In a few hours, members of the Samford community will gather in Reid Chapel for the last Shiloh ever. It makes me sad in way but so excited in others to see what God is going to do. I wish with my whole heart that I could be there, but seeing as I am nine hours away and I have midterm tomorrow that is impossible.

Shiloh left it’s mark on me and I’m thankful to have been apart of that community for four years. You see, I missed two Shiloh’s in four years because it was that important to me. I knew that Tuesday nights at 7 I would be in Reid worshipping my Savior.

I went the first week of freshmen year to Hodges chapel to see what this thing called Shiloh was and I never looked back. I went by myself the majority of freshmen year and that was fine with me. Sophomore year, it moved to Reid and like everyone else, I wasn’t too sure how I feel about it but within a month, it was home. I will never forget starting the first service in Reid the same song that we sang the last Shiloh of my senior year, it was emotional–let me tell you. I loved Senior Shiloh and ending it by climbing Reid with everyone.

Shiloh was unlike an worship service I had ever been apart of we sang songs that I came to associate with it, there was someone painting every week (I had sit where I could see the painting), we took communion every week, incorporated silence, and there was no pressure to stand during singing. I learned so much from Matt and April’s preaching, and of course, Brian and Renee whenever they would join in.

Shiloh has forever left it’s mark on my walk and will always be a part of my Samford story. I have missed it terribly this semester because it was home for four years and to be totally honest with you–I probably was better about going to Shiloh than I was about church. Not being able to be there for the final one is killing me but I recorded my benediction and sent in it so I will still be apart of it in a small way.

So that’s what I’ll leave you with, the Shiloh Bendiction:

We are God’s servants, gifted with dreams and visions.
Upon us rest the grace of God like flames of fire. May we love and serve the Lord in the strength of the Spirit.
May the deep peace of Christ be with you. The strong arms of God sustain you. And the power of the Holy Spirit strength you in every way. Amen.

Go in the Grace and Peace.

To Shiloh Community, go soak every second of it up for me. To the rest of you, if you’re a Samford Student or a Samford Alum, I hope you’ll go and experience the wonderful place that is Shiloh tonight at 7 in Reid.