ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN STUDY CENTER
Seeking the unity of faith, knowledge, and life.
OUR PURPOSE
The Christian Study Center brings together students, faculty, and community members to explore the intellectual and cultural resources of the Christian tradition. Drawing on these resources we engage with the highest levels of scholarship in order to address enduring human questions and respond to challenges created by contemporary culture.
OUR COMMITMENT
The Study Center roots its work in the Christian faith as articulated in the scriptures and as summarized in the early creeds of the Church. In keeping with our Christian commitment, we take a conversational approach to our educational program. We seek to enlarge and extend conversations rather than narrow or end them, and we gladly share our lectern with those who share our questions — whether or not they share our Christian commitments.
OUR STORY
The Christian Study Center was conceptualized by a group of Christian academics in Gainesville, Florida. Representing a spectrum of denominational backgrounds, their desire was to see a center introduced to the university community which would bring together faculty, students, clergy, and community members to explore the intellectual and cultural resources of the Christian tradition and to cultivate an on-going conversation about how the Christian tradition might contribute to the life of the university in ways that are both challenging and enriching.
These are the ways we live out our mission
Programs
In a variety of formats, our educational initiatives cover a broad range of topics, but we focus on seven areas of inquiry that play a crucial role in modern culture.
Technology & the Human | Faith & Vocation
Arts & Creativity | Higher Education & the University
Moral & Spiritual Formation | Self & Society
Creation Care & Sustainability
Pascal's Coffeehouse
In 2004, we established Pascal's as an expression of Christian hospitality and an embodiment of the Christian understanding we seek to explore as a Study Center. Our coffeehouse is stewarded by our Barista Fellows, who are part of a program of spiritual and moral formation with integral elements of work and craft.
Our Staff
Michael Sacasas
Executive Director
Michael Sacasas earned his MA in Theological Studies from Reformed Theological Seminary in 2002. He was later a doctoral candidate at the University of Central Florida studying the relationship between technology and society with a focus on the work of Hannah Arendt. Along the way he has taught in a variety of settings, served as a school administrator, and written extensively on technology and society. He is an Associate Fellow in Ethics and Culture at the Greystone Theological Institute.
Laura Lynch
Donor Relations
Laura, along with her husband Jay, had the privilege to help prepare for and begin the Christian Study Center of Gainesville in 2000. Early on she served as building manager, volunteer recruiter, prayer team leader, and publicity hound. She continues to promote the Center in churches and small groups, through the newsletter, Under Consideration, the quarterly prayer letter, and through special events such as our 10 year anniversary and alumni reunion. Laura serves as a part-time, pro bono director of development. Laura has four grown children and three grandsons.
Richard Horner
Director Emeritus
Anabel White
Director of Advancement
Anabel is a UF alumna with a love for Gainesville. She was first introduced to the CSC during her time in undergrad, when she took part in our Barista Fellows Program and served as our Director of Hospitality. Because of her experience in our ministry, she joined full-time staff in 2023 to help make our formation programs possible for more students and faculty members. As Director of Advancement, she leads our generosity and marketing initiatives.
Ruthie Jo Popp
Accountant
Ruthie Jo Popp grew up on a farm in central Illinois, received her BA in Biblical Studies from Wellesley College, and her MBA from Babson College. With a CPA license she has worked for 14 years in public accounting, the last 6 years specializing in not-for-profit audits. She has been the accountant for the Christian Study Center in Gainesville since 2005. She is married with 3 grown children. On free weekends, she and her husband, Mick, enjoy visiting their daughters in Jacksonville and St. Augustine. When time allows, they visit their son and daughter-in-law in Houston, Texas. Ruthie Jo is active in her church and also likes to read, knit, do Sudoku puzzles, travel, and cruise.
Rachel Barrios
Director of Hospitality
Sycora Benavides
Manager, Pascal's Coffeehouse
Sycora Benavides grew up in Jacksonville, Florida, and graduated from the University of Florida in 2021 with a degree in Health Science. While still an undergraduate she joined the staff of the Christian Study Center of Gainesville as a barista in Pascal’s Coffeehouse, served as Assistant Manager in 2021-2022, and now serves as Pascal's Manager. Sycora also furthers the spiritual formation of our barista staff by leading our Barista Society in shared readings and dinners. Sycora views Pascal’s Coffeehouse as the embodiment of the understanding of life that the Study Center seeks to explore. She loves creating communities that thrive, and she also enjoys running, reading, singing, exploring--and really anything fun.
Vicki McGavran
Administrative Assistant
Jackie Davis
Hospitality Assistant
Our Board Members
ERNESTO ESCOTO
PhD Counseling Psychology, New Mexico State University. Director, Clinical Assistant Professor, Counseling and Wellness Center, University of Florida
LAURIE GODDARD
MEd/EdS Marriage and Family Therapy, University of Florida. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
BRENT HENDERSON
PhD Linguistics, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Associate Professor of Linguistics, University of Florida
JAY LYNCH
MD from Eastern Virginia Medical School. Assistant Dean for Admissions and Professor of Medicine in Hematology Oncology, College of Medicine, University of Florida
MICHAEL NARDELLA
JD, University of Florida, Levin College of Law, Managing Partner, Nardella & Nardella
MIKE O'MALLEY
MA Humanities, University of Chicago. Academic Advisor, College of Engineering, University of Florida
MICHAEL SACASAS
MA Theological Studies, Reformed Theological Seminary. Executive Director, Christian Study Center
KATHLEEN WEINERT
BS, Family, Youth, and Community Sciences, University of Florida. Realtor, Keller Williams
CINDY ZIMMERMAN
BA, English, University of Florida. President/CEO, SS Designs