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Returning from Exile
Jonathan Brooks on Moving Back to Chicago’s Englewood Neighborhood
Jonathan Brooks didn’t expect to work at a college, become a preacher, or move back to his old neighborhood of Englewood on Chicago’s South Side. In fact, he planned to be an architect and live just about anywhere besides Englewood.
“As I like to say, some are called, some are chosen, and some are forced,” said Brooks, who is the recruiter and mentor for Trinity’s five-year B.A./M.Div. program with Northern Seminary. He also serves as senior pastor of Canaan Community Church in Englewood, and authored the recently published book “Church Forsaken: Practicing Presence in Neglected Neighborhoods.” “When comfort becomes our ultimate goal, God has to take drastic measures,” said Brooks, also known as Pastah J.
Brooks grew up in Englewood, and his first step away from the neighborhood was to attend college in Alabama, at Tuskegee University, where he earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree. “It turns out, I enjoyed studying architecture more than being an architect,” he said. When his mother became ill, he returned to Englewood to take care of her. “She decided it would be good to get me back to the church. So, I began working with youth at Canaan Community Church. Eventually, the pastor there forced me to take over by leaving.”
With his return to Englewood, Brooks began to see his role like that of the Israelites in exile. He points to the words of Jeremiah 29: “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your 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.” (NIV)
Brooks realized he was being called not just to work in Englewood, but to make it his home once again. He now lives by his church with his wife Miche’al Newman-Brooks, an instructor with Windy City Harvest, and two daughters, Jasmine, a sophomore at King College Prep High School and Jade, who is 12 and attends Daystar School.
Since returning from Tuskegee, Brooks earned an M.A. in teaching from National Louis University and an M.Div. from Northern Seminary in Christian Community Development. Along with leading Canaan Community Church, he has also worked with the Chicago Public Schools and Mission Year.
Several years ago, Brooks began doing more public speaking around the idea that Christians need to be fully present in their local communities. Increasingly, he was told he should write a book. “I’m a duck in water when it comes to public speaking, but I’m less comfortable writing,” he said. Despite his concerns, in 2017, he signed a contract for “Church Forsaken,” which was published in November 2018. “It’s a mix of memoir, with theology and anecdotes. It’s the crazy narrative of my life!”
As he was preparing for the book’s publication, the opportunity to join Trinity as mentor and recruiter for the new five-year B.A./M.Div. program presented itself. Brooks had been teaching a course as an adjunct professor at Trinity’s partner program, Chicago Semester, on “Urban Planning, Development, and the Sustainable City.” “That class combines all my interests,” he said.
When Trinity Provost Aaron Kuecker, Ph.D., approached Chicago Semester’s Executive Director Mackenzi Huyser, Ph.D., for suggestions on filling the new position with the B.A./M.Div. program, Huyser recommended Brooks.
His work with the B.A./M.Div. program is a continuation of his passion to help young people connect with what is wrong in the world. “I tell them, you are not in a holding pattern, and you will always find an excuse to wait. We are like Israel in exile.”
This article originally appeared on pp 6-7 of the 2019 issue of Trinity magazine. Didn’t receive the latest copy? Let us know! You can update your contact information here.
The Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, in residence at Trinity’s Ozinga Chapel Auditorium, has announced that single tickets are available for purchase for the 2019-20 season. Highlights of the season, the IPO’s 42nd, include Gershwin, Mahler, Williams, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, and more!
Opening Night: Rhapsody in Blue, October 19, 2019 – 5:30 pm
Stilian Kirov, Conductor
Xiayin Wang, Piano
HORST (Composer-in-Residence) World Premiere
LEROY ANDERSON Piano Concerto
GERSHWIN Rhapsody in Blue
PISTON Symphony No. 6
Stilian Kirov Conducts Mahler, November 16, 2019 – 7:30 pm
Stilian Kirov, Conductor
Emily Birsan, Soprano
HORST (Composer-in-Residence) World Premiere
AUGUSTA READ THOMAS Absolute Ocean
MAHLER Symphony No. 4
Home for the Holidays, December 21, 2019 – 3:00 pm
Guest Conductor
Highlights include: John Williams Merry Christmas; Anderson Sleighride; Handel, Hallelujah Chorus; Merry Christmas; Tchaikovsky Suite from The Nutcracker; and many more!
