Brewton-Parker College’s weekly chapel service was somber Tuesday, Sept. 26 as students gathered for the first time after the tragic death of Stevenson Derival. Derival was shot and killed at an off-campus gathering in the early Sept. 24 morning. Steve Edwards, the Campus Pastor for Brewton-Parker, reminded students that, in such a sorrowful time, worship is of the upmost importance as “we’re reminded that God alone is our strength.”
While tragedy’s influence was evident, this service was not planned as a memorial to Derival. The Brewton-Parker family met again on Thursday, Sept. 28 for this reason. After Edward’s encouragement and a word of prayer, special guest David Sharp led the congregation in worship. As the crowd worshipped through songs like “God Has Not Given Us the Spirit of Fear” and “Great Is Your Mercy,” many of the solemn faces turned to smiles. The worship helped alleviate some of the grief that many in the crowd experienced.
Following the time of worship, Edwards took the stage again to present a message on being 100% committed to Christ. “One of the toughest things that I have had to endure in my life was really choosing to walk worthy of the calling that God had given me,” said Edwards.
He went on to explain how when he was younger he always believed in God, but his walk with God was not where it should have been, and he kept putting off getting right with Him. He had a wakeup call, however, after a near death experience with a severe allergic reaction. “I thought I had faith, I thought I believed, but neither of those things were evident with how I chose to live my life,” explained Edwards about his life up to that moment.
He then encouraged students to examine their lives to see if they are living a life that reflects Christ. He explained how he used to have the mentality that he could live his life however he wanted because God would forgive him no matter what. “What if you don’t get the opportunity to ask for forgiveness?” Edwards asked.
He explained that it is easy to put on the persona of being a Christian while living a life that is not committed to Christ. He warned his chapel congregation, “Your beliefs and your faith should be validated by how you choose to live your life.”
“Stop trying to fit in when your purpose is for you to be different,” Edwards concluded.