Joel Rosario
Dominican Republic
The Northland student body is composed of numerous differentethnicities, from Chinese to French to Palauan. The international students add a vital dynamic to thestudent body. The story of JoelRosario, a student from the Dominican Republic, typifies the attitude ofNorthland’s international students—that of willingness to trust and followGod.
Joel began his sophomore year of college this semester. Heis pursuing a degree in Biblical Exposition simply for the purpose of sharingthe Gospel anywhere and everywhere. His zeal for the Great Commission is evident in his life. Growing up inthe Dominican Republic, Joel’s native language is Spanish, yet he speaksEnglish remarkably well. Overcoming culture shock and the cultural differences, Joel has adaptedto life in the north.
God used many people and many unique circumstances to bringJoel to Northland. In 2007, theNorthland basketball team took a missions trip to the Dominican Republic. Thiswas the first time that Joel took note of the small Christian college inglacial Wisconsin. From that point, God kept bringing Northland to hisattention. The following summer,God opened the door for Joel to come to camp at Northland for two weeks. He stayed a few extra days, and CoachDennis Scott showed him the campus. Over that year, Joel prayed consistently about the possibility ofattending Northland. Through thework of many people and God’s provision, he was able to start his freshman yearin the fall semester of 2010. Though he dealt with culture shock, he adapted toschool life fairly quickly. Joelcommented, “Once I got here, and school started, everything was spirituallyfocused. We started school and wehad ‘devos’ really early in the morning with Doc O and Dr. Olson. I’m not a morning person, but Godreally started working on me through that. Everything—every conversation went back to the Word.” Joel’s excitement about being atNorthland and the growth he’s experienced in his time here is contagious. Over the next three years, he willcontinue to train and grow preparing for the day that he can use his knowledgeto further the Gospel in another culture.
Click here to read more about international students at Northland.