Residential Life Team Hosts Agape Feast for Students

 Food and Fellowship Bring Community

On September 20th at 9:00 p.m., the Residential Life team hosted an Agape Feast for Union students. Dean Stocks said, “We do a couple of big events this year, and the Agape Feast is our ‘fall feature,’ the biggest event of this semester. It took about six weeks to plan, and we were very happy to use the Atrium of the Don Love building because it’s such a unique setting.” 

After attending family worship at CVC, many students made their way to the Atrium. While waiting for the food to be set out completely, students gathered around sheets spaced out on the ground. Electric candles placed around the room created a perimeter for the feast and provided an ambient glow to the room. 

The feast itself consisted of delicately organized plates of crackers, cheese, and fruits. Hummus and pita bread also supplemented the meal and citrus-flavored water was found at the end of the table. Equipped with plates and company, students found their way back to the makeshift tables to engage in more light conversation until the speaker was introduced.

Marcus Acosta, a new pastor at College View Church, spoke about the importance of having a close relationship with God. Throughout his brief sermon, he touched on the fact that “God wants us to be not only physically healthy but spiritually and emotionally too.” Students listened as he described the tenderness and care that can only come from the Father’s gentle love and how desperately Jesus Christ reaches for us. 

Towards the end of his speech, Pastor Marcus encouraged students to close their eyes and reflect on sources of stress in their lives and to ask God to ease them. He encouraged them to trust in God continually no matter what trials they may encounter. At the end of his message, a guitar was brought out and Marcus led everyone in song. The atrium was filled with the harmony of voices singing “Lord I Need You.” Eyes were closed in reverence and the presence of God was felt instead of seen. 

by Jenna Wilson