the body.

this morning was the first chapel of Bethel's Spiritual Emphasis Week.
(it's also SEW for Taylor and Indiana Wesleyan.)
Foster Christy of Kingdom Building Ministries is our speaker this year and today he talked briefly about repentance. not remorse, not reformed behavior, but true repentance. it's deeper than a turn around, it's a total life change. it's about saying "God, I never want to do that again."

he knew that God was speaking in the hearts of students and asked us to bow our heads and listen to God. he asked those students who wanted to be born again to stand. several did. it was amazing to see how quickly they were surrounded by friends and other students and faculty who were praying.

a little later, after much praying and worshiping, he asked if there was anyone else who wanted to make that commitment. he told them to come down to the altar. for a few tense seconds no one moved in that direction until one young woman came forward. the auditorium erupted in applause. applause for her willingness to give her life to God, for her bravery in announcing that decision to the student body, for God's power, love, grace, and mercy in her life and in the lives of us all.
as soon as she knelt down, three or four women came over to her, praying. watching that scene I was reminded that this is what the body of Christ is all about. we need to support each other; we need to pray for each other; we need to love each other.
God worked in the hearts of students this morning, including mine. I can't wait to see what He has in store for us for the rest of this week. and I'm excited to hear about what He's doing at other campuses this week.





p.s. tomorrow is Dr. Cramer's birthday.