Taking the Lead
Published: March 14, 2023
Spiritual development has been an integral part of Greenville University since its founding as a Free Methodist college more than 130 years ago.
Recently, President Suzanne Davis identified spiritual development as a critical area of growth for the university. Keli Pennington was hired as chaplain and spiritual growth opportunities, such as the weekly The Wednesday Experience, Encounter, and Vespers services, were revamped. The five central values emphasized in “The Free Methodist Way” were integrated into The Wednesday Experience, in classrooms and in athletic teams.
“Spiritual development has always been an underlying foundation of a Greenville education,” Pennington said. “We want it to be more of an explicit part of the students’ experience here. We want to develop people with Christ-like character who are involved in service activities across campus and beyond.”
With this renewed focus on spiritual development, students stepped up to take on leadership roles and increased responsibility in small group and worship settings.
Small group Bible study nurtures student leader
Desirae Yost ’23, a sport management and business management major, joined her small group Bible study three years ago, along with other members of the girls’ softball team.
“I took a class with professor Jane Bell and really enjoyed it. When I had the opportunity to join a small group, I knew I would enjoy the time with her,” she said.
The group remains strong this year, adding new members. Typically, seven or eight girls attend, allowing everyone to join the discussion. While some small groups are topically based, this group is dedicated to Bible study. Study topics focus on biblical themes such as the Gospel of Mark, attributes of God found in scripture, or prayer. This year, a survey of the Old Testament drew freshman Amara Nelson ’26 to join, “I was interested in learning more about the Old Testament. The girls I talked with were immediately friendly and welcoming.”
Desirae has also stepped up as student leader to guide the study topics, organize meetings, and drive discussions. She believes the small group format offers a space to be vulnerable and honest as they apply scripture to their lives.
Bell, an assistant professor of business, views her role as a facilitator and resource. “The girls are the ones who are actually exploring.” And after meeting consistently with the same students over three years, Bell has witnessed increased maturity in their prayers and analysis of scripture.
The girls recognize that the intentional time spent together engaging with scripture and one another has stretched their thinking and encouraged them in relationships beyond the group.
Worship gathering blossoms under student leadership
Vespers, the late-night student-led service at GU, has gained momentum this fall with increasing attendance. By the semester’s end, numbers had tripled, and the executive leadership team faced the good “problem” of providing pastoral care to more people.
Planning, organizing, and producing the weekly worship service is the responsibility of the executive leadership team. Keagan Bouman ’23 has served on the team for three years and believes that working through First Corinthians has helped everyone navigate the challenges of expanding numbers.
The theme, “We are the Body,” engaged students in exploring unity in diversity. The Vespers student leaders– both domestic and international students – acknowledge students come to GU with a wide range of perspectives and are at various places in their spiritual journey.
Two small groups flow out of Vespers and underscore the desire for unity while welcoming a diverse group of people. The prayer group gathers to pray for the service and then members pray with students at its conclusion. The prayer group is also an introduction for people who want to serve. A second group meets after the Vespers service to continue the conversation with that week’s speaker. This time of reflection helps students process together what they have experienced in the service.
Keagan is excited about what is ahead, “It’s amazing to see this thing building. Both the service and the small groups give us the opportunity to create a stronger community and meet students’ needs.”
Vespers Student Executive Committee: Emily Lefler '24, Keagan Bouman '23,
Leah Brown '23, and Antu Castillo '24
