By: Sarah Collie Photo by: Sarah Collie
Vespers is kicking off this year with a new lineup of speakers and a specific mission statement focused on one word: Community.
The group announced its plans to transform from a student-led worship service into a campus-wide ministry this semester when it unveiled its new mission statement at its August 25 service.
The vespers mission statement reads, “Vespers is a student-led ministry on the campus of Milligan College, committed to the holistic spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for all who encounter the campus. Vespers seeks to provide a missional environment that promotes the building of loving relationships, promotes discipleship among the community and disciples who reproduce for the glory of God.”
Senior Zach MacLellan, vespers committee chair, said the group is committed to “spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ by discovering a deeper sense of community.”
Whether the transformation takes weeks or years, MacLellan is convinced that Vespers will “move from a club toward a missional committee focused on building bridges for unspoken gaps.”
Specifically speaking, MacLellan refers to barriers between athletes and non-athletes, Goah diversity scholars and non-Goah scholars and between students and faculty as well. Vespers will pair up with many different clubs and organizations this year to improve relationships between Milligan students coming from various backgrounds.
This year’s series is titled “Attributes of God” and is designed to unite fellow believers as they come together to learn and worship. The series will take on a three-week pattern beginning with a faculty speaker, followed by a week of mediation and prayer and then culminating with a senior speaker. Speakers will include Lee Blackburn, Bill Greer, Ben Carpenter, Elizabeth Gentry and Angelina Highfield, among many others. The goal of the series is “not to put God in a box, but to explore scripture and better understand who God is and how we should honor Him,” according to MacLellan.
The week of mediation and prayer is a new concept that was received well within the vespers community. It was first introduced last Sunday. During a period of silence, students were encouraged to spend time with God, and when ready, were asked if they wanted to be prayed for. Students who answered yes were led to the auditorium of Seeger Chapel and into a tent that was made to represent the “Holy of Holies.” Students could pray with individual committee members in the tent.
“Praying with each other tears down walls of pride, showing that we are all human and we all are broken,” said senior Nathan Meeuwenberg. “We are all dealing with the same things, and connection on the same level builds community.”
“I’ve seen what vespers was in the past, where I would just come and leave, and come back next week,” said junior Hillary Hughes. “But with the change in the vision this year I don’t think of Vespers just ending on Sunday nights. It’s a continuation of community throughout the week, and I’m building relationships with people that I wouldn’t have before. And that’s something I will always remember.”
*Vespers service meets in Lower Seeger on Sunday nights at 8:30 p.m.
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