“The Wesleyan Disciples program brings a diverse group of women together in such a unique way. We focus on common ground and learn from each other. It’s just exciting. As a Wesleyan student, I have really grown in my faith.”
Wesleyan Disciples, a Christian group of students committed to faith and service, are disciples of Jesus Christ and they agree to be Wesleyan Disciples with the following obligations:
- To plan and lead Sunday Chapel and all other worship services during the year.
- To participate weekly with the chaplain in a 50 minute theological or biblical study.
- To be involved in servant leadership through The Lane Center for Community Engagement and Service or in a chosen volunteer work.
- To be an example of health and wellness with special reference to personal habits
Students who commit themselves to the Wesleyan Disciples are rewarded with $1,000 scholarships.
Complementing the outstanding academic program at Wesleyan, this new faith and service scholarship program invigorates the campus. At the heart of what some students consider “a pretty progressive faith program” is Campus Chaplain and Director of Church Relations Reverend William Hurdle.
“It is exciting to watch today’s students grow spiritually and witness publicly in their own way, “ said Reverend Hurdle. “Last year, twenty-four Disciples were awarded $1,000 scholarships honoring their commitment to theological study and servant leadership.”
The newly established Wesleyan Disciples program was tailored to be a Christian group over-arched by three characteristics: interdenominational, inter-racial, and international. In 2005, the group started with six students who were awarded $500 scholarships for participation in the Wesleyan Disciples program. They each signed a contract with the following four provisions: Spiritual Formation (participation in all Christian witness opportunities on campus), Intentional Study (weekly study with the chaplain of the Bible or specific Christian theological question), Servant Leadership (volunteer service with a United Methodist agency or through Wesleyan’s Lane Center for Community Engagement, and Health and Wellness (practice a healthy lifestyle).
Immediately successful, the program grew to fourteen students by its second year. Currently the group boasts twenty-four members and scholarships have doubled. Last year, each of the twenty-four participants received a $1000 scholarship for their commitment to faith and service. The students lead on-campus worship services on Sunday evenings, plan family worship services during orientation and family weekends, and are adamant about the value of the Wesleyan Disciple experience.
“(Wesleyan Disciples) has brought a diverse group of Wesleyan women from different classes, majors, and denominations together and allowed us to get to know others that have the same values and beliefs. I have really enjoyed the group and I feel it has enhanced my Wesleyan experience overall,” remarked student Micah Wilson. “It has allowed me to grow in my spiritual life and in my Wesleyan life within the community here by participating in events and service projects."
According to Wesleyan Disciple Melinda Fitzgerald, "Reverend Hurdle is very in touch with what's going on with students today. We discuss current events and he puts a lot of thought into worship planning and tries to plan a variety of speakers and groups that address issues and concerns we have…and he's always ready to try something new or different.”
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