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Campus News

Christmas Prism Concert

Prism Concert 2023
Prism - Courtesy - Houghton University Instagram
by Aivery Schuck ('26)

It is that time of year again when Houghton University (HU) hosts the annual Christmas Prism Concert. So mark your calendars for this Friday and Saturday! 

Prism is a Houghton Christmas tradition that celebrates the festive season with music, joy and reflection. 

“The annual event started as a way to bring the community together to kick-off the Advent and Christmas season, with the intention to make the message of  Christ’s birth accessible to the larger community,” Senior Director of Community Engagement Phyllis Gaerte explained. She added that “Christmas is a time when many people are more open to the Gospel story than any other time of the year.”

It is a great opportunity for community members, Houghton students and people traveling from out of town to see the wonderful production conducted by HU’s music department. This year’s 2024 show is called “What Child Is This?” 

Emma Podobinski ‘27, a choir student participating in the concert, said that “Prism is a collective concert from many of the music ensembles on campus. You can expect many festive pieces from the choirs, orchestras, and smaller student groups! There will be some known and loved carols, but also some unique Christmas pieces! There will be scripture readings following the story of Christmas as well.” 

Audiences are invited to sing along to some pieces. 

All of the students and faculty participating in the show have been rehearsing in their individual ensembles long before the Christmas season even began. All of the performers have been working hard to prepare. 

Susannah Denham ‘26, a member of the Houghton choir, encourages audiences to “listen carefully to the words in the pieces being performed, and even in the carols you may be singing in the audience.”

“These lyrics are often rich and deep,” she added. 

Denham mentioned a verse in “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” that speaks about “erasing Adam’s image from us and being reinstated in Christ’s love.”  She added that even pieces with no lyrics “glorify God in their beauty and excellence.”

When asked how much the Prism concert impacts the Hougton community, Director of Student Engagement Jana Newberry said that “it is a beautiful moment in the typically hectic season, it calls us to slow down, despite all the work and effort that goes into the performance, and celebrate music and joy. Even if it’s just one night where we can sit and listen and participate in the true spirit of the Christmas season, it’s worth it!”

After Friday’s performance, the Campus Activities Board will be hosting the After Prism Gala in the Center for the Arts atrium from 9:15 p.m. to 11 p.m. ★

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Campus News

Christmas Arts and Craft Fair

Christmas Craft Fair
Christmas Craft Fair - Courtesy Houghton University Instagram
by Kelsey Curtis ('27)

Each year, Houghton University holds a Christmas Arts and Crafts Fair in the final weeks of the fall semester. Vendors from surrounding areas will share their crafts in the Reinhold Campus Center (CC) next Friday. 

Although the University Community Engagement Center sponsors the event, student interns help organize it. This year’s interns include Rileigh Studley ‘25, Marjorie Gassler ‘25 and Lilly Turner ‘25.

Studley and Gassler highlighted a few changes to the fair from past years. First, Studley shared that student artists will be playing live music from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. 

Although it is a small change, Studley believes it “will provide some extra holiday cheer for the craft fair.” 

Gassler emphasized a large change to the craft sale’s layout. She shared that in past years, to accommodate more vendors, some tables were placed in the CC basement. But unfortunately, they got a lot less traffic because not everyone realized there were more booths downstairs. This year, all vendors will be on the first floor of the CC so that everyone has an equal chance to see more customers. 

Gassler and Studley expressed excitement for the event, not only as planners but also as participants. Both agreed that the fair is a great way of bringing the community together, especially “to get local artists connected with students,” said Gassler. 

Studley added that it provides a way for “our student body to support local businesses and entrepreneurs.”

Gassler reflected that helping plan the fair was useful because it “is a great way for me to apply what I have learned in my interpersonal and organizational communication and social media marketing coursework.”

As students attending the fair, they are excited about different aspects of it. 

Studley said she looks forward to “listening to the Christmas music playing, sipping on a hot chocolate, and walking around looking at all of the cool products people have made!” 

Gassler finds the fair is a great place to do Christmas shopping and loves supporting local artists and other students.

