Why should Dalat alumni consider giving back to their alma mater? Alumnus Steve Strong (1980) sounds off about why the school’s values are still so important — and how you can be part of that.

 

Steve Strong was part of the class of 1980 for many years as a student, although he did not graduate at Dalat. His wife, Carol (Carlsen), was in the same class at Dalat. The Strongs now have three boys who attend Dalat and are in the school’s Residence Life program: Joshua (grade 11), Jordan (grade 10), and Justin (grade 8). Steve is the director of Christian and Missionary Alliance Thailand and Carol directs the C&MA guesthouse in Bangkok. Steve is also Chairman of the Dalat School Board.

 

Q. Do you feel the school’s values have changed since you attended here in the 1970s?

 

A. Since I’ve seen the school over the years — as a student, sibling of students, parents as staff, now with kids in school — I’ve seen the school get better and better over time.

 

While it’s different in many ways, the things that are the same are that the staff are very balanced and competent. The kids feel loved and valued by teachers and dorm parents. There may be a greater number of business kids here, but the intentionality of the staff in being Christian examples and giving Christian teaching has grown.

 

Q. What impact does Dalat have on missions in Southeast Asia?

 

A. By providing an excellent education and boarding program, Dalat gives a great amount of peace to those working in other areas of the region.

 

We’re able to be flexible where we go because I know my kids are well taken care of here. Some families have had to leave the places where they serve because they are not able to meet their kids’ needs. Families that use the boarding program at Dalat have a lot more freedom to serve.

 

The school also has a missional impact on the kids that come here and the community in Penang. There are kids that have left here as strong Christians, though they didn’t come from that background. The school has had a part in training and discipling future Christian workers.

 

Q. How can alumni be part of Dalat’s supportive role to missions?

 

A. Both my wife and I had such a good experience at Dalat, we want to do everything we can to help Dalat continue to do what it does. We are indebted in a sense — our lives were shaped and formed by Dalat — we need to give money and prayers back to show gratitude to God for the influence of Dalat on our lives.

 

 I don’t think we realized the investment that was made when we came to school as students. The cost of running the school has increased over time. Enrollment and staff have gone up and expenses have gone up exponentially. Dalat continues to exist to serve the mission community. But it needs outside help to continue this way.