Campus & Spiritual Life
SPIRITUAL Life
Spiritual Life at NNU
Experience Faith as Part of Everyday Life.
At Northwest Nazarene University, spiritual formation is part of everyday life. As a Christ-centered and biblically rooted community, we gather, surrender, are shaped and are sent together.
People like us do things like this.
NNU is a close-knit Christian community rooted in love for God and love for one another. Here, spiritual life is not separate from academic life; it is part of how students learn, belong, worship, grow and serve together.
God forms a people like us in Christ-like community and sends us into the world as creative and redemptive agents.
Rhythm
Experience Faith as Part of Everyday Life.
At Northwest Nazarene University, spiritual formation is part of everyday life. As a Christ-centered and biblically rooted community, we gather, surrender, are shaped and are sent together.
Gather as Community
Christian formation is not meant to happen alone. God forms people in worship, friendship, shared life and a community where they are known, encouraged and called toward Christlikeness.
Examples
- Community Chapel
- Chaplain Chat Mondays
- Time Out
Surrender to Truth
Transformation begins when lives are yielded to Jesus Christ, who is the Truth. Through Scripture, prayer and spiritual practices, students learn humility, wisdom and a life centered in God.
Examples
- Bible study
- Prayer
- Fasting
- Silence and solitude
Shaped by Transformation
Students are shaped through lifelong discipleship as the Holy Spirit forms them into the likeness of Christ. Through spiritual practices, mentoring and grace-filled accountability, faith takes deeper root in everyday life.
Examples
- Small groups
- Discipleship bands
- One-on-one discipleship
- Bible studies
- Spiritual conversations
Sent in Service
Spiritual formation always moves outward in love for neighbor, church and world. At NNU, students learn to live their calling with compassion, courage and faithful service wherever God leads them.
Examples
- Service clubs
- Good Neighbor Project
- Mission trips
Weekly Life
What This Looks Like Each Week
Spiritual formation at NNU is lived through shared weekly practices across campus life. Some gatherings happen at set times each week, while others take place in classrooms, small groups, mentoring relationships, service opportunities and everyday spiritual conversations.
- Mondays — 10:10 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.
Community Chapel, Brandt Center. Offices across campus are closed for staff and faculty to attend with students. - Wednesdays — 10:10 a.m. – 10:50 a.m., 9:00 p.m.
- Branch Out Chapels:
- Alpha Chapel: An ongoing conversation around the basics, or “beginnings” of matters of faith. Location: Walden Hall, Led by Noah Daniels and Caleb Daniels
- Encounter: A gathering for worship in song and prayer. Location Little Theater; Led by NNU’s Collective worship leaders
- Experientia: A tactile, experience-based gathering centered around spiritual expression through various art mediums. Location: Brandt Art Gallery; Led by various NNU artists
- Word and Table: Small, liturgical gathering with a high-church feel. Location: Prayer Chapel; Led by Dr. Brent Peterson/Dr. Catherine Becker.
- Small Groups: Various locations/leaders
- Wednesday evening: Timeout (9:00-10:00 p.m.) Walden Hall —Student-led worship service
- Branch Out Chapels:
- Friday Branch Out Chapels — 10:10 a.m. – 10:50 a.m. and additional days/times as programmed
- Personal interview/story from faculty/staff member
- Panel Discussion
- Table Talk Show with Chap
Participation
A Shared Part of Student Life
At NNU, spiritual formation is central to the student experience. It is part of an education that seeks the transformation of the whole person—heart, soul, mind, and strength—and is therefore a meaningful part of life together on campus.
Students come from different backgrounds and experiences. At the same time, we expect participation in this shared rhythm as it reflects NNU’s identity as a Christian university and is a significant part of what we mean when we say, “at NNU, we do college DIFFERENT!”
Spiritual life is who we are
Although there are many intentional opportunities at NNU for you to develop your spiritual life, it is important to know that spiritual life is who we are and in EVERYTHING we do. At NNU we are invested in helping you transform into the person God has created you to be so that you, in turn, can go out and transform the world for good.
Meet the Team
The Chaplain’s Office shepherds NNU’s Spiritual Formation Rhythm through worship, discipleship, pastoral care, and service opportunities. Its calling is to help cultivate a campus culture where students are being transformed by the Holy Spirit into the image of Christ for the sake of others and the world.
Ashley Gage
Associate Chaplain, Director of Multicultural Engagement & Belonging
Jay Akkerman, D.MIN.
Assistant to the President for Congregational Engagement
