If a stranger were to fully immerse themselves in the experience of one day at Trinity Western University, an encounter with the gospel of Jesus Christ would be inevitable. As students, we partake in a community of believers, and it is not just chapel that proves this, but also prayer in the classroom, professors who openly speak of their faith, and opportunities for involvement in missions and student groups.

Rob Rhea, the director of student ministries, explains that the mission of TWU is to “develop spiritually maturing disciples of Christ.” At TWU, students are offered the best of both worlds: a superb education and the chance to grow spiritually.

The Student Ministries department is set up in such a way that the ultimate goal is to reach a Christ-centered community by inspiring an inward, outward and upward lifestyle. By interacting with God’s word in Bible studies, students are given the spiritual foundation necessary for a healthy Christian walk. Chapel services inspire students to pursue a lifestyle of worship, which contributes to an upward life that gives praise to God. The accessibility of chapel services online and during a non-course conflicting period allows all students to be encouraged and empowered. Lastly, concurrent with an inward and upward lifestyle, TWU gives students the opportunity to live a life of sacrifice, an outward lifestyle, through mission trips and outreach events. The essence of TWU is Jesus Christ; this is evident by the ways that the University empowers Christian students to take their faith into the reality of the world.

Secular universities such as UVic, UBC and UFV are not able to offer the solidity that TWU offers in terms of spiritual support. UBC and UFV are able to offer only registered clubs that students may attend for Bible studies. For those who are strong in their faith, attending an on-campus meeting with other believers once a week is sufficient fuel, but for opportunities to set their faith into action through Christian outreach, these students must then turn to churches and other organizations. UVic offers an Interfaith Chaplain service. As a culturally diverse and multi-faith community, chaplains are appointed to represent the local faiths, including Buddhism, Islam, Wicca and Christianity. This service provides pastoral counselling, prayer, religious education and retreats for students.

Though UVic, UBC and UFV do not have strong enough support networks to stimulate spiritual growth in students, Biola offers more than TWU in the spiritual department. With mandatory chapel services offered at multiple times throughout the week, mission trips, international ministries, discipleship groups and conferences, the university allows students to explore their faith through many accessibleforms.

Ultimately, however, relationship with God is a choice. Whether the school is secular or Christian has little say in a person’s decision-making. In the areas where a university cannot spiritually support its seeking students, the Church, God’s hands and feet on earth, will be quick to respond.