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Lee University students, faculty, and staff will come together for a time of spiritual reflection during this semester’s Convocation. The six services will span four days, beginning on Sunday, Jan. 24 with Lee President Dr. Mark L. Walker, and concluding on Thursday, Jan. 28.

“Convocation this year will focus on resilience,” said Lee University Campus Pastor Rob Fultz. “We chose to go with this theme because we are both inspired and challenged by the response of students to so many issues facing our communities. We believe perhaps more than any other time in recent history we are being called to live out our faith with integrity, passion, conviction, commitment, and consistency. To do that, we must learn the art and discipline of spiritual resiliency.”

On Monday evening, Lee will welcome Dr. Carlton Byrd, senior pastor of Oakwood University Church and dir ector of the Breath of Life Television Broadcast. A frequent chapel speaker, Byrd has constructed and renovated churches and schools, founded the Berean Outreach Ministry Center in Atlanta, and baptized over 3,500 people during his 25 years of ministry throughout the South.

Evie West, Lee alumna and sergeant of the Cleveland Police Department’s (CPD) Community Relations Unit, will speak in Tuesday morning’s chapel. West earned her bachelor’s degree in intercultural studies with a minor in Bible. In addition to working at the CPD, she volunteers at New Hope Pregnancy Care Center in Cleveland. Author of the boo k “Revolving Choices: Playing Roulette With Life,” West enjoys sharing her story of hope and redemption to schools, churches, and community events.

Scott Sheppard, also a Lee alum, will bring Tuesday evening’s message. Sheppard has served as lead pastor of Cornerstone Church of God in Athens, Georgia, for the past 19 years. In 2015, Cornerstone was named one of the top 100 fastest growing churches in America by Outreach Magazine. During his time at Lee, Sheppard served as president for Upsilon Xi, a men’s social service club that also later named Sheppard Alumnus of the Year. He has served on the Board for the Church of God State Council and on the Board for Athletes in Action at the University of Georgia.

No stranger to Lee’s chapel services, Lee Chancellor Dr. Paul Conn will be the speaker for the Wednesday evening service.

On Thursday morning, Todd Tilghman, pastor of Cornerstone Church in Meridian, Mississippi and winner of the 18th season of “The Voice,” will conclude Convocation. He will lead worship with the LeeU Worship Band at chapel.

Weeknight services begin at 7:30 p.m. and morning services at 10:45 a.m. Each service will include live worship with the LeeU Worship Band.

Services will be held in the Conn Center and available for live stream viewing, due to health and safety concerns surrounding COVID-19. The university invites all guests to attend via live stream.

For more information about Convocation and other chapel events, contact the Campus Ministry office at (423) 614-8420.

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