Full Envoy - Emmanuel Christian Seminary

Daily Worship at Emmanuel
by Dr. Michael Sweeney
When new students go through
their orientation to our campus,
we like to point out that our main
building was designed with a library
at one end, and a chapel at the other.
This serves as a picture of what
our school is all about. We are about
learning - that is true. But we are
also about worship. The two must
come together in these halls if we
are going to send out well-rounded
ministers of the Gospel.
We have chapel services at 9:30
every day of classes, Tuesday through
Friday. Many of us think of this as
the best half hour of the day. Emmanuel’s
chaplain, Heather Holland,
does a superb job of creating a large
variety of worship experiences for
our community. Often you will find
one of our faculty preaching. Some-
Did you know?
Did you know that the Thompson
Community Center, dedicated in
2007, is located in the heart of Emmanuel’s
campus and has, in many
ways, become the actual heart of the
community? The Thompson Center is
designed to serve the Emmanuel community.
Did you know that area churches
may reserve the Center for retreats
or conferences? It is also available for
wedding receptions, family reunions,
or friends traveling through East
Tennessee. Parents of Emmanuel or
Milligan College students are welcome
to reserve a room. Area organizations,
civic groups, schools, or corporations
are also welcome to utilize the facilities.
Did you know that the Thompson
Center features over 4,500 square
feet of meeting and retreat space and
even a childcare room which is outfitted
with kid-friendly furniture and
toys? The Ashworth-Alumni Hall,
equipped with a full kitchen, can hold
times we will bring in an outside
speaker. I am always amazed at how
creative our students can be when
they take their turn leading chapel.
On some days we do nothing but
sing and worship. Sometimes we’ll
spend the entire thirty minutes in
prayer. Almost every week we celebrate
the Lord’s Supper.
When God’s people worship
together, all distinctions disappear.
When I pray with someone,
I am not a professor or a president
dealing with a student; we are both
children of God bowing before the
Father. Chapel is a time for gaining
perspective on everything else that
happens on our campus each week.
We are here for a heavenly purpose.
Every class we offer points to this
purpose – but it is during chapel
up to 70 people
comfortably and
is frequently the
setting of parties,
retreats, wedding
receptions, and
various gatherings.
Did you know the
Thompson Center
includes 11
residential rooms
which can be reserved
on a nightly
basis? Each of the
eight standard suites has two double
beds and one full bathroom. Each of
the three executive suites has one bedroom
containing two queen beds, one
full bathroom, a complete kitchen and
dining area, and a living room.
To reserve one of the suites for an
overnight stay, please contact TCC@
ecs.edu or call (423) 722-1090. To
book a conference room or schedule
an event, retreat, or reception, please
that it comes to the forefront of our
minds.
If you are in the vicinity of the
school, feel free to join us. We’d love
to have you become a part of the
best half hour of our day. Maybe it
will be yours too!
The Thompson Community Center
contact Becky Norvell at bnorvell@
ecs.edu or (423) 722-1090. For more
information about the Thompson
Community Center, feel free to visit
Emmanuel’s website www.ecs.edu.
Whether you are visiting the area,
attending a seminar, planning a
retreat, or holding a business meeting,
consider choosing the Thompson
Center as your destination.