This year, over 50 vendors are participating in the fair.  A vast variety of crafts will be sold “from baked goods to jewelry, to art, to alpaca socks” and “from pottery to baklava to goat’s milk skincare products.” 

Studley said it is their “hope that there will be something for everyone!” 

There will also be some student vendors located in the Encore Suite. Hannah Fish ‘27 will be a student vendor and expressed her excitement for the event. Fish began making ceramics in her senior year of high school and is excited to share what she’s made. She will sell mugs, garden planters, jewelry platters, “juice-box cups” and more. 

Fish also participated in the Harvestival Craft Sale this Fall, which was her first time having a table alone. She said that she was initially nervous, but “everyone [was] so supportive, excited, and curious” that it was hard to be anxious during the sale. 

“I’m making things I enjoy making,” Fish shared, “and I love Christmas and gift-giving so the fair helps me share unique handmade gifts, and I get to buy some too!” 

She hopes to continue participating in craft sales like those at HU.

The Christmas Arts and Crafts Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. ★

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Stories In Focus

Grace Vuolo

by Rebecca Dailey ('25)

Grace Vuolo, a recent graduate from the Houghton University class of 2024, is gearing up to release her debut single between Christmas and New Year’s. “Congratulations”,  an Indie pop track, featuring a hint of punk influence and showcases Vuolo’s growth both as a songwriter and performer.

“I write all my songs from experience,” said Vuolo, reflecting on the inspiration behind her new single. “I wrote this song after realizing that I needed to start taking care of myself instead of just being the peacekeeper I had always been. I had let others control my life and knew it was time for a change.”

The song’s themes of self-empowerment and personal growth are a central part of Vuolo’s music, which she hopes will resonate deeply with her listeners. 

“I’ve been singing since I was a toddler, and I’ve been songwriting since I was five years old, although I started seriously at twelve and singing at fourteen.” She added that “Music has always been my expressive outlet, and I hope that my songs help others feel seen and hopeful.”

Vuolo’s journey in music has been a long one, but she advises anyone interested in pursuing music to keep going, no matter the challenges. “If you love it, don’t give up! The road to success isn’t always clear, but passion and persistence matters more than anything,” she shared. Her goal is to provide others with a means of self-expression, and she encourages young artists to think about the impact their music can have on others.

“Congratulations” will be available on all major streaming platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify and YouTube. Vuolo performs under the stage name “Ian.”

Adding to the excitement surrounding the release, Vuolo has also directed the music video for the single, featuring fellow student Alaska Dunstan ‘25. Dunstan, who plays a role in the video, spoke about the unique experience. 

“This is my first time acting, and it’s been so exciting!” Dunstan said. “I’ve never worked with film before, so it’s been fascinating to see how everything works. Grace has been amazing in guiding the visuals, and we’ve had a lot of fun in the process.” She noted that the set was full of energy and laughter, a refreshing balance to the serious work of bringing the video to life.

Dr. Sharon Johnson praised Vuolo for her maturity and growth. “Grace has an incredible ability to light up a stage, whether she’s performing as a singer or actor,” she said. “It’s been a joy to watch her grow, not just as a musician, but as a person.”

With the upcoming release of “Congratulations”, Vuolo is not only marking a significant milestone in her career but also offering a piece of her heart and journey to all. Listeners can expect a song that’s both introspective and anthemic, a reflection of the artist’s evolution as she steps confidently into the spotlight. ★

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Columns

Jesus Freak Album Review

Written By: Nate Newcomer (’28)

Are you a Christian? Do you like music? Do you possess a pulse? If you answered yes, you should check out the 1995 album Jesus Freak by DC Talk. Back in the ’90s, when rock ruled the world of contemporary Christian music, one of the biggest names in the game was DC Talk, consisting of TobyMac, Michael Tait, and Kevin Max. In 1995, they released Jesus Freak, which many (including myself) consider the greatest Christian rock–nay, the greatest Christian music album of all time. Just ask your parents–if they were Christian teenagers in the ‘90s, they probably knew about this album.

