Be With Chapel Draws Large Crowds, Sparking Attendance Challenges
Submitted by Lucille Lettau
Photographed by Lucille Lettau
On Aug. 28, the new Be With chapel program drew more than 300 students, filling George Fox University's chapel to maximum capacity.
Run by six student leaders, the chapel program aims to create a welcoming space for students to worship and unwind. “It was really beautiful to be surrounded by students I see every day and to see them worship the Lord,” said freshman Aurora Magness. The student leaders designed the program to offer a space where students could be in the presence of God, worship, and simply relax.
The concept is familiar to upperclassmen, who remember a similar event known as Vespers. “People loved it so much years ago,” said worship leader Dahlia Carrillo-Sanchez, noting that the anticipation for the return of these nights was a major draw for students.
The team, which included three worship leaders and three chapel interns, had only a week to prepare. They focused on creating a simple yet inviting setup to foster an inclusive atmosphere for attendees.
The program's success became evident as students filled the chapel. “Being in the front the first day, it was so amazing seeing all those students come in just so excited because it's a new chapel and because worship night is back,” said Chapel Intern Karla Martinez. Despite the joy of seeing the worship team’s hard work pay off, Martinez and others struggled with turning away eager students due to the chapel's limited capacity. “It hurts having to watch so many students walk away,” Martinez added. More than 300 students in the chapel would exceed the building’s safety limit.
Seeking solutions, the team explored ways to manage attendance. “This is all new to us—it’s our first time doing it in a space that doesn’t fit more than 300 students,” Carrillo-Sanchez said. The initial idea was to control attendance with tickets, but some students felt this made the chapel experience feel too much like a concert. “It hurts because it's real, seeing all those students line up. Even when I was giving out those tickets, it felt like I was opening the doors to a concert, and it shouldn’t feel like that,” Martinez said.
The team quickly abandoned the ticket system and decided to trial two services: one at 8 p.m. and the original at 9 p.m. This one-month trial has allowed enough space for everyone who wants to attend, but the extended time commitment for student leaders has raised concerns about potential strain on the worship team.
University Pastor Debrianna DeBolt, who oversees chapel programs, noted that chapel attendance typically declines as the semester progresses. “Who knows, this might be a chapel that is well attended throughout the semester—I hope so,” DeBolt said. Student leaders remain hopeful that space will continue to accommodate all who wish to participate.