Written by Katie Swann
The Student Association has organized a series called “Celebrate: Reconciliation” to be held Monday through Wednesday, Feb. 7-9. The program will host speakers all three days in chapel and also on Monday and Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Cone Chapel.
“Celebrate: Reconciliation” is the brainchild of SA President Steven Ramsey.
“If you could sum up what Jesus was doing in one word, it would be ‘reconciliation,'” Ramsey said. “Fixing what is broken, reflecting on relationships, working through problems, accepting those problems and accepting each other are the essence of reconciliation and what Jesus was doing and teaching his followers.”
Pryor Hall Representative Monique Jacques of the SA said of “Celebrate: Reconciliation”, “The body is full of broken people, and by recognizing that we ourselves are broken and by reconciling with others we are not only allowing for healing, but also for bringing the body closer, making the body of Christ stronger.”
Overall, the program aims to emphasize Jesus’ examples of reconciliation in the Bible and to promote those principles in and between his people.
The program will kick off in chapel at 9 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 7, with several speakers sharing their individual stories of reconciliation. Monday at 7 p.m.in Cone Chapel will feature a panel of Rwandan students speaking on reconciliation with respect to the Rwandan genocide of 1994.
Tuesday in chapel, Dr. Kevin Youngblood will speak on reconciliation in the Old Testament. Tuesday at 7 p.m.in Cone Chapel will feature four speakers: Dr. Vann Rackley, Dr. Randy Willingham, Lisa Ford and Tracy Brown. These men and women will share their stories of reconciliation.
Wednesday morning will conclude the series with Scott Adair speaking in chapel on reconciliation in the New Testament.
The SA members said they have high hopes for the outcome.
“I hope the reconciliation project renews the collective mind of the student body and that we confront what needs reconciliation in our own lives,” Jacques said.
“I believe these three days will mark a course of honesty and boldness for his [Christ’s] disciples as we continue Jesus’ work in the world,” Ramsey said.
