KANSAS CITY, Mo—Midwestern Seminary welcomed hundreds of students, staff, and community members, along with their families, to campus for the Spring Picnic on April 19. The event featured free food, fun, and fellowship for the seminary community.
An annual tradition, Spring Picnic is an opportunity to celebrate God’s kindness on the campus community at the conclusion of the academic year.
“The Spring Picnic is always one of my favorite events each year,” said President Jason Allen. “To see our campus community come out for fellowship and fun is always encouraging. I want to offer a special thanks to Tim Adams and the entire Student Life and Events team for their work in pulling off another great Spring Picnic.”
Tim Adams, director of Student Life and Events at Midwestern Seminary, shared, “The Spring Picnic is such a special event. The weather is warming, and it is a joy to be outside with friends and family for a meal together.”
Guests enjoyed a free dinner with options from Chick-fil-A and Kansas City caterer Two Guys and a Grill. Local vendors Lilo’s Shaved Ice and Melt Box Ice Cream provided dessert.
The evening’s activities included yard games, inflatables, and carnival-style attractions for kids, including balloon art and face painting. Missouri bluegrass band Lindley Creek performed live music during the event.
Additionally, Spring Picnic featured the ninth annual student vs. faculty and staff wiffle ball game. This year, the student team took the victory, after a multi-year streak of faculty and staff wins.
Adams said, “Every year, the staff versus student wiffle ball game is such a highlight. The game is full of lighthearted competition and fun.”
He went on to say, “Having the campus community together at an event like Spring Picnic is a sweet reminder of God’s graciousness here at Midwestern Seminary and Spurgeon College.”
Adams leads the institution’s efforts to host Spring Picnic and other campus traditions such as Fall Festival and Meet on the Lawn, as well as Midwestern Seminary’s conferences including For The Church National Conference, Ready Youth Conference, and 9Marks at Midwestern.
Friends of Midwestern Seminary, including local pastors and ministry leaders, are invited each year to enjoy Spring Picnic alongside students, faculty, and staff.
Armando Rodriguez, assistant director of Student Life, shared, “Midwestern Seminary formally partners with churches to equip and train them in various ways. From time to time throughout the year, we also get to come together with them to fellowship through our events. Our Spring Picnic is a great way for many churches to come to our campus to fellowship with one another.”
Reflecting on the significance of Midwestern Seminary’s events for the Church, Adams expressed his gratitude for the Student Life and Events team. “They provide the institution with the man power to execute conferences, workshops, and events; as a whole, they allow Midwestern to serve local churches and their pastors.”
He noted the particular contributions of student leaders, adding, “Student leaders sacrificially serve this institution to ensure we have events like Spring Picnic.”
Midwestern Seminary’s Student Life and Events team includes over 25 student leaders and resident assistants who serve the seminary in hosting campus events and discipling residential students. Student leaders receive regular leadership development training from key campus leaders.
Student Leader Madelyn Hansen shared, “Being on student leadership for the past couple of years has been a unique way to serve the campus community. I’ve been thankful for the relationships that I have been able to build with the other students on the team, as well as with the staff members that we work with as we host events.”
Hansen, who is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in biblical counseling, has served as a student leader since 2022. She holds an executive position in student leadership, in which she provides mentorship to fellow women on the team.
Hansen expressed gratitude for the skills afforded to her through participating in student leadership, saying, “I can already see the ways that serving on student life has helped equip me for ministry in the future.”
Noting her enjoyment of this year’s Spring Picnic, she said, “It was encouraging to see so many students and families from campus attend the event.”
To view more photos of Spring Picnic, click here.
