The archways outside the Brodhead Center on Duke’s West Campus have stood for almost 100 years. Over those decades, messages written and scratched into the “Duke stone” have greeted students, faculty, staff and visitors passing through the 8-foot-tall entryways.

But as campus welcomed back thousands of people this past weekend for the start of a new academic year, those freshly washed, beige arches looked mostly untouched, except for a single message in white chalk left for all to see: “you are loved.”

“This has been my six-year campus ministry to Duke undergrads,” said Jeff Connolly, smiling. Somewhere during January or February 2019 — the depth of winter can string cold, dark days together — Jeff was walking through campus and spotted the message from an anonymous author, slightly fading. A piece of chalk sat on the ground nearby. He decided to fill it in as a reminder to himself and others.

“It coincided with this deeper narrative I was feeling at the time that the Lord is our provider,” he said. “That He’s always been providing for you, and He will keep providing for you.”

Every six months or so, Jeff traces over faded letters with another piece of white chalk. And every time, he said, it’s obvious that Duke staff use pressure washers to remove scribbles and pound away words and notes carved into the stone while “you are loved” remains.

It’s a little bit of hope Jeff wants everyone to see. During runs through campus at least once a week, he gives it a tap as he passes by: “I want it to remind us that in His love, our worries aren’t quite as bad as we may make them out to be.”

“More and more it’s such an integral part of my notion of discipleship,” he said. “We are always loved by God, and He’s always present with that love. Our job as disciples is to attune others to that love more and more.”

For Jeff, it takes about 30 seconds to write his words of affirmation each time he gives it a refresh. And it’s a role he’s gladly taken on after spotting it years ago, coincidentally in almost the exact spot where he met his wife, Lauren.

“Even in small ways, there are missions or purposes we’re given,” he said. “Sometimes in the ways you might least expect it.”