Editor's note: This story first appeared in the spring 2021 issue of Hearts Together, a Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor Special Magazine Edition.
There are many Bible passages that bear repeating but in Ferry’s opinion none more so than Romans 8. The chapter so beautifully encapsulates the crux of Scripture that one academic year Ferry challenged Concordians to memorize its entirety.
Ferry had already memorized the chapter, but that year he proceeded to re-retain it—this time in Spanish.
Memorizing Scripture is just one way that Ferry keeps God’s Word at the forefront—both in his personal life and on behalf of Concordia.
Ferry winsomely invites others to join him in this commitment, as well. He famously maintains an open-door policy and seeks out opportunities for meaningful, firsthand interactions with students. He regularly extends invitations to student groups to join him and his wife, Tammy, in their home for dinner and conversation.
It was at one of these dinners that Elizabeth Brown (’20) formed her first impression of Ferry some 20 years ago. Brown began her Concordia experience directly out of high school in 1998. Though she delayed the completion of her bachelor’s degree for several years, that first interaction with Ferry made a lasting impression.
“The best part of the experience was your warmth and the genuine, generous encouragement that was offered—not only academically but spiritually,” Brown wrote in a letter she sent to Ferry last year, a week before graduating from CUW.
And when Ferry can’t reach students in person, he considers them in prayer—often during his daily devotional time and always at the culmination of each student’s Concordia experience.
The spring/summer 2021 Hearts Together magazine hit mailboxes in early April. View a PDF version of the magazine here. If you are not on our mailing list, but are interested in receiving a free copy, email Jennifer.Hackmann@cuaa.edu.
— This story is written by Kali Thiel, director of university communications for Concordia University Ann Arbor and Wisconsin. She may be reached at kali.thiel@cuw.edu or 262-243-2149.
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