Remembering Randy Clark

Randy Clark was my friend, teammate and colleague at Northwest University.  When I reflect back on my friend's life I would describe him in the following terms: "He was one of the good guys!"  He was a fantastic athlete, an inspiring teammate, a morally upright man of God, and a faithful friend.  (Someone, who did not know Randy back in the day, might think that I'm overstating my case, but trust me, Randy was all that I have alluded to and more)

I finished my time at Northwest in the spring of 1977 and was traveling and singing in churches immediately after graduation.  The news of Randy's tragic death did not reach me in time to make it to the funeral.  I would have liked to have been there to honor my friend and to participate in sharing of grief with his family.  As a man of faith, I rarely question the actions or the inaction of God, but Randy's death was not an easy thing to understand or come to grips with.  "Yes," I know that he will be in God's Kingdom and I will see him again, but I have missed him and the conversations we would have had through the years.

I played on Northwest's first soccer team. (1974)  We exceeded everyone's expectations and the next September, we were ready to reach higher goals.  Bill Matson and I began to recruit with permission from Coach Kenney.  We first recruited Ken Dobson to be our coach.  Then we turned our attention to "finding" players.  We heard about Dean Clark's son, who had the reputation of being a star athlete in high school.  (He was a great gymnast)  We recruited Randy and he proved to be worth the effort.  He became a dominate force and the center mid-fielder of our soccer team.  He was a natural, both as a player and a leader on the team.  We had a good year!

I decided not to play soccer my Senior year at Northwest.  I was already "doing" a lot of services singing at churches and engaging in ministry off campus.  For that reason I did not see Randy nearly as often, but we remained friends.  I still remember meeting Randy in the parking lot next to the Chapel.  I was heading to the FiRs from LeRoy Johnson's European History Class and Randy was headed down to a couple of classes he had that day.  We stood in the parking lot and began to talk...and talk...and talk.  Four hours later, I restarted my sojourn to the FiRs and Randy climbed into his car...classes over.  To this day I appreciate Randy's life and what his friendship meant to me.  I can not help but wonder what Randy would have accomplished had he lived.  I already know a part of the answer--he would have done many great and wonderful things, because his potential was incredible.  Let me say it again, for the record: "Randy was one of the good guys!"

The Passing of a Legend

Linfield Crowder passed away this year.  For those of us who grew up in the Southern Idaho District of the Assemblies of God, Linfield Crowder was a legend.  For many of us, who would later try to take up the spiritual mantel of this man of God, Linfield was the apostolic ("yes" apostolic) voice that encouraged us to do so.  Outside of my family, Linfield had the greatest spiritual impact of anyone in my life.  I think that it is safe to say that I am in the ministry, because of both his direct influence and extraordinary example.

I was 17 years old when Linfield took me on as a project.  (I was trouble looking for a place to happen)  I served as his driver, along with two of his nephews, and worked at the youth camps where he was speaking.  It was the beginning of a shift in my mindset, as I observed the difference that Linfield was making in the lives of young people.  God became real to me and the calling in my heart was birthed.  Linfield used to tell young pastors, "Pray that God will give you sons and daughters in the ministry."  Well, I am one of Linfield's sons...I am proud to be one of his sons in the ministry.

I am incredibly grateful for the life of Linfield Crowder.  I will miss my friend and mentor.  He will be missed, but not forgotten.  His work lives on in the lives of those he touched.  One of these days, I'm going to climb into the pulpit on a Sunday morning and cry in a loud voice, "Eternity, eternity, where will you spend eternity, and what will you do with Jesus!"

Tim Ravan & Global Connectors

Tim Ravan attended Northwest University '72-74.  He went into full-time ministry and served as a Senior Pastor before becoming an Assembly of God missionary to Romania.  While in Romania Tim did a significant work, planting a large international congregation in the capital city of Bucharest.  Tim and his wife, Sandy are presently embarking on life's next journey.  Global Connectors is aimed at networking Christians, Churches and resources for the purpose of reaching some of the more difficult areas of the world with the Gospel.

One of Tim's hopes and dreams is to see the Gospel make an impact in the country of Iran.  Iran, like many of the Islamic nations, is hostile and resistant to Christianity.  It is not as much an aversion to the Gospel Message as it is a resentment of the cultural impact of the Western Nations.  We, who live in America, understand the difference between true Christianity and Hollywood Pop Culture--but, many other nations are confused by the movies and music that we are exporting around the globe.  They are upset, because they still think of us as a Christian nation.  It is one of the many challenges ahead.

 If you are interested in participating with Global Connectors--contact Tim.  He has a history of putting some interesting projects and large impact events together. 

