Calvin News

Reverend Stephen Tong will be the recipient of the 2025 Kuyper Prize, which is awarded by Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary.  

The Kuyper Prize, established in 1998 by Rimmer and Ruth de Vries, is named after Dutch theologian and politician Abraham Kuyper. It is awarded each year to a scholar or community leader whose outstanding contribution to their chosen sphere reflects the ideas and values characteristic of Kuyper’s Neo-Calvinist vision of religious engagement in matters of social, political, and cultural significance in one or more of the ‘spheres’ of society.

I am deeply honored and humbled to receive this recognition. My only desire has been to serve God and spread His truth to the nations,” stated Dr. Stephen Tong. “I am grateful for the countless lives that the gospel has touched through this ministry, and I pray that this work will continue to inspire others to live out their faith with conviction. All glory belongs to God alone.

Rev. Tong's influence extends beyond ministry. Through his work in education, the arts, and community building, Tong has empowered countless individuals to live out their faith boldly.  

“Reverend Stephen Tong's lifelong dedication to evangelism has had a profound impact on millions around the world,” said Greg Elzinga, president of Calvin University. “His unwavering commitment to spreading the gospel, especially in regions where Christianity is often challenged, is a remarkable testament to his faith and vision.”  

Reverend Stephen Tong is a globally respected evangelist who has preached to over 37 million people during his 66-year ministry across Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, and the Americas. Born in Xiamen, China in 1940, he now ministers from Jakarta, Indonesia. Known for his strong foundation in Reformed theology, Rev. Tong focuses on removing rational barriers to faith and leading people back to Christ. His media ministries have reached hundreds of millions in mainland China, and his influence has led countless individuals to full-time ministry. 

As the founder of Stephen Tong Evangelistic Ministries International (STEMI), he oversees a global network of offices promoting his evangelistic vision. He has also spoken at numerous international conferences, including events hosted by the Billy Graham Association, and received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Westminster Theological Seminary. 

In addition to his evangelism, Rev. Tong is a composer, conductor, architect, and artist. He designed the Reformed Millennium Center in Jakarta, the world's largest Christian Reformed Evangelical church, and has composed over 200 hymns. Dr. Tong is a key figure in the classical music scene in Indonesia, serving as the principal architect, founder, and music director of Aula Simfonia Jakarta. This venue, inaugurated in 2009, is recognized as Indonesia's only classical concert hall that meets international standards. Under his leadership, Aula Simfonia Jakarta has broadened its reach through initiatives such as Konser Akbar Monas and has organized Grand Concert Tours to various locations including Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, New Zealand, and Australia. By God's grace, Dr. Tong will lead to embark on the fifth tour in the summer of 2025, covering both the West and East Coasts of the United States. 

“We are honored to recognize Dr. Tong for his faithful service and his enduring influence on the advancement of the gospel worldwide,” said Jul Medenblik, president of Calvin Theological Seminary. “His legacy extends far beyond his powerful evangelistic messages.  Through his academic contributions, artistic achievements, and architectural visions, he has shaped the church and our time's cultural and intellectual landscape.”  

Tong joins an esteemed group of past winners of the award, which includes a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer, Templeton Prize-winning philosopher, a prime minister, and a pair of U.S. ambassadors, to name a few.

Past Recipients

• 2024: Sid Jansma Jr., an influential leader in industry and in business, serving for more than 40 years as leader and CEO of Wolverine Gas and Oil Corporation, and currently as its chairman of the board.  
• 2023: Makoto Fujimura, a world-renowned modern artist, author, and speaker, and founder of the International Arts Movement and the Fujimura Institute whose artistic work expounds on, popularizes, and builds upon Kuyperian theology.  
• 2022: Ruth Padilla DeBorst, a theologian, missiologist, educator, and storyteller, doing important work in theological and missional leadership development in Latin America.  
• 2021: Rachael Denhollander, a leading voice on the topic of sexual abuse was recognized for her work as an attorney, author, advocate, and educator. 
• 2020: David Brooks, a longtime New York Times op-ed columnist who writes about politics, culture, and the social sciences.   
• 2019: Dr. John M. Perkins, one of the leading evangelical voices to come out of the Civil Rights Movement. 
• 2018: Daniel Bourdanné, general secretary of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES).  

About Calvin University

Founded in 1876, Calvin University is a top-ranked, liberal arts institution that equips its 3,700 students from 48 U.S. states, 66 countries, and five Canadian provinces to think deeply, to act justly, and to live wholeheartedly as Christ’s agents of renewal in the world. Calvin offers 100+ majors and programs, including a growing portfolio of graduate-level offerings. Calvin students engage in intensive internships, community-based service learning, and significant research that results in publishing and presenting alongside world-class faculty. The university’s 400-acre campus is in the vibrant city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Discover more at www.calvin.edu. 

About Calvin Theological Seminary 

For nearly 150 years, Calvin Theological Seminary has cultivated resources and instruction that meet the needs of the church. Through our master’s and doctoral programs, as well as distance and competency-based learning, We aim to see equipped, wholly formed leaders cultivating healthy and grace-filled church communities that take scripture seriously, see Christ as central to our understanding of God's story of the world, and are active participants in God's story of renewal to their communities.