By Chris Yingling | Echo
With the academic year coming to a close, the Taylor family says goodbye to several prominent members in the community. Seniors move on to new chapters in life, hall directors bid farewell to the halls they've served dutifully and professors retire after many years of educating individuals.
This spring, Campus Pastor Randy Gruendyke and his wife Nancy join the list of people who depart from Taylor after years of faithful service to Taylor's student body. Gruendyke has served as campus pastor for twelve years, making him the longest tenured pastor in Taylor's history.
Gruendyke and his family were integrated with the Taylor community from the start. Having no immediate family in the Upland area, the Gruendykes frequently hosted students for holidays and breaks while also serving as a wing connection for wings in Wengatz, Olson, Samuel Morris and Gerig halls.
"To us, the Taylor community has meant family," Gruendyke said. "Serving as a community connection . . . has not only enriched our family life but provided us with meaningful friendships that endure to the present day."
Since coming to campus in 2002, Gruendyke has seen several changes come to the chapel program, including the ever-revolving chapel coordinators and chapel staff. He finds many of his most enriching moments in the many gatherings that are associated with the chapel and spiritual life on campus. Along with interacting with students and earning his doctorate from the Beeson Divinity School at Samford University in Dec. 2013, he experienced many opportunities to grow in the Lord and as a person.
"Sitting in well over a thousand chapels and Sunday night gatherings (for example, Vespers and Sunday Night Community), and most under the proclamation of God's Word, has been a wonderfully growing experience," Gruendyke said. "Of course, my doctoral work helped me grow in a variety of ways, especially in rekindling my sympathies for the rigors of being a student."
Gruendyke has loved being campus pastor for the entirety of his tenure. He's enjoyed the opportunity to meet different renowned speakers while being able to enrich the lives of those around him.
"Introducing our community to new speakers from across the country and around the world has always been fun," said Gruendyke. "Walking alongside men and women in their hours of deepest need was always a privilege."
The office of the president appreciates the large amount of influence that Randy has had over the Taylor community and admires a man who engages with students on a personal level.
"I have always valued Randy's commitment to the authority and integrity of the Bible and its relevance and application for every issue of life," said President Eugene Habecker. "I am equally grateful for the way Nancy and Randy have engaged with countless students, staff and faculty."
While the Gruendyke family does not know what the next step is after Taylor, they are confident that whatever happens next, the Lord will be there with them."My family and I have great confidence that the Lord does (know what's next)," Gruendyke said.
The Taylor community is very thankful for the Gruendykes for over 12 years of service to the staff and students of the university.
"I have always appreciated his diligence regarding biblical proclamation and teaching. His faithful service over these past twelve years in these areas has set a high standard for all of us," Habecker said. "We pray for the Lord's continued blessings on Randy and Nancy as they prepare for their next place of ministry and service."
To celebrate Randy's years of service, a service of reception in his honor will be held in the Rediger Auditorium Atrium on Tuesday, May 20 from 3-5 p.m.
(Thumbnail photograph by Brittany Smith)
