Students worship God through music

Some students have found a way to combine what they love to do with their personal beliefs.  The Praise Band offers that relief for some Ottawa University students. 

The Praise Band is a group of students who perform together before worship services.

This group of nine kicks off evening worship at 9 p.m. every Sunday in the chapel, usually drawing in a crowd of about 40 people.

Keith Niemeyer, freshman student and new member of the praise band really enjoys it.

"I am a musician at heart and all I do revolves around Christianity and music," Niemeyer said.

Some of the students involved in Praise Band have received scholarship to play.

"It's what I do," Sam Warshawsky, freshman, said.  "You have the athletes who come here to play sports and I've come here to play music."

The Praise Band was started by senior Brian Hutton and since has grown. Its nine members leave just enough students for the group to be split into two teams. The separate teams allow the members to alternate weekends.

The members of the Praise Band say more people are coming to evening worship this semester. Their upbeat and lively entertainment may be to credit for the increase of worshipers.

Cole Meeks, freshman, is becoming a regular visitor.

"My girlfriend took me one Sunday and since then I go whenever I get a chance," Meeks said.  "It's nothing like going to church with my grandmother, I like the music and the messages."

Tyler Hazen, freshman, is still encouraging more people to attend the services.

"There is always room for more, we love seeing new faces in the congregation," he said.

Occasionally, the group can be seen at First Baptist Church performing.  On campus services are held weekly at 9 p.m. in the Chapel.