Spiritual Life

Yes. Messiah's student body gathers together on Tuesday and Thursday mornings as well as Tuesday evenings to attend chapel services. Chapel at Messiah University is a central expression of our identity as a community of Christians with a deep commitment to spiritual growth and academic excellence. In chapel we seek to nurture holistic Christian faith through:

• worship that expresses our faith with a full range of contemporary and traditional forms
• teaching that connects God's Word and our world
• community building that affirms our common identity in Christ and celebrates our diversity

Residential students are required to attend 14 chapels per semester while commuting students attend 7 chapels per semester. 

On Tuesday mornings the Worship Community leads music in these contemporary services. We say that these services are anchored in the Word, exalting Lord Jesus. On Tuesday evenings chapel is unplugged, and sometimes these take shape as lectures or workshops and not worship services. These are designed to help students explore the implications of the Christian faith for life and culture. On Thursday mornings chapels are student-led; at the same time educator-led small groups take place around campus.

Learn more about faith formation at Messiah.

Small groups and Bible studies give you the opportunity to connect with your peers in a more informal setting.

See our opportunities page for more information about some of the other ministry programs on campus and learn more about faith formation at Messiah.

Powerhouse, a weekly event for decades, serves as a timeless part of the Messiah experience for students to engage in worship through music. Check out this brief video to learn more.

Each year approximately 98 percent of the graduating class participated in some form of community service through the University's Agape Center for Service and Learning. During summer or spring breaks, on the weekends or in their spare time, Messiah students find ways to serve.

Students also have opportunities to service and minister to the Messiah community. Learn more on our Faith and Service webpage.

While Messiah University does not require students to attend church on Sunday mornings, it is strongly encouraged that students connect with a local congregation. Many of the local congregations send either buses or vans to campus to pick up students for Sunday services. (Transportation opportunities are listed for current students to attend various local churches for worship on the Campus Ministries website.)