Bryan Loritts
Rebekah Lyons
Clark Beckham
Dr. Terry Cross
Lee University’s fall Convocation will soon bring a time of spiritual rejuvenation and reflection to the campus’ students, faculty, and staff. Services begin Sunday evening with a message from Lee President Dr. Paul Conn and will conclude Wednesday evening.
“We always look forward to Convocation week each semester,” says Campus Pastor Dr. Jimmy Harper. “It is a powerful time that God uses to draw us closer in our relationship with Him. If we can set aside quality time with God, He always shows up and impacts our lives through His Word and through our times of worship. I’m excited to see what He does in our fall 2017 Convocation week.”
On Monday evening, Bryan Loritts will share the message. Mr. Loritts is the lead pastor of Abundant Life Church in Silicon Valley, Ca. He also serves as the president of the Kainos Movement, an organization committed to seeing the multi-ethnic church become the new normal. Mr. Loritts has written several books including “Right Color Wrong Culture,” “Letters to a Birmingham Jail,” “A Cross-Shaped Gospel,” “God on Paper,” and most recently, “Saving the Saved.”
Mr. Loritts serves on the board of trustees for Biola University, and he is the husband of Korie and father of Quentin, Myles, and Jaden.
Rebekah Lyons will speak Tuesday evening. Ms. Lyons is the author of “Freefall to Fly: A Breathtaking Journey Toward a Life of Meaning” and “You are Free: Be Who You Already Are.” Ms. Lyons strives to put a new face on the struggles women face as they seek to live a life of meaning. Through emotive writing and speaking, Ms. Lyons reveals her own battles to overcome anxiety, depression, and consumer impulses, challenging women to discover and boldly pursue the calling God has for them.
Alongside her husband, Gabe, Ms. Lyons also serves as cofounder of Q Ideas, a non-profit that convenes and equips Christians to influence culture. She is a mother of three.
Lee’s Dr. Terry Cross will minister Wednesday night. Dr. Cross has been a professor at Lee since 1997 and dean of the School of Religion since 2002. Prior to Lee, he served as a pastor and a high school teacher. He has been listed in Who’s Who Among American Teachers and is a recipient of Lee’s Excellence in Teaching and Excellence in Scholarship awards.
He and his wife Linda have one daughter, Tara, who is married to Kevin Snider, a visiting lecturer in ethics at Lee. They have one grandson, Luke.
On Tuesday morning Lee alum and American Idol runner-up Clark Beckham will perform during regular chapel time. Mr. Beckham gained national recognition in 2015 when he earned the runner-up spot on season 14 of American Idol. Known for his “thoughtful take on blue-eyed soul,” Mr. Beckham had already released a pair of acoustic EPs in 2013 and 2014 before his successful audition on American Idol. His career in the music industry continues to grow beyond his television debut.
Weeknight convocation services begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Conn Center with overflow in the Dixon Center. Services will include live worship led by Lee’s Chapel Praise Band. Tuesday
morning’s service will begin at 10:40 a.m. and will be held in the Conn Center with overflow in the Dixon Center.
Lee University encourages all students and guests to attend and participate in this semester’s Convocation. For those unable to attend, services will be available for live stream viewing at https://livestream.com/leeu.
For more information, contact Campus Ministries at 614-8420.