Alumni News - Hannibal-LaGrange University

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ReflectionFall03.qxd 9/22/2004 4:31 PM Page 24 Alumni Profile by Brandy Campbell • Public Relations Staff Writer Michele Geurink is not your stereotypical missionary. She didn’t major in Bible, a large part of her job is taking care of guard dogs, and she recently was able to help a homeless man accept Christ at a McDonalds in Africa. Each day is an adventure. Geurink works with Bethesda Outreach, a ministry started by Evangelical Baptist Missions in 2000. They are located in Hammanskraal, South Africa, a country rated second in the world for having the widest gap between the richest and the poorest people. “The people we are ministering to are living in third world conditions,” said Geurink. “Many of them have no running water, no electricity, and their only shelter is a tin shack. The AIDS crisis affects mainly the poor in the cities and out in the villages. Our goal at Bethesda is to raise orphans affected by the Alumna Serves in the Land of the Living AIDS crisis in South Africa.” Bethesda’s mission is “By God’s grace and for His glory Bethesda Outreach exists to assist local churches in meeting the needs of orphan children that the children may become disciples of Christ.” Currently, 15 children are cared for, with more to be added soon. “Our goal is to have a village of 400 children along with a school to help prepare them for life through Godly education,” explained Geurink. “We are in the continual process of going through all the red tape of preparing to build as well as seeking out who God would bring us as houseparents, teachers, and staff members.” Geurink’s journey to Bethesda began years before she actually arrived in South Africa, with the verse James 1:27: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress…” “I grew up in a family that cared for kids that either had no family of their own, or were not able to be with their families,” said Geurink. “In my senior year of high school I became a nanny for a family that also cared for young children who were not able to be with their families because of abuse and neglect. It was at that time that this verse personally became real to me. I realized that we don’t just care for orphans because that’s what Christians do, but because Christ loved them, and we are to be like Him in His love for them.” Geurink began college at HLG in 1995. “I wasn’t really interested in missions when I got to college,” she said. “I majored in human services and criminal justice, so traditional missions really didn’t enter into my education all that much.” During Geurink’s freshman year, she and Tara Walker (Ryan) were trying to decide what to do for Spring Break, and were looking at going to Arizona for a vacation. After much thought and discussion, Tara suggested a mission trip and serving others instead. The following year, the two went to Urbana ’96 for a missions conference. That conference helped change Geurink’s views about missions and ignited a passion for what would eventually be her life’s calling. “I had never been involved in overseas missions because I could see the great needs of children in the United States,” said Geurink. “I also had a very limited understanding of missions. All I had ever known missions to be was people going to other countries and planting churches. At the missions conference, I was exposed to the need for compassionate ministry on the foreign mission field. It was there I saw the many opportunities available to care for hurting children around the world. God worked on my heart, and I became open to the possibility that God may want me to go overseas to care for hurting children.” Throughout college, Geurink continued to pray and seek where God was leading her. Two years after graduation, she first learned of Bethesda Outreach. In May of 2001, after training and raising her support, she was on a plane bound for South Africa. Geurink’s official title at Bethesda is Assistant to the Managerial Director. She is currently responsible for office work, supervising the maintenance of the property, co-leading ministry teams, and the maintenance and care of eight guard dogs. “Though the privilege of working directly with our children belongs mostly to their parents and teachers, I enjoy the moments I have with them and the fun times we are able to have together.” “What God has prepared me for is being