Jill Lincoln: Cultivating Transformation in Theater Arts

This article was originally published on APU’s website.

Jill Lincoln, MA, loves training the next generation of great storytellers. As the head of Azusa Pacific University’s Department of Theater Arts, Lincoln is passionate about helping students become experts at their craft, sharing impactful stories through the art of acting. “Stories matter. They’re the way in which Christ communicated and if we equip students to become exceptional storytellers, that is success, especially when we’re 20 minutes from the largest entertainment industry in the world,” Lincoln said.

This close proximity to Hollywood led Lincoln and APU theater arts faculty to develop the first Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting for the Stage and Screen program in the country. Unlike most traditional acting programs which focus solely on classical theater training, APU’s innovative BFA equips students with skills for on-camera work too. “Our faculty knew that in order to make a living as an actor, you’ve got to understand different genres,” Lincoln said. “The entertainment industry is always reinventing itself. We want to train our students to be flexible and know how to work in both areas.” The BFA in acting begins training students in theater so they can learn acting fundamentals, script analysis, and character development, before moving on to on-camera work. “I’ve done both. I love theater and the thrill of performing in front of a full house on opening night. I’m always equally excited to connect with another actor in front of the camera and then witness it on the big screen.”

Lincoln uses her firsthand knowledge from professional acting experience in her instruction. Originally from Dallas, Lincoln was fortunate to attend one of the top theater programs in the country at Southern Methodist University on a full ride. After graduating from SMU, she interned at The Alley, a professional theater in Houston, before deciding to take the leap to New York City. For several years, Lincoln struggled to land major roles, doing mostly free and non-equity theater. It was while she was acting at a charity event at Fifth Presbyterian Church that Lincoln had a life changing realization from the Holy Spirit. Although she grew up in a Christian household, Lincoln’s faith took a backseat to her ambition during her early career. She had been separating her faith from her acting.

“In that moment, I was convicted that I wasn't going to be able to act anymore unless I was willing to do it for the right reasons, not for fame or accolades, but to serve God with the characters I was creating and through the stories I was telling,” she said. “That was a game changer for me. It empowered me to worry less about pleasing others and to tell the story from an authentic place of truth.”

After this realization, Lincoln saw her career blossom. She got her big break as an understudy in a John Patrick Shanley Broadway production. This led Lincoln to land major roles in a couple of Broadway national tours, including Ken Ludwig’s Moon Over Buffalo. “But right as I was breaking into Broadway, my agent called and said I needed to go to LA, so I did and I got my very first on camera job with Paul Giamatti and Vanessa Redgrave, two of the greats of the acting world,” Lincoln said. “Because I was on camera with them for 12 hours, I learned how to adjust from theater to film acting.” Lincoln continued landing roles on major shows including starring as “Crazy Carrie” in Gilmore Girls, Tish Atherton in Desperate Housewives, and Gracie Jane in Boston Legal.

While pursuing her acting career, Lincoln founded the Brennan Gould Acting Studio with colleagues who had trained at Yale. Here, she began to develop courses that would later influence the APU’s BFA in acting curriculum. Soon after starting the studio, Lincoln received an invite from a friend to lead a workshop on auditioning at APU. “I loved it. I instantly fell in love with the students and I was thrilled that it led to me getting to teach a class as an adjunct instructor at APU,” she said. Lincoln enjoyed teaching while still pursuing her acting career for a few years, but after having two kids, she decided to become a full-time educator. “I didn’t train to be a professor, but I realized pretty early in my acting career that I wanted to teach. I learned a lot at SMU, but there were so many things they didn’t teach that I learned through experience on Broadway and in LA that I wanted to share with my students.”

Lincoln’s faith played a major role in her choosing to teach at APU. When looking at colleges for herself, Lincoln didn’t seriously consider any Christian universities because their theater programs weren’t nearly as strong as their secular counterparts. “Even years later after I had kids, I thought it was a shame that there wasn’t a Christian university with an acting program that I’d want to send my kids to one day,” she said.

“Looking back, I saw APU as a great place to develop a premier Christian theater arts program. I think our incredible faculty, staff, and students have made that happen. I believe we are one of the leading Christian acting programs in the country.”

