The matching gift bolsters the effort of the college to achieve the Providence Promise Campaign goal of 3.5 million dollars by June 1, 2012.  In the first two weeks of the campaign, the college has secured $2,567,000 in gifts and pledges; in the coming weeks, the college is seeking to secure the additional $1,000,000 in gifts and pledges needed to match the latest generous gift.  “These transformational gifts are necessary to insure the future of Providence Christian College,” said Jack Hoekstra, director of development, “However, our work is not done! Those making faithful, monthly donations are a key to this campaign’s success.  We continue to seek those committed to the work of this Reformed Christian institution of higher learning and the work the Lord is doing here.”

Providence asks that you continue to uphold the institution and this process in prayer as more donor contacts are made to secure the rest of the campaign goal.

Please visit the Providence Promise Campaign website to make a donation or contact Jack Hoekstra, director of development (hoekstra@providencecc.net or 626.696.4003).

__________________________________________________________________________________________

There are many ways you can help ensure a successful future for Providence. For example, you can guide potential students toward Providence and tell your friends and families about our educational quality. However, right now there is one very significant, tangible way for you to contribute immediately to the future of Providence—by participating in our Providence Promise campaign.

In order to ensure that we can meet accreditation standards and establish a sound financial foundation for the coming years, Providence’s board has established a goal of securing $3.5 million in pledges for gifts to be given over the next two fiscal years (July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2014). We have quickly reached over $1.5 million in gifts and pledges toward this goal thanks to a leadership gift of $1 million and over $500,000 in major donor gifts and pledges. We praise God for his goodness in these areas!

However, we need your support now more than ever.  In order to meet the standards established by our accrediting agency, we are asking everyone who is interested in seeing a thriving Reformed college on the West Coast to consider doing two things:

1) Make a gift now. Give to help us meet our fundraising goal for this fiscal year, which ends June 30^th.  It is critical that we finish this year in the black, just as we did last year.

2) Make a pledge. We need you to help us meet our pledge goal so we can demonstrate to our accreditors that we have the financial sustainability to continue to support our rigorous educational program.

While the board made this dramatic decision to remain independent, and while it has been wholeheartedly embraced by our students, we can only move forward with your help. Every one of our trustees has made a pledge to the Providence Promise campaign. Students are headed home for the summer armed with letters to send to family and friends, seeking new support for the college. However, we need the involvement of every family and individual who desires to see a Reformed college established on the West Coast in order to reach our campaign goal.

The future of Providence is now in your hands.  We would ask that you take time to pray about your commitment and to fill out the pledge card you received in the mail or go to our online giving page, indicating the most generous gift you can make over the next two fiscal years.  (July 1, 2012 – June 30, 2013 and July 1, 2013 – June 30, 2014).

Please don’t delay in your response.  The Providence board has set a date of June 2, 2012 to review the progress of the campaign and decide best how to proceed given the results at that time.

If you have any questions about the board’s decisions or the campaign, please do not hesitate to call our director of development Jack Hoekstra at 909-230-2769.

Nine students received their diplomas and enjoyed quintessential California at the outdoor reception afterward. Graduate Ben Lensch, of Fife, Wash., summed up the students’ appreciation for their education in a charge he gave to his classmates. Parents from Chicago, Michigan, northern California, and British Columbia were in attendance, as well as staff, faculty, and friends from the community. The Providence chorale sang a rendition of “It is Well with My Soul.”

As the ceremony closed, Chairman of the Board Pete Nanninga honored Drs. Halvorson and Kortenhoeven for their years of service to the community. Both men will be leaving over the summer to assume new posts at Covenant College and Denver Christian School respectively. Nanninga presented each of them with tiny orange clogs to remind them of their time at Providence. Overall, the ceremony was a moving and fitting end to the school year.

Dr. Meek’s part at commencement was special to the graduates, as her book Longing to Know was part of their core reading at Providence. Her area of expertise is epistemology and she wrote her dissertation on the work of philosopher Michael Polanyi.

Other end-of-the-year festivities included the Senior Celebration the night before. Dr. Kortenhoeven spoke to the students and Dr. Russ Reeves recognized students who graduated with honors. Sara Heitmann of Penryn, California graduated summa cum laude. Jack Hoekstra presented Dr. Halvorson with an honorary Sea Beggars soccer jersey. To conclude, the parents gathered around the seniors to pray for them, a Providence tradition.

Please visit the Providence Flickr website to view more photographs from the weekend festivities.

On Thursday, May 3, the Board of Trustees of Providence Christian College gathered its faculty, staff, and students to announce that they were withdrawing from the merger discussions with Covenant College and that the college would move forward in its current status as an independent institution.

Providence Board Chairman Pete Nanninga stated, “After a lengthy due diligence process and much study and prayer of the matter, the board came to the conclusion that it simply wasn’t the right time in the history of either college to pursue the partnership. The expedited time frame for implementation was becoming increasingly difficult for students, staff, and faculty at both institutions. We knew from the outset of our discussions with Covenant College that combining our two institutions would not be an easy task, but neither party could have sufficiently predicted the extent of the challenges that Covenant’s regional accreditation agency compliance would present. We are so blessed to have had the opportunity to work with our counterparts at Covenant College. While our discussions may not have resulted in an official union of our two institutions, we have come to appreciate how much we have in common, particularly now that we share a special bond through Dr. Derek Halvorson. Through his recent leadership here at Providence and his future leadership at Covenant we look forward to new opportunities to work together in the wonderful mission of educating our young people from the Reformed perspective.”

