Olivet University Hosts Valley Gospel Chapel for Sermon Series Gathering

November 22, 2025

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Olivet University welcomed the Valley Gospel Chapel community to campus on Wednesday as part of its ongoing Chapel Sermon Series, creating a vibrant evening of worship, Scripture, and fellowship. Students, faculty, and the visiting youth group gathered in the university chapel, where Olivet’s student worship team opened the service with praise music.

The highlight of the evening was a message from guest preacher Pastor P. Jon Runnfeldt of Valley Gospel Chapel. Focusing on themes of divine design and the transformative work of faith, Pastor Runnfeldt urged listeners to approach Scripture with care and intentionality. 

He also addressed the consequences of the fall, noting that while humanity faces brokenness and struggle, God’s original design remains intact. Believers, he said, are called to rediscover and embrace the purpose for which they were created.

As the service wove together students, guests, and local church leaders, Olivet University President Dr. Jonathan Park reflected on the value of these shared gatherings. “We’re thrilled to welcome our friends from Valley Gospel Chapel to have a joint service together,” he said. “The Sermon Series gives students the opportunity to connect and hear different styles of preaching. It brings together the local community of faith and enhances our understanding of the Bible.”

Pastor Runnfeldt later transitioned to the New Testament, examining Jesus’ interaction with the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:1–26. He highlighted the cultural and religious divisions that separated Jews and Samaritans, yet Jesus crossed every barrier to offer the woman “living water”—a symbol of the Spirit’s power to transform lives. The encounter, he explained, demonstrates God’s desire to reach all people, regardless of background or circumstance.

He closed his sermon by calling the church to unity and spiritual maturity, warning against internal divisions that can hinder growth. Believers, he said, are the bride of Christ, equipped with gifts meant to build up the body and strengthen the faith community.

The service concluded with a campus-wide time of prayer, as Dr. Park invited students and staff to lift up the visiting Valley Gospel Chapel members. The evening reinforced Olivet University’s commitment to fostering meaningful connections with local congregations and nurturing a deep, Scripture-centered faith among its students.

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