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Union University

University Ministries

Word Chapel Series

  • Word Series Chapel: Ray Van Neste (Apr 11, 2025)
    Speaker: Ray Van Neste, Vice President, University Ministries; Dean, School of Theology & Missions; Professor of Biblical Studies, Union University - Sermon from 1 Samuel 17 (David vs. Goliath)
  • Word Series Chapel: Mark Catlin (Apr 2, 2025)
    Speaker: Mark Catlin, Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies and Director for MCS - Sermon from 1 Kings 17
  • Word Series Chapel: John Oswalt (Mar 21, 2025)
    Speaker: John Oswalt, Visiting Distinguished Professor of Old Testament, Asbury Theological Seminary - Sermon on Samson and Delilah
  • Word Series Chapel: Eric Smith (Mar 14, 2025)
    Speaker: Eric Smith, Senior Pastor, Sharon Baptist Church - Sermon from Genesis 50: 15-21

Spring 2025 Word Series: Old Testament Passages

  • Word Series Chapel: Justin Wainscott (Feb 21, 2025)
    Speaker: Justin Wainscott, Associate Dean, University Ministries & the School of Theology and Missions; Assistant Professor of Ministry, Union University - Address from Genesis 22: 1-19
  • Word Series Chapel: Dub Oliver (Feb 7, 2025)
    Speaker: Dub Oliver, President, Union University - Sermon from Exodus 17

Spring 2024 Word Series: Philippians

  • Word Series Chapel: Ray Van Neste (Apr 12, 2024)
    Speaker: Ray Van Neste, Dean and Professor of Biblical Studies, School of Theology & Missions; Vice President, University Ministries, Union University - Address from Philippians 4:10-20
  • Word Series Chapel: Andy Davis (Feb 28, 2024)
    Speaker: Andy Davis, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church of Durham, NC - Address from Philippians 1:1-11
  • Word Series Chapel: Phil Newton (Feb 21, 2024)
    Speaker: Phil Newton, Director of Pastoral Care & Mentoring, Pillar Network - Address from Philippians 4:1-9
  • Word Series Chapel: Justin Perry (Feb 16, 2024)
    Speaker: Justin Perry, Lead Pastor, Covenant Life Church, Tampa, Fla. - Address from Philippians 3:1-21
  • Word Series Chapel: Ken Lewis (Feb 14, 2024)
    Speaker: Kenneth R. Lewis, Dean and Professor of Pastoral Ministry, Memphis College of Urban and Theological Studies, Union University - Address from Philippians 2:19-30
  • Word Series Chapel: Hershael York (Feb 2, 2024)
    Speaker: Hershael W. York, Victor and Louise Lester Professor of Christian Preaching; Dean of The School of Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary - Address from Philippians 1:27-2:18

Spring 2023 Word Series: Mark

  • Word Series Chapel: Mike Garrett (Apr 12, 2023)
    Speaker: Mike Garrett, Director and Librarian, R.C. Ryan Center for Biblical Studies - Address from Mark 16
  • Word Series Chapel: Hal Poe (Apr 7, 2023)
    Speaker: Hal Poe, Charles Colson University Professor of Faith and Culture - Address from Mark 15
  • Word Series Chapel: Reginald Taylor (Apr 5, 2023)
    Speaker: Reginald Taylor; Director for Urban Theological Studies; Assistant Professor, MCUTS Adult Programs - Address from Mark 14

Spring 2022 Word Series: 1 John

A call to true doctrine, obedient living and fervent devotion, this little letter shows us what fellowship with God and God's people looks like.

