黑料科 welcomed students and faculty from five regional institutions for the 2024 Penn-York 黑料科 Research Conference. The event, co-chaired by Houghton faculty Mark Borchert, Ph.D. and Laurie Dashnau, Ph.D., demonstrated the University’s ongoing commitment to undergraduate research.

Regional Collaboration

The November gathering brought 35 students and 10 faculty members to Houghton’s campus, representing Alfred University, St. Bonaventure University, PennWest University, St. John Fisher University and University of Pitt-Bradford. Houghton’s Eli Knapp, Ph.D. delivered the keynote address, “Shacking Up with [Aldo] Leopold: Research as the Ultimate Inclusive Sport.”

The presentations showcased the depth and variety of undergraduate research opportunities available at Houghton, where students work closely with faculty mentors to pursue their academic interests.

“Participating in the post-pandemic revival of this conference鈥攚hich Houghton has been affiliated with since 2005 and which last occurred virtually in 2020鈥攚as extremely gratifying,” remarked Dashnau. “We already are looking forward to taking many Houghton students to next year’s conference, which will be hosted at the University of Pennsylvania at Bradford.”

Michael Jordan 鈥�99, associate professor of theology, recently published an article in Christianity Today discussing the highly anticipated sequel to the Pixar film, Inside Out. Drawing on his new book, Jordan explores the theme of anxiety in Christian young adults as portrayed in Inside Out 2.

In the article, titled “Inside Out 2: Addressing Anxiety in Christian Young Adults,” Jordan delves into the impact of anxiety on the spiritual lives of young believers and highlights how the film’s portrayal of emotions can resonate with the struggles faced by many Christians today. He emphasizes the importance of addressing anxiety within the faith community and offers insights on how to navigate these challenges.

Michael Jordan 鈥�99, associate professor of theology, has released his latest book, , offering a fresh perspective on the role of worship in addressing anxiety. The book launch took place on June 3 at Houghton Wesleyan Church.

In Worship in an Age of Anxiety, Jordan explores how aspects of worship, including liturgy, space, music, preaching and the sacraments, can encourage individuals to turn towards God within a healing framework. While acknowledging that worship alone cannot fully heal anxiety, Jordan emphasizes its potential as a space where anxiety can be acknowledged, accepted and offered to God.

An ordained Wesleyan pastor with extensive pastoral ministry experience in United Methodist, American Baptist, and Wesleyan churches, hopes that “Worship in an Age of Anxiety” will facilitate the integration of mental health and faith for those who face challenges in reconciling the two.

Many times, [individuals] have a really hard time integrating the way that mental health describes their interior life with the way the Christian faith describes it. And so they have their diagnosis and treatment for mental health on the one hand… and their church life on the other… I hope this book is a step in helping these two worlds integrate.

Michael Jordan, Author

 

With its thought-provoking insights, Jordan’s work invites readers to seek a deeper understanding of the intersection between worship and anxiety. Read a .

Every week, Houghton student Elijah Sproull 鈥�26 volunteers at a new club in Perry where he is positively impacting the faith journeys and lives of high schoolers in the community.

Sproull grew up attending Young Life in middle school and high school, during which developed a bond with one of the leaders there that has lasted ever since.鈥淢y Young Life leader in high school is still one of my best friends to this day,鈥� said Sproull. 鈥淭he mentorship he offered me in my life helped me grow in my faith and become interested in theology.

Despite growing up in Young Life, Sproull never thought that he would go into ministry. It was not until Young Life Leader Kyle Morley reached out to him in the summer of 2023 about leading in Perry when he seriously considered the position.

I am trying to make an impact in these kids鈥� lives and be the mentor to them that I had for myself … You have people pouring into you and you want to pour out into other people.

Elijah Sproull ’26

 

During the Fall 2023 semester, Sproull has found that a lot of what he is learning in a theology course on Missions in the Global Church is helpful in ministering at Young Life. 鈥淭he [course] book says a lot on global missions,鈥� said Sproull, 鈥渂ut also a lot of that is applicable to missions here [Houghton] and missions in Young Life.鈥�

President Lewis and his family had the opportunity to attend the annual Young Life Dessert Banquet at Geneseo United Methodist Church. Monica Lewis commented that 鈥渋t was an evening filled with delicious desserts, entertainment, volunteer leader recognition, student testimonies and the opportunity to learn more about the incredible impact of Young Life.鈥�

Students, like Elijah, prepare for their callings in ministry through a broad range of Bible & Theology courses on ministry and service聽offered at Houghton, each carefully designed to challenge students with deep theological discussion and inspire them all the same.

黑料科 Dean of the Chapel, Michael Jordan, recently led a thought-provoking workshop for members of the , exploring the profound relationship between worship and mission. The workshop, funded by a generous grant from the , aimed to deepen participants’ understanding of the role of rituals in worship and how it can inspire service and justice in the wider world.

Reflecting on the experience, Jordan expressed his enthusiasm for churches that prioritize worship and seek to understand its purpose. “It’s so exciting to me when churches take worship really seriously, and start asking why they do what they do,鈥� said Jordan. 鈥淚’ve had connections with Seventh Day Baptists over the years, but it was really exciting to meet a group of them from around the world and it was wonderful to get to know more about their history and share some thoughts to help them discern their future.”

Marcus Dean, professor of intercultural studies and missions, led the editorial team for the Evangelical Missiological Society鈥檚 October 2022 publication. Dean also acts as the northeast vice president of the Evangelical Missiological Society (EMS), a professional academic society committed to advancing world evangelicalism.

鈥淭he book鈥as truly a team effort,” said Dean. “It was a blessing to work with each member.鈥�

Under Dean鈥檚 leadership, the EMS published the 30^th edition of its series. The book includes essays that provide those interested in missions with ideas and practical ways to serve and present the Gospel to individuals and groups across cultures.

In addition to collecting and organizing the papers being published in the book, Dean also wrote the preface and section leads.

It was rewarding to have been part of the team that put together a book that speaks to many facets of the opportunities and challenges in today鈥檚 mission service. There is something here for everyone serving in God鈥檚 Mission. We give God the glory!

Doug Strong 鈥�78 released a book, with coauthor Jess Bielman, entitled Workshop of the Holy Spirit: An Invitation to Theological Education. Strong joins other Houghton alumni making an impact through publications that further the knowledge of the community.

Strong currently serves as the Paul T. Walls Professor of Wesleyan Studies at Seattle Pacific University. He earned his BA at Houghton College before continuing on to receive his MDiv and PhD from Princeton Theological Seminary. Strong has been influenced by a firm connection to the Wesleyan tradition that was built in part over the course of his years at Houghton and carried with him throughout the rest of his education and his career in ministry and teaching.

Doug has been engaged with theological education for many years, so he writes this new book from a wealth of experience.

Ben Colter, 黑料科鈥檚 Donor Engagement Coordinator