Two CRC women, Julia Prins Vanderveen from the First Christian Reformed Church of Vancouver and Marlene Wolters from the Frankford Christian Reformed Church, were among the graduates being honoured at the Tyndale Seminary Graduation Ceremony held on May 9, 2026. Julia Prins Vanderveen received a Doctor of Ministry degree and had the distinction of serving as valedictorian. Meanwhile, Marlene Wolters earned a Master of Theology in Indigenous Studies, with all of her credits being earned through NAIITS, an Indigenous Learning Community. NAIITS and Tyndale are partner schools. It was a notable achievement for both women, marking an important milestone in their academic and spiritual journeys.

As they walked across the stage at convocation, two pairs of shoes caught people’s eye—one shone like gold under the doctoral robes, and the other was made of soft leather with beautiful beadwork. Both women wearing them knew they were fortunate to be there, because many who came before them were never granted this moment. Their shoes weren't just something they wore to look good; instead, they represented all the different paths that people of faith have taken. In a later conversation, Prins Vanderveen stated that it made her think of what the Bible says in Romans 10:15, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news."

In her valedictory remarks, Prins Vanderveen reflected on the privilege of theological education while recognizing that many around the world continue to be denied such opportunities. “How grateful I am to be engaged in higher learning, especially as a woman,” she said. “I know many of you are not only mindful, but are personally aware of others around the world who do not have the privilege of pursuing studies, let alone advanced degrees, and our hearts ache for the men, women, and children whose learning and growth is hindered by conflict or lack of resources. Lord, have mercy.”

Dr. Marion Taylor, Old Testament Professor from Wycliffe College, gave the Convocation Address. She challenged those gathered by asking, “Imagine this graduation 50 years ago. 100 years ago. 300 years ago. Who would be missing?” Her words served as a painful reminder that the church and academy still live with the legacy of voices that were excluded, minimized, or denied access to leadership and theological education. Taylor recounted the story of Marcella, a fourth-century biblical interpreter whose theological brilliance was acknowledged by church leaders even while she carefully attributed her insights to male teachers because women were not permitted to teach publicly. She also described Anna Maria van Schurman, the seventeenth-century Dutch scholar who mastered numerous languages and attended university lectures hidden behind a screened enclosure so that male students would not be distracted by her presence. Her intellect was welcomed, but her visibility and authority were restricted.

Other witnesses included Jarena Lee, the African American preacher who waited years for her call to ministry to be recognized before finally standing to preach when another minister faltered mid-sermon. Another was Antoinette Brown Blackwell, who completed theological studies despite being forbidden to preach or receive a degree. Taylor also reflected on Jessie Penn-Lewis, whose influential writings continued to shape Christian spirituality even while publishers attached disclaimers warning readers not to accept theological authority from a woman.

As Taylor reflected on the “great cloud of witnesses” from Hebrews 12, the ceremony prompted deeper reflection on who has been remembered in theology—and who has been present all along, yet often unseen. Women called to ministry, Indigenous theologians, and countless others have faithfully interpreted Scripture and served the church even when institutions struggled to recognize their authority or legitimacy.

It's a harsh reminder that the church and schools still have to deal with the consequences of leaving out certain voices, not giving them the importance they deserve, or not letting them have a say in leadership and theological education. We're talking about people who were silenced, ignored, or just plain denied access to the opportunities they deserved. It's a painful truth that we still have to face today.

Prins Vanderveen, an ordained minister in the Christian Reformed Church for almost twenty years, wasn't surprised by what she heard at the convocation. She had experienced similar things herself. When she started seminary in the late 1990s, people often questioned whether women should be ministers. Later, while researching Dutch women during the Reformation, she discovered that many women played a big role in spreading Reformation ideas, even though their stories were rarely told in the church history she learned about in seminary. This made her realize how much women's contributions had been overlooked.

For generations, Indigenous Christians were often told—explicitly or implicitly—that following Jesus required distancing themselves from their people. The moccasins crossing the convocation stage quietly testified otherwise, bearing witness to a faith that walks forward without leaving identity behind. For Wolters, the ceremony also carried a personal realization about self-marginalization and the subtle ways years of hearing that Indigenous and Christian identities did not belong together can become internalized.

The church is being called to do something important in our time–to really see the people who have always been there, even if they weren't recognized in the past. It's like they were behind the scenes, but still playing a big role. The message also encouraged the graduates to think about all the ways they can walk alongside others, whether it's in their work, their studies, or in helping to bring people together and serve others. This can happen in many areas, like ministry, scholarship, making things right between people, following Jesus, and serving others. By doing this, they can make a real difference and be a witness to others.

Taylor concluded by challenging graduates to become people who intentionally widen the path for others. She urged them to be mindful of whom they remember, cite, mentor, and make visible within the church and theological education. Rather than guarding the ground they had gained, graduates were called to resist inherited assumptions about whose voices carry authority and whose callings are considered credible. Surrounded by the “great cloud of witnesses,” they were encouraged to run their race with courage and discernment so that future generations might encounter a church and theological community with wider space for voices too often marginalized or unseen.