History of Houseparty
International Houseparty is an annual event that has been taking place for more than 40 years, most of those years at the same location in Michigan's Eastern Upper Peninsula. It's a unique time for people from all over the world to form life-long friendships as we laugh, play, and try new activities together...share meals and our unique perspectives on life...and explore the core themes of the Christian Bible.
During the 1970s, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship’s Cedar Campus retreat center in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan began hosting house parties (modeled after similar events that had taken place in other locations since at least 1953) every year over New Year's and sometimes hosted a second event over Christmas. When Intervarsity stepped away from facility ownership in 2019, a core group remained committed to continue this unique event.
After a hiatus in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and holding the event at an alternate location in lower Michigan in 2021…for 2022 we returned the International Winter Houseparty to its home in the Upper Peninsula. The facility there had new management and a new name: Cedar Bay. Our team of long-time Houseparty organizers has partnered with the new Cedar Bay staff to continue this tradition in its historic location!
In 2024, the core team took steps to set up a more formal financial structure in the form of a non-profit 501(c)3 organization called International Fellowship Inc, which is all-volunteer (no paid staff). Donations to support Houseparty are tax-deductible, managed with transparency, and can be made online.
2025 Speaker
Our speaker this year will be Dr. Jeff Hardin–a professor, scientist, and Christian who brings a unique voice to the conversation between faith and science. He serves as the Raymond E. Keller and Wayland Noland Distinguished Professor of Integrative Biology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he has taught and conducted research in developmental biology for over three decades. Jeff and his wife Susie have two grown sons, Jon and Christopher.
Jeff holds undergraduate degrees in Zoology and German from Michigan State University, and a Master of Divinity in Theology and Philosophy from the International School of Theology. He later earned a Ph.D. in Biophysics from the University of California, Berkeley, and completed postdoctoral research at Duke University.
A world-recognized expert on how embryos form and develop, Jeff has authored over 70 scientific publications and is co-author of The World of the Cell, a bestselling biology textbook now in its 10th edition and used globally. He is also a passionate educator, known for mentoring students and receiving numerous teaching awards at UW–Madison.
But Jeff’s story is not just about science—it’s also about faith. As a committed Christian, he has spent much of his life exploring how biblical faith and rigorous science can go hand in hand. He is a senior fellow with BioLogos and a contributor to the Global Faculty Initiative, both organizations that help scholars integrate Christian belief with academic excellence.
Jeff’s talks reflect his desire to engage big questions: Can science and the Bible both speak truthfully about the world? Does a career in science make room for faith? What does it mean to follow Christ in an academic environment?
Whether you’re a Christian, exploring spiritual questions, or simply curious, Jeff brings humility, warmth, and wisdom to these conversations. At this year’s International Winter Houseparty, he’ll share insights from both the lab and his faith journey—exploring how the study of life itself can point us toward the One who gives it.
Core Team
Over the years, groups from all over the Great Lakes region and as far away as St. Loius, MO, have contributed to make Houseparty what it is. Our current core team that helps plan and pull off the event include:
Wisconsin
Sarah Boswell
Jesse and Kristen Kroll
Terrell Smith
Kyler and Irena Westerfeldt
Don Bader
Michigan
Pedro and Esther Nariyoshi
Bruce Jefferies
Cedar Bay Team
The Cedar Bay team consists of full-time staff and volunteers, all of whom have a heart to serve and make Houseparty a memorable and meaningful time for all who attend.
Directors
Daniel and Rachel Foster have co-directed the program since 2014. They have been bringing their 4 kids and between 1 and 40 friends to the event since 2008. Houseparty is always a highlight of the year for their family.
