A goliath tigerfish weighing 154 pounds. Then, a freshwater sawfish measuring 20 feet in length. Coming next is a short-tailed river stingray referred to as the “wish you were dead” fish. The piscine images flashed across the projector screen and students hurriedly scribbled notes as junior Corey Stumne delivered his Lectureship presentation, “River Monsters,” on Tuesday in the Heritage Auditorium.
Stumne took his title from “River Monsters,” an Animal Planet show about extraordinary and often dangerous river life. In the Bible, the Christian-persecuting Saul of Tarsus was like a river monster, Stumne said, and yet Jesus sent his disciple Ananias to minister to him. Saying that “followers [of Christ] fish,” Stumne encouraged his audience, which consisted mainly of Harding students, to share the gospel with non-Christians.
Stumne’s was one of eight lessons given by students at the 2011 Annual Bible Lectureship, which was themed “Children of God: Studies in 1 John.” The lecture series kicked off Sunday evening and concluded Wednesday night, drawing guests and speakers from around the world.
The student lectures consisted of lessons given by Stumne, Chloe Birdwell, Sheralee Kerr, Ryan Rummage, Claire Bracken, Taylor Payne, Amy Littleton and Matt Fahey, covering such topics as “Living a Life Worthy of the Gospel” and “Realizing the Power of Our Heavenly Father.” Harding invites several students each year to participate in the lectureship as a way to help them grow as spiritual leaders, said Bruce McLarty, lectureship director.
“We want to provide an opportunity for students to present at such a large and important venue, and we want our lectureship guests to be encouraged by seeing that the college generation today is passionate about the Christian faith and that they have something important to share,” McLarty said.
McLarty said the Student Association recommends students to speak at the lectureship, and the list of students goes through a vetting process with teachers and the Office of Student Services before the students are asked to participate. This year’s selected speakers were contacted early in the spring semester about being involved in the fall lectureship.
Stumne said he felt “very, very excited” he was invited to give a lecture because he aspires to be a youth minister, and Rummage said the opportunity was a “high honor.” The two spent months developing their topics, which culminated in the presentations they gave Sept. 27; Stumne said prayer was important as he planned his lesson.
“One thing I’ve realized is you can put hard work and preparation into something that you want to do good for God’s kingdom, but it won’t matter until you consult God first,” Stumne said. “Prayer is the place where you have to start when you want to speak the word of God in a public audience.”
While Stumne focused in his lecture on spreading Christianity, Rummage spoke about “The Joy of Life: Finding Purpose in the Joy of the Lord.” He chose to teach about joy because he wanted his listeners to learn to find their joy and purpose in God.
“I spoke to a college audience — I know there are older people in here — but I think [joy is] something we forget about; especially in college you begin to find your joy, find your purpose in other things,” Rummage said.