Jesus Freak starts strong with “So Help Me God,” a straight-up rock song asking God to help us put our faith in Him instead of the world. Next is “Colored People,” which observes the “beauty in the tones of our skin,” and calls for a turn from ignorance and toward God. Following this is the titular song “Jesus Freak,” a rock song that takes pride in rebelling against the world and following Jesus no matter what people say. The album slows down musically with “What if I Stumble?”, a ballad that will resonate with anyone questioning their faith. It picks up again with “Day by Day,” a plea to grow closer to God, before taking a break for “Mrs. Morgan,” a brief anecdote from a woman who lived next to DC Talk’s recording studio. After this interlude is “Between You and Me,” a melodic, acoustic guitar-driven song about repentance and forgiveness. The album returns to rock with “Like It, Love It, Need It,” a song declaring that we can only find peace of mind in God, not the things of this world. The goofier side of the trio shines through in “Jesus Freak – Reprise,” a cover of “Jesus Freak” that will catch you off-guard on your first listen. Next is my personal favorite song not just on the album, but possibly of all time, “In the Light.” This acoustic song is a passionate cry to be like Jesus but and be with Him someday too. The album winds down with “What Have We Become?”, a darker, moody song examining the hate, greed, and hypocrisy that has befallen the world. “Mind’s Eye,” the final song on the album, explores faith in an unseen God and imagining being with Him. The album closes with “Alas, My Love,” a poem written and spoken by Kevin Max with neat, almost orchestral background music accompanying it.

From the first song to the closing poem, Jesus Freak is flawless. Lyrically, this album is clever, honest, amusing, raw, and insightful. (The titular song in particular has some of the most clever lyrics I’ve heard on this side of Steve Taylor. Go listen to him, too.) Its themes of racism, sin, and shamelessly living out the gospel still apply as much today as they did nearly thirty years ago. Stylistically, this album was (and in my opinion still is) unprecedented. Songs such as “So Help Me God,” “Jesus Freak,” and “Like It, Love It, Need It,” expertly fuse elements of hip hop/rap with rock and roll– an unheard-of combination at the time, and one that I have still yet to hear anywhere else. In addition to its rock/rap hybrid songs, there are a few acoustic songs sprinkled in with “What If I Stumble?”, “Between You and Me,” and “In the Light.” There truly is something here for everyone. Musically, this album is sensational. Grungy electric guitar, soulful acoustic guitar, funky bass, peppy drums, and even a solid mandolin solo can all be found here. Vocally, Jesus Freak is similarly unmatched. TobyMac, Michael Tait, and Kevin Max all have fantastic voices (the latter two especially) and they let none of their talent go to waste. The three singers harmonize excellently and two-to-three-part harmonies are frequent on the album. Psalm 33:3 instructs us to “Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.” And boy, did DC Talk live out that verse with this album. Jesus Freak offers 13 new, groundbreaking, and extremely skillfully crafted songs. So the next time you’ve got an hour of spare time, I highly encourage you to listen to DC Talk’s Jesus Freak. From its timeless lyrics to its excellent sound and everything in between (and I do mean everything), this album is simply amazing and unlike anything else in the world of Christian music. ★

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Campus News

Hymn Sing Returns

Mercy Seat
Mercy Seat - courtesy of Kaitlyn Avery
by Susannah Denham ('26)

In Fall of ’23, Mercy Seat hosted a hymn sing. 

Linden Foster ’27 described it as, “a group of roughly two dozen students, faculty, and community members. We sang a mix of contemporary and traditional hymns, some accompanied by Pastor [David] Huizenga on keyboard, and some sung acapella.” 

In addition, Dr. Benjamin Lipscomb mentioned, “People called out songs they wanted to try, and most of the time there was a critical mass of people who knew the songs well enough to bring the rest along.” Rhythm instruments (cajon and shakers) and a guitar were also available if anyone wanted to use them. 

Attendees appreciated how the event brought together people from all ages and different walks of life. Dr. Lipscomb described it as a beautiful intergenerational mix of older people, who were anchors of the Houghton community, and students.

Many people also learned new hymns or arrangements. Josephine Lipscomb ‘25, familiar with the Mennonite hymnals, was introduced to new hymns she didn’t know from the Wesleyan hymnal, and Joshua Armstrong ’26 remembered singing “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” in a different way. Foster also appreciated singing a variety of hymns.

