Goshen College’s Parables worship team begins third tour, sharing stories and songs

GOSHEN, Ind. – As they travel to churches and schools across the country this year offering unique perspectives on how Christ works in their lives, Goshen College’s worship team, Parables, will be singing music from multiple centuries and continents, sharing their individual faith journeys and performing drama.

The theme for Parables, in its third year, is “The Lord is My Shepherd.” Their program may elicit both a chuckle and a tear as the team of seven talented college students lead congregations and students in worship. Included in this year’s performance is the mini-drama “The Bible in 15 minutes.”

“Coaching the Parables worship team is an exciting adventure because every year new talent is discovered,” said the group’s director, Associate Professor of Music Jim Heiks. This year’s group consists of many music majors, but also students studying elementary education, Bible and religion, psychology, nursing and theater.

Director of Alumni, Church and Parent Relations Carla Weldy said that when the group began in 2004 it was with “the vision of the group as a connecting point with the church, as a bridge-builder. What has been humbling to see is how the Lord has used the experience of being in Parables to shape and impact the lives of the young people involved: to grow their faith in Jesus Christ and to call them into ministry in the church or in the world. That’s what we’re really all about as a Christian college.”

The students travel to various congregations and schools throughout the year leading worship and sharing their testimonies. During this journey, students also learn a lot from each other and help one another grow in their faith. “I am most interested in Parables because of the fellowship I hope to receive from the other members of the group,” said sophomore member Emily Swora of Shoreview, Minn. “I hear members of last year’s Parables raving about how much fun they had on weekend trips with the group. I want to be part of a group that sings wonderfully and also worships God. I hope it will allow me to grow in my faith.”

Parables is directed by Heiks and includes returning members juniors Jessica David (Archbold, Ohio), a music major; Karen Graber (Hurley, S.D.), an elementary education major; and Jesse Landis-Eigsti (Lakewood, Colo.), a Bible and religion major. New members are sophomores Josh Tyson (Harrisonburg, Va.), a music major; Carolyn Stigge (Newton, Kan.), a nursing and psychology double major; Emily Swora (Shoreview, Minn.), a music and theater double major; and Nathan Swartzendruber (Kalona, Iowa), a music major.

The 2006 fall schedule for Parables:

·   Sept. 17 – Emmanuel Mennonite Church, Shoreview, Minn.

·   Sept. 17 – First Mennonite Church, Iowa City, Iowa

·   Oct. 8 – First Mennonite Church, Middlebury, Ind.

·   Oct. 15 – Lindale Mennonite Church, Harrisonburg, Va.

·   Oct. 15 – Park View Mennonite Church, Harrisonburg, Va.

·   Oct. 16 – Eastern Mennonite High School, Harrisonburg, Va.

·   Oct. 17 – Lancaster (Pa.) Mennonite High School

·   Oct. 17 – Smithville (Ohio) Mennonite Church

·   Oct. 18 – Central Christian School, Kidron, Ohio

·   Oct. 29 – Olive Mennonite Church, Elkhart, Ind.

If a church is interested in inviting Parables to present, contact the Goshen College Church Relations Office at (574) 535-7565.

– By Erini Shields

Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview or request a photo, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a four-year residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S.News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.