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Illuminate Fall 2011: A Semester of Relationships
Throughout this first semester of Illuminate, students were able to experience the reality coming to light. The fall 2011 semester focused on the topic of relationships, with family, roommates, boyfriends/girlfriends, and even marriage. With an awesome praise band leading the way in worship each night, followed by an eye opening relatable lesson, it was difficult for students to miss even a week.
Through the semester the question and answer session nights quickly became a crowd favorite. There were two of these nights this past semester. When students came in they could write any question on a piece of paper anonymously and it would be answered. This was a perfect forum when asking the tricky questions on sex, marriage, and relationships. The first questionnaire night had a panel of a couple married for forty seven years, a couple married for nine years, and a couple married for almost one year. The second night had Zach and Lance going back and forth to answer the questions, the night referred to as “Marriage and sex nuggets”, as it was followed by Chick-fil-a nuggets.
The lessons of Zach Allen, FBC, and Lance Beauchamp, BCM, were always filled with relatable, hilarious tales that somehow always connected with each individual, no matter what they were going through at the time. Crucial topics were discussed as the lessons moved through the ins and outs of every type of relationship, addressing the good, the bad, and the ugly. These leaders are no shy when it comes to the gospel, and the students appreciated the straightforward truths that were delivered each week.
A highlight of the semester for many was the freshman night. This was when the freshman took over and led the night through greeting, writing nametags, and even leading the praise band for the night. Through this act, the upperclassmen felt encouraged to see watch the faith of each freshman shine through. One freshman, Matt Crews, an Exercise Science major, played the drums. When asked why Illuminate, he responded, “I go because I wanted a good Christian organization to get involved with, and the BCM presented illuminate to me. I think it’s a great way to get exactly what I was looking for, which is a convenient (not as in I was too lazy to look anywhere else, but as in how I live on campus, with no car and don’t really have a way to get anywhere) way to connect with Christ and other Christians.” Through this night, freshmen were able to experience how they could get more involved.
After Illuminates there were different activities held for anyone and everyone to attend. From ultimate frisbee on Landis, to hot chocolate and a bon fire behind the BCM, to going to get food with everyone afterwards if there was nothing going on. This was a time to connect with each other through fellowship and a perfect opportunity to invite friends. One junior, Sarah, said “My friend in class would invite me to Illuminate, I never went, but would go to the things after because they were fun with some free food sometimes. Finally I was bored and showed up on night before a game night. I haven’t missed an Illuminate since”.
But why Illuminate?
This was a question that was simply for this group of students to answer, they love it. When asking this question to Grace Tacquard, a junior Social Work major replied, “I go to illuminate to connect with a community that is seeking God together, to worship God, and to have fun.” This is a group of students who have a love and passion for reaching their campus, and they all find Illuminate to be a perfect tool to do so. “Meeting on campus within the union is a perfect place for strangers to walk right in, one time a girl missed her class because she wanted to come” a sophomore explained. Illuminate is seen as fulfilling a new that this campus is desperate for. Each week the attendance slowly grows as one more person takes the leap of faith.
Nick Meyer a senior Management major stated that he goes to “learn how to apply Spiritual truths to college… plus awesome fellowship with friends” Meyer plays trumpet for the Marching Chiefs and is a part of Florida State’s disc golf team. These students range from Nursing to English to Business to Pre-med, involved in internships, sports, jobs, and friends, and still find the time to attend. Why? A freshman showed her heart, “Illuminate is just so easy. After class I can just invite the person sitting next to me. It’s perfect, because I normally fail at sharing my faith. This is easy”.
Missed out on Illuminate this past semester? Make sure you don’t miss out next year in 2012 as we dive into the spring’s theme of “One Semester to Live”. What’s your purpose?
Tuesday nights at 7:00pm.
Moore Auditorium, Ogelsby Union.
Friends. Fellowship. Fun. And sometimes Chick-fil-a nuggets.
Be there.