海角视频

At the beginning of the message to her fellow students, Lily Chaffee said that when she was asked 鈥減oint blank鈥� to define the word 鈥渞evival,鈥� she struggled a bit to come up with a definite answer. 

Chaffee contended it was difficult because revival seems to be offered everywhere in the world. She described how pop-up phone ads constantly sell products, vacations, or gym memberships to gain renewal in life. All these things that advertisements promise will bring happiness are temporary and don鈥檛 meet the deep revival that 鈥渙ur hearts are searching for,鈥� Chaffee said.

鈥淚 only know of one revival that is eternal,鈥� Chaffee said. 鈥淎 revival that is rooted in Jesus is never-ending and unbroken and life-changing.鈥� 

Chaffee, a first-year religion and biblical studies major, was one of seven speakers at Student Week of Prayer at 海角视频, which was held Jan. 23-28 in the church sanctuary. Other speakers included Karen Baez-Castro, Misael Bernard, Beven Delos Reyes, and Santiago Hernandez. Kaitlin Nakanishi spoke at Friday night vespers, and Ashley Castro Rodriguez gave the final message during the church service on Sabbath morning. 

Though Student Week of Prayer is an annual tradition at PUC, there was a notable difference this year: not all of the student speakers were theology students. Castro is a photography major, Bernard is pursuing a history and political science degree, Reyes is studying pre-pharmacy, and Nakanishi is working toward a dual degree in biochemistry and music.

All the messages centered on 鈥淩evival,鈥� the theme of the week and the 2022-23 school year. But each speaker explored different facets of spiritual revival, made all the more compelling by their personal testimonies. 

On Monday, Castro shared how becoming an RA in McReynolds鈥� Hall, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit changed her life in many ways鈥攊ncluding putting others before herself. She learned about the rich beauty of togetherness.

鈥淲e are made to be a community,鈥� Castro said, 鈥渢o create connections with others which leads to greater revival.鈥�

Reyes spoke at the Thursday service about how God doesn鈥檛 call the qualified but qualifies the called. Reyes鈥檚 position as an RA at Nichol Hall moved him to begin a nightly dorm worship called 鈥�10 at 10.鈥� He led students in music and worship for 10 minutes at 10:00 p.m. It sparked a worship revival as more students began showing up. Eventually, they moved from the hallway to the long-vacant chapel, where the worship thrives under Reyes鈥檚 enthusiastic, humble, and committed leadership.

鈥淲here will you bury your bones?鈥� is the question Bernard, the senior class president, asked students to ponder. Referencing the story of Joseph and his descendants, he spoke about the importance of legacy, sharing what his Hawaiian grandmother passed on to him and his cousins.

On Sabbath, Rodriguez, a second-year theology major, reminded the congregation that revival doesn鈥檛 happen on its own. Citing Philippians 3:13-14, she said we are all called to 鈥渇orget those things that are behind,鈥� but remember what the Lord has done in our lives.

Each service during week of prayer began with student praise teams, followed by a student-led participation activity, prayer, the introduction of the speaker, and then the message.

PUC President Ralph Trecartin said he is proud of the students and their shared messages about revival. 鈥淓ach student speaker鈥檚 message was outstanding and thought-provoking,鈥� he said. 鈥淎ll of the students who attended were engaged and enthusiastic. I love that students led every part of each program.鈥� 

Later in her message, Chaffee shared the exact definition of revival. It means 鈥渢o bring back to life something that was dead.鈥� That had special meaning for Chaffee. She shared moving photos and how her home and community of Paradise, California, had been destroyed in the devastating 2018 fire. 

Chaffee鈥檚 family lost everything, and she felt like she lost her identity, including her creativity and love for life. But through that loss, she gained more of Jesus. He brought meaning back to her life.

鈥淩evival cannot be bought or earned because it鈥檚 a gift,鈥� Chaffee said. 鈥淚n order to give you that life-changing revival, Jesus might ask you to let go of certain parts of your life, parts of yourself, so your hand can be free to hold onto him and the future he has in store for you.鈥