CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Campbellsville University students and employees gathered recently to celebrate CU’s new Mission and Vision Statement.

“Today, we’re gathering together to celebrate a new vision statement for Campbellsville University,” CU President Dr. Joseph Hopkins said, “and I want to begin by thanking the group that helped us to shape this vision statement.”

Hopkins revealed how forming the new vision statement was no easy task. In fact, “there was a committee that started on this work back in May” that received input from students, faculty, staff and alumni.

Hopkins quoted Jeremiah 29:11: “I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope, and plans to give you a future.”

Hopkins stated, “Campbellsville University, it’s with that in mind that our team put together this vision statement: centered in Christ, filled with hope, equipping students to shape the world.”

Likewise, the chapel service embodied this vision, with students and faculty from across our CU campus coming up to share comments, pray and read Scripture.

Kaitlyn Overstreet, director of student services at CU’s Conover Education Center, and Adam Preston, head men’s soccer coach, began the service in prayer.

CU Students Priya Latchayya, Sam Burton and Alan Garcia offered prayer and Scripture reading.

Dr. Michelle Carter, associate vice president for community and student success; Dr. Fabio Moreira, assistant professor of pastoral ministries; and Alfonso Alvarez, head men’s volleyball coach, also offered prayers and Scriptures.

Finally, Rusty Hollingsworth, vice president for student services and athletics, brought the service to the end.

Latchayya read from Hebrews 13:20-21, and how it applies to equip “students to shape the world.”

She broke the two verses into two separate parts. Latchayya said the first part of the verse recognized the “greatness of God,” and how Christ is “depicted as the God of peace and the shepherd.”

In the second verse, Latchayya discussed how Christians should find their “purpose to make an impact” for God.

Then, Garcia picked up on the idea of fellowship and commitment by reading from John 15:4, where Christ emphasizes that true discipleship is hard.

“This journey demands a daily conscious effort to align our thoughts and our actions and decisions with His teachings and examples,” Garcia proclaimed.

Dr. Carter, similarly, noted to students, after reading 1 John 2:6, how “God is able to handle any circumstance.”

“The world is changing daily,” Dr. Carter said. “But the one thing that you can rest assured is that God is the same yesterday, today and forevermore.”

Finally, the service, after multiple rounds of singing, praising, and Scripture reading, ended Hollingsworth sharing from Luke 24:13-35.

The Vice President encouraged students, as he read from the Luke passage, to not just hear the word, but to obey the Holy Spirit.

In the passage from Luke, two men saw Jesus after He rose from the dead but did not recognize Him. However, after walking and talking and later feeling the Holy Spirit, they were drawn to action there in the moment.

“I suggest that they got up that quickly because they were no longer sad,” Hollingsworth shared. “They were no longer dejected. And they walked back, so they could tell these others their experiences with Christ.”

Hollingsworth added, “They felt equipped to make a difference. They felt equipped to change the world. They felt equipped to shape the world because they had the good news of the resurrected Christ.”

Coach Preston called the service to a close with a prayer for the future of Campbellsville University and for Christ to always shine at Campbellsville University.    

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university that offers over 100 programs including doctoral, master, bachelor, associate and certificate programs. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.