Creating Space for Faith Through Creation Care
Tori Anderson serves with Thuis, a campus ministry in Maastricht, Netherlands, where students from more than 100 nationalities come together at one of Europe’s most international universities. Having been deeply shaped by university ministry herself, Tori now helps cultivate a Christ-centered, hospitable community where students can find belonging, ask honest questions about faith, and grow as leaders.
Originally from Boulder, Colorado, Tori holds degrees in General Dietetics and Biblical and Theological Studies and brings a holistic lens to both faith and everyday life. In this reflection, she shares how creation care, hospitality, and partnership have become meaningful bridges for faith conversations—inviting students to explore God’s love for the world and their neighbors in practical, embodied ways.
Many of our students at Thuis are deeply passionate about sustainability and caring for the planet. That passion is part of what led me to start a creation care small group. Caring for the earth is important to me personally, and I see it as a meaningful opportunity to explore what God says about creation, our role in stewarding it, and how caring for the world around us is one way we love our neighbors. It’s also a way to talk about God’s redemptive plan through Jesus and His great love for both the world and the people in it. I see creation care as another bridge into faith conversations.
To wrap up the group, we hosted an event in collaboration with Shelter City, a global movement of cities, organizations, and individuals who stand alongside human rights defenders facing persecution. During the event, a woman shared her story of advocating for indigenous land rights in Sumatra. Her story was vulnerable and heartbreaking, and I was grateful for the opportunity to meet her and hear about the important work she is doing.
Several new students joined us that evening and became connected to Thuis, which was one of my hopes in collaborating with Shelter City. We often see ourselves as bridge builders—creating space for meaningful connection by partnering with other organizations, sharing hospitality, and inviting students into deeper conversations.
The following morning, I went out with a few students and my friend Kim, who was visiting, to help clean up trash around the city. We hope to make this a regular activity with students as a practical way to show care and love for Maastricht.
