After reading A Grander Story: An Invitation to Christian Professors by Rick Hove and Heather Holleman in a Faculty Commons small group Bible study, I was inspired to integrate my research with my faith rather than keeping my work and faith neatly compartmentalized into separate boxes..
As a music professor, I recorded an album entitled Solace specifically focused on new sacred music for viola. The project’s theme is faith in Christ amid difficult circumstances like disappointment or grief. After taking this initial leap of faith, I have been surprised by ripples continuing beyond the project’s immediate impact.
Encouraging Other Faculty
For instance, I gave a talk at the monthly Faculty Commons luncheon at the University of Florida called “Soli Deo Gloria” where I spoke about my CD project and encouraged other faculty with Col 3:17: “And whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
This created another ripple. After hearing a recording of the luncheon talk, the director of the Christian Study Center on campus invited me to perform in their new series of “Concerts and Conversations about Faith.”
Conversations about Jesus
This event opened several conversations with former and current students. Two, in particular, shared some hard circumstances in their lives that led them to abandon their faith and to walk away from God.
They told me that they liked hearing my music and everything that I had to say about it. Apparently, it had stirred them to ponder their relationships with God and hopefully, to consider returning to Him.
Performing and Mentoring
Another ripple occurred when I reconnected with the Christian Performing Artists’ Fellowship, a trans-denominational ministry dedicated to performing and teaching the classical arts to the glory of God and to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.
When the director watched the trailer for my album, he reached out to invite me to be on the faculty of the MasterWorks Festival in Kentucky, performing with other Christian orchestral musicians from around the country and mentoring young Christian musicians, ages 14 and up.
Doctoral Student Opportunities
Yet another ripple occurred when my doctoral student attended a Faculty Commons luncheon with me, where she heard about the grad ministry of Cru and decided to get involved in a grad discipleship group. She also has been involved with the MasterWorks Festival for the past four years and had the joy of leading her friend to Christ there just a few weeks ago!
My doctoral student also wants to tie together her research and her Christian walk, and so under my guidance, she is founding a chamber music series to promote the MasterWorks Festival, featuring faculty and alumni across the state of Florida. They would be spreading the Christian hope along with beautiful music during the 2024-2025 academic year.
It seems that one ripple has led to another. It has been encouraging to see these opportunities unfold as I continue to be transparent about my faith with my students and colleagues.
