“Education with a Christian Purpose.” For over one hundred years, those five words have been the motto of Olivet Nazarene University. According to the Olivet University Catalog, “We seek the strongest scholarship and the deepest piety, knowing that they are thoroughly compatible (and) … a Christian environment … where not only knowledge but character is sought.” But what happens when a global pandemic forces both churches and ministries alike to shut their doors?
The Effect
When COVID-19 arrived in early 2020, many states issued stay-at-home orders and guidelines in order to prevent the spread of the virus. Guidelines such as social distancing and limits on social interaction made it nearly impossible for churches, small-groups, and ministerial organizations to operate. In fact, according to a study by Pew Research Center in July of 2020 nearly 67% of respondents said that they had attended a church service within the past month.
Chapels, ministries, and overall faith communities are in the life blood of Olivet Nazarene University. With numerous ministries and clubs focused on both the inward and outward faith journey of students, the campus would be losing a big part of its personality if these disappeared. So, ultimately the question became how should Olivet respond?
Obstacles to Overcome
If these clubs wanted to continue, they would have to overcome several barriers. The first of which being location.
Kwame McGee, Co-Leader of the Prayer Warriors a ministry which focuses on developing the prayer life of students said, “We had to move our location at least twice. And last semester, with COVID spiking, we couldn’t even meet sometimes because of the number of students we had.”
Upper Room, a student-led worship ministry, also struggled to find a definitive location. Worship Leader, Alyssa Wolfe said the group has had to move locations three different times within this year, due to both weather and number of audience members.
“Coming in, specifically for the band leaders, we asked, ‘How are we going to do this?’ We had very big doubts,” Wolfe said.
Along with this, University Chaplain Mark Holcomb said that his biggest concern for students was the lack of connection. With COVID-19 regulations, Olivet’s the normal two-day-a-week Chapel services were not allowed. Students were also limited on the amount of student interaction they could have, with the lack of open dorms and big student events.
“Just because something like these are small, doesn’t mean they’re insignificant,” Holcomb said. “I think the connection and relational piece I’ve missed the most.”
But God
Despite all of the obstacles, however, Olivet leaders chose to safely continue spiritually serving both their students and the community.
For instance, Chaplain Mark Holcomb, along with Director of Recreational Services Matt Smith, created Ten on Tuesdays, a short devotional uploaded onto social media. Olivet also changed the look of Chapel, firstly by publishing online services and then after regulations lifted, hosting Thursday services.
Student-led ministries, such as Prayer Warriors and Upper Room also overcame the obstacles by hosting outside meetings and services. Peyton Thibault, Co-Leader of Habitat for Humanity a ministry that partners with outside organizations to help serve the community, states that he even got certified and approved to drive a 16-passenger bus in order to transport student volunteers.
Overall, both students and leaders alike have seen God working throughout the campus and their ministries, while also seeing the importance of ministry in this time.
There aren’t many things more rewarding than seeing God bring light where it was dark, which I think is the goal of ministry. The pandemic has brought substantial darkness for countless people, making ministry of crucial importance.”
Annie Ginter, co-leader of S.o.s. (save our streets)
In any situation where we have felt like we’re lacking, God has perfectly provided.
Peyton Thibault, co-leader of habitat for humanity
Even though we had big doubts, God is moving mountains here on this campus and through this ministry (Upper Room).”
Alyssa Wolfe, worship leader of upper room
God gave us a community of people who were truly focused on digging into the word and learning more about what He is saying and teaching us about prayer.”
Kwame McGee, Co-leader of prayer warriors
The fact that we have held together and the fact that students are still here, is evidence that God is with us.
Mark Holcomb, university chaplain
Olivet will continue to live by its motto in the coming year by safely keeping both ministries and ministerial opportunities available to students. Even though the world may be in a state of crisis, both students and faculty at Olivet will do as it says in Proverbs chapter 3:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lead not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIv)
For more information
If you would like to see how you can get involved with student ministries listed above, check out their social media:
Habitat For Humanity
Prayer Warriors
Save Our Streets (S.O.S.)
Upper Room
For other information about other ministries check out the Shalom Project’s social media:
Shalom Project
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