APU hosted the first multi-campus event aimed at bringing the body of believers together to speak life
“We are going to go as long as God tells us to go. God is a creator. May this be a new, deepening and widening experience for us.”
These words, spoken by the vice president for Student Life Terry Franson, opened the Saturday evening gathering on Trinity Lawn, ONE. The event was hosted by APU’s Service and Leadership Team (SALT) in partnership with Student Life and the Center for Student Action (CSA). This multi-campus prayer event was guided by the idea of being one body united in Christ, even between campuses. Students came together around a bonfire to pray and worship together.
Students from Point Loma, Vanguard, and CBU were present at the event. The night opened with an icebreaker to help further unite everyone present. Photo Courtesy of Michaela Steiner
“With the university practice of ‘Speak Life,’ one of our team members just thought about rivalry and how that doesn’t speak life and how that doesn’t honor God,” associate campus pastor Ta’Tyana Leonard said.
Students chat during the ice-breaker event. Photo Courtesy of Michaela Steiner
“Our goal today is just to come together, pray – we know we are going into dead week – knowing that this is a refreshing study break,” Leonard said. “We are coming to sit in the presence of God and to unite with other Christian brothers and sisters.” Photo Courtesy of Michaela Steiner
Members from different campus bands came together to lead the time of worship. Michaela Steiner
Franson, who personally accepted Christ during the Jesus movement of the early 70s, explained more of his heart and vision behind the event.
“The history of Christianity often across America has been movements on college campuses going way back into the early 1800’s and going right on through up until today,” Franson said. “With 5,000 traditional undergrads here at APU, we want to be open to whatever God wants to do.”
Trinity Lawn was filled with students singing in worship to songs such as “How Great Is Our God” and “I Surrender All.” Photo Courtesy of Michaela Steiner
During part of the worship, students were asked to kneel and join together with those next to them to create tangible unity as a body of believers. Photo Courtesy of Michaela Steiner
“How would you worship if you knew this was going to be your last time?” was the question that led much of the night. Photo Courtesy of Michaela Steiner
“[The Jesus movement happened] when America was at a very divided and turbulent time and then the spirit of God moved across America and hundreds of thousands of people became Christians,” Franson said. “We’re at the place again today and I think APU is poised to light the flame and spread the news of Jesus Christ wherever our students will go.” Photo Courtesy of Michaela Steiner
As the worship continued, a brilliant sunset colored the sky all around Trinity Hall. Many seemed captured by the stunning reminder of God’s presence in all things. Photo Courtesy of Michaela Steiner
Students stayed to pray together long after the sun went down. Photo Courtesy of Michaela Steiner
“In the late 60s… there were so many issues that were dividing people. We’re right there again,” Franson said. “We are right there again and I pray that the movement of God can sweep across America, especially with your generation.”