As One unites campus Christian ministries

As One, the coming-together of the students involved in the many different GCSU campus ministries, held its annual gathering last week to celebrate their love for the almighty Lord.
The event took place in Magnolia Ballroom on Oct. 2-4.  The event included prayer, speakers, performances and videos to express the love of Christ.  The mood of the celebration was one of closeness, and of trust and belief.
“This is an atmosphere to allow people to feel closer to Jesus Christ,” said As One Spiritual Leader Erik Gotrich.  “An atmosphere of worship, to help us unify under His name.”
During the three-day event, students sat all over the floor of Magnolia Ballroom, offering prayers, singing songs and hymns and otherwise praising the Lord.  Though they started seated, when the music began, the crowd rose as one and sang along.
The theme of the overall As One experience was to create fellowship between all GCSU Christians as Jesus had intended.  In John 17:20-24, Jesus prayed for all believers, saying that he hopes they can all love God, as God loved them before they ever existed (see sidebar for full verse).
Monday emphasized the theme of unity by having group prayer and prayer requests.  There were around 120 people present for those two hours.  Afterwards, there was a pizza social near the campus Chik-Fil-A, and Christian singer Paul Reeves entertained.
On Tuesday night, Jeff Simmons, a Minister who formed a new church in Milledgeville with a large student congregation, spoke on how important it is that all Christians love God, and that they must love each other.
“Love god, love people,” Simmons said.  “Everything else builds on that.  Agree and say, I’m going to love God, and I’m going to love you.  This is what being one is all about.”
Simmons also spoke of what Christians must do to “mature” in order to achieve perfect unity.  He compared the journey of becoming an independent Christian to being a child.
“New Christians are very dependent on other Christians,” Simmons said.  “The second step (Christians) are a little more independent, and sometimes become a little more selfish about it.  The third step, most people never get to.  It’s interdependence.  It’s not really about me, but about what God wants to do through me.”
Praise of the Prodigal also took to the stage on Tuesday night, and led the crowd in singing nearly a dozen songs of praise.  The group also performed on Wednesday night.
Gotrich spoke that night about temptation and about the power of God.
“If you’re really serious about God,” Gotrich said, “you seek him everyday.”
Dancers, actors and artists also showed their love for the Lord during the Wednesday night meeting.
After the worship sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday, students broke into smaller groups to discuss the proceedings of that night, and to further discuss God or to pray.
As One was founded in 2005 by Nick Bruner, now a GCSU alumnus.  The goal was to break down the barriers between different denominations, and to celebrate the Lord.
The mixing of the different groups was a rousing success, and now Gotrich has bigger plans for As One.
“Last year’s goal was to combine ministries,” Gotrich said.  “This year, we’re looking to combine all people.”
According to Gotrich, almost 10 percent of the GCSU population showed up at As One over the three nights.
Simmons was very impressed with the number of students present at the event.
“The people sang, not because they were wonderful, but because they worshiped You,” he said in prayer.  “It’s a wonderful, wonderful expression of love.”
Many students who attended As One were also impressed with the turnout.
“It was amazing to see young college students so passionate about the Lord,” said Doris Tandongfor, a freshman nursing major.  “I’m glad I got to know this crew early in college.”
As One is student led, and all funding comes from donations.  Local churches, personal contacts and different individuals contributed money.  Some students even gave their Hope Scholarship book money.
“We’re not sponsored by any group,” said Shannon Thompson, a junior history major, and student intern at The Wesley Foundation.  “(As One) is sponsored by God, and God alone.”

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Oct 13 2006. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry