The Journey Magazine | Spring 2025 by Grace Christian University

AIRBORNE GRACE

BENAIAH NYANJUI IS TAKING OFF

A PROMISING FUTURE

FUELED BY MORGAN SILLING’S PASSION FOR THE PAST

LIFE-CHANGING RELATIONSHIPS

GRACE FACULTY IMPACT STUDENTS BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

Learn Grow Serve

AS YOU OPEN THIS YEAR’S JOURNEY MAGAZINE, YOU WILL DISCOVER AN OVERARCHING MESSAGE: LEARN, GROW, SERVE.

This is not a slogan or marketing campaign. Instead, it’s a compelling way to describe who Grace Christian University is and has always been. These three terms summarize our distinctiveness.

In this issue, we’ll illustrate how these words describe our work as a biblical higher education institution.

LEARN: Every student–online and on-campus–spends a quarter of their academic program learning biblical truth, and professors teach non-Bible classes from a biblical perspective. We celebrate the distinction that our exceptional professors are committed to the authority of Scripture in their curriculum and in their personal lives. The Bible guides their values, conduct, and speech. Two of our core values, Bible Centered and Grace Theology, direct the educational experience and anchor our students through winds of change and storms of life. In our required chapel services, God’s Word is taught and applied to life.

GROW: Grace students know that one of our core values is Transformational Relationships because faculty and students shape their educational experience. I’m always amazed by how deeply our faculty and staff engage with students to nurture their growth in Christlikeness. Our coaches value discipleship and spiritual growth as the greatest victories. Meanwhile, student-led small groups facilitate personal and spiritual maturity.

SERVE: Grace is committed to preparing our students to serve the Lord through serving others. Service is part of the curriculum for many classes, and students have opportunities for on-campus and local community service projects throughout the year. Our fourth core value is Ministry Focused. Our mission statement, Graduating Courageous Ambassadors for Christ who Make an Eternal Impact Wherever They Go, motivates all of us toward ministry. Our graduates learn the value of serving others through what they’re taught at Grace, thereby impacting people for eternity. This is for all students in every degree.

Learn, Grow, Serve. This is who we are and what we do. We do this unapologetically, unwaveringly, and always with grace.

Gratefully,

Ken Bruce Kemper President

THE JOURNEY | SPRING 2025

President | Dr. Ken Kemper ’85

Managing Editor | Emily Gehman

Graphic Design | Tim Peters

Writers | Emma Wodowski ‘25, Sarah Cross ’24, Jess Payne ‘24

Communication & Marketing | Ami Walker, David Turner

This issue is dedicated to the people in our lives who have believed in us before we believed in ourselves. God has graciously provided those who have loved us into being and helped us Learn, Grow, and Serve to His honor and glory. Soli Deo Gloria!

GRACECHRISTIAN.EDU

ON THE COVER

Benaiah Nyanjui discovered a passion for planes and then found Grace Christian University to be the perfect runway for a career in missionary aviation. Read his story on pages 10-13.

ABOVE

The Intern Trifecta: Elisabeth, Morgan, and Emma collaborate on a story for this issue! 4 16 18

BELOW

Dr. and Mrs. Matthew Loverin are a student ministry team.

LEFT

BELOW

Benaiah Nyanjui prepares for a career in missionary aviation.

Jessica moved into Grace siteunseen and it became home! 4 8 10 14 16 18 20 23 10 8 RIGHT Baseball player Carter Willis shares his story.

Carter Willis’ Newfound Faith

Carter made more than just new friends at college. He made a new way of life.

Jessica Burgett: Finding a New Home

Jess Burgett (Payne) chose Grace Christian University over her dream schools, and found a supportive community that helped her grow spiritually and academically.

Benaiah Nyanjui’s Airborne Mission

Benaiah’s path to missionary aviation took an unexpected turn—leading him to Grace Christian University.

The Big Freeze 2025

In the dead of a Grand Rapids winter, 21 students took an icy plunge for their education.

Ready for the Future with a Passion for the Past

Encouraged by professor Dean Dykstra, Morgan Sillings’ passion for history turned into a hands-on internship at a Muskegon museum.

Dr. Mat Loverin: Transformational Teaching

A Grace alum, Mat’s thorough education coupled with his intentional teaching philosophy result in transformational relationships.

Congratulations To…

…The 2024 Alumni Award Winners!

Letter from the Editor

Transformational relationships are why you hold this magazine in your hands today. Now on the other side of the professorial desk, Emily Gehman is paying it forward.

NEWFOUND Faith Carter Willis’

BY EMMA WODOWSKI ‘25

I’VE CHANGED,” CARTER WILLIS ’25 ADMITS.

Growing up, Carter didn’t have faith of any kind. His parents weren’t Christians, and Christ was never a topic of discussion.

When Carter was two years old, his parents divorced and he was thrown into daycare. Throughout his time in daycare during those developmental years, Carter began forming a severe anxiety disorder that continued into middle and high school.

“I was anxious around people,” Carter says. “I struggled with making friends and having friendships growing up.”

Without the ability to talk to people and develop relationships, a future seemed hopeless. The only thing he really felt comfortable doing–and really enjoyed–was playing baseball.

After graduating high school, Carter searched for colleges with baseball teams. That’s when Coach Wolfe from Grace Christian University reached out to Carter and invited him for a tour.

“I believe it was God, honestly,” Carter says. He had no intention to travel for school but the baseball team appealed to Carter, so he decided to visit.

“When I first came on campus, Pastor Rick, President Kemper, and every faculty member talked to me like they knew me.” A pleasant surprise. “I walked on this campus and felt a draw to it.”

Carter built relationships with his teammates and professors. For the

first time in his life, it felt easy. The community at Grace pulled him in, and that was something he never felt before.

“Grace is very personal, and that’s where we are different,” Carter says. “That was something I really needed.”

He knew he wanted to explore the Christian faith but didn’t know where to begin. At a place like Grace Christian University, that’s not a problem.

“I didn’t know what accepting Jesus meant, so that took me a while,” Carter says. “I got really close with Pastor Rick and we dove into my beliefs, and that led me to become a Christian and accept Jesus.”

New to the faith, Bible classes were foreign for Carter, but he put in effort and that paid off.

“Communicating with your professors makes a world of difference,” Carter says.

The professors at Grace care about students and their success and well-being in and out of the classroom. Now Carter is in the business program and is interested in sales–a field that requires relationships and communication, a once impossible avenue. But through Christ, all things are possible.

“It’s the best thing I’ve ever done, honestly,” Carter says about coming to Grace. “And I’ve made the best friends I’ve ever had.”

Emma Wodowski '25 is a student in the communication program and plans to pursue non-profit work after graduation. Emma's greatest passion is to serve Christ and hear how the Lord works to spread His truth and love to the world.

GRACE IS VERY PERSONAL, AND THAT’S WHERE WE ARE DIFFERENT.

An Education Firm in Faith within a Compassionate Community

Discover a Bible-based education that aligns your calling with the skills needed for your future career. And do it all within a supportive, close-knit community, so you can confidently impact the world for Christ.

EARN YOUR DEGREE IN

• Biblical Studies

• Business

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• Criminal Justice

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• Interdisciplinary Studies

• Leadership & Ministry

• Psychology

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• and More!

ATHLETICS

• Baseball

• Basketball

• Cross Country

• E-Sports

• Soccer

• Softball

• Volleyball

MASTER'S PROGRAMS AT GRACE

CONTINUE YOUR Learn Grow Serve JOURNEY WITH A MASTER'S FROM GRACE

6 WEEK COURSES

Our online programs give students the flexibility to earn their degree from anywhere around any schedule. Our short 6 week courses start throughout the year. No need to wait for the next academic year – start your degree today!

ONE COURSE AT A TIME

We understand that your attention may be pulled in many directions at once. Online students only need to take one course at a time to be considered a full-time student, and still graduate in the same time as an On-Campus student.

• Master of Arts in Higher Education Leadership

• Master of Arts in Ministry

• Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership

• Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Graduates of Grace Christian University are eligible for a 20% Tuition Discount towards a master's degree.

NO SET LOGIN TIMES

Online classes are available anytime and anywhere. There are no set login times – just due dates to keep classes on track. Typically, 15 hours per week is the the average time commitment for students to successfully complete their class work.

SCAN TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR MASTER'S PROGRAMS

FINDING A NEW HOME Jessica Burgett

BY JESSICA BURGETT (PAYNE) ‘24

FALL IN LOVE WITH JESUS.”

That’s the best advice I’ve ever been given, and it was from the most influential spiritual mentor I’ve had up to this point in my life–my high school Sunday school teacher.

The story of how I got to Grace is part of a love story between Jesus and me. When my Sunday school teacher said that to me, I was a 16-year-old girl who had left home due to traumatic circumstances and a toxic situation in midMissouri. Although I was still living a lukewarm life, I had been taught to attend church, so I knew quite a lot about Jesus. But I didn’t know the depths and beauty of having a relationship with Him. During this time, I started to pursue that, and I wanted Him to be more to me than just someone I read about, more than the religion I’d learned about as a child. I wanted to do more than go to church; I wanted to learn how to become the church.

The next couple years, God began to show Himself to me. My home life was still difficult, but it was where He taught me to pray. He comforted me and drew me

to Himself. I began growing in my relationship with God, but I’d never dreamed of the bizarre idea of Christian college, especially a small one in the middle of a city I’d never visited or known anything about. I’d always excelled in academics, and as a high school senior, I’d been accepted to more than 20 colleges, including my dream schools. Turning them down for a small, Christian school I—nor any of my peers—knew about was inconceivable.

However, I reached a defining moment of my faith journey; I had decided I was no longer going to have one foot in the world and the other in faith. This didn’t necessarily mean I had to go to a Christian college, but I didn’t feel strong enough yet to go to a secular college. I was ready to have a firm walk with Christ as my Lord, and I wanted to limit my distractions while I was still a baby Christ follower. (Despite having believed in Him my whole life, I hadn’t followed Him. Those are two different things.) Having my mind made up, I did a quick Google search of Christian colleges in my denomination. While Grace isn’t my denomination, it popped up on Google and for some reason, I was drawn to it. Upon browsing its website and social media platforms from the twin cities of Minnesota where I was living, somehow I knew this place–ten hours away–was where I was supposed to go. I prayed, applied, got accepted, received confirmation from the Lord, and with that, I came to Michigan for move-in day.

I graduated in 2024, and I do not regret any of it. Grace was a safe haven for me in so many ways. I was surrounded by the most supportive staff and faculty during some

personal challenges, and in my time there, they showed me that the experience of being a Grace student was about more than academia. It was about never having to walk through life alone, and about having a safe place to develop into the woman that God has called me to be. Furthermore, I took classes that taught me how to better explore the Scriptures, which helped me in my passion to learn, apply, and teach them. Beyond the classroom, I heard, saw, or experienced something that pointed me to God every day. Grace has made me a better person, and I will forever be thankful for the school I call home. ■

Jessica Burgett (Payne) '24 holds a B.S. in Communication and currently serves as a nanny and church nursery manager. Her passion and purpose is to lead others to healing by nurturing, educating, and connecting them to resources. Jessica loves reading, writing, speaking, and caring for children and those who have experienced trauma.

GRACE WAS A safe haven FOR ME IN SO MANY WAYS.

AIRBORNE MISSION Benaiah Nyanjui’s

BY EMMA WODOWSKI ‘25

GOD, GIVE ME A SIGN,” BENAIAH NYANJUI ‘25 PRAYED BEFORE HIS TOUR OF GRACE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY. It was an honest and earnest prayer, but he had no idea how it would be answered.

TAKEOFF

Born to missionary parents, Benaiah was raised in Kenya where he and his family were constantly involved in ministry. As early as he could remember, he was in church.

“If I had to count how many times I’ve missed church, I could count it on one hand.”

He didn’t have a choice. His parents served in leadership roles, so they practically lived at the church. Benaiah even had a place to sleep during prayer nights.

By 8 years old, Benaiah spoke Swahili and English. Then his parents sensed a calling to serve in Ecuador—an entirely different continent, culture, and language. There, he learned Spanish.

“I was like a sponge,” Benaiah says. “My sister and I were still young at the time, so it was easy for us to pick up the language.”

His parents didn’t catch on as fast, but they were determined to show their children that learning new things should happen at any age.

“My parents have been great role models for me and my siblings growing up,” Benaiah says. “They still are to this day.”

Although Benaiah always admired his parents’ heart for missions, his strong sense of independence motivated him to pave his own runway.

Benaiah discovered an excitement for aviation through an online video.

“It inspired me,” Benaiah says. “I felt a strong desire to become a pilot.”

TEMPORARY TURBULENCE

In hopes of beginning his aviation journey, Benaiah decided to attend a conference in Quito, Ecuador, where schools from all over the globe came to offer education opportunities for people in that region.

With a borrowed baseball cap from his dad and a hopeful heart, Benaiah left for the conference. With every conversation, the weight of discouragement grew. Benaiah realized there were no aviation program opportunities in Quito. On his way out, a woman stopped him.

“Are you from Michigan?” She referred to his baseball cap, which had the University of Michigan logo on it.

“What’s Michigan?” Benaiah asked.

The woman was Diane Finch, and she opened the door to an aviation opportunity in Michigan. She connected Benaiah with a family in the area who welcomed him into their home and practically

adopted him as one of their own.

He worked at an aviation museum in Kalamazoo, Michigan and began attending a community college.

Benaiah didn’t think a university was in his future because of his finances, but Grace Christian University kept popping up in conversation and advertisements. He meditated on Matthew 11:28 throughout that time, knowing that God’s plan isn’t heavy, but light, and that He would provide a direction for him. But the more that Benaiah held off the thought of Grace, the more unsettled he felt in his spirit.

Benaiah decided to simply tour Grace.

ON THE TARMAC

In Grace’s parking lot before the tour, he prayed that God would give him a sign, not just a tug of his heart, so he would know for sure. During his tour, everyone was welcoming and friendly, but it wasn’t enough for him to consider it a sign from God.

On his way out, President Kemper stopped him to introduce himself, and he asked Benaiah where he was from. When he answered Kenya, suddenly, President Kemper began speaking Swahili.

“This came as a shock to me,” Benaiah says. “President Kemper doesn’t look like someone who would speak Swahili.”

They instantly connected over their similar experiences as missionaries.

“This was part of the sign,” Benaiah explained. “The other part was when he quoted Matthew 11:28 to me. That was the verse I had been meditating on during that time.”

Benaiah felt affirmed in his decision to come to Grace after that, even though he thought he would not be able to afford it.

“God knows us so well. He knows the answers we need in order for us to take the next steps,” Benaiah says. “God has taken care of my every need and I’ve been able to pay for every semester.”

At Grace, Benaiah has not only been cared for, but he has thrived in many ways. He’s grown closer to God, and has a deepened appreciation of the body of Christ and a growing reassurance that God will take care of him wherever he goes.

“Just like when grabbing that Michigan hat,” Benaiah says. “God was in that decision and I didn’t even know it.”

But Benaiah has always been sure about one decision: intentionally including Christ in

everything. Becoming a missionary pilot is Benaiah’s hope for the future, though he realizes it will take some time.

“Waiting to be a missionary pilot doesn’t mean I’m holding off God’s work,” Benaiah says, “because I’m doing his work right now, every day.” ■

GOD KNOWS US SO WELL ... GOD HAS TAKEN CARE OF MY EVERY NEED.

BIG FREEZE

ON FEBRUARY 19, 21 STUDENTS AT GRACE BRAVED AN ICY PLUNGE FOR A CHANCE TO LOWER THEIR TUITION COSTS. The event, called The Big Freeze, is an annual fundraiser organized by Grace’s Advancement and Student Affairs departments.

Faced with Michigan’s harsh winters, event coordinators turned the cold weather into an opportunity, creating a unique scholarship event. Participants, known as The Blue Crew, jumped into an inflatable pool of freezing water for at least three seconds to earn the donations they raised from friends and family to help fund their education.

This year’s fundraiser brought in $13,475, with Grace awarding

matching gifts and additional scholarships, raising the total funds to $21,475.

Since its inaugural year, when only five students raised $3,355, The Big Freeze has grown significantly. The event not only eases students’ financial burdens but also fosters creativity and community support.

Grace faculty and staff remain dedicated to supporting students in their financial and academic journeys. Fundraising events like The Big Freeze, backed by The Velting Foundation, help students manage tuition costs while bringing the community together.

With another successful year in the books, anticipation is already building for next year’s Big Freeze. Donations for student scholarships remain open for those looking to contribute. ■

The top three fundraisers were: TRISTON MURRAY

$3,910 TAMMY PERROTTA

$3,400 STACY DELGADO

$2,948

SCAN TO DONATE DIRECTLY TO THE 2025 STUDENTS

WHY

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READY FOR THE FUTURE WITH A PASSION FOR THE PAST Morgan Sillings

BY EMMA WODOWSKI ‘25

MORGAN SILLINGS ’24 HAS ALWAYS BEEN FASCINATED BY HISTORY. Unlike other kids who wanted to throw a party or go to an amusement park for their birthdays, Morgan begged her mom to take her to the Grand Rapids Public Museum to see a Titanic exhibit when she turned 13.

In middle school, she dragged her mom to see a documentary about World War II veterans–an era that has always captured her interest. “I was the only young person sitting in that theater,” Morgan says.

Though history has always been her passion, it took her a while to pursue it. After high school she earned her associate's degree in general studies from

a community college. And then the pandemic happened. So rather than being cooped up at home, Morgan traveled to Alaska to attend a Bible institute where she earned a two-year Bible certificate before transferring to Grace Christian University to finish her bachelor’s degree.

“Coming to Grace was the best decision I ever made,” Morgan says.

At Grace, she pursued psychology because at first, it seemed more practical. But she made sure to fill up all her electives with history classes.

Morgan’s heart wasn’t in psychology—but nobody had even suggested pursuing a history degree—until she met Grace’s history professor, Dean Dykstra. The way he taught history and his engagement with the class captured Morgan’s attention. He noticed and seized the

opportunity to support her passion for history.

“I remember feeling discouraged one day about history, and Dean said, ‘Whatever you don’t know, the gaps will be filled with your enthusiasm for what you’re doing.’”

It was Professor Dykstra who helped her switch to interdisciplinary studies with a minor in history—but it didn’t end there. He connected Morgan with Erin Schmitz, the historic sites director at Hackley & Hume Historic Site Museum. With a new degree path and an exciting connection, timing aligned just right and Morgan became an intern at the museum, where everyone is a history nerd.

“It’s like I’m geeking out over this stuff, but I’m really not because everyone is a geek for history here,” Morgan says.

“We never have to apologize for geeking out,” Erin Schmitz says. “We are in like company.”

As part of her internship, Morgan researched the Hackley family and their surrounding history. She finished training and even led tours as an intern. She learned the information well enough to have a conversation about it, instead of simply memorizing content. Morgan was also involved in conducting inventory of the over five thousand items in the house, individually numbered and photographed.

Morgan’s internship even materialized into a full-time position, and she became a part of the Hackley & Hume House staff, leading tours and even playing a role in the organization’s live Clue Game event. She thanks God for giving her lifelong friends, providing a church family, a place to live, and for the internship that affirmed and fueled her passion for history.

“Everything I have now is because I came to Grace.” ■

Internship Trifecta

In college, students grow intellectually –that’s what higher education is all about. But at Grace Christian University, that growth goes beyond the four walls of the classroom. All on-campus programs require internships, and all online programs include a capstone project. Grace students not only get a chance to develop practical job skills, but they also begin building relationships and growing professional networks within the community.

This story was brought to you by three Grace Christian University student interns!

Morgan Sillings ‘24 completed her internship at the Hackley & Hume Historic Site, part of the Lakeshore Museum Center in Muskegon, Michigan. Morgan earned a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies.

Emma Wodowski ‘25 served as the Journey magazine intern, and she interviewed Morgan on site to write this story. Emma also wrote two other stories appearing in this issue! She will earn a B.S. in Communication.

Elisabeth Gehman ‘24 served as the photographer for this story as part of her internship with the Grace Christian University marketing department. Elisabeth’s written work, photos, and videos appeared in marketing materials on Grace’s website and social media channels. Elisabeth earned a B.S. in Business with a marketing concentration.

BY SARAH CROSS ‘24

TRANSFORMATIONAL TEACHING Dr. Mat Loverin

IF YOU’RE TEACHING WITH LOVE, YOU CAN’T ALWAYS PUT COOKIES ON THE TOP SHELF AND EXPECT STUDENTS TO REACH THEM,” DR. MAT LOVERIN ’98 SAYS “There will always be a student that can reach that level, but if I only teach that student, then I’m going to have another dozen students in the class who are frustrated. The real magic of the classroom is when you can curate an environment that’s transformational for everybody.”

Mat has been teaching at Grace Christian University for nearly two decades, with a classroom philosophy focused on transformational relationships. After graduating from Grace Bible College in 1998, he went on to the University of Notre Dame where he earned his master’s degree and eventually his PhD in Theology with an emphasis in moral theology and Christian ethics. With a wide breadth of knowledge and a foundation in the Bible, Mat teaches theology, philosophy, and ethics at Grace today. But for Mat, it’s not just about the content; it’s also about the context.

“The classroom is a gateway

to mentoring,” he says, and his track record with students proves his commitment. In addition to mentoring, Mat and his wife, Michelle, provide premarital counseling to couples before Mat officiates weddings—a rich and rewarding way to impact students.

“I just got an email from a student who said, ‘your words of affirmation to me and my performance in class have been one of the most meaningful things.’ I don’t necessarily feel a personal connection with every student,” Mat says. “But the fact that this student would say this to me, showed me that my feedback to that student was transformational.”

THEOLOGICALLY EQUIPPED

When Mat was a student, he says the emphasis on academic rigor was exactly the environment where he excelled. Pursuing his degree in biblical studies, he describes his undergraduate self as “academic,” “critical,” and “a handful.”

He wasn’t satisfied with the answers everyone else accepted, and he pursued truth with an uncommon fervor. He pushed boundaries with doctrinal and denominational beliefs but was

always well-intentioned. He wanted his faith—and Grace’s beliefs—to conform to Scripture in a way he could understand.

“I benefited tremendously from language studies,” he says. “I felt like I got a world-class education.”

He learned to read and translate Greek from Dale DeWitt, professor emeritus of Bible and theology, who wouldn’t accept his students’ “slapdash” translations and demanded higher quality work. The high-level expectations forced Mat to have high-level performance, and he benefited from it.

“And so when I got to Notre Dame, I felt extraordinarily well prepared,” he says. “There was nothing that came at me that I wasn’t theologically equipped to at least negotiate.”

While at Notre Dame, Mat returned to Grace’s campus for an alumni weekend with hopes to introduce himself to the new staff and faculty, which had changed since his time as a student.

“I came to meet the new administration and say, ‘Hey, this is who I am and I’m finishing my PhD, and I’d like to come teach here at some point.’ Just to get my foot in the door.”

During that alumni weekend,

he met Michelle (Spkyerman) ‘04. A year and a half later, they were married and moved to Grace’s campus where Michelle was a resident director in the women’s dorms. Mat began teaching parttime while finishing his dissertation.

TEACHING

TEACHING IT FORWARD

His teaching style was impacted especially by his professors at Notre Dame. He had been a teaching assistant; mentored by a professor, he learned teaching and grading techniques he still practices. One professor in particular, he recalls, would seamlessly incorporate student questions into his lecture, which made students feel heard and valued.

“I would be sitting in class thinking what he did was really cool. I wanted to be like that,” Mat says.

From these experiences, he crafted his own classroom philosophy and prepared to teach. But the classroom today is a little different than when Mat was a student. It’s more than just education. With fewer collegeready high school graduates, and with the decline of biblical literacy, demanding academic excellence isn’t always helpful for every student.

“I was fortunate to grow up in a church with a lot of biblical literacy, so I was well-trained as a teenager coming to Bible college for the first time,” Mat says. “But that’s not the story of every student who comes to Grace.”

CONTENT & CONTEXT

Although there are many students who attend Grace for its biblical rigor and scholarly expectations, for the students who are already motivated to educate themselves, Grace’s community is key.

“You can learn anything through the internet or AI now—with good search terms, you can learn whatever you want, and you don’t need the classroom. But what you do need is someone who knows how to draw out of you something that couldn’t be drawn out any other way.”

Grace’s classes provide opportunities for transformational student-professor relationships that fosters growth and excellence, both academically and personally.

“There’s an ‘aha!’ moment in the classroom where you can see on people’s faces that they get it in a new way,” he says. “There’s a moment of illumination.”

With a college environment where the professor-to-student ratio is more manageable than most universities, Grace professors have more opportunities to connect with students on deeper levels, like spiritual and personal development.

“You know, in conversations that happen at 10 o’clock at night, when I come to my office to get a book that I forgot, and I happen to run into a student, and we have a 20-minute conversation that is life changing. That’s my impact. And it wouldn’t happen unless the student felt a relationship with me that comes from the classroom.”

For professors like Mat, those moments, however big or small they may be, are the most rewarding.

“I just want to make a little contribution. Maybe that little

contribution for some people will be a life-changing contribution.”

Mat’s goal is to see students fulfilling their calling in whatever capacity that looks like. Maybe it’s starting a business, or being part of a church, or going to graduate school to pursue an academic career, or coming back to Grace to pay it forward. This is what success looks like for Grace graduates.

There are certainly other aspects of life at Grace that impact students’ spiritual lives: chapel, athletic teams, student events, and peer relationships. But the impact of transformational relationships with professors like Mat is crucial for students, and it’s what sets Grace apart. Because at Grace, the goal goes beyond academic credentials:

“I want my students to be transformed into the image of Christ.” ■

Sarah Cross ‘24 holds a B.S. in Communication from Grace. Now she works in the Christian publishing industry and is a freelance writer and editor.

Congrats to...

THE 2024 ALUMNI AWARD RECIPIENTS

ALUMNI OF THE YEAR

Dan & Nancy Spooner

Both 1986 alum

Pilot, Samaritan’s Purse, Soldotna, AK

ALUMNI OF THE YEAR

Tom & Karen Drenth

Both 1983 alum Ministry in West Michigan

YOUNG ALUMNI OF THE YEAR

Troy Sergey

2020 alum

Pastor, Grace Church, Indianapolis, IN

YOUNG ALUMNI OF THE YEAR

Kerri Shultz

2016 alum

Head Coach, Women’s Volleyball

WILL PLANNING WITH

GiftWise

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Thank you for considering Grace Christian University in your will but by no means is a gift required to create your Will.

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GRACE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY OFFERS STUDY ABROAD TRIPS TO A VARIETY OF DESTINATIONS—but you don’t have to be a student to travel with us!

Study Abroad trips to Ireland, Turkey, and Greece are scheduled for 2026, and alumni and friends are welcome to join. Travelers enjoy expert-guided tours around the country to see real historical sites, taste the cuisine, and engage in the culture.

Students can choose from a range of courses to earn academic credit and may complete coursework before, during, and after the trip.

Join us for one or all of these unique and life-changing experiences! The dates are set and the itinerary is planned—all you have to do is show up. See the world and cross something off that bucket list all with your friends at Grace!

SCAN TO CREATE A WILL WITH GIFTWISE LEARN MORE ABOUT STUDY ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Full-circle Flashback I

’LL NEVER FORGET THE DAY MY THEOLOGY PROFESSOR ASKED ME TO WRITE AN ADDITIONAL PAPER. Not for extra credit.

He had just returned a paper I felt really good about—but it didn’t get the grade I was expecting. He knelt down in front of my desk, slid the paper in front of me, and looked me square in the eyes.

“This is a good paper,” he said. “But I know you have more in you.”

When I think of the transformational relationships in my life, this moment comes to mind. I didn’t attend Grace Christian University, but the Bible college I did choose came highly recommended because of the professors and how they cared about students.

The faculty hallway at Grace Christian University is filled with professors who, like my theology professor, regularly build meaningful relationships. This issue has been full of the stories of students who are learning, growing, and serving because of the transformational moments—both small and large—that happen in the classroom and beyond it, both on campus and online.

I wrote the extra paper. And I have plenty of other memories of that same professor who opened their garage when my car needed repairs, who welcomed me into their kitchen for warm home-cooked meals, and whose wife invited me on afternoon shopping trips. The relationship truly impacted me and without even realizing it, I was being developed for a life of learning, growing, and serving.

That’s what transformational relationships look like: an encouraging note, a coffee chat, a welltimed prayer. Maybe even an extra paper. ■

Emily Gehman is a Grace faculty member and managing editor of The Journey.