From classroom to congregation: Building lasting ties with local churches

by Hannah Diles

When he was in second grade, senior Elijah Swindle proudly announced to his teacher that he wanted to be a WWE wrestler. When she suggested he choose another profession, he decided preaching was the next best thing. Junior Matt Jones took a different path, starting at another college before transferring to Harding after meeting Christ and deciding to pursue ministry. Together, Swindle and Jones recognized a need for preachers in the local church community and founded the Max Aubel Preaching Club.

The Max Aubel Preaching Club is a student-led organization dedicated to creating and equipping a community of student preachers to support congregations in churches around Searcy. Swindle and Jones believe that by pooling resources, students and churches can form a mutually beneficial relationship. Students have the opportunity to practice preaching, regardless of their major or intended vocation, while local churches are eager to support students, build lasting relationships and offer spiritual encouragement.

Jones asserts that anyone can learn to preach. “There are plenty of people who have a full-time job and preach on Sundays. Some people think, ‘I'm a business major; I can't preach.’ That’s not the case at all. We’re all disciples and ministers, and we are in this together to help each other grow. That’s the vision: to create a community that gathers more people interested in ministry and preaching — some not even full time.”

The roots of the Preachers Club originated with the Center for Preaching and the work of Dr. Eddie Cloer and Stone Nix. The center existed to connect preachers across the country, and the Preachers Club now fills that same need on a local scale. Cloer and Nix compiled a list of local churches with 50 members or fewer and handed it to Swindle. Swindle invited Jones to join him, and the Preachers Club was founded in Fall 2024.

The club’s official name honors Max Aubel (’21) and his heart for ministry. Aubel was a ministry major and student preacher at Griffithville Church of Christ. He spent his summers working at Kerusso, a weeklong summer camp where ninth to 12th grade young men are trained in preaching and ministry. After graduation, Aubel moved to Colorado to preach. He became sick and was admitted to the hospital for altitude sickness, which was later diagnosed as a rare and aggressive form of cancer. One year later, he died, leaving behind his wife and congregation. Aubel carried a deep love for ministry and a passion for preaching, and his legacy continues in the Max and Hannah Aubel Endowed Scholarship.

Swindle shares that Aubel was the inspiration for starting the club and continuing his example. “Max is the inspiration, and we want to inspire other student preachers to follow his footsteps,” he said. “A big part of the club is reminding young men that even though we are young, we still have the opportunity to proclaim God's word and be effective. If we are proclaiming God's word, then we know it will be heard.”

Swindle and Jones want to honor Aubel’s name by equipping and creating a new generation of preachers. Since Fall 2024, the group has focused on building a supportive community where preachers can practice, receive feedback and share in worship and fellowship. The group has access to a list of churches and connections to bridge students to congregations. As they grow, the club plans to host speakers and guests to encourage and equip students. Swindle and Jones want to instill that effective preaching does not require extravagance or polish, only a willingness to learn and grow.

After Swindle turns his tassel, Jones will carry the club into next year. Swindle leaves this final exhortation. “If you are a college student, already learning how to study the Bible and maybe taking a class on how to preach, you have all these resources to fill a need. At Harding, you are being poured into and given instruction and wisdom. You have the opportunity to do something that matters and is effective by stepping into the pulpit. As a student preacher, I am getting to learn, grow and demonstrate what I am learning all at the same time.”

 Is your church looking for a preacher on a full-time, part-time or seasonal basis? Contact Elijah Swindle at eswindle@harding.edu or Matt Jones at mjones42@harding.edu to partner with the Max Aubel Preachers Club.