This time of year, with its short dark days, serves as a reminder to us that the world is in many ways, a dark place. For several weeks you may find yourself hunting for the sun, waiting for any sign that the days are beginning to get longer.
Isaiah 9 reminds us that the gift of a child was given to those walking in darkness, those living in a land of great darkness. The prophet Isaiah was of course referring to the gift of Jesus who would shine light on this great darkness.
It’s a blessing to take a moment to pause and reflect on the many ways God has been with us this year. While we continue to walk through dark places, filled with sadness, pain and brokenness, God’s people are blessed to know his glorious light, which shines on us despite our humanity and the difficult circumstances that may surround each of us in a myriad of ways. The gift of Jesus not only shines the light of hope for an eternity with him, but also shines on our present, through his glorious presence–God with us! He is making a way in the darkness for Redeemer to continue to prepare students to reflect his love in every career and calling.
This year was full of so many bright moments and opportunities to see God’s faithful hand on Redeemer.
A Full Community this Fall saw residences near capacity with 553 students living on campus, more than ever before. Enrolment numbers continued to be strong as Redeemer welcomed 1,052 students this fall. After a major tuition reduction in 2019, and a four-year freeze, Redeemer continues to offer Affordable Christian University Education by keeping tuition competitive with other universities in Ontario. Tuition will remain frozen into 2024-25.
Two visionary leaders were added to Redeemer’s leadership team to help strategically move the institution forward. Dr. Peter Neumann, vice president, academic joined the community in June and Heidi de Vries ’05, legal counsel and vice president, strategic initiatives arrived in November.
Redeemer has added a third new degree in as many years with the addition of a New Communications and Media Studies Degree. An exciting partnership with Dordt University will have Redeemer grads Transforming Communities for Christ that much sooner with a new pathway to an online master of social work. Redeemer students are also benefiting from innovative design thinking and redemptive entrepreneurship since the Grand Opening for the Innovation Centre. The recent addition of a law and public policy minor is also giving students opportunities to explore careers in the public square as discussed by two faculty in Guiding Principles.
The Albert M. Wolters Centre for Christian Scholarship continued to shine a light on Reformed scholarship throughout the year through its Wolters Centre Fellowships and lecture series. In January, it hosted The World and Our Calling lecture with 2022 Emerging Public Intellectual Dr. Daniel Lee Hill as he shared about being Bound to Our Neighbour. In May, Redeemer hosted the 2023 Kuyper Conference celebrating the intersection between Kuyperian theology and the art of kintsugi, recapped in A New Creation. In October, Dr. Fellipe do Vale was announced as the 2023 Emerging Public Intellectual. His work explores what it means to be human and order our loves around God in God at the Centre.
Redeemer’s Mental Health Task Force released Mental Health Recommendations, including the hiring of a case manager and the dedication of new physical space on campus for service delivery. Both students and employees will be able to find spiritual guidance with newly hired chaplains who you can learn about in Meet the Chaplains. Come, Follow Me tells the story of how discipleship groups are supporting student spiritual formation and Expressing Worship details an unconventional worship event hosted by student senate.
Redeemer students are taking full advantage of co-op and internship opportunities available through the Career Centre and beyond. BBA student Naomi Papavero was Awarded Top Honours for Co-op Contributions for her efforts at Christian organization Waybase. Business-marketing student Stephen Goossen took full advantage of his co-op at a private aircraft management company in Flying High and Sarina Tabet discovered how to put her business expertise to work at a church-based co-op in Taking Care of Church Business. International development student Ruth Van Vliet helped a community in Kenya through her co-op with a non-profit in Seeking Global Justice.
Brian Dijkema ’04 was honoured with the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award for his work in public policy debate and legislative change as told in A Gospel of Love. Redeemer’s nearly 7,000 alumni are sharing the hope and love of Jesus in a wide variety of careers and callings such as municipal government as told in Equipped to Serve, art appraisal in Joining the Conversation on Art and Faith, teaching in Success Beyond the Scoreboard and civil litigation in Following God’s Path.
Students and alumni alike have answered the call to share stories of good news and redemption. Current student Nathan Reid-Welford is Putting a Dream in Writing by publishing his first novel. Alumnus Abishek Varghese ’20 has answered A Call to Storytelling using his gifts and talents in videography and production at Muskoka Bible Centre. Paul Naphtali ’14 writes Stories from the Biotech World as the owner of a science communications agency.
Redeemer faculty are committed to teaching and research from a Reformed Christian perspective in every academic area. Kinesiology and physical education faculty discussed what it looks like to partner with God to care for our physical bodies in Redeeming the Body. Faculty from across the English department are using thoughtful creative expression to explore our Christian responsibility to creation in Unearthing Christian Environmentalism. Art professor Phil Irish is also taking a creative approach to research through his residency in the Arctic Circle in Living in Wonder and Fragility. Dr. Sean Schat, a professor in the education department is Creating a Culture of Self Care for Educators, publishing his research in a recent book.
Redeemer is having a positive impact locally and around the world. The university is engaging with Indigenous community leaders to show care for their communities, the land and its history, and the artifacts that have been found on it in Pathways to Restoration. Students are bridging the generational gap and Helping Seniors Thrive through their work with the Brain Exercise Initiative. Staff are partnering with other education-based charities in Stepping Up for STEM, which has provided microscopes for Christians schools in Canada and financial contributions for the construction of science labs in Zambia.
Are you excited by the important mission of Christian higher education at Redeemer? We invite you to prayerfully consider a year-end gift to support this important work.