His Presence - University of Valley Forge

His Presence

His Presence

The University of Valley Forge (UVF) community is excited to be welcomed back for another term, and to begin a new season of growth. The previous theme of Behold and Become has already blessed the students and faculty with a semester of learning about His Gospel; continuing forward, the focus this semester is His Presence and the mission is to Abide and Live. For the next four months, students will come together to experience God’s presence in their lives in new and exciting ways.

One way UVF has done this is through Sacred Assemblies. Students joined together as a community to worship and to pray in chapel services as small groups, one-on-one, and individually. These Sacred Assemblies strengthened and focused students for the semester ahead, as well as brought a new sense of unity to our school. The week ended with dorm chapel; students met with the other members of their floors to not only spend time together forming connections, but to experience the presence of God in a smaller, more personal, group setting. To keep the momentum going for the rest of the year, great chapel speakers are lined up to encourage, challenge, and guide students to deeper relationships with God and a constant awareness of His voice in their lives.

During the first week of school, Dr. David Dippold and President Kim shared about staying focused on God in a world full of distractions. This past week, Reverend Jennifer Gale delivered a message about the all-important topics of abiding and rest. Matthew 11:28-30 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (NIV). Everyone has burdens placed on themselves, she taught, but they allow people to recognize that they need God. Once they have done so, they can cast off their burdens to take up His. A yoke is still an instrument of work, but the burden is shared with Jesus.

This semester, the University of Valley Forge’s continuing prayer is for spiritual focus and growth, and the students’ enthusiasm for God and His presence has already filled the campus with hope and energy. Students and faculty alike are eagerly looking forward to a fruitful season and successful semester ahead!

Check out recent chapel broadcasts here!