GREENEVILLE – Community members can enjoy a variety of gospel music close to home featuring local artists during Night of Worship at Tusculum University.
Tusculum will hold the event Thursday, Oct. 30, at 7 p.m. in the Marilyn duBrisk Theatre inside Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Center. Performing will be Madison Metcalf-Shelton, a traditional and contemporary gospel musician, and Threads of Faith, a bluegrass gospel band.
Night of Worship will support Tusculum’s Christian Leadership Institute, a new initiative devoted to nurturing Christ-centered leaders and deepening faith across campus and the community. The event will fall during the university’s weeklong Homecoming celebration.
“We are delighted to enrich lives with performances by excellent artists who glorify God and bless audiences with their uplifting music,” said the Rev. E.J. Swatsell, director of spiritual life and special projects at Tusculum. “We are fortunate to have such talent in our area and know their inspiring music will help those in the seats grow closer to God. They are also helping reinforce the growing presence of the Lord on our campus.”
Metcalf-Shelton, who sings and plays the guitar, has performed at Tusculum’s Old Oak Festival and other venues. She released the album “Right to Jesus” in 2023. Threads of Faith has performed since 2016 after meeting
at their East Tennessee church and has written several original songs. The band has performed at a variety of churches.
The Christian Leadership Institute is the umbrella for multiple Christian-oriented initiatives at the university. In its first phase, Tusculum held the Christians in Business Dinner in May, where it posthumously recognized Chuck Bowlin with the inaugural Christian Leadership Award.
Another element that has already gone into effect is the Discipleship Living-Learning Center, which so far consists of two houses, one for males and the other for females. The male residence has been named The Bowlin House. Through Bible studies, mentorship and ministry engagement, the center provides a Christ-centered environment where first- and second-year students are discipled, strengthened in their faith and formed for lives of service and leadership.
Older students live in the houses as peer mentors, holding weekly discipleship sessions with the younger students, assisting with operation of the Bible studies and helping students with other spiritual resources. To assist with the cost of their studies, participating students receive a $2,000 annual scholarship.
In its first year, 17 students are living in the center.
Additionally, in January, Tusculum will host the Pioneer Discipleship Weekend, a Christ-centered retreat designed to help high school students grow closer to the Lord and discover what it means to live as His disciples. Students from the Discipleship Living-Learning Center will play a key role, serving as mentors and ministry leaders throughout the weekend.
The university has adopted a three-phase plan for full implementation of the institute. One component of the second phase is to select students who will serve as discipleship assistants in Tusculum’s residence halls. The second phase also includes development of The Calling Conference, which will enable students to discern their calling by connecting with Christian professionals from a variety of fields. The university will also provide additional resources for Tusculum’s weekly chapel session.
The third phase will produce a Christian leadership academic major and community-centered programming and conferences for Christians who are serving in an array of professions.
“The progress we have made with the Christian Leadership Institute is thrilling,” said Dr. David Cook, provost and vice president of academic affairs at Tusculum. “We are excited about the many ways the institute will pour into the lives of our students and the community and serve God. We are grateful Madison and Threads of Faith are supporting our efforts with their exceptional music and witness to the Lord.”
Tickets for Night of Worship are $10 and are available for purchase by credit card or debit card at https://site.tusculum.edu/homecoming-2/. People can also purchase tickets with cash at the door for any seats that remain.
More information about the university is available at www.tusculum.edu.
