EVS partners with gospel singers for free worship night
Photo courtesy of Lee University Office of Public Relations.
The Lee University Evangelistic Singers (EVS) hosted a free worship night on Saturday in Pangle Hall. Along with EVS, the night of worship featured gospel singers Jonathan Nelson and Benita Jones. Pastor Taron Berry was also a part of the worship night.
EVS recently sang with Travis Greene as a part of Lee’s fall U-church lineup. The large applause and approval from the U-church audience displayed the appreciation and passion felt by the student body.
Raquel Molina, a senior business administration major, is the president of EVS. She was surprised to find herself joining the group in the fall of 2017 after transferring to Lee.
“In high school, I was part of my worship team, but after that, I thought I was done with music,” Molina said. “I think that you just have to trust in God and trust that He knows what He’s doing. Even when you think that a season of your life is over… God can definitely have other plans for you.”
EVS promotes diversity within the club with a wide variety of majors, denominations, races and cultures represented. Kaytlyn Slotterback, a junior music education major, believes this was a key factor in her decision to join EVS.
“I come from a multicultural church, and that’s just something I grew up in and was looking for when I transferred [to Lee],” Slotterback said.
As the current president and senior member of EVS, Molina experiences this effect firsthand.
“I would definitely like to say that we’re the most diverse group,” said Molina. “And you can see that in all the different cultures that come together when we’re singing… It makes me think of what it could be like in Heaven. All these different people and cultures, and we’re all just worshiping and praising our God.”
The group also puts an emphasis on unity as one big family. Malik Hill, a freshman pastoral ministries major, was quick to explain the familial dynamic of the singing group.
“This is not just a group—it’s a family… If you have a problem, you talk to your family,” Hill said. “If you need help, you talk to your family. If you’re struggling, you talk to your family. It’s the same way with these guys,” said Hill. “I never thought in my first semester at college I would fall in love with a group of people so quick.”
While on stage, members of the group encourage one another through the smiles they trade and words of support as they perform.
“During the worship services, when we go up and sing, it’s not a performance. We’re inviting God’s presence to come in,” said Slotterback. “It’s definitely very humbling to see. It’s also interesting to see what happens when you let go of the idea that everything has to be perfect, and you just let God flow through the service.”
The members of EVS were met with a night full of fellowship and worship.
“Our boldness for Christ is what molds us for life,” said Hill. “In EVS, we aren’t just singing these songs. We are living these songs… The boldness of these songs and the boldness of our worship can mold us for life, and I’m excited.”
