On Thursday, March 5, 91łÔąĎ’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 year’s keynote speaker, addressing the topic of “Recognizing, Resisting, and Recovering From Gospel Drift.” 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 shepherd’s primary task is to proclaim the good news of Christ’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 day’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. Wilson’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 year’s conference on March 4, 2027!

Following the awarding of diplomas, President Dr. Todd J. Williams delivered the commencement address, drawing from Ephesians 6 and Paul’s teaching on the armor of God. Dr. Williams noted the personal nature of Paul’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 Cairn’s commitment to “Walk a Different Path”, 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 91łÔąĎ and enter the next chapter of their lives.

After Dr. Williams’ 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 91łÔąĎ commencement livestream is available here.

Congratulations, class of 2025!

Ahead of the 2025–2026 academic year, the faculty members of 91łÔąĎ gathered to participate in the annual faculty workshop. This year, the focus of discussion was on assessment in the age of AI.

The decision to address this topic during the annual workshop follows the creation of the University Statement on AI, which was added to the 91łÔąĎ Student Handbook in 2024. With the University’s theological and pedagogical understanding of generative AI and its limits in view, the faculty directed its focus to how AI technology prompts changes in student assessment inside and outside the classroom.

The two-day workshop began with a devotional by Dr. Bryan Murawski, associate professor in the School of Divinity. This devotional was followed by two sessions, the first of which was theological considerations of new technologies hosted by Dr. Keith Plummer, dean of the School of Divinity. He presented data showing that the current generation is increasingly relying on generative AI for growing number of tasks, even as a form of companionship. 

The second session was led by Professor Charlotte Gleason, who is the chair of the humanities department in the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She titled her presentation, “Thinking Differently: Practical Pedagogy in the Age of AI.” She presented better methods for student assessment, including multi-step project submissions, feedback loops from peers and the professor, and student self-reflection on the learning process—all of which deepen student learning in ways that are less tempting and more difficult to use AI for shortcuts. This presentation was followed by a seminar, which gave faculty the opportunity to workshop an assessment to deepen student learning and become more AI-resistant. 

On the second day of the workshop, Provost Adam Porcella discussed the difference between transactional and transformative learning in his presentation, titled “Discipleship in the Era of AI.” As a fitting conclusion to the workshop, the faculty joined the staff for the Fall 2025 Prayer Service—an intentional employee gathering of Scripture reading, prayer, and singing that has been held before the start of each semester since 2005. 

“As emerging AI technologies continue to reshape the world of education, we are intentional in how we engage them,” said Dr. Adam J. Porcella, senior vice president and provost. “We will leverage their benefits where appropriate, but never at the expense of the relational, formational, and distinctly human dimensions of teaching and learning. Our priority is to ensure that technology serves the mission of Christian higher education, not the other way around. 91łÔąĎ is committed to being a place where humans teach humans.”

On Saturday, May 10, 2025, the Cairn community gathered in the gymnasium to celebrate 161 spring graduates. Of those 161 graduates, Cairn awarded 114 bachelor’s degrees, 45 master’s degrees, and two associate’s degrees.

Following the awarding of degrees, President Dr. Todd J. Williams delivered the commencement address. He exhorted the students to let the “walk a different path” tagline of the University be a mantra students take to heart beyond their time at Cairn as they desire to live a life pleasing to the Lord. Dr. Williams reminded students that the most important thing for graduates to remember is to serve the Lord with all their strength in whatever they are doing. Of all the things that a graduate can recall, Dr. Williams posited, “You cannot remember enough what has been done for you in and through Jesus Christ…if you lose the center of that, you lose it all.”

Following Dr. Williams’ address, Senior Vice President and Provost Dr. Adam Porcella announced graduates with the highest GPAs. This semester, the hard work and dedication of students resulted in one of the highest levels of academic recognition, including six students with a 4.0 and four with a 3.99.

The ceremony concluded with the University hymn, Great is Thy Faithfulness.

The spring 2025 commencement live stream is available here.

Congratulations, class of 2025!

The planning and preparation of the event brought in over 400 students from 15 Christian middle and high schools. Cairn faculty shared their time and expertise with students through leading various workshops, adjudicating performances, and hosting an awards ceremony that celebrated students’ hard work. The culmination of this event allowed students to exhibit their artistic gifts, find a community of peers with similar interests, and learn more about how their passions are a way to glorify the Lord.

