Remote Learning: Undergraduate Spiritual Formation Opportunities (8-12-20)

Dear Students,

During this season, we have been in prayer for each of you, asking the Lord to give you strength, hope, and resilience to meet the unique challenges and changes brought by this unprecedented time. We have also prayed for your growth and development in all facets of your life and are eager to come alongside you this semester. In particular, we are excited about your continued spiritual formation journey through intentional, educational faith integration, flexible chapel programming, and accessible pastoral care, discipleship groups, and mentoring.

Faith Enhances Academic Pursuits

Explore the intersection of faith and learning by participating in Academic Connect on August 28, during Welcome Days. Engage with your department, making important connections with the faculty and peers who form a foundational part of your faith community at APU.

For new students, our first-year experience includes First-Year Seminar— a faith-informed perspective for your program of study. If you begin as a transfer student, know oingur General Education Curriculum integrates internships, practica, clinicals, and capstones that examine how faith and learning interact in real-time, professional settings. In addition, each of our programs and majors provides tailored academic programming that encourages whole-person education.

Faculty mentorship and individualized attention are hallmarks of the APU experience. Take advantage of these faculty connections, events, and network opportunities from a God First perspective across various programs. Participate in educational programs like GEN1 Scholars, where students tackle the challenges of being new to the college experience together. The Student Center for Reconciliation and Diversity and the Diversity Mosaic Experience are also excellent places to dive in and enrich your academic journey. The various resources available through the Center of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusive Excellence can help you engage with the university’s mission of honoring God’s diverse Kingdom.

Corporate Worship and Ministry Opportunities Enhance Learning

Gathering consistently for corporate worship builds our sense of community and facilitates our growth together as disciples and scholars. Chapel services will be offered in an asynchronous virtual format for Fall 2020 to provide participation flexibility for students. Programming details, attendance requirements, and a full chapel calendar will be made available to students prior to the semester’s start.

Relationships that encourage and challenge you also provide critical support as you grow in your walk with Christ. D-Groups (discipleship-focused small groups) equip students to live as disciples of Jesus alongside other students. The Discipleship Mentoring Program gives students a chance to meet one-on-one with a mentor for the purpose of growing in their faith. We are recruiting mentors from all over the globe to provide virtual mentoring sessions during the fall semester.

We understand each journey is unique and comes with its own challenges. Students are welcome to meet one-on-one via Zoom for a confidential session with one of our campus pastors. Appointments can be scheduled by emailing [email protected] or calling (626) 815-3855.

We remain in prayer for an incredible semester of learning and spiritual formation, and can’t wait to see how God moves in each of your lives.

Dr. Rukshan Fernando, Provost

Dr. Coba Canales, Dean of Spiritual Life

Dr. Keith Hall, Vice President, Chief Diversity Officer