Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary has received a grant of $80,000 from the Creative Arts Collective for Christian Life and Faith at Belmont University to support a yearlong Artist-in-Context residency featuring acclaimed cellist, composer, and recording artist Kendall Ramseur. The initiative will include public events, collaborative workshops, and the commissioning and premiere of a three-movement cello concerto centered on the biblical theme of “Songs from the Wilderness.” 

The project is being funded through the Creative Arts Collective’s Artist-in-Context program, which fosters collaborations between artists and Christian institutions to deepen the integration of faith and the arts and expand theological engagement through creative expression. 

The project will be led by Dr. Wes Vander Lugt, Gordon-Conwell adjunct professor of theology and acting director of its Leighton Ford Initiative in Theology, the Arts, and Gospel Witness. Dr. Vander Lugt received a PhD in Theology, Imagination, and the Arts from the University of St. Andrews and has served in pastoral and academic roles in the United States and abroad. 

Gordon-Conwell’s Leighton Ford Initiative in Theology, the Arts, and Gospel Witness engages God’s gift of artistry through teaching, scholarship, and events that form students, enrich the church, and support participation in God’s mission. Named for evangelist and Gordon-Conwell trustee emeritus Leighton Ford, the initiative reflects his conviction that “God is an artist” whose beauty is both to be enjoyed and stewarded.  

Through this grant, Kendall Ramseur will participate in life of the Gordon-Conwell community throughout the 2026–27 academic year, including interactive workshops with students and faculty exploring the spiritual and biblical themes of wilderness as a place of transformation. 

At the center of the project is the composition and premiere of a three-movement cello concerto for solo cello and orchestra, inspired by the theme of finding freedom in the wilderness. The work will premiere with a professional symphony orchestra and will be recorded for wider distribution. 

Additional elements include a reflective companion booklet co-created by Ramseur and Dr. Vander Lugt, as well as chapel and public events on Gordon-Conwell’s Hamilton and Charlotte campuses, inviting reflection on faith, creativity, and spiritual formation. 

Gordon-Conwell’s mission to equip Christian leaders to think theologically, engage globally, and live biblically is strengthened through initiatives like this that integrate the arts into theological education and formation.
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About Gordon-Conwell 

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary is a multidenominational, Evangelical graduate institution formed in 1969. Serving nearly 1,300 students representing more than 85 denominations and 50 countries, the seminary operates locations in South Hamilton and Boston, Massachusetts; Charlotte, North Carolina; Jacksonville, Florida; and through online programs. Accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, Gordon-Conwell ranks among the largest seminaries in North America and offers master’s- and doctoral-level degrees. The seminary is committed to forming thoughtful, globally aware, and spiritually mature leaders for ministry, counseling, academia, and the workplace. 

About the Creative Arts Collective 

The Creative Arts Collective for Christian Life and Faith at Belmont University supports initiatives that explore the intersection of faith and the arts, fostering creative collaboration and theological engagement. “Songs from the Wilderness” was made possible through the support of an award from the Creative Arts Collective for Christian Life & Faith at Belmont University. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Belmont University.