Christianity Today’s President and CEO Dr. Nicole Martin to Deliver Gordon College’s 2026 Commencement Address

WENHAM, Mass., April 8, 2026 — Reverend Dr. Nicole Martin, President and CEO of Christianity Today, will deliver the keynote address at Gordon College’s 134rd undergraduate and 29th graduate Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 16, at 10 a.m. on the Gordon College Quad.

“Dr. Martin is a respected leader in ministry and a thoughtful voice through both her authorship and her leadership at Christianity Today,” said Gordon College President Michael Hammond. “Recognized for her passion for gospel-centered living and faithful leadership, we are honored to welcome her to campus. I look forward to the inspiration and encouragement she will share with this year’s graduating class.”

Before being unanimously elected as the President and CEO of Christianity Today in November 2025, Dr. Martin served first as a board member, and then on staff since 2023 as Chief Impact Officer and Chief Operating Officer. Additionally, Dr. Martin is the founder and Executive Director of Soulfire International Ministries, which equips pastors, churches, and emerging leaders to thrive. Martin serves on the executive council of the National Association of Evangelicals, the Board of Trustees at Fuller Theological Seminary, and the National Advisory Board for the Salvation Army. She is also a founding board member of the Center for Christianity and Public Life and a member of the Board of Preachers at Morehouse College.

Born and educated in Baltimore, Maryland, Dr. Martin graduated magna cum laude from Vanderbilt University as a triple major in Human and Organizational Development, Educational Studies, and French. She received her Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and earned a Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where she was an Adjunct Professor of Ministry and Leadership Development. Additionally, she served as a Gordon College Trustee from 2019-2022. She is a talented author, having published numerous works including: Nailing It: Why Successful Leadership Demands Suffering and Surrender; Made to Lead: Empowering Women for Ministry; and Leaning In, Letting Go: A Lenten Devotional. Dr. Martin is married to her best friend, Dr. Mark Martin, and they have two amazing daughters.

“It is an honor to return to the North Shore and address the Gordon community,” said Dr. Martin. “Gordon has been a leader of ministry in the Northeast for decades, and I am grateful for the opportunity to encourage graduates as they step into this next season of life and service. I look forward to sharing my passion for the gospel and encouraging students as they continue their call to faithful leadership and kingdom work.”

Gordon College’s Commencement ceremony will be held outside on the quad, rain or shine. On-campus viewing of the livestream for both Baccalaureate and Commencement will be available in MacDonald Auditorium in the Ken Olsen Science Center. Online streaming of the event will be available for those unable to attend in person. For more information on Gordon College’s 2026 Commencement and the keynote speaker, please visit gordon.edu/commencement.

About Gordon College

Gordon College is located on the North Shore of Boston in Wenham, MA and is the only nationally ranked, multidenominational Christian college in New England. Gordon believes students and professionals should be equipped to flourish in an uncertain and changing world, which is why career-focused academics blend with a life-giving faith community to prepare Christians to make a difference with hope and confidence. With over 125 academic programs, Gordon currently serves 1,300 undergraduate and 550 graduate students. For more information visit www.gordon.edu.