STILLPOINT Spring 2024

THE MAGAZINE OF GORDON COLLEGE

STILLPOINT SPRING 2024

fostering fLOURISHING

Also in This Issue 12 Q&A with new faculty 16 “From Fear to Hope” by Dr. Sharon Galgay Ketcham

Back on the quad The heartbeat of campus life was alive again at Homecoming. This past fall the signature Men’s and Women’s Soccer games moved back onto the quad after a stint up at Brigham Athletic Complex. Both teams were victorious over the Wentworth Institute of Technology, with 2-1 and 3-0 wins, respectively. From the athletics to academics, marketplace to music, food trucks to the Scot Trot foot race (pictured here)—Gordon alumni, faculty, students, family and friends came together once again for a classic New England fall weekend to remember.

CONTENTS IN EACH ISSUE

5 Inspiration

Deborah Sullivan ’20

Front with 6 Up President Hammond United in Christ

8 Student Spotlight Evelyn Murphy ’25

10 On the Grapevine

Campus news and happenings

10 Scholarship Snapshots

fostering

fLOURISHING Peek under the surface and into the corners of nearly every part of society and you’ll discover oft-overlooked individuals. Gender, ethnicity, ability: there are myriad reasons why people may be in the margins. They are vulnerable, and yet powerful. Read how four Gordon alumni are working across the lines of religion, ability and stigma to serve and empower those in need—to foster the flourishing of others.

24 Class Notes

Alumni news and stories

IN THIS ISSUE

12 Q&A with New Faculty

Meet four of the new faces on campus

16 From Fear to Hope:

Looking for Christ in the faith of rising generations

By Dr. Sharon Galgay Ketcham, professor of theology and Christian ministries

18 The Power of Choice Mary Speta ’14

20 The Power of Peace Shruthi De Visser ’16

22 The Power of “Yes”

Eric and Holly (Holbrook) Nelson ’89

ON THE COVER Eric and Holly (Holbook) Nelson ’89 with their three children—Mollie, Sam and Maggie—near their home in Lusaka, Zambia, where they run Special Hope Network. Read their story on page 22.

INSPIRATION

Thriving in Generosity

STILLPOINT

Deborah Sullivan, Assistant Director of Admissions Events and Strategic Partnerships

VOLUME 39 NUMBER 1

The Magazine of Gordon College

When headlining acts like We The Kingdom and Tauren Wells draw middle and high school students to Christian summer music festivals, Deborah Sullivan ’20 is ready for them. Events like Soulfest, Kingdom Bound and Hopefest create a fresh and low-pressure environment for Christian colleges to connect with prospective students.

Dr. Mike Hammond, President

With 12 music festivals under her direction, Sullivan spends months working out partnerships, ordering thousands of t-shirts and planning all aspects of Gordon’s booth and radiating presence at Christian music festivals. When the music starts she and her team of admissions counselors have one main mission: generosity.

Kristine Western, Staff Writer

With a heart for youth ministry that began before her days at Gordon, Sullivan recognizes the importance of engaging with future Scots from a young age. So she and her team hand out t-shirts, beach balls and Crocs “jibbetz” like candy. They pray with attendees and engage them in conversations about college. They invite them to reflect on where God is calling them to grow. They practice deliberate, abundant hospitality from the first guests to the final chords each evening.

Through her purposeful connections with prospective students of all ages, intentional leadership of her team and consistent example of seeking God in all things, Sullivan represents Gordon College in a way that will impact classes of Scots for years to come. “I have to lean on the Lord. I don’t necessarily have formal training for this, but I know I’m here for a reason,” she says. Her prayer is always: “God, show me how to do this well.”

For Sullivan the affirmation comes in unexpected ways: Seeing students sporting last year’s t-shirts at this year’s events. Running into students from her youth ministry days on campus. Watching Gordon beach balls bounce all throughout the crowd at the main stage arena.

Staying connected with students long after the event, and eventually welcoming them to Gordon.

Heather Korpi, Editorial Director Stephen Dagley ’08, Creative Director Neal Ericsson, Design Center Director Joanne Steward, Senior Graphic Designer Madison West ’22, Graphic Designer Anne Lang, Staff Writer and Copy Editor UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFO AND DELIVERY PREFERENCES

www.gordon.edu/stillpoint/updatecontact OTHER CORRESPONDENCE Editor, STILLPOINT | Gordon College 255 Grapevine Road, Wenham, MA 01984 stillpoint@gordon.edu PRINTING Flagship Press | North Andover, MA Opinions expressed in STILLPOINT are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Gordon College administration.

Reproduction of STILLPOINT material is permitted; please attribute to STILLPOINT: The Magazine of Gordon College.

MISSION STILLPOINT magazine is one of two keynote communications (along with Gordon’s website) that exist to connect the extended Gordon community to the life of the College.

STILLPOINT offers meaningful, relevant news and stories to educate, inspire and engage Gordon and Barrington alumni, parents, donors and friends.

Send feedback and story suggestions to stillpoint@gordon.edu

SPRING 2024 | STILLPOINT 5

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UP FRONT with President Hammond

United in Christ I had no business walking onto a Major League Baseball diamond last summer.

But when the opportunity arose to throw the ceremonial first pitch at a Red Sox game, I added some extra stretching and practice throws into my daily routine. Then, on an evening in June I stepped up to the mound. As a lifelong baseball fan, this was such a special experience, made even better by the fact that more than 200 members of the Gordon community were in the stands.

The Red Sox, like every team in baseball (and in many areas of life), is comprised of uniquely different individuals. There are the players who superstitiously tighten their gloves three times before batting. When a great play or an unfair call is made, some chatter loudly. For many, athleticism is built into their DNA, while others overcome extreme odds on the path to a championship. But by nature of being part of a team, they find ways to work together, to set aside their differences in light of achieving a greater goal.

Any team is a group of very different people working together toward a common purpose. The same could be said for the Church.

Dr. Michael Hammond is the ninth president of Gordon College. He is the proud new owner of a Red Sox jersey with “Hammond” embroidered on the back. president@gordon.edu www.gordon.edu/president @mike_hammond_gc

6 STILLPOINT | SPRING 2024

As believers our commonality is our commitment to Christ. How we express and experience that commitment differs greatly by Christian tradition, culture and background. Within Gordon’s student body alone, more than 40 Christian traditions are represented.

