Trinity Western University seeks to help students grow in their faith and character, build roots in the community, and explore opportunities to serve others. EXPO Night, which happens every fall, is a chance for students to connect with clubs, ministries, and campus groups, and find meaningful ways to be involved at TWU.
This year's EXPO Night, which took place Sept. 13, attracted students who were looking for ways to build community, develop their gifts and leadership skills, and make a difference.
Fourth-year Nursing student Lauren Nienhuis was at EXPO to introduce Student Life's Local Outreach Program. As this year’s Local Outreach Program Mentor, she and her team connect TWU students to volunteer opportunities serving with local organizations that are doing meaningful work. Through their participation, students can "learn more about what service looks like, what God asks of us, and how to do this well,” she describes.
Roughly once a week, students in the Local Outreach Program go out to serve the local community through volunteerism.
Lauren encourages students to participate, adding, “Students can look forward to having opportunities to serve locally, whether they can join us once a month or once a week! We hope to foster healthy service that honours God and all parties involved.”
Connecting global students
Joseph Bebawi is a second-year student who leads the Global Connections Club, an initiative of Intercultural Programs (ICP). The club’s goal, Joseph explains, is to connect people from different cultures and provide a welcoming time and space for students to meet and get to know peers from around the world. By participating in games and activities, students have the chance to “connect with people no matter where they’re from, no matter what they believe in, and relate on a human level.”
One place where students can connect is in the Global Lounge, located within the first floor of the newly opened Kuhn Centre.
Kiara Louw, third-year business major, is the Team Lead for ICP who specializes in community lounge events. Kiara and her team are excited to host students in the Global Lounge, a dedicated space that is welcoming for international and local students and celebrates the global culture at TWU. “We have students from so many different backgrounds and cultures,” Kiara comments, “We hope to learn from each other and to develop ourselves and grow in friendships.”
Pursuing discipleship, mentorship, and prayer
Rachelle Vogel is a fifth-year corporate communications major. Serving as a Discipleship Facilitator, her role is to provide support for TWU Discipleship, a ministry on campus that seeks “to connect people with an intentional community that deeply pursues knowing Jesus Christ.”
Discipleship at TWU encompasses several initiatives, including Discipleship Groups (Bible studies), Devotion (Tuesdays/Thursdays 11:00-11:30am in the Gym), large group ministries (men’s and women’s), mentorship, and prayer ministry. These offer a rich variety of opportunities for students to learn and grow in life and faith while being supported by others.
Vibrant campus life
Rachelle works closely with Jennifer Graves, Associate Chaplain for Discipleship and Pastoral Care, to ensure that Discipleship groups and ministries are running well, and to mentor and assist other discipleship leaders. “Students can be excited to find a home and intentional community within Discipleship where they can grow in their personal relationship with Jesus,” Rachelle shares. “We welcome all students to come as they are, and be accepted for who they are, regardless of where they are at with Jesus.”
As for life on campus, student leader Parker Kent fosters an environment of “doing life together as a community.” As a Community Facilitator, the fourth-year business student works alongside Resident Assistants and Resident Directors to run dorm life, host events, and facilitate a vibrant campus atmosphere that’s engaging and fun, all the while helping people to grow deeper in friendships. Events that students can look forward to within Community Life at TWU include weekly dorm gatherings and the annual Fort Week dorm competition.
See also — Three of TWU’s most promising graduates named Trinity Fellows, commence year-long internship with senior University executives
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About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is Canada’s premier global Christian liberal arts university. We are dedicated to equipping students to discover meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. Drawing upon the riches of the Christian tradition, seeking to unite faith and reason through teaching and scholarship, Trinity Western University is a degree-granting research institution offering liberal arts and sciences as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has four locations in Canada: Langley, Richmond-Lansdowne, Richmond-Minoru, and Ottawa. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn.