Photos by Ralph Freso
Grand Canyon University’s fall 2025 Chapel season at Global Credit Union Arena will carry the theme of Hall of Faith (Hebrews 11), which highlights examples of faith and men and women in the Bible who were recognized for their faith in God.
Brian Mueller, who will enter his 17th year as GCU president, will continue his tradition on Sept. 8 of leading the first of 13 Monday 11 a.m. services at the arena. Last fall, he asked students to consider a bivocational path to address the shortage of pastors, particularly at smaller congregations, and fill that void.
University Pastor Dr. Tim Griffin, who also serves as dean of students and vice president of Student Affairs, will lead Chapel on Sept. 15. Last fall, Griffin encouraged students who were excited for the academic year ahead to remember to take time to worship Jesus.
Several pastors are scheduled to return to the Global Credit Union Arena stage for Chapel.
One will be Sean Myers, lead pastor at Pella Community Church, who is scheduled to speak Sept. 22. Myers elaborated last spring on how the hunger for righteousness leads to satisfaction.
Des Wadsworth, pastor at Grace Community Church, will speak Oct. 20. Last spring, he referenced Matthew 7:7-8, in which Jesus emphasizes to ask, seek and knock. The sermon illustrated God’s encouragement to talk to Him and seek His help.
Noe Garcia, pastor at North Phoenix Baptist Church, will lead Chapel on Oct. 27. Garcia stressed to GCU students last spring to forgive and move on from those who have wronged them. Garcia also spoke at Chapel in fall 2024.
Other Fall 2024 returnees are Brian Kruckenberg, pastor at New City Church, and GCU alumnus Nick Ely, lead ministry pastor at Christ Church. Kruckenberg, who will speak Oct. 13, emphasized the final words of the Sermon on the Mount – last year’s theme – and how Jesus told His disciples about building their homes on rock instead of sand during last fall’s service.
Ely, who is scheduled to speak Nov. 17, implored students last fall to hold a hunger for Christ.
Ashley Wooldridge, senior pastor at Christ’s Church of the Valley, is scheduled to speak Oct. 6. He told students during a spring 2024 service to follow God’s script for your life and not dwell on negative thoughts.
Dr. Jeff Dyer, president of Heartfire Missions, is scheduled to speak Sept. 29. Dyer returns to Monday Chapel at GCU for the first time since fall 2022, when he emphasized why missions are important to Christians.
Jamie Rasmussen, senior pastor at Scottsdale Bible Church, will speak Nov. 3. Rasmussen stressed the importance of hard work and staying humble while leaving your trust in God during a 2018 Chapel.
Worship leader and songwriter Mack Brock is scheduled to speak Nov. 10. Brock has served as a worship leader and musician for more than two decades.
The Fall 2025 Chapel schedule concludes with an online service on Nov. 24, then back to the arena for the end-of-semester Christmas Chapel on Dec. 1.
GCU News senior writer Mark Gonzales can be reached at [email protected]
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Chapel schedule
Sept. 8: GCU President Brian Mueller
Sept. 15: University Pastor Dr. Tim Griffin
Sept. 22: Sean Myers, Pella Community Church
Sept. 29: Jeff Dyer, Heartfire Missions
Oct. 6: Ashley Wooldridge, Christ’s Church of the Valley
Oct. 13: Brian Kruckenberg, New City Church
Oct. 20: Des Wadsworth, Grace Community Church
Oct. 27: Noe Garcia, North Phoenix Church
Nov. 3: Jamie Rasmussen, Scottsdale Bible Church
Nov. 10: Mack Brock
Nov. 17: Nick Ely, Christ Church
Nov. 24: Online Chapel (Thanksgiving week)
Dec. 1: Christmas Chapel
