[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”Hero Slider Section” module_id=”hero-section” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_slider show_arrows=”off” show_pagination=”off” module_class=”engaging-h1″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h1″ min_height=”770px” custom_padding=”110px||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”110px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_slide admin_title=”An Engaging H1 Headline” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h4″ header_font=”||||||||” background_enable_color=”off” use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_stops=”rgba(37,40,42,0.47) 0%|rgba(37,40,42,0.5) 99%” background_color_gradient_overlays_image=”on” background_image=”https:\/\/mlii5e30p1dq.i.optimole.com\/cb:hFP7.217\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/gracechristian.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Journey-landing-webheader.webp” background_enable_image=”on” background_layout=”light” custom_padding=”|0px||0px|false|true” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_slide][\/et_pb_fullwidth_slider][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f7f7f7″ z_index=”4″ custom_margin=”-85px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” custom_css_free_form=”.et_pb_section_1 {overflow:visible!important;}” border_radii=”off|96px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||true|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Breadcrumbs Text” module_class=”breadcrumbs” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”rgba(5,49,71,0.7)” global_module=”628″ saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nHome<\/a><\/span><\/span>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||true|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||||false|false” locked=”off” inline_fonts=”Gotham Bold” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ specialty=”on” padding_top_1=”0px” padding_top_2=”0px” padding_right_1=”59px” padding_right_2=”0px” padding_bottom_1=”50px” padding_left_2=”2%” padding_top_bottom_link_1=”false” padding_top_bottom_link_2=”false” padding_left_right_link_1=”false” padding_left_right_link_2=”false” padding_1_tablet=”|0px|||false|false” padding_2_tablet=”” padding_1_phone=”|0px|||false|false” padding_2_phone=”” padding_1_last_edited=”on|tablet” padding_2_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_class_1=”tertiary-col-1″ module_class_2=”tertiary-col-2″ module_class=”tertiary-two-column” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#F7F7F7″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||70px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ specialty_columns=”3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_row_inner column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||true|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner type=”1_2″ saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mlii5e30p1dq.i.optimole.com\/cb:hFP7.217\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/gracechristian.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Journey-landing-mockup.webp” alt=”The Journey Magazine cover and cover story.” title_text=”Journey-landing-mockup” url=”https:\/\/heyzine.com\/flip-book\/ae30069952.html” url_new_window=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”100%” max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column_inner][et_pb_column_inner type=”1_2″ saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” locked=”off” inline_fonts=”Gotham Bold” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Stories of resilience lead us to praise God for His work and give us hope for the future\u2014the Spring 2026 issue of The Journey Magazine<\/em> will do just that. You\u2019ll meet <\/span>Philip and<\/b> Ayondria Kirabira ’24<\/b>, whose next adventure is ministry in Ludington, Michigan. <\/span>Isaiah Denhoff ’26 <\/b>changed his life plan from the mechanical trades to ministry ones. Alumna and Grace staff member <\/span>Kaylee Skelley ’08 ‘2<\/b>5<\/strong> graduated from Grace alongside her husband \u2013 twice. And <\/span>Amiah Lake ’22 <\/b>uses her resilience from a redshirt season to help students as a Student Success Coach.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/heyzine.com\/flip-book\/ae30069952.html” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”View Online” button_alignment=”center” disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”7dac7f10-513f-4ad0-ac11-56f204fb126d” button_text_color=”#25282a” custom_margin=”80px||||false|false” custom_padding=”13px|40px|13px|40px|true|true” custom_css_main_element=”min-width: 250px;” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||true|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||||false|false” locked=”off” inline_fonts=”Gotham Bold” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n In the humbling privilege it has been to serve as President at Grace Christian University for more than 23 years, we have overcome obstacles and challenges and made important adjustments. Yet pressures and obstacles to health and vibrancy increase, and staying true to our mission is critically important. Our four core values\u2014grace theology, Bible centered, ministry focused, and transformational relationships<\/strong>\u2014anchor us to our past and focus us for the future.