Calvin Theological Seminary

One of the gifts of life at Calvin Theological Seminary is being part of a community that reflects the global Church.

This year, our graduates came from Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Korea, Madagascar, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Ukraine, Venezuela, and communities across the United States.

Though they arrived from different cultures, languages, and ministry contexts, they shared a common commitment to growing in faith, deepening their understanding of God's Word, and preparing to serve Christ and his Church.

As we celebrate 150 years of Calvin Seminary, we give thanks for God's faithfulness in bringing students from around the world into this learning community, and for the ways they continue to enrich the Church wherever God calls them to serve.

For decades, Rev. Dr. Cornelius “Neal” Plantinga, Jr. has helped shape pastors, students, and congregations through faithful teaching, thoughtful scholarship, and a deep love for the church.

As part of Calvin Theological Seminary’s 150th anniversary year, we are honored to recognize Neal as a recipient of the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award.

As pastor, professor, author, and president of Calvin Seminary, Neal helped strengthen the seminary’s commitment to serving the church through rigorous theological education and faithful ministry preparation. During his presidency, Calvin Seminary expanded access through distributed learning, strengthened community life, and launched initiatives such as the Center for Excellence in Preaching to support pastors and congregations around the world.

We are grateful to celebrate Neal’s legacy and enduring impact as part of the continuing story of God’s faithfulness through Calvin Seminary.

Read more about Rev. Dr. Neal Plantinga Jr. and his remarkable legacy: https://calvinseminary.edu/blog/distinguished-alumni-neal-plantinga-jr/

During Calvin Theological Seminary’s 150th anniversary year, we are honored to recognize Rev. Dr. Jim De Jong as one of the recipients of the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award.

Jim’s life and ministry reflect decades of faithful service to the church, theological education, and the global mission of Calvin Seminary. From his years as president to his ongoing work advancing the Reformed tradition through translation and scholarship, his influence continues to shape pastors, scholars, and congregations around the world.

During his presidency, Calvin Seminary expanded its global reach, strengthened student community life, and launched initiatives that continue to serve the worldwide church today.

We are grateful to celebrate Jim’s legacy and enduring impact as part of the continuing story of God’s faithfulness through Calvin Seminary.

Read more about Rev. Dr. James De Jong and his remarkable legacy: https://calvinseminary.edu/blog/distinguished-alumni-jim-de-jong/

Commencement 2026 🎓

This weekend, we had the joy of celebrating the Calvin Theological Seminary Class of 2026.

These 99 graduates, our largest graduating class in recent history, have been formed through rigorous Reformed theological education, spiritual formation, community, and faithful preparation for ministry and service around the world.

As we conclude celebrating our 150th anniversary year, we give thanks for God’s faithfulness across generations and for the students who now go forward into new callings and vocations.

Congratulations, graduates. We are grateful for you and look forward to seeing how God will continue to work through your lives and ministries.

Congratulations to the Calvin Theological Seminary Class of 2026!

On Saturday, May 16 at 10:30 a.m., we will gather at Calvin University’s Covenant Fine Arts Center to celebrate God’s faithfulness and the calling of 99 graduates, our largest graduating class in recent history.

As we mark Calvin Seminary’s 150th year, we give thanks for the ways God continues to form leaders for the church around the world. We are also honored to recognize Presidents Emeriti Neal Plantinga and Jim De Jong as our 2026 Distinguished Alumni.

We invite you to join us in celebrating this special occasion by attending Commencement in person or watching the livestream online.

https://www.youtube.com/live/LUQYdYCUB_o?si=58WSQSz9kb7c2jPs

Join us for a special Commencement Chapel service on Friday, May 15 at 11:00 a.m. in the Seminary Chapel.

As we prepare to celebrate the Calvin Theological Seminary Class of 2026, we gather in worship to give thanks for God’s faithfulness throughout this journey of theological education, spiritual formation, and ministry preparation.

Dean of Students Jeff Sajdak will bring the message during this meaningful time of worship and reflection.

All are welcome to join us in person or online: youtube.com/live/BKXA2gFdZ-A?feature=share

We are celebrating Dr. Ronald Feenstra and his 34 years of teaching and ministry at Calvin Theological Seminary. Join us to hear his last lecture.

Calvin Theological Seminary Last Lecture | Ronald Feenstra

What does it mean to lead from a place of weakness?

In this episode of the Forum Podcast, Calvin Theological Seminary President Jul Medenblik sits down with author and pastor Dr. Mandy Smith for a thoughtful and deeply encouraging conversation about vulnerable leadership, human limitation, and dependence on God in ministry.

Smith shares the story behind "The Vulnerable Pastor," including a defining leadership conference experience that left her in crisis and forced her to confront a painful question: what if faithful ministry does not look like polished strength, but honest dependence on God?

Their conversation explores the difference between good and bad vulnerability, the temptation for pastors to become idols rather than guides, and the freedom that comes from remembering that ministry was never meant to make us self-sufficient.

They also discuss discernment in sharing, why pastors do not need to tell everyone everything, and why those on the margins may have the most to teach the church about strength in weakness.

A rich conversation for pastors, ministry leaders, seminary students, and anyone wrestling with what faithful leadership really looks like.

Read, watch, listen at: theforum.calvinseminary.edu/media/stop-pretending-to-be-god