Manhood and Womanhood kickoff events promote community and conviction

By Megan Deets

“There is so much encouragement to be found in sharing our struggles with others,” Elijah Ramsey, sophomore class chaplain and Cyber Operations and Computer Science major, said. 

This is the heart of Cedarville University’s Manhood and Womanhood ministries. They provide a place for relational vulnerability where young men and women grow as they see others chase after the Lord.

There are many ministries to invest in on Cedarville’s campus, but Manhood and Womanhood differ from the rest. Zeke Klenzman, the junior class chaplain and a Biblical Studies major, views these ministries as unique because the focus of their events isn’t on service.

“Our goal is to pour into the men and women. The heart of the other ministries is established by what it means to be a man [or woman],” Klenzman said. 

Manhood and Womanhood’s events also stand out because they are designed for any student on campus. The events have direct university support since they have been under the Student Government Association (SGA) for the past several years. This support creates opportunities to reach students who may normally run in different circles on campus.

“[The ministries are] made to be not specialized but a broad scope and a broad bridge,” Cara Enos, the junior Women’s Ministry Leader and Psychology major, said. 

During the kickoff events, impactful moments strengthened this bridge between students. 

At the Womanhood event, prayer groups connected upperclassmen and underclassmen as they prayed over different aspects of the coming school year. 

“I love how they have the older girls praying for the younger, and the younger for the older,” Katie Strong, a sophomore Primary Education major, said. 

The men at the Manhood event also formed a closer bond with each other as they participated in a prayer walk around Cedar Lake. The prayer walk focused on confession and encouraged the men to fight sin through submission to the Lord. 

“The solution is simple, but not easy,” Klenzman said. “It’s to fill our hearts with the delight of God.”

The women were also led to examine their hearts before the Lord as senior Women’s Ministry Leader and Communications major Elisabeth Coon spoke about Womanhood’s theme for this year. The theme is Every Moment Holy, focusing on glorifying God in the seemingly insignificant times of life. 

Coon encouraged the women to avoid striving for an impossible perfection and to live each day with Jesus instead. One way for women to push each other to do this is by spending intentional time with one another. 

“The habit of getting up and being in community is more beneficial than talks,” Enos said. 

Manhood and Womanhood also create opportunities for students to form community that gleans wisdom from older adults. They bring in many wise speakers who give their perspective on various topics. 

“They have so much wisdom from knowing God and living life,” Strong said. 

Community is necessary for the Christian life. Joining together causes believers to be more motivated to continue in their walk with the Lord.

“We cannot be men of God on our own,” Ramsey said. 

As believers come together to repent and turn toward God, these events work in powerful ways on campus to grow the faith of many students. 

Enos is reminded of Ephesians 4:1-2 when she reflects on this ministry: “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.” 

Not only has she, as women’s ministry leader, learned to better walk in this way, but the hope of these ministries is that every student who attends an event will learn to walk in a worthy manner as well. 

The next Manhood and Womanhood events are on Saturday, September 12 at 10 a.m. Dr. Thomas White is speaking on biblical leadership for the men, and Dr. Erin Shaw is leading a Q&A panel with the women’s ministry leaders.

Megan Deets is a sophomore Professional Writing and Information Design student. She loves to listen to music, go on walks and spend time with her friends and family.