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Our History
The Marshall Christensen Foundation traces its origin
back to a relationship between InterVarsity-USA and the Kazakh-American
Free University in Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan. In 1996, InterVarsity-USA
asked Dr. Marshall Christensen to assume responsibility for the American
partnership that was serving this university in Kazakhstan.
In 1997, Dr. Christensen visited the Kazakh-American Free
University along with three business representatives from
Oregon. As a result of their visit, they decided to create a
foundation that would support international higher education - at the
university in Ust-Kamenogorsk and around the world. The Marshall Christensen
Foundation was formally registered as a non-profit foundation later that year
in the State of Oregon.
The MCF Today
Today, the MCF focuses its work on
fostering quality education and developing servant leaders at places of learning around the globe. The
MCF carries out this work by serving universities in developing countries through
a variety of programs that help students and faculty develop
as servant leaders and through university partnerships that bring mutually beneficial exchanges and friendships
to universities around the world.
The MCF carries out its programs with the help of
a small staff team, an actively involved Board of Directors, and the
important help of many volunteers. The MCF highly values the
participation of educators and professionals as key contributors to
MCF programs as mentors, trainers, and teachers. The MCF funds its
programs through the generous financial
contributions of individual and corporate donors.
MCF Staff
MCF programs are coordinated and directed by the
following MCF staff team:
Dr. Marshall Christensen, Founder.
Marshall has dedicated his career to higher education and helping
students prepare for life. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of
Oregon and he was a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Heidelberg,
Germany. He is a professor of history and the international
provost for the Kazakh-American Free University in Kazakhstan.
Dr. Daniel Ballast, President.
For twelve years, Dan helped to develop international higher
education as vice-president of the Kazakh-American Free University
in Kazakhstan. He lives with his family in the Philippines,
where he directs the Foundation's programs around the world.
Mr. Lars Peterson, Director of Teaching
Abroad Programs. In this role, Lars works with
the MCF to recruit, prepare and support American teachers for short
and long-term volunteer roles at international universities.
Lis Saunders, Administrative Assistant.
Lis works part-time with the MCF and she also works full-time as a Senior Executive and Board Assistant at Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance. She
also volunteers with a variety of Portland, Oregon based non-profits.
MCF Board of Directors
All activities of the Marshall Christensen Foundation are
approved and overseen by the MCF Board of Directors. The Board of Directors
are also actively involved as participants in MCF programs.
Dr. John Maring, Director Emeritus. Dr. Maring
served the Foundation for over ten years as a board member, including many years as
chairman. Dr. Maring lives in Seattle,Washington and owns an investment firm.
Geoff Guilfoy, Chair. Geoff
Guilfoy is a principal at AKT LLP where he directs the company's
Public Sector Division and management consulting services.
Prior to joining AKT, Geoff served in executive management positions
in Oregon State government for 17 years. Geoff is also an
Executive Professor at Willamette University's Atkinson Graduate
School of Management.
Chris Anderson, Vice-Chair. Chris Anderson is the
Executive Director of the Wolf Education and Research Center. He also facilitates outreach
to Mexico as founder of Mission Oaxaca, the result of 14 years of work in Latin America.
He is President of Owl Brand Supply Company, a company that specializes in wholesale and
retail science labs.
Tom Smart, Treasurer. Tom Smart worked in education as
a school teacher and administrator for 30 years. He now works to provide insurance
and benefit packages to employees of schools and churches.
Robert Christensen, Secretary. Bob is the pastor of
Mt. Scott Church of God in Portland, Oregon. He and his wife Barbara have served in
ministry together in the United States and in Brazil.
Dr. Ronald Galloway. Dr.
Galloway, a professor of leadership and organizational behavior, is
the Dean of the School of Business of Northwest Nazarene University.
He also directs the university's MBA program.
Shawn Mitchell. Shawn
Mitchell served for 13 years in church ministry and administration.
Shawn is now the co-director of Catalyst Project, a non-profit
corporation that serves communities by offering home repair and
maintenance to those in need.
Michael Marsh. Michael
Marsh has served for over 30 years in Oregon government. He
now consults and assists state and local governments with
accountable, citizen-focused financial management. He has an
MBA and is a Contributing Professor at Willamette University
Graduate School of Management.
Jonathan Martin. Jonathan
worked for 15 years in China where he taught English and English
Literature. He now directs the global outreach department at
Good Shepherd Community Church in Boring, Oregon. He is the
author of "Giving Wisely," a book on financial stewardship in
charitable giving.
Our Core Values
The mission and activities of the MCF are a product of the MCF's core values:
Communities of Learning: Values relationships with
students, teachers and administrators at places of learning.
International Understanding: Brings countries and cultures together
in dialogue, friendship and partnership.
Volunteerism: Involves individuals who are willing to volunteer
their time.
Stewardship: Efficiently delivers programs that provide maximum
impact.
Servant Leadership: Models, shares, teaches and draws out the
principles of servant leadership through its programs.
Community: Lives in, models and builds communities of servant
leadership.
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Visiting Kazakhstan in 1997.

The MCF serves at the Kazakh-American
Free University in Kazakhstan.

The MCF also serves at Kyiv National
Linguistic University in Ukraine.

Chris Anderson, Marshall Christensen, Dr. Mambetkaziev from Kazakhstan, and Daniel Ballast.

Lars Peterson with friends and teachers
at a school in East Kazakhstan.

Bob Christensen talks with a student during the Academy, part of the MCF's servant leadership program.

Dr. Ron Galloway (right) and Marshall Christensen
(center) meet with Dr. Mambetkaziev from Kazakhstan.

Jonathan Martin and his wife Janie (far right) participate in
the 2008 Servant Leadership Academy.
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