APU Theater Arts has received numerous accolades in the last two decades, including having the West Coast premiere of Aaron Sorkin’s To Kill a Mockingbird in 2019, before the show even launched a national tour. APU was also selected as one of only five universities in the nation to receive the rights to perform Andrew Lloyd Weber’s The Phantom of the Opera after the Broadway production closed in 2022. “I have friends from other top acting schools across the country who ask me how we got these shows at a private Christian school,” Lincoln said. “All of us in our department know that it’s God using our proximity to LA and this particular group of people to create exceptionalism in His name.”

Perhaps the accomplishment that Lincoln is most proud of is the development of the Industry Showcase at Warner Bros. Studios. Held in April each year, the BFA Showcase allows graduating APU seniors to perform in front of dozens of talent representatives and industry agents. Students share monologues and present a web series so agents can get a sense of their acting skills on the stage and screen. “We were one of the first programs in the country to create a unique BFA industry showcase like that. Most schools only highlight their MFA students. We had 50 talent representatives sign up for the Showcase last year, which is incredible,” Lincoln said. “It led to 70 percent of our students getting called to meet with an agent, and 50 percent of them got signed.”

APU alumni have gone on to star in numerous TV shows, movies, and even Super Bowl commercials. Lincoln loves seeing her students succeed in the industry, testifying to the training they received at APU. “It is exciting to see our students using their talents to be difference makers for Christ.”

Raphaela Lacerda ’23 Makes Her Mark in Conducting

This article was originally published on APU’s website.

As hundreds of audience members watched, Raphaela Lacerda, MM ’23, took the stage to conduct the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra (SBSO) for the first time. Lacerda was guest conducting Georges Bizet’s Farandole from L’Arlesienne Suite No. 2 after an invitation from renowned conductor Anthony Parnther for the SBSO’s final performance of 2022. Having only rehearsed with the orchestra for 20 minutes the day before the show, Lacerda remained confident and everything went smoothly as the audience burst into applause as the piece ended. “A lot of people came up to talk to me after the show, complimenting the performance and commenting on how young I was,” Lacerda said. “There were even a few kids who said they wanted to be like me when they grew up. That was a special moment, to think I could be a role model for them.”

Lacerda was remarkably young to be conducting a professional orchestra. In fact, this debut conducting performance at the SBSO happened six months before she graduated with her Master’s in Conducting from Azusa Pacific University. Yet Lacerda’s performance caused Parnther to immediately recognize her potential for greatness. Panther knows what it takes to succeed, having conducted for numerous blockbuster movies including Oppenheimer, Avatar, and Black Panther and at dozens of orchestras across the world.

“From the moment Lacerda stepped onto the SBSO podium at the California Theatre, she demonstrated a command and professionalism rare for a musician her age,” Panther said. “It was at this moment that I made the rare decision to take on an assistant conductor to mentor, and learn the ropes of what it really takes to run and grow a regional orchestra.”

After graduating in May, Lacerda began working as the assistant conductor of the SBSO, fully engaged with Parnther both on and off the stage, aiming to excel in her role. “His musicianship is amazing. I’m learning to listen like him, to hear what he hears. As his assistant, sometimes my job is to stay in the audience during rehearsals and talk about the performance and what I heard,” Lacerda said. However, the performance aspect is just one facet of her multifaceted role. She also actively participates in the behind-the-scenes operations that ensure the smooth functioning of the SBSO. This involves coordinating venue setup, assisting with brand sponsorships, and contributing to the orchestra’s website and social media. “I’m working on promoting the SBSO because although we are one of the oldest orchestras in Southern California, not many people know how much we’ve changed recently,” she said. “If you watch a video of us from five years ago, it’s nothing compared to now and it’s great to hear response from people noticing how much we’ve grown.”

Lacerda’s impact on the SBSO has already received recognition. In July, Lacerda was named the recipient of the Emerging Professional Award from the Association of California Symphony Orchestras. “Raphaela’s work distinguished her as a true emerging professional from the day we met her,” said Anne Viricel, executive director of the SBSO. “We quickly received phone calls from community members and local music teachers asking when she would be back on the podium!” This award is the culmination of years of practice and rehearsal on Lacerda's journey to becoming a great conductor.

