Over spring break, the 91³Ō¹Ļ menā€™s soccer team traveled to Pucallpa, Peru, for a student-led mission trip centered on sharing the gospel through soccer. 

The trip was spearheaded by team captain, Aaron Babyak ā€˜26, whose initiative carried the effort from early planning to execution. After proposing the trip, he spent the following months coordinating with South American Mission (SAM) to finalize logistics and develop a plan for the week. He shared ā€œI had questions about whether it would really end up working out. But in the end it went better than we could have ever thought.ā€

Throughout the week, the team hosted daily soccer camps for more than 200 boys and girls in Pucallpa. Each session combined soccer skill development with devotionals, using translators to communicate the message of Jesus Christ. ā€œWe used soccer as a door to share the good news of Jesus with them every day,ā€ Aaron said.

While language barriers and the heat presented challenges, the team rose to the occasion. Soccer became a common language as the student-athletes formed trust and connection with the kids they served. Spanish-speaking students led in translating for the rest of the team, while some led devotionals, and others served in the background by handling equipment.

One of the most meaningful moments came at the end of the week. In the early days of the week, campers seldom celebrated exciting moments on the field. By the end of the week, that hesitation was gone. Aaron shared, ā€œPeople who did not know each other’s names a couple of days ago were screaming in celebration and running around. All of a sudden, no one was too cool to celebrate anymore.ā€

By the end of the trip, more than 200 children had heard the gospel, and the team was able to donate equipment and soccer gear to the community in Pucallpa. Head Coach Luke Gibson highlighted the impact of Aaronā€™s leadership: ā€œAaron took full ownership of the vision and brought it to life through intentional planning, strong communication, and meaningful relationship-building with our hosts,ā€ Gibson said. ā€œHis work was foundational to everything we experienced.ā€

This mission trip to Peru is an encouragement, seeing how 91³Ō¹Ļ students are purposefully using their unique gifts and talents to make a lasting impact through global missions. 

SHARE exists to ā€œhelp English-speaking families serving in Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East meet their childrenā€™s educational needs.ā€ Through this mission, SHARE seeks to serve global workers to enable them to remain where God has called them. Cairn teams have long partnered with SHARE in this mission.

Many of the children at this conference are considered Third Culture Kids. This yearā€™s Cairn team included four TCK students, who were able to bring personal understanding and insight into the unique experiences of the children they taught and served. Throughout the week, the team demonstrated consistent Christ-centered service, humility, and energy. Evening debriefs revealed deep spiritual growth, seen by one studentā€™s reflection on the importance of missions: ā€œI just donā€™t want to waste my life.ā€

On Thursday, March 5, 91³Ō¹Ļā€™s School of Divinity hosted its annual Church Leaders Conference. Pastors, lay leaders, and ministry workers gathered for a day of biblical teaching and encouragement. 

Dr. Jared C. Wilson, assistant professor at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and pastor at Liberty Baptist Church in Kansas City, MO, served as this yearā€™s keynote speaker, addressing the topic of ā€œRecognizing, Resisting, and Recovering From Gospel Drift.ā€ Wilson drew from his recent book, Lest We Drift: Five Departure Dangers from the One True Gospel, as he explored the importance of gospel centrality over three keynote sessions. 

In the first session, Dr. Wilson emphasized that the gospel is not advice or instruction but the announcement of what God has accomplished through Jesus Christ. In the second session, he identified three common obstacles that keep pastors from preaching Christ from every text of Scripture. Turning to Isaiah 40 in the final session, Dr. Wilson reflected on the heart of pastoral ministry, establishing the shepherdā€™s primary task is to proclaim the good news of Christā€™s finished work. Together, the sessions encouraged church leaders to remain anchored in the gospel as the central message, confidence, and hope that sustains faithful ministry. Times of worship, fellowship, and a Q&A session rounded out the dayā€™s schedule and provided refreshment for all attendees.

Dr. Keith Plummer, Dean and Professor of Theology for the School of Divinity shared, “We enjoyed a day of making new friends and reconnecting with old ones, singing heartily to our Savior, and being nourished by sound biblical teaching. A major takeaway for me from what Jared shared is how easy and perilous it is to assume that we are so well-acquainted with the gospel that we no longer need to hear it. It was refreshing to be reminded that we will never outgrow the message of salvation by grace through faith.”

Dr. Wilsonā€™s conference sessions will be made available on Faith & Truth Media. You can watch the first session here: .

Be sure to mark your calendars for next yearā€™s conference on March 4, 2027!

For students who love learning, value meaningful conversation, and desire in-depth study, the Honors Program provides an academic experience that is both challenging and formative. It invites students to engage ideas carefully and purse truth within a community guided by Scripture.

At its core, the Honors Program is about developing habits of thoughtful scholarship alongside a lifestyle of service. Central to this experience is the integration of all areas of studentsā€™ education, stretching them to think deeply while remaining grounded in a biblical understanding of truth.

A Distinctive Academic Experience

The Honors Program emphasizes the ongoing conversation between the Bible, great literature, and the ideas that have shaped the intellectual tradition. Through close reading and guided discussion, students develop the skills to analyze hard texts and engage in academic debate.

