As seven people sat scattered across Peeler auditorium Sunday watching YouTube videos of various Christian artists, senior Shannon Fayson wondered what she had done wrong.
Fayson, a senior and vice president of the DePauw Christian Fellowship organized the event. "Heartbreak" was one word she used to describe her reaction to Sunday afternoon's turnout, however, as only seven people came to join her in Jesus Jams, an event that normally draws in a full auditorium.
In recent years DePauw Christian Fellowship has decreased significantly in size from numbers in the 20s last year to around 10 members this year. Fayson said that she could not think of an explanation for the drop aside from changes in interest among students. She explained the change as a "spiritual warfare" among students regarding whether or not they should join religious groups on campus and make an effort to follow their faith. She expressed that low attendance at Jesus Jams especially highlighted the trend for her.
"Compared to previous years, I wouldn't say a failure because nothing in God is a failure, but a very, very, very low turnout," Fayson said. "It makes me worry."
Fayson specifically attributed the low numbers to the last-second decision of various artists and musicians to withdraw from the event, which caused a lack of planned entertainment.
"Toward the end it was like ‘Oh my gosh, things are ending in chaos because people aren't committing to their performances,'" Fayson said.
The result was an hour of fellowship among the few in attendance marked by two musical performances, karaoke to YouTube videos displayed on a screen and a game of Biblical charades. Though not what the audience expected, the overall reaction was good. Senior Schavel Morrison applauded the group's ability to embrace the situation.
"Going from a huge group to only about ten could be a little depressing and discouraging, but I think they did really well," Morrison said.
Junior Joy Mulhollan even said the low turnout made the event feel more intimate, and in her opinion, better.
"It was nice for me to be able to relax and to be able to come together with other Christians in the middle of a busy homework rush day," Mulhollan said.
Fayson said that "Jesus Jams" achieved its goal: to praise God through various art forms.
"It's not about the numbers. It's about the hearts of people, so if we can change a heart to soften a heart towards God, that's bigger than a group of people who aren't willing to change for God," Fayson said.
