Brianna Kudisch | Echo
Vulnerability. This is the central focus of Delight, a women's ministry with a brand-new chapter on Taylor's campus.
Launched this semester by sophomore Olivia Williams, Delight seeks to inspire a new sense of community within college campuses across the country.
The nationwide women's ministry began with three Belmont University students who had dinner together before leaving for summer break. Upon returning to campus, they realized they had the same nudgings over the summer to start a ministry. Two weeks later, they held their first meeting with 20 women in attendance. Nine months following the first meeting, the size of the group grew to nearly 100. These women cook together, study the Bible together and serve the community together. The Belmont chapter of Delight soon grew into a nationwide ministry with chapters across the country.
Delight seeks to allow women to share their stories, while acknowledging that God continues writing their stories.
Williams felt called to start a chapter at Taylor after a friend started one at Palm Beach Atlantic University in Miami, Florida.
"It was a sense of a greater community inside a community, and I thought it would be a good ministry to break down barriers that Taylor's culture has set up between the dorms and the wings," Williams said.
A typical Delight meeting starts off with prayer, then continues with a testimony. Next, there is discussion over the last week's devotional reading from the Delight devotional book after which they finish with reflection and prayer.
Freshman Mikayla Schultz attended the first official Delight meeting on Wednesday night and is looking forward to meeting new women on campus beyond her wing.
Williams hopes women will create relationships with women outside of the wings and halls they live in and be vulnerable with each other, giving Taylor's campus more opportunities for deep relationships.
Freshmen Claire Bokma and Natalie Rupp recognize that Delight has the opportunity to impact Taylor's female community and possibly affect other parts of campus as well.
"I see Delight being a ministry that will bring the girl dorms together in unity around Jesus Christ," Rupp said.
Williams's passion for the ministry started with her desire to see women find their identity. Delight focuses on hearing stories from other women in college, both Christian and non-Christian.
"I think women struggle in this day and age to find who they are and find their place in ministry. (I loved) hearing about Delight and hearing how stories can make a change in anyone's life," Williams said.
Taylor's Delight chapter plans to host additional events outside of weekly meetings. These events will take place monthly and focus on relationship-strengthening activities such as movie nights and dinner outings.
Williams is also excited about the opportunity for organizing Delight service projects. From volunteering at missions to working at food pantries, Taylor's Delight chapter aims to serve in the community, including Grant County and beyond.
"If something is placed on girls' hearts, we would love to get that accomplished," Williams said.
In addition to Williams, Delight is led by freshmen Tara Banks, Abigail Crump and Molly Fletchall.
Williams has great hopes for the future of this new chapter of Delight.
"I think (Delight) will be another light for people to see how God is doing work," Williams said.
Delight seeks to allow women to share their stories, while acknowledging that God is the ultimate author as he continues writing their stories.
