Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, January 29, 1995 TAG: 9501300008
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: FRANCES STEBBINS
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Long
Obviously, the Rev. Dr. Sterling Brackett, president, said last Sunday, a student congregation needed regular worship. For members of the pentecostal group, a denominational Bible college is the equivalent of seminary in some other Christian bodies. The 10 or so professors at New Life Foursquare Church, reached from Virginia 8 just south of the Interstate 81 interchange, are all ordained. They lead classes during weekday mornings and worship services at 10:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sundays. There's also a Wednesday ``prayer and praise'' service at 7 p.m.
Starting about five years ago, people like architect David Shanks and his family began attending New Life Foursquare's student services. Once an Episcopalian, Shanks said he first encountered ``spirit-filled'' worship with its upbeat, simple hymns based firmly on Scripture, its prayers for healing and its energetic young people as part of the Cursillo renewal movement. In time, one of his five children, who liked the youth group at the college, brought him and his wife into active leadership in the new congregation.
Today, according to Brackett, at least 80 non-college folk regularly support New Life in addition to 100 or so collegians who come from throughout the eastern United States and the Midwest.
On last Sunday's bitterly cold morning, more than 175 worshipers of all ages nearly filled the temporary meeting place - the college cafeteria, which can be quickly converted from its customary use. They spent about 90 minutes singing, praying for the healing of the bodily and spiritually sick and listening to Brackett preach what he called an unusual sermon on ``Giving.''
Brackett is not always the preacher at New Life. Though as president of the college he is considered the chief pastor, he shares worship leadership with several other faculty members. Both he and his wife, Wanda, also teach.
Last Sunday, the Rev. Loren Schweibert, who teaches classes in Old and New Testament as well as family counseling, commented on the anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade decision of the U.S. Supreme Court which legalized abortion. Saying the ``killing of 30 million little children grieves my heart,'' Schweibert asked the congregation to pray, not only that the decision will be nullified, but also that anti-abortionist protesters will refrain from violence. He also expressed faith in the healing of Vi Galyean, a former director of the New River Valley's Crisis Pregnancy Center, who is seriously ill.
Students were just back from their mid-term holiday. Like collegians at the New River Valley's larger state-supported schools, they represented a cultural and ethnic mix. They and the worshipers of all ages from the outside community sang heartily from the well-worn 1977 hymnal of the Foursquare Church two favorite hymns, ``O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing'' and ``Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus.'' Several other spiritual songs were clearly from the Christian renewal movement. They were flashed on the wall and their choruses repeated several times as many worshipers raised their hands in praise or even prostrated themselves on the floor during the fervent prayers.
Early into the service, Brackett asked any who wished the laying on of hands to indicate their need. A dozen or so responded. Each then was surrounded where he or she sat by several members of the congregation who placed hands on the heads of the troubled as Brackett intoned, ``And the power of faith shall heal the sick. ... I curse this bone cancer. ... God is healing. ... They are recovering.''
After this, Kim Weitcamp, with electronic accompaniment, presented ``Amazing Grace'' as a solo in gospel style. New Life Foursquare has a grand piano for accompanying congregational singing, but there was no choral group last week, as is almost standard in Holy Spirit churches.
Brackett, in his half-hour message on giving, took part of the time to point out that ministers always make some folk angry and embarrassed when they discuss money. He asserted that he wasn't begging on behalf of the college but that believers in the Christian tradition know that ``the tithe is specific but an offering is general.'' Foursquare members are strongly encouraged to set aside one-tenth of their income to Christ's work and to manage their money in a way that gives honor to God as the source of everything worthwhile.
``We're generous givers,'' Brackett said after the service. He noted that within the next year, the congregation expects to be out of the cafeteria and in a simple but adequate new building near the present administration quarters. Moreover, it will be paid for before occupancy, since money has been set aside for several years.
New Life Foursquare is part of a national denomination founded in 1927 by Aimee Semple McPherson in California. Women have always been accorded full leadership status, Brackett said. It joins Evangel Foursquare of Roanoke as one of only two Foursquare groups nearby. A third is being developed in Salem.
Sunday Sojourner appears monthly in the New River Current. Its purpose is not to promote a particular point of view but to inform readers of a variety of worship styles.
by CNB