Upcoming Events
Parents Weekend Brunch
Join us on Parents Weekend, October 4th 2025 for a cookout at the Study Center before the NC State v. Campbell football game!
Wilberforce Speaker Series: #2 Katie Moye
This year we are planting the seeds of the Wilberforce Leadership Program by offering 4 conversations on faith and work at the Study Center. This series of leaders will with speak about how they have been shaped to lead and how they have shaped the communities that they lead. All events will be open to students and the community.
Katie Moye
Senior Staff Attorney | JusticeMatters
Lunch with J.D. Greear, John Yates, and Jordan Penley
Join us for a casual conversation about theology and friendship on Wednesday, November 18 from 12:00 - 1:30 pm.
Join J.D., John, and Jordan for lunch as they discuss what it looks like to faithfully pursue Christ in mission and ministry, and why friendship matters.
J.D. Greear
J.D. Greear is the pastor of The Summit Church, in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. Under Pastor J.D.’s leadership, the Summit has grown from a plateaued church of 300 to one of over 12,000. Pastor J.D. has led the Summit in a bold vision to plant one thousand new churches by the year 2050. So far, Summit has planted over 700 churches and sent over 2,000 church members to be part of those church plants, including 762 members who have been sent internationally.
Pastor J.D. completed his Ph.D. in Theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Chick-fil-A since January 2022 and recently served as the 63nd president of the Southern Baptist Convention. Pastor J.D. and his wife Veronica are raising four awesome kids.
Jordan Penley
Jordan is the lead pastor of King’s Table Church. He and his wife moved to the Raleigh area in 2007 to study at NC State. After graduating, he worked with Cru at NC State for six years. After his service with Cru, the Penleys, alongside a core team of incredible individuals, planted King’s Table Church in West Raleigh.
John Yates
John W. Yates III became rector of Holy Trinity in September 2010. Having grown up in N. Virginia, he attended the University of Virginia before moving to London, England, where he served as Study Assistant to the well-known Anglican theologian, John Stott, from 1996-1999. John went on to earn an MA in Theology from King’s College, London, an MDiv. from Trinity School for Ministry, Ambridge, PA, and a PhD in New Testament from Cambridge University, England.
John was ordained to the priesthood in March 2004. He first served as Assistant to the Dean of the Chapel at Clare College, Cambridge, from 2004 to 2006. He then served as Clergy Associate for Adult Discipleship at Church of the Good Samaritan, Paoli, PA, from 2007 to 2010.
John is married to Alysia and they have four children: Sylvia, Isabel, Jack and Alexander.
Friendsgiving at The Study Center
Join us at the Study Center on the Friday before Thanksgiving to celebrate and give thanks together. There will be LOTS of turkey!
Guest Speaker: Julie Canlis
Julie Canlis holds a PhD from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland and is the author of Calvin’s Ladder (2010, Templeton Prize and Christianity Today Award winner). While raising four children, she produced the microbook A Theology of the Ordinary and developed a non-profit associated with her husband, Matt's documentary Godspeed. Together with Matt, she ministered in the Church of Scotland for thirteen years and co-founded The Abbey School in Scotland. She is the Liturgical Director for Trinity Church in Wenatchee, WA, is a sessional lecturer at Regent College, and is currently working in liturgical theology on the early church origins of the Christian calendar.
LDOC Celebration Concert w/ Taylor Leonhardt
Taylor Leonhardt
Taylor Leonhardt is a Nashville based singer-songwriter whose Americana sound blends vivid storytelling with a striking vocal presence. Penning songs that feel both timeless and intimate, she draws inspiration from the landscapes that have shaped her—the Texas Hill Country, the mountains of North Carolina, and her current home in Tennessee. Northern Flicker, the anticipated follow-up to her album Hold Still (2021), is a meditation on what holds us together when life begins unraveling. In addition to her solo work, Leonhardt often writes for other artists and is a member of the folk group Paper Horses. When she’s not composing or playing shows, you'll find her cutting a path through the woods somewhere with her dog, Luna.
Wilberforce Speaker Series: #1 David Spickard
This year we are planting the seeds of the Wilberforce Leadership Program by offering 4 conversations on faith and work at the Study Center. This series of leaders will with speak about how they have been shaped to lead and how they have shaped the communities that they lead. All events will be open to students and the community.
David Spickard
Founder/CEO | 11Ten LeadershipDavid Spickard is passionate about helping leaders thrive so that their people thrive and ultimately their communities thrive. He is the founder and President of 11 Ten Leadership, a leadership development company based in Raleigh, NC, that works with CEOs and their leadership teams in companies with revenues up to $350 million per year to strengthen their leadership, culture, strategy, and impact. In addition, 11 Ten Leadership facilitates Just Leadership groups which are small cohorts of CEOs and leaders of influence that meet regularly to learn how to navigate issues of justice to strengthen their leadership and create a lasting impact.
