February 2021 vol.
The
MUSTANG CONNECTION
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no. 2
A PUBLICATION of THE MASTER’S UNIVERSITY
WELCOME TO THE SECOND EDITION of THE MUSTANG CONNECTION. IN THIS ISSUE, WE WILL TOUR THE TRANSFORMED CAMPUS AT TMU. WE WILL GO BEHIND-THE-SCENES OF TMU’S FIRST FULL-LENGTH FILM, “THE MAN FROM NOWHERE.” And Todd Kostjuk, TMU’s chief financial officer and vice president of administration, will share the three books he most often recommends when believers ask for help with investing or personal finances. Also in this issue, Dr. Greg Gifford, assistant professor of biblical counseling, will help you navigate conflict in your life. His article is particularly timely in these divided times. When interacting with those we disagree with, believers are called to reach others with the love of Christ. Gifford’s article will help you effectively obey the second great commandment, to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31). It’s a privilege to serve you, our alumni. If you have any questions about the school, don’t hesitate to email us at alumni@masters.edu.
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Good Listening Makes a Great Peacemaker by D R. G R E G G I F F O R D
A Transformed Campus
T M U’S F I R S T F E AT U R E F I L M:
“The Man From Nowhere”
M I N I S T RY H I G H L I G H T:
Kyle & Kelsey Houlton
C O R P O R AT E PA RT N E R:
Victory Builders
Alumni Job Board
Upcoming Events February
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FEATURE
by D R . G R E G E . G I F F O R D
PRIDEFUL PEOPLE ARE TERRIBLE LISTENERS, AREN’T THEY? They don’t take an interest in you, they don’t hear you out, they misunderstand you, and they weaponize your words against you. Whereas when we talk with the truly humble person, it looks the way that C.S. Lewis describes it: “Probably all you will think about him [the humble person] is that he seemed a cheerful, intelligent chap who took a real interest in what you said to him.” Humble people take interest in you, they do hear you out, they take time to understand you, and they protect your words. If 2020 taught us anything (sorry to use the dreaded word, “2020”!), it taught us the importance of being people who promote peace, rather than stir conflict. In this short article, I hope to show you that humble people are the best peacemakers, in part, because they are great listeners. HUMBLE PEOPLE AND PEACE Humble people are described in Scripture as counting others as more significant than themselves (Phil. 2:3), preferring other people’s interests (Phil. 2:4), as submissive to God (James 4:10), and as gentle (Eph. 4:2). Humble people are truly a joy to interact with, not because they are dejected, and we feel superior when we talk to them. Rather, it is because they are winsomely engaged in relationship with us. Honoring and serving with us. Listening and talking with us. Humble people are truly interested in us. It should be no surprise that where the antithesis of humility—self-ambition—exists there is “disorder and every vile practice” (James 3:16). Self-ambition
is the dynamite to peace: It destroys peace and leaves pieces of discord everywhere. Selfish ambition brings conflict and anarchy. Selfish ambition leaves in its wake conflict; humility leaves in its wake peace “and a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (James 3:18). PEACEMAKERS In Matthew 5:9, Jesus describes a peacemaker as “one who makes peace” or “a person who restores peace between people.” Peacemakers help facilitate the peace of God in relationships. Where chaos and quarreling exist, peacemakers bring quiet and clarity. To be a peacemaker, a person must be willing to “get the log out of his eye.” These are the direct words of Jesus in Matthew 7:5. He is saying a peacemaker must be willing to honestly evaluate what is causing the conflict, and take responsibility for any actions that contribute to it. An old proverb once said, “there is none so deaf as those who won’t hear.” And prideful people will not hear. They do not want to hear about what they could improve, they do not want to evaluate how they could change. To use Jesus’s words, they will not “remove the log.” Conversely, humble people will promote peace because they are willing to remove the log or consider if there is a log. HUMBLE PEOPLE ARE BETTER PEACEMAKERS That is what makes humble people better peacemakers. They are willing to listen and understand. They see nuance. They ask … to listen … to understand. Prideful people do not do this because they ultimately don’t care. They are not interested; they have their own agenda. But humble people, as C.S. Lewis said, take a real interest in what you say to them. I’m convinced that we can disagree, while completely understanding each other, and still be at peace with each other on matters of preference. That’s what it looks like to be a peacemaker. Perhaps this is the message of promoting peace that needs to permeate our 2021? Be humble and work on your listening skills. When you write-off what another person is going to say, before they have said February
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it, that’s not humility. When you put a person into a certain category, without hearing them out, that’s not humility. Or when you have a response before you have listened, that’s not humility either. Humility, as opposed to selfish ambition, propels us to listen to others. And when we listen to others with understanding, we find less discord and more peace.