If we add in faculty, staff, alumni and parents, that number would grow significantly. It would be easy for these differences to divide us. Our world today wants to drive us into the ditches of the far right or the far left, to respond with extreme hatred in the face of disagreement.

But I believe that our Christian faith compels us toward lives of conviction, compassion and concern. It pushes us to care for those with real needs and to fight against injustice in a broken world.

In these things, our impact is greater when we are united in Christ rather than unanimous in thought or expression— when we heed the call toward sympathy, love and compassion.

On page 16 you’ll hear from Dr. Sharon Galgay Ketcham, who is leading the charge toward spiritual formation at Gordon as part of the College’s strategic plan. My vision is for Gordon to be a model of what’s possible when we press against divisions and choose to spur one another on in our faith and all its many dimensions.

Then, starting on page 18, you’ll see how four alumni are living this reality. Their faith is informed by vastly different life experiences and expressed in unique ways, but they are compelled by a Christian conviction to serve and to foster the flourishing of others. They are working across the lines of religion, physical and intellectual ability and societal stigmas to empower vulnerable and often-overlooked individuals. I trust that their stories will be an encouragement.

Spurring you on,

Mike Hammond

IN EACH ISSUE

gs

Hammond Happenin

joining Englanders without We wouldn’t be New g (and kin pic le app ing lud , inc in the fall festivities ial ent ing) with the Presid apple cider donut eat

Glad to be a second-tim e Gordon parent, with Natalie join ing the Class of 2027 this year!

Such an ho nor to see hundreds of Gordon alumni retu rn to campus fo r Homeco ming. We loved havi ng soccer back on the quad an d cheering the Men’s and Women’s S o cc er teams to vi ctory.

Fellows.

Grateful to receive a generous donation to fund additional improvements in the Bennett Center, including a new strength and conditioning space along with a new functional training area.

What a thrill to throw out the first pitch

at the Red Sox game last summer, with our

family and close to 200 Gordon friends and alumni in the stands.

It’s always a joy for our family to kick off the Christmas season with the campus tree lighting festival and annual Christmas Gala.

ne Thank you to everyo n rdo who included Go y sda Tue in their Giving You . contributions the donated $51,375 to d.

Fun n Gordo

SPRING 2024 | STILLPOINT 7

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Evelyn Murphy ’25 FINDING PEACE THROUGH PERSPECTIVE AND PANCAKES How Evelyn Murphy found herself in Guam assisting with disaster recovery after Typhoon Mawar changed everything.

Evelyn Murphy tucked The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer into her luggage for her summer trip to Guam, unaware of how soon she would live out the themes of simplification, stillness and connection. She arrived on the island of Guam on May 14 to live in the women’s dorm at Pacific Island University, where she would work as an instructional assistant for remote classes through Gordon’s Global Honors program. She spent her first week adjusting to life on campus—she set up her dorm room; got settled in her role; hiked with her fellow intern, Anna Mansfield ’24; and reveled in the island beauty that surrounded her.

After ending their week at a local church service, Evelyn and Anna detected restless murmurs in the crowd. Through the Chuukese church members, they learned a storm was headed for Guam.

Evelyn’s focus shifted from taking in her surroundings to taking cover as she and her colleagues boarded up windows.

Soon the sirens sounded, and it was time to take shelter.

“I’m not a person who rests easily in everyday life,” she says. “There were trees fallen everywhere, nothing was green anymore. . . that was the physical state of the community, but they were heavily focused on spending time as a community despite the state of things.” Evelyn held back pangs of restlessness as she matched the unhurried recovery pace.

Her impatience was compounded by the “There were trees realization that manual labor was not fallen everywhere, culturally fitting for a woman. If she was nothing was green going to assist in restoration, she’d need to think beyond moving debris. anymore. . .that was

the physical state of the community, but they were heavily focused on spending time as a community despite the state of things.”

Typhoon Mawar was the first to strike Guam since 2012. High winds tore down power lines and electricity went out immediately.

Classified as a “super typhoon,” the storm strengthened to a Category 4, complete with 165 mph winds. Evelyn sheltered with the girls in the women’s dorm, and the men stayed in the library because the roof of the men’s dorm was eventually lost to the storm. She spent 24 hours reading the words of Comer and playing games as the rain pelted and trees fell around her. After a full day and night of shelter, Evelyn emerged to find the beauty of days earlier in pieces around her.

The storm left 150,000 people without power and utilities, yet mercifully no fatalities were reported.

Evelyn dove head-first into the clean-up efforts with the students, moving debris and sifting through rubble.

8 STILLPOINT | SPRING 2024

But recovery looked different than she expected. “We only spent a few hours cleaning because their culture is one of rest,” she explains. The group took a break for lunch, and the time for connection and community spanned well into the evening.

Without a car or electricity, Evelyn leaned heavily on the University HR representative.

Josh was an expat who first came to Guam while in the Navy. Moved by his gracious service to her, Anna and the entire recovering student population, Evelyn says, “He was a representative of Christ in the way that he interacted with us.” On a trip to town to charge their phones, Josh stopped to buy bread for Anna and Evelyn. As Evelyn thanked him, Josh graciously remarked, “None of it is mine.”

Evelyn let that sentiment sink in. None of it was Josh’s, and none of it was Evelyn’s. Not the internship plans, not the pace of clean-up, not the cultural gender constructs. “I had to lean into that discomfort,” she says. “These men are working around me, and they’re loading the truck up with debris and driving it down the road every hour or so, but I need to just sit here and dwell in the community and get to know it.”

Evelyn used the space created by stillness to learn about the faith backgrounds of the students around her. She had opportunities for intentional conversations, prayer and supporting students as

IN EACH ISSUE

they worked to rebuild their community. One morning Evelyn came across two local girls preparing disaster rations as aid arrived from a local source. Huddled over a portable gas stove in the women’s dorm, they were trying to prepare the mix provided and told Evelyn, “We don’t know how to make these pancakes.”

Evelyn knew the power of a warm breakfast and seized the opportunity to nurture the community with a staple American comfort food. She became famous for her pancakes, often awakening to the sound of students yelling, “Evelyn, pancakes!” What was once unsettling became natural as she experienced the power of humble service in the ordinary.

A few weeks into the typhoon’s aftermath, Evelyn’s trip had to be cut short. With the power lines visibly grounded on her ride to the airport, she struggled to come to terms with leaving.