Study Center on the Road: North Raleigh Cookout
The staff of the Study Center is going on the road this May to visit cities across North Carolina. Families in Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Charlotte, Apex, and North Raleigh are graciously hosting gatherings to build communities of people who love NC State and are excited about what God is doing through the Study Center. We will share about all that has happened in our first year, our plans for the future, Wolf Path Weekend, and how you can be involved.
We invite you and your families to join us on May 21st (Thursday) at 6:30pm at Imago Dei Church. Bring a friend, invite an incoming student, and come ready to have a burger and a scoop of NC State’s Howling Cow ice cream.
Study Center on the Road: Charlotte (Matthews)
The staff of the Study Center is going on the road this May to visit cities across North Carolina. Families in Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Charlotte, Apex, and North Raleigh are graciously hosting gatherings to build communities of people who love NC State and are excited about what God is doing through the Study Center. We will share about all that has happened in our first year, our plans for the future, Wolf Path Weekend, and how you can be involved.
We invite you and your families to join us on May 13th (Wednesday) at 7pm at the Nichols’ home in Matthews. Bring a friend, invite an incoming student, and come ready to have a scoop of NC State’s Howling Cow ice cream.
Our previously scheduled event in Charlotte on May 14th has been merged into this one event on May 13th
Study Center on the Road: Winston-Salem
We invite you to join us in your city, whether you are a current State student, a future student, a Pack Parent, or simply someone interested in learning more. Bring a friend, invite an incoming student, and come ready to have a scoop of NC State’s Howling Cow ice cream.
Senior-send off Brunch
We want to celebrate our seniors with an end-of-the-year brunch on Reading Day. Come for a morning of food, worship, and prayer together.
Questions? alysia@ncstatestudycenter.org or kayla@ncstatestudycenter.org
Jess Ray Concert
Jess Ray
A singer-songwriter, producer, and creative supernova based in her beloved home state of North Carolina. A modern Joan of Arc crafting a new wave of music for those seeking God, Jess blends fresh sonic style with timeless truths, delicately weaving it all together with the realities of the human experience. There is a place for everyone in Jess’ camp of friendly folk music.
Check out Jess’s music here on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7pPNHLzwbrHYlCMTftK3A3
Creative Workshop
Soul care for the Christian creative! Join us for a workshop exploring the intersection of faith, creativity, and the creative process - ideal for anyone interested in the arts (spots will be limited). Join us on April 24th from 2:30-5:30 PM.
This event is followed by a free Jess Ray concert at the Study Center!
Treats Together: Student & Parent Tea
We're excited to welcome parents and students to the Study Center at State for Treats Together. Come to say hello, grab a cup of tea, and enjoy a sweet treat with your loved ones. Drop in for a study break or come after work. We look forward to seeing you!
Questions? alysia@ncstatestudycenter.org or kayla@ncstatestudycenter.org
What is the Bible For? A Lunch with Brad East
Join author & theologian Dr. Brad East for a community speaker event discussing the importance of the Bible, lunch included!
What’s the Bible meant to do? How and why should we read it?
Join us for a lunch with theologian, writer, and professor Brad East as he helps us think deeply and practically about the Bible—what it is, how it works, and why it matters. Whether you're new to reading Scripture or have grown up with it your whole life, this is a time to ask big questions and hear fresh insights.
Brad East (PhD, Yale University) is an associate professor of theology in the College of Biblical Studies at Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas. He is the author of many articles and books, including The Doctrine of Scripture (Cascade, 2021), The Church’s Book: Theology of Scripture in Ecclesial Context (Eerdmans, 2022), The Church: A Guide to the People of God (Lexham, 2024), and Letters to a Future Saint: Foundations of Faith for the Spiritually Hungry (Eerdmans, 2024).
C. Kavin Rowe, Crucifixion and Resurrection: Holding onto Hope in the midst of Suffering
Join us for an evening to hear from Kavin Rowe!
C. Kavin Rowe is vice dean for faculty and George Washington Ivey Distinguished Professor of New Testament at Duke Divinity School. The first of three volumes of his collected essays has recently been published as Leading Christian Communities. He also is the author of Christianity's Surprise: A Sure and Certain Hope, One True Life: the Stoics and Early Christians as Rival Traditions, World Upside Down: Reading Acts in the Graeco-Roman Age and Early Narrative Christology. He has published dozens of articles and essays, and co-edited The Word Leaps the Gap and Rethinking the Unity and Reception of Luke and Acts.
The Lillies and the Sparrows: Understanding Anxiety: A Conversation and Q&A with Counselors
Join us for a discussion on anxiety and a Q&A session on Thursday, March 12th, from 11:00 AM–12:30 PM at the Study Center, brunch included!
We’ll hear from Biblical Counselors Aaron Fears and Susan Bradford, followed by a time for questions and conversation.
Aaron Fears is a biblical counselor at Hope Counseling who helps people connect their personal story to the greater story God is writing. Through a story-centered approach, he invites others to reflect on the moments that have shaped them and consider the new story God may be unfolding in their lives.
