MOBILE, Ala. – Both religious and non-religious people can have a calling – but there’s a difference in discovering you have talent and giving that talent to God, said Dr. Ben Mandrell, president and CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources at the final chapel program for fall semester at the University of Mobile.
“Far more important than your talent, your skill or your degree is the purity of your heart before God. If you have talent and heart, God can do incredible things through you,” he said at the Nov. 6 chapel program in Ram Hall.
Mandrell urged students to take time apart from the busyness of college life to tend to their heart and soul.
“College is one of the most difficult periods of life, because there’s so much work and fun,” he said. “Take time for yourself; keep your relationship with Jesus alive. Take time to be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
He encouraged students: “Take care of your heart and make sure it’s right before God.”
At UM’s first chapel of the semester, about 500 students received new Christian Standard Bibles, thanks to a generous gift from Lifeway Christian Resources. UM President Charles Smith, opened the Fall Semester chapel series in August with a message on Psalm 23.
Weekly chapel services are a central part of the University of Mobile’s culture of discipleship and leadership development. The hour-long chapel services feature sermons, lectures or panel discussions on pressing issues. Each chapel begins with prayer and a time of praise and worship led by UM’s Worship Collective student ensemble.
Speakers throughout the semester included pastors and ministry leaders from across Southern Baptist life, including Dr. Charles Smith, president of the University of Mobile, Shane Pruitt, national director of next-gen evangelism with the North American Mission Board and Dr. Rick Lance, executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions.
Learn more about the University of Mobile and what makes it an award-winning, Christ-centered institution at umobile.edu/um-info. Plan a campus visit or register for a UM Day at umobile.edu/um-info or call Enrollment Services at 251.442.2222.
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/um-info, 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.