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MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. (February 10, 2010) – Milligan College will hold its annual Spiritual Renewal Week next week, Feb. 14-21, with special guest Dan Smith, a minister, storyteller and comedian whose work has received national recognition.
The theme of Spiritual Renewal Week this year is “Hide & Seek,” inspired by Colossians 3:3-4. All of the Spiritual Renewal Week events held on the Milligan campus are free and open to the public.
“This week we want to encourage students to take a look inside and desire to change their lives,” said Shannon Slaughter, chairperson of the spiritual life branch of Milligan’s Student Government Association. “We have planned a week of events to remind students that as believers, our lives are hidden in Christ and we must seek Christ before we will meet him in glory.”
The week will begin with a Vespers service on Sunday, Feb. 14, at 9 p.m. in the lower level of Milligan’s Seeger Memorial Chapel. Dr. John Paul Abner, associate professor of occupational therapy and psychology at Milligan, will introduce the “Hide & Seek” theme.
A student storytelling event, titled “What Would Jesus Wear,” will be held on Monday, Feb. 15, at 7 p.m. in Milligan’s McMahan Student Center. Milligan students Christine Goehner, Sarah Green, Kylie Hall, Daniel Ott and Samuel Sheirik will present original monologues, based on Colossians 3.
“Each storyteller has written their monologue as if they are struggling with a particular sin – sexual immorality, lust, evil desires, greed and impurity,” Slaughter said. “At rock bottom, each person realizes that they are missing something in their lives; that is God. As each character starts developing a relationship with God, they begin to clothe themselves with kindness, gentleness, compassion, humility and love.”
Continuing the “Hide & Seek” theme, Dan Smith will speak in Seeger Memorial Chapel at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 16 and Thursday, Feb. 18.
Smith is lead minister at Momentum Christian Church in Garfield Heights, Ohio. His unique approach to preaching includes storytelling, folktales and humor to convey the teachings of Jesus.
Smith’s comedic songs and videos have also earned him widespread recognition. His comedy has been featured on CNN and VH-1. His work has also appeared in “The New York Times” and on Yahoo! In 2007, Smith was recognized by “Cleveland Magazine” as one of Cleveland’s “Most Interesting People,” along with the NBA’s LeBron James.
Smith recently completed a master of arts in storytelling from East Tennessee State University.
In recognition of Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, students will participate in a day of fasting from food and other distractions, such as cell phones and Facebook.
The week will conclude with a student retreat to Ridgecrest Retreat Center in Black Mountain, N.C.
For more information, contact Nathan Flora, campus minister, at 423.461.8748.