GFU Students Start Bible Study

Reported by: Ashleigh Scheuneman

Photographed by: Danny Walker

George Fox University (GFU) first-year students Shaylee Cooper and Andrew Sutherland are leading a Bible study group, bringing people together to worship God (safely) during the pandemic.

Held at a church just one mile from the Newberg campus, the Bible study is a place of community and fellowship in Christ. Music is played, there is a time for prayer, and attendees read and discuss different sections of the Bible.

“I saw the freshman class searching for community when it came to following Christ. While the theology class for freshmen is great, I think a lot of people needed more than that,” said Sutherland. “So I came to Shaylee with that idea to create a Bible study just so people could have a place to come and talk to each other outside of a class.”

Cooper said they started out in Canyon Commons, and recently moved to a local church when the group grew.

Both Sutherland and Cooper said that the creation of the Bible study is God working through them.

“I could care less about who knows I do this,” Cooper said. “Sometimes I don’t want to be the face of it. Let’s just share each other's talents.” She mentioned that since the Bible study began, the group has had two people devote their lives to Christ.

Both Sutherland and Cooper feel the need for community.

“I think GFU does a good job of creating community,” Sutherland said. “It’s our job as Christ followers to push it further. It’s important to have a place where people are comfortable communicating.”

Cooper said she thinks community is really important due to COVID-19.

Shaylee Cooper photographed by Danny Walker

“School is hard enough. It’s nice to come to something every single week and focus all on God and each other,” said Cooper. “When I came here, I thought everyone was a Christ follower. That’s not the case.”

The Bible study is available to everyone, although it has predominantly been attended by first-year students. “It’s important to meet people where they’re at in their faith,” Sutherland said.

Cooper and Sutherland both said the Bible study is something they look forward to every week. “I feel the Bible Study brings me so much joy. I think it’s just awesome. It was God working through us,” said Cooper. “At school we get talked to, so this is our opportunity to speak what’s on our mind.”

Sutherland loves being able to talk to new people and discuss new ideas with them. “It’s about the people that come. Less about who’s in charge,” he said.

The Bible study is held on Thursday evenings at Northwest Christian Church. According to Cooper, it is important for newcomers to realize that masks and social distancing are required.