Student Led Renewal: a highlight on two speakers
Keely Lyons, Staff Writer
Last week, Feb. 14-18, the student body of North Greenville University had the opportunity to be enriched by the teaching of the word, only this time they heard it from their peers.
Student Led Renewal is a week-long experience that allows young students to step up to the plate and take ownership of their faith by sharing the truth with others through the medium of preaching.
While some Christian studies majors were given the opportunity to preach, Malery Ward, senior physical education major, said she was completely surprised to have been asked to preach for chapel. She said, “I was very humbled. I thought, ‘Who am I to do this?’ The scripture that came to mind was [Psalm 8:4], ‘Who is man that you are mindful of him?’ I was just very humbled and amazed.”
In light of preparation, students had to prepare far in advance and produce an outline for review. Ward said, “I had to prepare this months ago and the outline was due January,” she said, “It was hard to write an outline when I was making it about me. God had to remind me, ‘This isn’t about you.’” Ward said as she remembered this, the outline became easier to write as she let go and let the Holy Spirit guide her in writing it.
Drew Reynolds, Christian studies major said, “It is not by my power or by my skills. It is the grace of God and his grace through my community. It’s super humbling.” Reynolds said he was interested in Matthew 11 because it is the most influential verse of his college years. He said, “In college, I’ve just found myself continually trying to do more and I would end up having lots of burdens and there is a very clear verse that if you have burdens, you are invited to come to Jesus.”
If Reynolds could tell the student body one thing in the midst of the turbulent times of college and beyond, he would say nothing else will satisfy the human soul other than Jesus. Reynolds invites people to turn to Jesus as the fulfillment of the heart. Referring to Matthew 11:28-30, Reynolds said Jesus’ way of life was simple and He knew how to live slowly. He said, “Life is way too fast, especially in the West. Especially in America and in college. It is ok to slow things down.” Reynolds emphasizes the importance of spending time alone with God and studying Jesus’ rhythm and way of life.
As followers of Christ, Ward emphasized her desire for the students of NGU to know true freedom in Christ is attainable. Ward said, “The truth of the gospel is that sin has no more power over us.” This is why Ward chose Romans 6 as her topic. She said, “You can indulge in a sin long enough you don’t even know it’s a sin anymore.”
As a physical education major, Ward is able to stay acquainted with many athletes. Because of her influence in the physical education world, more people were willing to listen to chapel because she was teaching. Ward said, “I can’t tell you how many athletes came up to me and said, ‘You know, I don’t usually listen in chapel, but I did when you were up there.” Ward said when a speaker is submitted to the Holy Spirit, He always has a way of guiding the message to impact the people sitting in the room.
Student Led Renewal offers college students to connect with people in their phase of life. Lydia Scurry, outdoor educational leadership major said, “I think student leadership is important because, for one thing, students can relate better to other students better than teachers or adults can.” She said, “I hope that other students will see that it’s ok to profess your faith as a Christian. It may be scary, but if people their age or close to it can, they can too.”
If they missed it, students can view live streams of past chapel services from several other students, including Mikey Smith, Kaitlinn Harrison and Morgan Hatchell.
