Chapel
The chapel experience is the central and focal event of the university — a time when we give public expression to who we are as a community. Understanding that nothing takes the place of the local church in a student's life, the purpose of chapel at Union University is to worship God while fostering biblical formation, servant leadership, and global engagement as well as encouraging the integration of faith, learning, and living.
Along with exposure to a variety of worship styles and traditions in chapel, the University community experiences a variety of influential Christian ministers and leaders who are laboring to advance God's Kingdom throughout the world. These include preachers, ministers, missionaries and Christians who promote leadership and marketplace ministry throughout the world. Others provide challenges to serve society as they speak from a Christ-centered perspective about education, business, government, medicine, science, family and various contemporary issues. While services are most often designed as worship experiences, the purpose of chapel at Union University is somewhat different from the systematic spiritual development students receive from their local churches.
Gatherings throughout the semester provide opportunities for:
- Christ-exalting worship
- Biblical literacy
- Spiritual growth
- Worldview formation
- Ministry development
- Global engagement
- Community enhancement
- Integration of faith and learning
The following special emphases are typically part of the chapel program each academic year.
Chapel Video
Video Project (older archives)
Upcoming Chapel Services
Fri, Jan 10, 2025, 10:00 a.m.
Chapel: Paul Worcester
Paul Worcester, National Collegiate director, North American Mission Board
Wed, Jan 15, 2025, 10:00 a.m.
Chapel: Clint Pressley
Clint Pressley, Senior Pastor, Hickory Grove Baptist Church, and President of the Southern Baptist Convention
Fri, Jan 17, 2025, 10:00 a.m.
Chapel: Jared Wilson
Jared Wilson, Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Author-in-Residence at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Pastor for Preaching at Liberty Baptist Church
Wed, Jan 22, 2025, 10:00 a.m.
Word Series Chapel: William Watson
William Watson, Senior Pastor, Historic FBC, Jackson, Tenn.
Fri, Jan 24, 2025, 10:00 a.m.
Word Series Chapel: Dale Ralph Davis
Dale Ralph Davis, Author, Pastor, and Professor
Wed, Jan 29, 2025, 10:00 a.m.
Chapel: Jimmy Bledsoe
Jimmy Bledsoe, Theological Education Specialist and Seminary Liaison, International Mission Board
Fri, Jan 31, 2025, 10:00 a.m.
Word Series Chapel: Andy Pettigrew
Andy Pettigrew, Director, NextGen Mobilization, International Mission Board
Wed, Feb 5, 2025, 10:00 a.m.
Founders Day Chapel: Dan Spencer
Dan Spencer, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church Sevierville, Tenn.
Fri, Feb 7, 2025, 10:00 a.m.
Word Series Chapel: Dub Oliver
Dub Oliver, President, Union University
Wed, Feb 12, 2025, 10:00 a.m.
Crabtree Family Life Series Chapel: Nathan Joyce
Nathan Joyce, Senior Pastor, Heartland Worship Center, Paducah, Ky.
Fri, Feb 14, 2025, 10:00 a.m.
Chapel: Roc Collins
Roc Collins, Director of Evangelism, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board
Wed, Feb 19, 2025, 10:00 a.m.
Word Series Chapel: Dean Inserra
Dean Inserra, Founding and Lead Pastor, City Church, Tallahassee, Fla.
Fri, Feb 21, 2025, 10:00 a.m.
Word Series Chapel: Justin Wainscott
Justin Wainscott, Associate Dean, University Ministries & the School of Theology and Missions; Assistant Professor of Ministry, Union University
Wed, Feb 26, 2025, 10:00 a.m.
Chapel: Hassan Saleem
Hassan Saleem, Executive Director, Memphis Father's Love
Fri, Feb 28, 2025, 10:00 a.m.
Chapel: David Bahnsen
David Bahnsen, Founder, Managing Partner, CIO, The Bahnsen Group
Wed, Mar 12, 2025, 10:00 a.m.
Chapel: Josh Matteson
Josh Matteson, Executive Director, Nextwave Missions
Fri, Mar 14, 2025, 10:00 a.m.
Word Series Chapel: Eric Smith
Eric Smith, Senior Pastor, Sharon Baptist Church
Wed, Mar 19, 2025, 10:00 a.m.
Chapel: David Medders
David Medders, Executive Vice President, Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE)
Fri, Mar 21, 2025, 10:00 a.m.
Word Series Chapel: John Oswalt
John Oswalt, Visiting Distinguished Professor of Old Testament, Asbury Theological Seminary
Wed, Mar 26, 2025, 10:00 a.m.
Chapel: Michael Pence
Michael Pence, Lead Pastor, FUMC, Covington, Tenn.
Fri, Mar 28, 2025, 10:00 a.m.
Chapel: Phil Eyster
Phil Eyster, President, Eagle Projects International
Wed, Apr 2, 2025, 10:00 a.m.
Chapel: Grant Castleberry
Grant Castleberry, Executive Director of The Council on Biblical Manhood & Womanhood and Senior Pastor of Capital Community Church, Raleigh, N.C.
Fri, Apr 4, 2025, 10:00 a.m.
Chapel: Scott Huelin
Scott Huelin, Director of Honors Community and Professor of English, Union University
Wed, Apr 9, 2025, 10:00 a.m.
Chapel: George Wright
George Wright, Senior Pastor, Shades Mountain Baptist Church, Birmingham, Ala.
Fri, Apr 11, 2025, 10:00 a.m.
Word Series Chapel: Ray Van Neste
Ray Van Neste, Vice President, University Ministries; Dean, School of Theology & Missions; Professor of Biblical Studies, Union University