By: Madelynn Brower
Many students on Southern’s campus are not fully aware of the purpose dorm chaplains serve on campus. While there are numerous resources available on campus for students’ spiritual and mental wellbeing, some may not realize that one of those resources is right in their residence hall.
In an interview with the Accent, Omaris Mercado, Thatcher Hall dorm chaplain, said that the primary goal of her position is to develop relationships with students. She explained that chaplains strive to guide students in their spiritual lives and assist them as needed with their mental and spiritual needs. They also work with the deans, residence assistants (RAs) and other ministerial groups on campus to plan spiritual and community-building events such as bible studies or small parties for the residence halls.
Mercado, a sophomore nursing major, has been the dorm chaplain for Thatcher and Thatcher South for the past year and a half.
“The main aspect of my job, the main goal, is to reach at least one person,” Mercado said. “My job is more like a relationship role. It’s not [about] what I can do for you, but how I can show God’s love.”
While her job entails many conversations about spirituality, it also includes praying with female students, visiting them when they are sick, planning events and working with the RAs to help students in their halls.
Aidan Sammons, sophomore theology major, serves as the dorm chaplain in Talge Hall. Like Mercado, he oversees spiritual life in his dorm, communicates with RAs, plans events and coordinates Morning Meditations and Tuesday night worships. One of the events he organized from November 3-7 is a week of worship for Talge residents.
“My favorite part about [my job] is being able to connect with guys and just see falling in love with Jesus or just see that light bulb click in their mind of them realizing who Jesus is,” said Sammons.
Both Mercado and Sammons said that they wished more people would come to them for help. Mercado speculated that the reasoning behind the lack of interactions could be that students are unaware that the dorm chaplains are available for them, while others are hesitant to approach someone they do not know.
Ainsley McFarland, a freshman nursing major, said she had never met with the dorm chaplains, but believes it could be beneficial.
“I don’t think it could hurt,” said McFarland. “I think that going and seeing somebody, even just for a social aspect, could definitely be a positive thing.”
Jonathan Wolff, a sophomore theology major, has attended several dorm events led by Sammons, including a weekly life group.
“[The life group led by Sammons] helped me grow closer to God and helped me hear the perspective or the viewpoints from other guys, Christian guys like me, who are dealing with the same problems and [going through] similar walks with God,” Wolff said.
A large part of what the dorm chaplains do involves the connections they make with the students they serve. Mercado expressed that building individual relationships goes a long way toward working with students to improve their mental and spiritual health.
“I love getting to know people on a personal level,” Mercado said. “Those connections are really important to me, because I feel like the Holy Spirit guides those situations where I can meet those people and connect with them.”
