Bryan Bult Speaks During Salt and Light

Salt and Light Services at Due West ARP Church Reach Out to Erskine College Students

The Due West Associate Reformed Presbyterian (ARP) Church is a town landmark situated on Main Street across from several Erskine dormitories. But that's just the building. The relationship between the church and the college community goes beyond the building, and beyond the Sunday morning services attended by many townspeople and students.

The Rev. L. Calvin Draffin, pastor of the Due West ARP Church, sees the Sunday evening "Salt and Light" contemporary service as an extension of the congregation's ministry to Erskine students.

"The idea for Salt and Light came from one of the first student interns we had at the Due West ARP Church, Paul Patrick," said Draffin. "He had a very positive experience with a college ministry and wanted to see if we could do something here similar to what he had experienced as an undergraduate. The idea was to connect students with the church."

Draffin said the Salt and Light program is endorsed by the Session of the Due West Church and a number of church members attend the services. "They take part in the singing and generally show support. Our student intern Bryan Bult and I do the teaching and we have the Salt and Light Band to lead the music."

Members of the Salt and Light Band include Bryan Mitton, Eric Freeman, Will York, Matt Hendrix, Jamie Russell, Kelly Beam and Kathy Hornby. Draffin said the group recently performed at Bonclarken, the ARP conference center in Flat Rock, N.C., for a middle school retreat.

The contemporary service, held in the fellowship hall of the Due West ARP Church, averages about 50 in attendance. Draffin said his preparation for the service differs litte from his preparation for the regular evening service, but he and Bult trade off, so he only teaches at Salt and Light every other week.

"We try to teach biblical themes. We have a set of topics prepared for the semester. Right now we are studying the Book of Proverbs."

Draffin said Bult, a student at Erskine Theological Seminary and also a teacher at Greenwood Christian School, focuses on the Salt and Light ministry as well as "mingling with the students on campus, getting to know them."

The name "Salt and Light" is taken from the fifth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, in which Jesus tells his followers they are like salt and light in the world. "We're trying to equip students to do that," said Draffin.

Another opportunity for Erskine College students offered at the Due West ARP Church is the college and career class, led by Dr. Don Fairbairn, Assistant Professor of Church History and Missions at Erskine Seminary, and Paul Bell, an Erskine alumnus who is the administrator at the Due West Retirement Center. The church also hosted a welcome dinner for freshmen at the beginning of fall term and sponsors a "Home Away from Home" program matching interested students with church families.

"I think we're off to a good start this year," said Draffin.

Salt and Light meets at 6 p.m. each Sunday in the fellowship hall on the lower level of the Due West ARP Church. The college and career class meets at 10 a.m. each Sunday morning in a third floor classroom on the left side of the church.