Northwestern College names director of Christian formation

Northwestern College has announced the hiring of Mark DeYounge as director of Christian formation. DeYounge, a 2008 graduate of Northwestern College who has been director of discipleship at First Reformed Church in Sioux Center for three years, will start his new position June 1.

DeYounge will lead Northwestern’s chapel program and provide pastoral care to students. He will oversee staff in the campus ministry department and work with them to plan and lead worship, discipleship and service opportunities that contribute to students’ Christian formation and the integration of faith and learning.

“Mark is someone who loves Northwestern, who is passionate about students and the transformation of their minds and hearts, and who is eager to learn from and be mentored by members of this community,” says President Greg Christy. “Most importantly, Mark is humbly responsive to God’s leading in his life. We’re grateful God has led him here.”

DeYounge previously served as area director for the Young Life ministry in Sioux Falls, S.D., and earned a graduate certificate in youth and family ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary. He is on schedule to graduate with a Master of Divinity degree from Western Theological Seminary in May 2017. At that time he will pursue ordination in the Reformed Church in America and assume the title of Northwestern’s dean of Christian formation.

“I’m really excited about what I’ve seen God do in my life, and that of my wife and many friends, through Northwestern,” says DeYounge. “It is a privilege and honor to have the opportunity to benefit the Northwestern community. I have such a passion for today’s young, emerging adults—discipling them, proclaiming God’s Word to them and helping them encounter God in worship. This position gives me a great opportunity to do all three.”

Among DeYounge’s goals as director of Christian formation are to continue to center Northwestern’s chapel program on the Bible, holding to the three tenets of the college’s Christian identity: Reformed commitment, evangelical engagement and ecumenical spirit. He also seeks to help the Northwestern community encounter God, worshiping in spirit and truth.

“Another desire of mine is to always pray before I lead and always listen before I speak,” says DeYounge. “I would also like to learn the name of all of Northwestern’s faculty, staff and students—and, even more so, to get to know their stories and enjoy sharing life with them.”

A 2004 graduate of Mountain Lake (Minn.) Public High School, DeYounge earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration at Northwestern. He was a member of the Sigma Tau senior honor society, recipient of the 2007 Outstanding Junior Business Student Award, and a two-year captain of the basketball team. He was named an NAIA Scholar-Athlete as a junior and senior.

DeYounge replaces the Rev. Harlan VanOort, who served as Northwestern’s chaplain for 12 years before leaving last August to become pastor of City Church Denver.