By Kelsi Peace, Features Editor
Hillcrest Church of Christ now offers a worship service intended only for college students on Sunday mornings at 10:15, and each week a different speaker from ACU presents a message.
Hillcrest offers several other college-oriented classes throughout the week.
Kim Conley, University Ministry Team member at Hillcrest, said about 100 students have attended each week since services began Aug. 27.
By bringing in speakers the students are familiar with and offering a later service, Conley said Hillcrest hopes to involve more students.
“We just wanted to be able to get [students] in the door first, and then try to minister to them,” she said.
Jeremy Davis, junior missions major from Chattanooga, Tenn., is the university intern at Hillcrest this year, and he said the services have been relevant to students’ lives.
“I think it’s met a lot of people where they are,” said Conley.
Students serve at the university service, and Davis said he is working toward having an all-student worship team.
Because the program is new, Davis said, there are many areas in which students can get plugged in.
Students can help with worship, teach Bible school and join small group studies.
“We encourage each [student] that wants to be part of Hillcrest to choose some areas of service,” Conley said.
A group of elders and their wives gathers Monday afternoons to pray for students who fill out prayer cards on Sundays because organizers don’t take any prayer requests lightly, she said.
Students also are invited to attend Song and Supper at 6 p.m. Wednesdays to sing praise songs and enjoy a free meal.
Hillcrest offers a Wednesday night service aimed at college students, although some high school students attend as well, Conley said.
Davis oversees the Wednesday service, University Time of Praise, in the auditorium and also opens Hillcrest’s gym to university students Thursdays at 7 p.m.
This feature began Thursday.
“If you’re searching for somewhere to get involved, this is definitely the place you can do it,” Davis said.
Hillcrest is located at 650 E. Ambler Ave., and the university service takes place in the chapel.
