An Evening of Worship with Benjamin William Hastings at MHS

On Sunday, Oct. 18, as fall colors began to emerge across Milton Hershey School campus, the MHS community gathered for its second annual Outdoor Chapel service, featuring Grammy Award-winning, platinum-selling Christian artist Benjamin William Hastings.

Students and staff set aside their usual Sunday routines, gathering with lawn chairs, blankets, and extra layers as they settled in for worship under the open sky. It didn’t take long for the lawn outside Founders Hall to fill as students and staff claimed their spots for the event.

Among the eager crowd were members of the MHS worship team, whose excitement carried an added significance. Week after week, they help lead chapel services for their peers, and now they were preparing to experience the songs live that have become a meaningful part of campus worship.

“Being able to see Benjamin William Hastings live is one of my biggest dreams come true,” MHS sophomore Mason Barnes said. “Events like these help bring our MHS community together and help us praise God in a different way.”

For Hastings, a Christian singer-songwriter from Northern Ireland, the visit marked his first time stepping onto the MHS campus. Known for writing music that points listeners toward faith and hope, he found himself equally inspired by what he witnessed. Though impressed by the campus, it was the people who stood out most. Throughout the evening, students and staff listened intently, hanging on each lyric and every story he shared.

“Getting to look out and see students of all different ages having their own responses and encounters was really special,” Hastings said. “It was a beautiful night.”

Houseparents welcomed the break from their typical weekend routines, embracing an experience that brought their students together beyond the walls of their student homes. For many, Hastings’ music was already woven into the rhythms of daily life, serving as the soundtrack to many important moments. Seeing those familiar songs come to life on stage transformed the chapel service into something more than a concert. It became a shared expression of the faith, community, and connection that houseparents work to cultivate in their student homes every day.

“Benjamin William Hastings’ songs are really encouraging,” Senior Division houseparent Keiichi Naruke said. “We play them on the worship team, in the office, and whenever I give rides to students, they naturally hear his songs on the radio.”

Throughout the evening, Hastings moved seamlessly between the keyboard and guitar, showcasing a level of musical versatility that may have surprised those unfamiliar with the breadth of his talents. His range as a musician was particularly evident during beloved songs such as “Abandoned,” “Heart Fought Hallelujah,” and “So Will I.”

“Outdoor Chapel has become my new favorite tradition at MHS,” MHS Director of Religious Programs Will Ogle said. “When we gather together, it is a great reminder that we are not alone.”

Events like these at MHS bring faith to life beyond the normal chapel experience. Their impact doesn’t end when the event concludes. Rather, it stays with students and staff long after the final moment has passed.