AU Movement Gives Voice to Worship at Anderson University

Student songwriters are turning what God is doing on campus into music that can be shared at AU and beyond.

ANDERSON, Ind. — AU Movement began two years ago when a group of students met with Becca Palmer, director of spiritual formation, to act on their passion for worship and songwriting.

“We just gathered for a dinner and chatted about it. Saying, ‘I think something’s happening here,’” Palmer said. “It feels like God’s really moving and bringing these people together with that same kind of calling and passion. And so we decided to keep praying about it and keep meeting.”

Many students led worship in chapel bands and came from a variety of backgrounds.

“It was a beautifully diverse group of people, but they were really united in spirit and in heart, and really humble worship leaders,” Palmer said. “It’s about worship and really wanting to follow the Lord. Not about trying to make a name for themselves.”

The group now meets at 11 a.m. on Thursdays in the music building. They spend time in prayer, seeking to discern what the Lord is saying to campus. 

AU Movement has put words to this experience of seeing the Lord work at Anderson over the past year.

Group member Samuel Costa originally wrote the worship song “Koinonia” for VisionReVision, a worship series featuring different art forms.

The songs can get at the heart of what Anderson University students are experiencing because they are written for campus.

“The Church of God in general has a really rich tradition of writing songs,” Palmer said. “It feels really cool to be able to say, ‘We are going to write what our community needs. What we feel is the prompting of God.’”

The Spirit was moving last fall as several students took a step of faith and chose to be baptised. 

AU Movement member Makenna Holloway ’28 wrote the group’s single, “Commitment,” and said the song was inspired by that evening.

“I wanted to write a song that was something that people could sing, pledging that they are going to take that next step in their faith. That they’re going to follow God,” Holloway said.

Oppourtunities

In March, several AU Movement members traveled to Nashville with AU business students for a songwriting retreat with Christian songwriter and AU alum Chrissy Nordhoff. The group also led worship at a church and recorded their single “Commitment.” 

AU Movement has also had the opportunity to play at several other events and worship nights. One of these was the Church of God National Preaching Clinic.

For Holloway, taking AU Movement off campus is an opportunity to learn. It has also given experience leading worship and the chance to share what God is doing at AU with others, especially high schoolers.

Holloway said that being a part of AU Movement is an opportunity to use the creativity God has given her to give back to Him.

Recently, AU Movement recorded an extended play (EP) produced by Chad Evans at Gaither Studios in Anderson.

Ahead of the EP’s release at Homecoming this year, Holloway said, “We’re hoping to include a lot of just foundational truth about God and about the church and about personal faith.”

Holloway hopes the songs will help people communicate with God in a way that changes their relationship with Him. She also wants biblical truth to be declared on this campus.

“Be praying for God to guide us as we’re finishing out the work on the EP. Pray that it would just be what He wants it to be, and that it would reach those that He wants it to reach,” Holloway said.

For students interested in songwriting or just wanting to learn more, join AU Movement on Thursday mornings.

“To any student who is at all interested in this, give it a try. Keep writing and keep listening to God about what He wants us to share with campus and the world,” Holloway said.

About Anderson University

Anderson University educates students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 50 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 18 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult, graduate, and online programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized for excellence in business, computer science, cybersecurity, engineering, music, nursing, psychology, social work, and teacher education programs. Established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God, the university remains committed to its Christ-centered mission.