A SHORT READING LIST
on FINANCES AND INVESTING
TO LISTEN OR NOT TO LISTEN... This past year, I received an email from a church member, one of our missionaries. He criticized our church for choosing to corporately sing during those few weeks in 2020 when corporate singing was temporarily banned. He did not want a response. He told me we were a bad witness to our community and that we did not need to take Colossians 3:16 literally. To be honest, that email stung a bit. I wanted to type out my own zinger and reply quickly. But I remembered that humble people are peacemakers partly because they are great listeners. At that moment, I had the option of “returning fire” or seeking to understand his perspective.
The Intelligent Investor BENJAMIN GRAHAM
teaches how to invest for the long run and how to be a disciplined, value investor. This is also one of Warren Buffet’s favorite books on investing.
No, I didn’t draft a hate letter and click “send” … yet. (Only kidding!) I tried to understand his perspective and create a space where I could ask and answer questions. It is hard to disagree and promote peace. But when Paul appeals for there to be unity and peace in the Philippian church, he does so based on humility—the humility of Christ (Phil. 2:5). Christ did not cling to his own rights. He forfeited them. He became obedient to the point of death. And if Christ can put the interests of others before his own, what would stop us from doing the same? This year let’s be humble listeners who promote peace, not conflict.
The Total Money Makeover DAVE RAMSEY
easy to read with useful principles that can help believers manage personal finances in a way that honors the Lord.
Business for the Glory of God WAYNE GRUDEM
in a thoughtful way, this book explains how engaging in work and business is a critical part of how you serve God and impact lives for the Kingdom.
DR. GREG E. GIFFORD Assistant Professor, Biblical Counseling
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The M U S T A N G C O N N E C T I O N
composed by TODD KOSTJUK Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Administration
CAMPUS FEATURE
A TRANSFORMATIVE DECADE AT THE MASTER’S UNIVERSITY
It’s a comment Todd Kostjuk hears often these days when alumni of The Master’s University return to visit. “They say, ‘I cannot believe it looks like this,’” says Kostjuk, TMU’s chief financial officer.
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The transformation of TMU’s campus has been dramatic over the last decade and has only accelerated in the last year. Since the beginning of 2020, the school has invested more than $10 million into 38 building projects, with some of the more visible upgrades including the construction of a beach volleyball complex and the renovation of numerous classrooms. Extensive work also took place in Hotchkiss, Dixon and Sweazy dorms and in the Engineering and Computer Science Center.
Education (2019) — Master’s was able to cover more ground at once this time. Enhancing the student experience was at the forefront of a staggering slate of projects. On the residence hill, where most living spaces have received significant investment in recent years, TMU completed major work on a trio of dorms in 2020. Sweazy and Dixon each received upgraded bathrooms, lobbies, hallways and bedrooms. Hotchkiss underwent similar interior renovations, and the facade of all three buildings was updated to match the school’s craftsman style. “In all our dorms, we want students to get excited when they walk through the front doors,” Kostjuk says. One of the year’s most dramatic changes took place not far from the dorms. TMU removed two tennis courts to clear room for a state-of-the-art beach volleyball complex. With three sand courts, the facility can host intercollegiate matches while also creating recreational space for the student body.
Hotchkiss Hall received a facelift and an updated courtyard in 2020.
Remodeling inside the Business Center was another centerpiece of improvements made possible by generous donors and TMU’s ability to refinance its bond at favorable market interest rates. The funds were restricted to capital projects. “Master’s is a special place because of our faculty, staff and students and the commitment to Christ and Scripture that binds us all together,” says Dr. Mitch Hopewell, TMU’s provost. “But over the years, we haven’t had the kind of capital resources to bring our buildings into line with that excellence.”
TMU completed a state-of-the-art beach volleyball complex near the dorms in 2020.
That changed in 2020. After incremental updates throughout the decade — highlighted by remodels of Rutherford Hall (2011), Dunkin Student Center (2013) and the MacArthur Center (2014), and construction of the School of 7
The M U S T A N G C O N N E C T I O N
Upon opening, the well-lighted complex instantly became one of the school’s most popular nighttime hangouts.
solicited input from professors. The dialogue led to the replacement of projectors with TV monitors and the addition of ceiling-mounted speakers for consistent audio distribution across some of the larger class spaces. Jason Hendrickson, TMU’s strategic technology project manager, says one goal was to eliminate distractions.
Twelve classrooms on North Campus were fully remodeled in 2020. Here’s a look at Biblical Studies Center 200.
Another considerable undertaking came in establishing a home for the Department of Engineering and Computer Science. The task required a complete remodel of one of the single-story buildings that line the entrance to campus along Placerita Canyon Road. The structure now features two classrooms and the school’s first engineering lab. On the other side of campus, TMU also remodeled the Business Center, creatively reorganizing the space so that it now houses three high-tech classrooms and three collaborative spaces. Dr. John Beck, dean of the School of Business and Communication, says he walked past one of the revamped conference rooms and saw a student talking to representatives from a prominent company. The student was pitching his guests on new branding for a sports drink. “He had monitors set up, and they were so impressed with the work he did that he might be doing an internship for them. It’s hard to put a price on that,” Beck says. “But that’s what we have because of excellent financial management from our CFO and the generous hearts of our donors.” In all, the University fully remodeled 12 classrooms — replacing lights, carpet and paint, and in some cases covering cinder block with drywall. Technology and furniture were also upgraded. Before commencing the project — which included classrooms in the Biblical Studies, Business, English and History, and Music centers — TMU officials
“It should feel like, ‘Oh, I’m in class. I like this,’” he says. “Instead of, ‘Oh, I’m in class and there are cinderblock walls and bright, harsh fluorescent lights, and the projector is loud.” During the summer, Hendrickson was also part of a team tasked with equipping every classroom with livestream capabilities to meet the needs of an unusual fall semester, a vast undertaking on a two-month timeline. The effort was another example of the kind of teamwork displayed by numerous offices across TMU in 2020. Together — and with the help of outside contractors, architects and vendors — was the only way the school could tackle a to-do list that included the installation of a stone staircase leading to the dorms and the remodeling of the Center for Online Learning. Not to mention a sophisticated lighting project that involved hanging lanterns from trees and installing numerous lampposts — a move that instantly boosted the campus’ ambience after dark. “It took an amazing group of people to get all this done,” Kostjuk says. And TMU isn’t finished. Work has begun on new outdoor student spaces near Dixon and Slight dorms. The Hotchkiss Pool is being remodeled, and a significant library renovation project is underway. A revamp of the Under the Oaks student space is also in progress. “We’re really, really grateful for our donors who throughout the years have invested millions of dollars in upgrading our campus,” Kostjuk says.
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FEATURE
TMU RELEASES FIRST FULL-LENGTH FILM:
You could use any number of facts to explain the significance of “The Man From Nowhere,” the movie released by The Master’s University on Feb. 9.
urgent attempt by Meyers, a best-selling author who has been diagnosed with cancer, to reconnect with his estranged son, Jake (TMU alumnus Seth Bowling).
You could focus on its precedence as the first fulllength feature film — but certainly not the last — in TMU history. Or that the 80-minute motion picture was filmed in eight — yes, eight! — days.
“It’s about a ‘prodigal father,’” says Green, who cowrote, co-produced and directed the movie, which is available in digital, DVD and Blu-ray formats at www.manfromnowheremovie.com, where you can also find the trailer. The film is also offered for rent or purchase on Amazon.
