This article about Professor Al Roever was published in the Thursday, November 01, 2007 edition of The Shorthorn, the newspaper of The University of Texas at Arlington.
Former atheist finds faith, spreads message
Speaker presents pre-God experience to the campus Chi Alpha chapter November 1.
By Rae L. Masterson, contributor to The Shorthorn
pg. 5
A man who once studied the Bible to disprove God and instead became a devout believer, will speak at the university’s Chi Alpha chapter on Thursday.
The Christian-based organization is having their weekly worship service at 8 pm today in the University Center Guadalupe Room.
Al Roever, Heartland School of Ministry professor, will present his experience as a former atheist.
Stephen Deal, Chi Alpha campus pastor and coordinator, said he chose Roever to appeal to different groups, not just Christians. He said he wants people to hear Roever’s story. Like many, Roever questioned his beliefs.
Deal said regardless of a student’s beliefs the service will be helpful. They may not all believe the same things, but at one point they’ve all questioned their faith and where it was going, he said.
“At universities, every idea and every philosophy is there, and that’s the way it’s supposed to be,” he said.
Deal said it has been statistically proven that some college students don’t attend church and some lose touch with their faith. They may not lose all their faith, but it becomes less a priority with hectic college schedules, he said.
Kelton Shipman, alumnus and Chi Alpha associate pastor, said everyone can benefit from his experience because we’ve all been there.
“We all came to college wanting to find ourselves, what we’re about, what we want and what we believe in,” Shipman said.
Undeclared freshman Tee Jay Laurel, a Chi Alpha member, said she heard about Roever attending their next service at the last meeting. She said it will be interesting to hear what his life was like before he found God.
“It will give us insight on an atheist’s point of view and way of life,” she said.
Laurel said Chi Alpha has helped her keep fellowship with other Christians and has challenged her faith in good ways. She said she has learned from her experiences and knows there are more lessons to come.
Laurel said the members come together as part of a group, and they make each other feel at home. She said Chi Alpha is for anyone at any spiritual level.
Mary Kim, education junior and Chi Alpha member, said she finds it interesting that Roever studied the Bible to distance himself from God, when instead he found his faith and his calling.
“I think his past makes him more believable because he knows what it’s like to doubt the word while studying it and now teaches and lives by it,” she said.