David F. Evans, Ph.D., candidate for EMS faculty position in Mission, Intercultural and Interfaith Studies, preaches from Mark 1:9-15

Professor Evans is a Post-Doctoral Fellow in the History of Christianity at The Drew Theological School. He has academic degrees from Spring Arbor College in Michigan, Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., and Drew University in New Jersey. Professor Evans is interested in how white

Protestant American forms of Christianity have been perceived through the eyes/experiences of people who live in the national, religious, and racial margins of the United States. He is currently working on a project exploring Methodist missionaries’ perception of Italian immigrants in early twentieth-century America as racial others.

In addition to his appointment at Drew University Theological School, Dr. Evans serves as a pastor for the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.

In a personal statement offered to the search committee, Dr. Evans describes growing up in fragmented settings that led to attending Baptist, Roman Catholic, and Lutheran churches. As a teenager lost in various destructive circumstances, he drew strength from biblical teaching he remembered hearing as a boy in a revivalist camp. He then moved into new life as he cried out to Jesus, “Help me.”

At Spring Arbor College he learned the importance of community to the Christian walk. After college he attended Washington (D.C.) Community Fellowship, where he learned of the Anabaptist emphasis on discipleship. Several years of serving with Mennonite Central Committee deepened his understanding that to follow Christ is to promote justice and serve others.

The entire campus community is invited to every chapel worship service on campus. Eastern Mennonite Seminary hosts chapel gatherings in Martin Chapel every Tuesday and Thursday; EMU Campus Ministries hosts chapel gatherings every Wednesday and Friday in Lehman Auditorium. Specifics and occasional changes are noted in individual chapel listings.

 Feb. 28, 2012 David Evans Seminary Chapel [40:18] Play Now | Play in Popup

The good news of the Bible is not only about what we have been saved from, but also what we have been saved for – something to do with God’s plan to provide for the poor. This plan can be traced from an obscure law about bread in the biblical book of Exodus. Listen to explore and test this text.

Shaun Groves is a communicator who’s known by a lot of titles: Singer/songwriter. Speaker. Blogger. Husband. Daddy. Friend. He feels and thinks deeply and laughs easily. And he’s helping Christians discover what they were saved for, and being a voice for children around the world, desperate to be saved from poverty.

 Feb. 16, 2012 Shaun Groves SLW Chapel Gathering [36:44] Play Now | Play in Popup

Referencing Hebrews 11:1-16, Eastern Mennonite Seminary Dean Dr. Michael King reflects and expands on some comments made by Dr. Walter Brueggeman, plenary speaker for this year’s School for Leadership Training in January.

In “Preaching as Re-imagination,” Brueggemann writes, “It is my conviction that neither old liberal ideologies nor old conservative certitudes nor critical claims made for the Bible will now do.  Our circumstance permits and requires the preacher to do something we have not been permitted or required to do before.  Ours is an awesome opportunity: to see whether this text, with all of our interpretive inclinations, can voice and offer reality in a re-described way that is credible and evocative of a new humanness, rooted in holiness and practiced in neighborliness.”

 Feb. 14, 2012 Michael King Chapel [31:19] Play Now | Play in Popup

Rev. D. Dennis Perry grew up in Harrisonburg.  He graduated from JMU, received his MDiv from Eastern Mennonite Seminary, and then his DMin from Wesley Theological seminary.  He has served churches in Page County, Rockingham County, and in the suburbs of Richmond, Virginia.  He is currently Lead Pastor at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Alexandria, VA.

Rev. Perry is joined  by Naeem Baig, VP for Public Affairs at the Islamic Circle of North America.  Established in 1968, the ICNA  was a response to the growing need for a supportive Muslim community in North America.  ICNA has worked to establish connections between Islam and the public, collaborating with numerous Muslim organizations to reach this end.  ICNA also works closely with many national interfaith organizations for the betterment of society.

The two became friends when Rev. Perry’s church opened its doors to their Muslim neighbors.  They have been featured on “The Daily Show with John Stewart.”

 Feb. 9, 2012 Dennis Perry, Naeem Baig [30:44] Play Now | Play in Popup

Dr. Anil Solanki, EMS Adjunct Professor of Old Testament and Minister in the United Church of Christ, preaches from  Luke 1:46-55, the Magnificat.

 Feb. 2, 2012 Anil Solanki [30:39] Play Now | Play in Popup

Chapel Gathering in the Seminary participates in the annual celebration of the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.” The service utilizes an Ecumenical order of Worship, designed this year by churches in Poland, reflecting from their own history of partition and victory over oppression.

Chapel Gathering services held in Martin Chapel at Eastern Mennonite Seminary are planned by the Seminary community but open to all.

 Jan.24, 2012 Prayers for Christian Unity [22:38] Play Now | Play in Popup

In this Chapel Gathering service  in the Seminary, Dr. Jerry Holsopple  reflects on Mary, the mother of Jesus, in the context of his sabbatical year spent in Lithuania.  Dr. Holsopple is Professor of Visual and Communication Arts at EMU.

Chapel Gathering services held in Martin Chapel at Eastern Mennonite Seminary are planned by the Seminary community but open to all.

 Jan. 12, 2012 Jerry Holsopple [37:20] Play Now | Play in Popup

Dr. Lonnie Yoder, Eastern Mennonite Seminary Associate Dean, offers the Spring semester convocation address for  Chapel Gathering at the Seminary

Chapel Gathering services held in Martin Chapel at Eastern Mennonite Seminary are planned by the Seminary community but open to all.

 Jan. 10, 2012 Seminary Convocation [33:23] Play Now | Play in Popup

Adam Blagg is an EMS seminary student and Pastor of Glossbrenner UMC, Churchville, VA.

Chapel Gathering services held in Martin Chapel at Eastern Mennonite Seminary are planned by the Seminary community but open to all.

 Dec. 6, 2011 Adam Blagg [25:54] Play Now | Play in Popup

Steve Schumm, Assistant Pastor at Community Mennonite Church, Harrrisonburg, reflects on Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, and Hebrews 1:1-4, 4:12-13

 Nov. 29, 2011 Steve Schumm [18:36] Play Now | Play in Popup