Mercy Seat Ministries runs several events throughout the semester, most notably “The Cry” (24 hours of worship in the Van Dyk Lounge the weekend before finals), and organizes weeknight worship on campus at 8 p.m. in the chapel basement. Led by a different team each night, the worship has a relaxed environment and small numbers.

This Monday, Mercy Seat Ministries will host another hymn sing in the chapel basement at 7:30 p.m. Similar to the previous year, two types of hymnals will be supplied: the Wesleyan hymnals used in chapel and hymnals recently used by Sojourners Mennonite Fellowship in Belfast, NY. 

“This isn’t what people might think of when they hear hymn sing,” explained Lipscomb, “we’re not sitting in pews singing along with an organ. We’re sitting in a circle, in an informal setting, singing songs you might usually hear led on an organ.”

Dr. Lipscomb noticed the responsibility for worship created during last year’s hymn sing. It was, “something that the smaller numbers and more intimate space (and lack of amplification) facilitated: we were in no way carried along by an act of worship that didn’t need us. 

“For better or worse, a message of much large-scale worship is, ‘the leaders will be up here worshiping; join in if you like.’ But if the people gathered in the undercroft that night hadn’t sung out, then the act of worship wouldn’t have happened. 

“That night’s worship was whatever we collectively made it: unpolished but vigorous in a way that often doesn’t happen when you’re leaning on the band,” he said.

Worship music genre (usually hymns vs. contemporary Christian music) is not a new debate in the Church. Mercy Seat does not want to continue that debate but offers multiple types and formats of worship in the Houghton community. There are benefits and drawbacks to different styles, and their hope is that students can create and find what helps them worship. 

Foster noted that worship preferences often depend on how people were brought up. 

“I was raised in a traditional church where we sang hymns accompanied by either organ or piano,” Foster said. “Because of this, I find it really difficult to connect with contemporary Christian music. From my point of view, hymns generally better represent orthodox theology in their text and are more straightforward to sing along to. I understand that many people were raised on contemporary and feel the same way about that style of music.”

One of the great appeals of hymnody is the history and tradition behind it. Armstrong believes that “hymns are a part of our past and we miss out on something when we neglect them.”

Mercy Seat encourages people to attend the hymn sing even if they are not familiar with hymns, are not comfortable sight reading music, or are not used to the environment. It’s important to try or at least experience different styles of worship music, though it may be a step outside of your comfort zone. Sometimes it can be, as Dr. Lipscomb said, “good to have the responsibility pushed onto us.” ★

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Campus News

Growing Housing Competition

Houghton Townhouses
Townhouses - courtesy of Kaitlyn Avery
by Taylor Pascoe ('26)

Due to the 10% growth in student attendance over the past two years, Houghton University’s upperclassmen housing will continue to become more competitive in the years to come. Housing demands have increased since the university experienced two larger incoming classes in 2023 and 2024. 

Currently, the university offers two men’s and two women’s dorm halls and townhouses adjacent to campus. Additionally, upperclassmen students have the option of off-campus living, which is based on availability and spots filled through renters in the nearby community. 

Townhouse residents live more independently. The townhouses offer 216 beds, with nearly 200 students filling them as of Fall 2024. Although townhouses are more commonly viewed as upperclassmen housing, some sophomores reside in the townhouses as well. Townhouses are based on availability and credit hours earned, making it more competitive to secure a house. 

Elena Esh ‘27 resides with sophomores in one of the Hazlett townhouses. Esh confirmed the competitive process and how her group secured a house. After missing the deadline, she heard of an opening with the requirement that they would need a full house of eight people to be considered. Esh and her friends sought out the remaining people they would need and applied. Shortly after, they were approved. 

Esh said that there were “multiple reasons” for her wanting to live in a townhouse. Due to having more people nearby, her own space and after having experienced a friend’s townhouse the previous year, it was overall “just a better experience.” 

Similar to townhouses where you live with other people and share common spaces, off-campus housing differs because you don’t choose who you live with. These spaces also don’t have the community-like feel that the townhouses bring with other student neighbors and specific townhouse events. 

