Since its inception, Lee University has required its students to attend on-campus chapel services as part of the overall student experience at the Church of God school. Through the years the basic format of weekly chapel services has remained unchanged, but to keep up with current worship trends across generational lines, Lee University conducts a Sunday night alternative to the traditional chapel, called “U-Church.”

The spring 2012 U-Church series will kick off January 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the university’s Conn Center. U-Church is designed as a service for students, alumni, and friends from the community and evening services provide the opportunity to worship together in an atypical chapel format. This semester’s line-up includes illusionist Harris III, singer-songwriter Phil Wickham, indie-rock worship band Gungor, and an evening of student-led worship.

“On Jan. 29, prepare to be amazed as illusionist, Harris III (“Harris the Third”), opens the spring season,” stated Campus Pastor Dr. Jimmy Harper.

Since receiving a magic set from his grandmother at the age of nine, Harris III has been fascinated with magic, illusion, and how easily the senses are deceived. Harris’ first public performance was at age 11. Today, at 27, he is a classically-trained and award-winning master illusionist, as well as an expert in the art of deception.

Harris has performed before one million people in more than twelve nations on five continents. Harris’ performances not only amaze his audiences, but also awaken them to the lure of deception, the power of the senses, and the secret of living life based on deeper realities.

Lee will host acclaimed singer-songwriter Phil Wickham on February 26. In 2011, Wickham released his fifth studio-album titled Response, described by ChristianityToday.com as “a true original thanks to clever wordplay, adventurous arrangements, and the ability to strike just the right balance between reverence and resourcefulness.”

The San Diego, Calif. native has culminated an impressive fan-base, touring churches across the world to play music. Wickham’s hope for his listeners is for “inspiration to look outside of themselves and their circumstance to the world around them, and truly worship God.”

On March 25 there will be an evening of worship featuring the Lee University Chapel Band. The service is student-led with direction from Dr. Brad Moffett, director of chapel music. Student worship leaders are selected by Moffett and Josh York, director of facilities management. Many of the students have been involved with chapel music in some capacity throughout the semester.

Led by Michael Gungor, the indie-rock worship band, Gungor, will take the Conn Center stage on April 22. In 2011, the Denver based group band received Grammy ® nominations in the categories of “Best Gospel Song” and “Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album” for their 2010 album Beautiful Things.

“If leading worship is just about bringing a group of people into a room so we can get goose bumps and sing songs together, there’s not much value in that,” said Gungor. “But, if leading worship is a means to an end so that we leave this place as a different kind of people, as part of a new humanity that God wants to create, then that matters.”

For more information about U-Church at Lee University, contact Kristi Vanoy at kvanoy@leeuniversity.edu.