various obstacles placed throughout the course challenged students in the design of the robot.

The robotics competition obstacle course, which simulated many mining activities.

Hillcrest's Robotics Club partnered with a group of homeschool students, and the preengineering class dominated the field of 34 schools that attended the 4th annual tristate BEST (Boosting Engineering Science and Technology) Robotics Competition.

After winning the regional competition, the teams focused on the tri-state competition. Teams from Minnesota, and North and South Dakota, developed a robot to work in a simulated mine. A height restric-

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Hillcrest moved into contention for top honors after dominating the presentation day where the group focused on salesmanship and communication in the design and process in creating their robot. Youtube videos and a team website are some of the many tools the group utilized to communicate their team to judges. The group won 1st place in the website competition and 3rd place in the Youtube video.

The preceding day brought Hillcrest's pepband to watch students Sam Stensrud and Levi Chase direct the robot through the series of obstacles. After driving around obstacles and completing tasks with the robots, the team approached the podium to claim 8 trophies and plaques. Among them was 2nd place in Spirit and Sportsmanship, thanks in large part to the cheering section and pepband that followed the robotics team.

The final competition placed an exclamation point on Hillcrest's first year partnership with the Central Lakes Robotics Club.

Hillcrest engineering instructor Armin Jahr is a lead mentor on the team, representing Hillcrest in the cooperative. Mr. Jahr directs Hillcrest's pre-engineering class to create and complete course design, robot template fabrication, and various other tasks that join in with the pre-engineering curriculum.

Clark Grotberg is a lead mentor from the homeschool cooperative who is a key player in the partnership for Hillcrest, providing important leadership for the group through his consistent Christ-like mentorship. The Central Lakes Robotics Club is a blessing to the Hillcrest students and community, made evident through the friendships formed throughout the course of the season.

AWARDS RECEIVED:

1st place in BEST award.

1st place in robot.

1st place in exhibit and interview.

1st place in engineering notebook.

Most Robust Robot.

CAMPUS NEWS

Chris and the team celebrate the new record following the game on January 26, 2016.

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Soccer coach Rod Jensen logged his 200th win during the 2015 season.

CHRISTOPHER TUNGSETH SETS NEW SINGLE-GAME SCORING RECORD FOR HLA

ROD JENSEN PADS WINNING RECORD

On January 26 Chris Tungseth scored 44 points, earning the Comets’ single game scoring record. Tungseth usurped previous record holder Scott Colbeck. Tungseth shot 65% for the night, making 9-of-14 threepointers and 5-of-6 free throws.

Outscoring opponents 106-6 in a single season is a pretty good clip for a coach.

Hillcrest Boys Soccer head coach Rod Jensen led his team to an 18-1 record this year. Jensen achieved his 200th career win this season, serving as the only boys soccer coach since the program started in 2002.

In his first season Jensen led Hillcrest to a 15-2-1 record. Jensen’s first victory with the Comets came against Detroit Lakes, the same team the Comets beat this year to earn Jensen his 200th win.

Colbeck’s record still carries weight at Hillcrest, earning 41 points his senior year in 1987 before the three point line was used in high school Basketball. Tungseth holds a high regard for Colbeck, telling a group of alumni, “I think Scott would have me beat no problem without the arc,” after Colbeck brought the Comet team a pack of gatorade to practice to celebrate with Tungseth and the Comets.

Scott Colbeck, the previous record holder, stopped by practice to congratulate Chris.

UNDEFEATED SEASON BRINGS 400TH CAREER WIN FOR COACH GREGG PRESTON Gregg Preston earned his 400th win after coaching since 1991. The 400th win came in the only game a Preston-coached team scored 100 pts. “I still love going to practice,” Preston said. “I’m probably enjoying it as much or even more as the first year I was here.”

The most memorable game for Coach Preston is the 1999 section final game versus Red Lake. The state’s top ranked team looked to roll over Hillcrest, but Preston notes that his team played a tremendous game that earned Preston his first trip to the State tournament where his team took second place.

Coach Preston counsels the team during a time-out huddle in their game vs. Waubun on December 10, 2015, Preston's 400th win.

Comet basketball experienced an undefeated regular season this year, only falling in the third round of playoff competition.

Jensen has coached players from nearly every continent while at Hillcrest. Students from Brazil, Australia, Norway, Korea, China, Africa, the Middle East and the United States have huddled around Jensen, who continues to guide students in prayer and present the Gospel winsomely to his players.

HANS HOLZNER QUALIFIES FOR STATE Junior Hans Holzner earned a state berth for crosscountry this year after finishing in 10th place at the section meet. His time of 17:30 was an impressive feat, earning 10th place and a trip to Min- Hans Holzner and coach, neapolis for the Jenny Mathiesen, at State state meet. He Cross-Country meet. knocked a shocking 27 seconds off his time at the state meet, running the 5000 meters in a personal best of 17:03. He placed 32nd in the state.

HILLCRESTCONNECTION 17

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MISSION

Dawn's Dominican Diary

DAWN SYNSTELIEN, HLA PARENT AND SUPPORT STAFF MEMBER, OFFERS HER PERSPECTIVE ON THE 2016 DOMINICAN REPUBLIC MISSION.

Day Two: Landing at the airport in Santa Domingo is vastly different from the one we left hours ago at JFK. We took off from the cement and skyscrapers of NYC and landed in a field surrounded by palm trees. I smell food I can't identify and the scent of something burning. I feel like I have been dropped into the middle of a new planet.

Day One:

Karina & Victoria

When my daughter, Victoria first talked of going on this mission trip to the Dominican Republic with her senior class, it was tempting for her Dad and I to pay the entire amount of the trip up front. I hate fundraisers, I dislike asking for money.

The air is hazy with smoke and humidity. Sweating commences. We wait in lines to have our passports glanced at and to claim our many bags. We stand at the edge of the street with our stuff, sweating profusely, ears bombarded by whistles shrieking, horns blaring, and men shouting.

Our transportation

But, we felt it was important for her to understand the full reality that is mission work--and raising support is a big part of what missionaries do. So we asked. And people responded in a humbling, and overwhelming fashion.

Today, as we load the bus in front of the Castle and I watch dozens of people taking photos and gathering around our group to express well-wishes, another thought creeps into my mind: Missionaries don’t go out alone. They are sent.

I watch parents embrace their sons and daughters. Parents who are doctors and carpenters, police officers, teachers, and pastors. There are also school staff, cousins, aunts and uncles and plenty of friends on hand for the send off. “God be with you-we’ll be praying” was the resounding message.

Once on the bus, we bounce along toward Minneapolis in high spirits. A girl in front of me watches a YouTube video and learns how to make friendship bracelets. Soon many of the kids are engrossed with the project, laughing and swapping colors--an activity that will surely come in handy once we are among the children.

I listen to the students’ chatter and think about the investment that was made, the “sending” that occurred so we could all be here and feel excited for all that God will do in and through us in the week ahead.

