The first full week of February, African American History Month, featured a sermon series from pastor and Columbia International University alumnus Ronnie Stanley, as well as worship led by the African American Student Association. The chapels presented a great opportunity for African American representation in leading corporate worship.

Stanley, the pastor of Mount Olive Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., centered the message of his sermons around the phrase “One man, one people, one praise.” He emphasized the unity of all believers under Christ, who has “made the two groups one … reconciling both of them to God through the cross” (Ephesians 2:14,16). Stanley used the Apostle Paul’s words to infer the everlasting connection and union between all people groups, no matter how great the difference.

Stanley then shared encouragement through his experience as a CIU student, expressing that he was able to get past feelings of loneliness and displacement through God’s grace as well as support from trusted CIU professors. He also touched on the importance of gratitude, stating that when Christians understand where and who they used to be, it “makes them extremely grateful for what God has done for them.”

The worship music, led by the talented trio of Jonathan Josey, Candice Brailsford, and Ellie Christensen, featured gospel-style music delivered with exceptional energy and joy.

“It’s been really good to reflect on what the Lord has been doing in my heart,” said Josey, describing what it meant to lead worship for Black History Week. “I also love gospel music, and I think it's great to be able to provide it to people who may not listen to it on a regular basis.”

“It’s not about the music, it’s not about us, it’s not about the crowd,” Christensen added. “It’s about Jesus and celebrating what He has done for us.”

Listen to the Black History Week Chapels on CIU’s podcasts at Spotify.

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