Forum: Spitual Life Week

October 23, 2012 Forum No comments

The Spiritual Life Week forum took place in Founders Hall at 11a.m. on Tuesday, October 16, 2012.  It was entitled “Between the Mountains and the Trees: A Biblical Geography of Hope,” and was delivered by Hal Shrader, pastor of Trinity Mennonite Church in Glendale, Arizona.  Shrader was introduced by Tig, campus pastor, and proceeded with a Prezi presentation about how people like Jesus, but avoid church.  He explained a little bit about himself, and in doing so, admitted that this was his first time in Ohio.  He grew up on a farm and was not Mennonite, but Shrader said, “I decided to be Mennonite in my heart.”  He settled on Trinity Mennonite Church, a much different experience than his first with a Mennonite church because the community was very welcoming.  “I was so in love with what was going on,” said Shrader.  At his church, he said a goal was to “build bridges” between people and the church.  He believed people need hope, and that they can find peace in drawing connections between chapters of the Bible.  Shrader analyzed chapters of the Bible, such as Genesis and Isaiah, and connected their messages of hope.  One revealed the hope of light, the other, the hope of restoring good.  His message was well received by students, and provided insight to be reflected on during the remainder of Spiritual Life Week at Bluffton.

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