NSU’s Christian student organization Ablaze will host Worship Under the Stars, an event that’ll combine food and music with social and volunteer activities, as well as prayer, April 26 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Alvin Sherman Library Quad.
Ablaze hopes it will unite the NSU community with local churches and non-profit organizations.
The group’s faculty adviser Joshua Loomis, assistant professor in Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences’ Division of Math, Science, and Technology, said the event aims to help students of all religious beliefs come together and relax before exams, while enjoying inspiring music with a Christian slant.
“Even though this is a Christian-based event, there are no sermons, conversions, praying or revivals — simply nice music, good company and a great time,” said Loomis.
He added that the music will not be standard church music, but instead rap, folk, rock, a capella and gospel.
“We chose to bring different types of music to the event to attract something for everyone,” he said. “It should be interesting to hear all the different varieties.”
Ablaze President Rebecca Urrutia, senior biology major, will sing a Christian song she wrote, and there will be performances by the drum line group B-BASE and local bands. Chipotle and Menchies will be provided and attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs.
In a previous year, Ablaze held a similar event inside the Don Taft University Center arena but it wasn’t as successful as they hoped.
Secretary of Ablaze Marco Ramirez, junior biology major said, this year, they decided to make a change and bring the event outside.
“We chose the new venue in order to attract more people. Who doesn’t love a night of free food and music under the stars?” he said.
Although attendance is free for students, faculty and staff, guest attendance is $3. The money raised will go toward a local soup kitchen, which has yet to be selected.
NSU student groups, as well as local organizations, such as Compassion International, will set up booths, encouraging attendees to stop by to sign up for volunteer work or to simply learn about their opportunities and goals.
Ablaze Vice President Chanice Allen, junior biology major, anticipated that Worship Under the Stars will be Ablaze’s biggest event of the year and that it’ll allows attendees to show their love for religion through music.
“This event is held very near to our hearts because it gives Christians on campus and in the surrounding community a chance to get together and have a good time giving God praise by music,” Allen said.
Loomis stressed that, although this event is geared mostly toward Christianity, people of all religions faiths and beliefs are welcome and encouraged to attend.
“The word ‘Jesus’ will be thrown around and I want people to know that Worship Under the Stars is a religious event. But, at the same time, they should also know that this event is about more than just religion, music and free food, it’s about giving back to the community and everyone can partake in that.”
For more information, contact Urrutia at ru36@nova.edu.
