Dordt to host the Faith and Work Conference in mid-September

Christians from a wide range of professions will gather at Dordt University September 17–19 for the At Work in the Garden conference, a three-day faith and work event designed to help participants explore how faith shapes their daily work through creativity, cultivation, and care.

Hosted by Dordt University, the conference invites educators, business leaders, artists, nonprofit professionals, pastors, healthcare workers, students, and others to consider how God calls his people to participate in the renewal of creation through their vocations. Through keynote presentations, breakout sessions, worship, and shared conversation, attendees will gain practical ideas for faithfully serving God and their neighbors in every sphere of life.

“We hope to inspire leaders of all kinds see their work as God-glorifying, in and of itself, beyond just behaving ethically and giving some money away,” says Dr. Jeff Ploegstra, a conference director. “Doing our work with excellence, Coram Deo, can bring Him glory simply because we’re using gifts He has given, in service to others.”

The conference will feature keynote presentations from Jordan Raynor, bestselling author and entrepreneur; Michaela O'Donnell, executive director of the Max De Pree Center for Leadership; and The Porter's Gate, a collective of musicians whose worship songs celebrate God's presence in everyday life and work.

In addition to keynote presentations, attendees will choose from a number of breakout sessions led by Christian scholars and practitioners from across the country. 

Featured presenters include Melinda Rangel, Ed.D., MBA program director at Tabor College, who will share insights on entrepreneurship and leadership; Derek Schuurman, professor and chair of computer science at Calvin University, whose work explores the intersection of faith, technology, and artificial intelligence; David Mulder, professor of education at Dordt University and author of Teach Like a Human: Playful Practice and Serious Faith in the Age of AI; and Stephen Carter, founder of Seed Tree Group, whose work equips Christian schools to cultivate entrepreneurial thinking rooted in biblical principles.

Additional breakout sessions will explore topics including vocational formation, creation care, education, technology, entrepreneurship, leadership, and Christian imagination, providing participants with practical tools and fresh perspectives they can apply within their own communities and workplaces.

Alongside learning opportunities, attendees will enjoy worship, networking, local tours, and experiences designed to foster meaningful conversations across professions and disciplines.

Hosted by Dordt University in partnership with the Lilly Network of Church-Related Colleges and Universities, the Center for the Advancement of Christian Education, the K and K Dooyema Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and In All Things, the conference reflects Dordt's commitment to equipping Christians to live out their faith in every area of life.

Registration is open through September 5. To view the conference schedule or register, visit dordt.edu/events/at-work-in-the-garden.

About Dordt University

As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, alumni, and the broader community to work effectively toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life.

Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt offers undergraduate and graduate programs that help students live their faith in every area of life. Through rigorous learning, meaningful relationships, and whole-person formation, students gain the practical wisdom to serve God and neighbor through their work and in their communities. Dordt has been named among the nation's leading Christian universities by U.S. News & World Report, Niche, and other national publications.