Since the mid 1990's, MUS has hosted a series of early morning voluntary bible studies led by our young alumni who have a heart for our boys and who respect the challenging, dynamic culture which faces our students.
Our Religion Department chairman Dr. David Jackson mails letters home with a philosophical framework for these studies while including biographical information on the study leader. Locations, times, and contact info are also enclosed. A major thanks goes out to Hunter Witherington ('98) who organizes, recruits, and rides herd on the weekly administration of these studies. He teaches the eleventh-grade study as well.
Until the snail mail hits, I've made two hybrid versions of the communication for your online viewing and filing pleasure: Download AlumniBibleStudiesInfocardLS.pdf and Download lowerschoolalumnibiblestudyletter_20082009.pdf.
This year the Lower School studies are led by two really fine young men whom I had the distinct honor to teach when I administered the Alumni Bible Studies while I still worked full-time in business. One group I taught from 1994 to 1996 - represented this year by State Representative Brian Kelsey ('96), and the other group I taught from 1998 to 2001 - represented this year by budding tycoon and philanthropist Tread Thompson ('01). Without a doubt, having the unique position to stay with these boys for successive terms as we gathered over food and conversation for all those years left me with a profound sense of gratitude and respect for what special things can happen when mentors and students foster relationships under the sweet providence of God. These guys were at my rehearsal dinner, and I have been at some of theirs. Amazing how fast the time goes. Most striking to me is that the entire voluntary bible study affair came from some MUS alumni who thought that there was an opportunity for biblically-trained laymen to connect with the matriculating students over study of the reading of the bible while exploring the resulting practical conversations. The design of the set-up is for a mentor to stay with his group as they move on through their grade levels. After as many as six years, strong bonds are formed to say the least.
Maybe this information interests your family. Around 10% of our student body is not Christian, and we do not want to pressure any student to feel obligated. If your son is interested, we invite him to come, to taste and see that the Lord is indeed good.
What greeted them was Mr. Smythe and a bagpiper. Yes, a bagpiper. The sound was amazing, carrying all the way back to the Lower School. For most of our students, this was probably the first time they'd ever heard the bagpipes played in person.