Radiant Ministries brings community and faith for women at Lee

A new women-only club on campus is working to provide community and faith-centered connection for women at Lee University. Radiant Ministries, founded last year by junior Emily Barnes, is a student-led organization dedicated to sisterhood, prayer and growing together in Christ.

Barnes, who serves as the club’s president, said the idea for Radiant Ministries grew out of her desire to bring something similar to Delight Ministries, a national women’s faith organization, to Lee’s campus. When that was not possible, she decided to create something new.

“I had to make something from scratch, they liked it, and here we are,” Barnes said. “It was inspired by having a place for women to go and have a safe space and learn about Jesus.”

Faculty sponsor Samantha Spinks said she has been impressed watching Barnes bring the club from an idea to a recognized part of campus life.

“This was the first time I’ve ever worked with a club to take it from not being in existence at all to actually being recognized at Lee University,” Spinks said. “I’ve seen Emily take it from nothing to something viable. It’s been incredible to watch it grow.”

The club launched in spring 2025 and is now in its first full year. According to Barnes, Radiant aims to meet a need for students who want to be part of a community but may not be drawn to Greek life or other large campus groups.

The Radiant Ministries commuity at Oct. 10 event. Photo credit: Emme Lowder

“There are some people who don’t want to do Greek life because of the commitment, but they still want to be part of something,” Barnes said. “We want to be there for women who maybe don’t have anyone to lean on.”

Spinks said the club’s focus on women-only connection sets it apart.

“I love that it’s female-focused, because there are some things as a woman that you only want to talk to a woman about,” she said. “Having that inclusion makes it special. They’re cultivating relationships, making new friendships and walking through life together with a faith-based focus.”

Radiant Ministries meets weekly for Bible studies led by members of the leadership team. In addition, the club hosts campus events such as watch parties, fellowship nights and themed gatherings. This semester’s highlight was “Coffee at Luke’s: Radiant Edition,” a Gilmore Girls-inspired event that featured coffee and conversation on the Alumni Lawn on Oct. 10.

For members like sophomore Ashley Shearer, Radiant offers both community and spiritual growth.

“One of my good friends told me about it, and I had been wanting to find a Bible study or a small group,” Shearer said. “This one’s smaller than most of the other clubs, so it gives that sense of really knowing each other. You’ll know everyone’s name, and you can talk to them about anything.”

Shearer said the club has helped her see Scripture in new ways through group discussions. “Each one of us reads the Bible differently. Hearing other perspectives makes me say, ‘Oh wow, I never saw it that way before.’”

Radiant’s leadership also emphasizes intentional relationships. Jacey Kate Jennings, the Friends in Faith coordinator, oversees a prayer partnership program designed to ensure that no one feels isolated.

Members Mikayla Blower and Ely Webb at Oct. 10 event. Photo credit: Emme Lowder

“Once we have a more refined group of girls, we’re going to pair them up so they spend a month praying for each other every day and hanging out at least once,” Jennings said. “That way there’s no cliques in the club, and everyone is surrounded in prayer.”

Jennings said she values Radiant’s intimacy compared to larger campus ministries. “It’s the only girls’ Bible study club we have, and it feels like a more personal setting where we can dive deeper,” she said.

As Radiant Ministries grows, Barnes hopes the club will outlast her leadership team and become a lasting presence on campus.

“Hopefully we can get younger people involved so it keeps going after we graduate,” Barnes said. “I want people to look at Radiant and say, ‘They love the Lord, and it shines through them.’ That’s where the name came from.”

For now, Barnes said she is grateful to see her vision come to life. “Don’t give up if you want to start something,” she said. “It’s a hard process, but it’s worth it.”