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’ ” — Romans 10:14-15

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MISSION

Leaving the airport we are sideswiped by a truck and off flies the side mirror. The kids cheer like we are in a demolition derby. I clutch my nephew's knee. Our bus rocks and sways until the driver gets it under control. All around us horns are used liberally and motorbikes dart in and out of traffic. It is pretty wild.

Our bus finally stops in front of the Mission House where we'll be staying for a week. Our neighborhood looks very similar to every other street. There are children and roosters crowing and dogs who don't seem to belong to anyone.

Our first meal at the mission house takes place at a long table with windows at either end that open into the street. There seems to be no hurry to get started with dinner. When we finally get around to eating the warm food is cold and the cold food is warm. We are served mashed plantains topped with sautéed onions, and fried spam with some kind of peanut sauce. The "salad" is room temperature slices of cooked carrots and potatoes with pickled onions.

When we finally get to bed our room is very hot and very noisy. There is a man preaching into a microphone across the street. It is like he is in the room with us. He yells his entire message in Spanish—for three hours. Loud merengue music, barking dogs, motors without mufflers, and people laughing completes the lullaby outside our window most of the night.

"Time " to eat

All day I have been thinking of the scripture that tells us we are just passing through, this world is not our home. Sometimes, it is good for us to get outside our places of comfort and familiarity so we are properly reminded of this eternal truth. The Dominican Republic is surely not my home. But neither is the US, or Minnesota, or Fergus Falls.

HEAVEN is my home.

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Day Three: Today is the day I fall in love with the Dominican Republic. It is hot. It is noisy. But, the people...the people are so wonderful.

We drink mango juice and strong coffee with canned milk before we are off to a church near the Ebenezer School in Santa Fe. The church is a cement and wood structure with open rafters above and a steel roof that allows you to see the sky in places. We start right off dancing and shouting, and sweating. I wish parents could see their shy, reserved children. Dancing their little hearts out—hands in the air, swaying and jumping and singing with all their might. I was reminded of David who danced before the Lord when the Ark of the Covenant was returned to Israel. He had nothing on this group of young Americanos.

It is easy to see how much these people love their children. They are not considered a nuisance, but a blessing. They are incorporated into every aspect of the service and they do so with great enthusiasm. Several of our teens share their testimonies through an interpreter. Then we pray over the children. They smile at us, not having a clue what is being said.

worship & testimony

Next, we split into three groups and go into the village to speak with the people. The children from church do not leave us. They follow us, taking turns holding our hands. The street is dirt. Skinny dogs that seem to belong to anyone hang out everywhere like part of a movie set. They aren't particularly interested in us. There are goats eating trash and chickens scurrying here and there. One hen is being chased by many fluffy babies. I identify with her at this moment.

The people in the houses along the roads do not give us the reception you'd expect in the States. If I saw a parade of people coming to my door I'd lock it and pretend to be away. Not so in the D.R.. People are mostly outside anyway, sitting in plastic chairs, enjoying the day.

When we come up to them they smile warmly.

Further away from the church building we see more and more people who did not attend the service. We ask them about their faith. Many of them say that they used to be Christians but that God has let them down and now they no longer believe. We are able to pray with some of them.

We see naked children playing in puddles. I pick up one little guy who can't be more than a year old. Motorbikes whiz by at random times and nobody seems too alarmed that there are babies playing in the street. Nobody gets run over or killed and I am glad.

Church is a big deal in these tiny villages and we Americanos are a novelty. Now, wherever we go, people shout and wave at us. The children hang off the sides of the bus so we can barely get away when we try to leave. We feel totally safe, though the men and boys are always watchful.

into the streets...

After two long church services and ministry in their communities, we get to eat. It is 10PM. We are served, pay attention, lasagna. MADE WITH MASHED PLANTAINS. I am not even kidding. It is pretty good. But when one of our guys discovered an older couple making and selling pizzas on the street, we grab our strange money and eat until we can't move. We sit on the pavement in the rain and eat pizza with corn on top, and it is heavenly.

Day Four: It rained during the night. Not a gentle drizzle, but a thundering downpour that hammered off metal roofs and woke me from a dead, sticky sleep. Since there is no glass or screens on the window, some of our team woke up wet. I would have imagined it would be cooler today having gotten so much moisture out of the atmosphere. Wrong. As soon as I am awake and moving, I am sweating.

HILLCRESTCONNECTION 19

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MISSION support comes from local Christian groups who bring them food and come regularly to minister to their needs.

When we arrived, people were lounging in the shade of a common area. We had brought staples--bags of rice and beans and bread--and came with hearts to bless these folks. We sang to them, held their hands, prayed for them.

Feeding the "least of these " Our first stop of the day takes us out to a poor village to conduct a service with children in an open air building of cement walls and a steel roof. The children are waiting for us when the bus pulls up. They cheer.

It comes to our attention that some of the children who've been sitting here all morning haven't had anything to eat all day. A couple of us walk perhaps 100 yards past very modest shacks to a "store" that is a ramshackle building with bars on the large open window/counter. A woman sells us two sacks of small square loaves of bread and a napkin full of some kind of buttery spread. We also purchase a five gallon jug of water, 6 envelopes of sweetened drink mix and a large bag of ice.

After our service, we feed all the children and mommies and babies buttered bread and pear-flavored Kool-aid. As we are handing out our meager lunch, I ask two of the students how it feels to feed Jesus.

They look at me as if they haven't heard me quite right. It IS hot, after all, and we are all increasingly saying heat-induced silly things. "The least of these--that's who we are feeding right now. Jesus said when we do that, we are feeding HIM. Plus," I continue, "Anyone who offers a cup of cold water to a child, is really blessing God." I am humbled by this revelation from my own mouth.

I notice a dog slinking along the edges of our group. It is hard to feel sorry for all the dogs in the D.R.. They are everywhere; sleeping on the sidewalks, trotting along the streets importantly as if taking themselves for walks. I can't stop seeing this particular dog. She is brown, nondescript, neither big nor small. What is most noticeable is how thin she is. I can see all her ribs. And she is a nursing mother. Her teats hang low and she watches every hand that moves to every mouth, hoping someone will drop something. I pull a granola bar out of my pack and toss her a chunk. She swallows it immediately. I throw another, thinking of puppies that will demand all she has when she returns. Jesus loved the faith of a woman once who said, "Even dogs get crumbs from the children's table." It was a small, even foolish thing to do. I didn't care. This is a harsh place, and even dogs suffer the curse of a broken world.

Day Five: Yesterday, after I sent my last post, we spent time with some Dominican Haitians. Our first stop was at a nursing home where about 30 people live.

These are mostly Haitians who spent their lives working in the sugar cane fields and, too old to work and with no family to care for them, find their home here. There is no government subsidy to supplement their care. All

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MISSION

From there, we traveled back to the mission compound, showered, and headed up to a Haitian church that was seriously in the middle of nowhere. The bus took us as far as it was able and we walked the rest of the way, perhaps a quarter mile, in pitch darkness over a stony path that may have once been a road.

