The Chapel Deacon Program was originated by John Brittain, Dean Jordan’s predecessor, and continues to flourish many years later. This year, the chapel deacons are Daniel Hodge ‘18, Silas Philbrick ’19, Alanna Paris ’18, Miranda Hayes ’19, James McLean ’19, and Joshua Emel ’21.
Miranda Hayes ’19 applied for the chapel deacon position after being prompted by Houghton representatives from Campus Target, a missions organization based in Lima, New York. “I applied for this position because it was something that God had laid on my heart in the middle of my sophomore year,” she said. “After pushing it aside for a whole semester, pretending that I couldn’t hear the clear calling that he had put on my heart, I finally applied after speaking with a couple of Houghton representatives from Campus Target. They encouraged me and helped me to better understand that God will use my feelings of inadequacy through this experience. I’ve always had a passion for loving people, so the idea of being in a position that could open doors for me to invest in others sounded intriguing to me.”
For Silas Philbrick ’19, the position was attractive because he felt it would enable him to both grow and be challenged in his faith. “It’s also a good opportunity to meet with the other deacons during our small group time to talk and pray about things going on on campus,” he said. “I am hoping this position will help me to be more bold in my faith. I’m excited to be able to lead a campus-wide spiritual life project that will, with God’s guidance, impact many people.”
Throughout the semester, the chapel deacons are required to coordinate and execute a spiritual life project on campus. In the past, students have planned worship services, fundraisers, coffeehouses, Bible and book studies, dorm events, and more.
After spending a semester in Costa Rica, Alanna Paris ’18 discovered a new interest in how other cultures perceive Christianity. “This semester, I would love to have some of the international students on campus host a coffeehouse or in some way speak up about how they perceived Christianity up to coming to Houghton, and what made them want to interact with Christianity here.” Paris is passionate about unpacking “the real story of Christianity abroad, not the one we’re fed.”
Joshua Emel ’21 would like to see the community “come together” and encourage one another in Christ. Daniel Hodge ’18 is interested “systemically” in “helping people become aware” of “the internal and external forces that can destroy us, or bring us together.” “I would like to see people step out of their comfort zones, and to have the strength to do that,” he said.
Dean Jordan centers the program on mentorship, inviting the deacons to meet with him once a week for a one-on-one conversation. “John Brittain more often had students plan actual chapel programming, whereas I do a bit more of a mentoring focus,” Jordan said. “Rather than help to plan chapel, I like giving students a chance to think a bit more widely about campus spiritual life and plan some sort of program that helps spiritual life on campus.”
Hayes holds her deacon position as both a privilege and a responsibility. “As my own faith growth is an important goal for my position as chapel deacon, so is the faith of other Houghton students,” she said. “I would really like to use this experience to see others challenge themselves in their faith as well by working together to be involved in the spiritual life on campus.”
Philbrick hopes this semester is one of dedication and commitment for the chapel deacons. “I am hoping that this year’s chapel deacons can be prayer warriors for Houghton College,” he said. “I hope that every time we meet we can discuss the events that are happening on campus and pray for those that are hurting as well as the overall wellness of our campus, our community, and our nation. I would like to see that when events that threaten to cause division within our community, be resolved through the grace and peace of Christ.”