The mission of the Office of Spiritual Development is to faithfully call Point Loma Nazarene University to spiritual vitality centered on the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Through relationships and programs the Office of Spiritual Development seeks to teach in ways consistent with the Word of God, shape in the likeness of Jesus Christ, and send toward a lifetime of worship, discipleship, and service. The following information describes the ministries of the Office of Spiritual Development at Point Loma Nazarene University.

Corporate Worship

Chapel

Chapel is an integral part of the Point Loma Nazarene University experience. It is a community gathering with God, and is central to the believers’ readiness to engage with a world in need of lives that have been shaped by the grace of God. Chapel is a place of corporate worship, prayer, teaching, education, and growth. The primary purpose of weekly chapels is to encourage the formation of Christian community and foster the development of a vibrant, life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ.  

Chapel is held three times a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9:45 a.m. It is the University’s belief that chapel has an important role in Christian liberal arts education, and, as such, is required for all undergraduate students.

Time Out

Every Wednesday night at 9:00 p.m. students gather in an informal worship setting designed to encourage an intimate, personal relationship with God through music, prayer, sharing of life, and teaching from scripture. Time Out is a non-mandatory worship experience for all students.

Spiritual Care

I Thessalonians 2:8 expresses the heart of the work in the Office of Spiritual Development: "We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us." Spiritual care offered in the context of loving relationships is at the center of the Office of Spiritual Development.

Spiritual Direction

Encouraging a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is the University’s highest priority.  The prayer for every student is that, in their time at Point Loma Nazarene University, God’s voice will be heard, God’s will discovered, and God’s mission embraced.

Pastoral Care

The University chaplain and assistant chaplain are available for prayer support, spiritual guidance, pastoral counseling, and pastoral care during times of crisis.

Worship Ministries

Worship Ministries creates opportunities for those willing to use their musical talents in a ministry format. Students involved in worship ministries assist in leading the University community in praise, worship, and response to God’s voice.

Chapel MUSIC Bands

Each fall students may audition to participate in a worship team. These teams provide worship leadership through music in chapel and Time Out. There are five chapel bands that lead worship in music.

Summer Ministry Teams

Each summer students are selected to travel across the Southwest Educational Region of the Church of the Nazarene to minister to churches, youth camps, conventions, and retreats through music. An open audition and interview process guides the selection of each ministry team. There are two summer ministry teams.

Discipleship Ministries

Discipleship Ministries creates opportunities for those willing to take an intentional step to foster their decision to follow Jesus Christ. This is accomplished through a journey of continual growth as friendships are developed with others seeking to do the same.

Covenant AND Discipleship Groups

Covenant groups are for freshman and sophomore students and discipleship groups are primarily for juniors, and seniors. These groups commit to meet together weekly for studying God’s Word, worship, praying, encouragement, and fellowship.

Retreats

Discipleship ministries also offers spiritual formation retreats, men’s retreat, and a women’s retreat for the PLNU community.  These weekend retreats offer opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to come together and build relationships with one another outside the normal university setting. Retreats focus on Christian formation through fellowship, worship, discussion, and sharing about personal life journeys.

Film Forum

Once a month the film forum offers an opportunity to view classic and contemporary films. Each film is followed by a discussion of how faith and film intersect in our world today and how we might better use this medium toward Christian formation both individually and corporately.

Student Ministries

Student Ministries creates opportunities for those willing to put their hands and hearts to work in the lives of people throughout the greater San Diego area and northern Mexico. The University believes that lives are changed when students are willing to give and receive in the context of the on-going relationships that are formed in Christian ministry.

CHILDREN'S Ministries

Children's ministries build relationships with pre-school through high school children by means of Bible studies and tutoring assistance.

COMMUNITY Ministries

Community ministry teams range from building relationships with homeless families to serving in inner-city churches.

 

Creative Ministries

Creative ministries utilize music, drama, and puppetry to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Cross-cultural Ministries

Cross-cultural ministries serve in orphanages, medical clinics, and churches throughout northern Mexico.

CAMPUS Ministries

Campus ministries offer activities such as prayer ministries, Bible study groups, and worship programs. 

International Ministries

International Ministries creates opportunities for those willing to be taught by Christian brothers and sisters around the world. Those involved in international ministries have the privilege of coming alongside on-going efforts of ministry in a variety of world settings as they allow God to impact and shape their hearts and minds.

LoveWorks Short-Term Missions

The LoveWorks short-term mission program functions as a resource to missionaries, pastors, and congregations serving Christ in various international settings. Through the LoveWorks program, over 1,500 students, faculty, and staff from PLNU have served on every continent.  

The safety and well-being of those involved in the trips are taken into account at all times, and all team members are required to participate in weekly training sessions conducted by the Office of International Ministries.

YouthWorks SHORT-TERM MISSIONS

Youth Works is a short-term mission opportunity for Nazarene high school students and youth workers on the Southwest Educational Region of the Church of the Nazarene.  The University works in partnership with on-going ministries of local Nazarene churches, pastors, leaders, and missionaries in locations all over the world.  The goal is to provide high school students the opportunity to serve and learn in cross-cultural settings where local teenagers from the host country are fully integrated into the program activities.  Point Loma students serve as staff for week-long installments of summer mission camps.