In July 2025, Professor Brett Smith and Dr. Cory Driver welcomed 22 students from 13 universities to Noordwijk, The Netherlands to the 2025 annual gathering of the Christian Economic Forum (CEF). Each year, CEF hosts a global event to “convene and connect top Christian problem solvers around the world.” Delegates all submit a white paper and participate in the forum from their own extensive experience integrating faith, business, and leadership. Topics ranged from AI to global food security. Students were from:
- NYU Shanghai
- Belmont
- University of Texas, Austin
- Calvin University
- Grove City College
- Cedarville University
- University of Miami
- Miami University
- Penn State
- Wheaton College
- Stanford University
- University of Virginia
- Northwestern University
Here’s what students said about their experience at CEF in The Netherlands:
“The level of access that CEF provides to founders combining their faith and their work is amazing. Where else am I, as a student, going to talk with a room full of serial-entrepreneurs who put their faith into practice with every decision they make?”
“The kindness of the CEF members is what will stick with me. They were so willing, and actually excited, to take us under their wings. And, I couldn’t believe that they asked what I was interested in! These are genuinely humble people who have started multi-million dollar ventures. And they made time for us.”
In 2024, L.I.F.E. worked collaboratively with CEF Leadership to launch a “student track,” whereby select undergraduates students participate as delegates in the forum, which includes participation in panels, interviews, Q&A sessions as well as small group discussions to foster deeper relationships both with each other and with seasoned faith-motivated entrepreneurs.
Contact Dr. Jen Bennett to learn more about having students from your university participate in the 2026 Global Forum in Florida.
