Sun streaming through the trees on campus on a foggy morning.

Kindschi Faith and Justice Symposium

The Kindschi Faith and Justice Symposium, launched in the Fall of 2011, is an annual week-long event examining a key topic of global justice from an interdisciplinary perspective.  Featuring prominent guest speakers, participation by Houghton faculty, and opportunities for student engagement, the Symposium strives to integrate theological insights and Biblical values with broader discussions of justice in the worlds of scholarship and policy.

It is also committed to civil dialogue among those within and without the community of faith.  In all these ways, the Symposium offers the Houghton community, and especially our students, an opportunity for focused reflection on contested contemporary issues.

Dr. Peter Meilaender, Dean of Religion, Humanities, and Global Studies; Professor of Political Science; and Director of the Kindschi Faith and Justice Symposium.

2026 Symposium: The Future of International Aid

October 30-31, 2026

This year’s symposium focuses on the Future of International Aid, featuring panel discussions with Houghton alumni.

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Ronald Oakerson, Professor Emeritus, Houghton University

Panel Discussion Sessions With:

Allen Hollenbach ’00, Technical Director, World Vision WASH
Steven Grudda ’10, Country Director--Sierra Leone, Millenium Challenge Corporation
Tom Scriven ’00, Co-Founder, Ruah
Katherine Stevick ’19, Graduate TA, Colorado State University
John Lyon ’97, Executive Director, Rescue Response International
Andrew Bonanno ’12, Professor of Anthropology, University of Georgia
Tanner Hoffman ’17, Director of Program & Operations, Ugandan Water Project
A. J. Buszka ’15, Corporate Counsel, FIFCO
Honus Wagner ’20, Case Manager, Catholic Charities Rochester
Jeff Arensen ’02, Missionary, World Gospel Mission

For Christians, our pursuit of justice is motivated by our Christian faith. Justice, for us, is not a shifting notion, and its pursuit is not optional. Justice and its pursuit are Biblical. The Kindschi Faith and Justice Symposium provides one of few opportunities for Christians to give serious scholarly consideration to the ways our Christian faith motivates and informs our pursuit of justice—locally, nationally and globally.

- Wayne D. Lewis Jr., President

About P. Douglas and Barbara Kindschi

Houghton alumni Doug and Barbara Kindschi.

In 2017, the Kindschi Faith and Justice Symposium was permanently endowed by Houghton alumni P. Douglas ’62 and Barbara (Pechuman ’62) Kindschi. Together, the Kindschis have dedicated their lives to encouraging Christian thought and action on matters of cultural, social and political import. Dr. Kindschi is the founding director of the Kaufman Interfaith Institute at Grand Valley State University, where he previously served as professor of both mathematics and philosophy and dean of Science and Mathematics. Dr. Kindschi lives out his calling as a follower of Christ by reaching out to and engaging with others through his work at the Kaufman Interfaith Institute and striving to live out our Lord’s two greatest commandments: love God, and love your neighbors. Since 2010, Dr. Kindschi has led significant programming focused on interfaith dialogue, bringing together Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities to focus on common goals and interfaith cooperation. Mrs. Kindschi is a partner and collaborator in Dr. Kindschi’s work, while also teaching and promoting music in their community in Grand Rapids.

Director of the Kingdom Initiative, Houghton professor of political science, Dr. Peter Meilaender, remarked of the Kindschis, “I have been struck not only by their desire to help us pursue important and challenging topics here at Houghton, but also by their palpable interest in the lives of our student and in supporting those students intellectual and spiritual development. The events resulting from the generosity of Dr. and Mrs. Kindschi are a tremendous enrichment of the university’s academic life.”

In 2024, Dr. and Mrs. Kindschi were named Houghton University Alumni of the Year in recognition of their contribution to the integration of faith in matters of justice on Houghton’s campus and around the world.

Past Symposia

2025 - The Rights of Native Americans

2024 - Civility

2023 - The Future of International Order

2022 – Church: United or Divided?

2021 – The Church & Global Health: The Body of Christ Ministering to Broken Bodies

2020 – Around the Table: Interfaith Dialogue

2019 – She is Equal

2018 – Racial Justice: Called to Love

2016 – Immigration

2015 – Environmental Justice: Hope for Humanity and Creation

2014 – War/Conflict/Violence: Stories of Hope

2013 – Global Poverty & Hunger: Unveiling the Connections, Seeking Solutions

2012 – Human Trafficking

2011 – Immigration and Refugees