By Zane Ewton
Communications Staff
It promises to be a year of must-see events on campus, with none more important than Chapel and theGathering. The two marquee Spiritual Life events are moving out of their old home in North Gym and into the Arena.
Those events will be bigger than they have ever been before.
According to GCU Dean of Students Pastor Tim Griffin, the lineup of speakers this year includes some of the best communicators the Valley has to offer. Some will be familiar to returning students, but many will be new to campus.
Returning speakers include Josh Riebock, Jamie Rasmussen and Palmer Chinchen, as well as GCU regulars Griffin and Men’s Basketball Head Coach Russ Pennell. New speakers include Justin Anderson of Redemption Church in Tempe, who Griffin describes as “one of the most powerful communicators in the Valley.”
“Both Chapel and theGathering are going to provide opportunities for us to gather our community of faith,” Griffin says. “The Arena is a venue built for big experiences and will definitely provide a unique setting.”
Much of the credit for the success of Chapel last year could go to Campus Music Minister Gabriel Salazar and the Chapel band. Despite the limited acoustics of North Gym, the band set the tone for the event with an unmatched energy.
This year’s band features two new members and dove in head first with a performance at last week’s Convocation for new students.
“I’m really excited about the Chapel band this year because with only a week of rehearsals we have quickly unified musically,” Salazar says. “It’s only going to get better from here.”
Although Chapel in the Arena will be a big experience, it is sure to fuel the smaller Spiritual Life groups on campus. Griffin anticipates that the smaller groups, including residence-hall groups and other ministries such as Canyon Kids, will gain momentum quickly.
For more information on the ministry opportunities available at GCU, visit the Spiritual Life page or stop in at the Office of Spiritual Life in the Student Union.
Chapel will take place every Monday from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m., except for when the University is on break.
theGathering will take place every Tuesday from 8 to 9 p.m.
Contact Zane Ewton at 639.7086 or [email protected].
