God’s character shines through the Student Led Renewal
Posted by The Skyliner on February 4th, 2009Kaelyn Pfenning
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The theme of “who God is” permeated the Student Led Renewal services last week from chapel Monday, Jan. 26 to athletic ministries Friday, Jan. 30 in Turner Chapel. The interns put together the services with music, testimonies, and speakers.
“Our student body has a wide array of amazing and encouraging stories, and this is one way for us to learn from each other,” said intern Rachael Williams, senior interdisciplinary studies, said.
David Jackson, junior elementary education, spoke first in chapel on Monday and discussed the kingship of Christ by reading from Revelations 19:11-16. The description of Jesus includes these words, “On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: King of kings and Lord of lords.”
“I just want to say that I am humbled once again to have been able to be used by God to speak to His people,” Jackson said. “And my prayer is that we will not be mere hearers of the word, but doers also. The time is now for us as the Church to become passionate about our Lord and King. Not only for our own benefit, but so that the world may also see the glory of God through us.”
Cherie Curtis, senior mathematics, followed his presentation later that night with an illustration relating Jesus to kudzu due to Jesus’ statement in John 15, “I am the true vine.”
“I could tell that God was speaking to my heart through this passage and thereby wanted me to share it with those who came,” Curtis said.
Timmy Tyner, senior youth ministry, continued with the theme. In the bonus chapel Tuesday night, he expounded upon Jesus’ response to Thomas, “I am the way and the truth and the life.”
“The best part for me is the fact that I was given the opportunity to serve,” Tyner said.
Luke Varn, junior intercultural studies, maintained the theme through his message in chapel on Wednesday. He read Jesus’ words in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world,” and entreated Christians to stop condemning sinners and to shine the light.
Wednesday night differed from the rest of the services with involvement from the listeners as students shared their gifts and talents.
“It is going to be a form of worship through sharing the talents that God has given you, rather than the traditional speaker-led worship service,” Kristin Cox, junior elementary education, said.
Jackson opened the service with an invitation to get alone with God anywhere in the chapel. As students spread out, Brandon Nelson, senior studio art, painted on stage. Music played in the background.
“I liked it, small, but a good atmosphere,” Nelson said.
Coming together again, students sang worship songs, listened to a testimony, and watched a video concerning the Indescribable God.
“Student Renewal has affected me in so many way,” Jeremy Logan, junior Christian studies, said. “[God]’s given me so many answers to prayer and furthered my understanding of Who He is and Who I am because of Him. He’s turned my knowledge and understanding of Himself into a deeper, more passionate desire and joy in serving my God and Savior.”
Continuing the services, Daniel Bunn focused on John 11:25 in Fusion on Thursday night. He shared Jesus’ words, “I am the resurrection and the life.”
“This particular statement and attribute of God, that he is the one who raises from the dead, has had a profound influence in my life and my thinking about who God is,” Bunn said.
Grayson Smith, senior mathematics, concluded the week with a message from John 10:11-16 where Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd.”
“The theme is Who I AM,” Williams said. “We chose this because we are burdened to help students know God. Often we hear about what God expects of us, but it is hard to want to serve a God if you do not first know Him.”