Similar to what we did in the fall semester, we hosted two School of Education and Human Services chapels this spring. This is always a sweet time to worship the Lord, build community within our division, and hear how God can use education and human services to impact our communities, nation and world for Christ. We continued our theme of “Jesus is Lord,” challenging our students to give their lives for His honor and glory no matter where the path may take them. Our theme was drawn from 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, reminding us that God’s grace is sufficient for whatever task He calls us to perform.
Our dean, Dr. Brian Carruthers, led off our first chapel in early March with a challenge from Exodus 18. Moses’ story is a perpetual reminder that God is in the business of taking nobodies and making somebodies out of them for His purposes and His glory. Dr. Carruthers reminded students that God has a purpose and plan for each of their lives, and he encouraged them to reflect on what God has done to write their stories thus far and to rest in His control and care for their futures. For the rest of chapel, Dr. Buhr and Dr. Hartman each interviewed students from their division. Evan Bowen, a senior Science Education major, shared his experience of student teaching last semester. He was able to trace elements of his story, such as gifts God has given him and experiences he has had, that prepared him to excel in that experience. Then, Educational Studies senior Jenna Dodds discussed how God used her early interest in the paralegal field to prepare her for her capstone project, working with foster families and the South Carolina Department of Social Services. She emphasized that while at BJU, she has begun to see her projected career path as purpose giving and as a meaningful way for her to use her abilities to glorify God.
For our last chapel of the year, we opened the service with the stirring hymn, “I Run to Christ”, reminding students that no matter the need, Jesus welcomes us to take our burdens to Him. After the singing, we heard a testimony from 2016 Early Childhood Education graduate Anna (Wike) Tabor. She shared her family’s journey over the last year. At 18 months old, it was discovered that her son Rhody had a cancerous liver tumor that had grown into his heart. Anna shared encouraging words with the group, emphasizing that God is worthy of our trust even in the most difficult of circumstances. She left the group to ponder the words of Psalm 71:14, “But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.” To learn more about Rhody’s journey, check out this recent news report from local news station WYFF.
