Spiritual Life Membe rs ofT heatron, a Christian theater group, perform a skit at a yo uth retreat. T heatron focused on presenting Ch ristian issues to young people in a un ique way during their performances. T he group traveled around the count ry du ring the year to present ski ts.at various youth rallies. Alfred Donald speaks to students at the Al l-School Retreat, August 27. Donald , who is a minister in the inner city ofAdama, presented several lectures during the event. Al though Donald graduated from Freed-Hardeman University, he holds strong ties ro the H arding family. ~orm ~el'os bring students closer to the £grd, each other From the begi nning of the fall semester, men and women all over campus have participated in dorm devotionals where both Bibles and hearts were opened and shared. Scudencs recognized the need ro share their feel ings and everyday struggles with other studencswho face the same t roubles. In response ro this need, prayer groups and Biblescudies blossomed in bo th men's and women's dorms and apartments. Lindsay Moore, junior, said the women's devotionals came as an effort ro grow closer ro God and each o ther: "It 's a blessing ro be connected with other women because it is much easier fo r me ro open up in a group ofwomen rather than a mixed audience," Moore said. "To know there are o ther women go ing through the same problems and stresses is very comforting." Not only do the devo tionals allow women ro share their problemswith each other, they also help keep each other accountable. "We can pray for each other and keep t rack of how we are progressing with the tough times in our lives," Moore said. "We talk and pray about relationships, time managemenc and the everyday stresses that come wich being in college." While the prayer t imes are the most importanc, other activities that take place are also beneficial , according ro Moore. "You know what happens when you get a bunch of girls together," she said. "We laugh one minute and cry the next. That's part of the special bond we fo rm with each other and part of the spiritual growth. " On the other side ofcampus, men are following the same pacrern as the women. Acco tding to Ben Lamb, junior, the men have also recognized the need fo r Bible study groups. "It 's all about accountabili ty," Lamb said. "Accountability is vital to all of us as Chtistians." Lamb also said many barriers ate broken down as a result of the prayer meetings. "It makes it easier for us guys to ditch the tough, manly side and focus on getting our priorities in order," Lamb said. "I chink che chance for a group ofguys co gec together is something that we don' t get roo often." Prayer meetings and devotionals also provide a break from the everyday stresses facing college students, according ro Lamb. "They [dorm devotionals] give us a chance to get away from everything and just open up ro each other," he said. "Sure, we all have things to get done, but this time together is really special and something that we all look fo rward ro. " A key poine chac boch Moore and Lamb agreed on was the aspect of opening up ro someone of the same gender. "Guys JUSt tend to be more open with each other," Lamb ~ai d. "Guys bond better that way. It draws us closer together spiritually and as fri ends." While almost everything on H arding's campus shut down at curfew, life changing experiences opened doors to spiritual growth and close r t ies to fellow Christians. As the studencs involved can attest, it's the special times like these that make Harding so unique. - Bryan Jobe Spiritual Life 39
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