This spring, senior women at Olivet Nazarene University were invited to join First Lady Tammy (Salyer) Chenoweth ’89 for a four-week Bible study. This was the fourth consecutive year in which Tammy graciously opened her home to host this unique series, which sought to foster spiritual growth, create times for reflection and allow for intimate connection as students prepare for what life after Olivet will look like.
“When Gregg and I started serving in this role at Olivet in 2021, I started talking to the Lord about what I could specifically be involved in. One morning while I was reading my Bible using a She Reads Truth Bible Reading Plan (I have been a subscriber of She Reads Truth for a few years at this point), an idea started forming in my mind about partnering with She Reads Truth to do a Bible Study and possibly an evening event for senior girls only. Senior girls only because I wanted to do something that would help them launch into their new phase of life after graduation.”
The series was facilitated by Tammy and other campus leaders including Jacki Tamez ’19, Shemara Fontes ’21/’22 MBA, Jen Johnson ’93/’22 M.A./’24 MDiv and Lindsey (Kline) Bush ’08. Over the four Thursday evening sessions, more than 35 women read and talked through the Amen & Amen: A Journey Through the Psalms reading plan, published by She Reads Truth, a Christian publishing company co-founded by Olivet alumna, Raechel (Pennington) Myers ’05.
“Reading Scripture is the lifeline for the Christian faith,” Tammy said of the importance of cultivating a habit of studying the Bible. “It is where we learn the character of God and how we are to live out our Christian faith. If God is the authority over our lives, then the Word of God is what we trust as we navigate life on earth.
“Building community with one another is essential for living out the Christian life,” she continued. “Building community with multi-generations is important. Wisdom is to be had from all generations. I have had the benefit of being involved in various Bible Studies since I was a graduate of Olivet and my life is richer from the different women I have gotten to know over the years.”
All senior women were additionally invited to attend a special event on Thursday, March 26, with Myers as the guest speaker. Hosted in the lobby of Centennial Chapel, the event was a meant to be a warm time of connection for senior women.
“The purpose of the one evening event where Raechel Myers joins us is very intentional and three-fold,” Tammy explained. “We want the students to know that reading their Bible everyday/consistently is feasible; that when they leave the event they are feeling inspired and have an increased desire to be a woman in the Word; that they will make a commitment to being in the Word every day. The location of the event is intentional too. It is in the foyer of Centennial Chapel where the alcove of stained-glass windows are located. To me, that signals a sacred space.”
In addition to enjoying refreshments, a lovely photo booth backdrop, and energizing conversations, attendees received a gift bag including a She Reads Truth devotional, scripture cards and a copy of Myer’s new book, The Bible is For You, which she co-wrote with her She Reads Truth cofounder, Amanda Bible Williams.
For more information about spiritual life activities, check out the Spiritual Development page on Olivet.edu
Photography courtesy of Kassidy Hewett Photography
