Amplifying the Gospel: Equipping Students and Alumni to Lead with Purpose and Faith

From the time of Northwestern’s inception back in 1902, our mission has been to prepare and equip others to be strong influencers for Christ—influencers who are rooted in biblical knowledge and truth. One hundred twenty-three years later, we are just as committed to our mission to amplify the gospel. It’s our heartbeat. 

Our president, Dr. Corbin Hoornbeek, often refers to Jeremiah 29:4-7: 

This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper. 

God’s desire is for His people to be among secular society so that we can bring Light into dark places. That was true in Jeremiah’s time, and it is true in 2025. Northwestern is a place that invests in our students and helps them prepare for strong, godly leadership in our world. 

John Piper in. his book Don’t Waste Your Life, writes, 

“God created me—and you—to live with a single, all-embracing, all transforming passion—-namely, a passion to glorify God by enjoying and displaying his supreme excellence in all the spheres of life. Enjoying and displaying are both crucial. If we try to display the excellence of God without joy in it, we will display a shell of hypocrisy and create scorn or legalism. But if we claim to enjoy his excellence and do not display it for others to see and admire, we deceive ourselves, because the mark of God-enthralled joy is to overflow and expand by extending itself into the hearts of others. The wasted life is the life without a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples.”

Northwestern students are becoming more and more passionate about God as they learn about Him through their Bible classes and other classes specific to their majors, during chapel, and in relationship with their peers and professors: 

“My most impactful Northwestern experience has been being involved is a faith-driven community. I have met some amazing people who I call my friends. This has allowed me to be a lot more vulnerable and open with people, and that is something that I have never been good at, so I appreciate it a lot!” —Erich H. 

“My time at Northwestern has been hugely impactful on my life and specifically my faith. When I started attending Northwestern, I was uninterested and apathetic toward my faith. However, through the influences of chapels, professors, Bible classes, and the whole Northwestern community, my faith was reinvigorated, and I finally began taking it seriously. For this I am very appreciative.” —Carter L. 

I have grown so much as a person during my time at Northwestern, specifically in my faith and in my friendships. Being at UNW makes me hopeful for the role Christians will play in shaping tomorrow. My education, as well as the professors and students I have met, have been crucial in becoming the person God is calling me to be. I am excited to impact others by teaching and evangelizing.” —Marie-Florence J. 

We know that students are pursuing their degrees at Northwestern while simultaneously growing in their relationships with Jesus, but what about after they graduate? Are they impacting society for Christ? Are they engaged with purpose? Are they influencers in their homes, churches, communities, and world? Are they fulfilling the charge that Jeremiah spoke over the Israelites—to seek the peace and prosperity of the city? Are the displaying the excellence of God with joy? 

Here are what some of our alums are up to: 

Christy & Jake Vanda—Breakfast Club Founders 

Several years ago, kare11 did a story on two of our alums – Christy & Jake Vanada – who back in 2014 started a Bible study in their home for their children (and their friend groups). Years later, they are still ministering to a growing community of the high school students who attend the St. Michael-Albertville High School; however, instead of meeting in their home, they are meeting in a barn located across from the high school— a space that God provided. With the help of donors and volunteers, the Vanadas are amplifying the gospel, bringing hope to the lives of many students in their community. 

Christina Meline—Author & Teacher

As a teacher, Meline found herself desiring a devotional for teachers to find daily encouragement as she met the diverse needs and demands of students in her classroom. That resource did not exist, but Christina knew this was a needed tool for teachers to start their day, equipped with a Word from God reminding them of who they are in Him. In 2023, Meline wrote and published, Called to the Classroom: Daily Reflections for Educators, which is being used as a staff devotional resource in over twenty states around the country. 

Josh Olson—DJ and Founder of Alive Studios

Olson is using his passion for music and people to create an experience with his clients that encourages connections with others through music. Olson understands that we were created for relationships and connections, and he is helping to bring this to light with Alive Studios. 

Micah Stelter, Co-founder of Aleph Ventures

Stelter has a strong desire for people to know their Creator. In his words, “Northwestern really equipped me to find more and more the God-given passion that He’s put inside of me to reach people in an unconventional way—not through a church but through business—to know their Creator.” Stelter has introduced many who work for him to Jesus in natural and authentic ways. Some of Micah’s employees have accepted Christ because of his intentionality of bringing Jesus into the conversation when an opportunity presents itself.   

Betty Mertens, co-founder of Ella’s Umbrella 

After losing their first child to an undiagnosed heart defect, Betty and her husband, Kyle, founded Ella’s Umbrella in 2022—a nonprofit committed to helping hearts, both physically and emotionally. Through this organization, over $100,000 has been donated to pediatric heart research. They have also published two books to help others walk through the pain and devastation of losing a loved one: UNRAVELED: When Loss Changes Everything (2022) and Never Far Apart (2023). 

Harper Aumock, Timberline Lodge staff member 

In a recent update, Aumock writes, “Hey friends! Just wanted to share what great joy it has been to follow the Lord to the Rocky Mountains to do full time ministry. After having been offered my dream job in corporate America in Minnesota, I really felt the Lord leading me to join staff at a Timberline Lodge – A small, international Bible Gap-year school in the mountains. (Timberline is one of Torchbearers USA centers if any of you are familiar.) In May, my first class of 38 students graduated and it was genuinely such an honor to watch the Lord transform their lives over the past 9 months. We indeed do serve a real and living God. How fun to walk and co-labor with Him!”

Anna Paulsen, owner and founder of Lily & Sparrow Bakery

Paulsen is a young alum who can be found selling homemade baked goods (gluten-free options are available as well) at the farmer’s market in White Bear Lake. She also takes orders on her website. When asked about the name she chose for her bakery, she replied, “God cares about the lilies and sparrows, and so he cares about you too!” 

These are just a few examples of what some of our alums are up to. We are thrilled to know that many of them have chosen to amplify the gospel in their spheres of influence with passion and joy. Many Northwestern alums are seeking the peace and prosperity of the city, shining the light of Jesus authentically, unapologetically, and boldly.  

You are encouraged to check out The SOAR Podcast (found wherever you get your podcasts). Monte Abeler, Director of Alumni & Parent Engagement, chats with UNW alums about a variety of topics to encourage and challenge listeners to be more dependent on God and less dependent on themselves. Season One’s 11 episodes are ready for you to listen to!  

Please pray for our current students and alums as they live lives of purpose, conviction, and love for others—on mission to amplify the gospel.