Kentucky sojourn: University of the Cumberlands

From 22 to 25 February I was privileged to visit the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky, where I was a guest speaker. My time there was originally scheduled for last month, but a severe storm passing through the central part of the United States delayed my travels until this week. My principal host was Devon Goings, a graduate of Cumberlands who now works there as Director of Civic Responsibility. Goings has studied at Fuller Seminary under Matthew Kaemingk, whom I've known for the better part of two decades and for whom I have considerable respect.

Cumberlands is a Christian university in the Baptist tradition, although it is no longer formally affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. Established as the Williamsburg Institute in 1889, it became Cumberland College in 1913 and University of the Cumberlands in 2005. I was astonished to read that it has over 25,000 students, making it one of the largest universities in the state. But I was told that most of these are online students with around 2,000 residential students on campus. Student numbers have grown considerably in recent years, with a focus on outreach to the larger eastern Kentucky region.

Recent activities for February 2026

I have just posted my Global Scholars Canada newsletter for February 2026. Included are material related to Christian Nationalism, memories of Minneapolis prompted by recent events, an ecclesiological revolution, and a book review. Thank you for your ongoing support for my work!

Sowing chaos for no good reason

My most recent column has been published at Christian Courier's website: Trump is sowing chaos for no good reason. An excerpt:

Minneapolis holds a special place in my heart because, as a young man, I attended a Christian university in Minnesota’s Twin Cities. I grew to love the area’s numerous lakes, Minnehaha Falls, the many Lutheran churches, the Dinkytown neighbourhood near the University and the many friendly, hospitable people who lived there. There is even a suburb in Saint Paul called Little Canada, testifying to the presence of early French Canadian settlers. While the severe climate was definitely a trial, at the time I thought it was a place where I might eventually make a home.

Read the entire article here.