WS Chronicle

Photo by Timothy Ramsey

BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY

THE CHRONICLE

Stepping onto a college campus for the first time or returning to your dorm after a summer off is an exciting time for many college students. To send the students in their congregation back to school, Emmanuel Baptist Church held its College Send-off service Sunday, Aug. 14.

Those in attendance were encouraged to wear their college paraphernalia to honor their institutions of higher learning.  The young people were incorporated into the service by leading Scripture readings and morning prayer.  A dance routine by sisters Erica and Maya Alexander was also included in the service.

Following the service, the Rev. Dr. John Mendez blessed all of the college students with a feather that had been blessed by Native Americans.

Sylvia Squire, coordinator of the send-off service, was very pleased with the turnout and excited for the youth going off to school.

“I am just happy with the participation of the youth and the support of our church family for events like this and the support we give our college students,” Squire said.

The Rev. Jonathan Tennial, a graduate of  the Divinity School at Wake Forest University, delivered the sermon during the send-off service. Tennial started his training for the ministry as an intern minister at with the turnout and excited for the youth going off to school.

“I am just happy with the participation of the youth and the support of our church family for events like this and the support we give our college students,” Squire said.

The Rev. Jonathan Tennial, a graduate of  the Divinity School at Wake Forest University, delivered the sermon during the send-off service. Tennial started his training for the ministry as an intern minister at Emmanuel Baptist under Mendez and considers Emmanuel home.

As a young minister Tennial’s message to the youth was to let them know that there is something inside of them that God put there and in no one else.

He wanted to inspire them to realize everyone has a calling and we all need people around us who will “nurture the fire inside.”

Being a graduate of Xavier University in Louisiana, he spoke about the advantages of attending a historically black college or university versus a traditional university.

He closed by telling the youth not to let their dreams slip away and to not listen to naysayers.

“I just wanted to get across the idea that the fire and gift they have is already in them,” said Tennial.  “All education is doing is refining that and making sure they are prepared for the journey that’s at hand.  All the strength they need can be found in God.”

Mendez said the reason why the church has this service every year is to send the young people back to school with a positive mind frame and a feeling of empowerment.

Mendez spoke to the congregation about the importance of the youth and the oppression that all people of color face.  He wanted to convey the importance of the right to vote.  Emmanuel Baptist will be registering people to vote every Sunday at the church.

Squire added, “I want them to trust in God, and I know they have a strong foundation coming out of this church. They have been prepared to go out into the world and they just need to stay focused and know their church family loves them.”