fulfilled here at Bethesda Outreach,” said Geurink. “Sometimes the statistics are so staggering and disheartening, almost causing one to give up hope. However, ‘I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!’” (Psalm 27:13) 1960s Sharon Johnson Canada ’63 is choir director at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in Festus, Missouri. Sharon and husband Jim live at 13119 Lakewood Drive, St. Genevieve, MO 63670. They have a daughter, Linda, and two grandchildren, Christina and Joe. Thomas Maddox ’66 has retired as Deputy Director of Health at the Kansas City Health Department and moved to Virginia. He has since accepted a position at Arlington County Public Health Services in Arlington. His email address is tmaddox@comcast.net. Lynn Mason ’66 is MIS Director for the Collier County Clerk of the Courts. He and his wife recently built a home in Naples, Florida. Their address is 218 Newport Dr. #701, Naples, FL 34114. 1970s Phillip Begley ’74 would like to know if any of his classmates would be interested in getting together for a 30th year class reunion at homecoming, November 7-8. If you'd like to help Phil organize a reception, send him a postcard at 1440 Kentucky St., Quincy, IL 62301. Jim Luders ’78 and his wife, Cathy visited Bill Harris ’78 and Merilee Gallin Harris ’78 in Texas this past spring. The Harris family now resides in Burlson, Texas, and the Luders live in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 1980s Gina Cox Kingsley ’80 recently sent an update on her family. Gina was married in 1985 to Thomas Kingsley. In 1992 their son Thomas was born, and daughter Lauren in 1994. The Kingsley's live at 1074 Idaho, Carol Stream, IL 60188. Lisa Collins Hofstetter ’86 and husband Bill announce the birth of a son. William James Hofstetter (Will) was born May 7. The family lives in Brookfield, Missouri. 1990s Brett Akright ’92 and Melinda Stinson Akright ’90 recently sent an update on their Alumni News 32 R E F L E C T I O N S H A N N I B A L - L A G R A N G E C O L L E G E 33
ReflectionFall03.qxd 9/22/2004 4:31 PM Page 26 Alumni News family. Brett will be attending Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City this fall. He will be pursuing a Master of Divinity degree. Brett feels called to teach theology and church history in a Christian college or seminary setting. Mindy stays very busy home-schooling 7-year-old Joshua and 5-year-old Caleb. The couple has two other children, 2- year-old Elizabeth, and 3-month-old Nathanael. Best wishes to the Akright's on their new adventure! The family's new address is 5153 North Oak Trafficway, Kansas City, MO 64118. Amy Fullington Walterman ’92 and husband David announce the birth of their son Jackson Paul Walterman. Jackson was born May 22. He joins a brother, Matthew. David is owner of Quest L. A. and is a professional violinist. Amy is a self-employed writer and mom. The family lives in Whittier, California. Walt Greenleaf ’92 and wife announce the birth of Joel Amos Greenleaf. Joel was born May 4 and joins Buddy, Steven, Britney, Courtney, and Seth. Congratulations to the Greenleaf's! James R. Porter ’92 and wife Melissa announce the birth of their second son. Samuel Dean Porter was born May 27. He joins a brother, James Lee. The Porters live at 501 Magnolia St., Brownsville, TN 38012-3529. Kelly Gillespie Moore ’93 and husband Aaron announce the birth of their second child. Kayla Erin Moore was born May 16, 2003. She weighed 8 lb., 3.5 oz. and joins a brother, Allen, who is almost 3 years old. Kelly is a secretary at Luther Memorial Church. The family resides at 22202 Granite Ave., Lewistown, MO 63452. Tara Lyn Ballinger ’97 and Craig Albert Schnelle were united in marriage during a garden wedding at the Ballinger home on June 21. Tara is employed as an 8th-grade life skills teacher at the Hannibal Middle School. Craig is employed by American Commercial Barge Lines. Andrew Fullington ’97 and wife Kim announce the birth of their fourth child. Daughter Khesed was born in August, 2003. Andrew and Kim are missionaries in Japan. Their email address is fullington5@yahoo.com. Shannon Windsor ’97 and Kendra Vaughan Windsor ’98 announce the birth of their first child. Seth Wesley Windsor was born April 21, and weighed 5 lb., 9 oz. The family resides at 1908 Lakeview Dr., Fulton, MO 65251. Kenneth Wolfgram ’98 and Jennifer Lovelace Wolfgram ’98 are proud to annouce the birth of their first