Hold Fast What is Good
April 17-18, 2026 | 128 Chancellor Street
Living in the Light is an in-person event at the Study Center where we enjoy fellowship, learning, and food together. This conference provides an opportunity for parents, alumni, and friends to experience the faith and fellowship offered through our ministry. This year our theme is “Hold Fast What is Good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). See below for the weekend schedule, speaker bios, lodging information, and FAQ’s.
If you have any questions about this year’s gathering, please email Stuart Hornsby at stuart@studycenter.net.
Who’s Attending
Click the link below to see some of the Study Center friends who will be a part of this conference.
Why You Should Join Us
This conference will be a time to grow together through reflection, conversation, and testimony.
Bill Wilder will open the morning with rich biblical teaching focused on our theme verse (1 Thess 5:21), highlighting Paul's teaching to "hold fast what is good" amid suffering and yet, in hope. After lunch Christof Meyer will share testimony of this verse in his life—spanning youth ministry in Europe, nonprofit consulting, military service in the Army National Guard, and now building an environmental consulting business with his family in Colorado—offering a vivid picture of how faith is worked out in the complexity of everyday life.
Through both teaching and testimony we will see a vision of our hope, a joy that endures, and a life that bears eternal fruit for the Kingdom.
Speakers
PRESIDENT, ALOTERRA RESTORATION SERVICES
Christof is the President of AloTerra Restoration Services, a company he runs with his wife Megan in Fort Collins, CO. Christof was born into this business through work on his family farm in rural northwest New Mexico. There, his experience with soil development and water conservation left a permanent mark on how he views the world. After leaving New Mexico, Christof spent 5 years in Europe doing social work and youth ministry with Anglican parishes in Belgium and the United Kingdom. After returning to the United States in his twenties, Christof attended Biola University (Torrey ’06, BFA - Integrated Design) and UVA (Darden ’09, MBA - Innovation and Corporate Finance). After graduation he moved into consulting and has been heavily involved with several non-profit organizations—serving, most notably, Hildegard College. He served as an Infantry Officer in the Army National Guard for 12 years. Christof & Megan live and homeschool their 5 children on a small farm in North Boulder.
Keynote speaker: Christof Meyer
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, STUDY CENTER
Bill has been the Executive Director of the Center for Christian Study since 2009. He came to the Study Center as the Director of Graduate Ministries in 1999, fresh from two years with his family in Ogbomosho, Nigeria, where he taught the Bible at the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary. Bill has an M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from Union Theological Seminary in Virginia. The author of several journal articles and one monograph on the Bible (mainly Galatians), Bill loves to teach and discuss Scripture, especially anything pertaining to the resurrection of Jesus (which he'll manage to draw in whatever the topic). He and his wife, Nicolien, have four children, four engrafted children (in-law/love), and eleven grandchildren. They are members of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville.
Bill Wilder
Panelists
John Owen
Taylor Professor of Politics
Assistant Professor in the School of Engineering and Applied Science
Diana Morris
Lee Coppock
Professor of Economics
Faculty member and Assistant Dean, Global Advising at Darden School of Business
Larry Mueller
Director of Undergraduate Ministries, Study Center
Drew Masterson
Campus Staff, Reformed University Fellowship
Anna Plybon
Bailey Harrison
Area Director, Young Life
Campus Director, Campus Outreach
Matt Emerson
Nancy Scott
Staff, Athletes in Action
Event Schedule
Please note that some details may change as we get closer to the event.
Friday, April 17
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.— Welcome Reception | Study Center
Heavy hors d'oeuvres and drinks will be served.
Saturday, April 18
9:00 a.m. — Light Breakfast | Study Center Great Room
10:00 a.m. — Welcome Session & Scripture Study |Great Room
Bill Wilder, Executive Director of the Study Center
11:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. — Panel Discussions (Choose one) | Study Center
Grounds Ministry Panel
Drew Masterson (moderator), Nancy Scott (Athletes in Action), Bailey Harrison (Young Life), Anna Plybon (Reformed University Ministries), Matt Emerson (Campus Outreach)
Faculty Panel
John Owen (moderator), Diana Morris, Lee Coppock, Larry Mueller
12:00 p.m. — Lunch | Study Center
12:45 - 1:45 p.m. — Keynote and Q&A | Great Room
Christof Meyer, AloTerra Restoration Services
2:15 p.m. — Optional Afternoon Activities
Coffee Chats with Rick Campanelli at the Study Center
Geology and Theology Hike with Bill Wilder & Possible Dinner at Blue Ridge Brewery
Parking
See below for convenient and complementary parking options. Please print this parking pass and place on your dashboard.
Bank of America lot — Bank (and church) spots behind Bank of America. Access from Chancellor Street. Do not park on the “Monthly Parking” upper deck.
Booker House — Small lot behind Booker House. Access from Madison Lane.
Elliewood Garage — Any available spot on the lower level. Entrance is next to Take It Away sandwiches at 115 Elliewood Avenue.
Lodging
Below are a few recommendations that are located about 10 minutes from the Study Center.
FAQs
If you have any other questions, please reach out to Stuart Hornsby at stuart@studycenter.net.
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We will be kicking-off the conference with a reception on Friday evening, April 17th at the Study Center. We hope you will be able to join us for a fun evening together. Heavy hors d'oeuvres and drinks will be served.
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Yes. You can clarify which portions of the weekend you will attend in the registration form.
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Nearby parking arrangements will be made for those who need convenient parking.
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Yes, we have an elevator. Please let us know if you would like to discuss special accommodations for parking or seating.
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The dress is nice casual on Friday night and during the day on Saturday. If you are attending the Geology and Theology hike on Saturday, please be sure to prepare accordingly.
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We have provided a few hotel recommendations that are located about 10 minutes from the Study Center here.
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Refunds will be available before April 7. If a refund is needed, please reach out to Stuart Hornsby.
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Yes. We will be gathering any dietary needs through the registration form.