Logo celebrating 50 years of Grand Celebration with a graphic of a building, and the text 'Your Faithfulness, O Lord, Endures to All Generations'.

April 4-5, 2025

Your faithfulness endures to all generations. — Psalm 119:90

On April 4-5th, we celebrated 50 years of God’s faithfulness to the Study Center. This time was full of the testimony of God’s faithfulness declared from one generation to another.

We are so thankful for the many, many friends who have labored with this ministry over the last 50 years and we look forward to God’s plans in the next 50. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

View the full photo album here
A gathering of people socializing outside a three-story brick house during twilight, with some people entering the house and others talking outside.
Older adults hugging and chatting outdoors in a festive neighborhood gathering with a blue house and trees in the background.
A group of senior women and men celebrating and hugging outside a house during daytime.
Group of five friends enjoying conversation at a party, two men and three women, standing around a high table with drinks and flowers, smiling and laughing.
Man with gray hair and glasses playing a red keyboard, singing into a microphone.
Older adults attending a conference or lecture in a church or meeting hall, seated on wooden pews, listening attentively.
A man giving a presentation to a large audience seated in a spacious, well-lit room with tall windows, high ceilings, chandeliers, and classic decor.
An older man wearing glasses and a green sweater speaking into a microphone at a wooden podium during a presentation or lecture in a large room with an audience.
Older man with glasses and white hair speaking and gesturing with his hand during a meeting, seated next to a younger man with dark hair wearing a plaid blazer and tie, both with name tags.
Two women talking and smiling in front of a bookshelf, with four men standing in the background, some with glasses, one with a cane, in a library or bookstore.
A diverse group of people attending a presentation in a library, with a man standing near a podium and a large screen displaying an image of a colorful sculpture outside a window.
A woman giving a presentation at a podium in a large banquet hall with many seated attendees facing her, a large projection screen behind her, and round tables with floral centerpieces.
A woman with curly hair making peace signs with both hands at a social gathering, surrounded by people, wine glasses, and a lively atmosphere.
People standing and clapping at a formal event or conference in a large room, with tables and glasses in the foreground.
A man in a blue blazer and glasses smiling and speaking at a podium with a microphone in a well-lit room with beige walls, curtains, and plants.
Group of women talking and laughing at an outdoor social event, standing around a small high-top table with drinks, in front of a building with large windows and a lamp post.
Six men in professional attire standing together at an event, smiling for the photo. One man is wearing a colorful tie, and they are all wearing conference badges, with a podium and a yellow wall in the background.
Three women smiling at an outdoor event, standing in front of a brick wall and green bushes. They are holding small plates with snacks, wearing colorful patterned dresses, and have event badges around their necks.
A man with glasses, a beard, and wearing a dark suit and striped tie, stands behind a wooden podium with a microphone, giving a speech.
Two women hugging warmly at a social gathering, with other people in the background.
A man in glasses and a black shirt is speaking at a church pulpit, with an audience seated in wooden pews, and a wooden altar with a cross and candles in the background.

Opening Plenary | "Staying in Place”

On Saturday morning, Andy Crouch spoke about the important difference between “space” and “place,” and why it’s so essential that the Study Center is truly a place.

Listen to our recording of Andy’s talk at the link below.

LISTEN NOW

Keynote Address | “Deep Change”

A man with glasses and gray hair, wearing a blue blazer and light blue shirt, smiling while standing at a wooden podium with a microphone, giving a speech in a room with beige walls, window blinds, and a large plant in the background.

Listen to remarks from Marta McKinnon, Bill Wilder, and Ken Elzinga.

LISTEN NOW

On Saturday evening, Andy Crouch helped close our celebration by reflecting on the role of time in the life of an institution, the significance of generational thinking, and why the Study Center has the potential to be a lasting institution.

Listen to our recording of the keynote address at the link below.

LISTEN NOW
A woman with blonde hair, wearing a denim jacket, holding a microphone, and gesturing with her right hand while speaking.

Morning Devotional | “The Secret to a Satisfying Prayer Life”

On Saturday morning, Jodie Berndt shared wisdom and testimony on the power of prayer and even more—the power of praying scripture over ourselves, our family, our community, and beyond.

Listen to our recording of Jodie’s devotional at the link below.

