A night of celebration and baptism in the DeVos Recreation Center

Mark Walker opening the service with prayer and scripture

Photo: Ashlynn Akiona

Students gathered in the DeVos Recreation Center Tuesday night for a time to share testimonies and baptism in celebration of the many gatherings that had taken place in the Stone Chapel over the past two weeks.

“What to do next?” said Kevin Nordby, an assistant Professor of Religion, Culture, and Philosophy who’s class was among the first that came to the chapel to pray. Nordby emphasized the desire within the students to continue what was happening.

“There was an idea to celebrate and it needed to happen right away,” Nordby said.

Over a series of meetings with members of faculty and Lee Prayer, a team of students, along with Campus Pastor Rob Fultz, sent out the word to students the afternoon of the decision, on Monday, Feb. 27. Students talked to local churches to obtain baptism tubs and the program was set to be another student-led event.

The event included multiple testimonies starting with retired professor Ricky Moore’s father, Lynn Moore, who shared his rejuvenating experience at the chapel. His testimony was followed by several students who also chose to be baptized. A crowd of students, faculty, and community members alike cheered for the baptized and sang together in union.

In a statement by Mark Walker at the beginning of this event, he reassured the students that the faculty is working to find a ‘dedicated space’ for students to gather and worship or pray.

Walker quoted James 5:16 at the beginning of the night which says, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.”

Follow Lee Prayer on Instagram @leeprayerroom.