Faith Forward: Begin Again at Anderson
Chapel, prayer, service, and baptism mark a transformative season of spiritual life on campus.
This academic year, Anderson University’s spiritual life has embodied its chapel theme, “Begin Again,” through worship, service, and renewal. The theme, drawn from the book of Genesis in the fall and then followed by the Gospel of John in the spring semester, encourages students, faculty, and staff to walk in faith as they discover God’s purpose in their lives.
Each Tuesday, the campus gathers for chapel, one of the most unifying moments of the week. Led by the Center for Spiritual and Intercultural Life, this semester’s services have featured inspiring speakers and moments of heartfelt worship that remind the AU community that every new beginning starts with grace. Spiritual formation groups that meet each Thursday provide small-group discussions for students and employees to dive deeper. These groups utilize a curriculum written by Becca Palmer, director of spiritual formation, which helps participants explore scripture and grow in community.
Our fall semester also featured special moments of campuswide prayer and reflection. During campus ministries week, students gathered for “12 Hours of Prayer” in Miller Chapel. Others connected through Park Place Neighbors, a weekly outreach to the local food pantry that continues to serve Anderson families facing food insecurity. Campus ministries have partnered with the pantry as needs have grown, inviting volunteers to donate their time or food staples.
Another highlight was the “Together as One” campus ministries bonfire, where students gathered for fellowship, s’mores, and prayer. Events like these create space for students to connect with God and with one another in meaningful, relaxed settings.
One other exciting development this year has been the remarkable growth of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). Meeting during the Thursday 11 a.m. Spiritual Formation Group hour has allowed many athletes to participate without conflicting practice or class schedules. Each week, FCA members spend time studying books of the Bible and praying over every AU team as they prepare for their competitive seasons. Student leaders have expressed gratitude and excitement for how the group has flourished—not just in numbers, but in faith and enthusiasm. Their passion has become contagious, inspiring peers to grow together in Christ.
This spirit of renewal and connection continued on November 11 with an evening of worship and baptism in the Kardatzke Wellness Center Natatorium. Directly following “10:07 Worship,” a recurring student-led worship service on Tuesday nights, AU held baptisms for seven students who felt called to take the next step in their faith.
Brian “B” Martin, dean of spiritual and intercultural life, has been a steady encouragement to students and staff throughout the year. He wrote and released a song featuring current student Derricka Wolfe, titled “Begin Again” as part of this year’s chapel theme, and continues to share weekly “90 Seconds of SAILing” video reflections on Instagram at @b.au.sail. In his messages, he celebrates what God is doing on campus and reminds students that spiritual growth happens in everyday moments, whether during chapel, in the classroom, or while serving the community.
As AU continues its journey through the academic year, the call to “Begin Again” remains a reminder that God is always at work, inviting each member of the community to live renewed, transformed lives in Christ.
Listen to the song “Begin Again” on your favorite streaming platform here.
Colossians 3:9-10, also challenges us to, “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator,” so we can step into the freedom and purpose found in Jesus.
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.
