27 Singing His Praises SINGING His PRAISES Downtown Singing offers a space for praise and student-led worship in its 26th year. Downtown Singing has influenced the lives of Harding University students since 1997. The Searcy community knew the Sunday night service at Downtown Church of Christ to be one filled with worship by hundreds of Harding students, but it hadn’t always been that way. In 1997, Mark Pugh, the minister of Downtown Church of Christ, approached professor of communication Patrick Garner and Sam Shultz, both members of Downtown Church of Christ, to propose them leading a new Sunday service. They accepted and worked together to create a service aimed towards the students of Harding. Garner and Shultz’s original idea was a silent service focused on communion. As it became a time of meditation and devotion, Shultz and Garner loved watching it grow into something more. “It has been a blessing,” Garner said. “Sam and I really loved doing it, and we just felt sure that it will continue.” As the service went on, the students outgrew the auditorium and began to fill up a new location, the Family Life Center. Over time, the service became more focused on praising God through song, but communion remained offered each Sunday, as was the original intent of the service. Now in 2023, Dr. Kraig Martin, head of college ministry for Downtown Church of Christ and associate professor of Bible and ministry, explained how the church elders saw it become completely student-led. “They organize the team of students, and they put it together,” Martin said. “We just open the door and let them in.” One of these students, senior Caleb Shockley, became one of the two interns who led Downtown Singing for the 2023-24 school year. Shockley watched Downtown Singing grow from when he attended with his friends his freshman year to becoming one of the leaders. “To be able to be here now and have this active part is really awesome,” Shockley said. “To see how many students come is super incredible.” Not only was this aforementioned growth from increased attendance, but also from more students volunteering their time for leadership positions. The team leaders and volunteers, all Harding students, came together for one purpose: to serve their fellow student body for a time of worship. Alongside Shockley, junior Luke Bensinger was brought on to be an intern for Downtown Singing in fall 2023. Bensinger remembered the impression Downtown Singing left on him when he toured Harding. “No one forced you to be there . . . but there were hundreds of students coming together to sing,” Bensinger said. “It was amazing.” After he attended the service throughout his freshman year, Bensinger was enthusiastic about beginning a leadership position. “I felt like the Lord was really calling me to do something a little bit out of my comfort zone,” Bensinger said. Bensinger believed that God’s work through Downtown Singing would continue to shape the Harding community for years to come. “Only through the Spirit and through God’s power could anything beneficial or joyful ever be accomplished,” Bensinger said. In fall 2023, the Family Life Center continued to be filled to capacity with hundreds of students coming together to worship God with their voices on Sunday nights before starting their week. Dedicated time, effort and intentionality went into the making of this special service from the student body. As Bensinger put it, “Downtown Singing is the place for you.” Written by Alaina Wolf Lift Your Voice | Students gather on August 27th for Downtown Singing. What used to be a night of silence and meditation has grown into a night of singing and worship, honoring God with praise, meditation and communion. It has been held at Downtown Church of Christ since 1997. Photo by Abigail Callicoat
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