Off-campus housing is approved by the school but is under an apartment renter’s ownership, meaning the student needs to contact the owner to see if spots are available. Per school policy, they offer 15-25 spots per year to students and who must have a minimum of 90 credits. This policy is set to encourage the majority of students to live on campus. 

Senior Tabitha Clark ‘24 is a resident of an off-campus housing apartment. Clark switched from townhouses to off-campus housing for different reasons, but mainly due to money and convenience. She said “It’s a lot cheaper” and “It’s closer to campus and I don’t have a car,” which made  the switch that much more appealing. 

The university used to offer the flats to upperclassmen as another option, but this stopped when enrollment decreased in the 2000s. Katie Breitigan, Dean of Students and Director of Residence Life and Housing, said the vision for having more exclusive upperclassmen housing is to offer students more “independent living” in their “different stages” of life as underclassmen and upperclassmen. She further said that upperclassmen housing is seen as more of a “launching for life” because it allows students to live more independently, which prepares them for life after college. 

When asked if she saw the upperclassmen housing options becoming more competitive in the future, Katie confirmed saying, “It’s already been competitive.” 

Students with 90 credits applying for off-campus will be at a disadvantage to any student who has more credits than them because those students will get first rights. Off-campus housing is highly competitive because students are competing with each other, faculty, community members and graduate students as well to get a spot. 

Although housing needs have changed, Katie confirmed that the townhouses and off-campus housing will continue to be available options for living and that the university is working to provide “consistent” living conditions for students. ★

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Stories In Focus

Rallying the Den

by Bethany Tubman (’25)

The sports marketing club failed to recharter, and the leaderless Den (the affectionate name for the student sections) grew silent at games. 

“It was the summer before my junior year,” Tymber Wynn, a senior on the women’s basketball team, remembered. “Selah and I were just texting, saying we are tired of people never coming to games, and we just want to make it fun.” 

Wynn and Selah Kurtz (a 2024 Houghton University graduate) made an Instagram account in the summer of 2023 that cultivated a community of spirited Houghton students who would support the Houghton athletic community on and off the field. When asked how the name “Lander Nation” was chosen, Wynn enthusiastically said, “We literally did a poll on Instagram asking what people wanted it to be called! The name Lander Nation came from Carlee Miller, and people voted on that!” 

In the Fall semester of 2023, Lander Nation made its presence felt by the Houghton athletic community as they planned, hosted and promoted events like tailgates before games and themed spirit nights during games. The Instagram account caught the eye of the Head Men’s Basketball Coach, Jeremy Bialek. 

“We as coaches can try to get students excited about what we are doing or our teams, but when students are excited, it’s contagious, and that is what I saw from Lander Nation. It was very contagious,” he attested. 

Tricia Carmer, a sophomore on the women’s basketball team, said playing in the basketball games as a freshman and seeing the support of students taking part in their themed game nights inspired her. For Carmer, Lander Nation ignites campus spirit in and out of games. Carmer joined Wynn as Lander Nation continues pursuing the unique aim of reigniting Houghton school spirit and communal student support of athletic ventures. 

Lander Nation faced challenges as they worked in the Spring 2024 semester to become a university-recognized club in the upcoming Fall 2024 semester. Kurtz graduated in 2024, and Wynn and Carmer lacked knowledge about club development. According to Wynn, they turned to Coach Bialek and Director of Student Engagement Jana Newberry for guidance. Their support was instrumental in Lander Nation’s journey, she said. 

Coach Bialek suggested that he and Newberry helped Wynn and Carmer find a way to adopt the structure of the Sports Marketing Club into Lander Nation. This provided a new flair to sports marketing on campus. 

Carmer said this year, the club will focus on Basketball season because she and Wynn (both basketball players) are the only ones in the club. However, she hopes that if students enjoy the basketball season events, they will be interested in expanding the club’s reach.

When asked what they were most looking forward to for the 2024-2025 school year, Coach Bialek, Wynn and Carmer shared excitement for the Lander Nation shirts they are designing. 

