A quiet moment between classes. Coffee at McConn with friends. Chapel worship. Studying for an exam.
Small moments like these shape everyday life at IWU-Marion, forming spiritual rhythms that bring Christ into the ordinary. Senior Alice Lehr reflects on how prayer, study, service, rest, and community shape her faith in Jesus at IWU.
“When you switch your mindset from just spending Sundays with Jesus to doing everyday life with Him, it helps cultivate a more intentional relationship.”
From the moment I wake up, community is already part of my day. With the size and culture of IWU, I have the opportunity to engage with others from the start. From the lobby of my residence hall to walking to class with friends, I am continually surrounded by people I get to do life with.
IWU is the first place I have truly felt known, and the Lord has used my relationships here to show me the importance of Christian community. Being created for community means more than spending time with people you love. It means running toward Jesus together.
Much of my day is spent studying or in class. In many of my psychology and criminal justice courses, we explore the integration of law and Christianity, how to serve juvenile youth, and how to live out biblical truth in visible and subtle ways.
Even when days are long and tests are difficult, I try to view studying as part of spiritual discipline and my professors as partners in that formation. Pursuing my calling through education is an opportunity to steward the resources God has given me and prepare for a future serving youth made in His image.
Some of the most meaningful moments of the day happen in small acts of service.
Service in my daily life is less about a scheduled moment and more about a continual mindset. It often looks like intentional text messages, prayers, conversations, and small acts of care.
As a hall chaplain, I help integrate spiritual formation with residence life through small groups. It is a privilege to be part of the freshman experience, and I take seriously the responsibility of helping fellow students find community and develop rhythms of spiritual formation.
In between the responsibilities of class, study, and leadership, rest becomes its own form of spiritual practice.
I try to see the small pockets of my day that are not filled with work, studying, or mentoring girls in my hall as opportunities for rest.
Whether that means exercising at the Recreation and Wellness Center, grabbing coffee with friends at McConn, or simply enjoying the beauty of campus, rest reminds me to seek joy and remember the abundant life Christ offers.
My day usually ends with a quiet time of reflection. I put on worship music and spend time in prayer and journaling.
Writing out my prayers has helped me connect with the Lord more deeply and see how He has been working in my life.
When I feel at a standstill or wonder if my prayers are being answered, I can flip through old journals and see each answered prayer, even the ones I had forgotten I prayed.
residential students on the Marion campus*
of Marion grads live on campus*
student spiritual leadership roles such as hall chaplains, Spiritual Formation Office leaders, and chapel interns**
students- (91% of the student body) completed all chapel requirements**
*Stats provided by the IWU Department of Institutional Academic Research (a division of University Academic Affairs), pulling from Fall 2025 data
**Stats provided by Emily Robbins and Andrea Summers using SFO Fall 2025 statistics and Andrea Summers’ Spring 2026 Board report
