A campus-wide worship service is set to mark the beginning of second semester Wednesday, where chaplain Mary Hulst will interview President Michael Le Roy on how his global travels have affected his Christian faith and his learning.

Le Roy studied in Central America while he was a student at Whitworth University and was confronted by three countries in the midst of civil war. He also interned in Washington, D.C. on trade policy toward South Africa during the apartheid era, according to his faith story on Calvin’s website.

“I became confronted with the pervasiveness and totality of human sin and became committed to a Reformed worldview as the only credible intellectual and spiritual response to the brokenness I found,” he wrote.

Le Roy also researched for his doctoral degree in Sweden and was the director of the Central America study program at Whitworth University for ten years. He was also the director of the Europe program at Wheaton College for seven years, according to his curriculum vitae.

The event will take place in the Covenant Fine Arts Center from 9:50 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. All offices, including the dining halls, Johnny’s and the campus store will be closed during this time.

Paul Ryan, associate chaplain for worship, recognized the importance of the service for the Calvin community.

“The purpose of ReGathering is to mark the beginning of second semester corporately in praise and prayer, to express gratitude for God’s grace in bringing us back together and to celebrate in particular experiences students, staff and faculty have experienced abroad,” he said.

The gathering also prompts adjustments in class schedules on the third day of the new semester.

The event will be followed by free refreshments. The service can be watched online here.