Religion has always been a touchy topic in our society. The topic has become has become lumped into the wise advice of maintaining peace our parents teach us before we can adequately understand the complexities of the world around: you should never start a conversation on religion or politics. Unfortunately, this thought fuels a misconception on what tolerance means, because to be truly tolerant, you must be able to hear a different view and respect it, or at least not get riled up about it, as long as the view is not hateful or oppressive.
When I applied to Mount Holyoke I was beyond happy, and even more so when I was accepted. However, I started to worry about how I would be treated or received for my Christian faith, despite the fact that when I stated that I was Christian on the Mount Holyoke Class of 2020 Facebook page, I was welcomed warmly, and an upperclassman even told me of a Christian group on campus.
Needless to say, upon arriving here, I have never felt safer as a Christian and never has it been so easy to find such a strong, loving, and warm Christian community.
I remember that when I was in Miami, even if a person said they were Christian, it was near impossible to ever strike up a conversation about God. I would mention something and people would fall silent, so I really had no Christian “companionship.” Even at church, I found it hard to commune with people my age; I felt that they weren’t really sincere about their search for Christ, so I personally always experienced a blockage when communicating with them. I found Christian companionship in the most unlikely of places. I thought that it would be harder to make strong Christian relationships on campus, because it was a more secular environment, but I have found a place here where I can grow in my Christian faith, and where no one will try to get me to think otherwise.
While I can only truly speak for myself, I know Muslim friends who have also found a very safe space at Mount Holyoke to practice their beliefs without interruptions or contempt. I have found that people on campus are open to their beliefs and there are many events, such as luncheons, to bring their community together.
Personally, it seems I have become more connected with my God on this campus. That being said, I thought that it would be nice to create a list of Gospel/Christian songs that have encouraged me in my first semester at Mount Holyoke. Most of them I knew before coming to Mount Holyoke- others, such a “Good Good Father” and “Lord, I Need You” by Chris Tomlin are newer to me.
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After Trump won the election, this song encouraged me to know that God was in control and I felt much safer in my skin every time I listened to it and was able to focus better as I went on throughout the day
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“Fill Me Up” – Tasha Cobbs (Also sung by Jesus Culture)
**I recommend listening to all Tasha Cobbs’ songs, especially from her album Grace, as well as Donnie McClurkin.**
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The resourses available at Mount Holyoke for Christian students are endless. There are three Christian groups on campus: Mount Holyoke Christian Fellowship, Growth Group, and Daughters of Zion. The Bible Study group I am a part of is Growth Group, and it is through First Baptist Church of Amherst. They have Growth Groups on each of the Five College campuses. Each semester, there’s a retreat (this semester it was at Hume Christian Camps) as well as Agape Night (a worship night every other Saturday) that brings all the Growth Groups together. Once a semester, the Mount Holyoke Growth Group will have Bible study at the Youth Pastor’s home, where there’s food, tea, and coffee. To find out more information on Mount Holyoke Christian Fellowship, Daughters of Zion, Growth Group, and other faith resources, click here.
Lake at Hume Christian Camps
Happy listening and “faithing!”
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