She had great appreciation and respect for how experiencing a disaster in a new way had grown her. “Resting in God’s providence and strength was something that I had to work on,” she said.

In the end she rests in what Josh said: none of it is ours. The words of Comer personified during her summer—the plans we have for our lives, the ways we serve, the outcomes we strive to control— none of this is ours. Yet there is peace found in human connection; in reaching out to God in humble surrender; and, just maybe, in an artfully prepared stack of pancakes.

Anna (L) and Evelyn (R) during their trip to Guam.

SPRING 2024 | STILLPOINT 9

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NEWS: ON THE GRAPEVINE

CAMPUS NEWS AND HAPPENINGS

Gordon College Receives National Rankings

Campus Enhancements

Gordon College was named one of the nation’s best institutions for undergraduates for the 10th consecutive year by The Princeton Review. Only about 15% of America’s 2,600 fouryear colleges made the list of Best 389 Colleges. Additionally, Gordon was ranked 163 in the “Best National Liberal Arts Colleges” category by U.S. News and World Report. Gordon continues to be one of two schools in the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) included on both lists.

Students started the 2023 fall

Thanks to an anonymous donor,

semester with a freshly painted

Gordon Athletics is enhancing the

Chapel, repaved sidewalks, updated

weight equipment at the Bennett

roofing on Jenks and Gedney and 20

Athletic Center, including a new, state-

newly planted trees. Nyland residents

of-the-art strength and conditioning

now enjoy a remodeled kitchen, and

space as well as a functional training

several residence halls received

area. A 3D rendering of these

upgraded bathrooms, fresh paint

improvements was released during

and new heating units.

Homecoming. The project is slated to be completed in the winter of 2024.

Publications and Presentations A paper published by Liza Abraham (chemistry) in the Journal Comparative and International Education, “Internationalization at Home,” describes a method for helping students increase their international exposure through collaborative projects with students from other countries.

Susan Bobb (psychology), with two former Gordon students as co-authors, published a paper based on her National Science Foundation-funded research. The paper, “Reported Use of Second-Language Speech Accommodation in Everyday Interactions: The Role of Individual Differences” appeared in the Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research and describes how first-language and second-language English speakers adjust their speech in interactions with one another.

10 STILLPOINT | SPRING 2024

Ian DeWeese-Boyd (philosophy) authored the entry “Self-Deception” for the spring 2023 updated edition of the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

Damon DiMauro (languages and linguistics) published three articles related to the measurement of time and the development of language: “Coining a Phrase: ‘My Two Cents’ Worth’” in Notes & Queries; “Hutchinsiana at the New Hampshire Historical Society” in The Timepiece Journal; and “A Profile Likeness of Clockmaker Daniel Burnap” in The Timepiece Journal.

Amy Brown Hughes (theology) authored an encyclopedia entry “Virginity in the Christian Tradition” for the St. Andrews Encyclopaedia of Theology. Her book chapter, “Scito te ipsum: Ascent and Encounter in Origen of Alexandria’s Commentary on the Song of Songs” was included in the book Patristic

ON THE GRAPEVINE

New Offerings for Healthcare Professionals

New Offerings for Education Professionals

Celebrating Chemistry on Campus The American Chemical Society (ASC) chapter at Gordon College celebrated their commitment to green chemistry principles with the unveiling of two awards—one

GRADUATE EDUCATION

from ASC and one from Beyond Benign.

The School of Education recently launched its first-ever graduate certificate program in the Science of Reading. Reflecting the current local and national policy focus on the science of reading, this 9-credit Gordon’s graduate public health

offering builds on the School of

program recently announced three

Education’s longstanding commitment

new certificate options: leadership

to preparing teachers and leaders to

and health management, community

support all children in learning to read

health, and epidemiology. These

through evidence-based practices.

offerings are tailored to early and mid-career professionals seeking to

This comes on the heels of the Gordon

continue their education affordably

School of Education’s recent A+ rating

and more quickly than a full degree

by the National Council on Teacher

program. These offerings consist

Quality (NCTQ) in the summer of

of three 3-credit asynchronous

2023, recognizing the school as

online courses completed at a self-

among the best in the nation in

determined pace.

preparing future elementary teachers to teach children to read.

Theology: Classical Perspectives on Ascent in the Journey to God. She also presented a paper on “Martyrs, Virgins and Embodiment as Theological Reflection” at Wheaton College for the inaugural symposium of the Visual Museum of Women in Christianity.

Joanna Kline (biblical studies and Christian ministries) represented a Protestant position during a multifaith panel discussion, “Sabbath as Gift and Command: Jewish and Christian Perspectives.” The panel was sponsored by the Boston College Center for Christian-Jewish Learning.

Mandy Liu (economics and business) worked with co-authors to publish two papers in the Journal of Applied Economics Teaching Resources that describe methods for teaching about water resources as part of economics courses. She also presented a paper, “Long-Term Impacts of Exposure to Natural Disasters during Childhood and Adolescence:

Evidence from Indonesia,” at the 2023 annual meeting of the Applied Social Science Association.

Kenann McKenzie-DeFranza (education) released a guided journal, “Learning, Listening & Leading: Taking What You’ve Learned to the Next Level,” that educators can use as part of their professional development. The journal prompts users to consider how they can better retain and grow from what they learn and then implement it in their classrooms.

Chan Shin (political science and international affairs) wrote a review essay, “Education for Intellectual Virtues,” which was published in the Christian Scholar’s Review.

SPRING 2024 | STILLPOINT 11

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Scholarship Snapshots Continued...

Faculty Sabbaticals

Q&A with New Faculty Hear from experts in education policy, green chemistry, business and AI

Six Gordon professors are currently using their sabbaticals to explore fresh avenues of inquiry and craft cutting-edge

Performances & Exhibits Original music composed by Mary Montgomery Koppel (music), “HeLa,” was performed at The Orchestra on the Hill and at a concert series at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Additionally, the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill hosted performances of Montgomery Koppel’s “Prelude No. 2: Seaside.”

An art exhibit by Greg Deddo (art), “How the Morning Itself Appears,” was hosted at Gordon’s Gallery at Barrington Center for the Arts. The exhibit included mixedmedia pieces explored how digital technology helps us understand ourselves, our families and our communities.

