The annual Columbia International University Christian Life Conference for 2026 included a new surprise — a family celebration night on the Quad.
The celebration was sandwiched between chapel messages focusing on the CIU core value of the Victorious Christian Life, this year featuring CIU alumnus The Rev. Doug Rutt (Class of ’86), as the speaker. Rutt is the teaching pastor at Christian Family Chapel in Jacksonville, Florida, and serves on the CIU Board of Trustees.
The Student Development Team hosted the family fun night where faculty and staff were encouraged to bring their families to campus and mingle with the student body.
Activity on the Quad included three bounce houses, a dunk tank, and plenty of snacks. The Student Development Team popped fresh movie theater-style popcorn and blended mini chocolate milkshakes complete with whipped cream and cherries.
There was no shortage of outlets for the kids’ energy.
The sound of children laughing could be heard all the way from Shortess Chapel to behind the residence halls. Children and students eagerly lined up for the dunk tank, both to throw the balls and to be dunked.
One of the visiting parents, Anna Weigner said that “my children are loving it,” adding that her daughter “has probably gone down that slide 30 times.”
CIU student Carson McDowell was there with his family and little sister. He said that “Allie had a great time. She loved the dunk tank and went down the slide too many times.”
After the family celebration, the visitors joined with the student body for the second of three Victorious Christian Life messages that were also delivered on Wednesday morning and Friday morning chapels.
Pastor Doug Rutt defined the Victorious Christian Life as “The life Jesus lived then, lived now, by Him, through you.” Rutt continued saying that the life Jesus lived is characterized by being one with the Father, under the Father, and an instrument of the Father. Therefore, the Victorious Christian Life, imitating Jesus, takes place under those same principles.
Listen to the Christian Life Conference messages on Spotify.
(Photo above: Pastor Doug Rutt delivers a message in Shortess Chapel.)
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