Mark Flatau – ’75

Source: Alumni eNews March 2011

When Mark came to Northwest University, he knew he wouldn’t be staying long. He felt that God was calling him into higher education and Northwest had not yet developed a program that would help him accomplish this goal. So Mark did what he thought was the next best thing – he came to Northwest and graduated with his Associate of Arts degree and transferred to another school for further educational training.

But don’t get me wrong, Mark is an Eagle through and through. He wanted to start his college career off right; full of spiritual growth and surrounded by friends that wanted only to honor God with their lives. Mark found that and more at Northwest.

Mark was one of the 400 floor “Red Dogs” with Rick Enloe and Jim Heugel, played on the basketball team with John Brown and under Assistant Coach LeRoy Johnson at the national tournament, and served as the sophomore class president. He somehow found time to meet and marry Gayle (maiden name Baltrusch), who is also an NU grad from the LEAP program in 2003 with a degree in Organizational Management.

Today, Mark continues to serve in leadership as the Superintendent for the Cle Elum / Roslyn School District, where he impacts students, teachers, and parents on a daily basis. The advice that he gives to his teachers, that he would also like to share with NU students seeking to get into education is, “Never lose sight of the impact that you can have in the lives of kids as their teacher.” As a father of three, school-aged children, I couldn’t agree more.

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. 

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.