色控传媒

MOBILE, Ala. 鈥� The lights dim as quiet music fills the room. Conversations silence, heads bow, and hands lift as college students stand shoulder-to-shoulder and prepare their hearts and minds in readiness for what is to come.

Then, in unison, a chorus of voices fill the space and lift in praise to the One who has brought them all here tonight 鈥� to Prayer Room at the 色控传媒.

A Glimpse of Heaven

What is now a university-wide time of prayer and praise led by students started over 20 years ago in the Alabama School of the Arts. Before each performance, students would gather for a special time of prayer and worship they called 鈥淧rayer Room.鈥�

鈥淧rayer Room is the title that was given for the time that we would take to spend in the Lord鈥檚 presence and align our hearts before leading worship,鈥� said Emma Heathershaw, a graduating senior and music major. 鈥淚t has always been a really special time for us, and it was something that we wanted to bring to the entire campus community.鈥�

At the last Prayer Room of spring semester, students 鈥� along with faculty and staff 鈥� moved freely around the room and prayed over friends and strangers. Embraces were exchanged, tears fell in awe and wonder of the Lord鈥檚 goodness. It was amid the sounds of joyful celebration and solemn adoration that a glimpse of what heaven must look like shone through 鈥� a crowd of people worshiping a worthy God.

Remembrance & Provision

The theme for this particular Prayer Room was remembrance and God鈥檚 provision, based on Joshua 4. In this chapter, God mandates the Israelites, His chosen people, to build an altar of stones as a monument that future generations can look upon and remember the Lord鈥檚 faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to them.

Abbie Maggio, assistant professor of worship leadership in the Alabama School of the Arts, said she encouraged students to look around them and see how the Lord was working in the hearts of their generation.

鈥淭his idea of the provision of God is one that multiple students said they had been thinking and praying about,鈥� Maggio said.

Student leaders encouraged their peers to remember how God had provided for them by writing a word on their own stone of remembrance. One by one, individuals approached the tables stationed around the room, took a stone from a basket, and wrote down a testament to how God had provided for them.

Heathershaw said her testament was that 鈥淭he Lord is my Keeper.鈥�

鈥淚 remember when I was praying and believing in God to provide something for my family. I got to witness the Lord answer my request and provide in a really beautiful, special way. This, on top of many other examples, has just been another way the Lord has kept me,鈥� she said.

Heathershaw said her biggest take-away from the night focused on remembrance and provision was this question: Will we remember His Son?

鈥淲hen we are praying for an answer, when we鈥檙e looking at the lost, when we walk out of here, will we remember His Son? When we leave this room and there isn鈥檛 any music, will we remember His Son?

鈥淏ecause that鈥檚 what it comes down to 鈥� that we remember the biggest way God has been faithful and provided for us is when He demonstrated His love by sending His Son, Jesus,鈥� she said.

色控传媒 the 色控传媒

The 色控传媒 is a Christ-centered university pursuing excellence 鈥淔or Christ & His Kingdom.鈥� With a vision to 鈥淢ultiply Kingdom Leaders for the Glory of God and the Good of the World,鈥� the university honors God by equipping students for their future professions in an environment where they are known.

The university was founded in 1961 and is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention. Located 10 miles north of 色控传媒, Alabama, on a campus of over 880 acres, UM offers associate, bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. Learn more at /um-info/ and connect with UM on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.

Noelle Foster

Noelle Foster is an intern in the Office of Marketing and Public Relations at the 色控传媒. She is a full-time student in the College of Arts and Sciences, where she is pursuing a degree in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and Broadcasting along with a minor in History. When she is not studying or researching, Noelle enjoys going on walks, listening to music, and spending time with her family and friends.

