Equip Ministries has started a new Bible study featuring local pastors discussing various core principles of Christian belief.
The program, held in Kendall 236A at 8 pm, meets on various Thursdays throughout the semester. Equip currently has several other programs already, and this new study was created to meet a different need the leaders perceived on campus.
Pastor Steve Briix of Pine Ridge Bible Church, who helps lead Equip, said that they wanted to create a place where students could talk about difficult doctrinal differences without dissension.
“We wanted to create a forum where difficult topics could be addressed and people would have a place to practice and model, ‘How do we talk about difficult theological questions and do so in love?’” he said. “That’s the theme of Equip, as well, that we want to provide unity in the body of Christ.”
Sophomore Bryce Asberg, one of Equip’s student leaders, said they have tried to use a unique format for the Thursday meetings.
“Another unique element that’s not being met anywhere else on campus that we know of is that we have as much time devoted to discussion of the presentation as we give to pastors for the presentation,” Asberg said.
Briix and Hillsdale College Chaplain Adam Rick spoke at the first two gatherings. Briix gave a presentation on the authority of Scripture, and Rick discussed the role of tradition in the Christian faith.
The meeting on Sept. 20, however, was different. Mark Huffman, a former church planter in Ukraine, spoke on the importance of global missions. He currently serves as COO of Entrust, a ministry focused on developing leaders around the world. Students had the opportunity to eat dinner with him prior to the meeting to ask questions and hear stories about his ministry. During his presentation that night, he talked about how Christ works in the world.
First, a crisis occurs, Huffman said. The disciples will doubt and despair, but Jesus gives the command to obey. Then, if the disciples do what Jesus says, there will be results. Huffman urged the students to think about how they could apply this to their personal lives.
Equip has a much broader role than their Thursday night study, according to Briix.
“Our role on the campus is we desire to equip students to walk close to the Lord and to know the gifts and abilities He has given them, so they can serve the Lord and have a foundation for a lifetime of serving in the church,” Briix said.
Asberg is excited about how the new Thursday night study has been connecting people.
“We’ve seen a lot of students come in the first few weeks from different grades and different parts of campus,” he said. “It provides an opportunity to get to know and interact with and be encouraged by people you might not have come in contact with otherwise.”