You could also highlight the fact that close to 50 TMU students, or roughly 70% of those involved in the overall production, received hands-on experience in everything from wardrobe to production design to acting. But in the days leading up to the project’s release on Amazon and the movie’s website, director Matt Green, who oversees TMU’s Cinema & Digital Arts program, said he hopes people will focus on the central message. “The biggest thing is that it’s a reminder that the Lord put us here for a reason. We don’t know how long we have. Don’t waste it,” he said. That’s exactly the situation facing H.B. Meyers, one of the movie’s central characters (played by Nick Searcy — Justified, The Shape of Water). The film traces the
Green says the idea for the story came, in part, as he reflected on his own experiences as a son growing up and now as a father of three. He knows the importance of the relationship between a father and his children and believed it would resonate with an audience. His reason for turning it into a full-length feature film at TMU was very intentional. “It legitimizes what the students do here,” says Green, who holds producer and director credits on numerous short and full-length films. “It’s one thing to do short films – and those have a lot of value – but there’s legitimacy to doing a full-length feature that gets distributed. It’s important for the students that they see, ‘You can do this, you can do it of quality, and you can do it on a modest budget.’”
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FEATURE
Green, who hopes to do a full-length feature every few years at TMU, says the University’s support has been key. “I thank TMU’s leadership for having the trust in us to be able to execute this,” he says. “If they hadn’t done that, this wouldn’t have happened.” In the end, it happened fast. Green, a group of industry professionals and a team of TMU students began filming in January 2020, and eight whirlwind days later it concluded. IN THE PROCESS, TMU STUDENTS HAD THE O P P O RT U N IT Y TO O P E R AT E CAMERAS, EXECUTE LIGHTING P L A N S A N D AC C L I M AT E TO L I F E O N A S E T. “Our students were either heavily involved in – or running – literally every department that you can think of in regard to a film project,” Green says.
MASTER’S IN MINISTRY
KYLE & KELSEY HOULTON IN 2016, AFTER PASTORING IN TUCSON, ARIZ., FOR MULTIPLE YEARS, THE LORD CALLED US TO PLANT A GOSPEL-PROCLAIMING CHURCH IN THE HEART OF THE LOW-INCOME, LARGELY IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY OF SANTA ANA, CALIF. The city has deeply embedded religious traditions, but a dearth of substantive and precise teaching from God’s Word — in either English or Spanish. Please pray the Lord would continue to call more laborers, raise up more leaders, and save residents of Santa Ana for His glory.
Postproduction concluded in June, but Green and his team ultimately decided to delay releasing “The Man From Nowhere” until after election season.
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This month, they finally got to share their hard work with the world. “The film shows a beautiful picture of the healing and restoration that can happen between a father and a son,” wrote Jason Noble, of Advance Team Films. Jacob Sahms of Dove.org says the movie is “Cinematically beautiful and incredibly creative in its use of the dual storylines. ‘The Man From Nowhere’ has shown the power it has to move people.”
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To learn more about the Cinema & Digital Arts program at TMU, click here.
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K Y L E & K E L S E Y H O U LT O N TRUETT - 9 SILAS - 8 KARSTEN - 6
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Cross of Grace Church
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Compass Bible Church
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Grace Church Orange
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Berean Community Church
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Lighthouse Bible Church Orange County
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First Chinese Baptist Church
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OC Bible Church
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CrossLife Bible Church
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Irvine Community Church
718 Mortimer St, Santa Ana, CA 92701 Kyle Houlton, Senior Pastor
17621 Irvine Blvd #217, Tustin, CA 92780 Michael Elliott, Senior Pastor
2201 Fairhaven Ave, Orange, CA 92869 Andrew McNeill, Associate Pastor
17911 Mitchell S, Irvine, CA 92614 Mark Lim, Associate Pastor
1855 N. Orange-Olive Road, Orange, CA 92865 James Lee, Senior Pastor Jonathan Yang, Pastoral Resident
16935 Brookhurst St, Fountain Valley, CA 92708 Steven Lee, Pastor of Youth Ministries
2 Liberty, Irvine, CA 92620 (Sierra Vista Middle School) Dennis Wilson, Pastor-Teacher
15 Orange Tree, Irvine, CA 92618 James Lee, Pastor-Teacher
14804 Sand Canyon Ave, Irvine, CA 92618 Yurie Hwang, Senior Pastor Chris Bogstad, Associate Pastor