We passed many houses where people sat outside in chairs in the dark. I clung to the arm of one of our boys and felt slightly alarmed at the remoteness of our location and wondered what we would find when we got there. The church in this Haitian village was made of 4x8 sheets of plywood nailed to studs and covered with corrugated steel. The windows were just open frames, no glass or screen. Most people in the US have garages that are far fancier than this.

Day Six:

Today is Easter Sunday and we are worshipping with our Dominican and Haitian family. First there was a long time of singing and dancing, of course. Then we all take communion together. I start to cry when I hear the pastor read from his Spanish Bible, "On the night he was betrayed, Jesus took bread and said-Take, eat, this is my Body broken for you." The tears roll hot and steady and unbidden until my shoulders shake with quiet sobs.

Despite language barriers, the Haitians and Dominicans we have been spending time with share something precious in common with us. Jesus. Our troubled world yearns so much for unity but unity can never come through politics, economics, education.

We will never be unified in race or culture or government. This unity can only come through Christ and his finished work on the cross that we celebrate today. Oh, how we need him!

Those of us with much, those of us with so little--it is all meaningless apart from the eternal perspective we can get from the one who created us all. "To our God we lift up one voice, to our God we lift up one song, to our God we lift up one voice, singing Hallelujah," we sang both in English and Spanish. Never have words to a song meant so much to me.

After an Easter dinner of fried chicken and French fries, we loadup for a trip to an orphanage for disabled children in Santa Fe. Nothing could have prepared us for what we experience here.

Many children call this place home. They are the discarded members of the Dominican society--some of them found in trash cans or abandoned in the streets. There is a four month-old boy with Down's syndrome who was the most recent addition to the Casa de Luz family.

Our students interact with the many children of all ages, pushing their wheelchairs out into the sun, combing their hair, or simply holding their hands. We present the staff with a gift of money we brought along and pray for them. One student prays, "O God,

MISSION

Debrief:

bless these women who care for these children who are made in Your image. Bless these children that you love so dearly until we see them running and playing in heaven."

We have a hard time getting our kids back on the bus. There are many, many tears at our goodbye. For a day meant for much celebration in the church, our day today was one of many shed tears. The reality of how desperately we all need God has never been more real. He is RISEN! This is Esperanza, HOPE for all the people. We have much to be thankful for that He chooses us to share His love with others.

It would make an interesting study to examine the interpersonal relationships of those who go through a life-changing event together. You begin as friendly strangers. Everyone has their own every thing. You are polite and give generous space to one another. But after a week outside your comfort zone, you are practically swapping toothbrushes, shamelessly discussing digestive functions, and cracking the code of one another’s body language. You share drinks. You share ice cream. You sweat all over one another and kill large bugs for your friends.

It’s what you do. When taken out of what is familiar, it’s amazing how much we can learn to depend on the strength of adjoining members of Christ’s body.

"Olympic trials"

Day Seven: We roll out at 7am today and eat the Dominican's favorite breakfast--something called Johnny Kay-Kay, which is a flat piece of fried bread dough. There is also hard-boiled eggs, sliced salami of some kind, and fresh fruit. We have to be at a public school by eight and we arrive through the gate of their compound to find them already lined up and ready for their flagraising ceremony.

Our last night in the D.R. was a celebration of “Lasts.”

One by one, we went around the room and talked about events and moments that changed our lives during the past week and none of us were in a hurry for it to be over. Students and teachers, chaperones and interpreters, Americans and Dominicans, we poured out our hearts sharing laughter and tears equally. One teacher retold the story of Jesus with Peter, James and John on the Mount of Transfiguration. Peter was so charged up about being in the presence of Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, he suggested setting up tents to prolong the experience. But, it had to end.

They had climbed up the mountain, were privileged to see God’s miraculous work, and now they had to go down. “God does not call us to live on the mountains,” the teacher said. “But to take what we see there and bring it to the people in the valley.”

They sing their national anthem, and we sing ours. Then we are divided into groups and get to join the high school students in their classrooms.

Our students are able to speak to the Dominican students through interpreters and they all are able to ask questions about each other's school and hobbies and interests. It is fun to hear how much they had in common and, though things are off to a bit of a stiff start, by the end, everyone is laughing. Before leaving there is a rousing round of volleyball, America vs the Dominican Republic. All shyness is gone now and the gloves of decorum come off. I feel like we are at the Olympic trials. Students from both schools cheer on their teams and there is a lot of laughing. As we are packing up to go, we ask anyone who would like a Spanish Bible to come and talk to us. We run out of Bibles in minutes. Addresses, emails, and Facebook contact information is exchanged and everyone is all smiles as we part. Doors are miraculously opening up for Hillcrest to do more and more visits in school and even universities in upcoming trips. We marvel at what God is doing.

21

I sat next to a student on the bus one day who was thinking some of these same thoughts. She said, “I feel like everything we have learned so far at Hillcrest--in our Bible classes and in Worldview has all been leading up to this...like this is a test. This is where we put into practice all the stuff we’ve only heard about. Here is where we start to live it out.”

Casa de Luz

Haitian church

Today is a day of travel and a day of good-byes. Last night, we spent hours talking, laughing and crying as we shared what God had done in OUR hearts in the past week. Get ready, people-these teens are coming HOME and they have things to say! Ask them about their trip and get ready to see things more amazing that I could even write about. God bless you for joining us on our journey both in financial support and in prayer. God is good! Dios es Bueno!!

A lump fills my throat today with only a few weeks until this senior class dons their red caps and gowns and marches across the stage to receive their high school diplomas. This is what they were born to do: Leave home. This is what we raised them for: To fly away as arrows and impact the world for Jesus Christ. This is where they scatter, even as the early disciples did. Watching them in action in the D.R. has filled me with such confidence in this generation of young believers, especially this HLA Graduating Class of 2016.

I am reminded of Jesus and His disciples and how they had bonded after their years together and all they had seen and heard. The church will soon celebrate Pentecost which marked the beginning of the dispersion of those who would bring Good News to the ends of the earth. The last words Jesus spoke to his beloved friends as he left them are timeless and ring ever true today.

“I’ve received all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you. Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age.” — Matt 28:18-20 The mission has not changed; the command remains whatever path each of us may take in life. So, HLA Mission Team, you’ve been equipped through the teaching of God’s Word and the example of mentors in the faith to Live and Learn...now--GO! The world is waiting.

HILLCRESTCONNECTION 21

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CURRENT

liberAL - vs -

Conservative Whose Definition?

BY SOPHIA IVERSON '17

22

CURRENT

CURRENT

THE CURRENT

23

ISSUE 05 | APRIL

WHAT IS THE CURRENT? The Current is a publication of Hillcrest Academy's journalism department designed to analyze and address the complex issues students are engaging with in class and culture.

The article below is reprinted from the April 2016 issue.

