Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Enjoy this recap of our 2025!

Looking Ahead to 2026

A community of scholars reconnecting Christian thought and the academic disciplines through writing, teaching, and public engagement.

  • Hosting monthly research lunches throughout the year with a diverse group of presenters
  • Hosting our second annual Writer's Workshop in Spring and third annual Dallas A. Willard Lecture in Fall
  • Filling our position for Residential Fellow in Theology, to join us in Fall 2026
  • Developing, through team and public engagement, the skills to better decode our culture for the sake of the gospel through our research, writing, and teaching

Offering University of Wisconsin–Madison students access to the Christian story in a way that is both accurate and faithful to tradition.

  • Launching the Great Books Fellowship in Fall 
  • Finalizing strategic partnerships with other colleges and universities across the state 
  • Associate Fellow for NCM starting in Fall 
  • Continue offering multiple Friday Night Lecture events each semester

Produces content from events, podcasts, and creative media for individuals and faith communities for a deeply formed life.

  • Continue weekly releases of The UpWords Podcast 
  • Launching a brand new podcast on American Evangelicals (a history podcast) in partnership with the Lumen Center in early Spring 
  • Launching a brand new podcast on Christian Philosphy in partnership with New College Madison in summer 
  • Celebrating the 200th episode of The UpWords Podcast in the early Fall

Gathers the university community for spiritual, intellectual, and vocational formation.

  • Adding a second All-Campus Worship Night for students, co-led by Madison Area Young Adults, in January 
  • Faith and AI summit - a theological understanding of AI with Noreen Herzfeld in March
  • Justin Giboney from the &Campaign to promote civil dialogue in April
  • Wise Women Lead conference with Rev. Dr. Nicole Martin, CEO of Christianity Today, in November

A community for UW–Madison students to explore big questions about life, faith, calling, and following Jesus in today's world.

  • A retreat focused on spiritual practices at Dottie's Ranch in January 
  • A new team of students is forming to lead musical worship at Fellows meetings 
  • New track offerings in 2026-27, including new opportunities specifically for graduate students
  • An expanded student leadership team in 2026-27