Vespers under the lights: a fresh space to gather and grow

With a red-tinted moon rising above the stadium, students launched the fall semester with the first Vespers service under the new lights at Royal Stadium. Voices lifted in worship as they declared God’s glory while standing beneath the beauty of His creation. 

Some came to worship, some to gather with friends, and some simply to experience the sense of community under the lights. The evening marked the start of a new tradition—and a glimpse of what’s now possible on campus, both for spiritual and athletic life, thanks to a donor gift that will shape Bethel students’ experiences for years to come.

Vespers has long been a cornerstone of spiritual life at Bethel. Led by students on Sunday evenings, the service provides a space to pause, worship, and set the tone for the week. This cherished tradition, where students encounter God together, recently found a fresh setting outdoors under the new stadium lights.

The lights—made possible by two anonymous donor families—open new possibilities for campus gatherings, and Vespers is a shining example. For students, it became a unique way to worship in community. For donors, it was a chance to see Bethel’s spirit of connection flourish.

“Bethel is an important institution, and we want to see it thrive and continue to grow,” one donor says. “We recognize that sports facilities and extracurricular activities are a big part of attracting people to Bethel. Adding stadium lights will be a great support for track and field and football.”

For one donor family, supporting this project was a way to invest in Bethel’s broader mission. “Our family loves Bethel. Bethel University has been such a blessing to us, and many others. From the leadership in the president’s office, to the campus pastor, to the athletic department and the faculty, Bethel is firing on all cylinders. If we can do anything to leverage the impact Bethel has for God’s Kingdom, then we are all in!”

For student leaders, the first worship service under the lights was unforgettable. “Having the opportunity to worship in the football stadium with the newly donated lights was an experience like no other,” says Aviya Wadsager ‘26, chaplain for United Worship Ministries. “Being able to gather together with fellow students, alumni, and the community was so special. It is so encouraging being able to witness and be a part of a large community who is truly on fire for God.”

Dai’Veone Ellis ’27 described the night as a moment of unity. “Worshipping under the new stadium lights felt powerful and humbling,” he says. “It reminded me how God can work through people’s generosity. The donors’ gift made the moment feel like more than just turning on new lights; it was an act of honoring and glorifying God together.”

The atmosphere reflected that joy. Students found freedom to worship in different expressions—some dancing and jumping, some sitting in stillness, others bowing low to the ground in reverence.  

Wadsager also reflected on how the setting deepened the worship experience. “Anytime a song mentioned the creation of God, it stood out to me. Being able to sing lyrics like ‘if creation still obeys you, so will I’ while looking at His creation around me made the worship so much more intimate. Even though I was part of the band, I could not help but be faced with the magnitude of God’s glory,” she says. 

“Vespers under the lights will definitely go down as a highlight of my year,” shares Malia Mckinnon ‘27. “It was awesome to see so many fellow students worshipping the Lord that night, and I noticed parents and alumni that also joined us. I felt so at peace that night and so thankful that we attend a school where this is possible.” 

While Vespers highlighted the spiritual opportunities the lights create, athletics is another area poised to benefit.

“The opportunity to potentially host a twilight meet in the evening really excites me,” says Andrew Rock, head track and field coach. “Track athletes love competing under the lights, and it makes for an incredible environment for the competition.”

Rock also noted that the investment could ripple into recruiting and program visibility: “I think there is a great opportunity to host a larger high school track event on campus with the addition of the lights. We just started hosting a high school meet in April, and I believe that meet could really grow. This will impact our program because we would be able to get more high-level track athletes on our campus for a meet.”

For Rock, the project represents both gratitude and growth. “The track program is incredibly grateful for the generosity of the donors that have helped make this happen. We have a beautiful setting for athletes at Royal Stadium, and our athletes are really fortunate to be able to train and compete at such a top-notch facility.”

With the new lights, the stadium is more accessible for worship services, intramurals, student gatherings, and other events. The system extends the usable hours of the space—an especially valuable upgrade for a Minnesota campus where daylight is scarce for much of the year.

“I hope the new stadium lights help create an inviting space where students feel free to gather, worship, and encounter God in fresh ways,” Ellis said. “They don’t just brighten the field—they set the stage for deeper community, heartfelt worship, and moments where people can see and experience God’s love more clearly. My prayer is that future Vespers services under these lights will continue to inspire students to grow in faith and fellowship.”

Whether it’s a late-night practice, an evening worship service, or an outdoor student event, the lights—and the donors behind them—bring new opportunities for students to learn, grow, and connect.

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