Hastings College

     In addition to traditional Presbyterian hymns, weekly campus chapel services now include electric guitars, bass, and a full drum kit as part of the music ministry.           

     Chapel Worship Band was formed in the fall of 2004, but has its origins with the arrival of Rev. Dr. David McCarthy as chaplain in 2001.           

     “When I interviewed for the position of chaplain, I advocated a blended style of worship, featuring a blend of traditional and contemporary elements,” McCarthy said. “From my very first service at Hastings College, worship has always featured a mix of musical styles.”               

     In the fall of 2003, McCarthy approached Dr. Rich Lloyd, vice president for academic affairs, about the possibility of chapel sponsoring a worship band. Those conversations continued with the students on Chapel Committee as they discussed worship ideas.            

     At the same time, Adam White ’00 was returning to Hastings after completing seminary work and serving a church in Kansas. During his time at Hastings College, Adam had been in a popular Christian rock band, simpletruth. McCarthy knew of White’s gifts in this area, and hired him as coordinator of Chapel Worship Band.           

     “Adam’s musical experience in a successful rock band and his theological acumen as a seminary graduate made him a perfect choice to help get our Chapel Worship Band under way,” McCarthy said. “Before Adam’s leadership, students had tried on several occasions to put together a worship band, with little success.”           

     Seven students are involved with Chapel Worship Band, but in keeping with the HC tradition of participation, the ensemble is open to any interested student.            

     “We try to find places for anyone who wants to participate in the group, and roles are just kind of defined by who we have,” White said.           

     Their ministry is about much more than music.            

     “We like to sit down and actually talk about the theology of what we’re doing,” White said. “We explore what worship does, and, as a result, how to theologically craft worship in ways that will affect congregations and affect renewal in congregations as well as in the chapel.”           

     A grant received last summer from the Calvin Institute’s Worship Renewal Grants Program has allowed Chapel Worship Band to travel off campus and work with churches in the community.            

     “The grant has become a way to show what we’re doing at Hastings College to a diverse group of people around this area,” White said.           

     He and McCarthy agree that Chapel Worship Band has been a positive addition to campus, and, through the Calvin Grant, to the area.           

     “The grant has affirmed the on-campus conversations we have had about worship, and allows us to draw others into our conversations,” McCarthy said. “The students in Chapel Worship Band have learned a lot about worship, and I’m proud of the maturity they bring to their work as we meet with churches that are dealing with some of the same issues we face on campus.”