My Family - Ron Dugone

Most people are interested to see the changes that naturally occur as we and our family takes shape and ages.  I don't kid myself, I don't look like the Ron Dugone that attended Northwest College '73-77.  The first picture is of Jody and myself at the time of graduation from,what was then called Northwest College.  It was the just after graduating in the spring of 1977.  (If I look clueless--I was)  Before I get ahead of myself, let me start near the beginning of my time at NU.  Life for my family started at NU, because that is where I met Jody.  She arrived as a Freshman at NU the same year I arrived.  I discovered her on a double-date, where she was the date of the other guy...I know...a couple of weeks later we started our courtship.  In the summer of 1975, just before I started my Junior year, Jody and I got married in her hometown of Roseburg, Oregon. 

Short true story: Jody was popular at NU--even though she would say that she wasn't.  Like I already mentioned, I met her on a double-date, and then after "I" started dating her, she already had another formal date on her calendar with still another guy.  I asked her to go to an Andrae Crouch concert with me, but she was slated to go out to the concert with Steve Taylor.  My first conversation with Steve Taylor went well, because he was gracious and kind. He released Jody to go with me.  That was the beginning of a courtship and romance that has held up well through the years. 

Someone mentioned the other day that Jody looked lovely at her wedding.  She did look beautiful, but ask anyone who really knows Jody and they will verify what I'm about to say: "Jody is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.  She is a giver and enriches everyone's life who has the privilege to know her."  In the last 35 years Jody has proven to be a fabulous wife, an amazing mother (whose children adore her), and a great partner in the work of the ministry.  I was serving as the Senior Pastor of New Life Assembly of God in Idaho Falls, Idaho when "we" started our family.  We have two children:  First there is Gina, followed by her brother, Michael.  Anyone with children should know this to be true.  Our children help define our lives by filling life with purpose and challenges.

 I spent most of the 80's in Idaho Falls, but decided that I wanted to raise my children in Texas.  Why Texas you ask?  Although I was raised in Idaho and attended Northwest University, my family has been a fixture in Austin, Texas.  We have a ranch that has been in the family since 1877.  My great-great-great grandfather sold the original 40 acres that is now known as the University of Texas.  My grandfather graduated from UT. My father graduated from UT.  My son is about to graduate from the UT Pharmacy D program.  I'm the only one who broke the pattern by going to Northwest University. So, what do we and the kids look like now days?

A little information about my kids.  Michael (in blue) and his wife Elisha.  Michael is a talented guitar player and worship leader as well as finishing up his doctorate in Pharmacy.  Elisha is a fourth grade teacher here in the Leander school district.  (She is also leads our worship singers at our fellowship)  Erick and my daughter, Gina.  (Both in black)  Erick just graduated from the Business School at Texas State University.  He is an amazing drummer and blesses us every week with his gift.  Gina is a "stay at home" mom with grandson, Adyen and yet to be named or arrive second grandson.  Gina is a gifted singer working on her first album.  We did not ever have the expectation that our children and spouses would want to stick around, but they did!  We feel amazingly blessed.  Isn't life great!

And "yes," that is what we actually look like today.  This picture was taken this Thanksgiving, 2010.

 

Art Journaling by Donna Anami

My sister is a well-known, often published art journalist.  I know what you're thinking, "what in the world is an art journalist?"  It is an art form that happens when art expressions find their way into a journal.  Donna's art has been widely accepted both by the critics and by fellow artists and publishers.  (She is really good!)  As her (much) younger brother, I'm just pleased to have someone in the family that is famous.  Actually, I'm quite proud of my sister.  I love her creativity, I respect her work ethic and I admire her character!

Donna and I grew up like typical siblings--"yes," we used to even fight, but somewhere during high school we became friends--good friends.  Since that time, we have collaborated as song writers and arrangers.             

Most of you who know Donna, know her as a gifted piano player, writer, arranger musician type; but, her other creative "artful" expressions are making an impact in the Art Journaling field.  You can check out her latest creations in the 2011 Winter Edition of Art Journaling Magazine.  About 10 years ago, Donna's life took a weird turn.  Her marriage of 26 years came to an end and she was diagnosed with breast cancer.  I don't know that I could ever be more proud than I was witnessing my sister lose her hair, but not her dignity.  She was pleasant through chemo and an inspiration to everyone around her.  (She was really extraordinary)  As a survivor of breast cancer, Donna has found a way to express the deep and personal faith that carried her through that time of crisis.  In the field of Art Journaling, there are very few Christians that get published, so Donna's work is unique.

Her "stuff" is also very creative!   I often wish that my sister's life had been an easier road, but I know that God does take the life of a submitted Believer and they become a living fulfillment of Romans 8:28.  "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."  There is no doubt that Donna's faith is a very bright light that is having an effect on the world around her.  Did I say that I was "proud" of my sister?  "Yea--I'm proud!"

Notice how Donna has woven her faith into the art itself.  This isn't a subtle ploy on her part--it is a part of who she is.