Rather than passive learning, students actively participate in discussion, analysis, and debate. This approach sharpens students’ reasoning skills and helps them develop strong oral and written arguments that serve them well in any major or career.Ģż

Dr. Adam Porcella, Director of the Honors Program and Provost at 91³Ō¹Ļ, describes the vision behind the program:

“We must also commit to creating classroom environments that are both rigorous and relationalā€”spaces where students can wrestle with hard questions, encounter new ideas, and receive encouragement andĀ discipleshipĀ from trusted mentors. When done well, this kind of education not only informs students but transforms them.”

In practice, this vision informs the Honors Program’s emphasis on learning in community.

Learning in the Honors Program Community

Community is a defining feature of the Honors experience. Students form close relationships with peers who share a love of learning and a desire to pursue truth. Invested faculty members play an active role in the program, mentoring students both inside and outside of the colloquium environment.

Throughout the year, students gather twice a month for shared meals and discussions. These gatherings, along with frequent cultural outings, create space for thoughtful dialogue and lasting friendships. The result is a learning environment where students can engage challenging ideas while growing personally and spiritually.

Mentorship and Integrated Scholarship

A hallmark of the Honors Program is the six-credit capstone project completed under the guidance of a faculty member. This project allows students from any major to pursue a topic that interests them and aligns with their academic and professional goals.

Through sustained research, writing, and mentorship, students learn how to integrate their studies and produce meaningful scholarly work. The project culminates in a formal presentation and critique, offering valuable preparation for graduate study, professional work, and lifelong learning. For many students, this experience becomes one of the most formative elements of their time at Cairn.

In support of this work, the Honors Program includes an annually renewable $2,000 scholarship for participating students. This support reflects Cairnā€™s commitment to making deep, academic study more accessible throughout a studentā€™s undergraduate experience.

Get Started Today with the Honors Program

At 91³Ō¹Ļ, the Honors Program is not about prestige alone. We seek to form students who pursue wisdom, love truth, and are prepared to walk a different path in their academic and professional lives. Our Honors students develop the ability to think deeply, communicate clearly, and live faithfully in a complex world. While the study is rigorous, the mentorship and community make for a worthwhile and rewarding experience.

Students interested in learning more about the 91³Ō¹Ļ Honors Program can explore additional details and next steps here or contact honors@cairn.edu for more information. Interested in depositing by March 1? Students who do receive a one time $1,000 award! Take advantage of this offer here!

Following the awarding of diplomas, President Dr. Todd J. Williams delivered the commencement address, drawing from Ephesians 6 and Paulā€™s teaching on the armor of God. Dr. Williams noted the personal nature of Paulā€™s letter to the church in Ephesus and how that same relational approach shapes Cairn, as faculty and staff guide students toward truth in love.

Dr. Williams emphasized that Christians live out their faith through two key postures: walking humbly and standing firmly in truth. Referencing Cairnā€™s commitment to ā€œWalk a Different Pathā€, Dr. Williams charged students to continue that walk beyond graduation while remaining steadfast against spiritual opposition and cultural pressures. He reminded graduates that believers face a real spiritual battle; however, God has already provided everything necessary to stand firm. He equips believers with truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, and the Word of God. Dr. Williams called graduates to depend on the Lord through continual prayer on bended knee as they depart from 91³Ō¹Ļ and enter the next chapter of their lives.

After Dr. Williamsā€™ remarks, Senior Vice President and Provost Dr. Adam Porcella announced the graduates with the highest academic achievements. He recognized Jacob Michael Gossel for earning the second-highest GPA of 3.96 and Julia Linda Carver for achieving a perfect 4.00 GPA.

The ceremony concluded with the longstanding tradition of singing the University hymn, Great Is Thy Faithfulness.

The 91³Ō¹Ļ commencement livestream is available here.

Congratulations, class of 2025!

You want confidence in your decisions. You’re looking for a campus that feels like home. You want growth in the ways God is leading you. 91³Ō¹Ļ offers flexibility, affordability and a Christian community. Year after year, these are the main reasons transfer students choose to continue their education at Cairn.

Flexibility (without compromise) 

Your path forward should make sense. You already have college credits, and you shouldnā€™t have to sacrifice staying on track for the environment you desire. You want a university that honors the work youā€™ve already done and helps you build on that foundation. That is why Cairn evaluates transfer credits carefully to make sure your progress counts. Transfer students can utilize our credit estimator tool to see how their credits will apply, so they can make decisions sooner with confidence!

Many schools look flexible on paper, but they are not always transfer friendly. The idea of flexibility is more than just a talking point for our transfer students; it’s a commitment from us to you. You can study on campus in Langhorne, PA, or online from home. You can build a schedule that respects your life, job, ministry, and next steps. But the flexibility of our programs doesn’t mean lowering academic expectations. When you transfer to Cairn, you are choosing an education that challenges you to think deeply, communicate clearly, and prepare for professional life after college.

Flexibility also saves you time, and paired with affordability, it can save you cost too. Ā 

Affordability 

Now more than ever, knowing the cost of college upfront is so important. The process of transferring doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Cairn is committed to making a private, biblically integrated education within reach through strong financial aid and scholarships designed specifically for both freshmen and transfer students.

