Heart of Worship

Posted on November 7, 2025 by adrienneorris

Sitting in the chapel through one of my favorite campus events – 24 Hour Worship. Why is it my favorite event? It includes everyone!

This is an event that has possibly the most participation from campus wide students- 112 students playing and 36 different sets this year. The number of students that come to worship is so hard to track since students come and go but well over 600 students come and go throughout the time. My favorite part is that it is such a mix of music styles, accompaniments and participation that it showcases the unity in the body of Christ for worship. Truly embodying making a joyful noise to the Lord. As I watch sets change hands as the next set starts and students remaining in the spirit of keeping the worship continuous, it maintains the heart of the idea that was birthed 8 years ago. It surprises me that there are more students in the chapel at 3AM than 3PM and this event continues to strengthen the worship community on campus.

There is never a moment that there is not a gathering of students in the chapel throughout the 24 hours with so many students filing in and filing out, supporting friends and strangers. Students in sleeping bags and blankets in the balcony remaining in the chapel throughout the 24 hours, seeking the Lord, standing to worship, journaling, reading. The presence of Christ is eminent and strong and shows the spiritual thirst of students on campus.

Your greatest ability is availability – this was spoken to me years ago as I dug into ministry. Young adult ministry is a patient ministry. And for me, being in the chapel throughout this event is living out availability. Every year I have students come sit with me for prayer, to talk though things on their hearts, or share a burden. Often throughout the semester I will have students approach me on campus with the line, “I saw you at 24 Hour Worship so know you do something here on campus”…. And then proceed to share with me their situation where they need help. To me it’s being able to be available and lead students in their pursuit of Jesus.

Full Circle Moment – Eight years ago I helped kickstart this event and break through the red tape at GCC so that the chapel could be open through the night. Amanda (seen in photo with camera) was a part of that original team and now she is employed at the college to document events like this. What a fun moment it was as she met those serving in leadership and rejoiced that this event has survived past Covid, past leadership being passed down year after year, past frictions and challenges and red tape. This is rare that a group starts on campus and survives through TWO generations of students graduating. When Adam was a senior and thinking about what would happen on campus as he left, it was a challenge that I gave him that the strength of his leadership is found in being able to raise up the next generation and empower them to take over the event. The same holds true in every ministry as it hits its high points and low points and often fades out on campus after five years. Unfortunately I have seen so many of these events sunset.

And so, as student plow through their semesters, this event has brought about a resurgence to the heart of worship. A refocus on the semester. And a dive into priorities.

The Time is NOW!

Posted on October 16, 2025 by adrienneorris

Why do you do the things I do? You must really believe in the work if you continue to raise support?

Yes. That is true. The reality is that I believe strongly in providing mentorship and stability to the next generation. I believe in the hope of this generation to better the world. I believe in mobilizing and championing those that will be doing the work after me.

For years, the story of faith and the younger generation was a simple, depressing one: they’re leaving the faith and not coming back. But according to recent data from the Barna Group, the narrative is getting a dramatic rewrite. Reports from 2025 show a historic reversal in attendance trends, with Gen Z and Millennials now leading the pack in regular church attendance. YEAH! That gives hope for the future!

For the first time in decades, young men are now attending church more frequently than women. Young adults are leading a surge in personal commitments to Jesus Christ, a hunger for something more authentic than what is offered by the digital world. But they need someone to walk alongside of them.

While the pews may be filling with new faces, Barna’s research also reveals the deeper needs and struggles that young adults face. Their faith is often shallow, disconnected, and rooted in a deep sense of loneliness.

Mental health is a major concern. Despite being the most digitally connected generation, young adults report high levels of loneliness and anxiety. Alarmingly, only one in six said their faith helped them cope with emotional struggles. We want to change this statistic.

The faith they grew up with was not enough. Many young people who leave their faith describe their experience as shallow and unequipped for the real world. A quarter of dropouts said their “faith is not relevant to my career or interests”. A major factor for those who remained connected to their faith is having been taught how to integrate their passions and gifts into God’s calling. This is where I concentrate a lot of my time.

Culture matters more than ever. Young people are acutely aware of the tension between faith and the wider culture, with a quarter of dropouts believing Christianity is “anti-science”. They crave a community where they can ask tough questions and express doubts without judgment.

What does this mean for ministry now?

For leaders in ministry, this new reality demands more than a pat on the back for higher attendance. The new data is a call to action for deeper, more relational discipleship.

Prioritize relationships over programs. Young adults crave authentic, intentional mentoring relationships, not just another event on the calendar.
Embrace cultural dialogue. Develop a safe space to discuss real-world issues and provide guidance on how faith intersects with all aspects of life.
Engage digitally. Leverage digital tools and communication to foster community and discipleship throughout the week.
Empower younger generations. Instead of waiting for young people to reach a certain age, churches should invest in developing their leadership and potential now.

The rise of young people in the pews is a hopeful sign, but the deeper work lies in cultivating a resilient faith that can withstand the challenges of the modern world.

And so, this is where I’m focusing time to try and develop a resiliency now and multiply our leaders across campuses!

Welcome Back!

Posted on August 21, 2025 by adrienneorris

New Semester, New Students, Same Routine

It’s been two weeks of welcoming students back to campus starting with RAs, athlete teams and freshmen. A familiar rhythm marked by joyous hugs, summaries of the summer and a challenge to individual students as they begin the next year.

As each of my discipleship students returned to campus, I tried to meet with them early before the start of classes and intensity of their schedule. Asking about their encounters from the summer and areas that they have been stretched and grown.

Much anticipation goes into the preparation and allowing God to direct and send the students to me. It is a very new season but very much the same season. Each year, very faithfully, I have had God put a spotlight onto the students that I am to reach. Most often crossing our paths and having them follow up with me to meet with them again and again. They come into the fold and then launch. Into the fold and launch. That’s the nature of college ministry. And I am excited to meet new students as the year unfolds.

Seeing students lead and grow is the greatest joy. When I started in the field of education, I was told that this would be the most exhausting job and the most rewarding job all in one and that definitely is the case. As I met with a group of juniors and listened to them talk about how they wanted to pour into the freshmen and challenged them in intentionality I was reminded of just how quickly the years pass. One junior girl asked, “Did you know when you met us that we would become so close?” And the answer was no. Usually I do not know after the initial meeting with someone. Over time God continues to put certain students on my heart and my mind and I reach out, meet with them one on one and walk with them through their college years. Planting seeds and watering them takes time. And when I’m able to see those seeds develop and plant their own seeds, there is always a huge smile on my face and in my heart! The kingdom is at it’s best when it is multiplying.

And so it begins, another season of walking with students. Another season of leading discipleship. Another season of training and pursuing and seeing’ the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. And I am thankful and grateful for this front row seat and the opportunity to expand the kingdom another inch!

Please pray for the fruit and seeds to be planted this fall!