Spiritual Development

New Student Chapel (PW 227)
Leaders: Bill Wolf, Lydia Emerson
This chapel group is required for all new students during the spring semester at Johnson University. This year we will be diving into the theme “You Belong.” Whenever you move into a new environment or community, often you feel the need to find where you fit in. We have created a curriculum to discuss possible myths that people believe about belonging. We will wrestle through these things together in the form of short presentations, group discussion, the reading of Scripture, and prayer.

Topics for Women (Ridges’ house: 2313 Bell Drive)
Leaders: Beth Ridge, Emili Williams, Tori Skolosh, Kayla Senor
A group for women based on building relationships with each other while discussing relevant topics over a cup of tea or coffee.

First-Generation Chapel Group (Academic Support Center Computer Lab)
Leader: Kelly Estes
The First Gen Chapel Group will meet to discuss topics that relate to being a first-generation college student. To be considered a first-gen student is to be the first in your family to graduate with a bachelor’s degree.

Transfer Students (RH 155)
Leaders: Tanner Parish, Bill Wolf
This chapel group places an emphasis on fellowship and community for transfer students. In this group, we hang out, study God’s word, play games, and pray together in a relaxed environment.

Black Student Ministries (BSM) (Multicultural Student Affairs Office, Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m.)
Leaders: Jahson Jackson, Joshua Adams, Matthew Best
We seek to create a community of black students who want an authentic space to be themselves. We recognize that in order to achieve uncommon community, we have to create safe spaces to recharge and discuss topics with empathy without feeling out of place.

Disability Awareness Group (RH 218)
Leaders: Cassidy Hooper, Kelly Estes
In this chapel group, we will have open discussions about different disabilities in order to bring awareness to how God can work through people, no matter what.

Sweetly Devoted (PW 152, Thursdays at 4:00 p.m.)
Leader: Lydia Emerson
This chapel group is for Johnson ladies who desire to take to heart what Luke records about the early church in Acts 2:42: “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayer.” At each meeting we will make time to read Scripture, pray for one another, and take communion together. This chapel group is limited to 10 women. To join this group, please .

Uncharted Waters (Fish residence (7901 Brown Drive), Wednesdays 7:00-8:40 p.m.)
Leaders: Ashley and Josh Fish
Navigate the waters of being newlywed. This group is for married couples who are within their first three years of marriage. The group will meet the first and third Wednesdays of every month. The group is limited to five couples, so if you are committed for the semester and interested, please .

Andy Griffith Bible Study (RHX 164)
Leader: Roy Miller
This chapel group will view an Andy Griffith episode and discuss the content through Scripture while formalizing a theme for “life application.” Join Andy, Opie, Barney, and Aunt Bee for the parables of Mayberry.

Dance Ministry (Graham Center Fitness Studio) (Mondays at 7:00 p.m.)
Leaders: Serenity Adams, Andrea Rodriguez
Dance Ministry creates a space where worship can happen through dance. We choose a topic or several topics to focus on for our devotion, and then work on a choreographed piece together. There is a lot of freedom and collaboration in choreographing to allow complete expression for each dancer. No dance experience is required as all basics will be taught throughout the year.

Creative Arts Chapel Group (EAC Underground)
Leaders: Reagan Marx, Bill Wolf
The Creative Arts Chapel Group focuses on using people’s gifts in a way that glorifies God. Having a place to promote self-expression and receive constructive feedback is important for any form of artistic mind. People can bounce ideas off each other, discuss, and share a variety of artistic expression and writing. All creative pursuits are welcome!

Harvesters (RH 216)
Leaders: Claire Altman, Brent Brewer, Sally Folden
Passionate about missions? Interested in learning about other cultures and how God is working among them? Want to use a strategic vocation to share the love of Jesus? Join this group to learn, fellowship, pray, and encourage one another.

Sports Chapel Group (RH 215)
Leaders: Jacob Mallory, Matthew Williams, Ryan Bruce
Sports Chapel Group is a group where the baseball & softball team athletes can connect current events in sports to events in the Bible and have a discussion.

Health-Related Majors Group (PW 253)
Leader: Monica Nelson
This group will read and discuss a book that has yet to be decided. We will share examples from the book, and from our own lives, that we may make connections to your future in healthcare and in life. This group is limited to 10 students. Please email if you are interested.

Liturgical Morning Prayer (RH 245)
Leader: Alexander Thomas
Join us for liturgical morning prayer as we read Scripture and pray the way ancient Christians did! We will be using a few different prayer books including a contemporary one, a Lutheran one, and an Anglican one (Book of Common Prayer) before making our own prayer liturgy as a group. This is a group geared for those who want to explore ancient Christian prayer practices or just want a devotional group where we can explore Christ together. This group will be led by Alexander Thomas (a Johnson alumnus) and some interns from an Episcopal-Lutheran Campus Ministry at the UTK campus.

