In September of 2021, a chapter of Delight Ministries began at AU. The leaders of Delight had several goals in mind for the ministry, but there was one main focus for the group: the call to build a community that fosters vulnerability among girls on campus.
Although they contain over 200 chapters at universities across the country, Delight still gives room for campus leaders to build on the semester studies and fulfill the needs they have on their own campuses.
Emma Marley, Delight team director and current junior at AU, saw a need for a group on campus that would give people a life group regardless of their age or backgrounds in faith.
“I heard about Delight and felt this nudge to research it more,” said Marley. “It turned out to be perfect and a way to fill the need we saw on campus.”
Marley and her team started Delight for the girls who lost a life group after their freshman year in the dorms, are looking for a safe, encouraging community or have questions about who Jesus is and what faith looks like. Ultimately, they are a group of girls looking to chase after Christ together.
“We really wanted to have a space where girls can come from everywhere and build relationships in an intentional way,” said Marley.
Delight meets one time a week and has hosted events throughout the year to help reach girls across campus. Their weekly meetings consist of recapping that week’s reading, a discussion around the reading and a group activity. The setup of the weekly meetings allows for the leaders to help foster an intentional time for the girls to connect and grow.
In addition to the weekly meetings, they have hosted several events throughout the year. Whether it’s been the bake sale in Mocha Joe’s or the Pink Out Freak Out event to fundraise for breast cancer awareness, Delight has continued to find ways to not only fundraise but connect with all different types of people across campus.
The ministry has created not only a space for members to grow, but for the leaders as well. Senior Claire Tuttle serves as a leader and worship coordinator for Delight.
“I’ve actually learned a lot myself,” Tuttle said. “I learned that I don’t have to put on a mask that everything is fine just because I’m a leader.”
Veda Craig, another group leader, added, “Delight has given me a support system in a way I didn’t know I needed…It has been a surprising comfort no matter how I’m feeling that day.”
In the future, Marley and her co-leaders are looking to make Delight more well known throughout campus and the Anderson community. With the fundraising they had this year, they hope to have more events and begin community service projects starting next year. Despite having lofty goals for a fresh ministry, Craig said, “we are small, but mighty.”