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Being in campus ministry has it’s differences from being a community church. One of the obvious places we see this is during the holidays. Student and University schedules are built around being able to return home for Christmas, Thanksgiving and so on. At the University of Illinois some years Spring break falls at a time that allows students to celebrate Easter at home. Most often, though, it does not – leaving many on campus rather than travel quite a distance to visit family.

In this place we, Illini Life, get to step in and be a community that celebrates and remembers Christ’s death and resurrection together. It’s one of my favorite times of the year – we’re reminded that our God conquered the grave, the tomb was empty and in the same way we have been risen to new life in Him. A time worthy of celebrating such as this shouldn’t be contained behind the walls of a building nor in the solitude of loneliness.

Each year we gather those that are still on campus and celebrate the empty tomb together in an open air service right on the heart of campus – the Krannert Amphitheater. Afterwards we gather at a home in the community for a feast.

This past Sunday Amy and I enjoyed celebrating with our church home and our students. Early that morning I had gotten up to get on my bike and ride into the country. Enjoying the solitude and early morning sun I began singing the words of Charlie Hall’s “Marvelous light”

Sin has lost it’s power,
death has lost it’s sting.
From the grave you’ve risen
VICTORIOUSLY!

What a great God we serve!