A new chapter of Delight Ministries opened at Calvin University this year, offering weekly Bible studies and community building events aimed at growing Christian friendships and fellowship among women on campus.
Since the start of the fall semester, the ministry has found great success. One of the co-leaders, Ainsley Sherd, stated that the turnout at the kick-off event was “a physical representation that there’s a hunger for it on campus.”
Sherd and co-leader Marge Boelema didn’t initially expect to start a ministry at Calvin. However, during their sophomore year, they were left searching for deeper female Christian community. For Boelema, what began as a personal devotional idea grew into something bigger. Sherd and Boelema soon gathered a leadership team in spring 2025 and officially launched the ministry in fall 2025. They were hoping to “help other women on our campus find that Christian community that they’ve been searching for.”
At the center of Delight are the weekly Sunday night Bible study meetings. The students work through a devotional, discuss Scripture readings and connect with the community. Much of the group’s momentum has also come from its events.
Sherd highlighted the group’s brunch panel as one of the most well loved activities. The panel includes women in different stages of life, answering student-submitted questions about relationships, faith and vocation. Sherd described the panels as “definitely the highlight” of the year, noting they’ve received “really great feedback.”
For students participating in the ministry, the balance of faith formation and community building has been invaluable. Sophomore Sylvie Mulder reflected on the effect of the group on her faith: “It has been great for my spiritual journey, just digging into the Word and asking questions.” Beyond the programming, Mulder emphasized the relationships formed through the group and the opportunity to connect on a deeper level with women across Calvin’s campus.
Beyond the success of the group’s attendance numbers, Boelema and Sherd reflected on the deeper impact that is often harder to measure. Boelema expressed the growth of students’ openness throughout the year. She added that the consistency of students returning each week demonstrates the fact that the group is making an impact on campus.
For Sherd, this growth has also been personal. Co-leading the group has been “so refreshing,” she said, “having women who are pursuing the same things as you, and are like-minded and really want to give back to this community.”
Looking to next year, the group plans to expand its leadership, but keep most of the core elements the same. With one final event left in the semester — a “Walk & Coffee” event on May 2 at 7 p.m. in the Chapel Undercroft — Sherd expressed their excitement for what is to come: “We’ve got one year under our belt, we know what works and what doesn’t, and we’re excited to add more events to the calendar and continue to grow this ministry.”
