One of the many blessings that comes from Warner University being a Christian university is the fact that students at Warner get to be a part of not only an academic or social community but also a spiritual community. You may notice that our mission statement (found here) has the development of Christ-like character as its top priority–even over academic development! Simply put, we are proud of the spiritual growth that takes place on our campus, and we want to continue to do everything in our power to foster that environment. With the Spring 2025 semester beginning, it is again time to pay special attention to Warner’s Spiritual Life department and what they have in store for the next few months.
Last semester, our theme for chapels was Unashamed, focusing on Romans 1:16. In pondering whether to continue this theme for the entire school year, our Spiritual Life team saw what they thought to be a throughline in our chapel themes over the past several years. We have taught on how our students Were Made For More (Esther 4:14), how the thing they were made for was to be the Light of the World (Matthew 5:14-16), and how they should be Unashamed of that calling. What the team thought was necessary at this point was a return to basics: Who made us for more? For whom are we shining our light? Who are we unashamed of? This semester’s theme answers those questions and more. This semester, chapels will be focusing on the Gospel of John with the theme Who is He?/Who am I? Each chapel will focus on the different “I am” statements in the Fourth Gospel, exploring Jesus’ claims about Himself and who we are in light of those truths.
This theme will start off in full swing this week, the first week of classes, with Spiritual Emphasis Week. On Wednesday, we will hold our regular weekly chapel at 10:05am as well as an evening service at 7:30pm. Thursday will have another evening service, also at 7:30pm, and Friday will round off the week with a service at 10:05am. During Spiritual Emphasis Week and throughout the semester, students will hear from many voices who are important to Warner and its community as well as many guest speakers.
We are excited about how we will be able to learn about and worship God on our campus in the new year, but we are also excited about the opportunities we will have to serve Him off of our campus. Going on during the month of January is a Prom Wear Collection. Students are able to bring in gently worn prom clothing as a donation. Warner will be collecting these donations and sending them to a local ministry that distributes them to high school students who are in need and unable to purchase their own prom wear. This collection is an easy way to uplift young people in need in our community! On the docket is continued collaboration with Feeding Tampa Bay, as a trip bringing students to the ministry to serve is still in development. Also, keep an eye out in February for a stuffed animal collection. These will be donated to Florida SAFE Chapter, which partners with local law enforcement and hospitals to bring comfort through these stuffed animals to children involved in traumatic experiences, such as being on a crime scene or being hospitalized.
God has been moving at Warner University, and we are thrilled to see what He has in store for us and we continue to serve Him, through faith and faithfulness. Keep an eye out for more announcements about outreach opportunities in the coming months!