Susan Bradford is a counselor at Hope Counseling Services, holds an MA in Counseling from Southeastern Baptist Seminary, and is passionate about biblical counseling with a focus on heart-level change, family systems, trauma, and soul care.
Augustine, Doubt, and our Quests for Happiness: Lunch with Josh Chatraw
Join us for a lunchtime discussion with Dr. Chatraw, author of Telling a Better Story and professor at Beeson Divinity School.
Discovering Esther: Art and Teaching
Join us as we explore art and the book of Esther! We’ll meet at the Study Center for teaching on Esther from Devin Moncada, then head to the NC Museum of Art!
The Book of Esther in the Age of Rembrandt
Read on the annual Jewish holiday of Purim, the Book of Esther recounts the struggle and triumph of the Jewish people in exile under the Persian empire of Ahasuerus. Esther, who hides her Jewish identity as the new wife of the Persian king, speaks up against the king’s chief adviser, saving the Jews from annihilation. Popular representations of Esther’s story in 17th-century Dutch paintings, prints, drawings, and decorative arts came to embody the Netherland’s religious and political independence in the face of oppressive Spanish rule. Netherlanders, including Rembrandt and his contemporaries, embraced Esther as a personification of their emerging nation’s identity, crafting her into a new heroine for a new century. Charting this history through objects and artworks, The Book of Esther in the Age of Rembrandt provides an original perspective on one of the most studied periods of Dutch prosperity.
Devin Moncada
Devin was born and raised in Louisiana, but he now lives in Wake Forest with his wife Evan and their children, time with whom he enjoys like cold, summer treats that always seem to melt too quickly. He graduated from Louisiana College (BA) and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (MDiv) and is pursuing a PhD in Old Testament at SEBTS. He joined Imago Dei in 2016 and started serving as a lay pastor in 2021. He enjoys sourdough bread, coffee, biking, and uncovering his buried feelings with a Fredrik Backman novel.
The Throne, the Lamb, and the Dragon: the Urgent Message of the Book of Revelation for Today
The Throne, the Lamb, and the Dragon: the Urgent Message of the Book of Revelation for Today
Have you ever felt confused or frightened by the Book of Revelation? Have you ever wished you had a better handle on how to read this most enigmatic of books? In this lecture, Paul Spilsbury will provide tools to help you understand and to lean into Revelation’s powerful message for today's world.
Join us to hear from the president of Regent College followed by a light lunch!
Faith and Doubt: A Pastor and a Professor tackle your questions
Join us for a conversation with UNC history professor Dr. Molly Worthen and Summit Pastor J.D. Greear on February 4th at 7PM.
J.D. Greear
J.D. Greear is the pastor of The Summit Church, in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. Under Pastor J.D.’s leadership, the Summit has grown from a plateaued church of 300 to one of over 12,000. Pastor J.D. has led the Summit in a bold vision to plant one thousand new churches by the year 2050. So far, Summit has planted over 700 churches and sent over 2,000 church members to be part of those church plants, including 762 members who have been sent internationally.
Pastor J.D. completed his Ph.D. in Theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Chick-fil-A since January 2022 and recently served as the 63nd president of the Southern Baptist Convention. Pastor J.D. and his wife Veronica are raising four awesome kids.
Molly Worthen
Molly Worthen received her B.A. and Ph.D. from Yale University. Molly Worthen is a professor of history at UNC who writes and teaches about American religion, politics, and global Christianity. Her most recent book, Spellbound, is a history of charisma in America from the Puritans to the Trump era. She also writes about religion, politics, and higher education for the New York Times and other publications. In 2022, she converted to Christianity from a nonreligious background.
Jesus the Great Philosopher: Lunch with Jonathan Pennington
Join us for lunch and a discussion with Dr. Jonathan Pennington on Friday, January 30th!
Jonathan Pennington is associate professor of New Testament interpretation and director of research doctoral studies at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, as well as the associate pastor of preaching at Sojourn Church East. He is the author of The Sermon on the Mount and Human Flourishing, Heaven and Earth in the Gospel of Matthew, Reading the Gospels Wisely, and Jesus the Great Philosopher.
Christmas Party
All day festivities on reading day! Celebrate the coming birth of Christ, decorate some cookies, study, relax…in the Christmas spirit!
House Show with Brogan Gaskill
Join us for an evening of live music, hot drinks, s’mores, and a thoughtful conversation as Brogan reflects on faith and creativity!
Parents Weekend Cookout
Join us on Parents Weekend, October 4th 2025 for a cookout at the Study Center before the NC State v. Campbell football game!
Pancake Breakfast with New Life Camp
Grab some Friday flapjacks served by our friends from New Life Camp!
Midday Prayer
Join us every Monday at noon for midday prayer, guided by the Book of Common Prayer (2019)
Midday Prayer
Join us every Monday at noon for midday prayer, guided by the Book of Common Prayer (2019)
Midday Prayer
Join us every Monday at noon for midday prayer, guided by the Book of Common Prayer (2019)