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University Ministries & the Center for Worship
A Time to Break Silence
 2008–09 Staff |
Welcome to a new year! I’m convinced that God’s Spirit is moving in this place, and all of us are invited to join this incredible story that God is writing at SPU and around the world.
What is the “Kingdom of God”? First of all, it’s a promise that one day love will win and God’s creation (including us) will be healed and restored. As God’s people today, we can join hands and proclaim this great hope to the world by living that kingdom here and now. In all of our worship services and discipleship programs this year, we’ll be learning how to live as God’s people. Please join us!
We’re also excited to show you this four-year plan for
our Chapel program at SPU (you'll find a link at the bottom of this page). This is the journey we’re on together!
—Dr. Stephen Michael Newby and the staff of
University Ministries and The Center for Worship
The Kingdom and the Gospel
"The Kingdom of God" is both our message and our way of life.
The scriptural vision of God’s kingdom is the foundation of our hope. As God’s people, we’re waiting for the fulfillment of God’s promise to redeem the world and bring the kingdom to this place. Throughout the Scriptures, we are reminded to watch for the coming Day of the Lord — a day when evil itself will be judged, and life will be vindicated and established forever.
But even as we wait for the coming redemption of the world, we share the incredible good news (gospel) that God’s kingdom has come to this place, seen best in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He is the firstborn of God’s new creation. The same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead now lives and moves in us, healing our hearts and relationships, and making it possible for us to live for the blessing of the world.
As the Church today, our mission is to make God’s kingdom visible on earth, living a gospel of radical love, justice, and community for all people. This is the embodied gospel — profoundly good news for our lives, families, communities, and world.