10 Calvary Baptist Church
8281 Garfield Ave., Huntington Beach, CA 92646 Pat Cottrell, Senior Pastor Dennis Davies, Pastor-Teacher
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2930 W Ball Road, Anaheim, CA 92804 M. Scott Bashoor, Co-Pastor Edward Caballero, Co-Pastor
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112 E Walnut Ave., Fullerton, CA 92831 Isaiah Mackler, Associate Pastor Brody Rauch, Lay Leader Ben Winarako, Lay Leader
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8712 E Santa Ana Cyn Rd, Anaheim Hills, CA 92808 Philip De Courcy, Senior Pastor Jonathan Clubb, Pastor of Student Ministries Jason Erselius, Pastor of Children & Family Ministries Dan Nah, Pastor of Care and Connections
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12345 Springdale Blvd., Garden Grove, CA 92845 Jason Park, Other
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FEATURE
Justin Klopfenstein has played a crucial role in transforming the look of his alma mater. Klopfenstein and his business partner – Bryan Biggers – co-own Victory Builders, a Valencia, Calif.-based construction company heavily involved in many of the recent upgrades around campus at The Master’s University. Examples include the construction of the Pearl C. Schaffer School of Education in 2019 and remodels of Hotchkiss, Sweazy and Dixon dorms and numerous classrooms in 2020. Klopfenstein graduated from TMU in 2005. His wife, Kimberly, is also an alumna. As is Biggers’ wife, Alexia. Since opening in 2014, Victory Builders has grown from two employees to more than 20, and it does 10 times the amount of business per year as it did in the beginning. The company takes on residential, commercial and homeowners association projects throughout the Santa Clarita Valley and northern Los Angeles County. Its mission is to provide an exceptional construction experience through collaborative planning, transparent pricing, quality craftsmanship and responsive management. The work at TMU has been particularly rewarding, Klopfenstein said. “I love the school. Our goal with the projects was to provide the best service possible to help the school succeed,” he said. “And that was the biggest joy, watching the campus being renovated and upgraded and seeing the students come back in September and start enjoying all of the newly renovated classrooms and dorms.”
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT VICTORY BUILDERS, VISIT WWW.VICTORYBUILT.COM.
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The M U S T A N G C O N N E C T I O N
JOB BOARD
TMU ALUMNI
JOB BOARD
Account Specialist A P P LY N O W
Social Media Manager A P P LY N O W
Associate Pastor A P P LY N O W
Assistant Director A P P LY N O W
Manager of Client Services A P P LY N O W
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UPCOMING
EVENTS On February 2-3, The Master’s University hosted its annual Truth & Life Conference. The conference theme was The Gospel: The Truth that Saves and the Deceptions that Damn. Our chancellor John MacArthur spoke. So did our president, Sam Horn. And we also had the privilege of hearing from Costi Hinn, a pastor at Redeemer Bible Church in Gilbert, Ariz. Because of the pandemic, the conference was a little different this year. It was not open to alumni, friends of TMU, and members of the community. We regretted not being able to host many of our alumni. We look forward to doing so next year. In the meantime, make sure you check out the audio of each sermon. They are available at masters.edu/chapel. This semester will be unique in the history of sports at The Master’s University. The pandemic forced nearly every fall sport to postpone its games until the spring. For that reason, every TMU team is competing this semester. Unfortunately, we are unable to host fans at this time, but you can find a complete schedule of games, as well as a livestream schedule, at gomustangs.com. The Master’s University 28th Annual Golf Tournament is coming up on April 26. The tournament is hosted at Valencia Country Club, an incredible golf course included in the Top 25 in California by Golf Digest magazine. This is a great opportunity to spend a fun day with friends, playing a beautiful, member-only course and serving a vital role in raising funds to support student scholarships at TMU. For more information go to masters.edu/golftournament or email development@masters.edu. The Care of Souls Conference is scheduled for June 11-12 at the newly renovated Placerita Bible Church, adjacent to TMU’s campus. In partnership with TMU’s Department of Biblical Counseling, the conference aims to present a system of biblical truth that brings together people, their problems, Scripture and the living God. Speakers include several faces familiar to TMU’s community, including President Dr. Sam Horn, Biblical Counseling Professor Dr. Stuart Scott, and Dr. John Street, chair of TMU’s Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling. You can find a full list of speakers and register for the conference at careofsoulsconference.org.
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