April 4, 2013
For Immediate Release

By Samantha Stevenson, student news writer

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky.—John Upton, president of Baptist World Alliance, centered his message around the theme found in Ephesians 2:14 “For He is our peace, who made us one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility,” at Campbellsville University's weekly chapel service on April 3 in Ransdell Chapel.

Upton said humans are experts at building walls.

John Upton, president of Baptist World Alliance, speaks of the walls that surround us during chapel.
(Campbellsville University Photo by Rachel DeCoursey)

He provided photos of famous walls from around the world that he has been able to see and experience during his time as president at Baptist World Alliance. Included were photos of the Berlin Wall, the West Bank Wall in Israel, the wall that stretches from San Diego, California to El Paso, Texas, separating the United States from Mexico.

His final slide was a photo of the Great Wall of China — the only manmade landmark visible from outer space.
“Isn't it interesting that the only sign of human existence that can be seen from outer space is a wall?” Upton asked.

Upton said humans are not only experts in building tangible walls, like the Great Wall of China, but we also build up invisible walls, which is dangerous.

Upton said, “Our walls separate us from being our best selves, from each other, and from God.”

Upton discussed instances in which he's seen political, traditional and prideful walls broken by the power of Jesus Christ.

Upton concluded by offering the hope of Jesus Christ as the solution to the wall problem, by once again referencing Ephesians 2:14.

“There's something inside of us that tells us that these walls are wrong. That's Jesus Christ, and he is our peace. He's knocking down the dividing walls, and has made us one.”

Chapel is designed to provide opportunities for corporate worship and exposure through a variety of informative speakers and presentations.

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,600 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master's degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.