ASPIRE at Hastings College held a Faith Advisory Council retreat last week on campus. ASPIRE is the Academy of Student Preachers Inspiring Religious Engagement, which is funded by a grant, and the Faith Advisory Council provides support and input to the program.
This was the first in-person retreat for the group, which held its inaugural meeting online in the fall.
The council, which includes 12 members split between the Presbyteries in a five-state region, discussed the various aspects of the ASPIRE program and offered suggestions and feedback, and brainstormed about the best practices around young adult and collegiate ministry.
Individuals in attendance also recorded sermons that focus on digital media and pop culture for the ASPIRE digital sermon library, which can be found at hcaspire.org, and previewed Bible board games that could be used in classroom or church settings.
ASPIRE is currently accepting applications for Open Call, its summer program for high school students, at hastings.edu/opencall, and registrations for its Compelling Preaching Conference, which is for Presbyterian preachers and alumni preachers, local pastors, christian ministry and seminary students, at hastings.edu/preaching.
Members of the Faith Advisory Council include:
- Rev. Greg Allen-Pickett, pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Hastings
- Rev. Megan Berry, pastor at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Madison, Wisconsi
- Rev. Doodle Harris, Hastings College chaplain
- Rev. Nathan Lamb, pastor at Manchester Presbyterian Church, Manchester, Iowa
- Audra Leichleiter, founder of Leichleiter Designs
- Rev. Eddie Mariel, pastor at Lexington Presbyterian Church in Lexington, Nebraska
- Rev. Gregg Miller, pastor at Fort Calhoun Presbyterian Church, Fort Calhoun, Nebraska
- Rev. Sandra Nichols, pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Topeka, Kansas
- Rev. Lauren Peters, pastor, coach and founder of “The Feastings Table” in Lincoln, Nebraska
- Rev. Dr. Jimmy Shelbourn, pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Lincoln, Nebraska
- Rev. Randy Smith, pastor at Alum Rock United Methodist Church in San Jose, California
- Rev. Sara Sutter, pastor and director of the Lakeshore Center in Okoboji, Iowa
In addition to council members who were able to attend, Dr. Rich Lloyd, president of Hastings College; Dr. Wayne Riggs, Hastings College vice president of academic affairs; and Dr. Kittie Grace, associate dean for academic and student affairs and communications professor, participated in some sessions and provided insight into college-aged students.
Hastings College is a four-year residential college that focuses on student academic and extracurricular achievement. Discover more at hastings.edu.