All Tchaikovsky, February 8, 2020 – 7:30 pm
Stilian Kirov, Conductor
William Hagen, Violin
TCHAIKOVSKY “Dance of the Tumblers” from The Snow Maiden
TCHAIKOVSKY Violin Concerto
TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 2
Beethoven @ 250, March 14, 2020 – 7:30 pm
Stilian Kirov, Conductor
Boris Allakhverdyan, Clarinet
SCHOENBERG Transfigured Night
MOZART Clarinet Concerto
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 1
Firebird, April 18, 2020 – 7:30 pm
Lidiya Yankovskaya, Conductor
GRIEG Morning Mood and In the Hall of the Mountain King
SAINT-SAËNS Danse Macabre
MUSSORGSKY Night on Bald Mountain
BACH Toccata and Fugue in D Minor for Organ
STRAVINSKY The Firebird Suite
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the IPO website.
Now entering its 42nd season, IPO is the largest performing arts organization in Chicago’s Southland providing professional orchestral music of beauty and excellence to the region. IPO’s repertoire ranges from Baroque and Classical masterpieces to world premieres and modern favorites.
Trinity is proud to announce that 83% of master’s degree graduates taking the Behavior Analyst Certification Board exam for the first time have passed, a nearly 20% increase over the average rate among other colleges and universities. Trinity’s scores also make it the second-highest ranked school in Illinois for first-time pass rates.
“At Trinity, we know that the world needs professionals who are skilled and compassionate in the field of applied behavior analysis,” said Marilyn Spalla, Assistant Professor of Special Education. “The exceptional success on the BACB exam demonstrates the level of commitment and preparation our graduates demonstrate.”
According to the BACB, an average of 65% of test-takers pass the exam on the first time.
Applied behavior analysis has been empirically shown to be effective in a wide variety of areas, including those with intellectual disabilities and autism, parent training, substance abuse treatment, dementia management, brain injury rehabilitation, and occupational safety intervention, among others. More than 36,000 behavior analysts and over 55,000 behavior technicians are certified in over 89 countries. BACB standards are the basis of almost all behavior analyst licensure laws in the United States
“Through applied behavior analysis, students can see situations from different perspectives and use those skills to help their students and clients,” said Dr. Sara Baillie, Associate Professor of Special Education and Director of Trinity’s Graduate Program in Special Education-Behavior Intervention Specialist. “We are proud of our graduates who have demonstrated their comprehension and understanding of these techniques and approaches.”
Trinity offers several programs for Master’s Degrees in Special Education including one that lead to a Behavior Intervention Specialist endorsement through Illinois State Board of Education as well as the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc® (BACB) verified course sequence which allows our students to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst Examination® (BCBA). To learn more, click here.
Creating Champions On and Off the Field
Josh Lenarz ’98 Reflects on National Championship Seasons and Building Relationships
“Soccer is the vehicle that enables us as coaches to build meaningful relationships and experiences for our athletes, which is my real passion.” That is the philosophy of Josh Lenarz ’98, Trinity’s head women’s soccer coach. “Some people say you have to choose: focus on winning and championships, or focus on the relationships and team building. The last few years prove that if you invest and are intentional on a daily basis, you can excel at both.”
Lenarz has indeed proven that philosophy works. The head coach for the past 17 years, he has led the team to the post-season national tournaments 12 times in the past 14 seasons—including dominating the 2018 season and claiming the NCCAA Division I Women’s Soccer National Champions. Lenarz was named the NCCAA National Coach of the Year and also earned Coach of the Year honors for the region. Under his guidance, the Trolls have also qualified for the NAIA National Championship four times and advanced to the 2017 opening round as the CCAC conference tournament champions.
Lenarz attributes this success to focusing on team culture and leadership development. “Our athletes put the team first and fully embodied our team phrases: “Never About Me. Often about Teammates. Always About the Lord. On and Off the Field,” explained Lenarz.
