Spiritual Life

Speakers have brought props to Chapel before, but Robert Watson took it to the next level Monday — he brought a grill. One lucky student got a free grilled cheese sandwich out of it, and his audience got a strong message about how much God values us.

Sean Moore’s Chapel talk Monday was all about relationships — starting with our dialogue (not our monologue) with God. “I found that once I got my relationship with God right, my relationship with God gave me wisdom on what I was supposed to do in my other relationships with other people,” the pastor of Faith Christian Center said.

Suffering is never easy to accept. It’s part of the deal, whether you’re a Christian or not, said Emma Tautolo of Athletes in Action. But she finds the answers to her questions about suffering in Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians and Philippians — a message she shared at Chapel on Monday. She said that when believers participate in suffering, like Christ did, it will lead to resurrection and to light.

Canyon Worship West, the first concert by students whose work appeared on the Canyon Worship 2018 album, drew an appreciative crowd Tuesday at Harvest Bible Chapel West Valley. “These guys came into this church, set up three hours before, and walked in like they’d been playing here for 10 years,” said Genaro “Gin” Giurgiu, the church’s Director of Worship.

Monday’s Chapel was unusual. The Worship Team got the week off, but there still was plenty of great music — oh my, was there ever. Scott MacIntyre of “American Idol” fame was the guest speaker and, in between a half-dozen songs, delivered his message about making the most of the talent God has given you. MacIntyre certainly has — he’s blind.

Priscilla Shirer drew a huge crowd to her appearance Saturday at GCU Arena, and it’s no wonder: Her down-to-earth talk shows why so many women have tuned into her work. “I love her transparency. I love how she’s a normal mom. She’s folding her own clothes,” one attendee said.

Priscilla Shirer is the daughter of a prominent evangelist, but she has blazed her own trail with her Going Beyond Ministries, producing multiple books and frequently speaking at major conferences. Her appearance Saturday at GCU Arena is sold out.

Though he has spoken at Chapel each of the last five years, New City Church Lead Pastor Brian Kruckenberg always brings a fresh message. Monday, he asked his audience, “How do you define your life?” There’s only one proper way to answer that, he said: “We live from Jesus, through Jesus, for Jesus, period. Because … to live is Christ.”

This is the time of year when students start getting into the thick of school, when they will hear many voices telling them it’s really important to be engaged in this activity and that activity, and that they need to make those groups or events or projects a part of their life. But Dr. Tim Griffin, GCU Pastor and Dean of Students, said, “Next thing you know, Jesus will be pushed to the end of the day — to the edges of our life — and we can’t hear his voice because we’re so busy.” At Chapel on Monday, Griffin urged students to take a step back from the business of life, be mindful, find a quiet spot and think about how important it is to hear from Jesus. “Sit in front of Him and let Him speak to your heart,” he said.

Many Chapel speakers draw from personal experiences to deliver their message, and Mia Koehne’s message about forgiveness Monday at Chapel was that much stronger because her lapse into pain and brokenness was so deep. She’s so thankful God exposed her sin. “That was His gift to me,” she said.