  • Word Series Chapel: Frank Anderson (Apr 13, 2022)
    Speaker: Frank Anderson, Director, Center for Racial Reconciliation; Stephen Olford Chair of Expository Preaching & Associate Professor of Ministry and Missions, Union University - Sermon from 1 John 5:13-20
  • Word Series Chapel: Josh Simmons (Apr 8, 2022)
    Speaker: Josh Simmons, Director for eLearning Success and Media, Union University; Pastor, Cross Roads Baptist Church, Bells, Tenn. - Sermon from 1 John 5:1-12
  • Word Series Chapel: Mark Catlin (Apr 6, 2022)
    Speaker: Mark Catlin, Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies and Director for MCS, Union University - Sermon from 1 John 4:1-21
  • Word Series Chapel: Hal Poe (Mar 30, 2022)
    Speaker: Hal Poe, Charles Colson University Professor of Faith and Culture, Union University - Sermon from 1 John 2:28-3:24
  • Word Series Chapel: Brad Green (Mar 16, 2022)
    Speaker: Brad Green, Professor of Theological Studies, Union University - Sermon from 1 John 2:15-27
  • Word Series Chapel: Jacob Shatzer (Mar 4, 2022)
    Speaker: Jacob Shatzer, Associate Dean, School of Theology and Missions; Assistant Provost and Director for Curriculum and Program Development; Associate Professor of Theological Studies, Union University - Sermon from 1 John 2:7-14
  • Word Series Chapel: Joe Ball (Mar 2, 2022)
    Speaker: Joe Ball, Director for Discipleship and Ministry, Union University - Sermon from 1 John 1:5-2:6
  • Word Series Chapel: Ray Van Neste (Feb 25, 2022)
    Speaker: Ray Van Neste, Dean, School of Theology and Missions; Processor of Biblical Studies, Union University - Sermon from 1 John 1:1-4

Spring 2021 Word Series: Habakkuk

  • Word Series Chapel: J.P. Barden (Mar 12, 2021)
    Speaker J.P. Barden, Pastor, New Vision Baptist Church - Address from Habakkuk 3:17-19
  • Word Series Chapel: Adam Lickey (Mar 10, 2021)
    Speaker: Adam Lickey, Lead Pastor, Northbrook Church - Address from Habakkuk 3:1-16
  • Word Series Chapel: Ben Mandrell (Mar 5, 2021)
    Speaker: Ben Mandrell, President and CEO, LifeWay Christian Resources - Address from Habakkuk 2:6-20
  • Word Series Chapel: Paul Akin (Mar 3, 2021)
    Speaker: Paul Akin, Dean, Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Ministry and Assistant Professor of Christian Missions, the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary - Address from Habakkuk 1:12-2:5

Spring 2020 Word Series: Colossians

Christ is Lord. Christ is Lord over all. Through the cross, God has reconciled us to himself through the person of Christ. We believe in Christ. We grow in Christ. We pursue maturity in Christ. Colossians teaches us to know Christ and live accordingly. Our life and our relationships are shaped by Christ. Indeed, God has shown us that Christ is all. Join us in chapel as we walk through the book of Colossians on select dates during the semester.

  • Word Series Chapel: Jacob Shatzer (Mar 11, 2020)
    Speaker: Jacob Shatzer, Associate Dean, School of Theology and Missions, Union University - Address from Colossians 1:24-2:5
  • Word Series Chapel: David Prince (Feb 21, 2020)
    Speaker: David Prince, Pastor of Preaching and Vision, Ashland Avenue Baptist Church, Lexington, Kentucky - Address from Colossians 1:15-23
  • Word Series Chapel: Adam Dooley (Feb 7, 2020)
    Speaker: Adam Dooley, Senior Pastor, Englewood Baptist Church, Jackson, Tennessee - Address from Colossians 1:1-14

Spring 2019 Word Series: James

Action-oriented and doing-focused, the book of James has for years encouraged Christians to put their faith into practice. James teaches us that faith not only shapes who we are, but also motivates and is seen in what we do. James shows us that real faith works. Rather than being hearers only, we desire to be doers of the Word. Join us as our Union Community journeys through this New Testament book on select dates during the semester.

  • Word Series Chapel: Jason Cook (Apr 19, 2019)
    Speaker: Jason Cook, Associate Pastor of Preaching, Fellowship Memphis, Memphis, Tenn. - Address from James 5:1-6
  • Word Series Chapel: Graham Cole (Apr 17, 2019)
    Speaker: Graham Cole Dean of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, Ill. - Address from James 4:13-17
  • Word Series Chapel: Joe Ball (Apr 10, 2019)
    Speaker: Joe Ball Director for Discipleship and Ministry, Union University - Address from James 4:1-12
  • Word Series Chapel: Tom Nettles (Mar 22, 2019)
    Speaker: Tom Nettles, Retired Professor of Historical Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary - Address from James 3:13-18
  • Word Series Chapel: Jim Shaddix (Mar 15, 2019)
    Speaker: Jim Shaddix, Professor of Preaching, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, N.C. - Address from James 3:1-12
  • Word Series Chapel: Grant Gaines (Mar 13, 2019)
    Speaker: Grant Gaines, Pastor, Calvary Baptist Church, Jackson, Tenn. - Address from James 2:14-26
  • Word Series Chapel: Grant Taylor (Mar 6, 2019)
    Speaker: Grant Taylor, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Beeson Divinity School, Birmingham, Ala. - Address from James 2:1-13

Fall 2018 Word Series: Psalms

It has been said that unlike any other literature, the Psalms "lift us to a position where we can commune with God, capturing a sense of the greatness of his kingdom and a sense of what living with him for eternity will be like" (Gordon Fee). Throughout history, God's people have been challenged, comforted, instructed, and encouraged by the Psalms. As our University focuses on the Fruit of the Spirit this year, may God use this part of his Word to shape us more into the image of Christ. Join us for these chapel services where we will walk through a series of select Psalms.

