By Jessica Abels
COMMERCE, Texas--After the closure of Ambassador, and being thrust into a new environment at Texas A&M, students found something they could create and call their own--a WCG worship service.
Of the nearly 70 Ambassador students who transferred to Texas A&M, about 35 regularly attend and participate in what we call Ambassador Student Ministry.
As I asked my fellow students about our little Commerce campus congregation, a common theme emerged, a strong sense of identity. Everyone was insistent on referring to the service as "our church."
This small student ministry is special for several reasons.
Most of us grew up in the WCG. Our whole lives we were expected to attend church, whether in our church areas or at Ambassador.
It wasn't until we came to Texas A&M--Commerce, with no easily accessible worship service, that some realized something important was missing.
The nearest WCG service was in Dallas, one hour away, but not everyone had transportation and could make these services.
Several tried going to a Methodist church and a Baptist Student Ministry small group. These were nice services, but as Joe Shipman said: "It just wasn't the same. I didn't feel like I belonged."
We wanted a place with familiar faces, songs we knew and teachings we believed in.
Collective worship is vital. This is especially true since we changed from an environment where we were surrounded by others who believed similar things to a new, diverse school. It is nice to have a safe haven filled with friends, familiar songs and common backgrounds.
A void needed to be filled. We missed it, we wanted it, so we created it.
We arranged a meeting for all former Ambassador students to see if there was enough interest to have a local church service. We were joined by Arnold Clauson, pastor of the Paris, Sherman and Dallas North, Texas, churches.
The students were excited about our project, and I was asked to organize the services. I asked a few friends to help out, and we had our first service a week after the Feast.
We meet in a room at the student center, and start services at 1:30 p.m., so we can rest from a draining week of studying.
The Commerce church is entirely student run. Students prepare the bulletin, pick out hymns, schedule special music, lead the song service and intercessory prayer, and set up the sound system.
Joanne Kurnik accompanies hymns on a small keyboard. She said: "I have never felt so at home in church."
Sabrina Lai said: "It's neat to see your friends involved in the service. We see each other all week, but it is different on Saturdays. We aren't rushed between classes, but rather we are all there to worship God."
Sometimes we use a donated set of Ross Jutsum praise and worship CDs for accompaniment. Other weeks we enjoy live performances by a newly formed band called Free Reign.
We have received a lot of support from neighboring areas. The Big Sandy church supplied 50 hymnals, several microphones and speakers. The Paris church gave us contemporary praise song pamphlets.
A WCG minister meets with us about three weeks a month. We adopted Jeb Egbert of Big Sandy as our honorary minister.
We are open to anyone on campus. Several students have invited friends to come, and they have attended ever since.
Niall Quinlin suggests that people feel comfortable joining our fellowship because we don't beg people to attend. People are already hanging out with us and see love and friendship. It is casual and open.
Dianne Soare summed it up: "We think of it as our church because we participated in its creation and participate in the services. It is inspiring what can happen where we desire to include God in our lives."
Jan. 27, 1998, WN, page 7
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