One of the greatest blessings to me of my years at MBI was the wonderful friendships that developed.  The appointment of my friend “Denny” Hollinger to be President of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary gives me occasion to reflect.

I remember a young man who reached out to include me in his circle of friendships.  I remember a young preacher (just after we graduated) who invited me to join him for a week of “revival” meetings at a small church in Brewton, Alabama where his father had once ministered.  I remember the man who stood with me when Mona and I were married.  I remember his wedding to Maryanne and the contacts over the years to report on children, share events and travels and to just keep up, however distantly.

I am delighted of course by his success and thrilled with his appointment, but beyond all the educational accomplishments, the positions, the books and the rise to this position, I am grateful for the friendship that started nearly 40 years ago and continues to this day.   Congratulations Dennis!  And thanks!

If you have a story of continuing friendship from Moody days, share it with us.

Thanks for tippin’ us off, Dan Wiley.  Here’s a news flash -

Gordon-Conwell Seminary Names Dr. Dennis P. Hollinger as President

Congratulations, Denny!  And Mary Ann.  And Gordon Conwell.  Click on the link above, and catch the Serminary’s announcement.  There’s a video on the page that you’ll want to watch… Dr. Hollinger gives a greeting to the community… and the world at large.

Thanks, Dan, for the heads up.

Today is Friday, June 6, 2008, exactly 39 years ago that we graduated from MBI. Rarely has June 6 rolled by without some personal reflection on our graduation day, and some pleasant experiences at Moody. Same holds true for September 6, 1966, our very first day. I have always been fascinated that we began our studies there on 9-6-66, and graduated on 6-6-69.

I commend you for your interest in our class, and thank you for your efforts to organize a reunion. In retrospect my time at Moody was highly formative. Moody turned out to be a fateful guidepost, and without it I don’t know where I’d be today, but so far so good! And I wish every one of you in our class, Godspeed.

Lystoll@ameritech.net

Hello, Everyone: The name entered is Klara Schneider, in order to be recognizable. In reality the name now (after marriage, 4 children, and 4 grandchildren) is KLARA KOCEVAR.

I’m posting a xanga site…but facebook is where most of my communications happens. Anybody available to be “friends”?

Currently:
Living in South Holland, IL;
Doing music for School District 150;

Member of Living Hope Community Church (pastored by Dr. Neely - MBI prof;

BA in music education;
MA in curriculum + instruction.

AIM: KGK Blue
IM: symph2
Facebook: Klara Kocevar
Phone: 708.204.6128

Thanks for your efforts on behalf of all of us 1969ers. I hope to be there in Feb. My wife (of nearly 37 years, Marta - some of you may have known her as “Marti”) and I live in Central Arizona now. I sell tours to Japan and also work as an innkeeper at a B & B in Oak Creek Canyon. I attend a Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Cottonwood, AZ. I have a blog - steveadelsman.blogspot.com

Dear Ken, Nancy and others who are doing this site, What a great idea! Don’t know if Rich and I will be able to come as we’ll just be getting back from our furlough of summer ‘08. We’re soon beginning our 30th year of ministry here in France. We are involved in Bible School ministry in the northeast part of France. So good to read of what others are doing. Hope we can keep this up. Karyn

This sounds great and Herb and I are planning to come to the 40th reunion. Its hard to believe it will be 40 years in 2009! We still live on Washington Island and own and operate Gibson’s West Harbor Resort. We have six children - two married - two grandchildren.

Editor’s Note:  Check out the GOOGLE MAP of the Gibson’s Resort on Washington Island 

Who are all those geezers in the blog and websites??  We won’t be able to attend the 40th year reunion, but our hearts will be with you. Thanks for all the great memories of the class of ‘69!

I think the last reunion I attended was in 1979! Back then all my classmates were young. Now I look at the blog sites and websites and wonder who all those geezers are!

My wife Sharon (JoAnn Ficke 6 and I are still with MAF and after nearly 30 years in Africa we moved to Kabul Afghanistan in 2005. We’re still there, and unfortunately, unless there are major changes, we won’t be able to attend the 40th year reunion. Our hearts will be with you though. Thanks for all the great memories of the class of ‘69!

EDITOR’s NOTE - Check out the airplane Larry flies for MAF in Afghanistan… you’ll see him named in the article.  Watch the video showing their work.  Pretty terrific, Larry.

I look forward to attending the reunion. I hope it works out.

After MBI I got my teaching degree at Northern Illinois University. I taught for two years in a Christian school, and since have done a number of different things.

For 10 years I worked for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship as a print communications specialist (writer). During that time I had the privilege of covering a global project in Albania, visiting the student work in Nigeria (where I was born) and traveling to England to assist in the international office of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES).

Since leaving InterVarsity I have done a number of different things and currently work as receptionist and accounting assistant for Country Kitchen Restaurants.

Four years ago I was received into membership of the Antiochian Orthodox Church in Madison, Wisconsin. Many evangelicals are finding their way to Eastern Orthodoxy. I have to say, my education at Moody contributed to my decision.

At nearly sixty, I am starting over in many ways. It’s weird to be at this place in life, and hard to believe Moody was 40 years ago! Many memories of Moody seem just like yesterday or last year. It was a highlight of my life.

It is always a joy to gather together for reunions so that we can praise and thank God for the things that he has done in our lives. I look forward to joining one and all.