ACU students can find a more intimate Chapel experience in Small Group Chapels, meeting Thursdays across campus.

The first Small Group Chapels will begin Thursday, Sept. 16.

The only major change to Small Group Chapels this semester is the movement of the relatively new instrumental-praise Chapel, Immersed, from Cullen Auditorium to Moody Coliseum, to take advantage of the better sound equipment available in Moody.

Mark Lewis, assistant dean of spiritual life, said Small Group Chapels are a good way for students to come together with a more concentrated group of their peers to focus on spiritual matters.

Students can choose from over 60 different Chapels meeting in various locations around campus. They range from Chapels geared toward social clubs to departments to social justice advocates.

“Spiritual formation happens more naturally and effectively in small groups. It is a challenge for most students to focus in a large arena,” said Lewis. “Students can opt to go to these gatherings, many of which have a more specific purpose and are generally groups of people who already have something in common.”

Wishing Well Chapel is one such option, a speaker-oriented group open to all students. Ben Fulfer, senior sociology major from Memphis, Tenn., said he started this chapel with alumni Steven Powell four years ago as a way for students to share their ministry experiences and let other students know about social injustices.

Dr. Adam Hester, professor of theatre and chair of the Department of Theatre, leads the department’s weekly Small Group Chapel, along with other faculty members in the department.

Hester said the department’s Chapel tend to focus on a variety of subjects, such as the intersection of Christianity and the entertainment industry.

“We’re not coming with answers here,” Hester said. “We’re trying to wrestle with the questions.”

Lewis said he thinks students will come together in these smaller communities and get a clearer sense of their calling through prayer, Bible study and discussion.

“The number one thing I’m in prayer for is for people to be more deeply drawn to the Lord and get a more clear goal of who they can be in Christ,” Lewis said.

Students can find a list of Small Group Chapels and locations at www.acu.edu/campusoffices/chapel/sgc/index.html.