More Ways to Praise God at Andrews

(from the March 2003 issue)

1) Dorm worship services: Both Lamson and Meier Hall provide several chapel opportunities each day.

2) Small-group ministries: Pioneer Memorial Church’s School of Discipleship holds classes to teach students how to lead out in small-group ministries.

3) Drama ministry: Wanda Vaz, assistant dean of women, directs “Chosen,” a drama ministry which “discusses the needs of college students, finds a scriptural answer, and then develops and perfects a dramatic presentation to get the point across in a creative way,” she says.

4) Higher Ground: If it isn’t out there, create it! That’s what Richard Parke, junior computer science major, and five of his friends did. They serve up the Spirit (and breakfast) in the cafeteria each Sabbath morning at 10:00 a.m. With an attendance of 200, apparently they aren’t the only ones searching for quality time with God.

5) African-American ministries: New Life, Black Student Association of the Seminary (BSAS), and Black Students’ Christian Forum (BSCF) all seek to make worship a more meaningful experience for African-American students."

6) Choirs: Steve Zork, University Singers director, and Hance Phillipe, Deliverance Choir director, both train their musicians to bless their audiences, but both men also seek to minister to their choirs as well. “I strive to show my students that to pursue excellence in musical art is to pursue God,” Steve says.

7) AU out-R.E.A.C.H.: Formerly known as Benton Harbor (Mich.) Street Ministries, more than 100 students travel to this nearby city to connect with a community that has become dear to their hearts. AU out-R.E.A.C.H. consists of eight branches: two children’s ministries, Rock and Buddies Forever; street ministry; puppet ministry; nursing home ministry; trailer park ministry; prayer ministry; health ministry; and music ministry.

8) Mosaic: This ministry combines music, art, and contemporary praise to form a service especially designed to reach out to students that don’t feel blessed by any other worship experiences on campus. Three hundred students, faculty, staff, and community regulars pack the house in the Seminary Commons on a regular basis after Pioneer Memorial Church’s Friday night vespers. Chaplain Laurence Burn describes Mosaic as, “a meeting place to present the gospel.”

9) Student clubs: Andrews University houses scores of international and academic clubs formed to celebrate whatever their common denominator may be. However, they also take the opportunity to minister to club members in a cultural setting they understand.

10) Fireside Fellowship: Liz Beck has been hosting students in her garage-turned-cozy living room for more than 25 years. Each Sabbath afternoon, they gather in front of a roaring fire to sing and share. “Fireside Fellowship has been a valuable part of my Andrews experience,” said Jose Moreno, senior religion major.

Also see Go Ye into All the Campus ...