LIBERAL S AND CONSER VATIVES AL FACE A POLITIC DEFINIT ION PAGE 2

TRAFFIC KMORE HUMAN RISE AUDREY SEES ING IS ON THE NOCLEARL Y AFTER AND FEW ARE FINDING GOD IN TICING SOME DARK PLACES PAGE 3

PAGE 4&5

D DEATH MARCHE NEXT TO STUDEN TS IN THE DOMINIC AN REPULIC PAGE 7

ABORTIO N WORKER WALKS UP AFTER WAKING

PAGE 8

THE CURRENT | 1

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is hailed by many liberals as a highlight of liberalism. However, many are seeing that the ACA, known as ObamaCare, is actually opposed to true liberalism. Some are realizing the conflict, while many are saying that there is danger in allowing popular culture to define liberal and conservative movements in this political season.

Liberal professor Tony Judt of New York University gives a classic definition of liberal. “A liberal is someone who opposes interference in the affairs of others; who is tolerant of dissenting attitudes and unconventional behavior.” Judt provided the defition in a recent dissent from ObamaCare.

He went on to share that ObamaCare restricts people from creating space with healthcare. He says the ACA takes away individual's freedom of being an individual. He points out that the ObamaCare empowers federal officials to tell doctors, patients, hospitals, and insurance companies how to medically care for individuals. Judt is frustrated because policies coming from self-ascribed liberals are causing restrictions on individuals, which isn't a liberal concept.

With elections approaching in a few months students are growing more attune to the political process. Presidential candidates going through the primary process are vetted on how well they represent their party, and as Socrates said, “The unexamined life isn't worth living.” The same goes for political parties. Students today need to move beyond the moniker of a political party and realize that the unexamined belief isn't worth believing. In order to belong to a political party, or decide which one best represents a student, it is essential to examine the true meaning of the words that define the parties, as well as what the parties have actually turned into.

The current political structure operates with primarily two parties, the true definition of these two have been contorted and misunderstood.

The definition of a conservative shows a specific focus on conserving the time tested truths the nation is built upon.

A defition of liberal shows a unique emphasis on freedom from tradition and authority, showing itself favorable to progress or reform.

Today, people calling themselves conservative highlight individual responsibility while limiting government control. In a sense, they believe the government's job is to provide people the freedom necessary to pursue the goals of the citizens. In contrast, many liberals believe in government action, claiming it's the duty of the government to guarantee that no one is in need.

But according to its definition, the classical liberal is the current conservative of today. Liberalism started

as an idea to liberate people, seen best in the liberating document of the Declaration of Independence. The founders sought to liberate mankind by evading the government and political processes of England and France in a new pursuit of freedom.

George Washington, a founder in America's plight to liberate mankind, said in his 1796 Presidential farewell address that the American people are facing dangers in political parties.

He warned the nation that elected officials will grow more concerned with maintaining their own party's control over their rivals, rather than serving the interests of the people.

Our nation's forefather's fear is coming true.

In a letter George Washington sent to the states in 1783, after the War for Independence, he cast a vision that the nation was not, “laid in the gloomy age of ignorance and superstition,” but at a high point when we had a better understanding of the rights of mankind. America's forefathers looked at history, and used the wisdom of philosophers, sages and legislatures to be, “applied in the establishment of our forms of Government."

"The foundation of our empire was not laid in the gloomy age of Ignorance and Superstition, but at an Epocha when the rights of mankind were better understood and more clearly defined."

-George Washington When the United States was created, the rights of mankind were understood, along with the sinful nature of mankind.

The Government was established with checks and balances, laid out in the Constitution and Bill of Rights, to ensure that in the future the nation would hold fast to what has been carefully placed as the foundation. George Washington is saying that in the formation of the new country they were doing something very liberal, however the work was wholly conservative. According to Washington, conservative ideas allow for mankind to live liberally.

The United States government isn't perfect, and political parties have faults. Neither government nor political parties can save society. Conservative ideas, visions of holding fast to the principles set as the foundation for mankind, do not grant freedom. Liberal ideas of being creative and free to reform, are not going to liberate man from the trappings of sin in the world.

Freedom can't be found in society, in government or in political parties. Humans are in need of saving, but humanity can't save itself. A drowning man doesn't use his own hand to pull himself out of dangerous waters. Mankind is lost, and the only solution is Christ, not a political party.

Jesus Christ came to bring us true freedom, he is the only one who can save.

HILLCRESTCONNECTION 23

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PROFILE

MICHAEL LEVANG

BY WAYNE STENDER '02

CREDITS CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Michael Levang kicked dew off pockets of grass sprouting between rocks. Hillcrest’s lawn tractor was an arm’s length away. The trailer behind the tractor was filling with baseball sized rocks tossed by Michael, and a host of others, clearing the future site of Hillcrest’s football field. Michael’s gaze through the humid morning air saw two buildings faintly in the distance. The Hillcrest steeple and Bethel Church housed staff who would change his life forever.

“We had church and we had school, and we were held accountable,” Michael said, thinking back to what guided him and his friends away from trouble. “That community was really key.” Michael is a 1995 graduate from Hillcrest, and is now a vice principal at Park Christian School in Moorhead, Minnesota.

He said his time at Hillcrest helped him understand the impact Christians living out their faith in school can have.

24 PROFILE

Michael’s first experience at Hillcrest happened in the early months of life. He said his first moments at Hillcrest were as a newborn, likely in a humid gym where Bill Colbeck stood over a huddle of Hillcrest Comets.

Glancing down the bench, Coach Colbeck likely saw in Michael a future Comet who would receive a view of what Christian education should look like thanks to the influence of Hillcrest’s faculty and staff. The infant Levang would reflect the values and passions he saw at Hillcrest, and as a newborn Michael was immersed in the culture of the school.

Michael’s first steps as a toddler transitioned naturally from his living room to the front hall at Hillcrest, where shaky stumbles turned into shuttle runs between his parents’ offices. Hobnobbing in the main hallway led to a unique affinity for the staff. “As a kid I had a shirt that said, ‘Property of Coach

Risbrudt.’ That’s all I ever wanted to be. All I ever wanted to be was a Comet.”

Frequent gatherings of staff and faculty in his home led Michael to see his parent’s coworkers as faith leaders. “You get to see the genuine full scope of their life,“ Levang said, identifying the difference in public school teachers versus Hillcrest staff. “I honestly think I had my application in for Hillcrest as a 6th grader.”

Through Michael’s high school years he was transformed from boy to young man by a number of Hillcrest staff. He remembers sitting in Mr. Undseth’s classroom, playing basketball for Mr. Preston, and finally wearing red and white on the field he cleared years earlier. His grade school shirt didn’t fit right when he finally became property of Coach Risbrudt. It didn’t matter to him. Wearing Comet colors did more for Michael than he

PROFILE

Michael Levang stands in the gymnasium of Park Christian School, where he serves as Vice Principal. and continued his faith formation. He notes that the culture at Hillcrest created a natural channel for him in Grand Forks. “All the Biblical knowledge and all the Christian encouragement to live a life worthy of Christ could be applied at UND.” He plugged into Campus Crusade for Christ with a host of Hillcrest friends who flocked to UND. During a college break Michael found himself on a sofa in the home of a former teacher.

