MOBILE, Ala. – “God’s Word is living and active,” proclaimed University of Mobile President Charles Smith at the first Chapel of Fall Semester 2024 where about 500 students received new Christian Standard Bibles, thanks to a generous gift from Lifeway Christian Resources.
“We want to make sure as a Christian organization that every student has a Bible,” said Smith, opening the weekly Chapel series with a message on Psalm 23. Students also received a notebook to keep track of their notes during Chapel programs throughout the semester.
Chapel services are a central part of the Christian university’s culture of discipleship and leadership development. Through sermons, lectures or panel discussions led by distinguished faith leaders, the university’s Chapel program emphasizes the centrality of God’s Word in every aspect of life.
The Chapel theme for Fall Semester 2024, based on Ephesians 3:20, is: “More than we ask or think.”
The university’s Worship Collective student ensemble led worship for approximately 500 students, faculty and staff who attended Chapel on Aug. 21 in Ram Hall.
During his expository message, Smith said the message at the heart of Psalm 23 is the Lord’s power, provision and care. A key theme is not simply that the Lord is a shepherd – it is that “He is MY shepherd,” he said. He shared the story of salvation and encouraged students to rely on Jesus Christ through the valleys and trials of life.
“Oh, what Good News this Bible holds!” Smith concluded, as students left Chapel carrying their new Bibles and chapel notebook.
Upcoming speakers for the University of Mobile Chapel series include:
Aug. 28: Shane Pruitt, national director of next-gen evangelism, North American Mission Board
Sept. 4: Jared Baria, campus pastor, University of Mobile
Sept. 11: Dr. Rick Lance, executive director, Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions
Sept. 18: Dewayne Rembert, lead pastor, Flatline Church; church planting strategist, Montgomery Baptist Association
Sept. 25: Dr. Ed Litton, senior pastor, Redemption Church
Oct. 2: Elizabeth Graham, chief executive officer, Stand for Life
Oct. 16: Matt Mason, senior pastor, The Church at Brook Hills
Oct. 23: Dean Inserra, founding and lead pastor, City Church Tallahassee
Oct. 30: Dr. Jason Dees, senior pastor, Christ Covenant Church
Nov. 6: Dr. Ben Mandrell, president & CEO, Lifeway Christian Resources.
About the University of Mobile
The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered university with a vision of “Higher Education for a Higher Purpose,” founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions in an environment where they are known. Located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama, on a campus of over 880 acres, the university offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs.The University of Mobile was founded in 1961 and is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention.
For information about the University of Mobile, areas of study, admissions and more, visit umobile.edu, connect with UM on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.
Kathy Dean uses her passion for storytelling and “playing with words” to share the stories of people, place and purpose that make the University of Mobile unique. As associate vice president for university communications, she manages media relations, edits the TorchLight alumni magazine, and oversees university communications. A former award-winning journalist, she is a two-time recipient of the Baptist Communicators Association grand prize for feature writing. Kathy and her husband, Chuck, live with three extremely loud miniature schnauzers.