By Lauryn Green

As High Point University students strive to find a sense of belonging, many students have found theirs in chapel. HPU chapel holds weekly services on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. and Sundays at 8:00 p.m.

The Rev. Preston Davis derives inspiration for his messages based on what he feels will help college students lead constructive lives.

“One, is it helping people live lives that they’re going to be proud of or that’s worthy of God?” Davis said. “But two, I hope that we get to do things in chapel that people may not get to do at a local church.”

Part of this includes allowing students to talk about subjects that are otherwise avoided in local churches. Davis says having these open dialogues helps students value authenticity and not feel ashamed to say what is on their hearts.

Many students who attend chapel have been involved since their freshman year. They say they especially embrace the friendly and peaceful community that the chapel provides.

Students who regularly attend chapel encourage others to join as it can help them discover their identities.

“A lot of people crave community, but they don’t know where to find it,” said Sophie Carter, a senior at HPU. “But you can find your identity in Christ, Christ-like people or people who are striving to imitate Christ in every single thing that they do.”

Other students who attend chapel say they acquire wisdom from studying the Bible and listening to the sermons. In a world where it can be difficult not to worry about how others perceive them, some students look to people in the Bible as role models.

“Having models in the Bible of people who just pour themselves out to Jesus without caring about that is really good for us to look at,” said Taylor Cox, a sophomore at HPU.

As the semester comes to an end, the chapel community says they are proud of the progress they have made and hope to continue to evolve going forward.

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For more information on the HPU chapel services, please visit the HPU website under Worship Services.

Lauryn Green is a a junior at High Point University majoring in Journalism. For contact inquiries, please email lgreen@highpoint.edu.