With plate full of finger foods Michael looked around. He saw a lot of people God used in his life. He was sentimental. “The Prestons

25

ing, working to make a spiritual imprint on his public school campus, while respecting his superiors. While pursuing a Master’s degree for school administration Michael conducted an active learning exercise. The experience was an inside look at how he worked to be evangelical in the public school.

Students entering Michael’s classroom found, “You’ve been prayed for today” written on the board. “I actually got complained about, I think by another staff member,” Michael said, explaining how he revisited the exercise with his Principal in light of the complaints. “I actually changed it to, ‘you’ve been thought for today,’ and it sounded awkward, but all the kids knew what was going on.” Michael took definitive steps to be a Christian light on his public school campus, often introducing himself as a Christian. He said that people simply knew he was follower of Jesus based on his choices and his language.

“Every year I would teach a religion unit, and I was the go-to-expert for all the other teachers,” Michael said, explaining how his platform expanded as he honored his superiors.

“A whole day I would give the historical flow of Genesis to Mohammad. And a lot of that is just Hillcrest, foundational beliefs of understanding the Old Testament, fully. And really

Michael Levang and Heidi Peterson present Principal Colbeck with a plaque commemorating the gymnasium fund set up in memory of Joy Colbeck. studying the Old Testament through different Bible classes, more fully than just your Sunday school lessons.” could’ve imagined as a freckle-faced boy. He was out-growing his small image of Hillcrest.

Daily devotions turned into indepth lessons on the impact of faith in everything. Michael heard how religion guided world history.

Sitting in Mr. Undseth’s class, Michael saw the importance of literature and studying English, something that would drive him to deeper Bible study later in life. Through all this, Michael's focus wasn’t the classroom.

He yearned for the lessons gained on the sports field. Immediate success back-toback with immediate failure forged a foundation of character through Christian coaching. This character would come through in future challenges.

After receiving his diploma, Michael went to the University of North Dakota (UND)

and the Undseths and the Colbecks and the Selvigs, all the teachers and staff of Hillcrest, it finally just sank in.” What sank in for Michael was a call away from meteorology. He felt called to teaching because of the influence of his Hillcrest teachers.

“I felt almost as though my call to public education was that, I get to be a staple teacher. I get to be the Mr. Preston of this public school.”

Michael redirected his career path when we returned to UND. He sensed a new call, one that reflected his upbringing. Except, Michael saw himself in a public school. “I wanted to be evangelical in that environment.”

Michael bounced around in Minneapolis after graduating, landing in new shoes as a 7th and 8th grade history teacher in Apple Valley. He continued his education while teach-

Michael also worked to show illogic in the world. He explained concepts without God in the public school, drawing students to a point of cognitive dissonance. In these moments, questions would come from thoughtful students that enabled him to give a Biblical perspective. Some of his favorite examples are explaining the role of the family and traditional marriage.

Michael also worked as a youth group leader while he taught. “I felt like I was a youth group teacher teaching social studies.” Michael sought to give students support for what they saw in the public school. “I wanted them to get to that Biblical truth...I wanted to prepare them for the questions they couldn’t answer.” For a decade Michael served both groups. “I wanted them to be able to raise Continued on back cover...

HILLCRESTCONNECTION 25

26

PROFILE

CROSSING CULTURES NHI NGUYEN'S STORY

BY ALYSSA SHILSON '16 Nhi's life changed at Hillcrest. Walking these historic halls Nhi built life-long friendships, uncovered her self-worth, and accepted Jesus as her Savior.

In the summer of 2012 Nhi surfed the internet for a boarding school. When the Hillcrest banner popped up Nhi knew she wanted to attend. She carefully filled out the application and nervously interviewed with the director of admissions, Wayne Stender. When Nhi received a letter from Hillcrest in the mail, her heart dropped as she read it. The letter explained that she could not attend Hillcrest because her knowledge of English was insufficient.

Undeterred, Nhi found another school in America. She set learning English as her number one goal. Her desk quickly piled high with reading and writing textbooks and she made the most of every opportunity to speak and practice English.

When she applied to Hillcrest for a second time, the letter in the mail contained a much different message. Her hard work paid off and Hillcrest welcomed Nhi into the student body.

Nhi's first year in the Castle started quietly. She stayed in the shadows, keeping her comments to herself. Her fear of speaking English stopped her from reaching out. But the people at Hillcrest took Nhi under wing, making her feel at home. "The people care about me, love me," Nhi explains. Through the kindness of students and staff at Hillcrest Nhi says she began feeling confident in herself and loved by everyone around her.

In her junior year Nhi began an inner argument that would reshape her world eternally. The constant discussion of God and Jesus made her question her Buddhist faith, the main religion in Vietnam. She heard the Gospel message at Hillcrest.

For the first time she saw God's love and acceptance for all people. Her heart was tugged as God called to her.

Nhi says she felt Matthew 7:7 giving her directions to search for God. Her ears started listening intently during chapel and class devotion times. Her eyes sped over Scripture.

Nhi developed a close bond with an American student and Mr. Peterson. The friendship opened doorways for a Bible study that transformed Nhi’s life. Meeting after school, Nhi asked questions of her close friends, probing for answers and intensely searching for God. God revealed Himself to Nhi in her pursuit for Christ. Nhi boldly proclaims the Good News in Jesus Christ. She thrives in Hillcrest’s Bible classes and looks forward to her personal devotion times. Her friends say she possesses a caring nature that models Christian love for girls in the dorms.

"God wanted me to come to Hillcrest," Nhi testifies. "He wants us to know Him and become part of His family. Hillcrest has shown me that. Before Hillcrest, I did not feel confident. I always felt so stupid. But now I know that God thinks I'm not stupid. I am a good person. I am confident...I don't care if people talk about me. Hillcrest is my small family."

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PROFILE

SCENES

27

www.ffhillcrest.org/academicstory 1

3

www.ffhillcrest.org/missionstory

www.ffhillcrest.org/faithstory 2 www.ffhillcrest.org/athleticstory 4

This edition of Scenes celebrates five essential elements of any Hillcrest Experience: Academics, Faith, Friends, Mission & Athletics.

Visit the links online to read the stories behind each photo.

1 HLA inducted twenty-one students into the National Honors Society this spring. 2 Spiritual formations day panel discussion with Hillcrest's female students on finding their identity in Christ. 3 The 2016 musical tour group prays for the work of church planter, Erick Sorensen, and Epiphany Lutheran Church in New York City. 4 The Hillcrest boys basketball team greets elementary students at Morning Son Christian School after having the opportunity to speak to them in Chapel. 5 Praying for one another strengthens the bonds of friendship during Prayer Day.

