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As chair of Trinity's art department, John Bakker follows a simple equation: culture minus Christians equals chaos.

"Art has always been the place where culture discusses its values, and if Christians bail out of that discussion, then our culture will continue to abandon good moral values built on justice, mercy, and hope."

Since coming to the College in 1982, Bakker has stressed the importance of Christian artists participating in the center of culture. He believes his students need to develop the strength to stand against the indecency that is permeating the media and reshaping the world's ethics.

"We need courage and good critical thinking skills to be effective in a world that has given up on truth. We must have a sense of fearlessness. I don't want my students or the Trinity community to think it's OK to sit on the outside and remain uninvolved in the conversations about cultural standards. I want them to know that their work has an impact and can reverse the direction that our culture has taken."

Bakker, a native of Pella, Iowa, graduated from Calvin College before completing his master's of fine arts at Michigan State University. He was teaching high school art in DeMotte, Indiana, when he heard about an opening at Trinity. In his estimation, the position presented the opportunity for him to press the need for the Christian worldview in the arts.

"Coming to Trinity was the strongest sense of calling that I've ever had. I see myself as a bridge between art students, the art culture, and the Reformed community. My role is to help my colleagues and students understand the influence that all the images that bombard us have on the way we view the world. That's what drives me."

During his first year at the College, only three students had declared art as their major. Two decades later, the art program is home to more than 40 art majors, and Bakker enjoys a close relationship with each of them.

"I watch my students go through a wonderful transformation over four years. When they reach their senior year, they become fellow artists. We share the same language, interests, and concern for the community. Artists need a support network because people who are not artists cannot relate to many of the issues we encounter. On campus, we form that network for one another."

Bakker and his wife, Jeanine, have two sons and live in Chicago. He coaches one son's soccer team and led them to consecutive league championships. The family attends LaSalle Street Church in Chicago.