Campbellsville University

Thomas says everyone should see Jesus in those we meet

Thomas says everyone should see Jesus in those we meet

By Josh Christian | 03/15/2017

Bishop Marvin Frank Thomas

Bishop Marvin Frank Thomas Sr. said spiritual gifts are useless without love at Campbellsville University’s chapel. (Campbellsville University Photo by Shelby Hall)

March 15, 2017
For Immediate Release

By Josh Christian, student news writer

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — “It is time to move beyond the noise,” Bishop Marvin Frank Thomas Sr., 62nd bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church of Cincinnati, Ohio, said at a Campbellsville University's chapel service recently.

In a luncheon in his honor following chapel, Thomas donated $500 to Campbellsville University's Black Student Association and $500 to the Student Government Association leaders.

Thomas spoke at chapel on the first verse of 1 Corinthians 13. The verse discussed that anything done, if not done in love, was useless noise.

“At its best and worst, the Corinthian's actions were just noise,” Thomas said. “Jealousy is a harsh sound. Pride is a confused sound. Quarrels are unwanted sounds.”

“An effective ministry is not one that only uses spiritual gifts,” Thomas said.

Thomas explained that there was great significance in the placement of the “love” passage in the Holy Bible.  The significance was that Paul placed the “love” passage directly before his address about the use of spiritual gifts. Spiritual gifts are useless without love, according to Thomas.

“What does the notion ‘moving beyond the noise' call upon us to do?” Thomas asked those in attendance.

“It calls us to put meaning into our ministry,” Thomas said in response. “Love is the church's identification badge. We have to be more than noise makers,” Thomas said.

Thomas discussed that the church needed to initially realize it isn't about us.

“Ministry isn't about you. It is about Christ,” Thomas said.

“We, as the church, need to realize that we are the representatives of Christ,” Thomas said. “Moving beyond the noise calls us to be portraits of Jesus. We become a portrait of one who is made in love,” Thomas said.

Thomas urged those in attendance to imagine strangers meeting each of them.

“Let our prayer be that others would look at us and say, ‘I don't know their name, but in them I see Jesus,'” Thomas said.

Thomas encouraged people to “get on the love train.” The audience stood and joined hands to recite the O'Jays' rendition of “Love Train.”

During the chapel service, there was also moments celebrating Black History Month.

Bishop Marvin Frank Thomas Sr. donates to Campbellsville University.
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church Bishop Dr. Marvin Frank Thomas Sr., fourth from left, gives a $500 donation to Campbellsville University's Black Student Association recently following his chapel address. Jasmine Barnett, advisor to the group, accepted the check. Thomas also donated $500 to Campbellsville University's Student Government Association leaders. From left are: The Rev. Pamela Buford; the Rev. Delmetria Cayson-Combs; the Rev. Vincent E. Farris, presiding elder for the Louisville-Lexington CME District; Dr. Shawn Williams, associate professor of political science at Campbellsville University; the Rev. DeWayne GoLightly; Dr. Stephanie Holcomb-Kreiner, director of foundation and corporate relations and assistant professor of sociology and history at Campbellsville University; Dr. Michelle Tucker, director of master of social work program and assistant professor of social work at Campbellsville University; Deborah Thomas, enrollment advisor and outreach coordinator at the Louisville Education Center; Rev. James Buford; and Dr. John Chowning, executive assistant to the president for government, community and constituent relations at Campbellsville University. (Campbellsville University Photo by Joshua Williams)

Mariah Harris, Campbellsville University freshman from Johnstown, Penn.; Tanisha Bruce, sophomore from Danville, Ky., and Natilya Perks, a freshman from Louisville, Ky., presented different segments of  Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s “I Have a Dream” speech.

Each also presented their own personal dreams, declaring that they would succeed in their dreams, no matter what.

Thomas was also awarded the Kente Cloth Award, a Campbellsville University award given to those who exemplify the characteristics of servant leadership. The Kente Cloth dates back to 12th century Africa, where it was worn over the shoulders of important figures of the African state.

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 4,500 students offering over 80 programs of study including 19 master's degrees, six postgraduate areas and seven pre-professional programs. The university has off-campus centers in Louisville, Harrodsburg, Somerset and Hodgenville with instructional sites in Elizabethtown, Owensboro and Summersville and a full complement of online programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.

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