Charleston Southern University kicks off the fall 2010 semester with Love Awakening, a three-night worship festival at 7:30 p.m. Sunday evening in the Lightsey Chapel Auditorium.

The Love Awakening theme — inspired by 1 John 4:19: “We love Him, because He first loved us” – will continue throughout the semester during campus ministry events, Bible studies and other live events on campus.

The Love Awakening three-night festival will focus on the Author of Love, The Object of Love and The Expression of Love. Sunday’s opening night is expected to draw more than 1,000 college students, faculty, staff and Lowcountry ministry partners and will feature live music, multimedia presentations and interactive worship.

“Our hope is that our campus will allow God’s Love to move us to acts of Godly love and kindness to our campus and extended community,” said Dr. Rick Brewer, vice president of student affairs and athletics. “Although we may be facing times of financial limitations how wonderful it is to know that there is NO LIMIT to God’s Unconditional Love.”

Tuesday night, CSU students will be joined by 12 Charleston-based ministries in the Lightsey Chapel for live worship and opportunities for students to connect with the attending service organizations. Water Missions International, Compassion International, In Every Story, Habitat for Humanity, Lowcountry Orphan Relief, Celebration Station, Convoy of Hope, Human Trafficking, Eagle Harbor Boys Ranch, Miracle League, Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee and Run for your Freedom are scheduled to be in attendance.

“To understand what it means to love and be loved,” explained Charleston Southern University campus pastor Clark Carter. “We are going to come together to ask God to quicken our hearts, to awaken us and make us alive in Him.”

Lifeway, a religious nonprofit organization, is donating free Bibles to all new Charleston Southern students. LifeWay receives no funding from the denomination and reinvests income above operating expenses in mission work and other ministries around the world.