Delight, a new Christ-centered women’s ministry at Union University, is set to host a soft launch on campus this Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. in Bowld 247.
The ministry was originally created by three Belmont students not only as a platform for college women to share their stories but also as a place to allow God to use them to develop their stories together.
Since Delight was first created, it has spread nationwide, ministering to college women across the country. The primary purpose of Delight Ministries is to launch, grow and sustain Christ-centered women’s communities on college campuses across the country.
[media-credit id=5323 align=”alignnone” width=”678″]
[/media-credit]
Suzanne Rhodes, junior journalism major and co-founder of the Union University chapter, was first exposed to Delight after a close friend showed her their website during her sophomore year. Throughout the summer, she continued to hear stories from other college women who had been impacted by Delight.
“I realized I wanted to give women on this campus an opportunity like that too,” said Rhodes. “Delight is unique in the way it allows women to be open about their testimonies and experiences but at the same time, use those stories to reflect Christ. “
Delight’s mission “to invite college women into Christ-centered community that fosters vulnerability and transforms stories” guides each chapter’s ministry. The ministry is more than a Bible study; the meetings could include worship nights, opportunities to serve and fun get-togethers.
Delaney Sain, junior public relations major and co-founder of the Union University Delight chapter, saw the need for the women’s ministry when she craved spiritual growth that she had not greatly experienced during her freshman year. Sain began to pray and ask God to provide an opportunity for growth and community for women across campus.
“During J-term, I randomly found Delight Ministries on my Instagram explore page,” said Sain. “I loved the idea of a women’s ministry centered on vulnerability, and I submitted my application to start one on our campus. It was a very prayerful decision, but I felt the Lord place it on my heart, and I could not refuse the opportunity.”
Sain wanted to start a branch of the ministry on Union’s campus during her sophomore year but decided to pause the start-up of the Union chapter once she realized she had pursued this in her own timing rather than God’s timing.
“I prayed during my entire sophomore year for the Lord to give me a sign, and He waited an entire year,” said Sain. “Suzanne came up to me earlier this fall randomly and started telling me about Delight, and I was blown away. The Lord’s timing is always perfect, and he is so faithful.”
Following their encounter, the pieces came together, and the Union University chapter of Delight was developed.
Delight will meet on Tuesday nights at 7 p.m. in Bowld 247, beginning on Nov. 5th. This semester’s meetings will be a soft launch and will look different each week. Every week this semester, the meetings will be centered around one word. The meetings will include a speaker from Union who gives her testimony and speaks about the word, worship, group time and prayer.
As this semester is simply a time for a soft launch, next semester will look different in that the group will be using a Delight Ministries book and have more activities. The leadership team is extremely excited to see the Lord move through the women at Union.
[media-credit id=5323 align=”alignnone” width=”678″]
[/media-credit]
“I want women to know that they don’t have to be alone,” said Rhodes. “Delight is an amazing ministry, but more importantly, it’s made up of loving and caring women who are willing to talk about hard things. College is hard, but it is not meant for us to go through it alone.”
Sain expressed a similar sentiment.
“I pray that the women of Union will see the Lord work in their hearts,” said Sain. “I truly believe that God is about to do something so huge. I believe this ministry will bring the whole campus together in a way that this university has never seen before.”
To find out more and stay up-to-date, follow @delight_union on Instagram or visit Delight Ministries’ website.
