HSU Students REVAMP
Student body president Jessica Jones wanted to do something that would have a lasting imprint on student life at the university during her term, but what? "Most things presidents accomplish are temporal; and temporary," said Jones, "and I have felt called to use my position to pursue something more. However, the only change that will have an impact forever is a change of the heart." REVAMP, the vehicle for that fundamental change, emerged after countless hours of prayer, brainstorming, and planning.
"REVAMP is essentially a worship festival with teaching that is meant to facilitate a head to head encounter with purpose in life, which we believe stems from an encounter with Christ," explained Jones. Not a revival in any traditional sense, REVAMP is a viral means for accomplishing what one speaker at a gathering cannot, "The way we see the outcome is this: even if only 50 students were passionately changed by serving outside of themselves through REVAMP, they would be equipped to take that change into the community, serving and loving and working for those in need. This, in turn, will change lives, inspiring more and more people toward the cause of something bigger than themselves," said Jones.
The fire in Jones' heart is matched only by the statement of purpose for REVAMP, "It is a movement initiated by HSU students who are determined to set ablaze the heart and soul of their campus, the Abilene community and the world at large with the united, impassioned pursuit of Christ Jesus, the Savior of the world. Our far-sighted vision is to break down the barriers of complacency, half-hearted commitment, and unholy fear to achieve a revolution and manifestation of perfect unity (John 17:22-26) and unconditional conviction. Our near-sighted mission is to provide a worship festival and challenging messages over five days to ignite the contagious passion for purposeful living under Christ."
Commitment and purpose have been reinforced by working to finance the festival without support from the University. Students have held fund-raisers, car-hopped at local drive-ins, written letters for support, gone door to door asking for spare change in dormitories, and approached churches and alumni for wisdom and support.
The festival begins Wednesday, 22 Oct, and goes through Sunday. The venue is impressive. The stage will be set at the campus side of the Logsdon complex, facing the long walkway that extends to the clock tower. Bands and speakers are coordinated to keep the energy high. The schedule looks like this:
22 Oct - 8:00 p.m. Worship leaders The Journey and Look to the Sky, speaker Jake
Topper. The evening should close at 10:15 p.m.
23 Oct - 8:00 p.m. Worship leader Close Your Eyes, speaker Tim Palmer. Worship
continues
Until 10:30 p.m.
24 Oct - 6:00 p.m. Worship leaders Mandi Holmes, Brenton Downdy & Band, and Klinch,
Speaker Jason Mannon. Things should wrap by 11:00
25 Oct - 11:00 a.m. Worship leaders RevAmp Choir and No Limitz P&W, speaker Dr.
Kelvin Kelley. After a break for the HSU football
game, the fest picks up at 6:00 p.m. with worship
leaders Sparrow Fly, Klinch, and Joel
Hawkins, and speakers Dr. Kelvin Kelley, Lee
Sheppard, and Jason Mannon. The evening
should close at 11:00 p.m.
26 Oct - 3:00 p.m. Worship leaders No Limitz P&W and speader Lee Sheppard. Close at
6:00 p.m.
The worship festival is remarkable and ambitious, and was planned, funded, and organized in only two months. The students involved are representative of the entire university; no group on campus has a monopoly on the event. "We want every area to be involved and every person, especially those who don't have anything on campus to call their own, to feel welcome."
Jones wants the whole community to show up and take advantage of this free, blessed and extraordinary event. "It was the most far-fetched dream that was next to impossible. It became a calling, and in turn, is now a reality. We are the tomorrow of Abilene and the world, and must set a precedent that will not simply serve ourselves but leave a lasting mark on the hearts of many."
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