Grants Sharon Galgay Ketcham (biblical studies and Christian ministries) received a $75,000 grant from the Cecil B. Day Foundation for a new spiritual formation initiative as part of the College’s strategic plan.

Ruth Melkonian-Hoover (political science), along with Drs. James and Petra Taylor at the European Center for the Study of War and Peace, have been awarded a Collaboration Grant by the Lilly Fellows Program for a sustainable peace initiative.

12 STILLPOINT | SPRING 2024

publications.

Graeme Bird (linguistics) is delving into the life and work of the ancient poet Homer, researching the earliest Greek manuscripts of The Iliad and exploring the links between Homer’s poetry and jazz improvisation.

Paul Brink (political science) is exploring questions of pluralism, diversity and the ways societies create order. A particular focus is how Christian colleges and universities can flourish within a pluralistic society.

David Goss (history) is using the archived correspondence of an influential Boston family to explore how they helped build Boston into a hub of progressive activism in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Gregory Keller (biology) is gathering field data in Massachusetts and Iceland and preparing publications on migratory patterns and habitat conservation of songbirds, waterfowl, owls and frogs.

Kristen Siaw (physics and chemistry) is exploring ways to synthesize the fields of biology and materials science and completing a paper on the integration of faith and science.

Craig Story (biology) is joining a research group that is tackling new approaches for treating pancreatic cancer.

Kenann McKenzie-DeFranza Kenann McKenzie-DeFranza joins Gordon as the director of academic innovation and strategic partnerships and associate professor in practice of education. She earned her Ph.D. from Teachers College at Columbia University. Most recently she served as the inaugural director of the Generous Listening and Dialogue Center at Tufts University.

STILLPOINT: You’ve touched on so many aspects of education over course of your career. At this moment, which education policy issues are you most passionate about?

Kenann McKenzie-DeFranza: I am most passionate about centering children’s needs. I’m really concerned that our children have a sense of childhood being important and not be in a race to grow up. Adults need to appreciate that we can engage children with information in timely ways that are appropriate and that are not overwhelming or unnecessary. Finding that balance as we’re trying to teach children about the world and make sure they have

NEW FACULTY

accurate information is important. I think we can overcorrect by assuming that as soon as a child can hear and comprehend information, their spirit can handle the information. We know that in our spiritual journeys, we have degrees of information we can process, understand and cultivate. I don’t think that’s any different with children.

SP: Tell us about your time leading the Generous Listening and Dialogue Center at Tufts University. What was the goal of your work there?

KM: Generous listening implies more than active listening, which is about making sure you’re paying attention. Generous listening is the idea that you’re listening to think about how to bridge relationships and create connections. You’re not listening only to reply or to obtain something you need to know; you’re really thinking about the humanity behind what the person is saying.

The idea is to create an environment where dialoguing is not just to get information or to win an argument. Humans are better able to live alongside one another if we have a better way of communicating and understanding, without always needing to change the person’s perspective.

SP: How does your faith influence your work on the practice of generous listening?

KM: This is one of the reasons I’m excited about being at Gordon, because I can integrate these concepts more clearly. I think generous listening is a wonderful framework because when Jesus went into the world and people approached him or chose to follow him, religious leaders who were just thinking about who was correct wanted to know why he was engaging with these people.

There was so much judgment around where they came from and whether they washed this way or ate that way. And ultimately Jesus said the objective is they want to do the will of God and bring the kingdom forward. Jesus was a wonderful listener, and children were drawn to him. People came and shared their really hard stories or admitted to them. And that’s because they could sense his compassion and openness to hearing what they had to say. And for me, this is a reflection of trying to be that compassionate listener who doesn’t just race to the end to say, well, do you agree with me or not? And if not, we can’t be friends. Instead, I actually care about your story, and I care about the journey you’re on, and you sharing with me is a gift, and my listening is hopefully a gift to you.

Liza Abraham A specialist in organic chemistry, Liza Abraham joins the Gordon College faculty after teaching at Ambrose University, where she established their research program in green chemistry. She has extensive industry experience as a medical chemist and research chemist. In addition to her scholarly pursuits, Liza volunteers with Samaritan’s Purse to support global clean water initiatives.

STILLPOINT: What is green chemistry? Why do you believe it is an important area of study?

Liza Abraham: Green chemistry focuses on designing and developing chemical processes and products that minimize or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances. It encourages chemists and researchers to think critically about the environmental and health impacts of their work and to develop more sustainable, eco-friendly solutions within their respective fields of study. It offers a holistic, systemsthinking approach that addresses environmental, economic and societal challenges. By emphasizing sustainability, resource efficiency and the reduction of environmental impacts, green chemistry plays a pivotal role in creating a more sustainable and circular economy while protecting the planet and improving human well-being.

SP: How does your work in green chemistry impact vulnerable populations around the world?

LA: By prioritizing sustainability, environmental protection and the reduction of harmful chemical exposures, green chemistry can contribute to improving the well-being and resilience of vulnerable communities, both locally and globally. It aligns with broader efforts to address environmental and social inequalities and promote a more equitable and sustainable world.

Continued...

SPRING 2024 | STILLPOINT 13

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SP: Tell us about the work you do with Samaritan’s Purse.

LA: I’m a volunteer research collaborator with Samaritan’s Purse, an organization committed to enhancing water treatment and purification in regions lacking clean water access.

My role involves addressing arsenic contamination in groundwater.

Currently I’m getting ready for a pilot study that aims to replicate large-scale arsenic removal systems in a controlled laboratory setting. This research intends to offer valuable insights into tackling arsenic contamination, improving water treatment techniques and potentially developing strategies for eliminating other water contaminants.

Undergraduate students will be actively involved in this work.

SP: Another area you’re passionate about is helping students make global connections. Tell us more about how you facilitate that.

LA: I’m proud to have been a two-time recipient of the Internationalization of Science at Home project, which is funded by the Ministry of Alberta, Canada. This funding underscores the growing importance of intercultural competence and global citizenship skills for students in our increasingly interconnected world. Through these projects, students enrolled in my Environmental Chemistry course had the opportunity to engage with students in Kerala, India, using Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) as a platform for online interactions. I am currently planning to extend the international outreach experience to Gordon students through their engagement with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (UNSDG 6) – Clean Water and Sanitation. The project addresses several goals, including UNSDG education and awareness, cultural exchange and community engagement.

