Photos by Ralph Freso / Gallery
“There is no one, only You, Jesus.”
Thousands of new and returning Grand Canyon University students shouted the lyrics as their arms raised high in praise at Wednesday’s Ignite.
The traditional Welcome Week event, hosted by Spiritual Life, slowed down the upbeat pace of move-in festivities for a night of worship to pause and reflect on the new season of life that Lopes are starting.
“Tonight is going to be pretty simple,” senior Worship team member Nate Padilla said to the crowd. “We want to gather as a university to worship the name of Jesus.”
Added University Pastor and Dean of Students Dr. Tim Griffin, “Jesus prayed 2,000 years ago that we would be one as He and His Father are one. May what begins tonight carry you out this entire semester. It’s going to take all of us to be on our guard, to defend ourselves from the enemy, have each other’s backs and love Jesus like no other.”
Before the music started, a video compilation of throwback worship nights, gatherings and spiritual events hosted throughout the years flashed on the screen, confirming that despite the growth the university experiences, its Christian foundation remains the same.
Global Credit Union Arena was maxed out for an hour as the Worship team took the stage and led the crowd in a mix of upbeat and slow worship songs. When the music started, everyone was on their feet, moving to the front of the stage, clapping and singing along.
The event gave students a glimpse of Monday Chapel services and Tuesday gatherings scheduled weekly throughout the academic year.
“It was really cool seeing the whole school come together and praise God,” freshman Eden Myers said. “This event sets a good example of the community we should find here and that we should have the whole college experience centered around God.”
Continuing Ignite’s longstanding tradition, students were led in a lighting ceremony by Associated Students of GCU President Judah Floyd, where they raised their phone flashlights to signify a bright spark that unites the students as one community in God. Student body Vice President Gracie Zimbardi followed with a prayer that the spark would remain bright and students would build a strong Lopes bond throughout the academic year.
Crowds spilled onto the Quad in front of the arena after worship for the Ignite Fair, where Spiritual Life programs tabled booths that spanned the lawn. Spiritual Formation, life leaders, Local and Global outreach staff and student leaders surrounded the booths, eagerly waiting to connect with new students and share opportunities for getting involved.
“I had a really good first life group,” sophomore Colin Spilger said, who is now a first-time life leader. “It really sparked that this is what I want to do. I am excited for the community aspect of life groups. If it’s one or if it’s 50, God will put the right people in the room and will use me to speak to them.
“I would encourage students to get involved by finding something God is calling them to. If there is something they hear and think, ‘I need to do that,’ they should do it. Try everything, do everything and have fun. This is what it is about.”
The evening was a full-circle moment for Spiritual Formation program assistant Meredyth McClue, as she stood in front of the Spiritual Formation tent, inviting students to get involved. McClue served in the program as a student leader for three years after being motivated to get involved at Ignite every academic year.
Now as an alumna, she wants students to get the same message she did at the start of each year, and that is to prioritize their faith by getting involved in ministries that will encourage their spiritual growth and build community.
“Ignite is always super cool to kick off the year,” McClue said. “It goes to show that Christ is the priority on our campus, seeing 6,000 students come and praise the Lord.
“My first Ignite, I got here early, sat in the front row, and it was super cool to be part of the experience. Now as an alum, it’s nice to watch, observe and really soak it in. My biggest hope for the students is that they would know the Lord delights in them and that they would be active participants in the kingdom of God."
GCU staff writer Izabela Fogarasi can be reached at [email protected]
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