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www.ffhillcrest.org/friendstory

HILLCRESTCONNECTION 27

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ALUMNI NEWS

REUNITING

At The Castle

GRADUATION & ALUMNI WEEKEND 2016

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES Friday, May 27 - Sunday, May 29, 2016 Friday, May 27 7:00pm

All-School Concert

Bethel Lutheran Church

8:00pm Alumni & Friends Reception Student Union

Enjoy coffee and dessert in the Student Union with HLA leadership and fellow alumni & friends.

Saturday, May 28 10:00am Alumni Brunch &

Class Photos RSVP Requested, $12/person HLA Student Activities Center Registration @ 9:30am

The Alumni Brunch is integrated into grad weekend as an ideal gathering place for alumni of all ages. Enjoy a great meal and short program featuring singing, videos, and the Alumnus of the Year presentation. All HLA and LBS alumni and their families are welcome, regardless of reunion year. Cost for the brunch is $12/person.

Register online at www.ffhillcrest.org/brunch or call 218-737-6413

12:00pm Guided Campus Tours

RSVP Requested or Pre-Scheduled with Reunion Classes If you haven’t been back to the Hillcrest campus lately, you’re in for a treat. Over the last two decades, several desperately-needed renovations and building projects have enabled the Castle to continue serving its purpose as a school and home for new generations of students. This may 28

ALUMNI NEWS

HILLCRESTACADEMY

REUNIONS

also be your first chance to see the new Student Union. A lot has changed, but we think you’ll find that the old Hillcrest charm is still very much alive.

4:30pm

Senior Honors Banquet

6:30pm

Senior Class Night

By Invitation Only to Seniors and Parents HLA Student Activities Center

HLA Student Activities Center

Come celebrate and hear from the Hillcrest Class of 2016. Open to all.

Sunday, May 29 10:00am Baccalaureate & Commencement HLA Student Activities Center

Golden Alumni (Class of 1966) will have reserved seating and receive special recognition during Commencement.

12:30pm Traditional Singing

of Class Song HLA Front Steps

Following the Commencement receiving line, the Class of 2016 will gather together one last time on the HLA front steps to sing their class song.

1:00pm

President’s Reception

Student Union

Enjoy light refreshments in the Student Union with fellow alumni and outgoing HLA President Steve Brue. It will be a personal opportunity to express your gratitude and best wishes, as he completes 25 years of faithfully serving Hillcrest as Art Instructor, Campus Pastor, Principal and President.

WE CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU

Back At The Castle!

May 27-29, 2016

ALUMNI NEWS

Rev. Harland Helland served in the LBS Alumni Office from 1984 - 1986.

seminary and in August of 1956 they moved to their first parish in Antler, ND.

Rev. Harland Orlando Helland (H'50, S'56), age 87, of Fergus Falls, went home to be with the Lord Friday evening, September 5, 2014 at the Sanford North Broadway Campus in Fargo.

In 1958 while still serving Antler, they began a Bible study in Minot, ND. In 1959 they moved to Minot, ND to launch and serve Our Redeemers Lutheran Brethren Church. During the summer of 1962 they joined the group in Lynwood, WA to start and serve Maple Park Lutheran Brethren Church.

Harland was born in Faribault, MN on April 3, 1927, to Oscar and Hattie Helland. He was baptized and confirmed at Bethany Lutheran Brethren Church in Kenyon, MN. He attended country school in Kenyon, MN until the 8th grade. He then worked for his uncle Henry Walker, until he was eighteen.

In the summer of 1968 Harland, together with the assistance of Mabel, accepted the call to be director of Home Missions for the Church of the Lutheran Brethren, positions they held until 1984. The family moved to Bothell, WA where they attended Marysville Lutheran Brethren Church. In the fall of 1973, while still serving as director of Home Missions, the family purchased and moved to the family farm at 1636 South Union. They also served at Landstad Lutheran Church in Perley, Minnesota from 1979 to 1986.

In 1945 the family purchased and moved to the farm at 1636 South Union in Fergus. In the fall of 1945 Harland resumed, at the age of 18, his schooling at Hillcrest Academy, graduating in 1950. In the fall of 1950 Harland attended Concordia College in Moorhead for one year and continued his college education at three other colleges over the next four years. In the fall of 1951 Harland begin attending Lutheran Brethren Seminary in Fergus Falls. Harland accepted the call to be Youth Pastor at 59th St. Lutheran Brethren Church, Brooklyn, NY in the summer of 1952.

In June of 1954 Harland and Mabel Helland were united in marriage at 59th St. Church creating the ministry team of Harland and Mabel for the next 60 years. They returned to Fergus Falls in 1954 where Harland continued his seminary training at Lutheran Brethren Seminary. In June of 1956 Harland graduated from Lowell N. Endrud (H'66) died in his home surrounded by his family on February 25th, 2016 in Buxton, ND after a 5-year battle with cancer.

Lowell was born on June 17, 1948 in Mayville, ND to his parents, Theodore and Milla Endrud.

Lowell was a graduate of the last graduating class of Wold #2 Country School. He attended Mayville High School and graduated from Hillcrest Lutheran Academy in 1966. He atLowell Endrud tended Mayville State University as well as North Dakota State University. After serving 6 years in the Air National Guard he began farming fulltime with his father Theodore. His brother Glenn moved back to the farm and they enjoyed 43 years of farming together. Lowell also greatly enjoyed getting out of raising dairy cattle.

In 1985 Lowell married Barbara Rodning. They had 2 children, and lived on the farm in Buxton, ND. Lowell passed along his love of farming to his son, and his love of history and reading to his daughter. Lowell’s Christian faith was the most

In 1984 Harland accepted the role of Alumni Director for the Lutheran Brethren, in which Mabel was his assistant. In 1986 Harland accepted the position to be Chaplain of the Broen Home where he served until 2002. From 2002 to 2004 they served at Sunshine Lutheran Brethren in Holiday, FL. In 2009 they served Desert Rose Lutheran Brethren Church in Tempe, AZ. He loved spending time with his grandchildren at the fairs and camps. Harland also enjoyed attending the Dalton Thresherman's Reunion, classic cars, gardening, farming, drinking coffee with family and friends, singing duets with his wife, and spreading God’s word. They were also the owners of Hilltop Gardens. important thing in his life. He enjoyed being involved in church as a trustee, Sunday school teacher, & youth leader, as well as singing groups.

The last few years he greatly enjoyed attending the Men’s Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) in Fargo, and the friendships he made there. “When you die, that does not mean that you lose to cancer.

You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and in the manner in which you live,” – Stuart Scott.

Lowell lived every word of that quote.

Lois Darlene (Haverly) Engebretson (H'45), 89, died February 3, 2016 at Broen Home.

