Hall of Faith will continue as the Chapel theme for the 2026 spring semester at Grand Canyon University.
The theme is taken from Hebrews 11, the chapter of the Bible that celebrates Old Testament heroes, recognizing them for their faith in God.
Among those featured in the fall were Abraham, Gideon, Jephthah, Joseph and David.
As in past academic years, GCU President Brian Mueller will deliver the first address of the semester on Jan. 5, followed by University Pastor Dr. Tim Griffin on Jan. 12.
Mueller set the tone for the Hall of Faith theme at his fall Chapel talk by discussing Paul the Apostle and his commitment to Jesus. Paul embarked on three missions and started churches despite whippings, beatings and stonings over 15 years, when he traveled about 15,000 miles on foot and by ship.
Six pastors are scheduled to return to Global Credit Union Arena for the first time in at least a year.
Jason Fritz, lead pastor at Illuminate Community Church, is scheduled to speak Jan. 26. In fall 2024, he traversed the topic of how God wants your heart and to be leery of material things.
Redemption North Mountain lead pastor Josh Watt in October 2024 shared with the GCU community how important it is to allow God to help you, especially in times of anxiety. He will address Chapel on Feb. 2.
Dan Steffen, lead pastor at Pure Heart Church, is scheduled to speak Feb. 23. Steffen, the father of a GCU graduate and student, asked students to be generous for Jesus and not themselves at Chapel last spring.
Chris Brown, senior and teaching pastor of North Coast Church in Southern California stressed the importance of surrendering to God in his last GCU talk. He'll helm Chapel on March 16.
Phoenix Bible Church's Tim Birdwell implored students to channel any anger through the Kingdom lens and not the cultural lens when he last spoke on campus. His talk is slated for March 23..
And Sun Valley Community Church's Chad Moore, who will take the Global Credit Union Arena stage on March 30, asked students in his talk from 2020 to recognize how much God loves them.
The GCU Alumni Band will perform an all-musical service on March 2, and a speaker for Feb. 9 will be announced soon.
The Spring 2026 Chapel schedule will conclude April 6.
There will be no service on Jan. 19 (Martin Luther King Day), Feb. 16 (Presidents Day) and March 9 (spring break).
GCU News senior writer Mark Gonzales can be reached at [email protected]
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Chapel schedule
Jan. 5: GCU President Brian Mueller
Jan. 12: University Pastor Dr. Tim Griffin
Jan. 19: No Chapel (Martin Luther King Day)
Jan. 26: Jason Fritz, Illuminate Community Church
Feb. 2: Josh Watt, Redemption North Mountain
Feb. 9: TBA
Feb. 16: No Chapel (Presidents Day)
Feb. 23: Dan Steffen, Pure Heart Church
March 2: All Musical Worship, Alumni Band
March 9: No Chapel (spring break)
March 16: Chris Brown, North Coast Church
March 23: Tim Birdwell, Phoenix Bible Church
March 30: Chad Moore, Sun Valley Community Church
April 6: Final Chapel
