These alumni profiles (below) began as a series of articles highlighting alumni who are living out their kingdom calling in their chosen vocations. There are many other publications (alumni magazine articles, career networking stories, etc.) which also share the stories of Calvin alumni. These additional stories have been indexed: List by Name and List by Grad Year.

Rachel Zylstra '02

"At Calvin I was encouraged to see that casting my voice—the things I know to be true—out into that cacophony of voices [of popular culture] is part of the work of renewal we're called to do.”

Kendra Bylsma '02

"God has asked us to take care of our bodies; that's where the Holy Spirit is housed. If we can't take care of ourselves, how can we take care of others?”

Jordan Hoogendam '04

"Long-term sustainability requires a balance between social, economic and environmental issues. My work allows me to foster ideas and develop systems that are sustainable on all of these levels."

Jason Fileta '05

“What I heard at Calvin was that whether or not you think you'll make a difference, you have a responsibility to try; and by the way, you will make a difference.”

Christine Metzger '89

As the head of Mustard Seed School, I try to carry out a philosophy I learned as an undergraduate – we need to look outside the box for the things that bring renewal.

Jennie Nichols '01

"Capitalism, if done correctly — with morals — is a really good way of helping people in developing countries. You can … make the personal choice that you will pay them a good wage and still make a viable business and help them."

Jason Andringa '99

"I feel very close to God when I'm able to discover more about the intricacies of the universe and the beauty of it in a scientific sense."

Rachel '00 and Ryan Ver Wys '00

“We wanted to help transform communities. From there, the ripples of renewal began.”

Dirk Pruis '82

“I work on Wall Street — arguably a place far afield from God’s work of renewal.”

Kim Olthoff '82

“I work with liver regeneration, so renewal is what I do. It’s also what I believe.”

Steven Wiersma '84

"The thing I've loved from the beginning about preventive medicine...is empowering people—giving people tools to make changes."

Mark Herald '82

“Fire is interesting.... You won’t find a lot of guys who want to do both police work and fire fighting.” Fortunately, Herald is one of the few.

Leslie Ruiter '82

"...compared with playing solo oboe in an orchestra, making an argument before a federal judge seems like a piece of cake."

Niala Boodhoo '96

"As a journalist, I tell the stories that people need to hear."

CCCU.org, December 19, 2002
Changing News, Unchanging Purpose

The Spark, Summer 2002
"A Better World?"