Cumberlands hosts Naeem Fazal for Renewal chapel series

University of the Cumberlands was proud to host pastor Naeem Fazal as the speaker for their annual Spring Renewal event, a series of chapel services held on Cumberlands’ campus.

Fazal is the lead pastor of Mosaic Church in Charlotte, North Carolina and author of the book Ex-Muslim: How One Daring Prayer to Jesus Changed a Life Forever. Fazal spoke at TedxCharlotte, an independent Ted event in 2016, has been featured in numerous magazines and Christian networks, and is a sought-after speaker for churches, schools, and conferences across the country.

Fazal grew up in Kuwait as a devout Muslim. Then, in 1992, he had a supernatural encounter with Jesus that led him to convert to Christianity. Since then, Fazal has spread the Gospel around the country, telling his and his family’s conversion stories and sharing his belief that “God’s love can bound across any abyss – even Islam – to reach us.”

“Naeem was great. He challenged us to get out of our American, Bible belt context and see Christ moving in people’s lives in different ways around the world,” said Chad Everhart, Cumberlands’ campus minister. “His stories about his faith journey from Islam to Christianity really captured the hearts and minds of everyone in attendance. We had several students make first-time professions of faith in Jesus, and we had a tremendous response during the invitations at the end of each service.”

Everhart said the series was “packed,” with students, faculty, staff, and community members flocking to Gatliff chapel each night. Jasmine Newport, director of Appalachian Ministries, believes this was one of the best Spring Renewal series that Cumberlands has hosted.

“Honestly, I just hope that people felt the real Jesus,” Newport said. “Not the religious Jesus, but the real, relational Jesus. I hope that they felt the Lord like never before. I’m praying for miracles to happen in people’s hearts because of Spring Renewal.”

Baptist Campus Ministries at Cumberlands hosts prayer nights, discussion panels, and worship events throughout the year, and all are welcome to attend. The next worship night/discussion panel event is Thursday, April 12th at 8:00 p.m. in Gatliff Chapel on UC’s campus.

Located in Williamsburg, Kentucky, University of the Cumberlands is an institution of regional distinction offering quality undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and online degree programs. Learn more at ucumberlands.edu.