Spiritual development for students, faculty and staff is an important part of the Olivet experience. Chaplain Mark Holcomb ’81/D.D. ’18, takes leadership for providing many of the elements to make that possible.
Each year, Chaplain Holcomb casts a vision for each semester of chapel services and invites top Christian speakers and preachers to present messages that tie into the them. Spring 2021 chapel services will unpack Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Each chapel service will feature worship music led by rotating student ministry bands – The Narrow and City on a Hill.
Additional speakers scheduled for the spring 2021 chapels at Olivet are:
• Dr. John C. Bowling | University President
• Efrem Smith | Co-pastor of Bayside Church
• Skye Jethani | Author, Speaker, Minister
• Charlie Dates | Pastor of Progressive Baptist Church
• Steve Davis | Lead Pastor of TrueNorth Church
• Curtis Zackery | Author and Motivational Speaker
• LaMorris Crawford | Chaplain for the Cincinnati Bengals
• Bob Goff | Author and Influencer
When the Betty and Kenneth Hawkins Centennial Chapel and the Crawford Auditorium were constructed and dedicated in 2010, the primary focus was on bringing the Olivet community together in one place for worship and spiritual growth. Every academic year, chapel messages add significant meaning to campus life. In that setting, many have accepted Christ and committed or recommitted to serve Him.
This semester, in-person chapel services will be held in Centennial Chapel each Thursday at 9:30 a.m. Social distancing guidelines and mask-wearing protocols will be maintained. Throughout the spring, there will be a mix of local speakers and pre-recorded messages. Chaplain Holcomb will host all chapel services in Centennial Chapel and College Church sanctuary has been designated as an alternate live-stream venue.
Additionally, Chaplain Holcomb and his team developed supplemental weekday touchpoints for the campus community which include Upper Room (student-led virtual worship service on Monday nights); Ten on Tuesdays video devotionals (via campus email and Life at Olivet social media on Tuesdays); a weekly email devotional (on Friday afternoon); and student-led ministries including Best Buddies, Habitat for Humanity, Prayer Warriors, Heart 4 Missions, Save our Streets, Life Support, Mission Possible, and HeArt.
For more information about spiritual life at Olivet, contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@olivet.edu or 800-648-1463.
Published: 1/15/2021
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