  • Word Series Chapel: David Leavell (Nov 16, 2018)
    Speaker: David Leavell, President, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Millington, Tenn. - Address: Psalms Series: Fruit from the Psalms - Psalm 126
  • Word Series Chapel: William Marshall (Nov 9, 2018)
    Speaker: William Marshall, Pastor, Trinity Baptist Church, Sikeston, Mo. - Address: Psalms Series: Fruit from the Psalms - Psalm 90
  • Word Series Chapel: Lee Tankersley (Nov 7, 2018)
    Speaker: Lee Tankersley, Pastor, Cornerstone Community Church, Jackson, Tenn. - Address: Psalms Series: Fruit from the Psalms - Psalm 73
  • Word Series Chapel: Russ Quinn (Oct 26, 2018)
    Speaker: Russ Quinn, Pastor, Enon Baptist Church, Morris, Ala. - Address: Psalms Series: Fruit from the Psalms - Psalm 42
  • Word Series Chapel: Kevin Ueckert (Oct 24, 2018)
    Speaker: Kevin Ueckert, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Georgetown, Tex. - Address: Psalms Series: Fruit from the Psalms - Psalm 19
  • Word Series Chapel: Kevin Chen (Oct 10, 2018)
    Speaker: Kevin Chen, Associate Professor of Biblical Studies, School of Theology and Missions - Address: Psalms Series: Fruit from the Psalms - Psalm 110
  • Word Series Chapel: David Carothers (Sep 14, 2018)
    Speaker: David Carothers, Pastor of Discipleship, First Baptist Church, Jackson, Tenn. - Address: Fruit from the Psalms - Psalm 150
  • Word Series Chapel: Paul Akin (Sep 5, 2018)
    Speaker: Paul Akin, Team Leader for Assessment and Deployment, International Mission Board - Address: Fruit from the Psalms - Psalm 67

Spring 2018 Word Series: 1 Peter

Accepted less and less in society, Christianity is being marginalized more and more. While this may be a new thing to many of us, church history shows that this has always been the case in many societies. In light of what God has done for us at the cross of Christ and in light of what God will do for us at the second coming of Christ, how shall we live now in a society where Christians are often considered "strangers and aliens?" Join us in chapel this semester for Wisdom for Alien Living — a series through 1 Peter.

  • Word Series Chapel: Eric Smith (Apr 25, 2018)
    Speaker: Eric Smith, Pastor, Sharon Baptist Church, Savannah, Tennessee - Address from 1 Peter 5:6-14
  • Word Series Chapel: John Enoch (Apr 18, 2018)
    Speaker: John Enoch, Pastor, Meridian Baptist Church, Jackson, Tennessee - Address from 1 Peter 5:1-5
  • Word Series Chapel: Nic Seaborn (Apr 13, 2018)
    Speaker: Nic Seaborn, Pastor, Raleigh Avenue Baptist Church, Homewood, Alabama - Address from 1 Peter 4:12-19
  • Word Series Chapel: Josh Stone (Apr 11, 2018)
    Speaker: Josh Stone, Pastor, Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, Bradford, Tenn. - Address from 1 Peter 4:1-11
  • Word Series Chapel: John Nix (Apr 4, 2018)
    Speaker: John Nix, Vertical Purpose Ministries, Germantown, Tenn. - Address from 1 Peter 3:8-22
  • Word Series Chapel: George Guthrie (Mar 14, 2018)
    Speaker: George Guthrie, Benjamin W. Perry Professor of Bible and Senior Fellow, Ryan Center for Biblical Studies, Union University - Address from 1 Peter 3:1-7
  • Word Series Chapel: Steven Smith (Mar 7, 2018)
    Speaker: Steven Smith, Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church, Little Rock, Arkansas - Address from 1 Peter 2:13-25