<\/p>\n Prayerfully, our leadership and board of directors have adopted a new vision for 2030:<\/p>\n Grace Christian University will be a Biblically Faithful and Fiscally Resilient University in which Every Student is Transformed by Learning Experiences and Relationships resulting in 230 Graduates who Serve Christ Globally.<\/i><\/strong><\/i><\/p>\n Biblical faithfulness is at the front of our vision and serving Christ bookends it so that we never lose sight of who we are: an unapologetically Biblical university that graduates ambassadors of Jesus Christ to the world.<\/p>\n In the middle of this vision is fiscal resiliency\u2014the ability to weather economic uncertainties, regional enrollment trends, and political vacillations of our times. Resilience to not only keep the doors open but continue to see students transformed by Christ-centered, biblically-infused teaching and relationships. We welcome the expected stark contrast between what we desire for our students and humanistic mindsets of the world. This is why we updated our mission statement to Graduating Courageous Ambassadors for Christ\u2026<\/i> just a few years ago. Though it may be unpopular, our calling is noble and courageous!<\/p>\n In this issue of the Grace Christian University Journey, you\u2019ll meet resilient students, alumni, faculty, staff, and board members who are inspiring all of us who share in this work together. May it bless you and encourage you as we answer the call to be courageous ambassadors who make an eternal impact [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||true|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner type=”1_2″ saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||15px||false|false” locked=”off” inline_fonts=”Gotham Bold” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Gratefully,<\/p>\n Ken Bruce Kemper ’85<\/span> [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][et_pb_column_inner type=”1_2″ saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image 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global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/span> [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_blurb title=”Submit a Story” module_class=”quicklinks” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h3″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” text_orientation_tablet=”center” text_orientation_phone=”center” text_orientation_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Have a story to share about what God is doing through your Grace experience? <\/span>Tell us about it and your story might be featured in a future issue of The<\/em> <\/span>Journey M<\/span><\/em>agazine<\/em>!<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_button button_url=”mailto:alumni@gracechristian.edu” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”Submit a Story” button_alignment=”left” button_alignment_tablet=”center” button_alignment_phone=”center” button_alignment_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”7dac7f10-513f-4ad0-ac11-56f204fb126d” button_text_color=”#25282a” custom_margin=”30px||||false|false” custom_padding=”13px|40px|13px|40px|true|true” custom_css_main_element=”min-width: 250px;” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” custom_margin=”50px||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Journey of Courageous Ambassadors<\/p>\n In the Spring 2025 issue of Grace\u2019s Journey, you\u2019ll encounter stories of transformation, calling, and God\u2019s faithful pursuit. Carter Willis \u201925 came to Grace to play baseball\u2014and found new life in Christ. Benaiah Nyanjui \u201925 followed God\u2019s call to missionary aviation, discovering Grace through a series of providential encounters. Jess Payne \u201924 turned down her dream schools to follow Jesus more deeply, finding healing and purpose in Grace\u2019s community. Morgan Sillings \u201924, encouraged by a professor\u2019s wisdom, turned her lifelong love of history into a hands-on museum internship. And Dr. Mat Loverin \u201998, both alum and professor, demonstrates how rigorous teaching and relational investment can lead to lasting spiritual transformation. Each story reminds us that God is at work in every season\u2014shaping students, alumni, and faculty for His glory and our good.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":581,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"dipi_cpt_category":[],"class_list":["post-583","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nNew Edition Out Soon! |<\/span> Spring 2026<\/h2>\n
Journey of Courageous Ambassadors<\/h2>\n
FROM THE PRESIDENT<\/h5>\n
A Vision for Resilience<\/h2>\n
wherever they go.<\/i><\/p>\n
President<\/p>\nCurrent Issue<\/h5>\n
Cover Story<\/h2>\n
More Stories<\/h2>\n
2025<\/a>
<\/span>2024<\/a>
<\/span>2023<\/a>
<\/span>2022<\/a>
<\/span><\/p>\n