Steve Strombeck Steve Strombeck joins the Gordon faculty as a professor of business and marketing and has research interests in services marketing, branding and Asian business practices. He brings with him extensive industry experience in commercial real estate and consulting, where his past clients included United Airlines, American Airlines and Starbucks. Steve spent a number of years living and teaching abroad in Taiwan and South Korea.

STILLPOINT: What sparked your interest in studying Asian business practices?

Steve Strombeck: It’s a long story that goes back to when I was working in commercial real estate. I made friends who were Asian, and I started sharing my faith more and leading some folks to the Lord. Along the way I felt called to missions. So I left commercial real estate, and I got a doctorate degree so I could work in China long-term.

I lived in Korea for three and half years and four years in Taiwan. I worked for a couple companies, and I grew to love the people, and eventually I started learning more about how people in Asia do business. It’s been a great, great journey.

SP: Tell me more about the study abroad experiences you’ve led.

What do you hope students who participate will learn?

SS: This is probably the most exciting thing I do as an educator.

I have a philosophy that good

14 STILLPOINT | SPRING 2024

marines are not made in calm seas, so the trips are an attempt on my part to try to get my students out of their comfort zone. The goal is to help them prepare for a life where they may get sent to an overseas assignment by their company. How do you adjust yourself professionally? How do you adjust yourself as a Christian?

There’s adjustments to the food, there’s adjustments to the climate.

So the trips are to talk through those things. There’s also curriculum built into the trips that coincides with the companies we visit. So if we’re in Asia, let’s say we’re in Hong Kong, companies that we typically visit would be Federal Express, HSBC Bank and Monex. So the students will go through curricula related to each company and the history of the company. Then we update that with more recent news. And then once we land, we visit the companies for a couple of hours, talking with company vice presidents and presidents about what the companies are doing with products, what they’re doing to take advantage of emerging market segments. And I blend in cultural excursions and some sightseeing.

But the guts of the trip is to try to get students ready for a career living and working overseas for a multinational corporation.

SP: Corporate America doesn’t always seem like the most friendly place for Christians.

What is your pitch, if you will, to Christian young people who are interested in a career in business?

NEW FACULTY

Shelley Zhang

SS: Joshua 1:8 says (paraphrasing) this book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do according to all that’s written in it, for then you’ll have success and then you’ll have prosperity. So the Lord is telling Joshua, don’t fear. The main thing I think for this generation is: Don’t be afraid. Don’t fear. Live your faith. Live it vibrantly, wherever God puts you. I think the Christian faith is in retreat in corporate America. I think everyone’s afraid to open their mouth or to say the name of Jesus in a meeting. I think the climate, especially in big cities, is show up and shut up. We don’t want your religion. We definitely don’t want Jesus in this company. I tell students to stand on your faith. Not every word out of your mouth has to be “Jesus,” but be courageous. Do your work unto the Lord, give God all the glory and don’t worry. I think that’s the critical thing for this next generation.

I feel like part of my role here is to coach students, to get them ready.

And part of the coaching is telling them, “Don’t be afraid. Don’t worry about your career. God will carry you through it.”

As a professor of computer science, Shelley Zhang’s research focuses on the cutting-edge technologies of artificial intelligence (AI), intelligent agent technologies and multi-agent systems. She has received grant funding from the federal Office of Naval Research and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Her Ph.D. is from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and prior to arriving at Gordon she taught at University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth.

STILLPOINT: Can you describe your research in very basic terms for those of us who don’t know much about computer science? What are the practical applications of your work?

Shelley Zhang: My research is broadly in AI and creating complex systems to solve problems, which we call multiagent systems. Basically, you have multiple intelligent systems we call agents; how will they work together in a team setting or work in collaboration with each other? There are many different applications: supply chains; smart health systems that help people make decisions about their health; or defense, where you have multiple unmanned vehicles or airplanes or underwater vehicles that need to collaborate to accomplish missions.

SP: AI is in the news a lot, and people are very curious about it. How do you think AI will increasingly impact our daily lives?

SZ: AI already has a lot of applications. For example, Chat GPT is a powerful language conversation system. What is behind that is a big system based on machine learning to deliver results to humans in a

very user-friendly interface. Even before that, AI has been used in a lot of areas of our daily lives. We just don’t notice! For example, recommendation systems in online shopping or to recommend movies are part of AI. There’s just too many to mention! AI may come with different names, but it’s already here. I believe AI will actually make our daily life more convenient and also make our jobs more efficient.

SP: One of the big concerns about AI is the ethics around it. As you’re training young Christian computer scientists, how do you help them think about the ethics of AI and how their faith might influence that?

SZ: Yes, that’s very important and raises concerns. When people are trying to create AI, we must, as Christians, understand there is a God above us, and God created human beings in his image. So as human beings we are unique, and our value cannot be replaced by any created system, no matter how smart. So anything AI would do or will do must yield to human value, which comes from God. For example, there are proposals to build autonomous soldiers to go to the front lines and kill in war. The argument would be, you could save the life of a real soldier, but there are concerns because the robot cannot make moral decisions. If a surprise happens, and you launch a weapon and give the command shot, and let’s say a child appears before your target, there’s just not enough time for you to withdraw the command. And the robot will not able to distinguish as a human soldier would do. That’s just one example, but there are so many things like this. I think as Christians we must approach this from the point of view to consider what is right from God’s viewpoint.

SPRING 2024 | STILLPOINT 15

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FEATURE

ALUMNI

There it is again. Another headline decrying the decline of faith among rising generations, and the response is just as familiar. Often driven by fear, church and ministry leaders spend significant time and money trying to figure out how to keep the attention of their youth. Have you seen this in your own faith community?

I’ve been researching and writing about faith among rising generations for two decades and want you to know there is more to this story.

From Fear to Hope: Looking for Christ in the faith of rising generations

By Dr. Sharon Galgay Ketcham, professor of theology and Christian ministries

First, let’s acknowledge some unsettling facts.

The decline in religious participation is real and can mean people walk away from Christianity.

In 2014 Pew Research Center 1 published a groundbreaking report on the religious landscape of the United States. When asked to identify religious affiliation, there were unprecedented rates of people who selected the box “none.” This was especially true among rising generations. A decade later data confirms that participation in religious activities—such as going to church—is less common for Gen Z (40%) than baby boomers (57%).2 There are multiple contributing factors, such as a lack of confidence in organized religion,3 abuse and scandals in prominent Christian organizations 4 and fewer childhood experiences in faith communities.5 There are also larger societal forces at play, including the technology revolution, politicization of religion and distrust of institutions.

