When Lancaster Bible College’s new Christ-centered student housing initiative – Charger Hall @Calvary – opens in mid-August 2025, the opportunities to build authentic community will be plentiful. Earlier this summer, LBC and Calvary Homes, an independent senior living community in Lancaster, Pa., announced a 2025-26 pilot program that blends Christian community, independent living and intergenerational connection.

This unique living opportunity allows LBC juniors, seniors and graduate students to “Experience Different” by choosing a residential experience that fosters biblical values, mentorship and service while engaging with senior adults in a meaningful way. In fact, Charger Hall @Calvary will provide the nearly 50 female student residents unique opportunities to serve and engage within the Charger Hall community. Students will be encouraged to make connections with Calvary Homes residents in spaces such as the café, fitness and pickleball areas. Additionally, a team comprised of representatives from both LBC and Calvary Homes will be exploring opportunities for further life-on-life connection.

Two LBC students who will move into their Charger Hall rooms in just a couple of weeks are excited about this new opportunity to experience independent living and build community.

Ashlynn Tober (’26)

Psychology major Ashlynn Tober (’26) chose Charger Hall @Calvary as her senior year living experience so she could enjoy a more independent living environment but still to be able to have the experience of living near campus with friends. As Ashlynn manages her allergies, she also looks forward to having access to a kitchen where she can prepare meals.

“I really think that fellowship with the Calvary Homes residents is going to be important,” she said, “by being willing and available to go to community spaces to make those intentional connections.”

Ashlynn also shared that to her “Experience Different” at LBC means “experiencing something authentic and real that cannot normally be found anywhere else in our world.”

Keilani Araniva (’26)

Fellow Psychology major Keilani Araniva (’26) chose to live in Charger Hall @Calvary this year “because I believe it will open the doors for me to have the space to grow in my independence. It’s a great idea to have off-campus housing like this because it allows us to practice those ‘adulting’ habits now before we are done with college.”

Besides the aspects of independence and cooking for herself, Keilani is looking forward to intentionality with friendships and getting to know the community members at Calvary Homes.

“I am looking forward to hosting my friends and (women’s basketball) teammates for dinner and maybe even playing pickleball with some of the other community members!” she said. “I think this unique opportunity for community will open up the doors for friendship and mentorship with the more seasoned residents. I truly am looking forward to connecting with them. It will be so sweet and life-giving to both parties.”

To Keilani, “Experience Different” at LBC stands out to her as a transfer student from another college.

“Compared to people I know who have graduated from other colleges or universities, their experience with community has not been as rich or life-giving as what I have experienced while attending LBC,” she said. “I have only been attending two semesters out of my six semesters, but there is a difference I can see in the quality of friendships I have made, and I believe LBC has a way of cultivating this.”

Check out a television interview where three representatives from LBC, including Keilani, discussed Charger Hall @Calvary on the Morning Light Live program…