A Living Legacy

The Multicultural Ministry of Barbara and Weldyn Houger
by Joni Welk-Campbell

If you visited Drs. Weldyn and Barbara Houger and asked them about the legacy they hope to leave, you'd quickly discover that they have a dream of building positive, vibrant multi-cultural relationships in a global society. Throughout their marriage they built and nurtured, only to start over again in another community of people. This vision inspires their lives daily.

Weldyn and Barb arrived on the campus of Northwest University in 2007 to teach students wanting to serve people from cultures other than their own. The Hougers' one-year assignment extended into five years of continued teaching and assistance in program development, resulting in a new Bachelor of Arts degree in Intercultural Studies.

Weldyn and Barbara were called to missions at an early age. They met at Northwest and together found a lifetime call to serve, teach, inspire, and encourage others. They are ministers, educators, administrators, and gifted leaders with the ability to build genuine relationships and effective learning opportunities.

"We want to help students hear what God is saying to them so they can find fulfillment in their call. We see ourselves as promoters of the potential in their lives," the couple explained. "We don't hold back from asking, 'how can we help you accomplish your call using the talents you've been given?' We hope to unveil their potential and encourage intercultural learners in their missions calling."

In 1972, the couple began their service in Alaska, where they served for seven years. In Haines, Alaska they ministered to the people of the local Assembly of God, including the Tlingit Indians in Klukwan. Through their time in Alaska they continued building relationships with people living in other remote towns. In Bethel with the Yupik Eskimos they helped establish a Bible school and a church. Indigenous churches were formed in Glennallen and Klukwan.

By the time the Hougers left Alaska, they were known across the state for their success in cross-cultural ministry and the formation of vibrant, caring communities. Following a period of pastoring in a smaller community in Montana, the Hougers shifted their ministry to serve cultures outside the United States.

Landing in Indonesia in 1985 was a fulfillment of God's promise that they would minister to people in that culture. Language school was one of their harder experiences, but it was a joy to be able to speak with the people in their own language. After language school they moved to Medan, North Sumatra to assist the Batak people, where they worked in a Bible school. Weldyn served as Assistant Academic Dean and they both served as lecturers. They formed a School of Ministry out in villages, where they taught courses, held services, and helped start new churches. Later they served in the Jakarta Bible School as campus pastors and lecturers, ministering and teaching in the churches in the areas of leadership and Christian education.

In the middle of their commission in Indonesia, a year was spent in Vietnam because visa problems forced them to leave Indonesia for a period of time. In Vietnam, the Hougers helped start three orphanages, worked with drug rehab centers, and started the process to build health clinics.

In 1996, they returned to the States. Weldyn served as Missionary in Residence at Trinity Bible College in North Dakota. "It was a great experience to help plant a vision for missions in the hearts of students," he said. Currently, the students Weldyn taught are serving all over the world, from Indonesia and Thailand, to China, to Chile.

For a number of years the Hougers served as Bible school and educational consultants with the Asia Pacific Education Office, working with leaders in Mongolia, Thailand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Cambodia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Samoa, and American Samoa.

After 2000, new missions opportunities opened for Weldyn and Barbara in Singapore, where Weldyn served as President and Academic Dean of the Assemblies of God Bible College, and Barb as Registrar. During this time, they also taught classes at the school before finally coming to Northwest University.

Wayde Goodall, Dean of the College of Ministry, commented on the Hougers' contribution to Northwest: "Drs. Weldyn and Barbara Houger are having a tremendous impact on our NU students generally and specifically in their leadership in the Intercultural Studies major. Their unique expertise with various cultures, religions, and worldviews has been communicated with excellence while assisting the students with a biblical worldview. Whether they are teaching a class in their on-campus apartment or in the classroom, advising, or just being with the students, they communicate warmth, compassion, and most of all a Christ-like attitude. They are a gift to our University and most of all to each student they encounter."

The University's Intercultural Studies program offers concentrations in four global areas and focuses on serving multicultural environments. This year, six students completed their study abroad program and experienced work with underprivileged children, youth at risk, victims of human trafficking, and HIV/AIDS victims depending on the countries they were in. Over 50 students are enrolled in the program this year.

One student, Nicole Sanstad ('09) chose to serve her semester abroad in Chiang Mai, Thailand. She also spent time in Cambodia and Vietnam. In May she will be returning to Cambodia to work with Chab Dai, an organization that focuses on uniting Khmai nationals and internationals on the issue of human trafficking. Two other alumni, Joshua ('08) and Vicki ('09) Mathews, have been working in the Dominican Republic (DR) for the last three years under the Student International Organization. They have had a tremendous influence in the lives of local youth and North American youth coming to the DR for short-term mission assignments.

The Hougers continue to travel to Asia as directors of the Asia Pacific Education office, which works alongside around 100 Bible schools. Weldyn and Barb are also board and committee members of the Asia Pacific Theological Association. Weldyn serves on the newly-formed World Alliance for Pentecostal Theological Education, which connects Pentecostal/Charismatic accreditation associations around the world and is the educational arm for the Pentecostal World Fellowship (PWF).

"What we hope to pass on to our students is a willingness to be transparent, vulnerable, and a participant with the people they will be ministering to," the Hougers explained, looking to Christ's own ministry as the ultimate example. "He broke through barriers, he crossed over differing cultures, and we should do the same. This is the fervor we desire to ignite in all those with whom we can have an influence." The Hougers have faithfully served Northwest University for the past five years as missionaries in residence and faculty. At the end of the 2011-2012 academic year they will transition to the role of adjunct faculty with plans to return to Asia Pacific in May 2013.

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