From January 1 to 5, Au Sable Institute welcomed 34 students from 16 colleges and universities to our Northern Michigan campus for the inaugural Winter Symposium on Creation Care. Over the course of the symposium, students explored what it means to be faithful stewards of God’s creation, engaged with thought-provoking speakers, and immersed themselves in the beauty of winter ecology.

The event included sessions on the biblical foundations of creation care, the ethical and theological challenges we face today, and practical steps for fostering sustainability on campuses and in communities. Students also participated in integrative activities like snowshoe hikes to explore winter ecology, writing devotionals that captured their reflections, and creative projects to synthesize their learning. The schedule was intentionally designed to provide a balance of deep learning, hands-on experiences, and time for worship, prayer, and fellowship.

The impact of the symposium was evident in the feedback we received. One student shared, “This symposium renewed my hope for the future of creation care. I’ve always felt called to work in this field, but this conference affirmed that calling in ways I couldn’t have imagined.”

Special thanks go to Derek Rosenberger, professor at Wheaton College, for coordinating the event, and to all the speakers who led sessions: Derek Rosenberger (“The State of the Creation & the Church”), Jonathan Moo (“Biblical Foundations for Creation Care”), Steven Bouma-Prediger (“Theological & Ethical Foundations”), Laura Yoder (“Justice & Ministry Foundations”), Ben Lowe (“Creation Care Organizations and Outreach”), and Janell Balmaceda (“Sustainability in the Christian's Life”).

Students left not only with a deeper understanding of creation care but also with practical tools and a renewed sense of purpose. Many described the symposium as a transformative time to connect their faith with environmental stewardship while building relationships with like-minded peers.

As part of the symposium, students also created a series of devotionals that captured their reflections on creation care. We plan to compile these into a booklet to share with the broader Au Sable community.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed to the success of this event—from our staff and speakers to the students who brought energy, passion, and curiosity to every session. This symposium was a beautiful reminder of the role we all have in caring for God’s creation and equipping the next generation to carry that mission forward.