The Leighton Ford Initiative in
Theology, the Arts, and Gospel Witness
About
The Leighton Ford Initiative in Theology, the Arts, and Gospel Witness embraces and engages with God’s gift of artistry through dynamic teaching, relevant scholarship, and catalytic events that form students, enrich the church, and propel participation in God’s mission to make all things new.
This initiative is named in honor of Leighton Ford, who has been a witness to the gospel through preaching, writing, artistry, mentoring, and leadership with Leighton Ford Ministries and as a trustee emeritus of Gordon-Conwell. Leighton remarks, “God is an artist and he has painted this world with beauty. We have a responsibility both to enjoy it and to preserve it.”
In addition to the types of events and courses listed below, the Leighton Ford Initiative has plans to offer a Certificate in Theology, the Arts, and Gospel Witness, host pilgrimages to sites of global arts influence, provide theological engagement with public art, host creative residencies, and explore an arts chaplaincy concentration.
Past Events
Past Courses
Global Education Course: The Irish Imagination
Doctor of Ministry Track: The Arts, Ministry, and Mission
RESOURCES
Designing for Shalom
Designing for Shalom is rooted in the belief that design is not just functional-it is theological. Every space we shape tells a story about what we value, who we welcome, and how we understand our relationship to the divine, to one another, and to the more-than-human world.
We hope these pages inspire architects, landscapers, community leaders, and everyday practitioners to design not merely for function or aesthetics, but for shalom-the wholeness and harmony of God’s intended flourishing for all creation.
Vision for Theology, the Arts, and Gospel Witness
As an educational institution, we believe in the power of the arts for enhancing our mission “to advance Christ’s Kingdom in every sphere of life by equipping Church leaders to think theologically, engage globally, and live biblically.” The arts of all kinds—music, visual art, literature, dance, film, theatre, architecture, and more—are a gift for deepening our engagement with God’s Word (Mission Statement, Article 1), enlivening teaching methods and environments (Article 2), attuning our imaginations to the ministry of God (Article 3), forming the whole person toward Christlikeness (Article 4), preparing students for effective cultural engagement and presence (Article 5), and strengthening our vision of God’s redemptive work in the past, present, and future (Article 6).
Our vision for theology, the arts, and gospel witness is informed by the whole biblical drama spanning from creation to new creation and revolving around the transformative work of God in Christ by the Spirit.
Leadership
Dr. Wes Vander Lugt
Acting Director of the
Leighton Ford Initiative,
Adjunct Professor of Theology
Dr. Wes Vander Lugt is the Acting Director of the Leighton Ford Initiative and Adjunct Professor of Theology at Gordon-Conwell. Dr. Vander Lugt is a pastor-theologian with a deep love for the arts. He holds a PhD in Theology, Imagination, and the Arts from the University of St Andrews, has pastored in a variety of church contexts, and is a board member of Christian in Theatre Arts and Lorien Academy of the Arts.
He also writes, speaks, and publishes in the area of theology and the arts, including Beauty Is Oxygen: Finding a Faith that Breathes (Eerdmans, 2024) and A Prophet in the Darkness: Exploring Theology in the Art of Georges Rouault (IVP Academic, 2024).
To learn more, visit his faculty page or reach him by email.
Funding for the Leighton Ford Center
The Leighton Ford Initiative will become an official Center within the Gordon-Conwell Institute once $3 million is committed for the Leighton Ford Endowed Chair in Theology, the Arts, and Gospel Witness. Currently, $1.6 million is secured, and once the full amount has been committed, the Center will launch, and attention will turn toward creating operational and scholarship endowments for the Leighton Ford Center.
In addition to the Endowed Chair, the Leighton Ford Initiative relies on gifts that support current programming and operations, and both recurring and one-time gifts are invited.
You can give online by selecting either the Leighton Ford Chair (endowment) or the Arts and Gospel Witness Initiative (operations) in the dropdown menu, or you can give by check, wire transfer, or other methods.
Brian Gardner
Vice President of Advancement
Have Questions?
If you have any questions about your gift, please contact by email. Thank you for your prayerful consideration!