1998-1999 Cedarville College Annual Report

C learly, chapel is not the only way that Cedarville students pursue a heart for God. The abundance of voluntary student groups for discipleship, Bible study, and prayer reveals that students have a sincere drive to know and serve our Lord better. Seekers Approximately 250 students are involved in Seekers, a student-led discipleship opportunity. Small groups of participants meet weekly to hold each other accountable in Scripture study and application. "Chapel had a huge impact on me while I was a student at Cedarville," shared Joy Fagan, instructor of Spanish and Christian education and framework provider for the Seekers program, "but it was a commitment to having quality time with God that has sustained me. Chapel will provide a foundation for students, but ten years down the road, it is the daily time with God in His Word that will help students persevere through the tough times." Prayer Force As a weekly prayer partnership for female students, faculty, and staff, Prayer Force has set three goals: pray for revival in personal lives, the campus, the country, and the world; serve the campus through prayer and encouragement; and build unity between Christian women. Group Leader Rachel Reno, a senior secondary English education major from Edmond, Okla., remarked, "It is exciting to see the encouragement, energy, and dedication this year's women have towards praying for others in the College family." FIRE by Prayer Elijah's Fire Junior preseminary Bible major Eric Wentz (Midland, Mich.) witnessed the powerful impact of Prayer Force and, as a freshman, was convicted by the Holy Spirit to begin a similar group for campus men. Now known as Elijah's Fire, the group involves approximately 120 men who meet weekly in small groups for prayer and accountability. Senior preseminary Bible major Ryan Sparzak (Syracuse, N .Y. ) shared, "We are hoping [the concept of Elijah's Fire] will spread nationally. We hope the guys will take this ... wherever they go." FIRE by Prayer, which stands for Finally It (the Gospel) Reaches Everyone by Prayer, concentrates on prayer for unreached people groups. Students pray that God would call missionaries to these people groups, provide Scripture translation, and begin Bible-believing churches. Group Coordinator Jeanne Moynihan, a senior biology major from Waterford, Conn., explained, "Our goal is that God would move on all our hearts to have compassion and to pray for those who do not have the gospel available to them in their 'heart language.' In addition, our prayer is that the Lord of the harvest would send forth laborers into the field (Matthew 9:38). As we encourage ourselves and fellow students to truly apply this verse, we are asking the Holy Spirit to show us what our part could be for these unreached people."