Ken Clark (2008)

Ken Clark keeps in touch! He and Alysha celebrated their one year wedding anniversary August 1. Now they're expecting a baby in late December!

Ken says,

"Life is really taking off on us; it's all we can do to keep up. Also I recently began a career with New York Life and we moved to Byron, Illinois just south of Rockford to build my practice.

"I feel the Lord has provided this opportunity for me to utilize my business degree and move closer to friends and family."

Stephen White (2010)

Stephen White shares an update on where God has led him since graduating in December 2009.

"The night before my wedding (May 28, 2010), one of the companies that I had interviewed with in February contacted me and asked if I had found permanent employment. After a four hour interview the week after my honeymoon, I received a job offer. I accepted!

"I am a sales assistant for a manufacturer's representative company outside of Chicago. The company represents suppliers to retail stores (Ace Hardware, True Value, Blaine's Farm and Fleet, etc.).

"Because there are only 7 employees, we all wear multiple hats all the time. I very much enjoy the challenge and risk of the small business. I am responsible for the "upkeep" of relationships with more than 20 different companies. My main role is operational and administrative, but I am always involved with marketing, consulting, customer service and, of course, sales.

"Being a Christian in a small business environment definitely has its challenges and rewards. I would appreciate your prayers as I work at being a light."

Andrew Carlson ('05)

A picture is worth 1,000 words...
As of December 1, Andrew is a Certified Public Accountant!

Mark and Lindsay Hoots ('02)

Mark writes "an update of how our family is doing. Alana Grace was born this past February. Carson just turned 3 years this month and Gabrielle will be 5 in February. Lindsay is doing a great job as a stay-at-home Mom. She arranges the music for church and plays the piano there, as well as helping me teach the Teen department at church.

"I was promoted to a Senior Buyer at my company (CB&I) in May, and again to Project Procurement Manager (PPM) in September.

"Our church is growing well, we are in the middle of building our first church building, we teach the teens with another couple, and was asked to serve as a deacon earlier this year."

Erik Eloe ('07)

In the May/June 2008 issue of Baptist Bulletin, a General Association of Regular Baptist Churches publication, Erik and Erika were cited as a good examples of servants in a new church plant in innercity Chicago--River North Baptist Church.

According to the article, Erik is both song leader and "Caleb" -- the helper that Pastor Bill Branks was praying for.

Thanks for being good testimonies, Erik and Erika.

Andrew Carlson ('05)

Andrew completed the uniform CPA exam and now just needs to complete Illinois’ separate “ethics exam” requirement in order to become licensed in Illinois. Congratulations Andrew!

Andrew and his boss, John Phillips, of System Parking in Chicago were recently on campus recruiting permanent and intern employees from the Department of Business.

Mark Hoots ('02)

Mark and his wife Lindsay (Morris--also a MBBC graduate in 2001) have 2 children. Mark says, "Gabbie is 4, Carson is 2, and another girl is on the way in mid-February. They make life so much fun.

"Our church had an opportunity to buy 30 acres in a developing area about 3 years ago, and last March, we left my home church to start the new church plant about 15 miles away...the Green Garden Baptist Church in Green Garden (Frankfort), Illinois. We are leading and teaching the teen group with another couple, and Lindsay is playing the piano and choosing and arranging all the music for the services. We averaged 95 in Sunday Morning Attendance last year...and have already seen a lot of new families join and 3 salvations in our services. It has been great to see God work so far."

Andrew Carlson ('05)

2005 accounting and marketing graduate, Andrew Carlson, told me that he “received probably the best Christmas gift ever on Saturday, December 22nd” – no, he did not get engaged! He told me that he “received a passing grade on the REG (Tax and Law) section of the CPA exam, which now completes the CPA journey for me.” At System Parking in Chicago, he’s moving into a new role as Director of Client Relations.