Lacerda began her musical journey as a young child in her hometown of Sao Paulo, Brazil. After years of playing the violin, she began studying music seriously at a conservatorium and performing in youth orchestras. It was in one of these orchestras that she discovered her passion for conducting. “Each season, we would have a new person leading us. I grew curious because each conductor had a different style,” she said. “The good conductors could identify things and say, trumpet two, play it this way. It was magical seeing how talented their ears were and how they could communicate to help us play better as a whole.”

As Lacerda watched her conductors, she began to come up with ideas on how to improve her orchestra’s performance and realized she wanted to become a conductor one day.

After years of musical experience in Brazil, Lacerda decided to pursue a master’s degree in America. She researched more than 100 universities and began narrowing the list down until there were only 20. APU stood out among these institutions because of its close proximity to Los Angeles, scholarship opportunities, and great reviews from other Brazilians who had attended the university to study music. Perhaps the most important reason Lacerda chose APU was because of the professor she would be mentored by, Chris Russell, MM, an accomplished conductor who was still active in the industry. Lacerda contacted Russell and sent videos of her performances. “Immediately, I was impressed and I thought she had quite a bit of potential,” Russell said.

Although Lacerda’s APU journey was delayed by two years because of the pandemic, she was not deterred, moving to Azusa in fall 2021. “I noticed quickly that she had a very natural feel for conducting, she was a born leader, and she was always curious about how to get better at her craft,” Russell said. Lacerda had a strong rehearsal technique, diagnosing issues in the orchestra and helping them improve before performances. “The orchestra really liked performing with her. Whenever she was conducting, they were in good hands,” he said. “With each piece I gave her, she continued to get better.”

The pinnacle of Lacerda’s time at APU came during her master’s recital in March. Wanting to give her a challenge, Russell tasked her with conducting the New World Symphony by Antonín Dvořák, one of the most beloved symphonies ever written. She had four rehearsals to put together a program before the recital. As Russell sat in the audience, he was in awe of Lacerda’s conducting performance. “With the orchestra in her command, I didn’t feel like I was hearing a student production, I felt like I was in a professional concert,” he said. Soon after her master’s recital, Lacerda received the 2023 Dennis Royce Graduate Achievement and Academic Excellence Award from APU.

“Raphaela is one of the most gifted students I’ve ever had the pleasure to teach. She will make her mark in the conducting world. I’m excited to see what God has planned for her.”

Lacerda is excited to continue learning from Parnther at the SBSO, building her conducting resume. While a return home to Brazil may be coming in the future, that would be a long ways away and for now, she is focusing on refining her craft. “I’m very grateful for my experience at APU and I’m blessed to be conducting here in San Bernardino,” she said. “God opened the right doors for me and I trust He will continue to do so. I’m open to whatever God has planned for me.”

Global Engagement Series: Emily Durbin’s Experience in Turkey

This article was originally published on APU’s website.

After Emily Durbin ’23 graduated in May with a bachelor’s in business management, she embarked on one more opportunity to serve alongside her Azusa Pacific University friends on a three-week Global Engagement trip to Turkey.

Why did you choose Turkey?

We originally planned to go to Spain and Morocco, but something happened with the host there, so we were redirected. Turkey was an amazing experience, and I believe that change in location was from God.

Where did you travel to in Turkey?

We started in the capitol, Ankara. Then we went south to Antakya. In the Bible, it was called Antioch. We also went to Cappadocia, then to Istanbul and back to Ankara before we flew home.

How did you serve on the trip?

We visited the site of the big earthquake that happened a few months ago. The devastation there was really bad. We worked at a kitchen on an assembly line, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

What were the biggest highlights of the trip?

The people we served were so kind and a few of them invited us to their homes and gave us tea and Turkish delight. We’d talk for a long time through our translator because most of the people didn’t speak English.

We worked with an organization that serves refugees. Many were Iranian. At the end of our time, we hosted a testimony night and they shared their stories of coming to Turkey, how they met Jesus, and what they dream of doing when they leave Turkey. It was so powerful to hear their stories. We also taught them English, which was a cool experience.

I really enjoyed seeing some of the beautiful areas of Turkey. We visited mosques, including the famous Blue Mosque in Istanbul.

