Horizons Voices

“We are exactly where God wants us to be. The evidence of this is every day present in the transformed lives of students and scholars.” - Charles Marsh, Director of Theological Horizons

My name is Lacy Quarles and I am a fourth-year from Fredericksburg, Va. 

The hardest part, for me, about life as a Christian college student, was feeling like I should have my faith all figured out. But over the course of my four years at UVa, I realized that questions are a crucial element of faith. Vintage is about asking questions, of ourselves, and our lives as Christians. What could be a better invitation to communion than the warmth of the Bonhoeffer House, oatmeal chocolate-chip cookies, and Karen & Kristina's friendly faces?  It's an assumption that in college, students come to a better understanding of who they are as individuals. With graduation in May approaching, I feel blessed that, thanks to Theological Horizons, I also have a better understanding of my faith. 

I’m Lansing Lee; currently in my third year at UVa and pursuing a major in English Literature with the hopes of attending Law School in the coming years. Over my time here I've been an active member of the Greek community and the Inter-Fraternity Council Judiciary Committee, along with Abundant Life tutoring at Walker Elementary School.

Theological Horizons has been an absolute haven of peace and spiritual development for me over the past three years. Located in the heart of the UVa student community, the Bonhoeffer house always has an open door, and it constantly provides us with the rare kind of Christian community that is composed of equal parts love and intellect. This program is not something I've seen at any other institution in the country, and UVa is lucky to be able to call Theological Horizons its own. 

My name is Mary Tanner Noel, and I graduated from UVA in 2007. I am currently living in Washington DC, working for a small law firm as a paralegal.

When I think of Horizons, I think of community—a community that studies together, questions together, prays together, and eats together. And what better way to experience this community than through the hospitality of the Bonhoeffer House! Now living in the "real world," I appreciate the unique ministry of Horizons—embodying community and embracing study and reflection as Kingdom-building disciplines. I am so thankful for the work Horizons does on grounds at UVA.

“I really do think that Theological Horizons is making a difference in the lives of many students by giving them confidence to think through how to pursue their callings while remaining true to their faith commitments. The world around them tempts them to think that their private spiritual lives need to be kept out of their public academic and social lives. I think you are helping them to see how the two can, and should, come together.” - Alan Jacobs, professor

“Your work through Theological Horizons has truly changed and is changing my way of thinking, how I view the world and my heart. Thank you for helping us see what the kingdom of God should look like.” - Anne Blanks, college student

“It is clear that you are not just interested in pursuing your own intellectual interests, but that you look more to provide guidance for your students as they endeavor to learn. Further, the way you open your office doors and often your family’s home, creates an open relationship with your students that many professors do not have…You have inspired many students on their educational journey.” - David Metcalf, college student

“Thank you so much for my writing fellowship. I have gone out on a limb to have me pursue this writing; God has shown much love through the gifts of our friends. My writing is going well. I have finished the work on a new edition of my first book, More Than Equals. Thank you for believing in me and the story that God wrote between me and Spencer. I hope that story will not go underground but will bring glory to the God of Grace, to whom I am indebted. Thank you for your ministry in the kingdom”

- Chris Rice, author

“There is such confusion in this country, but the Truth shall set them free. I am so glad you are His willing, winsome and articulate spokesmen-chosen, called, trained, equipped, tested, proven, and placed where His Name may be lifted up before our brightest so that many of them may be drawn to Him.” - Carey Louthan, Horizons board member

“The abundant prayers and gifts of Horizons partners enable powerful Christian witness in the secular academic world and brings church people into conversation with theologians. As we in the church, the academy and the community come together around the Gospel, God blesses all of us.”

- Karen Wright Marsh, Co-Director of Horizons

"What more could a parent want than to see her child become a woman of joyful relational faith in Christ? And what better place to see it happen than at the L’Abri-like setting of Bonhoeffer House?"

- Lane Mathis, Theological Horizons parent (read more of Lane's reflections here)