Spiritual Life

The College of Theology’s Barnabas Pastoral Program, which begins in the fall semester, quickly has caught on with students who felt a nudge from God to become a pastor. There’s a consistency to their stories that proclaims God’s power to speak through them when they least expected it.

Alexander Manire never thought that his attempt to prove the Bible wrong would result in his conversion to Christianity, nor did he know that it would turn him into a Christian author. Now, with multiple books published under the pen name Chris F. Walker, Manire has taken on a new journey: the path to his GCU degree in Christian Worldview.

The idea was lodged in the mind of senior Sam Yonan long before the COVID-19 pandemic upended the world: GCU should have a cross to represent who we are as a Christian university. The project moved forward even during the health crisis as three crosses were assembled in a shop on campus this week. Their message of hope for the future resonated even more.

There WAS a Chapel service Monday morning — one in line with the “new normal” of the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of the usual service in GCU Arena, it was recorded on campus and made available digitally. Here’s a look at what the Spiritual Life staff and Worship Arts students are doing these days to help people keep the faith.

GCE Pastor Jim Miller was faced with a dilemma: The vast majority of employees are working from home during the coronavirus outbreak, which meant there wouldn’t be a live audience for his monthly Chapel service Wednesday morning featuring GCU President Brian Mueller. But Miller is a people person, so he brought it to the people — virtually. The service was viewed on Zoom and Facebook, and Mueller delivered a memorable talk.

Terry Mackey grabbed the attention of the Chapel audience and never let go Monday morning. His talk was filled with quickly recited Bible verses and sayings he calls “Mackey-ology.” But, most importantly, it carried a consistent message: “You can put your trust in God because He has always been and He will always be trustworthy.”

Brian Kruckenberg of New City Church is a regular Chapel speaker, but he always comes equipped with a fresh, thoughtful message. Monday, he used a map and pictures of the desert and the beach to demonstrate what it means to answer God’s call. “Live to be a blessing,” he told his audience.

Talk about a commanding presence: Megan Fate Marshman’s Chapel talk Monday was forceful, thought-provoking and funny as she shared the importance of the “I am the vine; you are the branches” statement by Jesus in Chapter 15 of John. To demonstrate what our life looks like if we don’t let God take control, she brought with her a huge, dead tree branch and said, “When you’re not connected, you look like this.”

There was a time, not that long ago, when Spiritual Life leaders weren’t sure if enough students would attend two worship services, Chapel and The Gathering. But worship on campus has grown so much, last fall The Gathering had to be expanded to two services on Tuesday nights just to accommodate all the people who wanted to attend. Reprinted from the February issue of GCU Magazine.

After a troubled childhood, Christopher Robinson didn’t want a relationship with God. But when he finally opened his heart to Jesus, it made such an impact on him, he wrote a book and wants to become a youth pastor after he graduates. “It got to a point where God was so real, where I could not deny it, I could not continue to do what I was doing prior,” Robinson said. “It just wasn’t possible.”