About 25 people filled the Collegium for the SMU Fireside Chat Thursday night as SMU presidential candidates Ian Mayta and Luke Payton fielded questions from audience members.
The event, moderated by current SMU president Chris Reeder, was designed to facilitate interaction between the SMU presidential candidates and students. The relaxed atmosphere in the Collegium encouraged camaraderie. Payton and Mayta, sitting in front of the glowing fireplace, set the canvassing aside. Instead, they often supported each other’s ideas, suggesting a passion for missions running deeper than their campaigns.
Junior Lacey Moe appreciated the opportunity to see this earnestness during the exchange.
“It gave a lot of insight into both of their visions and gave a good idea of where they both stand,” she said.
Questions ranged from simple background information to in-depth probes about the definition of missions and the role of SMU in equipping students for mission work. Each candidate was given roughly a minute to answer, but the time limits weren’t strictly enforced.
The candidates’ platforms center around callings. Payton’s emphasis for SMU is on the call to the nations and seeing students thinking globally for missions. Mayta sees SMU as driving students to concentrate on their calling and focus on reaching one nation, people group or tribe with the Gospel.
Both candidates have substantial experience in mission work and leadership.
Mayta, a student ambassador, has participated in many mission trips and is leading an SMU trip to Germany during the summer.
Payton has volunteered at Missions Conference and been a part of SMU Prayer Department. Payton was also the captain of his high school rugby team, which forced him to ask questions about effective leadership.
“How do you keep a group of people united for a purpose and keep each one focused on his own job?” he asked.
Many of the questions from the audience addressed interpersonal interactions.
Sophomore Kyle Donn, assistant chapel board chair, was curious about each candidate’s vision for the relationship between SMU and chapel board. Both Payton and Mayta want to see mission work as a chapel emphasis outside of Missions Conference.
Perhaps the biggest point of agreement between Payton and Mayta was on the subject of prayer. Both believe prayer is a powerful and necessary component to the work of SMU and it needs to be stressed alongside worship and ministry.
“Prayer lays down the foundation for missions,” Mayta said.
Voting will take place next Monday and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. by Fluor Fountain.
