Brandon
Class of 2010
Hometown: Braine-le-Château, Belgium
Major: Secondary Education (English)
Concentration: French
Brandon is the son of Assemblies of God missionaries to Belgium. Despite being so far from home, Brandon has found Evangel to be the ideal place to study education and prepare for his future.
He has been actively involved in founding an international/missionary kids club on campus and is the missions trip director for CROSSwalk Student Ministries. A highlight of his college years has been leading a student missions team on a service trip to his home country of Belgium.
Why did you choose Evangel?
In one way I chose Evangel early on; but in another, Evangel eventually chose me.
Which residence hall do you live in? Have you gotten involved in any floor/hall leadership positions?
I live in Scott Hall and I have been the Hall Council treasurer and this year I’ll be a Bed and Breakfast host.
Did you receive financial aid?
I have a scholarship because my parents are Assembly of God missionaries. I also have department scholarships and since I am a self-supporting student, I have had to take out some federal and private loans.
Did you visit Evangel before becoming a student?
Since I’m a missionary kid, I was limited to touring colleges while my family was in the States during the summer after my eighth grade year. Along with Evangel, I toured three other schools; but it was Evangel that left me the most lasting impression.
What do you like about the campus?
I love the wide-open spaces we have on campus. The area around our clock tower is particularly enjoyable and our gym is great!
How did you choose your major?
Going through high school in Belgium, I was required to learn French, so my decision to acquire a concentration in French is not surprising. Despite my previous French education, I have continued to learn more about French grammar, vocabulary, and literature right here in America! As for my decision to pursue education, I’ve always been convinced that a Christian cannot live a fulfilled life without doing something that helps others. It’s basically that simple; my need to help others combined with my love for literature has fostered a passion for English education.
What are the benefits of attending a smaller university?
I know the names of my professors. This could be the case in any school. At Evangel, though, my professors know my name. My advisor and her colleagues are willing to go out of their way to give me undivided attention when needed, which has helped me understand my area of study exponentially.
What do you like about being an Evangel student?
Not only do faculty and staff care about preparing fellow students and me for the workforce; they care about our minds, hearts, and souls. I’m leaving Evangel with a great degree and maturity that is a result of mentoring that goes beyond a job description.
So far, what kind of educational/service/leadership opportunities have you encountered?
During my sophomore year, I took on my first major leadership role as a missions trip leader. I planned and led a team of 14 students on a service project to my home in Belgium. Although the trip was challenging, I saw it as a great learning experience and built great friendships. In my junior year, I joined CROSSwalk, Evangel’s student ministry board, on which I still serve as student director of missions trips. Also, I have partnered with Kent Ferguson, Multicultural Director, to found Nomads, an international/MK club. For a few semesters, I was also actively involved in Epiphany, the creative literary and arts club. I enjoy going to monthly coffee nights to listen to my friends perform music, poetry, art and prose.
Have you had any internships or practicums yet? What valuable experience do you take away from that?
Since I’m in education, I’ve had three practicums so far. Each experience was different, but they all had great educational value to me as a prospective teacher. This fall I will have my final practicum before student teaching in the spring.
In addition to leading the missions trip to Belgium two years ago, what other opportunities has been an MK (missionary kid) provided you?
The MK community is strong at Evangel. We are similar in our differences — this statement is not an attempt to group all American-born-and-raised people as carbon copies of one another — but the experiences I’ve had as an MK have really added to my uniqueness, and it’s great to know that there are 50 other MKs at Evangel with whom I can fellowship. As the president of Nomads, I’ve made every effort to include the small international student group Evangel has in this fellowship. My family has been missionaries in Asia (where I was born), South Africa and Belgium. In addition, I’m half Canadian (I carry two passports). I like to joke with my MK/international friends that I’m perfect for the presidency of Nomads since I’m both an international student and an MK.
How have you dealt with being so far from your family?
I have had moments of terrible homesickness, especially during my sophomore year. Thankfully, though, God has always made a way for me to go home at least once every six months.
Why should a prospective student choose Evangel?
Evangel is a great school for you to be nurtured mentally and spiritually. Not only will you be prepared for the competitive work force when you graduate; you’ll also be ready to take on the world for the sake of Jesus Christ and reach people who might not feel compelled to walk into a church. In addition, you have the potential to add to the greatness of Evangel University. Each of us has a new facet of insight and personality to build on top of the legacy of more than 50 years of educational greatness
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