UTC Faculty Commons
We are men and women of the academy who find the person and works of Jesus Christ to be satisfying and true. We look to him as the beautiful hope for the world.
OUR MISSION
Faculty Commons UTC is a community of believing faculty committed to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our mission is to edify one another that we together would grow in Christ.
Through our witness of the gospel, both in words and actions, Christ’s love will shine out to the university.
UPCOMING EVENTS
FC Luncheons
Nov 6th, Thursday, 12:25pm Fletcher Rm 109 RCOB
Abby Hutto, author of God For Us (the book FC gave you last year),
will be back with us. Many of you asked that Abby come join us again
after she presented at luncheon last December... well, here she is.
In keeping with our emphases this year of GROWING / CONNECTING / being SALTY
(this year's bookmark), Abby will present on GROWING in Christ. She'll share
particularly from passages of Jesus' upper room discourse (John 13 - 17).
Dec 4th, Thursday, 12:00pm Fletcher Rm 109 RCOB
End of the semester luncheon
Ashley Holleman Executive Director of Seated and Sent
Co-author of Sent
A Common Call
February 20-21, 2026
Chattanooga, TN
Join like-minded faculty and grad students in exploring how to live out your calling as a Christ-follower in academia. Connect with others through the messages interactions with speakers, and discussions around tables.
Where: Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church, 612 James Blvd, Signal Mountain, TN
Cost: $49 for faculty, $30 for graduate students
More info: chattanoogacru.com/faculty-commons-utc
Faculty Commons on campus
Faculty Commons is a supportive community that stays active on campus at UTC! Some of our most common programs are below.
Monthly Luncheons
Small Groups
Reaching Out
Meet the Staff
Jim and Cindy Hynds
Jim and Cindy Hynds returned to Chattanooga from Europe after serving with Cru for 13 years in Prague, Czech Republic. Faculty Commons was launched in January of 2014 with 7 wonderful UTC professors. It has grown to an active community of more than 100 faculty who share a common love for Jesus Christ, for students, and for fellow faculty.
Jim and Cindy have three grown children, seven grandchildren, and one Black Labrador.
What We Believe
Today’s professors are building the leaders of the next generation.
Today’s students are struggling: record rates of depression, mental illness, loneliness, and spiritual disconnection. Sadly, they are more likely to commit suicide than the generation before them. These students, referred to as Generation Z, are also twice as likely to identify as atheist compared to the general population.
Add to this the influence of professors. At elite universities, many of them are non-religious and some are even hostile to Christianity. But there are Christian professors who want to be a light on campus for Jesus. As Christ-followers, they are looking for ways to do so that are ethical, legal, appropriate, and winsome. We can help.
The Influence of Academia
Leverage. The power of professors is why faculty ministry is imperative. Professors have a strategic platform to influence minds and hearts.
“It is hard to stay strong in your faith when the riptide of the world is so strong; it was people like you who kept me grounded. I was told that you pray over your students. This brought me so much encouragement–beyond what I can express….It meant so much to me to be encouraged in my faith by a professor.””
— Gratitude from a student