Let’s be honest: Our conception and practices of faith formation belong to a different era that for many are not translating into a vibrant faith experience for younger generations.

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FROM FEAR TO HOPE

But there is more to the story. Rising generations are finding and expressing faith differently. Springtide Research Institute’s 2023 report 6 on the State of Religion and Young People found that 78% say they are at least slightly spiritual and 28% say they have become more spiritual or religious over the past two years. Springtide also reports that 55% of young people can identify “experiences that evoked a sense of wonder, awe, gratitude, deep truth, and/ or interconnectedness.”

Let’s place this spiritually curious generation in a Gospel scene. I see them in the crowds yearning to get a glimpse of Jesus far more than playing the role of the religious leaders who are suspicious of Jesus’ influence. Faith in Jesus Christ for rising generations will look different than mine and yours. As uncomfortable as this might make us feel, we can also feel tremendous hope.

Instead of treating the faith of rising generations as a problem to solve, let’s lean into the ways we see Christ moving. Philosopher Carl Raschke uses the metaphor of a rhizome to describe Christ’s movement in different times and places. A rhizome is an underground grass root system that grows horizontally below the surface and sends out shoots and roots as it grows. The entire root system remains connected underground even while the grass we see sprout above the surface has a unique appearance based on the soil composition in the area where is grows. Similarly, we can trust that Christ is moving beneath the surface in the lives of rising generations and will continue to make himself known. Even when the blades of grass look unusual or unfamiliar to us, they remain part of the same root system. Our role is to look closely for Christ’s presence as rising generations give voice to their passions and experiences.

At Gordon College we are paying attention to the faith experiences of our students to discover when they experience God’s presence, how they express their relationship with Christ and what ways they seek to be open to the Spirit. So far, here is what we are seeing: Yep, our students are spiritually curious. Students yearn to encounter Christ and describe sacred experiences that shape their beliefs, develop trust in God and motivate their actions. While rising generations might resist having their faith prescribed, their curiosity simultaneously welcomes mentors, resources and experiences.

They self-resource their faith. Rising generations utilize social networks through an array of digital technologies to experiment, self-resource and even participate in faith communities. They aren’t afraid of trying out a new Christian practice and look for people—online and offline—who want to join them.

Students long for authentic spiritual conversations. They are less interested in debating theology and more interested in talking about the way their faith intersects with their mental health, gives meaning to daily life or shapes how to care for God’s creation.

Open-handed, Christ-centered faith is appealing to them. Meeting Christians from other traditions can initially be a point of stress for students but quickly becomes a location for their faith to expand. Here’s how a few describe the change:

• “I come from a nondenominational background, and one of my friends is Catholic. She helped me relearn how Catholics experience God and see beauty in reverent worship.”

• “I did not value hymns growing up, and then I met someone who was moved by the theologically rich words of hymns.

Now I can use my mind in new ways to express my worship of God.” • “Coming out of an Assembly of God church, I now see how the Spirit moves in Congregational churches too. Seeing God in new ways reminds me of God’s faithfulness.”

Our differences aren’t obstacles to overcome but opportunities for the Spirit to expand our faith.

When the narratives of decline elicit fear, remember Paul’s claim: “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17). Christ loves and pursues rising generations, seeking to liberate them for God’s purposes—just like we experienced in our own lives.

Like a rhizome Christ’s movement in their lives will look distinct as it grows in the unique soil of our day. Our role isn’t to fix the faith of rising generations. Instead, we can look for Christ among them. In addition to inviting them to participate in the faith that is meaningful to us, we can also be space-makers who welcome their contributions. Let’s change our posture and expectations of rising generations and allow our fears to transform into hope.

• “I grew up Presbyterian and met a Pentecostal at Gordon who worshipped differently than me. I learned that the more ways I worship Jesus, the closer I grow to him and recognize God moving in my life.”

1. “Religious Landscape Study,” Pew Research Center’s Religion & Public Life Project, Pew Research, May 12, 2015, www.pewresearch.org/religion/religious-landscape-study 2. “Generation Z and the Future of Faith in America,” The Survey Center on American Life, March 24, 2022, www.americansurveycenter.org/research/generation-z-future-of-faith 3. “U.S. Confidence in Organized Religion Remains Low,” Gallup.com, July 8, 2019, news.gallup.com/poll/259964/confidence-organized-religion-remains-low.aspx 4. “Religion, Democracy & the Task of Restoring Trust,” American Academy of Arts & Sciences, November 15, 2022, www.amacad.org/publication/religion-democracy-task-restoring-trust 5. “The Real Reason People Leave Religion,” The Survey Center on American Life, August 10, 2023, www.americansurveycenter.org/newsletter/the-real-reason-people-leave-religion 6. “The State of Religion & Young People 2023,” Springtide Research Institute, September 21, 2023, www.springtideresearch.org/research/the-state-of-religion-young-people-2023

SPRING 2024 | STILLPOINT 17

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The power of choice

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Mary Speta ’14 Dr. Mary Speta points to the top of the bookshelf in her office at Amirah, where a blue monochrome painting of a woman, eyes closed, leans against the wall. “I think of her,” Speta says. “Natalia* is a really beautiful example of the intention behind what we’re doing here.”

Natalia is one of more than 100 sex trafficking survivors served each year by Amirah, a Beverly, MA-based nonprofit led by Speta that provides exit and aftercare opportunities to

She has a job, and she’s on her way to college.

Natalia’s self-portrait, titled “Eyes Facing Inward,” commemorates a

not doing this of their own choice.” They are are being forced, defrauded or coerced by a

learned to paint in a detox program, and own apartment and sells her artwork.

people in the U.S. engaging in the commercial sex trade,” explains Speta, “and 84 percent are either under third-party control (meaning they

women in the commercial sex trade. Natalia with the help of Amirah now has her

“There’s anywhere between two and four million

trafficker, who is often

“What I love in walking alongside Natalia is seeing how much, she has come into her own.”

journey of introspection and self-

someone they know and trust), or they’re engaging in survival sex (meaning there is no economic alternative). “Poverty, homelessness, the opioid crisis, gender-based violence, systemic racism,

discovery that she has undergone through

incarceration, even the foster care system: any

Amirah. “What I love in walking alongside

of these elements in a person’s life makes them

Natalia is seeing how much she has come

vulnerable to exploitation.”

into her own,” says Speta. “Her confidence has grown so much and she’s exercised that agency muscle, making choices for herself.”

