The program is a gathering of high school students from across the country representing four states and 11 cities.  The participating students have come from Illinois, Indiana, South Carolina and Michigan to be a part of the week-long gathering to grow their skills in the worship arts (dance, music, art, songwriting) and further their relationship with God and the new friends they encounter during the week.

View photos and video of Awakening 2016 

There are 16 staff and faculty who are part of teaching and learning process of Awakening.  The students are worshiping every day at Hope, in addition to experiencing worship at Pillar Church, Maple Avenue Church and St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church.  On Thursday afternoon, the students will lead in worship with their small-group team at 3 p.m. in Dimnent Memorial Chapel.

The annual summer institute is designed to deepen high school students’ faith formation and understanding of Christian theology, and to help them explore the moral dimension of contemporary issues and examine how their faith calls them to lives of service.  The participating students are studying Scripture, worship traditions and musical expressions.  In addition, they are engaging with Hope faculty, staff and student-mentors, regional clergy and recognized national and international worship leaders, to better understand the complexities of theological pursuit as they discern their own vocations to serve others.

Awakening is made possible by a grant to Hope through Lilly Endowment’s Inc.’s High School Youth Theology Institutes initiative.  The program is directed by James DeBoer, who is also an adjunct associate professor of music at the college.

More information about the program is available at hope.edu/offices/awakening/

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