She was born January 5, 1927 to William and Della (Forbord) Haverly in Granite Falls, MN. She grew up on the family farm by Green Lake of Spicer, MN until they moved to Fergus Falls so the children could attend Lutheran Brethren Schools. Lois graduated from Hillcrest Academy in 1945 and also attended Bible School there.

Lois Engebretson

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IN MEMORY She met Herman Engebretson in 1946 and they were married on May 24, 1949. As pastor's wife, she served alongside Herm in Lutheran Brethren churches of Westby, Wisconsin; Lake Mills, IA; Mayville/Galesburg, ND; Staten Island, NY; West Union, IA; and Clearbrook, MN. Lois was a wonderful homemaker with great hospitality.

She enjoyed gardening, canning, baking, and playing Five Straight and Mexican Train with family and friends.

Lois with Herman retired in 1989 to Fergus Falls. They became members of Bethel Lutheran Church. After 55 years of marriage, Herm passed away and Lois moved into Sheridan House and later received care at Alcott Manor and Broen Home.

Anna Jewell Erickson, 8 years, daughter of HLA alumni Matt (H'93) and Martha (Grundyson H'94) Erickson, Nairobi, Kenya/ Minneapolis, died Sunday, December 27, 2015, at Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya after suffering a fall on Christmas day.

Anna was born July 17, 2007 to Matt and Martha (Grundyson) Erickson in Saint Louis Park, MN. Anna lived her first Anna Erickson 6 years in Minneapolis and the last 2 1/2 years in Nairobi, Kenya, where she attended West Nairobi School and Rosslyn Academy. Anna was everyone's best friend. She was kind, tenderhearted, inclusive and showed dignity to others around her. Anna was also very generous. Her greatest joy was in giving, whether it was notes expressing her love or sharing food with those in need.

Anna loved Jesus and learning about the Bible.

Anna loved gymnastics and tried hard to keep up with her older siblings in soccer. She was growing in her love for basketball and was excited that she could now get the ball over the rim by shooting granny-style shots. She loved doing crafts with her big sister Karisa and pretending she was a teacher.

Her younger sister Liesl loved to be her student as Anna recreated the lessons she experienced from her own school. During a trip back home to the US with all of her family except her Daddy she cried because she knew she would be away from him for 2 weeks then later celebrated when they missed their flight so she could be with him for one more day. She was often found only a few feet from her Mommy following her wherever she went. Anna loved her family and her grandparents and her many cousins. She will be incredibly missed by all who knew her.

Erik Fredriksen (H'04) of Schroon Lake, NY and formerly of Mahopac, passed away on Wednesday, January 20th at the age of 29. He was born in Carmel, NY, the son of Howard and June(Anderson)

HILLCRESTCONNECTION 29

30

ALUMNI NEWS

MEMORIALS CONTINUED Fredriksen. Erik graduated from Hillcrest Lutheran Academy, Fergus Falls, MN in 2004 and earned his Bachelor's degree from SUNY Plattsburgh in 2008.

Erik Fredriksen

Erik is survived by his parents, his three brothers Scott, Mark, and Glenn(Angela), and his niece Hailey.

Delores (Erickson) Sandberg (H'45), 88, of Fergus Falls, died peacefully on Saturday, November 21, 2015, at Lake Region Hospital.

Delores Elaine Erickson was born on March 31, 1927 in Fergus Falls, MN, the daughter of Daniel A. and Esther (Vall) ErickDelores Sandberg son. She attended school in Fergus Falls, graduating from Hillcrest Lutheran Academy in Fergus Falls.

She attended Deaconess School of Nursing in Minneapolis, where she received her Registered Nursing diploma in 1948.

She married Duane N. Sandberg at Ebenezer Lutheran Brethren Church in Minneapolis on August 28, 1948, and they were blessed with two daughters.

The family lived in several places over the years, including Fergus Falls, Bismarck, ND, Syracuse, NY, Columbus, OH, eventually settling in Eugene, OR for over thirty years, where they helped start a Lutheran Brethren Church. Aside from raising

Swanhild Aalgaard served as a HLA faculty member and Dean of Women in 1950.

Swanhild ("Swanie") Marie Aalgaard (H'43) was born November 14, 1925, to Oswald and Gudrun Aalgaard, at Cooperstown, North Dakota. Because her mother was sometimes ill, and her father died when Swanie was eight years old, she spent many of her childhood years at her grandfather, T.T. Fuglestad's home, near Cooperstown. During her working days, she was a legal secretary in Fergus Fall, MN; a stenographer in New York City; a speech and English teacher, and Dean of Girls at Hillcrest Academy, in Fergus Falls; a speech and English teacher in New York Mills, MN and Roosevelt Senior High School, in Fergus Falls. She was a high school counselor in a Chicago suburb

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the family, Delores worked as a registered nurse.

In 1991, Delores and Duane retired, returning to the Sandberg family farm near Underwood, MN. Following Duane's death in 1998, Delores moved into Fergus Falls, where she has since lived.

In her spare time, Delores enjoyed gardening, reading, and traveled many places, including Germany, Norway, Alaska, and Canada. This past summer, Delores traveled with her younger sister to visit their sisters in Minnesota and Michigan.

Having a strong, personal faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ, she served Him faithfully her whole life.

Her ministries included sending greeting cards for all occasions, was a Broen Home volunteer, Deaconess and pianist at many of the churches she was involved in, and was Chaplain of the Gideon's International in Fergus Falls.

She loved her family and will be dearly missed.

Morris I. Vold (S'56), age 95, died at the Veterans Home in Fergus Falls, MN on April 18, 2016.

He was born in Osseo, WI on March 11, 1921, to Hans and Bertha (Hadland) Vold, recent immigrants from Norway.

He was raised on a dairy farm and at an early age worked as a farm hand. Following two years in the Civilian Conservation Corps, and two years herding sheep in Montana, Morris joined the Army Air Force in September 1941. After graduation from the Air Corps School in Denver, Co he was stationed at Napier Field in Alabama and Elgin Field in Florida. In December 1943, he was transferred to the 303rd Bomb Group in England and served there until the end of World War II. Upon returning to the United States he married Lorraine L. Olson in Eau Claire, WI on July 28, 1945. Following his discharge from the armed from 1958-1960. In 1960 she came to Minneapolis. She served as a high school counselor in Independent School District 281 (Robbinsdale) for twenty-five years, before she retired in 1985. Swanie loved the outdoors. She especially enjoyed "birding" and flower gardening.

She loved to travel. She was an amateur photographer, and several of her pictures were published. She loved to read, so not surprisingly, she was the Ebenezer Church librarian from 1964 to 2004. She also enjoyed writing. She wrote the Fuglestad family history, Though the Mountains Depart, published in 1977. In 1994 she updated the family history and family tree, and published that updated version. For several years she wrote, "Jottings," published in the Faith and Fellowship. She was also, for a time, the editor of the Ebenezer Newsletter.