child, Tyler McKinley, born April 23. He weighed 5 lb., 3.5 oz. and was 19” long. Fran Hildmann Abbott ’99 and Ben Abbott ’99 are the parents of a daughter born June 15. Her name is Jessica Frances Abbott and she weighed 7 lb., 13 oz. Our prayers are with the Abbotts as Ben was deployed to the Middle East in July. Stephanie Breedlove Whaley ’99 and husband Brian announce the birth of a son. Devin William Whaley was born January 3 in Hannibal. He weighed 4 lb. and was 16.5” long. Devin joins a sister, Kaitlyn, age 5. Emilio Laredo II attended ’99-’00 is theatrical ministries director for PowerHouse Christian Center in Katy, Texas. Emilio invites us to visit this "kickin' church" where he directs and writes for the 120 member drama ministry. His address is 5705 Lilac Dr., Katy, TX 77493. 2000s Tyler Maxwell ’00 and Amy Fox Maxwell ’98 announce the birth of their daughter, Emma Grace. Emma was born January 23, 2003. The family’s address is 11301 West Lake Dr., Littleton, CO 80127. Maria Elger Scholma ’00 sent a picture of daughter Emilie Lein Scholma. Emilie was born to Maria and husband Tim in May, 2003. The family lives in Holland, Michigan. Brice Baumgardner ’01 and Cara Creech were married on August 9, 2003 at Arch United Methodist Church in Hannibal. Cara is a 1stgrade teacher at Mark Twain Elementary and Brice is an Admissions Representative for HLG. They reside at 531 Head Lane, Hannibal, MO 63401. Matthew B. Callen ’01 and Julie Kaye Blickhan were united in marriage on April 27. Matt is attending graduate school at Southwest Missouri State University to become a physician assistant. Julie is employed at a daycare center in Springfield, Missouri. Matt Mooney ’01 and Elizabeth McCoy ’02, were married August 2, 2003, in Jefferson City. Liz and Matt are living at 504 N Hawkins Ave., Hannibal, MO 63401. Matt is employed by HLG as Game Administrator/Intramural Director. He also serves as youth minister at First Baptist Church, Monroe City. Liz is substitute teaching in the Hannibal schools. Neil C. Richardson ’01 and Jennifer L. Ellington were united in marriage on January 11, at Arch United Methodist Church in Hannibal. Neil and Jennifer are both employed at New London Elementary School, New London, Missouri. They reside in Hannibal. Heather Hazelwood ’01 and Kevin McSmith were married June 14. Heather works as an Admissions Representative for HLG and is Biblegirl in the children’s video series “The Bibleman Adventures.” Kevin is in his senior year at HLG studying computer information systems. Aaron Franklin ’02 and Erin Vick were married May 31. Aaron serves as minister of music at Hagerman Baptist Church in Sherman, Texas, and is a graduate student at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Erin is from Arlington, Texas, and is also a seminary graduate student. John David Long ’02 and Cheryl Ellsworth ’02 were married in Columbia on July 26 at the United Methodist Church. Cheryl graduated in July with a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Missouri- Columbia. She is a 1st-grade teacher at Belair Elementary School in Jefferson City. John is employed by the Missouri Auditor's Office in Jefferson City. Thomas Fuerst ’03 and Cassie Lord were married May 24 at the home of her parents in Fulton, Missouri. Tom works at UPS. Cassie will graduate from HLG in December. Delena White ’03 is assistant women's basketball coach at Belhaven College in Jackson, Mississippi. She is pursuing a master's degree in teaching. Her address is Belhaven College, 1500 Peachtree Street, Box 293, Jackson, MS 39202. IN MEMORIAM Alverta May Geisendorfer ’25 Lewistown, Missouri August 10, 2003 Aubrey C. Huse ’27 Hannibal, Missouri August 6, 2003 Violet Strother Martin ’34 Mesa, Arizona July 11, 2003 Mildred Depping ’35 St. Louis, Missouri June 15, 2003 Mary Margaret Wickens ’35 Kansas City, Missouri August 25, 2003 Paul McElroy Foreman ’36 San Marino, California July 2, 2003 Raymond "Ben" Siepker ’39 Plainville, Illinois July 8, 2003 Monte Peterson ’39 Greentop, Missouri June 24, 2003 Lewis Noble Allison ’49 Aurora, Colorado July 14, 2002 Lloyd A. Palmer ’53 Elsberry, Missouri May 14, 2003 Bonnie Jo Dunker Fee ’67 Kinderhook, IL August 31, 2003 34 R E F L E C T I O N S H A N N I B A L - L A G R A N G E C O L L E G E 35
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Alumni News - Hannibal-LaGrange University

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