CIU celebrates Black History Month; Emphasizes Evangelical Unity

Columbia International University celebrated Black History Month with three chapel messages dedicated to the theme of Evangelical Unity, a CIU core value.

Lively worship music from CIU’s Gospel Choir led off the celebration as guest speaker Dr. Billy Bennett, pastor of New Life Church in Dalzell, South Carolina centered his messages on John 17 and Ephesians 4:1-6.  Each day, he urged the students, faculty and staff  to not be satisfied with the progress made in uniting all ethnicities as there will always be work to be done this side of heaven. 

Noting that Jesus prayed for unity among believers in John 17, Bennett reminded believers that they “have the responsibility to be the answer to Jesus’ prayer.” He also said that our prayers should be modeled after Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane as he asked first for God the Father to strengthen him for His purposes and then prayed for the good of present and future peoples. 

In this same way, Bennett said believers should orient their focus on God to allow His will to work in their lives and bring good to other people. He concluded with Ephesians 1:10, which says believers are one under Jesus, as He came to dwell among us “to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.”

International Community Development major Bess Grimes said she appreciates the cultural diversity in the student body. 

“As Dr. Bennett said in his sermon, we cannot stay comfortable, that we must continue working toward evangelical unity,” Grimes said. “I am thankful and blessed by the cross-cultural friendships I have cultivated during my time at the university, and I hope that many other students are blessed the same way.” 

Of the Gospel Choir-led worship services, Grimes added, “I am glad to have experienced the lively worship that is a different style than what I am accustomed to. It helps me, and other students, to realize there are other styles of worship out there.” 

Vice President of CIU’s African American Student Association, Coral Curry, called the celebration “one for the books” as it was very “impactful for the entirety of the CIU community.” 

“While the week was a success, it is important that we uplift Black voices every day of the year and continue to stay relevant in the fight of equality for all,” Curry added. 

Hear the Black History Week messages on CIU’s podcast site.  

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