However, she felt her chief ministry was in letter writing. She especially enjoyed writing to missionaries. She passed away in Minneapolis, on October 23, 2015, at the age of 89.

services in 1945, Morris worked as a milk man for Dolly Madison Dairy and as a City Bus Driver in Eau Claire. In September 1952, he enrolled at Lutheran Brethren Seminary in Fergus Falls, MN and was ordained in the ministry in 1956.

In the later 1950's, Morris served as first administrator and chaplain at Broen Memorial Home in Fergus Falls. He and Lorraine served Lutheran Brethren congregations in Osakis, MN , Blue Earth, MN, Westby, WI, Lake Mills, IA and Joice, IA. Morris retired from parish ministry in 1986, and he and Lorraine moved to Eau Claire where he served six years as Safety Director for Student Transit and as a Visitation Pastor at Bethesda Lutheran for nine years. During this time he also served as interim Pastor at Evanger and Lookout Lutheran Churches in Eleva, WI. In 2002, Morris officially retired and he and Lorraine moved to Fergus Falls until their deaths.

Our dear father, Fred Ystebo (H'76), 57, of Moorhead, MN, passed from this life on January 31, 2016.

Fred was born July 14, 1958, to Stuart and LaVerna (Vig) Ystebo in Fargo, ND. He graduated from Hillcrest Lutheran Academy (Class of ‘76) where Fred Ystebo he made lifelong friends and met Julie Strand. Fred and Julie married March 7, 1981, at Grace LB in Bottineau, ND. They made their home in Moorhead and had four children. They were married for 34 years. The family was actively involved at Triumph Lutheran Brethren Church where Fred had also served as a Trustee. Fred owned and operated the family business of River Bend Industries (formerly Pleasure Products) of Moorhead.

Fred was a man of many talents and a devoted father. He had tools in his hands at a young age and a mechanical mind. “Fred Y the Science Guy” was a lover of science, reading and learning. He loved camping, traveling and being surrounded

by God’s creation. His priority throughout life was Jesus Christ his Savior and learning more about Him. His greatest joys were being a father and grandfather and generously helping others with their projects and needs. “Oh man yea.”

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ALUMNI NEWS

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Paul Levang (not pictured), Mark Levang, Richard Risbrudt, and Charlie Brue are recognized by Todd Mathison for past and current HIT leadership.

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Jerome Larson is recognized as HIT's most experienced player after missing only 3 tournaments since 1971.

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HLA alumni Tom Scheid (H'04) and Evan Twedt (H'05) compete against fellow alum Reid Ouse (H'07) for the 2016 Division 1 title. Ouse's team won 85-79.

HIT TURNS 50 Polyester jerseys and knee-high socks darted over the red H at midcourt of the old gym in the first Hillcrest Invitational basketball Tournament (HIT) in 1967. Players pulled off bell-bottom warmups before the opening tip of the first HIT game. The one day, eight team tournament has a wide following 50 years after then athletic director Bill Colbeck started it.

Gathering under the circle crest of Lutheran Brethren Schools, fans packed the stage to watch Hillcrest’s varsity team play seven teams from Lutheran Brethren (LB) churches. When the dust settled and Bill Colbeck closed the scoring book on the first tournament, the Hillcrest Academy varsity team was gathering under the basket for their championship pictures. This marked one of many traditions that continues to this day.

Proceeding years saw Hillcrest’s varsity team disband for the tournament. Their well-oiled program was no match for church teams in the fledgling years of the HIT. Colbeck initiated the tournament to enhance a competitive sports program at the Castle during a time when private schools weren’t allowed to compete in the Minnesota State High School League. The tournament has transitioned from a Hillcrest athletic focus to a great Hillcrest get-together, galvanizing a special community and fostering many life-changing relationships.

Jerome Larson received a special award this year as the HIT’s most experienced player. Since 1971, Larson has missed 3 tournaments.

In his second tournament experience he introduced his then girlfriend to his parents before he leapt onto the court. This meeting was the first of many for the couple, who later married and return annually to the tournament as a sort of homecoming experience

that is filled with memories. Larson’s children carry his love for the HIT. His youngest son, Josiah, is a frequent face in the championship game.

The tournament ballooned from the one day event to a full two-day, 64 team extravaganza. Churches are known to rent gym space in their communities every fall, lacing up shoes and stretching muscles in preparation for the two-day tournament at Hillcrest Academy that carries with a lot of bragging rights for churches in the LB. In the early years, specific rules created a channel for churches to use the tournament as a ministry tool. When the tournament passed from Colbeck’s hands to Paul and Mark Levang, guidelines were reinforced to keep a definitively LB flavor and church attendance consistency within the teams. Richard Risbrudt was brought in to help organize the tournament, leading it years later, as the number of teams increased and the vetting process grew more complicated.

The tournament continued to grow as Hillcrest Academy expanded its reach. A wider range of teams spun-off that housed Hillcrest alumni and friends of Hillcrest Academy who were in communities outside the LB. Keeping to the Christ-centered heart of the tournament, pre-game prayers are still led by pastors and tournament organizers. There is a unique Gospel flavor and LB influence in the HITs that make it one of the best places for Hillcrest reunions and LB reconnection.

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their hand and say, ‘well, the Bible says this.’” Michael said his role was often to lead students to see the conflict and let it sit, bringing the Bible in when they started asking him for answers.

FERGUS FALLS, MN PERMIT #14

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LEVANG

Michael took the position. It is a unique flash-back to his experience at Hillcrest. He mentions the impact of having a foundation set by the Church and Christian school. For Michael, Bethel Church and Hillcrest Academy were used to set his strong foundation. He says looking at his kids he is excited to watch them mirror his experience from Hillcrest. “The more you see people authentically engaged and serving the Lord, the easier it is for you to understand how to do that.”

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Hillcrest Lutheran Academy 610 Hillcrest Drive Fergus Falls, MN 56537

When Michael heard he didn’t get the job he was devastated. He couldn’t go back to being a history teacher.

He felt God changing his passion to school administration.

He started applying to any — MICHAEL LEVANG and every administrative position he found.

His sister sent him a note that Park Christian School in Moorhead, Minnesota was looking for a vice principal. Michael followed suit and completed an application. He scheduled his interview and received a call back. He didn’t tell his wife.

HILLCREST

“The more you see people authentically engaged and serving the Lord, the easier it is for you to understand how to do that.”

CONNECTION CONNE CTION

When the district started looking for a new administrator, Michael thought he was a shoe-in. He had been doing the job when school administrators were off-campus. The move up felt natural. After his interview the administrators asked him to do the job he interviewed for while the group of leaders finished meeting with other applicants. This trust gave Michael a vote of confidence.

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2016 Alumni Brunch May 28, 2016 | 10 am

Register online at www.ffhillcrest.org/brunch or call Sheri Hohncke at 218-737-6413

SAVE THE DATE!

Celebrate the HLA Centennial with us!

HOMECOMING WEEKEND 2016 Friday, September 30 & Saturday, October 1, 2016 MORE INFO AT WWW.FFHILLCREST.ORG/HLA100