Visual Arts Department professor Mr. Matthew Stemler said of the event, “Given the opportunity to rethink the structure of a Fine Arts Festival at Cairn, the Visual Arts Department also reassessed its purpose and sustainability. Should it be a competition, a celebration, or something else entirely? What is the core purpose of bringing us together? One key aspect missing in past events was the opportunity to build a sense of community among the schools. With this in mind, the arts section was designed to better align with this goal, ensuring the experience for both teachers and students supported collaboration and connection.”

Dean of the School of Music, Mr. Ken Borrmann, also added, “It was our privilege to plan and host the Cairn Fine Arts Festival this year. With the assistance of teachers from participating schools, we were able to offer a festival designed to give middle and high school students a platform to display their God-given gifts and talents with instrumental and choral performances and art displays. All were thrilled with this new format, and we look forward to having additional schools attend the festival in coming years.”

Thank you to all schools, faculty, and other individuals who helped come together to make this a successful event.

On Thursday, March 6, 91łÔąĎ’s School of Divinity hosted the annual Church Leaders Conference, welcoming pastors, laypeople, and ministry leaders for a day of encouragement and learning. Keynote speaker Dr. Joshua Chatraw, the Billy Graham Chair for Evangelism and Cultural Engagement at Beeson Divinity School, spoke on “Helping the Doubting, Disillusioned, and Deconstructing,” drawing from his co-authored book, Surprised by Doubt: How Disillusionment Can Invite Us into a Deeper Faith.

In three sessions, Dr. Chatraw explored the personal nature of apologetics, using the metaphor of a house to illustrate the progression of faith to deconstruction.

 In his first session, he examined the current cultural moment, particularly how social influences shape the faith of younger generations. He emphasized that those struggling with doubt often wrestle with past interpretations of Christianity that feel inadequate in addressing justice and suffering. Rather than solely needing a path forward, they also need to make sense of their Christian past.

Dr. Chatraw then identified four truths that inevitably shape one’s journey of faith or deconstruction:

1. The big questions of life can’t be strictly proven or disproven.
2. Our background and history shape our interpretation of faith.
3. Everyone must choose where they will “live” in terms of belief.
4. This choice is influenced by intellectual, social, emotional, and existential factors.

In his second session, Dr. Chatraw outlined four common destinations for those who feel unsupported in their doubts:

• New atheism (outright rejection of faith),
• Optimistic skepticism (uncertainty but openness),
• Open spirituality (embracing alternative spiritualities), and
• Mythic truth (viewing faith as metaphor rather than reality).

As he focused on the second point, optimistic skepticism, a key theme prevailed: how Christians respond to those questioning or experiencing suffering—a major driver of doubt. He cautioned against overconfidence in explaining suffering, which can alienate those in pain. Instead, he urged believers to embrace and share the Bible’s complex, nuanced approach to suffering, recognizing that its different perspectives are complementary rather than contradictory.

In his final session, Dr. Chatraw encouraged a renewed vision of faith through the metaphor of “Main Floor Christianity.” This aimed to help those struggling with doubt move beyond intellectual arguments to experiencing faith as a lived reality. He distinguished between looking at Christianity (analyzing it) and looking along it (experiencing its light). He stressed that faith must not be reduced to institutional structures but should be centered on Jesus Himself.

Ultimately, Dr. Chatraw concluded that doubt, rather than being feared, can be used for good. It allows God to deepen faith, strengthen understanding, and ultimately bring believers into a more mature and resilient faith and, in turn, that way of thinking can be shared with others struggling with doubt.

In its inaugural year, Cairn was pleased to welcome those that represented 32 homeschooling families. Participants attended multiple sessions throughout the day, each emphasizing the speakers’ experiences with building a biblical curriculum. In addition, families also learned how Cairn’s own resources—such as dual enrollment and Kidsport—reinforce these values.

The first two sessions featured speakers from outside the Cairn community, both with extensive homeschooling experience. Mrs. Kristen Jones of shared her insights as a mother, homeschool teacher, and family farm worker. Her experience highlighted the importance of children spending time outdoors and learning about God through nature and observation of their play. She discussed ways to build a curriculum around the seasons, integrating subjects like art, math, and music. Following Mrs. Jones, Dr. Ana Samuel of addressed the growing challenge of objective truth in relation to human sexuality. Her presentation, Talking to Our Kids about Their Identity: Timeless Truths for Confused Times, offered strategies for parents to navigate the distortions of contemporary culture through an intentional curriculum that protects students without making them ignorant to such issues.