“This is a minimum $150 billion industry,” continues Speta, whose recent dissertation focuses on law policy and social research. “If

CHOICE

you look at the profits for some of the biggest

Natalia and Speta, like every survivor of sex

companies in the world, you could take any

trafficking know this: Choice is elusive. Having

five of those companies, and the sum of their

it is a profound privilege.

revenue in one year is less than what human trafficking generates globally.”

It’s the most profitable industry in the world, but the products are people who have, by and large, not chosen to be there.

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FOSTERING FLOURISHING

STEPPING INTO THE GAP

says. “I love being in this position now and having the

Enter Amirah. “I serve a God who cares deeply about

resources to put together what the women need. I’m

justice. In these situations, justice is about looking at

not just here for a job; this is sort of my own situation

people as real people and not as moral failures,” Speta

coming full circle.”

says. The vast majority of women in these situations have no other choice but to try and survive against threats of physical harm or forced addictions or subzero temperatures on the street. “Justice here doesn’t just look like bringing a woman out of prostitution,” says Speta. “It also looks like stepping into the gap and preventing it from happening again.”

FULL CIRCLE TO FLOURISH Speta’s full circle moment from survivor to advocate follows a detour in another direction. Trained as a classical singer, Speta spent several years pursuing a path to arts administration, having earned a master’s degree at Boston University and holding positions at the Peabody Essex Museum and Boston Youth Symphony

Amirah offers holistic resources covering three primary

Orchestra. Since joining Amirah in 2018, she has become

categories to help women exit the commercial sex

a public speaker, educator and policy advocate. In

trade and lead healthy, independent lives. First is

August 2023 she was awarded the Diamond Award by

economic stability, which covers rapid re-housing, career

the North Shore Chamber of Commerce (MA) for her

assistance and health insurance. These are critical

impact.

components in helping a woman get on her feet and achieve independence from a trafficker. Second is communal connections. Because “exploitation thrives in isolation,” Speta says, Amirah offers a safe, lifelong community for survivors to support one another. Third is self-esteem. Women who exit are battling shame, fear and trauma. To be successful on the long road to recovery, they have to believe they are worth the journey.

Speta, like Natalia, is a model of what Amirah stands for: the choice to flourish in the aftermath of suffering.

“It takes weeks, months, years to recover,” explains Speta, “to break down that narrative told to you during exploitation, to rebuild your identity, to learn how to practice agency for yourself. Every single step of the way, she has to choose it for herself. She is the hero of her own story.”

have wished for in her own lived experience. After five

amirahinc.org

attempts to separate from her trafficker, she navigated

*Name changed for privacy

These are the very resources Speta ‘in fact’ would

the extraordinarily complex process of exiting and the arduous process of rebuilding on her own. “I didn’t have anyone fighting for me, advocating for me,” Speta

“I serve a God who cares deeply about justice. In these situations justice is about looking at people as real people and not as moral failures.”

SPRING 2024 | STILLPOINT 19

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The power of peace

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Shruthi De Visser ’16

THE FACETS OF RECONCILIATION What does change require in a country coming out of conflict? It’s a question De Visser has

For more than 2,500 days, thousands of

been exploring for 13 years, and she is now

Tamil mothers in northern Sri Lanka have

investigating it anew alongside two other

continuously protested, demanding to know

women—one from Myanmar and one from

where their children are—the ones who were

Afghanistan—as the 2023 Asia Foundation

forcibly disappeared during the country’s nearly

William P. Fuller Fellows in Peacebuilding. This

three-decade civil war, which ended 15 years

highly competitive fellowship for emerging peacebuilding leaders includes a study tour and

ago.

exchange in the San Francisco Bay area, New Despite a population size similar to Florida,

York and Washington D.C., as well as a grant.

Sri Lanka has seen the second largest total number of enforced disappearances in the world. The families’ tenacious pursuit of truth and justice for their missing loved ones is among the longest protests the island nation has ever seen.

“Often when we think of reconciliation, we think between ethnicities or between religious groups.”

“Often when we think of reconciliation, we think between ethnicities or between religious groups,” says De

This is just one of the many significant challenges that women in the post-war north are facing. “The women, especially in the north

Visser. “But how people relate to one another within their own communities also informs reconciliation.”

where the physical armed conflict took place, are some of the greatest victims,” explains

Reconciliation is not a one-size-fits-all

Shruthi De Visser ’16, research consultant

approach; it means different things to different

and activist for peacebuilding, gender and

people groups at different points in time. De

transitional justice, “but they’re also the most

Visser and other researchers are working to

active agents of change.

evaluate the evolving meaning of reconciliation, and to measure progress in reconciliation within local Sri Lankan communities.” Their research then informs projects designed by organizations like USAID.

Reconciliation, De Visser explains, can begin with small steps like having a doctor who speaks your language at the local hospital or not having to bribe the principal to send your son to school because he’s of a minority ethnicity or lower socioeconomic class. For the mothers of the missing, it could mean finally finding the truth about their children.

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FOSTERING FLOURISHING

Ultimately for women in Sri Lanka, De Visser hopes it

“This is the life they’ve lived

means a seat at the table. “Women are some of the key

by no choice of their own,

proponents of justice,” she says. “They are on the front

but just by the circumstance

lines, but then they don’t have the seat at the table in

of where they were born,”

places where the important decisions have been made.”

De Visser says. “Their

AGENTS OF CAPACITY

mark. I have felt a deep

life stories have left a

The Tamil women, specifically, are under layers of oppression. De Visser believes that to peel back those layers, to advance their rights, their stories must be told. Her forthcoming publication, Unveiled, aims to do

responsibility toward these

“This is the life they’ve lived by no choice of their own, but just by the circumstance of where they were born.”

people.” Today she serves them alongside her husband, Prashan ’08, founder and president of Sri Lanka Unites and Global Unites.

just that. “They’re more than victims or war-affected women,” she explains. “In small and big ways they’re

For the De Vissers peacemaking is rooted in faith but

really making an impact in their communities. One day

available to all, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity,

I want them to be seen as agents of capacity, whose

religion or social standing. “Jesus is called the Prince of

empowerment and strength is celebrated.”

