Chat Rooms
Chat rooms were a great way for students to choose topics that interested them. Great discussions were began in the Chat Rooms and often continued through D-groups and over meals.
Check back soon for reading lists and links to resources.
Chat Rooms are panel discussions and group dialog on relevant topics like social justice, poverty, HIV/AIDS, life between college and grad school, and global activism.
Helping the World Change Itself
The Millenium Development goals represent a global partnership that has grown from the commitments and targets established at the world summits of the 1900s. Responding to the world's main development challenges and to the calls of civil soceity, the MDGs promote poverty reduction, education, maternal health, gender equality, and aim at combating child mortality, AIDS and other diseases. Learn how you can be a part of meeting the world's greatest needs no matter what your vocation.
Panelists: Michelle Tooley, Jason Fileta, John Derrick
I Want That
Well of course you do, and one of each color as well! It's the American way, after all; we may conquer the world by sholling it into submission. With something so tightly woven into our cultural fabric, it's always a good dea to re-examine consumerism, and especially the Christian's part in it.
Panelists: Kathy Whitlow, Andy Watts, Tom Prevost, Nick Foster
Mission (not) Impossible
What does it mean to do full time missions and what does the journey to get ther entail. Hear from those who have been there and done that or are still doing it!
Panelists: Bill Cayard, Lita Sample, Robbi Frankovich, Kim Wyatt
Pray Like a Saint
Ever sat down to listen for God’s call and wondered what to do next? Prayer disciplines help us develop a deeper communication with God. Come learn the “how-tos” of prayer disciplines that have been practiced for hundreds of years and experience prayer in a new way.
Panelists: Alica Kirkpatrick-Bremer, Eileen Campbell-Reed
Staff "Infection"
So, you are thinking about ministry in the local church...and you end up on a church staff. Hear from the voices of experience concerning the Highs and Lows of being on a team of spiritual care givers.
Panelists: Alicia Walker, Charles Qualls, Clarissa Strickland, Amy Mears
Am I the One I’m Waiting For?
“Be the change you want to see in the world.” Ghandi
What can one person do? Plenty! Sometimes it just takes one person, in a particular situation, with a focused vision to make a difference. You’ll hear from and about such people and maybe even catch a vision yourself!
Panelists: Eric Bebber, Suzanah Raffield, Jennifer Gamble, Marnie Fisher-Ingram
Ministering on the Edge and Beyond
What are the possibilities for ministering beyond the walls of the institutional Church? Hear insights and expereinces from those who minister outside the local church.
Panelists: Anna Davis-Hutto, Lisa Nickerson, Scott Lee, Marion Aldridge
Redefining "Poor"
As students we're always complaining about our lack of money and accept any free meal that comes our way. We've all referenced ourselves as "poor college students." But what does it really mean to be poor? Come discover the world's standard of poverty, what scripture says about the poor and what we can do about it.
Panelists: Tom Prevost, Michelle Cayard, Karen Frances, Nick Foster
Tending the Body, Tending the Spirit
Anne Lamott says, "You tend the spirit through the body." Wat does it mean to be healthy in body and how do we do it? Come oin us as we discuss ways to fully respond to God's call by being healthy in body and in spirit.
Panelists: Alica Kirkpatrick-Bremer, Jeremy Lewis
The Designer Church
Seeker...Emergent...Traditional...Mega...Contemporary. Churches seem to be defined as much these days by whose model they follow as by the One they follow. What are you looking for? And if you were to design a church, what would it look like? Let's workshop this idea together and look for clues about the shape of the church of the future.
Panelists: Bo Prosser, Amy Mears, Reggie Blount
The Media and Our Response
How the media shapes, forms, and impacts our view of the world and our response to it.
Panelists: John Pierce, Kate Campbell, Jim Evans
Dating, Mating, and Calling
How do you negotiate being in a relationship and listening to the call of God? Come talk with couples striving to respond to the call of God and maintain a healthy relationship with each other.
Panelists: Scott and Ruth Perkins-Lee, John and Amy Wiles, Lizzie Fortenberry, Eric Bebber
How the World Views Us
Probably a whole lot like you view your rich neighbors - with equal parts of admiration and resentment. What challenges does ministry face in other parts in the world when you show up as a representative of the one and only super poswer left in the world?
Panelists: Laura Cadena, James Frankovich, Anne Burton
Just War or Just Peace?
Christian in origin, Just War Theory has informed the ways nations act in potential conflict situations. The application of Just War Theory has varied between eras and cultures. Discuss how the Christian should think about and respond in times of armed conflict.
Panelists: Michelle Tooley, Jim Evans
Red States, Blue States, Our Future At Stake
With politics becoming more and more defined by conflict and polarization, is there any chance that everyone can get together to do something positive? Or do we HAVE to choose sides? What's a Christian citizen to do ?