Coach Bialek attested he was excited about the growth that the Den will see as Lander Nation provides more student Leadership through Den Days (these will be days students will be encouraged to go to games of the sport Lander Nation is trying to highlight at that time) and themed basketball game nights.

“I just encourage students to try it out. Go to a game. See what being part of the student section is like and maybe get some free shirts out of it,” said Coach Bialek. ★

Categories
National News

2024 Presidential Election

American Flag
American Flag - Courtesy of Unsplash Luke Michael 
by Danielle Skinner ('27)

The 2024 presidential election took many people by surprise in one way or another. From President Joe R. Biden, Jr.’s withdrawal and endorsement of Vice President Kamala D. Harris to assassination attempts on former President Donald J. Trump to two disastrous debates with two different candidates, the chaos of this election never seemed to stop.

Trump gained 312 electoral votes compared to Harris’ 226; 270 electoral votes are required to win an election. Looking at the popular vote, Trump had 75,457,103 votes, which is over 3 million more than Harris’ 72,314,659. Jill Stein, of the Green Party won the most third party votes, with 730,939 votes, about 0.5% of the popular vote. 

This year, approximately 244 million Americans were eligible to vote with around 150 million voting, compared to over 158 million in the 2020 presidential election (Bipartisan Policy Center). 

The swing states of Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Nevada and Arizona played a key role in this year’s election. These states leaned Republican, deciding Trump’s victory. Not only did Trump win over all the swing states, he also kept all the states that he held in 2020.

Trump will take office on January 20, 2025 making him the second president to serve two non-consecutive terms; the first being Grover Cleveland in 1892. At 78 years old, Trump will be one of the two oldest presidents in US history by the end of his term, and the only president to be elected after being impeached. Additionally, he won the most decisive Republican victory since George H. W. Bush in 1988. 

In her concession speech, Harris asked Democrats to accept the results of the election, “When we lose an election, we accept the results,” and presented a message of a peaceful transfer of power, stating that she “would not give up the fight.” 

Politics and Philosophy major Raychel Yost ‘27 expressed an important message that echoes the atmosphere of the election, “Don’t let your political identity overshadow your Christian identity, and don’t let the election disrupt your relationship with people. If politics is keeping you from loving your neighbor, something is wrong.” ★

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Campus News

Lyric Theatre: She Loves Me!

Lyric Theater - She Loves Me
Lyric Theater - Courtesy of - Hannah Sturdivant
by Jiana Martin ('26)

Tonight at 7:30 p.m. the Lyric Theatre will perform “She Loves Me” (its second of four shows) in Houghton Academy’s  Tysinger Auditorium. 

“She Loves Me” is a warm and charming romantic comedy – music by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick and a book by Joe Masteroff – set in a 1930s European perfumery owned by Mr. Maraczek.

Professor Amanda Cox, Director of Houghton’s Lyric Theatre, explained, “It is actually based on the same Hungarian play (“Parfumerie” by Miklos Laszlo) that inspired three movies, including the beloved film “You’ve Got Mail” starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks.”

The story follows two shop clerks, Amalia Balash and Georg Nowack, who initially cannot stand each other. After responding to a “lonely heart’s advertisement” in the newspaper, they are delighted and look forward the love letters they exchange. However, they do not realize they are corresponding with each other.

“I have had the most wonderful time directing this musical,” Cox added, “many of the roles are double cast and it has been such a joy to see each actor bring their own personality and choices to the role.” 

Cox chose this production because it is her favorite musical and she had been waiting for the right time to put it on. She has played the role of Amalia twice and finds it to be a beautiful experience directing it now.

Emily Quick ‘23 is one of the two actresses playing the smart, hardworking, funny, and sometimes unhinged Amalia. 

“I see a lot of myself in Amalia, so it’s been so much fun getting to portray a character that’s already very similar to me,” Quick commented. “It’s been great getting to explore such a relatable character who feels such a wide range of complicated emotions.”

Despite the challenges, she has enjoyed working with a double cast because it is fun to see how the characters vary depending on who’s performing. 