Peace, and when he said, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God,’ that really

De Visser’s vision for a Sri Lanka where women are empowered and valued begins with youth. With her William P. Fuller Fellows in Peacebuilding grant, she will create an initiative to mentor young women, ages

drives what we do as a family,” De Visser says. “In the very dire, difficult circumstances that we work in, when there’s often no hope, we know that hope for us comes from God.”

16–18, who hope to enter the peacebuilding field. When she was their age, De Visser, like many youth, planned to leave Sri Lanka. But befriending peers from the war-ravaged northeastern territory changed her mind.

These were people who looked like her but had bomb fragments in their bodies, had lost their parents, had lived in tents for years.

“One boy’s family was trying to go from one village to another,” remembers De Visser. “If the extremist groups saw him, they would recruit him. So his mom packed him up in a suitcase for many hours, with him stuck in that suitcase.” Another boy was shot in the leg three times and taken into the extremist group before he was able to escape.

SPRING 2024 | STILLPOINT 21

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The power of “yes”

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Eric and Holly (Holbrook) Nelson ’89 “Yes, we’ll take him,” Holly Nelson remembers overhearing her husband, Eric, telling the person on the other end of an unexpected phone call.

“There’s a little boy in Brazil with Down syndrome,” Eric explained to Holly after hanging up. “And he’s dying because the orphanage is not feeding him. They’re letting him die because they don’t want him.”

“The doctors thought he had a week to live; we The Nelsons had already adopted 14-month-

got him just in the nick of time.”

old twin daughters, abandoned at a hospital in Brazil, with Down syndrome and severe

Sam had life-saving heart surgery one week

heart defects. Another adoption was not in

later, and Holly and Eric had a life-altering

their plans. But the judge in Sao Paolo who

realization: “This was the first time we ever

had processed Mollie and Maggie’s adoption

considered that there would be a place in

remembered the Nelsons and called to ask if

the world that would not care for kids with

they’d consider taking the little boy.

intellectual disabilities, just because they have a disability.”

When 13-month-old Sam arrived in Boston later that week, weighing only 10.2 lbs, “I had

A CONVICTION TO SERVE

never seen any human being in the state that

Sam’s orphanage wasn’t alone in its neglect.

this kid was in,” Holly remembers: wiry hair,

Throughout many developing countries, the

concave cheeks, protruding bones.

Nelsons explain, a lack of understanding about and support for individuals with disabilities drives caregivers to follow a similar course: hiding, abandoning, starving, even poisoning children.

“This was the first time we ever considered that there would be a place in the world that would not care for kids with intellectual disabilities, just because they have a disability.”

22 STILLPOINT | SPRING 2024

In retrospect Holly and Eric remember the day they got Sam as the day Special Hope Network began. It would be another decade—full of caring for and homeschooling their children, Holly resuming work as a special education teacher and Eric pastoring churches—before the organization materialized.

FOSTERING FLOURISHING

The Nelsons’ conviction to serve individuals with

Much of this work happens through seven Community

intellectual disabilities began long before the adoption

Care Centers operated in compounds located in high

of their three children. Nearly 40 years ago, when

density, high poverty areas. There, more than 50

a poorly attended psychology study group session

Special Hope Network Zambian staff and four volunteer

accidentally became a first date, Eric and Holly

U.S. missionaries provide medical guidance, family

discovered a shared passion. They had both spent

counseling, motor training, communication support,

summers working with children with intellectual

feeding instructions and educational lessons.

disabilities, worked in respite care for adults with disabilities and took overnight shifts at group homes for adults with disabilities. Their shared passion became their parenthood journey and eventually a career calling.

“I was on a business trip in Texas

“Instead of being the one parent with the kid that doesn’t do something, doesn’t sit up, doesn’t talk, doesn’t walk or won’t get a job, they’re in this together.”

in 2008”, Eric remembers, “and it just came to me: a

Having a dedicated place where children with disabilities are seen and supported lowers the stigma and isolation that many caregivers feel. Parents see others who look like them, and they see their child being

valued and included. “Instead of being the one parent

perfectly clear, complete thought that we were living

with the kid that doesn’t do something, doesn’t sit up,

on the wrong continent.” The Nelsons wanted to go

doesn’t talk, doesn’t walk or won’t get a job, they’re in

where the need was greatest, but finding a supporting

this together,” Holly explains. “The community part of

organization dedicated to serving individuals with

our Community Care Center is really important.”

intellectual disabilities in these places was a challenge.

They incorporated Special Hope Network in 2008, and

Community helps more parents say “yes” to embracing

in 2010 they moved their family to Lukasa, Zambia.

disability. “Parents get to see their children not as a mistake,” says Eric, “but as purposefully designed by

TRADING STIGMA FOR SUPPORT In a region already plagued by staggeringly high child mortality and disability rates, “a child with intellectual disabilities is considered to be cursed, contagious or a

God to show his glory in a unique way.”

specialhopenetwork.org

product of witchcraft,” explains Eric. “So children are likely hidden away in their homes. Parents, particularly the mothers, feel a lot of shame because they’re blamed for having this child with intellectual disabilities.”

Special Hope Network is working to change the narrative around and outcomes for children with disabilities in Lusaka—to say “yes” to more kids like Sam, Maggie and Mollie, rather than leaving them in the margins. Special Hope Network works with parents to foster safe home environments; provides medical care; partners with schools, orphanages and churches; and trains staff at other nonprofits, like World Vision and Catholic Relief Services, which work in the area and regularly interact with individuals with disabilities.

SPRING 2024 | STILLPOINT 23

255 Grapevine Road, Wenham MA 01984-1899 www.gordon.edu

“The value of community that Gordon established for us became the foundation of our nonprofit, the Cornerstone Creative— a youth-based non-profit teaching woodworking skills to high-risk teens. Our primary goal is to build relationships with these teens and build community, and God has made a way for that . . . Gordon set the foundation that we have been able to build off of since our time there. We have been confident in our steps, knowing that our hope is something greater than material things. At the end of the day, our hope is in Jesus.”

Adam ’12, ’14M and Katie Quinn ’14 Young Alumni of the Year Meet the other

2023 Alumni Awardees: www.gordon.edu/alumniawards

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