On Monday, our community gathered for a special Cairn University Thanksgiving Chapel hosted by the School of Divinity. It was a needed moment of rest in a busy season and a reminder of God’s enduring goodness.
Dr. Keith Plummer, dean of the School of Divinity, opened chapel by sharing from John’s account of the feeding of the five thousand. He highlighted John 6:23, where the apostle notes that the people returned to the place where they had eaten after the Lord had given thanks. Rather than first drawing attention to the miracle itself, John points to Christ’s thanksgiving. As Dr. Plummer reminded us, Jesus shows us what it looks like to live a life marked by gratitude and thankfulness.
Dr. Plummer then shared what he is thankful for, followed by seven other School of Divinity faculty.
Dr. Keith Plummer
Dean & Professor of Theology, School of Divinity
Showing a photo of his children, Dr. Plummer reflected on the gift of family. Although his two children now live in different states, they continue to stay connected. He smiled as he spoke about the way his children love, support, and advocate for one another. But, more important than their relationship with one another, Dr. Plummer expressed deep gratitude that his children are trusting in and following Jesus. “He has taken hold of their hearts,” he said, and for that, he is thankful.
Dr. Jared Bryant
Associate Dean & Professor, School of Divinity
Dr. Bryant expressed his gratitude for the universal and enduring Christian Church. God’s people are one church across all times, cultures, and places, and the message of the gospel has not changed. Pointing to Romans 1, Dr. Bryant reflected on the hope that the gospel is the power of God for all who believe. As he concluded, he gave a helpful reminder: “Consider the actions of Jesus who showed that to all who received him and believed in his name, He gave the right to become children of God. The kingdom of God is a very big tent. So, this Thanksgiving, let’s allow our gathering to be under a very big table.”
Dr. Kevin McFadden
Professor of New Testament, School of Divinity
Reading from Colossians 3:15–17, Dr. McFadden emphasized that the act of thanksgiving is central to a life in Jesus Christ. He shared how thankful he is to simply belong to Jesus. He is grateful for God’s ongoing work of sanctification and for the promise that Christ will indeed hold him fast. Dr. McFadden also expressed sincere gratitude for the community God has placed him in at Cairn. He is especially encouraged by students who love the Word of God and colleagues who share his faith in Christ.
Dr. Bryan Murawski
Associate Professor, School of Divinity
Dr. Murawski reflected on the seemingly “ordinary” moments in his life that have revealed God’s extraordinary providence. He is thankful that a mundane service led him into studying the Bible with a friend, which gave him an early opportunity to teach Scripture. He is thankful that when his youth group was not meeting certain needs, he visited another group and met the woman who would become his wife. Finally, he is thankful that a “boring” campus visit elsewhere eventually led him to attend Cairn, a place where God has continued to shape his life and calling. Even in the simpler moments, we can give thanks to God.
Dr. James Dolezal
Professor of Theology, School of Divinity
Dr. Dolezal highlighted Psalm 100 to show that God’s lovingkindness never ends and that He will finish the work He has started in His people through Jesus Christ. Dr. Dolezal shared that he is thankful to have grown up in a home where Christ was boldly and rightly confessed as Lord. He is thankful for parents who prayed faithfully, served their church, and spoke the true and saving gospel into his life. His prayer is that he would offer that same faithful witness to his own children and to his students, pointing them always to the goodness of God.
Dr. William Krewson
Faculty, School of Divinity
Dr. Krewson expressed his gratitude for something that brings simple joy to him and his wife: their three-year-old Maltipoo, Josie. He reflected on how God created animals and gave us dominion over them, and how even the smallest and frailest of creatures point to their Creator. Josie reminds him of our dependence on God for every need, but also of the unique way we are made in God’s image. Through this small gift, he is reminded of God’s kindness in all He has made.
Dr. Matthew McAlack
Professor, School of Divinity
Dr. McAlack expressed deep gratitude for the gospel and the power of God to save. He thanked God for his wife, a faithful partner in life and ministry as they approach 40 years together. And, he is grateful for his children and grandchildren and the joy they bring.
He shared how thankful he is for Cairn students. It is a privilege, he said, to watch God at work here. He is encouraged by moments like students sharing the gospel with a waitress at a local restaurant and volunteering to prepare food while talking with families in our community about the Lord. These glimpses of faithful ministry are a gift he continues to thank God for.
Dr. Anthony Hurst
Faculty, School of Divinity
Starting in Psalm 107, Dr. Hurst reminded the community of the call to give thanks. “Let the redeemed of the Lord say that He is good.” He thanked God for His grace and for using Scripture to guide, correct, and transform him. He thanked God for saving him and setting his life on a new path. Also, he is grateful for more than 45 years with his wife, for his two children who are serving the Lord, and for his five grandchildren.
Dr. Hurst also expressed how thankful he is for his colleagues and for the students he gets to teach. He shared that being at Cairn, and seeing God at work in the lives of students is a joy. He ended by praising God for the gift of eternal life; a gift that will never be taken away and gives us reason to be grateful forever.
We are thankful for opportunities like this to reflect on how God continually keeps His promises. In the smallest moments, and the biggest milestones, we can always rejoice and give thanks to God! Happy Thanksgiving!
