April 6, 2016
For Immediate Release

 

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - As the sun poured into Ransdell Chapel early Sunday morning, April 3, a Day of Kingdom Advance in Taylor County churches began with a dedication service led by Campbellsville University president Michael V. Carter.

Carter said to students, faculty and staff gathered before going out to their respective churches, “I am very proud of each and every one of you. Enjoy this incredible opportunity and let the love of Jesus Christ shine through you.”

Campbellsville University's Ransdell Chapel was the location for the Sunday, April 3 Day of Kingdom Advance in Taylor County dedication service led by president Michael V. Carter. This group of approximately 100 students, faculty and staff gathered for his message and prayers followed by refreshments before going out to their respective churches. (Campbellsville University Photo by Jordan Snider)

According to Dr. G. Ted Taylor, associate vice president for development and church outreach, the Office of Church Outreach at CU works with individual churches to meet the needs of the congregation. From student testimony and preaching, to student worship teams leading portions of the service or students conducting all elements of the service, the choice is up to the church being served.

“Kingdom Advance Day unites the body of Christ,” Taylor said.“I am so thankful to the 30 churches in Taylor County from all denominations who invited our student life teams in to preach, lead worship and share testimonies of the transforming power of the gospel.” He said CU has never drifted from her commitments to be Christ centered, church connected and changing lives for Christ.

As example of student testimony and changing lives for Christ, CU senior from LaCenter, Ky., Fontez Hill, told the congregation at Pleasant Union Baptist Church about his “roller coaster” life during which he's had jumps, climbs and loops. He said his mother was jailed when he was four when they were living in Illinois. He had two brothers and three sisters, and they couldn't all stay together. His father's sister adopted him when he was seven years old, and they moved to Kentucky.

In fifth grade, he was saved and baptized, but it wasn't until he enrolled at Campbellsville University, where he met “awesome people,” and learned and lived for Christ. He said he had trouble with drugs and sexual acts when he went home, but he rededicated his life to Christ his sophomore year. While at Campbellsville University, he has sung in a gospel choir and done Beach Reach mission work in Florida.

CU student Aron Neal leads children's worship at Lowell Avenue Baptist Church April 3. (Campbellsville University Photo by Kaleb Chowning)

“Campbellsville University is a good university,” Hill said. “The Lord will never leave us or forsake us.” E.J. Pavy, residence director of South Hall East at Campbellsville University, led the group with Campbellsville University Singers Kathryn Weeks of Louisville, Connie Gough of Honduras and Haleigh Lanham of Harrodsburg, Ky. singing.

At Saloma Baptist Church, Sarah Stults, a CU sophomore from Hodgenville who was part of that team, led the children's service with her message that the church is not just a building, but it is within each of us.
She had the group of youngsters first make a triangle with their hands and say, “this is the church,” then she had them place their hands on their chests and say, “and the church is me.” She said even after we leave the building, the church stays within us.

Joey Bomia, discipleship coordinator for CU's Church Outreach, who introduced the life team serving at Saloma Baptist Church, said, “We're not here to promote CU today. We are simply excited to share in your worship of Jesus Christ as we fellowship together.” Serving with him and Stults were Drew O'Neal, junior pastoral ministries major from Campbellsville, and Kathryn Thomas, a senior from Elizabethtown, Ky.

At Campbellsville Baptist Church, Landon Rogers, a Campbellsville University student from Harrodsburg, Ky., gave a testimony about his trials and struggles with the death of his mother.

He reflected on the funeral and how his friends came to support him. “I looked up and there, taking up about two rows were my friends from Campbellsville. It was unexpected but very encouraging. This whole process has shown me that the people at Campbellsville University has become my family.”

Dylan Johnson, a Campbellsville University sophomore from Lexington, Ky., shared his personal testimony saying, “I was the ‘good' friend, but deep down I was like everyone else.”

Campbellsville Baptist Church was among those churches served on “A Day of Kingdom Advance” Sunday, April 3. From left are: Dr. G. Ted Taylorand his wife Sheri, CBC pastor ChurchDr. Mike O'Neal, and student life team members Shelby Knuckles from Elkton, Ky., and Landon Rogers from Burgin, Ky. (Campbellsville University Photo by Jordan Snider)

Johnson was encouraged by a Bible verse from the book of Romans after meeting with a youth minister at his local church. The verse encouraged him that Christ died and freed him from sin. He no longer had to be a slave to his old nature.

Christian Naylor, a Campbellsville University junior from Russellville, Ky., encouraged the congregation by urging them to “be living stones of the Church.”

“We can be solid houses because we are living stones,” Naylor said.

Among the churches served by CU life teams on April 3 were: Campbellsville Baptist Church, 3trees Church, Mt. Union Baptist Church, Pleasant UnionBaptist Church, Fannie Chapel CME, Beech Grove Baptist Church and Lowell Avenue Baptist Church.

St. Mark United Methodist Church, Elkhorn Methodist, Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Mt. Gilboa, Fairview Baptist Church, Poplar GroveBaptist Church, TaylorsChapel United Methodist Church, Poplar Grove Chapel United Methodist Church, SalomaBaptist Church, Woodlawn Christian Church, Hogards Chapel United Methodist Church, Miller's Chapel United Methodist Church, Friendship Baptist, The RockCommunity Church and Asbury United Methodist Church.

Scheduled for April 10 services are: Good Hope Baptist Church, Bethel FirstPresbyterian Church and Acton Baptist Church. Other churches involved were: Stoner Creek United Methodist Church, Mannsville United Methodist Church, Salem Baptist Church, Yuma Baptist Church and Campbellsville Christian Church.

Representatives from Campbellsville University's Church Outreach program served at 3trees Church in Campbellsville, Ky., as part of CU's Day of Kingdom Advance. From left are: Wes Carter, regional director of Church Outreach at CU.; Gary Richards of 3trees Church; Adam Hicks, a student of Bardstown, Ky.; Leighton Lavey, a student of Mayfield, Ky.; Lauren Stevens, a student of Taylorsville, Ky., and Sarah Lyons, 3trees Church administrator. (Campbellsville University Photo by Drew Tucker)

Wes Carter, regional director of development and church outreach, said, “I continue to be amazed at the level of growth I see in our students. I want to thank all the churches that participated.”

Carter led the CU life team that worked with Eric Gilbert, senior pastor of 3trees Church, who said, “It's amazing what happens when Kingdom partnerships come together.”

Taylor said, “Today was the largest day of church advance in the 110-year history of Campbellsville University. To God Be The Glory!”

For information about Campbellsville University's Church Outreach program and the availability of Life Teams to serve, contact Dr. G. Ted Taylor, associate vice president for development and church outreach (865) 235-4827; Wes Carter, regional director of development and church outreach, (270-849-7575); the Rev. John H. Rausch, assistant director of church outreach and director of CU Sound; Jasmine Barnett, ministry coordinator; Jamie Lawrence, church outreach pastor; or Joey Bomia, discipleship coordinator.

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,500 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.