University’s Fall Revival Service Leaves Students Hopeful and Shoeless

               The University of the Cumberlands hosted the annual Fall Awakening program – a campus-wide Christian revival service sponsored by the Baptist Campus Ministries– on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in Gatliff Chapel. Throughout the week, Palmer Chinchen from The Grove Church in Pheonix, AZ deliver the message and Jey Mbiro from Compassion International lead the students in worship. At the beginning of each service, UC's Baptist Campus Ministries Drama Team led the students in a short skit.

UC's Disciples Drama Team performs for Fall Awakening.

                The program included five services, two of which were morning services that required all students to attend. Throughout the week, over 1,000 students joined the services, many of who came to a greater understanding of the Christian faith.

                Michael Marsh, the university’s BCM intern, spoke highly of the program and its speakers: “Palmer and Jey are great guys with huge hearts for the Lord,” he said. “We were lucky to have them with us this week. Fall Awakening is a great opportunity for students to grow in their faith.”

                One service in particular highlighted poverty in Africa and around the world and concluded with an open request for the shoes on students’ feet to be donated for those in other counties without footwear. Many students weren’t hesitant to offer their favorite pair of sneakers to someone less fortunate who they had never met.

                Kenny Newton, a junior at University of the Cumberlands who is heavily involved in BCM activities, said that he gave his shoes away “because knew there was someone else out there who needed them more.” He also expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve another person in such a simple and practical way.

                Fall Awakening provides a way for student to grow in their faith and to serve others around the local community and the world. Through the leadership of Palmer Chinchen, Jey Mbiro and the BCM leadership team, UC's 2011 Fall Awakening completed its purpose: to share the Gospel and change lives.