Professor Benjamin Lipscomb,  one of the two actors who play Mr. Maraczek, expressed, “It’s been a delight to work with students I already knew (and some I didn’t) as a collaborator.” 

As he prepares for the show, Lipscomb has reflected on his character’s paternal relationship with the men working under him. He considers it essential to establish the relationship early on; otherwise, Mr. Maracek could come across as a jerk when he is stressed and irritated.

Emily Hanes ‘26, who plays Miss Illona Ritter, has enjoyed the opportunities to share fun moments with the cast. 

“Even though we’ve had a lot of late nights, it truly is a joy to be able to do this show with all of these wonderful people,” Hanes stated. “It’s been a big blessing!”

Her favorite part of bringing her character to life has been exploring Illona’s journey from doubt and insecurity to finding love and herself. 

“She starts off unsure of herself, caught in shallow relationships, but by the end, she finds her own voice and realizes she deserves true happiness,” Hanes explained.  

Audiences can count on an enjoyable evening of laughter and smiling tears.

“The story is so fun, the characters hilarious and engaging, and the music is wonderful and will stick in your hearts and minds for days!” concluded Cox. 

“She Loves Me” will perform a 2 p.m. matinee tomorrow, with a final performance at 7:30 p.m. that same night. ★

Categories
Stories In Focus

Salvation Army Student Fellowship

by Logan Caroll ('26)

The Salvation Army was created when William and Catherine Booth saw the poverty stricken people in the slums of London and felt a calling from God to minister to them. In 1865, the Booths created the Christian Mission. The mission was simple: help those in poverty physically, and then share the gospel and connect them with local churches. However, local churches treated the poor as outcasts and didn’t want them in their congregations. So, in 1878, William and Catherine decided that if other churches wouldn’t accept these people, they would start a church that would welcome them. Borrowing from the popular military language of the time, the Booths set their church up like an army, with its mission to be a church for people other churches forgot about.

The Salvation Army Student Fellowship (SASF) at Houghton University connects students with this same mission, providing opportunities for service and ministry in a local setting.  

Upon hearing “Salvation Army,” it is common to think about thrift stores and Christmas time bell-ringers; however, it is more than that. At a basic level, it is a church. 

Judith Rapley, Houghton Board of Trustees member and former SASF member, stated, “The Salvation Army is more than just a church, it has the ability to touch the whole person from soup and soap to salvation.” 

Rapley refers to the motto of William Booth: soup, soap and salvation. He firmly believed that if people are to be open to hearing the gospel, they need to have their physical needs met. 

The Salvation Army and the SASF have maintained Booth’s commitment to meeting both physical and spiritual needs. Houghton’s SASF partners with the Salvation Army in Wellsville to provide ways of meeting these needs in a local community setting through service opportunities such as nursing home visitation, food distribution, Christmas assistance and more. 

Each opportunity offered allows Christians to act on their faith as Jesus commands in Matthew 25:40 (NIV): “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” 

The SASF provides the space for students across denominational lines to partner together in ministry. 

Emily Stothart, SASF director and pastor of the Wellsville Salvation Army, said, “The SASF is a place where students of all backgrounds come together to serve. While some of our students attend the Salvation Army as their church, not all do, which is a great thing. It allows us to learn from those with different denomination backgrounds, and it allows those who don’t attend The Army to see that no matter where they end up, there is a church they know they can volunteer at to serve their local community.” 

Houghton students have long prided themselves as being “scholar-servants,” and the SASF also provides avenues for servanthood post-graduation. The Salvation Army exists across the US, as well as over 135 countries, allowing many service opportunities far beyond the reach of Houghton’s campus.

Rapley stated, “The Salvation Army has opportunities to serve around the world… because of the network I made through the SASF, I was able to serve after graduation.” 

Brynn Dixon ‘25, SASF President, encouraged people to check out SASF on CampusGroups. 

“We have our Christmas Campaign coming up which means lots of opportunities to volunteer in the community,” Dixon said. “So if you have a few hours to spare and want to help out come stop by the SASF office and chat with us! Even if you don’t think there’s something for you to do we can always help you find something that you’ll like and enjoy doing! And it helps the community!” ★