Tuesday night's plunge: A crash course in building skills and character

Published: January 11, 2022

It takes a brave soul to willingly plunge into the unknown. Every Tuesday night on Greenville University’s campus, brave souls take that plunge.

They are the students who work into the wee hours of Wednesday morning installing lights, a stage, and sound equipment  to turn H.J. Long Gymnasium into an all-campus house of worship known as “The Wednesday Experience.”

Head trouble-shooter Professor Gary Erickson leads his team in tackling dozens of technical and logistical challenges. In years to come, these critical thinkers and young problem solvers will take jobs as sound engineers, technicians, and leaders in event setup, but for now, they’re glad to check off another task on the list as they work against the clock. 

More than transformative technology

“While the physical transformation in staging, lights, and sound amazes me,” says GU President Suzanne Davis, “the students’ adoption of an ‘others-first’ mindset amazes me even more.”

Students comprising Erickson’s team say the Tuesday night enterprise builds character. They talk about persistence, collaboration, and serving others as they perfect skills. Here’s a sampling:

• “The level of cooperation needed has been raised and we have surpassed that bar.”
• “We have to be flexible and prepared to do the things we don’t necessarily want to do at the moment.”
• “Our biggest challenge has been with our audio networking system . . . We are diligently trying to solve the issue, and we are making progress.”
• “I have learned to expect so much troubleshooting and to be creative on the spot.”
• “[There’s] comradery and good teamwork across the board; we all enjoy each other’s company and work together well. That’s simply a recipe for efficiency along with a good work ethic among all the crew.”
• “It’s not just about setting up. It’s about worshipping God through the acts of service [and] using our talents for Him.”
• “The work we do behind the scenes is for the student body, faculty, and staff so they can experience God.”

Their comments reveal purpose, humility, responsibility, and joy in a job well done.

Part of something bigger than “me”

Film critic John Mason Brown once said that joy comes from “immersion in something that we know to be bigger, better, more enduring, and worthier than we are.”

Just as “bigger, better, and more enduring” describes Wednesday morning's corporate worship, it also describes Tuesday night’s hustle and teamwork.

“Though it can be tough work,” says audio technician Isaac Etheridge, “there is always something positive to make from it . . .  that is a lesson I have learned that I will take with me as I leave GU.”