When it came time for Samuel Vandeputte ’21 to start thinking about post-secondary education, he realized he did not feel at peace with the options he had in his native Belgium or neighbouring Netherlands.
“In Western Europe you don’t have a Redeemer,” he explains. “At a university level there’s not a confessionally Christian liberal arts school.”
Aware that he wanted to study something in the political realm, just not at a huge secular institution, Vandeputte began a Christian gap year program in the Netherlands and considered his next academic steps.
It was during this time that Vandeputte encountered a man who was downsizing. As he slowly gave away his vast book collection, Vandeputte came into possession of Political Visions and Illusions by David Koyzis, a former political science faculty member at Redeemer.
“As I flipped through it, a Redeemer business card fell out. It said, ‘Discover all things in Him.’”
Feeling like he had received a “letter from heaven,” Vandeputte looked up Redeemer University and everything fell into place.
After a warm phone call with an admissions counsellor and attending a campus visit day, he knew Redeemer was where God was calling him to be.
Embarking on a three-year journey in International Relations and Philosophy, Vandeputte experienced both Redeemer’s community and academic aspects to the fullest, becoming student senate president (possibly the first European), creating lifelong friends and participating in excellent education.
Gaining skills “you wouldn’t get in normal education,” the “academically rigorous” environment provided Vandeputte with a holistic and global understanding of politics. This placed him in a position to succeed—in master’s programs in Belgium as well as in professional experiences, first with Belgian and European parliament, and then as a radio and TV editor with public broadcaster WNL, a position he has held for over two years. In this role, Vandeputte connects with prominent politicians and commentators and arranges their appearances on the broadcast, extensively researches relevant topics and prepares content, and discusses “major long-term challenges” with experts on the Onze Eeuw (Our Century) podcast.
Sometimes Christians can think there’s a clear separation between the sacred and secular. I don’t think that’s the case. It can be sacred to work in journalism or politics just as it is to work as a pastor.”
More importantly, Redeemer provided Vandeputte the chance to better understand his worldview and how he can live it out alongside his career aspirations. This has meant operating with Christian values of integrity, honesty, hard work and fairness.
Even more so, it showed him how faith directly aligns with the pursuit of political journalism and introduced him to a credible and prolific guide.
Surprisingly, despite living in the Netherlands for several years, it took Vandeputte a Redeemer education to discover the thought and legacy of Dutch polymath Abraham Kuyper.
Primarily known for his theological and political contributions, culminating in a term as prime minister of the Netherlands, Kuyper was also a prolific journalist, writing over 20,000 articles as a newspaper editor. With a lasting impact on Dutch journalism, Kuyper is a source of inspiration in Vandeputte’s daily work.
“Journalism is the recording of today’s history, which fits within Kuyper’s adage that Christ is sovereign over every square inch,” Vandeputte explains.
Additionally, Vandeputte understands that Christianity and journalism have a similar central goal—a deep search and longing for truth.
“This is very important in a time when there’s a lot of culture wars and it’s become hard to know what’s true. In the midst of all these opinions, faith gives us a steady compass, the knowledge that there is truth, and that we ought to pursue it.”
Whether through sharing news and information with the population, holding politicians accountable or seeking answers to important questions and ideas, this parallel notion has strengthened Vandeputte’s confidence in his ability to live out his faith while operating at a high level in a mainstream field that has continually become more secular.
“It’s about what God is calling you to do wherever that is, based on your talents, dreams and visions.”
He credits Redeemer with helping him achieve this mindset.
“Sometimes Christians can think there’s a clear separation between the sacred and secular,” he says in regard to considering career paths. “I don’t think that’s the case. It can be sacred to work in journalism or politics just as it is to work as a pastor.”
As such, we must discern God’s voice and listen to what vocation may mean for us on an individual level.
“It’s about what God is calling you to do wherever that is, based on your talents, dreams and visions.”
For Samuel Vandeputte, this is political journalism.