Around 65-70 Christian students spent Monday night into Tuesday morning hunched over the central campus sidewalk, dirtying their hands with chalk while writing the entire 879 verses of the Gospel of John.
All 21 chapters were written in around two and a half hours by the Baptist Campus Ministry (BCM), Cru and Hilltoppers for Christ (HFC). Chapter one was written just outside of Grise Hall, and chapter 21 was completed near the Preston Health and Activities Center. After writing and drawing, the group prayed for WKU’s students and faculty at Centennial Mall.
BCM Vice President and mechanical engineering senior Luke Alford said a BCM alumni member came up with the idea from other universities on social media and advised BCM leadership to do something similar. It was then approved by WKU Student Activities.
“People look for answers in a lot of different things, and I think it’s really good to have answers right in front of them,” Alford said.
Other BCM leaders expressed similar sentiments.
“I want them (the WKU community) to see Christ in all that we do,” said Elijah Vaughn, BCM’s serve team coordinator.
The sun rose on campus the same morning and illuminated the walkway adorned with the colorful work from the night before. Students used the rainbow walkway while traversing the campus for daily activities.
“It probably took a lot of time,” said junior Jenna Kittrell, who described herself as non-religious. “A lot of people probably don’t appreciate it enough, but I think it’s pretty, and it adds colors to the campus.”
Some took to the app Yik Yak to express their distaste for the project.
“You could have spent those hours at a soup kitchen or volunteering,” an anonymous Yik Yak user said. “Being an actual servant of the lord. Not just writing with chalk that’s gonna be washed away by Friday’s thunderstorm.”
Other students saw the project as a sign to keep pursuing their faith.
“It’s my goal for the year, to get more connected with God,” said freshman Ryan Cantabeni. “It’s really nice to have some kind of sign showing me [to] keep doing this.”
Alford explained that if anyone is interested in what they read on the sidewalk, he would point them to campus ministries, like BCM. Alford also said he would direct those interested to a local church.
“The church body is so important,” Alford said. “You have people from all different stages of life and walks of life united by one cause.”