Lenarz is also intentional in his recruiting efforts to target athletes who will embrace the team culture. “Trinity is unique in a great way, but not for everyone. I’m up front with all recruits about our team first mentality from Day 1,” said Lenarz. “Those that buy into our mentality and focus will have a great experience here.”
It only took a few hours for Lenarz to realize Trinity was the right fit for him when he visited campus his senior year at Ontario Christian High School in California. Lenarz learned of Trinity through his soccer coach, Brad Homan, ’90, who thought Trinity would be a great fit for him. During his time at Trinity, Lenarz was involved on campus, playing soccer, serving as a resident assistant, and working as a student director with the Youth Soccer League, which he is still involved with today. He recalled his mentor, Dave Ribbons, head men’s soccer coach and physical education professor, instilling in him the importance of caring for athletes not just as players, but as individuals.
After graduation, Lenarz felt called to remain at Trinity and accepted an offer to serve as the assistant men’s soccer coach and admissions representative.He served in admissions for five years, eventually assuming the role of Admissions Director while also taking over as women’s head coach. Starting a family with his wife Kelly ’99, he knew best to focus on either athletics or admissions and transitioned to athletics full-time following the women’s first NCCAA national championship title in 2005.
“How can I best serve you?” is how Lenarz ends every individual meeting with his athletes. “As coaches, we love watching the athletes grow as individuals and leave Trinity equipped to be great teammates beyond soccer, whether in the workplace, in relationships, and with their families,”said Lenarz. “We have a great understanding of who we are as a team and know it is worth fighting for to keep moving forward.”
This article originally appeared on pp 10-11 of the 2019 issue of Trinity magazine. Didn’t get your copy of Trinity magazine? Let us know! You can update your contact information here.
Five Trolls received the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Academic Award for their academic and athletic performances the last indoor and outdoor track and field seasons. Caleb DeWeerd of the men’s team received the award, while Madelyn Clausen, Megan DeWeerd, Hope Fathman and Nicole Syverson received the award on the women’s side.
In order to receive this award, student-athletes must meet both academic and athletic requirements. On the academic side, they must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher. Athletically, they need to achieve an “A” or “B” standard in a championship event.
This past season, Caleb qualified for indoor nationals in the mile run while Clausen qualified for the high jump. In the outdoor event, Clausen qualified again for the high jump while DeWeerd, Syverson and Fathman qualified in the marathon.
Congratulations to the women’s volleyball team, led by Coach Bill Schepel, for being named to the 2018-19 American Volleyball Coaches Association Academic Team!
In order to receive this award, teams must maintain a 3.3 cumulative GPA.
“This award honors teams who have matched their dedication to the sport of volleyball with excellence in the classroom,” said Kathleen J. DeBoer, AVCA executive director, and Brad Wilson, AVCA manager of awards. “Meeting the award standards is an accomplishment of which [Trinity] can be very proud.”
Trinity’s women’s volleyball team excelled both on the court and in the classroom in 2018-19, as the women competed in the NAIA National Championships in Sioux City, Iowa.
This is the 18th time Trinity women’s volleyball team has received the award, and the fourth year in a row for this honor.
Trinity is excited to host its Diamond Anniversary Celebration on Friday, Sept. 27 from 7 pm to midnight at the beautiful Hilton Chicago Oak Brook Hills Resort and Conference Center, 3500 Midwest Rd, Oak Brook, Ill. Join the Trinity family for a night of gourmet food stations; craft beer, cocktails, and wine; interactive historical displays; dancing; and connecting with Trinity friends old and new. This fun and celebratory evening is one that will only happen once and is something that you won’t want to miss.
Plus, the night supports a great cause: Trinity students! The funds that are raised will support Trinity students with scholarships and grants as they faithfully pursue God’s calling on their lives.
Find out more information, see the schedule, learn about sponsorship opportunities, and purchase tickets here. Gather your friends and make plans to join us in September, celebrate Trinity’s first 60 years, look forward to where God is leading Trinity’s next 60 years, and support Trinity students all at the same time!