Kingdom Spin (The Graham Center Weight Room, Studio 1)
Leader: Tyson Chastain
Paul told Timothy that “physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:8). Kingdom Spin will focus on both physical training and training in godliness. While pedaling, participants will pray for fellow students, alumni in kingdom service, current cultural issues, and more. This group is limited to 9 participants. To reserve your bike, email .

Come & See (RPC 152)
Leaders: Vicky Green, Serenity Adams
This chapel group will explore what it means to be chosen by Christ as it looks at the historical and cultural aspects of life when Jesus and his disciples walked the earth. Each meeting we will watch an episode of “The Chosen” and have discussions following a devotional based on the series.

T.S. Eliot: Intellect, Art, Culture, and Faith (PWB 231)
Leaders: Jason Mead, Ron Wheeler
T.S. Eliot impacted the modernist movement in Western culture, presenting a critique of its sterile, wasteland values. After his conversion to Christianity, he continued to address the artistic intelligentsia. This group gives a close reading to his poetry, discussing both literary and worldview elements in those works.

Orientation to the New Testament – Reading Group (RPC 155)
Leader: Rafael Rodriguez
We will meet every Monday to read the New Testament passages assigned in Orientation to the New Testament. All are welcome, although this group caters specifically to ONT students. If you have questions or want to know more, email .

What on Earth am I Here For? (PW 229)
Leaders: John Stricklen, Catherlyn Brim
This chapel group will work through Rick Warren’s The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? as we seek to discover and better understand God’s will in our lives. Grounded in scripture, this group explores the themes of calling, purpose, and meaning for college students at Johnson University as we seek to prepare for lives of Christian service.

Miracles Come in Cans (EAC Underground, Wednesdays 8:30 p.m.)
Leaders: Joy Emma Bowlin, Madeline Kirby, Andrew Frazier
This chapel group will examine both the past and present miracles of God’s work as we strive to humble ourselves to the power of his word alone. Limited to 15 participants. Contact if interested.

Fellowship of Christian Athletes (Graham Center Rec Gym)
Leaders: Brett Bear, Lydia Craft, Caitlin Smith, Trevor Egli
Fellowship of Christian Athletes is a group where athletes can come together and grow. FCA is not only a group for athletes, though. We want to invite everyone to come and be part of games, fellowship, and learning God’s word!

Students Promoting Social Unity (Multicultural Student Affairs House)
Leaders: Drew Arno, Joshua Adams, Matthew Best
SPSU is a group of individuals who are hungry to promote positive change in the “uncommon community” of Johnson. As followers of Christ, we are called to love others with intentionality. Conversations based around hard topics are geared toward educating students about what it looks like to make an active effort to fight for justice. SPSU is a safe space for all individuals to experience an environment where they can freely express themselves without judgment. Unity among the student body and community of Knoxville is the goal of this chapel group. Come as you are and buckle up for a year filled with good vibes and great conversation. If interested, email or DM on Instagram @SPSUHouse.

Honors Program: The Prayers of the New Testament (RH 255)
Leader: Gerald Mattingly
Limited to students in the Honors Program. Spring 2022’s Honors Program group will consider “The Prayers of the New Testament.” We will use the list provided in the book by that name, published by Donald Coggan (former Archbishop of Canterbury) in 1967. Each week we will focus on passages that contain prayers by Jesus, Paul, Peter, John, or Jude. The New International Version (NIV) will provide a uniform basis for our study.

Resident Assistant Group (Student Lounge, Graham Center)
Leaders: Crystal Huss, Weldon Davis
Limited to Resident Assistants only.

Student Government Association (PWB 213) (Friday mornings at 9:00 a.m.)
Leaders: David Legg, Deborah Lane, Michael Moore, Jada Barnett
Anyone who is interested in contributing to the community of JU is invited to participate in SGA. SGA is proactive in creating a balanced atmosphere of academics, spirituality, and fun. Whether your gift is special events on campus, promoting spirituality on campus, or creating new campus initiatives, this may be the platform for you. SGA meets on Fridays so you can participate in a second small group if you choose. Questions? Email . All students are welcome.

Urban Plunge (TBD)
Leader: Kenny Woodhull
Limited to participants in the Urban Plunge Lab.

Recruitment Teams (PW 213)
Leader: Tammie Weatherly, Recruitment Team Coordinator
Limited to participants in the Recruitment Teams.