Expressing many of the same sentiments, Martin A. Moore, chairman of the Covenant College Board of Trustees said, “While our colleges will not be merging, we seek to pursue opportunities to work together as partners in Reformed Christian higher education, to equip the next generation of biblically grounded churchmen and churchwomen for service in Christ’s kingdom.”

With this announcement, Providence will be launching a restructuring of its academic programs and the “Providence Promise” giving campaign, both aimed at securing the enrollment and funding to move forward independently as a financially viable institution. Development Director Jack Hoekstra stated, “We are excited to get out there and talk to our faithful supporters about the fact that Providence will be moving forward in this way. It gives them a tangible opportunity to make a huge difference in the future of the institution and Reformed education on the West Coast right now with their pledge.”

Providence will restructure its academic program by offering one major in Liberal Arts with multiple concentrations such as English, Education, Business, Biblical Studies, Biblical Languages, History, and Communication. “The new structure for Providence’s academic program will give our students even greater breadth in their education, while still allowing them to specialize in the subjects they care most deeply about,” said Academic Dean Russ Reeves. Providence will also continue in the WASC accreditation process.

As Providence wraps up the semester with graduation this Saturday, the students will be leaving campus but staff and faculty will be working diligently over the next month restructuring programs and securing enrollment and funding for this new phase. The college community trusts that those who have supported Providence in the past will do so with renewed enthusiasm and that God will continue to be faithful to the college.

on Saturday, May 5

in Franson Hall

on the campus of Providence Christian College

Commencement begins at 10:00 am

Keynote Speaker: Esther Meek, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Geneva College

For further inquiry please contact Ruby Bleeker.
Phone: 626-696-4009
Email:  ruby.bleeker@providencecc.net

The banquet will be held on Friday, March 30, 2012 at the
Pomona Valley Mining Company in Pomona, California.

Social time begins at 6:30 pm and dinner at 7:00 pm.

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Robert Godfrey

There is no charge for the dinner but you will be given an opportunity to
make a donation to help sponsor student scholarships.

Please RSVP below.

For further inquiry please contact Ruby Bleeker.
Phone: 626-696-4009
Email:  ruby.bleeker@providencecc.net

[contact-form-7]

When walking Hollywood boulevard, when most tourists would readily recognize the Chinese Theater, students at Providence have likely had more experience with the Egyptian. This theater is also owned by Grauman and shows many old films, sometimes even with directors, producers or actors attending the screening of their movies. Another draw for local shoppers in Hollywood are the vintage and trade clothing store; if you know where to look, you can soon be immersed in two stories worth of ageless clothing.  Nearby, students can also join the ranks of the celebrities who have visited Pink’s hot dog stand, for a wide variety of hot dog options with toppings that will make every mouth water. For music enthusiasts, there will be no complaints with the selection at Amoeba Music, two floors of music and movies in a warehouse sized building that could take days to explore.

Hungry sojourners downtown and far from Hollywood still have many options of where to grab a bite during a touring break. Olvera Street offers hot churro vendors, and world famous taquitos at Ciento Lindo. Little Tokyo hosts excellent sushi houses, but also a few shops that carry a unique Asian dessert known as mochi, which often contains ice cream, or red bean sauce inside a covering of rice paste.  If fresh food is what a student craves, there are many options at the LA market, an iconic destination full of cultural tastes and flair.

Farther from the city, there are other chances to engage the culture of Southern California. For the many students who took advantage of 2011’s year end bargain, a free weekend means a trip to Valencia to visit Six Flags! There, a host of roller coasters await them as they scream the stress away, including two of the few 4^th dimension roller coasters in America, and Goliath, which has the sixth tallest steel coaster anywhere. For those who wish to have adventures which are less on the edge, there is always the J. Paul Getty Art Museum. This incredible collection of grand marble buildings house paintings from VanGogh, Turner, and Monet as well as some very scenic gardens.  Art buffs may also be interested in visiting the LA Center for Modern art, free for residents of Southern California.

Clearly there is more to be done in Southern California than any student or visitor originally imagines. So when you have gotten tired of riding the carousel or roller coaster at Santa Monica and are sick of the many elevators at the Western Bonaventure building, don’t fear – there is more where that came from!

Below you will find information on the team members and a tentative schedule for the trip.

Interested in supporting the Cambodia team? Please consider donating, every dollar counts.

