Photos by Ralph Freso / Slideshow
Amid the high-energy of Grand Canyon University's Welcome Week festivities, Ignite gave students a chance to slow down, praise God and receive encouragement as they prepared for a new academic year.
Students packed Global Credit Union Arena on Wednesday night as thousands of new and returning students gathered for the night of worship and praise, presented by Spiritual Life.
“Ignite is an amazing opportunity for students to start the year with a posture of worship and hope,” Director of Spiritual Life Erik Nelsen said of the integral campus spiritual event, which returned to Welcome Week this year after unfolding after Labor Day in past years. “When students start the year with a foundation of reliance and trust in Jesus, it helps them stay focused on what is most important and is a reminder of His closeness and care for them as the semester continues and they may face various challenges.
“My hope is that students are encouraged in their faith and inspired by seeing so many friends and fellow students also assuming a posture of faith and trust in the Lord.”
Ignite has become a longstanding tradition at the start of every academic year, launching the semester with a missional and hopeful heart that students will learn about God and choose to follow Him during their time at GCU.
The event was a preview of weekly Chapel services scheduled for every Monday and the Gathering every Tuesday on campus. The Worship team kicked off the event with upbeat worship songs and gradually transitioned into slower songs, giving students the chance to set their mind on Jesus and praise Him for the opportunity to come to college.
University Pastor and Dean of Students Dr. Tim Griffin shared encouragement with the large crowd, “We are inviting you this year that you would join together in a community of faith, a community of Jesus-followers that would not only pray for yourself and those around you, but for our campus, our neighborhood and state. Ask God to move in a very special way and commit yourself to being a part of what God is doing at Grand Canyon University.
“It’s amazing to me that this is the beginning of my 16th year, and every year, God brings students just like you to this place and with a heart to follow God. I am excited that you are here not only tonight, but on this campus.”
Griffin’s hopeful message was followed by the lighting ceremony and prayer led by student body president Tucker Hudson and vice president Dianne Carla Mae Nasibog.
As part of Ignite’s tradition, students lit up the arena with their phone flashlights, signifying a united spark fueled by the passion we all have in the Lord and as the GCU community, Nelsen sid.
“It’s so cool that we get to worship with thousands of other Christ-followers and really proclaim God’s name,” Global Outreach student leader Mallory Lackey said. “I remember walking in really lonely as a freshman, and being able to go to a worship night to praise the Lord and meet so many people who really love Jesus was really transformational. I think it’s amazing that they host these events at GCU.”
Throughout Welcome Week, students have had a chance to learn about the university’s Christian foundation and missional heart with daily events like Faith in Your First Year, where Spiritual Life leaders share their personal connection to Jesus and how students can establish the same by taking advantage of a variety of events offered in the semester.
The GCU Prayer Fence initiative has contributed to this encouragement, inviting students and families to tie ribbons on the fence across from campus retailer the Lope Shop, signifying prayers and hopes for peace, wisdom and growth.
“Being involved has made a huge difference to my college experience,” senior Lindsay Stoltzfus said. “It’s been great to find people aligned on the same mission and vision, and Global Outreach has been a place for me where I could grow and belong to something.”
Wednesday evening ended with the Ignite Fair, where tents from Spiritual Life programs spanned the lawn and excited staff and student leaders eagerly waited to connect with students on how they could get involved.
Spiritual Formation, life leaders, and Global and Local Outreach offer opportunities throughout the year for students to serve the local and global community, while learning what it’s like to have a missional heart and diving deeper into students' personal relationships with God.
“I think this is a really great way to kick off the year, because it allows people to be unified in everything we are doing,” Local Outreach student leader Micah Wittler said. “It’s super necessary for Christians to be involved in their local community and give back to it. I had never experienced something like GCU where you can pour out in a really intentional and consistent way.”
GCU staff writer Izabela Fogarasi can be reached at [email protected]
***
Related content:
GCU News: 49 Questions with Welcome Programs
GCU News: Student entrepreneur looks to 'Cash' in at Pop-Ups, Lope Shop