LISTEN NOW

Breakout Sessions

  • A man speaking at a podium in a bright room with large windows, a large screen to his left, and a laptop on the podium.

    How It All Began

    Dr. Charles Cotherman explored the origins of the Study Center movement and how it reshaped evangelicalism’s approach to education, culture, and faith in a university setting.

    LISTEN TO THE RECORDING HERE

  • Panel discussion with four people at a table, one woman speaking into a microphone, and three others listening; name tags for Lane Cowin and Beat Steiner.

    Study Center Retrospective Panel

    In this reflective session, panelists from multiple generations of the Study Center’s ministry—spanning from the 1970’s to the early 2000’s—shared their personal stories and experiences. This panel reflected on the history of the Study Center, its evolving ministry, and the unique ways it has shaped spiritual life at UVA over the decades.

    LISTEN TO THE RECORDING HERE.

  • A young woman with red hair speaking into a microphone at a panel discussion, smiling and pointing. Next to her is a young man with glasses and short brown hair, smiling. They are seated at a table with name tags reading 'Katie Mead' and 'John Owen'.

    Faith on Grounds Today

    What does it look like to be a Christian at UVA today? A panel of UVA faculty, Grounds ministers, and students shared their experiences of faith and spiritual life at UVA, highlighting stories about both the signs of spiritual renewal they witness and the challenges they encounter on Grounds.

    This panel was not recorded.

View a short recap of our special weekend together below.

From our home to yours…

Black tote bags with white logo and text reading "Center for Christian Study 1975-2025" arranged on a table.

Our celebration welcome bags included a sample of coffee from a local Christian roaster that we use daily to supply the coffee in our building. You can learn more about them or purchase coffee with the link below.

Abbey Coffee Roasters

The cookies in our farewell gift bag were indeed made with love by our student interns and the one and only, Larry Mueller. If you’d like to make some at home, you can find the recipe with the link below.

Cookie Recipe

View a PDF version of our full celebration program at the link below.

View the Program

Thank you to our wonderful speakers!

  • A man with short gray hair and black glasses, smiling outdoors, wearing a light blue checkered shirt.

    Andy Crouch

    PARTNER FOR THEOLOGY AND CULTURE, PRAXIS

  • Portrait of a middle-aged man with glasses, smiling outdoors with a green background.

    Bill Wilder

    STUDY CENTER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

  • A smiling older man with gray hair and glasses, wearing a dark blazer, blue shirt, and a colorful striped tie, standing outdoors with blurred green foliage in the background.

    Ken Elzinga

    STUDY CENTER CO-FOUNDER, ROBERT C. TAYLOR PROFESSOR OF ECON., UVA

  • A smiling woman with short blonde hair, wearing a white top, gold hoop earrings, and a necklace, in an indoor setting with soft natural light.

    Jodie Berndt

    AUTHOR & SPEAKER

  • A young man with short, light brown hair wearing a checkered shirt outdoors with blurred green and brown background.

    Rob Batton

    Col ’27

  • A smiling man with glasses and dark hair outdoors with green trees in the background.

    Josiah Carey

    CAMPUS MINISTER, RUF

  • Headshot of a smiling man with short gray hair, wearing a blue shirt, outdoors background.

    Charles Cotherman

    ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, GROVE CITY COLLEGE

  • A woman with long, curly red hair smiling outdoors with green foliage in the background.

    Lane Cowin

    Col ’03

  • Professional woman with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a navy blazer over a colorful blouse, smiling against a white background.

    Jan Gruetzmacher

    Col ’82

  • A young woman with curly blonde hair smiling outdoors in front of green foliage.

    Katie Mead

    Engr ’24

  • A man with glasses smiling, standing inside a store with bakery items, bottles, and shelves in the background.

    John Owen

    PROFESSOR OF POLITICS, UVA

  • A woman with long brown hair, wearing pink sunglasses on her head, taking a selfie in front of a large rock wall, and smiling softly.

    Wendy Ligon Smith

    ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN ENGAGEMENTS PROGRAM, UVA

  • Smiling elderly man with gray hair, outdoors with mountains and trees in the background.

    Beat Steiner

    Col ’73, Law ’80

  • A smiling man with glasses and short brown hair, wearing a blue and white checkered shirt, standing outdoors with trees and a house in the background.

    Corey Widmer

    Col ’99

Thank you for celebrating with us!