Howard Payne University has announced its Chapel schedule for the fall 2017 semester. Chapel services provide opportunities for students, faculty and staff – as well as the community – to come together in worship. This year’s Chapel theme, centered around Mark 12:28-31, is “Love God, Love Others.”

Services are held most Wednesdays at 10 a.m. throughout the semester in HPU’s Mims Auditorium. To view the full schedule visit www.hputx.edu/chapel.

Chapel will begin on August 23 with HPU’s annual Convocation ceremony. This year’s Convocation speaker is René Maciel, community life pastor at First Woodway Baptist Church of Waco. Prior to this position, Maciel invested more than 31 years in higher education and administration with Baptist institutions such as Hardin-Simmons University, Baylor University, the New Mexico Baptist Children’s Home and George W. Truett Theological Seminary. He also served as president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas (Texas Baptists) from 2015 to 2016.

Encounter Week, HPU’s fall campus revival, is scheduled Monday, September 18, through Wednesday, September 20. Encounter Week will be led by Zack Randles, pastor at Waterfront Church in Washington, D.C. The Nick Gainey Band of Dallas will lead worship for the week.

Other Chapel guest speakers this semester include Angela Groves ’03, Rev. Candy Smith ’71, Rev. Don Piper, Tim Skaggs, Harvey J. Munsart, Corbin Young ’10, MATM ’14, representatives from UnBound Ministries of Waco and Dr. Don Newbury ’61, HPU chancellor and former president. Dr. Gary Gramling ’81, professor of Christian studies and director of the Christian studies graduate programs, and Keith Platte, HPU’s BSM director, will also serve as guest speakers. The service on August 27 will focus on cross-cultural studies.

Corey Ash, HPU’s director of bands, serves as Chapel coordinator.