Panelists: Jeremy Lewis, Andy Watts, Bryan Phelan
Think Globally, Act Globally
Just because you live in Mississippi doesn’t mean you can’t have an impact in Tunisia…or Ghana…or Singapore! Come learn how to have an impact on needs worldwide, no matter where you live.
Panelists: Marc Wyatt, Bill Cayard, Suzanah Raffield, Jason Fileta, Marni Fisher-Ingram
AIDS: The Leprosy of our Generation
The deadly AIDS virus is sweeping our country and our world. Distance is not an excuse for apathy. We are called to serve those in need, to touch the people society wants nothing to do with. Join us for a discussion on the global AIDS crisis, learn what is being done and what you can do today to help.
Panelists: Taisha Rose, John Derrick, Michelle Tooley
And Your Daughters Will Prophesy...
As a woman, there are often mixed messages about what you can do when answering a call from God. Come meet and dialogue about the journey of several women who have answered that call.
Panelists: Suzanah Raffield, Amy Mears, Amy Derrick, Anne Burton
Houses built on sand
Christianity wrapped in culture. Our worldview is directly shaped by the society and culture in which we live. So too, is our view of religion. How then, do we weed through the cultural traditions, and perspectives that many times have been wrapped around the gospel? Does Christianity transcend culture?
Panelists: Tom Prevost, Jim Evans, Bo Prosser, Kate Campbell
Missions 911
A house burns down in your community, a town is hit by tornados, countries are devastated by a tsunami—when disasters strike – what can we do? Learn how to be prepared to help others on short notice.
Panelists: Rick Samples, Ken Corcoran, Jack Snell
Student Loans and Stuff: The Financial Realities
Facing graduation, evem if it's a few years away, can be a little scary if you're looking at finishing school with a lot of debt. That can have an impact on your calling! Come get some good, solid advice about how to deal with teh financial aspect of your life as you explore calling and mission.
Panelist: Scott Cole
God's Call to the Artist in You
Dance! Sing! Paint! Whatever! God may not have preaching or teaching in mind for you, but something else. Or could it be that we are all really artists, created by the greatest Artist of all?
Panelists: Kate Campbell, John Wiles
The Grassroots? You! And Me!
There are some big problems out there, and ordinary people are needed most to solve them. Grassroots movements are the ones that take place at ground level where everyday folks live and work. We'll identify current movements as well as places where we can all connect.
Panelists: Lisa Nickerson, Brian Phelan, Tom Prevost
Just Do It vs Just "Be"
It's easy to become so focused on the "perfect missions expereince" that we overlook the weak, poor, and hungry around us on our way to minister. Come dialogue with some who are being rather than just doing missions.
Panelists: Taisha Rose, Eileen Campbell-Reed, Eric Bebber, Steve Sexton
Rediscovering Missions
Take a look at Missiology; the purpose and practice of mission work. Explore ethics, colonialism, indigenous ownership, sustainability, secret agents and holistic ministry in missions. What is our role and how is it changing?
Panelists: Jack snell, John Derrick, Michelle Cayard
Shadowing the Church - Our Gay and Lesbian Brothers and Sisters
For some it is a problem, for others simply another challenge for the church and its ministry. How do we faithfully respond to one of the more controversial issues facing us today.
Panelists: Andy Watts, Amy Mears, Bo Prosser
As One
So much to do - and so many organizations doing something about it! Any chance for conflict? Competition? Working at cross purposes? Let's talk about how we can maximize the ifforts of different groups and work together to do the most good. It can be, and is being, done!
Panelists: Jack Snell, Brian Phelan, John Derrick
Called to the World
You want to serve God in your future profession, but you're sensing a call towards medicine, accounting, or the like. Where is God's eternal purpose in a law office or a large corporation? This session will provide you with adivice on being obedient, in any vocational setting, by serving God's people and doing justice in the world.
Panelists: Constance McNeill, Kerry Traynum, Kezia Paul, Steve Sexton, Amy Derrick
Green Christianity
Genesis claims humanity’s “dominion” over creation; what does that mean? This is a practical discussion on caring for God’s creation and understanding the Christian’s call to environmental stewardship and responsibility.
Panelists: Zach Randle, Jeremy Lewis, Michelle Tooley
Identifying “The” Movement
Is the Civil Rights Movement over and done? What is the issue that will define this generation and its concerns? Come share what moves you and your contemporaries as we take a look at current trends and issues that may just now be on the horizon.
Panelists: Reggie Blount, Kate Campbell, Tom Prevost
Women Around the World
All around the world, women contine to struggle for necessities we take for ranted. Hear about the journey of women and the needs they face while discussing what you can do to help.
Panelists: Suzanah Raffield, Lizzie Fortenberry, Anne Burton