Livingstone College News Service

SALISBURY — Livingstone College joined in the observance of “Bring Your Bible to School” day on Oct. 5.

With the tagline “Bring It. Share It. Live It,” the celebration began in 2014 and is sponsored by Focus on the Family.

Livingstone College has its roots in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. The college promotes Christian morals and principles among students and in the community.

Livingstone celebrated the day with a Bible “Read-In.” Students and faculty gathered in Tubman Theatre to read and listen to scripture. Humanities Professor Da’Tarvia Parrish opened the program by reminding students of the infamous words of President Theodore Roosevelt: “A thorough understanding of the Bible is worth more than a college education.”

Parrish continued with an oral recitation of Psalm 23 and was followed by a musical performance of “Witness” by music Professor Teresa Moore-Mitchell. More than 100 students read a scripture of choice before their peers..

“I enjoyed reading with my classmates. I read from Exodus 15:2. This scripture was about strength, and as I began to prepare for the read-in, I chose this because I really needed it,” sophomore Sharief Lyons said.

The chairman of the department of criminal justice and sociology, Fred Ford, read Matthew 25: 42-45 after an intercessory prayer for people in situations highlighted in the scripture.

The local chapter of Gideons International distributed Bibles to all participants and anyone passing by.

Closing out the program was religious studies professor the Rev. Johnnie P. Henderson, who prayed for the nation and Livingstone College. Henderson reminded those present that the Bible has shaped the character of the United States and that people must learn to live decently and in order with each other and other nations.

Junior Jaleel Hitchens echoed this thought with the reading of Psalm 133: “How good and how pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.”