Why I Love Northern Seminary: Commencement June 2025
This marks the end of my fifth year at Northern Seminary, and I couldn’t be happier as a seminary professor. When I look at these incredible men and women who graduated this year, I am simultaneously so proud of each of them and also sad that I won’t see their faces in class again. When I look at the graduates, I see growth, grace, perseverance through hardship, joy, service to Christ and the church, the support of their family, a passion for God and God’s Word, humility as they have been stretched in their thinking and skills, and their love for each other as they leave seminary with lifelong friendships.
This also marks the first commencement with Madam President, Dr. Joy Moore at the helm. President Moore is everything Northern aspires to be as an institution: wise, hope-filled, patient, humble, gracious, intelligent, collaborative, inspirational, and most importantly of all—focused on trusting and obeying Christ and spreading the world-transforming gospel.
This year we have been blessed to have Dr. Matthew Bates now among our faculty ranks. He brings undoubtable expertise, but knowing him personally I can say he brings such great faith and humility. We both were almost moved to tears as we hooded students, so grateful to be a part of their journey of not only academic learning, but also personal growth.
These are my people (below): the Northern Seminary faculty and administrators. You might just see smiling faces, some of them might be familiar to you, but for me I see passionate experts and leaders who respect and love each other even and especially when we have disagreements. The diversity in this picture (including diversity of tradition and denomination) demonstrates our commitment to reflecting and serving the whole church; and there is extraordinary unity as we humbly service Christ. We really do like each other (and, trust me, that’s not always true for faculty!)
Last, but certainly not least—my TA, (now) Dr. Nika Spaulding crashed our photo shoot—Nika reflects everything we want Northern to be: wise, compassionate, competent, filled with gratitude—and look at those shoes!
If you feel a tug towards seminary as you look at these pictures, check out our programs and take a step of faith by sending in your application. The world needs leaders of integrity and wisdom who are teachers, preachers, missionaries, entrepreneurs, and just good people representing Jesus in the world. There are many good seminaries out there; honored that Northern is one of them.
It was great to experience the amazing culture at Northern in person last week at my first intensive class! It is beautiful to see the hospitality and care from all the staff and professors- I hope to be on that stage a year from now!