‘They were God’s child’
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‘They were God’s child’

“Bekett was such an incredible human,” Kristel Forcier tells me. She’s sharing her memories of Bekett Noble, the 34-year-old Redeemer University student who died by suicide November 23, 2022. At the memorial, Redeemer President Dr. David Zietsma described Bekett as “kind, likeable, funny and direct. This is a tragic loss for our community.” Bekett Noble…

Fred Reinders (1930-2023)
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Fred Reinders (1930-2023)

Fred Reinders is a man whose work has blessed the lives of thousands of Christian Courier readers, and he did this by creating shelters for their study, work, worship and play. Philosopher Calvin Seerveld, who was born in the same year as Reinders, wrote that “God’s firm covenantal grip . . . has provided society…

To the seventh generation
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To the seventh generation

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“If you make a decision, make it good for the seventh generation from now.”  That was the message Adrian Jacobs, a Six Nations Cayuga member, shared with his Ancaster, Ontario audience on November 10. Understanding that we are individually part of a larger story can meaningfully shape our worldview. As Christians, we belong to a…

Redeemer at 40

Redeemer at 40

Last month marked the 40th anniversary of Redeemer University. I can still recall the original campus of Redeemer College on Beach Boulevard and high school visits to the townhouses that served as the first dorms. Sometime later, I recall a brief encounter with Rev. DeBolster who, in his thick Dutch accent, advocated for me to…

The closing scene
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The closing scene

On April 20, Redeemer University made an announcement with two parts: first, that students are now able to enroll in a new Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree. And, secondly, that its French and theatre arts departments would be discontinued due to low enrollment. The business degree is being accompanied by the creation of new…

Act Five
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Act Five

What might discipleship for young adults look like in 2021? Different than some might think. I work as a resident leader for Act Five, a Christian gap year program associated with Redeemer University and based near downtown Hamilton, Ontario. We are halfway through our second cohort, and I’d like to share some glimpses of how…

The many unexpected shapes of hope
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The many unexpected shapes of hope

This editorial is a revised version of the speech Angela gave over Zoom in November as the recipient of Redeemer University’s 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award for her 12 years as Editor of CC. When I started with Christian Courier in January 2009, Prime Minister Stephen Harper had just prorogued parliament, Barack Obama was inaugurated and…

The ‘Asterisk’ Legacy of Dr. Justin Cooper
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The ‘Asterisk’ Legacy of Dr. Justin Cooper

“My world just opened up. In fact, it exploded.” Justin Cooper was a preacher’s son who arrived as an 18-year-old at Trinity Christian College in 1968. Through professor Calvin Seerveld in particular, he saw in a fresh way that “this is my Father’s world” – and thus perceived he ought to love that world. “They…

The Kingdom According to a Queer Poet
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The Kingdom According to a Queer Poet

There are times when I wish Christ was in the room with me, in the flesh. Days I wish I could have him at my side in situations where I don’t know how to respond but I know he would; I wish I could whisper my own questions in his ear, hear his answer straight from his mouth, hug him and be held. The day I read the CBC’s report on policies at Redeemer University that allegedly discriminate against LGBTQ+ students and ARPA’s response, I wished for all those things.

On Campus During COVID
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On Campus During COVID

As Canadian provinces pass through their respective stages of reopening, social institutions of all kinds are grappling with how to effectively and safely offer their services, and universities are no exception.