Columbia International University’s annual two-day commemoration of its core value of Evangelical Unity was a bit different this year.

While Evangelical Unity at CIU is defined as “accepting other Christians of evangelical conviction, regardless of denominational or theological affinity, for purposes of fellowship, encouragement, edification and ministry,” a popular CIU professor discussed unity in marriage.  

Longtime Intercultural Studies Professor Dr. David Cashin, who was delivering his last Chapel message before retiring, addressed unity in marriage. He discussed how the marriage covenant that a man and a woman make in their vows, is reflective of Jesus Christ and his bride, the Church. Noting that brides and grooms are too distracted on their wedding day to pay attention to the vows they make, he even had the student body recite the traditional wedding vows in unison; first the men, then the women.

Additionally, he pointed out that the Bible begins with a wedding (Adam and Eve) and ends with another wedding (the marriage supper of the Lamb), and how this demonstrates the importance of healthy relationships between husbands and wives.

CIU junior Joey Christensen appreciated that Cashin “gave so much practical advice about marriage, and conveyed the importance of what we say when we make those vows.”

Meanwhile, Evangelical Unity Week guest speaker Dr. Charnika Elliott discussed “building up” the Kingdom. She talked about her own experience in founding a Christian school and related it to the subject of following God’s calling for your life instead of simply “doing your own thing.”

Elliott is an educator, entrepreneur, life coach and author.

Watch the Evangelical Unity Week messages on CIU's YouTube channel, or listen on CIU's podcast page. 

CIU is celebrating 100 years of its mission to “educate people from a biblical worldview to impact the nations with the message of Christ.” The university consistently ranks among the Top Regional Universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report, as well as a Best Value Regional University in the South. Apply now or request information on enrollment by contacting Admissions at (803) 807-5024 or admissions@ciu.edu.