My college journey, like most parts of my life, has been full of unexpected twists and turns. When I started my freshman year, I never imaged that I would be here, at the 色控传媒.听
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My First Plan
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The original plan was to complete two years at my community college and then attend a large public university to complete my bachelor鈥檚 degree. I made it to that university, but things were not working out like I had planned. I wanted something different.
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During this time, stories that my mom told me about the 色控传媒, her alma mater, started to pop into my mind frequently. One night I received a call from my brother who lived in Texas. He asked me, 鈥淚f you could go to any school, where would you want to go?鈥澨�
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My first thought was the 色控传媒, but I assumed a private Christian school would not be financially feasible. He responded, 鈥淥kay. It can鈥檛 hurt to try and see if you can.鈥� Next thing I know, it was two weeks later, and my mom and I stood on the campus for a UM Day!
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I remember turning to my mom and saying, 鈥淭his is where I鈥檓 supposed to be. I know it sounds crazy, but I feel at peace here.鈥� I carried that peace which comes with following God鈥檚 will through the rest of the transfer process.听
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My Hope Becomes Reality
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With the help and determination of my UM admissions and financial aid counselors, I received scholarships and financial aid which made my hope of coming to UM a reality.
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It was an amazing experience getting to sit back and watch as the Lord moved all the roadblocks that would have prevented me from attending. Because of Him and some great people, I was able to step onto campus in the Spring semester as a 色控传媒 transfer student for the first time.听
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The Lord is Faithful
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I have met many students with stories similar to mine, who have clearly felt and seen the Lord鈥檚 faithfulness in leading them to this university. And like them, the heart of my 色控传媒 story is this: As long as I follow my God, He promises to lead.
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鈥淭he mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.鈥澨�鈥� Proverbs 16:9
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Schedule a Campus Visit
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Editor鈥檚 Note:听Our students tell us that they knew from the first moment they stepped on campus that the 色控传媒 would be their college home, just like Noelle experienced. See for yourself and schedule a campus visit or RSVP for a UM Day at .
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Pictured at top:听听Joeann Sale Foster 鈥�92, and daughter Noelle Foster wearing their 色控传媒 sweatshirts. Inset photo was taken on their UM Day visit.

Noelle Foster

Noelle Foster is an intern in the Office of Marketing and Public Relations at the 色控传媒. She is a full-time student in the College of Arts and Sciences, where she is pursuing a degree in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and Broadcasting along with a minor in History. When she is not studying or researching, Noelle enjoys going on walks, listening to music, and spending time with her family and friends.

MOBILE, Ala. 鈥� When I first visited the 色控传媒, I distinctly recall seeing a billboard sign on the drive in that displayed in large letters, 鈥淓xperience the Difference at the 色控传媒.鈥� 

I wondered what that meant for me. When it comes to finding a sense of belonging, I felt like I had all the cards stacked against me. I was an introverted transfer student who was dropping in out of nowhere during the spring semester. 

However, to my surprise, within the first month I had already met some of the people who would become my closest friends and encouragers throughout my time at UM.  It was in this time that the realization hit me 鈥� my difference was community.  

Finding Community

I found this community through campus-hosted activities such as Karaoke Nights (my personal favorite), Make Much worship nights, dorm events and much more. These events helped me to connect with fellow students while also taking a much-needed break from schoolwork.

Another way was through my work-study position in the Admissions Office. I get to work alongside some amazing people who enjoy spending time with each other. This allowed me to get to know the people who breathe life into the university each day and keep it up and running.

I also found community in my first year with my involvement in worship choir. I remember experiencing days where I would be struggling, and singing in choir would uplift me and give me the strength to get through those times. It became a place where I could worship with other people while having fun.

My Home     

The 色控传媒 is truly a place where one does not get lost or forgotten, even if they want to! I had struggled with finding a community in the past, but at UM, that changed for me. This became my home, a place where I was comfortable enough to not only grow but thrive.

Noelle Foster

Noelle Foster is an intern in the Office of Marketing and Public Relations at the 色控传媒. She is a full-time student in the College of Arts and Sciences, where she is pursuing a degree in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and Broadcasting along with a minor in History. When she is not studying or researching, Noelle enjoys going on walks, listening to music, and spending time with her family and friends.