Loving in the Grey: This Semester’s First In-Person Chapel

    The kickstart to Andrews University’s in-person chapel programs saw attendees gathering together into the familiar PMC sanctuary. Under the Center for Faith Engagement’s larger semester theme “Love is Life,” the sub-theme for the week was “Loving in the Grey.” With the new and beautifully designed University Faith app, registration for in-person seating was made quick and easy. Social distancing protocols limited the amount of attendees to 200, but even so the room hummed with the sounds of students filling in the designated seats.
    Rather than a typical praise set, the program began with a serene and intimate song rendered by student Joel Wallace (MA in youth & young adult ministry). Janae Mitchell (junior, biology) commented, “The music soloist had an amazing voice, and the song he wrote was beautiful.” Wallace’s moving lyrics and peaceful melodies created an atmosphere of calm as the speaker, Dr. Harold Smith, took the stage. He shared a harrowing tale about his experiences doing mission work in Alaska. He spoke about facing temperatures such as -55℉ without the necessary jackets and outerwear. His only hopes of making it back home depended on his team of sled dogs and, of course, God’s grace.
    Dr. Smith’s therapy dog and former leader of the sled dogs, Trigger, energetically bounded on stage. With Trigger standing by his side, and the use of a real-life dog sled, Dr. Smith painted a stirring picture of God’s guidance in leading the dogs through the snowy tundra right back to Dr. Smith’s house, just in the nick of time. Jel Tamayo (senior, nutrition, dietetics) summed it up, saying, “Dr. Smith had a really great story to tell. It was amazing how God directed his dogs to bring him back home. I think it’s one of the ways God shows us His love, by showing it through people, places, things, and even pets.”
    It was clear that the gravity of Dr. Smith’s message resonated with many of the attendees, reminding them of God’s dependability. Shelby Huse (junior, nutrition, dietetics) shared, “A message that I took from chapel is that when we’ve exhausted every attempt at saving ourselves, God uses things, even dogs, to do miracles in our lives; things that are far beyond our comprehension. The best thing we can do is trust that God will work everything out, even when we don’t see a clear path in front of us.”
    If this past Thursday’s chapel is any indication, the in-person programs promise to be a meaningful and engaging experience for students. In-person chapel continues next Thursday, February 4, as the Center for Faith Engagement puts on a program celebrating the beginning of Black History Month. Be sure to pre-register through the University Faith app.