Written by Nicole Sophia Sullenger
Churches across Searcy closed their doors last weekend due to weather conditions, but many students still found a way to worship God together.
It was announced at Saturday night’s home basketball game that more than five churches would be canceling their services the next day due to road conditions fromthe unusual snow and ice that hit central ArkansasJan. 29.College church of Christwas one of the few thatchose to stay open despite the weather.
“I would say it was almost doubled in attendance,” church member Chelsea Stephenson said. “There was just one service at 10:45 a.m. and it was extremely packed, but it was a wonderful thing.”
The elevated attendance allowed the church to raise $27,000 togive to Haitithat Sunday.
Students also gathered in the Heritage on Harding’s campus.
“When I went in the Heritage on Sunday morning it wasn’t just us, there were tons of people in small groups and circles worshiping and meeting together,” Harding student Deborah Hill said. “It’s a blessing to be somewhere where church is taken seriously.”
A group of 20 students, including Hill, organized their own service in Cone Chapel after hearing the news about church cancelations. Through prayer, it was decided that this service would be a time to grow closer to each other and God through sharing personal thoughts. For more than two hours the students sang songs, shared scriptures and spoke on issues that were pressing on their hearts.
“I thought it was cool because these were people you go to church with, and suddenly we had the opportunity to get on a really personal level when we got in the room,” Hill said. “We talked a lot about how we feel inadequate in our ability to change people’s lives, but God is so much bigger than that and if he wants us to do something we better believe he’ll make it happen.”
A group of eight sophomores also met in Kendall to pray, sing and talk about God.
“An important topic to us was companionship,” said Amanda Herren. “About how we should talk to each other about struggles and pray together because we all live together and that is what we’re here for.”
Although the physical buildings were closed last weekend, the church itself was very much alive. Other groups similar to the ones Hill and Herren participated in were set up all over Harding’s campus. The unique atmosphere of the Christian university allowed students to remember the importance of coming together weekly.
“It was very encouraging that so many people came out to worship when we all could have stayed in our nice cozy beds,” said Chelsea Stephenson. “I don’t know if this would happen elsewhere other than Harding, but all I can say is it was a beautiful Sunday morning coming together as a family, lifting our praises to God.”
