“Jill” (not her real name) had just finished her undergrad degree in engineering and was working on her MBA. She had recently gotten out of a toxic relationship and was confused and lonely. She was struggling with her concept of God and who He is. She called me and we talked on the phone a […]
Men and breakfast go together like hand and glove. Knowing this nudged me to invite two other profs to have breakfast in the dining commons where we could encourage each other in our faith and campus life. What started with two professors has now become seven, consistently, from across three departments. Our approach is […]
My eldest son, a professor at Indiana University, and I discussed imitating David Janzen’s “Life Lunch” after its publication in Missional Moments in February 2020. But we set it aside with the advent of the next month’s minor interruption known as Covid19. Fast forward to the summer of 2024… Prof Niewoehner (the Younger) sent Prof Niewoehner (the Elder) […]
Recently, I was asked by one of my pastors if I knew what the Greek word ekklesia meant, and quickly I thought: yes, the gathering of believers. He then told me to do a quick word study. I found that ekklesia is more than just a gathering or assembly; it’s a calling out for a purpose. This makes the command to “go make […]
I became a follower of Jesus in 2020 at the age of 40, seven years into my faculty career. The COVID-19 pandemic was my blessing in disguise. As the rest of the world went into lockdown, my family sought fellowship in a new way—by attending church for the first time. Thankfully, I found true and […]
I was a bit nervous that first day of class. Not just the normal concerns about having all my stuff together to launch the semester. Or getting set up in an unfamiliar classroom in a building across campus in which I’d never taught. But this was going to be the first time I was going […]
I am constantly amazed at how God uses my test subject, the honey bee, to teach me about Him and His ways. Honey bees form colonies which can be described as “superorganisms” – a collection of individuals that, as a group, possesses qualities of a single organism. The honeybee colony functions as a living, breathing […]
Early in my time as a professor, I quickly learned that some colleagues dedicated a lot of time to service, and others dedicated, well, not so much. One of my colleagues simplified it this way: “If you want something done, find someone who is busy.” I became one of those busy people, serving on various […]
Since the pandemic, I have been more involved in teaching online classes, which has allowed me to teach students from around the nation. Recently, while teaching an online class, I had a great learning assistant who was a recent graduate. Although I never met my assistant in person, we began to form a collegial bond […]
As the current Faculty Advisor for Cru’s student ministry at the University of Florida, I have found my true calling—serving God by serving others. I am continually inspired by an amazing group of students who courageously share their faith, pray for and help others, and create a markably warm and welcoming community. But first, let […]
