Both religious and non-religious people can have a calling — but there’s a difference in discovering you have talent and giving that talent to God, said Ben Mandrell, president and CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources at the final chapel program for fall semester at the University of Mobile.
“Far more important than your talent, your skill or your degree is the purity of your heart before God. If you have talent and heart, God can do incredible things through you,” he said at the Nov. 6 chapel program in Ram Hall.
Mandrell urged students to take time apart from the busyness of college life to tend to their heart and soul.
‘Keep your relationship with Jesus alive’
“College is one of the most difficult periods of life, because there’s so much work and fun,” he said. “Take time for yourself; keep your relationship with Jesus alive. Take time to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
He encouraged students: “Take care of your heart and make sure it’s right before God.”
At UM’s first chapel of the semester, about 500 students received new Christian Standard Bibles, thanks to a generous gift from Lifeway Christian Resources. UM President Charles Smith opened the Fall Semester chapel series in August with a message on Psalm 23.
Weekly chapel services are a central part of the University of Mobile’s culture of discipleship and leadership development. The hour-long chapel services feature sermons, lectures or panel discussions on pressing issues. Each chapel begins with prayer and a time of praise and worship led by UM’s Worship Collective student ensemble.
Speakers throughout the semester included pastors and ministry leaders from across Southern Baptist life, including Dr. Charles Smith, president of the University of Mobile, Shane Pruitt, national director of next-gen evangelism with the North American Mission Board and Rick Lance, executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Kathy Dean and originally published by the University of Mobile.
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