Rachel Clark

Rachel Clark

20 questionsName: Rachel Clark.
Title: Director of Residence Life.
Education: BA, Media Communication, Bethel University; MA, Organizational Leadership, APU.
At Biola since: 2003.
StrengthsFinder top five? Activator, Woo, Communication, Empathy, Harmony.

1. What do you do in your job (briefly)?  Some of the major parts of my position include: Supervision of half of the Resident Directors; Directing evaluation, programming & assessment efforts for Residence Life; Work with the Student Care Committee in finding ways to help students who are in need.

2. The five (or so) most influential books you've read:

  • Surrender to Love, David Benner
  • Traveling Mercies, Anne Lamott
  • Ragamuffin Gospel, Brennan Manning
  • Space for God, Don Postema
  • Quotidian Mysteries, Kathleen Norris
  • The Inner Voice of Love, Henry Nouwen

3. The best example of love in your life?  My father, my mentor, or my friend/sister Linda.

4. Why are you at Biola? I feel called to be here working with college students.  The investment people made into my life during my time at Bethel was so significant that it truly altered the course of my life.  I see this as a way to hopefully give back some of what I’ve been given. 

5. A guilty pleasure: Hmmmm…I really like gummy any/everything!

6. Can you share your testimony in 200 words or less? I came to know Jesus when I was 5 years old because I was scared of the monster beneath my bed.  At 5, learning that I never had to feel alone was a great comfort to me.  My conversion was not a lightning-bolt experience.  However, his presence made/makes a huge difference. This has been a life long conversation and a walking out of what it looks like to be in relationship with the God of the Universe.  I needed to be saved from the monster at 5 and I very much still feel the need to be saved (from all sorts of things) on a daily basis.  The presence of God in my life has and continues to make a huge difference.  Quite frankly, life without something more than this world has to offer is quite grim.

7. If God put you completely in charge of creating Heaven, what would it be like? I wouldn’t want to be in charge.  My vision would be too small.  However, if I had a say in it…I hope there are tons of antique stores, thrift shops, tea houses, farmers & flower markets, amazingly organic & quirky restaurants, tons of gardens & beautiful mountains, trees, walking paths…..  I guess that about sums it up.

8. What movie/TV/book have you seen in the last year that you wish all your friends could share? Surrender to Love by David Benner.

9. If you could relive any part of your life, what part would it be, and why? I might relive the days when I wore some of the very special outfits my mom made for me.  This was in the 80’s and 90’s,  Why?  Looking back----it’s just painful.

10. What is the most risky thing you want to try doing? I take risks all of the time---so this is not new to me.

11. What are five things you are most thankful for in your life right now?

  • Perspective
  • Friends & Family,
  • Home,
  • Job, 
  • Beauty,
  • Fresh Air,
  • Inspiration... hey, that's seven!

12. In difficult times, who would you most want praying for you? My mentor, mom & friend Linda.

13. What was the greatest peer pressure you felt as a teen/college student? I felt pressure to know who I was and a lot of that pressure was internal and self imposed.

14. Do you think it is possible to live with no regrets? Yes, I do think it is possible, though it is not easy and requires a lot of intentionality.  In the last few months I've begun trying to live like this is possible and it has made a big difference in my life. 

15. What is your definition of success? Do you consider yourself to be successful? Success is doing the best you can with what you’ve been given.  Am I successful?  Some days yes... other days, no.

16. How much is your self-worth and identity determined by your job and your success at it? Work is only one piece of this pie.

17. What are the most important things you look for when choosing a church? Diversity, authenticity, Bible believing, Spirit filled, willing to address real issues.

18. What is the most beautiful thing you have ever seen? Sunsets; sunrises; flowers; mountains; lakes; stars; northern lights; babies; I can’t chose one.

19. What are the 3 questions you most want to ask God?

  • What does the fully redeemed Rachel look like?
  • Why is suffering such a big part of the plan?
  • What is your Spirit up to across the world?

20. In what areas of your life is it most difficult to trust God? With the future.

21. What does contentment mean to you? How close are you to that, now? God gives us what we need---when we need it. Contentment is being satisfied with what He gives us.  How close am I?  Depends on the day.