To contribute via PayPal, please use this link: Cambodia Donation via PayPal

1539 E. Howard St.
Pasadena, CA
91104

Thank you for your prayers and support!
The Cambodia Team

Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things.
Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory!
Psalm 72:18-19

Team Members:

Tentative Schedule:
Tuesday, May 8–Final Preparations (On campus)

Wednesday, May 9–Departure for Cambodia

Thursday, May 10–Travel/Arrival

Friday, May 11–Introduction to Cambodian Culture
5:00pm–English language factory ministry (Toul Sang Ke)

Saturday, May 12–Driving tour of Phnom Penh (Capital City)
River Cruise
Devotions with MTW missionaries

Sunday, May 13–Rest & Worship

Monday, May 14–Visit with MTW missionaries & ministries
5:00 factory English language ministry

Tuesday, May 15–Visit to Killing Fields, Toul Sleng Genocide Museum, and Historical Sites
5:00 English language ministry

Wednesday, May 16–Lead chapel at Logos Christian School & Hope International School
  Providence Recruiting Presentations
  5:00 factory English language ministry

Thursday, May 17– Visit IJM (Human Trafficking ministry)
Visit Hagar ministries (lunch)
5:00 factory English language ministry

Friday, May 18–Visit to Angkor Wat in Northern Cambodia

Saturday, May 19–Angkor Wat
Devotions with MTW missionaries

Sunday, May 20–Rest & Worship

Monday, May 21–Depart Cambodia/Arrive in California

Tuesday, May 22–Debriefing & Recovery

Wednesday, May 23–Debrief & Check-out

Any visitor to Providence will likely hear the phrase “lots of opportunities,”  but the places that students have the opportunity to frequent are often not mentioned specifically. Pasadena is a city brimming with life for any adventure seeker in the population, no matter the age or size of pocketbook.

For students with a small budget who just want a chance to get off campus, catch up with friends or study, they need look no further than a few blocks away. For under five dollars and a short walk, they could be sharing sixty cent doughnuts, eating chocolate pyramids at an Armenian Bakery, or cooling down with an ice cream cone. For the student who is willing to travel just a bit further, there is much studying to be done at the immensely popular Jameson Brown Coffee roasters, complete with a roaring fire on rainy days. A short hop on the metro will bring students to another coffee shop, Busters on the Tracks, which offers hot drinks, ice cream and a unique studying environment near the rails on Mission Station. The same Metro stop houses a used book store, antique shop, one of a kind cereal and grilled cheese bar, and on some days, a fresh farmers market. Back in Pasadena, some students have developed a taste for Roscoe’s, a unique Pasadena dining experience combining chicken and waffles.

For those seeking adventure out on the Town, there is always Colorado Boulevard, with its fine shopping and excellent eateries.  Among the miles of promising stores, there are several that students most frequent. The Cheesecake Factory is a favorite destination for birthdays and celebrations, and Yardhouse Grill is the place to go to watch sports of any kind, especially Canadian Hockey! On hot days, 21 Choices is popular, where students can mix frozen yogurt flavors with a wide variety of toppings. Shoppers who are not hungry should stop by Crossroads, a clothing trading store with a unique selection of fashions.

In Pasadena, entertainment comes in more forms than just shopping and eating. Colorado Boulevard also houses a three dollar theater for student moviegoers on a budget. For those seeking more intellectual opportunities, Pasadena also houses many museums like the famous Norton Simon, which includes works from well known artists like Degas, Warhol and Monet, and is free with a student ID! Another worthwhile stop for artists is the Huntington Library and botanical gardens, a great place to study, to learn, and possibly get into free if you speak to the right professor! Further away from the city center, students may find it relaxing to spend time hiking in the mountains just up Lake Avenue, where they command an excellent view of the city and can enjoy some fresh air. Up the same road is a park, which sometimes provides free concerts of varying genres for the city of Pasadena, this year including jazz and a Beach Boys tribute band.

Pasadena is a city brimming with delights, and it does not stop there. For every study break, there are a variety of destinations just waiting to be explored.

The Avodah began at Jones’ Coffee Roasters, a swanky coffee shop with an industrial yet bohemian feel. Few students had found this shop previously and it’s not hard to tell why – it is located in an industrial district in what must have formerly been a warehouse. Passing under the garage door, the students found excellent coffee, which they sipped while they listened to the owner’s story of how and why he entered the coffee industry. He shared his vision and the good and bad decisions he made, bringing the business where it is today; opening a second location in Hollywood. After the visit, he generously gave each attendee a free small bag of coffee to take home.

After lunch in a nearby park, students attended a coffee shop well known on campus, Jameson Brown. There, they sampled several types of roast coffee and were instructed on the finer points on roasting techniques and awareness of the differences in taste between each brew. Students got to handle raw coffee beans as they learned to compare the similarities and differences in the two shops’ models. The speakers at both coffee shops also included brief details of the history of coffee, both the myths, such as that it was discovered when goats who ate the beans were found acting strangely, and more concrete facts, such as the stigma it once had as an anti-religious drink.

Back at school, students had a discussion on the need for a “third place” like coffee shops for people in a neighborhood to meet together, spending time taking and building relationships. These are vital for building the basis of community and the relational trust which can lead to the types of conversations that may bring others to Christ, strengthen friendships and faith, and even bring about positive change in the neighborhood and the world. The effectiveness of the businesses visited in these and other respects were compared to chains such as Starbucks was also discussed. After spending time examining the business models and goals of several of the coffee shops in town, students may never look at their favorite coffee hangouts the same way again!