Rooted, a free public series of spiritual revival services over three days, is returning to Houghton University tomorrow.
Four sessions will be held in the John and Charles Wesley Chapel at 1 Willard Avenue, including 6PM Sunday, and 7PM Monday and Tuesday, September 11-12 services. An 11:10AM to 11:50AM Monday Chapel service also will be held.
Rev. Santes Beatty, director of the Next Gen Multiplication and Discipleship team at The Wesleyan Church global denomination, will be the speaker for the revival, worship, and spiritual renewal service.
The former children, youth and young adult pastor has some 25 years of ministry and leadership experience in next generation and college administrator positions.
Revival sought
Part of his passion, according to the denomination, is seeing revival come through a commitment to prayer and fasting, first in families and then in local churches that will spark a global movement.
Santes, who was appointed to his position earlier this year, seeks to have church leaders have presence-driven, values-focused ministries that reach diverse families and communities.
As Houghton College, the educational institution experienced at least two recorded Christian revivals and community transformations, in February 1942 and October 1951, which not only impacted college students and staff members but spread to churches and communities throughout the region and as far away as Buffalo and Philadelphia.
Back to Church Sunday/Weekend
The gatherings will precede a separate, unrelated national Back to Church Sunday/Weekend effort in which 15 churches in Allegany County already have engaged in a joint effort in helping to return congregants to churches following summer vacations and other travel interruptions, along with encouraging individuals and families which currently may not be involved with a church to visit one in their areas.
The effort is the largest to date for this activity, with the county having the highest number of churches in its georgraphic area participating in New York State and beyond.
The five churches of Friendship also are engaged with weekend activities, the largest concentration per population of any area of the state and beyond.
The full searchable database of currently participating churches throughout the nation is available at www.findachurchnow.com.
Additional Houghton University Opportunities
Revival series participants also are able to take advantage of the low-cost multiple station meals venue in the campus dining hall. Further information as to prices and menus is available at www.houghtonmetz.com/dining.html.
A free contemporary art show, Concept + Material + Design, by six New York State artists, also is open from 9AM to 6PM Mondays through Saturdays, through Saturday, October 7, in the Ortlip Gallery in the Center for the Arts. Further information is available at www.houghton.edu/community/ortlip-gallery-opens-new-exhibit.