The Azusa Pacific Blog » Ministry and Service

Open Door Soccer League

Karen Rouggly — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 22:36:17 +0000

Soccer…little kids…Saturday mornings…what could be better? For Chanel Fuchigami, our Student Ministry Coordinator for Open Door Soccer League, and her tutors – not much! Open Door Soccer League (ODSL) is a an incredible avenue for promoting cross-cultural relationships and reciprocal learning between the youth of Azusa and APU students through the game of soccer. The children also learn important life lessons in teamwork through mentorship and coaching. Students also have an opportunity to take children to L.A. Galaxy games through the Kicks for Kids program. A growing partnership with the Church of the Open Door and APU allows students to participate in coaching kids throughout the year.

City Links 2011

Matt Visser — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 18:34:40 +0000

Click here to view the embedded video.

City Links 2011 was a great success! In total, 44 individuals or organizations participated in City Links by hosting student groups on Saturday, September 17, 24, and October 1st. Over 1250 first year students had the opportunity to serve and get to know their “home away from home”. The mission of of Azusa Pacific University is to develop disciples and scholars and in many ways, City Links has helped start our students on this journey.

Our Neighborhood Homework House

Karen Rouggly — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 21:21:25 +0000

Part of what we do in the Office of Ministry and Service is to mobilize students to serve in the local community. We offer 13 different ways for students to become directly connected to Azusa and Los Angeles through our office and each ministry as a Student Coordinator that works as a liason between MAS and the community partner to support them and students on campus. I’ve asked each Student Ministry Coordinator to write about their ministry sometime throughout the year to give us a picture of what each ministry is like.

This week – Tatiana Balcazar wants to share about her experience at Our Neighborhood Homework House. Tatiana is a Senior this year and majoring in International Business. She has been working at the Neighborhood Homework House as a volunteer for two years and is excited to be coordinating the ministry on campus this year. Some of her tutors have had a life-changing experience working at the Homework House and here’s one:

Justice Week 2011: The Word became Flesh

Matt Visser — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 18:15:55 +0000

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” John 1:14

This years university passage in John 1 is the starting place for Justice Week 2011. Next week starts Justice Week, a week of intentional conversations that highlights the interconnection of faith and justice. This years theme, “The Word became Flesh”, emphasizes the need to embody to good news of God’s love for others in daily life. Focused on the incarnation of Jesus, Justice Week will highlight complex issues and the challenge of following the life and teachings of Jesus.

Check out the full CALENDAR OF EVENTS on the APU Calendar throughout next week. The week will include four chapels from great speakers including Efrem Smith, Wess Stafford, Lisa Thompson, and Woody Morwood. A panel discussion on the “Theology of justice” will begin the week on Monday, followed by a compelling film screening of “Kiss My Wheels”. Tuesday will offer a chance to hear from Dr. Matt Browning about the connection of evangelism and justice, with an evening benefit concert for Themba International. On Friday, you will have the opportunity to visit with local leaders and organizations making a difference in Pasadena through a day-trip hosted by Professor Paul Hertig. Friday evening, the Just Expressions Coffee House will highlight the creative talents of students.

New Beginnings

Bree — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 21:49:51 +0000

Hello lovely people!

I am a current student at Azusa Pacific University (APU) that Transferred here from a Community College in my hometown, in California. It has been one great experience in being accepted and coming to this school. With the enormous amount of students that befriended me here in just the first week of school was overwhelming at first because I met so many people and I forgot almost every single one of their names! But hey, I had friends in all my classes and I have APU’s transfer student Orientation to thank.

Over the course of this first month being here, I have been able to get involved with the Open Door Soccer League (ODSL). It’s a program for APU student’s to engage in and volunteer to be coaches or referees for kids of the Azusa area that sign up for soccer through the Open Door Church. It’s a great way to not only coach kids but also share Christ with them openly. Though coaching the kids from the age of 6-8 years old can be challenging, it is definitely worth every moment of my Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings.