Kuyper College Celebrates Opening Convocation

“Who are you called by? And to what?” President Dan Churchwell asked attendees of Kuyper College’s annual opening Convocation on August 31.

Speaking to the Kuyper students, staff, and faculty gathered in the Vos Chapel, he quickly answered his own questions, reminding them that Christians, are called by God to lives of integrity.

However, it’s not always easy to understand what it means to live this way.

“We flatten integrity into a synonym for honest, when it really means whole, undivided, or intact,” he emphasized. “It’s unity between who you are and who you present yourself to be; a person of integrity is not divided against themselves.”

Churchwell then pointed toward the carved, wooden chandelier near the entrance at the back of the chapel. Its inscription is a famous quote from the College’s namesake, Abraham Kuyper, about the sovereignty of God over every square inch of human existence.

This means we cannot split our lives into sacred-vs-secular zones, he told his listeners. And the chandelier’s presence over the chapel’s entrance is a symbol, reminding us that the call to this kind of integrity is at the heart of everything at Kuyper.

“You are not called here to be merely trained in professional skills, though you will be. You’re called here to become whole, the same person in chapel as anywhere else, and that wholeness will lead you into what your life eventually becomes,” he said.

This was Churchwell’s first Convocation as Kuyper’s president. He stepped into the role at the end of July after over two decades in the world of Christian education, most recently as Director of Programs and Education at the Acton Institute in Grand Rapids.

Before delivering his keynote address, Churchwell welcomed attendees and opened the service with prayer, where he thanked God for the start of the new academic year, for Kuyper’s 87-year history, and for all those who love and support the College.

“At this beginning of year, I pray that You would guide and direct our steps. Give us wisdom as we start the semester and we teach, learn, and pray together,” he said.

Dr. Tim Detwiler, Kuyper’s Academic Dean, then took a moment to introduce new members of the staff and faculty to the community before honoring Agnes Russell as she retires from over 30 years of service as Director of Financial Aid.

Next up was Churchwell’s keynote address, followed by a confession of faith led by Katy Jorritsma, Data and Compliance Specialist. Together, all present pledged to cling to the truth of Jesus Christ and His redeeming work in the coming months.

Social Work student Alex Owens and Financial Aid Specialist Jon Versluis mirrored this commitment afterward, offering two special prayers — Versluis for the faculty and staff, and Owens for the students — asking God for the strength to follow Him in the new academic year.

Churchwell then returned to the podium to deliver a charge for the year.

“Do not divide your lives into the sacred and secular, or ordinary. Study, work, practice, and play as acts of worship. Love your roommates, neighbors, and hallmates as acts of worship. Whatever you do, do it in the name of Jesus Christ,” he said.