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Campus Christian groups unite to sponsor icebreaker in Union

Gospel songs, laughter and shouts of "Thank you, Jesus" and "Hallelujah" filled the Michigan Union Ballroom last night.

The Burning Bush campus ministry with other campus Christian organizations, such as Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship, jointly organized a "Christian Icebreaker" program for students to come together for worship. The organizers invited the University Gospel Chorale and the Eastern Michigan University Choir to sing at the event.

About 60 people attended the event, co-organized by LSA senior Sonya Franklin. Franklin said the night was the first time so many Christian organizations joined their efforts to hold a ceremony together.

"It is a great way for everyone to come together to forget differences," Franklin said.

Zack Johnson, another program co-organizer and a minister of the Burning Bush Church, said, "Our main mission is to encourage Christians to go out and touch the lives of those who are non-Christians."

The Burning Bush campus ministry started its chapter in July 1995. The icebreaker was an opportunity for the group to establish its branch and to learn how other Christian organizations operate, Johnson said.

RC junior Jonathan Fellows, director of Christian United, said, "The event will foster unity, help develop relationships in different (racial) groups, so there's a foundation to do great things for God. "

Fellows said the program intended to encourage people to understand and practice Christian values.

Various vocal performances conveyed the messages of God during the service. Students, ministries and organizers of the service stomped their feet, clapped their hands, jumped, danced and shouted their thanks to God to the beat of the gospel music.

While some students joined the program for the feeling of unity and to share a common faith with other members of Christian organizations, others attended the service simply to enjoy the gospel choir performances, which were mostly in pop music style.

LSA senior LaTonya Sutton said, "Music is important because we can express ourselves, and how you are feeling."

She also said the gospel music that opened the service was "to give a feel to the moment and to prepare you for the messages that come forth in the evening."

Sutton explained that gospel songs simulate pop music in an attempt to reach a broader audience, including young and old Christians.