Campbellsville University to Observe Day of Prayer for Ransdell Chapel

By Joan C. McKinney | 11/28/2006

By Joan C. McKinney, director of university communications

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Campbellsville University will be observing a Day of Prayer for the Ransdell Chapel Monday, Dec. 11.

“This will be a very special day for us with the setting of the steeple and placement of a cornerstone for the Ransdell Chapel and a time of prayer for this wonderful new addition to our campus facilities,” said Dr. Michael V. Carter, president.

The day begins with a prayer breakfast set for 7:30 a.m. in the Winters Dining Hall. The breakfast will include a brief program and a season of prayer which will serve as a kickoff for the other activities during the day. The public is invited to the breakfast which costs $2.50; reservations are requested by calling 789-5001 or e-mailing at president@campbellsville.edu.

The program for the setting of the cornerstone, which includes a time capsule, will begin at 9 a.m. at the chapel site. The steeple will be set during the day, but, due to the uncertainty of the weather, it is not sure of the time of the placing of the steeple.

The steeple will be dedicated in memory of the late Dr. Jerry Bennett, who had previously served as chairman of the Board of Trustees. The recognition for the steeple dedication will occur at the official chapel dedication in early April 2007.

Beginning at 9:30 a.m. and running through 6 p.m., there will be ongoing prayer

in the Distance Learning Lab in the lower level of the Technology Training Center. “Campbellsville University students, faculty, staff and the public will be joining in prayer all through the day for the Ransdell Chapel - for the completion of the project, success in raising funds to have the chapel debt free, for the future use of the chapel for God's glory, to praise and give thanks to God for the new facility and for the impact the Ransdell Chapel will have on the lives of countless young men and women in the years and generations to come,” he said.

If someone from the community wants to join in the Day of Prayer, he or she needs to contact Ed Pavy, director of campus ministries, at (270) 789-5227.

At 6 p.m., the Campbellsville University family will join in the chapel for a candle lit hour of prayer and walk through.

Carter said everyone is invited to share his or her favorite scripture by writing it on the concrete floor of the chapel.

“Our intent is for the chapel to be bathed in prayer throughout the day,” said Carter.

Carter said the chapel will be a “marvelous place in which God will be honored and worshiped.”

The lead gift of $1.3 million has been made by board of trustee member Dr. George Ransdell and his wife, Marie. The chapel will seat 900.

“Certainly, the generosity of George and Marie Ransdell, and the more than 400 other donors who have contributed to the project, will make certain that Campbellsville University will have an inspiring place in which to worship our Lord Jesus Christ for years to come.

“The Ransdell Chapel will enhance the cause of Christ through Campbellsville University.”

For more information on the Day of Prayer, call the Office of the President at (270) 789-5001.

Campbellsville University, now celebrating her Centennial year, is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and has an enrollment of 2,310 students who represent 100 Kentucky counties, 32 states and 28 foreign nations. Listed in U.S. News & World Report's “America's Best Colleges” 14 consecutive years as one of the leading Southern master's colleges and universities, Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his eighth year as president.