Spiritual Life

All of Chapel live-streamed, including the music … more Ministry Forums for students … a newly designed One Foundation for faculty. There will be plenty of spiritual life opportunities on campus this fall, including an in-depth look at the Reformation on its 500th anniversary.

Richard Busby, a professor in the College of Nursing and Health Care Professions, has worked in the medical field for 40 years and has traveled to 28 countries to aid those with limited access to medical care and to serve struggling communities. He shared stories about his recent experience in Kathmandu, Nepal, and his passionate view on integrating faith into the classroom.

The fall semester schedule for Chapel is a mix of new speakers and returnees, as usual. But what’s notable about it is that speakers could choose from a list of topics that are important to Christians, and there also will be the first annual Chapel session on bioethics.

Jim Miller, the new corporate chaplain in the executive office building at 27th Avenue, will bring years of experience to the position plus a passion for helping. “Work doesn’t happen in a vacuum. I’m here to talk and pray with anyone,” he said.

Sister Rosemary Nyirumbe visited GCU on Friday to share her purpose with GCU employees: to heal, mend and love the ‘lost girls’ of Northern Uganda. “I am a dreamer. I dream of making lives a little better. I dream of healing their pain. I dream of mending their brokenness,” she said, bringing her warmth, humor and inspiration to a university where finding one’s purpose is what it’s all about.

It was another busy year at Grand Canyon University, with new facilities opening (of course) and other advancements. But the focus, as always, was on serving the student population and the surrounding neighborhood.

Kent DelHousaye brought with him to Chapel on Monday morning a stark message about what it means to be in concert with God. It can be like a fight, DelHousaye said, and you can win even if you seemingly tie or lose.

The Integration of Faith, Learning and Work “Lunch and Learn” series concluded Friday with a discussion about our relationships, especially the most important one — the one with Jesus. Colangelo College of Business instructor Ken Hein shared some personal anecdotes and said, “It takes courage to stand up and sacrifice what might be everything in order to have a permanent relationship with our Savior.”

Riccardo Stewart’s engaging speaking style and provocative message made for a memorable Chapel talk Monday morning at Grand Canyon University Arena. The pastor of Redemption Church in Tempe tackled the issue of diversity head-on and talked openly about the challenge of overcoming what divides us and learning to live as one.

Noe Garcia isn’t the first Chapel speaker at Grand Canyon University to share tales of missteps and woe from his past, but the North Phoenix Baptist Church pastor had a uniquely engaging way of putting his message in perspective. “I could not date sin and expect to be intimate with God,” he said.