In Faith,
The Trinity at 60: Celebrating our Faithful Future Organizing Committee
Leah Dykstra & Jamie Stephenson, Co-Chairs
Heidi Huizenga, Pixie Molenhouse, Mary Lynn Colosimo, Jill Ingelse, Christine Vander Laan, Kadie Verstrate, and Tina Kanis
Grab your grill, put on your Trinity gear, and join your fellow Trolls for a night of tailgating, baseball, and fun at Ozinga Field on Aug. 14 while cheering on the Windy City Thunderbolts!
Trinity’s Office of Alumni and Family Engagement has secured a special Trinity rate for everyone to get dinner and enjoy the game and for only $2! Family, friends, students, alumni, faculty and staff are all welcome to come out and participate. Game tickets and dinner tickets must be purchased separately, so make sure you sign up for both.
There’s no cost to tailgate and attendees are welcome to bring their own food, drinks and games to enjoy with family and friends in the parking lot. The Alumni and Family Engagement Office will fire up the grill and provide 2 hot dogs, chips and bottled water for each attendee. Tailgate tickets and parking are free but you must sign up on our Eventbrite page by Friday, August 9.
Tickets to the baseball game are sold separately. Follow this link to a Trinity specific landing page that will provide the special rate. You can also show up on the day of the game wearing Trinity gear and the box office will honor the $2 ticket price!
Come out to the ballpark and join TrollNation for a great night of food, fellowship and entertainment. Go Bolts! Go Trolls!
Come join the Trinity community in supporting our student athletes at the annual Trinity Athletics Club Golf Classic. This year, the outing moves to Crystal Tree Country Club in Orland Park, Ill.
Designed by award winning Golf Course Architect Robert Trent Jones, Jr., Crystal Tree not only offers a great risk/reward golf course but also an unmatched club experience as you join other Troll athletic supporters for a great day of golf. Proceeds from the event benefit athletic scholarships.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS – TWO FLIGHTS
Morning Flight
7:00 am: Registration for morning flight
8:00 am: Tee time for morning flight (limited to 52 players)
Afternoon Flight
11:00 am: Registration; practice range opens
11:30 am – 12:30 pm: Buffet lunch served
12:50 pm: Welcome and instructions at the carts
1:00 pm: Shotgun start; hors d’oeuvres reception and awards ceremony to follow
Click here to learn more and register.
DEADLINE FOR SIGN UP IS MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2019
Thank you to our event sponsors Ozinga and Providence Bank & Trust and luncheon and post-tournament sponsor Assurance.
To learn more about sponsorship opportunities contact Dennis Harms at 708.846.4819 or dennis.harms@trnty.edu
Trinity is pleased to welcome Andrea Dieleman as SALT Program Coordinator. SALT, Seasoned Adults Learning at Trinity, is a membership program that offers a variety of educational classes, local trips, book discussions, and other activities for those in the community 55 and over. In this role, Dieleman organizes class offerings that engage and foster relationships with SALT members, providing them with opportunities to expand their knowledge in a welcoming atmosphere. She replaces Ginny Carpenter, who has retired.
“It’s exciting to begin thinking about a wide array of courses and topics that will be of interest to participants and instructors,” said Dieleman.
Dieleman became aware of the SALT program through her husband, Trinity’s Assistant Professor of History Kyle Dieleman. “Kyle taught a course for the SALT program in the spring and had nothing but wonderful things to say about all of his interactions,” she said. “In conversations with Ginny, she reiterated that from the SALT advisory board, to the staff at Trinity, to all the course instructors, and finally down to each participant, these are certainly wonderful people to work with!”
Dieleman has spent several years as a stay-at-home mother to the couple’s three children, a daughter, Emden, who is almost 4, and twin boys, Hendrik and Theissen, who turned 1 in May. Prior to that, she was director of Wyldlife in Iowa City, Iowa, the junior high ministry associated with YoungLife, a non-profit para-church ministry for high school students.
A native of Pella, Iowa, Dieleman earned her B.A. in communications from Dordt University in Sioux Center, Iowa. She and her husband are members of Faith Christian Reformed Church in Tinley Park, Ill.
Trinity’s SALT classes are held in the fall and spring, and information about this fall’s courses will be available soon. For more information about Trinity’s SALT program, click here.