Erskine Chaplain Paul Patrick Makes Plans For Upcoming Semester

by Leslie Draffin

Erskine College Chaplain Paul Patrick plans to create a setting for the student body to come together and grow by starting a Large Group Bible Study, and continuing Small Group Bible Studies, which began last year.

Patrick graduated from Clemson University with a B.S. in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management in 1993. He attended Covenant Seminary in St. Louis from 1995-1998, then attended and graduated from Erskine Theological Seminary in 1998-1999.

Patrick married his wife Marie in 1994. He has two children, Hamilton, born in 1999 and Savannah Ruth, born in 2000.

Patrick served at Christ Community ARP Church in Greensboro, N.C. as Pastor of Student Ministries, and at Smyrna PCA Church in Atlanta, Ga. as Minister to Families, before being called by Erskine College to serve as Chaplain in the summer of 2002.

This fall Patrick plans to make a change by having a Large Group Bible Study to be held at the Patrick home every Sunday night, and including a cookout. The Bible Study will be set in a country environment with bales of hay and students serving other students. Moffat Dining Hall will provide the food for the cookout.

“A volunteer student ministry team will help with the cooking, cleanup, setup and details of the night’s activities. A music ministry team will lead group singing every night. The Bible teachings will focus on working through a book of the Bible or through a series every semester,” Patrick said.

“The emphasis for the Large Group Bible Study will be on students ministering to other students, student fellowship together, and the study of the Bible,” Patrick said. ”Students will be encouraged to bring their friends, whether they are believers or not, to hear other Christian’s claims for Christ.”

The Small Group Bible Studies will be held during the fall semester, with some emphasizing evangelism. Students in the Small Group on Evangelism will be preparing to go on mission trips, such as the annual trip to Wales, where students speak in public schools about their personal faith in Jesus Christ and answer questions.