Our Financial Aid team works closely with each student to create a plan that supports their pursuits towards graduation. This includes federal and state aid, academic scholarships, and need based assistance. In addition, many transfer students also benefit from our partnerships with community colleges and other institutions which can lead to additional savings and scholarship opportunities.

The goal is simple. You can pursue the degree you want while keeping your costs manageable and your future open. At Cairn, affordability is something we actively work toward with every student.

Community 

Cairnā€™s education stands out among others because of the community that shapes it. Transfer students often worry they will always feel new. But Cairn transfer students will tell you a different story. You are welcomed quickly and known by name. You are invited into a community that values encouragement, accountability, and genuine relationships.

Professors invest not only in your academic success but also in your spiritual growth. Fellow students include you in activities, clubs, worship, and service opportunities. Small class sizes help you connect deeply with faculty and peers. Our transfer students often say that 91³Ō¹Ļ feels like home sooner than they expected.

Why transfer to Cairn?

You have a direction in mind and a calling to pursue. Cairn gives you room to follow that path with confidence. Transfer students choose Cairn because they find what they are looking for. You will discover flexibility that keeps your progress, affordability that honors your resources, and a Christian community that supports your faith. At 91³Ō¹Ļ, your education matters and your story matters. If you are ready to take the next step, we are ready to walk with you.

Dr. Keith Plummer, Dean of the School of Divinity, opened chapel by sharing from John’s account of the feeding of the five thousand. He highlighted John 6:23, where the apostle notes that the people returned to the place where they had eaten after the Lord had given thanks. Rather than first drawing attention to the miracle itself, John points to Christ’s thanksgiving. As Dr. Plummer reminded us, Jesus shows us what it looks like to live a life marked by gratitude and thankfulness.

Dr. Plummer then shared what he is thankful for, followed by seven other School of Divinity faculty. 

We are thankful for opportunities like this to reflect on how God continually keeps His promises. In the smallest moments, and the biggest milestones, we can always rejoice and give thanks to God! Happy Thanksgiving!

1. The Pathway Center: Guiding You from College to Calling

The Pathway Center helps 91³Ō¹Ļ students prepare for life after college through career development and leadership exploration. You can get help writing a resume, preparing for interviews, or finding internships that fit your goals. This is especially beneficial for first-generation students navigating post-college plans. Staff helps you think beyond a job title and towards what God’s actually calling you to do. 

Whether youā€™re preparing for a big interview, or planning next steps after graduation, the Pathway Center is here to walk with you. Meetings are available in person or online. Just visit the Pathway Center to get started.

2. Academic Advisors who Care and Resources that Work

Every Cairn student, whether studying in person or online, is paired with an academic advisor who provides personalized support throughout their college journey. Advisors will meet with you to register for courses and give thoughtful academic advice, keeping you on track until graduation. First-generation college students benefit greatly from this type of tailored guidance. Theyā€™re not just here to sign your forms. They’re mentors. 

In addition to academic advising, our Academic Resource Center (ARC) is equipped with support for students of all skill levels. The ARC resources include a writing lab, tutoring, mentoring, disability services, and special ā€œhow-toā€ workshops. First-generation college students like you bring strength and determination to their studies. At Cairn, youā€™ll have the right resources to turn that determination into success.

3. First Generation College Student Scholarship

Paying for college can feel overwhelming, but you donā€™t have to figure it out alone. Ninety-seven percent of our undergraduate full-time students receive some form of financial assistance. Our Financial Aid team can help you explore grants, scholarships, and loans so you can focus less on the cost, and more on the calling God has placed before you. Plus, first-generation college students can apply for a $500 scholarship to help with things like books, equipment, or other first-semester essentials. If you’d like to apply for the First-Generation College Student Scholarship, notify your 91³Ō¹Ļ admissions counselor and they can assist you.

4. The Center for Christian Counseling & Relationship Development

College can bring challenges that go beyond coursework. The Center for Christian Counseling & Relationship Development (CCCRD) offers Christ-centered care for your emotional and spiritual well-being.

Itā€™s a safe and caring space where you can talk through stress, relationships, or personal growth. The staff includes licensed psychologists, therapists, and masterā€™s-level interns trained in both biblical and human sciences. The CCCRD is an essential resource for students seeking emotional support. Learn more about CCCRD resources here.Ģż

5. Community that feels like Family

The most valuable part of college isnā€™t found simply in what you learn, but who you walk through it with. At 91³Ō¹Ļ, professors, staff, and students share life together. Faculty pray with each other weekly. Resident Directors and Resident Assistants check in, encourage, and challenge you to grow. Between attending chapels, eating meals with friends, joining a club, or being a student athlete, you will surely experience a culture of connection, rooted in something bigger. 

Because college shouldnā€™t be just a place you get a degree, it should be a place for real transformation and growth. Being a first-generation college student isnā€™t always easy but itā€™s an accomplishment to be proud of! We pray at 91³Ō¹Ļ you will find a community that is ready to help you on your journey.