After the guest speakers, several of Cairn’s own faculty members shared their expertise as educators. In a session titled Redeeming the Humanities: Applying the Creation-Fall-Redemption Worldview Assessment Model to Primary Sources, Dr. Tori Aquilone and Mike Zimmerman built on Dr. Samuel’s theme, discussing how a deliberately biblical curriculum—particularly through the Creation-Fall-Redemption worldview assessment model—can teach students about ultimate truth. Additionally, professor Barb Cooper presented practical strategies and resources for working with students who have learning disabilities, providing parents with an opportunity to ask questions and engage in discussion.

Reflecting on the conference, event coordinator Andrea Stange said, “It was a pleasure to host and interact with local homeschooling families as well as some who are considering homeschooling. We look forward to making this a yearly event where Cairn partners with the homeschooling community in educating young people to grow in their knowledge of the Truth.”

91łÔąĎ extends its gratitude to the organizers and attendees who made this event a success.

On Saturday, May 4, 2024, 91łÔąĎ celebrated 154 new graduates. This meaningful day recognized many students who were part of the incoming class that experienced the full force of the COVID-19 pandemic.

102 of graduates earned a bachelor’s degree, 66 earned a master’s degree, and two earned an associates degree. Out of the 154 graduates, 63 graduates received Latin honors.

The University also took time to recognize several individuals who earned the highest GPAs. Graduates Rebekah Ann Anderson, Emma Daubenspeck, David Douthit, Nathan Duliba, Mackenzie Landis, and Isaac Stiles completed their college studies with a 4.0 GPA. Graduate Isabelle Portis completed her studies with a 3.99 GPA.

Following a prayer given by Dr. Keith Plummer, President Williams addressed the graduates. He began by highlighting the unique circumstances of the pandemic this particular graduating class faced. As they struggled to adapt to the turmoil of COVID-19 during, for many of them, their very first year of college, they also had to take on their day-to-day responsibilities. While they tackled their collegiate duties as well as fulfilling their work and calling as Christians, these students battled isolation, sickness, and various other unexpected trials.  

In light of all these difficulties, Dr. Williams examined Mark 4. In it, the passage recounts Jesus and disciples in the storm. Whether a physical storm, or the inevitable storms of life, Dr. Williams challenged and encouraged the students to endure the storm through the strength of Christ. He commended them for their work and diligence despite COVID, reminding them that these would not be the last of the trials, and that more unpredictable storms seen in Mark 4 were inevitable. Their faith in Jesus Christ was their ultimate and most important source of hope and comfort, no matter what kind of trial. Rather than assume a hopeless, pessimistic disposition, Dr. Williams charged the graduates to “remember the One in whom you believe.” 

Congratulations, class of 2024!

On Thursday, April 25, 2024, 91łÔąĎ held the second Empowering Educators Seminar. The seminar hosted over 160 teachers, making the event a sold-out success. 

Keynote speakers Dr. Marti MacCullough and Dr. Beth Ackerman presented materials and resources for educators to for this year’s theme, “Classroom Management in a Post-Covid World.” In the midst of educators confronted with new challenges perpetuated by the lingering impact of Covid, many are seeking answers to new questions. Dr. MacCullough’s seminar focused on “Flourishing in the Classroom: Classroom Management and Student Discipline Informed by a Christian Worldview.” She outlined the challenges and issues educators face with their students and how to represent Christ in everything they do, including classroom discipline. Dr. Ackerman’s presentation aimed to take Dr. MacCullough’s ideas to the next step. Her topic, “Tools for Helping Students Manage their own Behavior,” provided a way for teachers to help students recognize their responsibility in managing themselves in order that they might positively contribute in the classroom not only for the sake of the student, but also for their peers.

Alongside the main sessions, participants also had an opportunity to choose a subject-specific breakout session. Options included “Mental Health and Puzzling Classroom Behaviors,” “Management and Mentorship: Building Impactful Relationships with your Students,” “Technology Management: Engaging Distracted Students and Promoting Human Thinking,” and other informative sessions. 

91łÔąĎ was pleased to encourage and support educators at this year’s conference and looks forward to next year’s seminar.

Thank you again to all those who supported our students. Your giving has had and will continue to have a lasting impact on the University, our students, and the world in which they will serve Christ. 

To learn more about The Cairn Fund, or hear stories about those who have benefited from it, visit cairn.edu/give.