Spiritual Life

Students volunteering with GCU’s Homeless Ministry ventured out recently to St. Vincent de Paul to serve the homeless, giving haircuts and donated clothes and washing individuals’ feet. “These people are our friends, and we are so grateful to have the chance to love and serve them in the name of Jesus,” said communications student Anders Carlson, who helps lead GCU’s Homeless Ministry team.

Monday’s Chapel talk by Jay Pathak of Mile High Vineyard in Denver was a great example of how effective storytelling can bring home a message. Pathak gave two wonderful examples, laced with humor and poignant results, of what it means to be a good neighbor.

Grand Canyon Theological Seminary, which opened in 2016, reached another milestone recently when it received full accreditation for five degree programs from the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). It’s a big step, but even more significant was the impression the University left on the visiting ATS site team.

It’s hard to imagine that anyone at Chapel on Monday doesn’t know the story of David and Goliath. But Jodi Hickerson used that story to challenge us to identify the giants we struggle to overcome and asked, “Do you believe our God is greater than our giants? Because that was the difference between David and all the other men who ran away.”

Danielle Rinnier is Director of Spiritual Life at GCU, so she is a good source for measuring the amount of spirituality on campus. But she also graduated from the University in 2007, and that makes her perspective that much more valuable. She talked about that perspective in her Chapel talk Monday and then expanded on it in a GCU Today interview later.

Chapel speakers consistently bring a strong, relatable message to GCU Arena, but Dewayne Hawkins took those traits to the next level Monday with his fiery manner and witty asides. We care way too much about what happens in our life, he said, and instead should focus mainly on Jesus.

Students worry about being prepared for their next big test and eventual career, but Dr. Tim Griffin urged them to focus on a different kind of preparation when he delivered his Chapel message Monday. The Pastor and Dean of Students said it’s far more important to prepare ourselves for eternal life.

“Keeping up with the Joneses” has become as American as apple pie, but Noemi Chavez talked of a far more satisfying treat when she spoke to Chapel on Monday. “What if the pure joy that we are looking for is what God has designed for us in relationship with Him?” she asked the audience. “What if it’s just not that complicated?”

Some Chapel talks quote Bible verses. Some deliver a message in a creative way. But Josh McDowell’s style centers on a very direct message based on a very difficult personal experience. The Christian apologist and evangelist told a story Monday morning that had the audience’s rapt attention.

Being a part-time Christian isn’t nearly enough, GCU President Brian Mueller told Chapel on Monday. We all are full-timers, he said, and then he explained what that means. “We’ve got to get that word ‘part-time’ out of our vocabulary,” he added.