Seguin, Texas

The campus congregation at Texas Lutheran University is the community for which graduating senior Jessica Matlack began a Scripture by Heart program in 2008. They have had a storytelling of the gospel at least once a month all year long.

Jessica explains, “We don’t have a name for our group, it is just some students who work together to make the worship experience at TLU memorable and holy.” On Palm Sunday 2009 they did a storytelling of the whole passion story from Mark in chapel which was well-received.

They also coached all of the readers at the beginning of the year on reading with feeling and having a good time with the text, instead of being in monotone. The result is that, “even when we’re not storytelling, the readings are still quite interesting.”

The students have been mentored in biblical storytelling by Phil Ruge-Jones, professor of theology and his wife Lori, former chaplain of the school. Acknowledging the significance of their work, Jessica says, “It’s cool to see how many young people at TLU are involved in stoytelling, thanks to the Ruge-Jones!”

Contact: Phil Ruge-Jones

Texas Lutheran University
www.tlu.edu
1000 West Court Street
Seguin, TX 78155