Everywhere one looks, there are ... Soaring Spirits Above all else, Harding emphasizes spiritual welfare. Everywhere on campus, there are signs pointing toward a closer walk with Jesus and His people. It may be two friends embracing in encouragement or sympathy or a pat on the shoulder to let someone know that he or she is thought about and loved. This atmosphere moves Harding closer to its main purpose of "educating for eternity." Awareness of the emphasized spiritual activities was apparent everywhere - chapel five times a week, Bible classes and organized devotionals. But take another look, because there was much more. The spiritual life committee actively pursued encouraging the student body to be more spiritually focused. One method they usedwas helping the couples on campus become comfortable enough with each other to study the Bible and worship together. Jay Collins, codirector of the spiritual life committee, said, "Some couples don't know how to bring up the subject of studying the Bible. We wanted to change that." A general study format with a list of basic topics was given to each person through his or her campus box. The spiritual life committee hoped this would prompt couples and others to open the Bible and learn together. This study programwas named "The Three Strands," based on Ecclesiastes 4:12. In addition to the study guide, students had the opportunity to send encouragement cards to each other. Based on Hebrews 3:13 and available in the post office, these cards were intended to encourage people to delve deeper with each other and God. "That's one of our During a dorm-room devotional, several girls link hands in prayer. Prayer and devotional time made dorm life much more fulfilling. Photo by Sherry Swiger. areas of focus. We want people to go deeper with their friends and spiritually," Collins said. The committee's second major focus was getting people more involved. "Many people were really active in their youth groups, and they want to do that here, but they're not sure what to do or how to do it," Collins said. "Bringing souls to Jesus by abiding in the Word, loving one another and bearing fruit" was the spiritual life committee's theme for this year. "One of the biggest spiritual problems on campus is that people aren't reproducing themselves in other people. They're not a part of those three things," Collins said. Similar to but separate from these activities were prayer meetings in dorm rooms. Senior Bart Blasengame, from Fort Smith, Ark. , participated every Wednesday night in one of these prayer meetings. Started by his club, Titans, they were held in each men's dorm by the club members. "It started out as just a club thing. But now anyone can come," Blasengame said. "Ours is one of the few that has stuck it out. It's an effort sometimes but it's worth it. Prayer groups are an awesome thing. It's easy to feel put out by big meetings, but worshiping with a group of guys who are sharing their feelings is a humbling experience." A common practice among close friends and a key element of spiritual life at Harding was one-to-one prayer requests with confidence that such requests would be honored. It was with these small actions that the heart of Christianity beat and that students developed closer bonds of faith with each other and God. -Beth Smith Jamey Brumley baptizes Jill Yotty at a Thursday night devotional. Evangelism and conversion were highlights ofcampus spiritual life. Photo by Aaron Gillihan.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc5NA==