Welcome Week at the Institute for GOD is one of the most exciting times of the year—a chance for new students to discover campus life, build friendships, and step into a season of growth. To give you an inside look, three of our current students share their own experiences, memories, and highlights from this special week. Their stories capture the energy, community, and heart that make Welcome Week unforgettable.

Gen-z friends joyfully welcoming new students

Justice (Sophomore):

The Institute Welcome Week is legitimately the best way I could think of to kickstart a school year. Not only is it super fun with a bunch of activities, icebreaking games, and even outdoor adventure events, but it is very intentional. We have daily sessions filled with worship times, Bible studies, Q&A panels, and open opportunities for students to get to

know the faculty and staff and their classmates. Without Welcome Week, I really do not know if the student body would be as unified as it usually is coming into the start of the year. People get busy and schedules get packed, but having this holistic start-up is such an amazing opportunity to ease into the year with intentionality.

On the last day of Welcome Week, we went to a state park with an amazing waterfall, and all of our students got to swim in the waterfall river. Then we had an amazing and peaceful Bible study by the brook and had a very healing time of prayer. I keep hearing freshmen testify to how amazing that day was and how it even sparked friendships for this year.

As a sophomore, I have only been to one Welcome Week because I was sick during the Welcome Week of my freshman year. But this year, I can testify that it has already exponentially impacted the way I enter my day-to-day schedule. I feel more unified, more confident in my job and schoolwork, and more comfortable in my relationships with my friends, teachers, and mentors.

Overall, I am incredibly excited about this new year of school, and I believe Welcome Week was essential to lighting that spark for me.

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice” - Philippians 4:4.

Kiah (Sophomore):

Friendly discussion with gen-z and mentors — Welcome week is always a pivotal time for all students, especially new ones! It’s an amazing time to integrate into the college experience, learning the rules, the culture, the PEOPLE. And ultimately getting excited about all that’s to come by learning the Bible with the incredible people you’re surrounded by. Welcome Week is fun, informational, and so encouraging! We spent time in prayer and worship, learning new things about campus, getting to know our roommates, and more!

I love when all students, new to about to graduate, can come together to unite in God’s presence and start the year with energy, love, and unity! And we got to have a full adventure day in a beautiful park in Tennessee. We hiked up and down a mountain to a gorgeous waterfall and watering hole. We enjoyed each other’s company, we prayed together, and experienced God’s peace before starting the new year.

Overall, welcome week will always get you ready mentally, physically, socially, and spiritually to take on a new year filled with new friends, classes, and experiences. I can’t imagine any other way to start my school year!

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” - Lamentations 3:22–23

Kaiden (Sophomore):

So it’s halfway through August—what’s the big deal? Only that it’s Institute Welcome Week!

We had the pleasure of welcoming an amazing group of students to begin their journey of biblical education at the Institute! In my opinion, one of the best parts about Welcome Week is the move-in.

During Welcome Week, students get to experience the joy of beginning their journey of biblical education with others who have the same drive to love and serve Jesus. It is anticipated by the students who have already been attending the Institute, as well as by the staff and faculty. One of the sweetest things I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing in my second year is the amount of preparation and prayer that goes into Welcome Week.

As a college, we’re faithful to pray for those who will come to our school in the future. Whether it’s our faculty, the student body, or families of students who already attend, we frequently ask that God would continue to bring the right people and that He would speak so clearly to those who are seeking an answer about whether or not to decide to move. So it was a joy this year to welcome so many new faces!

Whether it’s my new roommates or people moving into the house next door, I know the Lord was faithful to guide and help these new students with their decision to come and learn the Bible. My heart is filled with joy to see so many people say “yes” to the Lord! Just as I decided to move from home and learn the Word, I now see the excitement in the hearts of the new students. I get to share in their joy by encouraging them and showing them how much I’ve learned since moving in just one year ago!

With my roommates, I especially reflected on the part of move-in day where we settled into our rooms—getting comfortable as we unpacked and shared our first laughs. A rush of gratitude and joy came to me because I realized these two other guys are going to be the ones I can go to when I need to share something good, ask for prayer in times of need, or just sit with to wrestle through homework questions!