By Kelsi Peace, Features Editor
The ACU Counseling Center brought in two prominent members of the Christian community for the sixth annual Healthy Relationships Week, called Sacred Relationships Week this year, which emphasizes friendships, marriages and community in the context of authenticity and spirituality.
Christian recording artist Dennis Jernigan, a winner of the Gospel Music Association’s Dove Award, performed a “Night of Praise” in Moody Coliseum Tuesday night, where he also shared his testimony.
“Dennis’ story is a story about pain and brokenness and healing and freedom through the love of God,” said Kurt Boyland, counselor in the Counseling Center. “His message is very powerful.”
After the performance, about 20 faculty members waited outside to pray with students.
Jernigan also spoke with students at a “brown bag” lunch after chapel on Tuesday.
Gary Thomas, author of “Sacred Influence,” “Devotions for a Sacred Marriage,” “Sacred Parenting” and “Sacred Marriage,” and director of the Center for Evangelical Spirituality, presented a four-session seminar on sacred marriages for married and engaged couples.
ACU Counseling Center counselor Margaret Davis said she received positive feedback about the seminar from people she spoke with who attended.
Thomas’ interactive presentation in person also provides more impact than reading a book, Davis said.
About 200 people attended the seminar, Boyland estimated, among them several ACU students.
With Jernigan and Thomas gone, the week isn’t over, however. Booths presenting information on relationships will be set up in the McGlothlin Campus Center on Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“Sometimes people think that when we have relationship week, we’re talking just about romantic relationships,” Davis said.
But this isn’t the case, she said.
“We’re concerned about all kinds of relationships,” Davis said.
Boyland also said the week is about more than romantic relationships, and said the week discusses aspects of relationships that transcend dating. Sacred Relationships Week will conclude Thursday with breakout Chapel sessions.
Four different discussions will be available: “Summer and Winter Christians” with Dr. Richard Beck, chair of the Psychology Department, in the Mabee Business Building, Room 215; a session with Dr. Dana Hood, chair of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, in the Mabee Business Building, Room 117; “Dating for Dating’s Sake” with Tabitha Vail and Pam Money in the Onstead- Packer Biblical Studies Building, Room 113; and “Smiling Addictions, Part 2” with Van Conwell, Southern Hills Church of Christ involvement minister, in the Mabee Business Building, Room 118.