In Cappadocia, we stayed in a cave hotel. We’d wake up at 5:30 a.m., look out of the cave, and watch the sunrise with hundreds of hot air balloons flying up into the sky. It was one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen.

What was the dynamic like on your team?

We all grew a lot closer over the course of the trip. Every night we’d get ice cream and do a debrief about our day. It was interesting hearing each person’s perceptions of Turkey. I’m from Colorado and it reminded me of home. Another girl said it reminded her of Korea and someone else thought it was like Ecuador. It was special that the Lord made this place remind us all of the places we loved. I loved serving as a leader of the team alongside my friend Deborah. The Lord blessed us with an amazing team.

What was a big takeaway from the trip?

Building relationships with people was a big one. The Turkish people were so kind. They would give so much, whether it was tea or food or rides wherever we needed. I learned how to love people more selflessly from their example.

How did you grow personally and spiritually?

Personally, I grew in my understanding of people. It was a very relational ministry. I also grew in my understanding of missions and how God can use you in the little things.

Spiritually, I learned to trust God more. There were a lot of days on the trip where we didn’t have much planned and we had to figure things out as we went. Looking back on the trip, trusting God was really transformational for me.

Would you recommend global engagement trips to other students? What advice would you give them?

I would 100 percent recommend the experience. This was my second global engagement trip. My first one was to Thailand last year. These trips inspired me to want to do missionary work long term. They’re literally life changing.

My biggest advice would be to have an open mind and heart. Don’t set expectations based on what you hear from friends' experiences. Each trip is unique, so be open to how God is purposeful with your journey.

Where God places you and what He has you do on those trips will be transformational. If you’re open to what God has for you, it could change your life like it did mine.

One of our four cornerstones is service. What does service mean to you?

Service is not about you. Some of the work we were doing wasn’t the most exciting, like keeping watch over earthquake relief supplies, but it was what the people there asked us to do. Service is being aware of what others need and doing what you can to fulfill those needs.

All APU undergraduate students serve 120 hours over the course of four years. There are many opportunities during the school year and the summer to serve both locally and globally. Learn more about global engagement trips here or by emailing globalengagement@apu.edu.

Global Engagement Series: Emily Guerrero’s Experience in Romania'

This article was originally published on APU’s website.

Emily Guerrero ’24, a senior journalism major, served on a Global Engagement trip this summer in Romania. She and her team of four Azusa Pacific University students traveled to the capitol of Bucharest for nine days in May.

Why did you choose Romania for your global engagement trip?

I really wanted to work with refugees. My mom, my grandma, and my aunt are all refugees from Egypt. Because of the war in Ukraine, thousands of refugees have fled to Romania. I went there to provide support in any way I could.

What did you enjoy most about Romania?

Romanian culture really emphasizes community, helping one another and doing things together. The church we served at in Bucharest was very big on giving your time to others.

How did you serve on the trip?

For a couple of days, we worked at a church, serving and cooking meals. Next, we went to a warehouse where they kept supplies for convoys and helped organize materials. Finally, we went to a camp to clean and set things up for incoming refugees.

What were the biggest highlights of the trip?

Some of the refugees were housed at the church where we served. We spent time with them, sharing a meal and listening to their stories of how they ended up in Romania. You hear about it on the news, but meeting those affected by the war holds much more weight.

I learned a lot on the trip, including how to serve selflessly. For some things, like cleaning bathrooms, I focused not on what I wanted to do, but what the church needed help with most. I enjoyed getting to know the staff at the church. They were so welcoming and kind to us.

What was your team dynamic like?

We didn’t really know each other prior to the trip. We had met a few times, but we really bonded with each other once we got to Bucharest. Because it was a small group, we grew close. There were a lot of funny moments. We also built relationships with our hosts from the Greater Europe Mission.

How did you see God moving on the trip?

Going out of the country definitely broadened my view of God. I saw how God doesn’t stop seeking after people. The refugees had been displaced and had almost no material possessions, but they had God’s love in the church. They grasped onto the hope He provided.

How did you grow personally and spiritually on the trip?

Personally, I learned to be more grateful for what I have. In the U.S., I grew up in a bit of a bubble. We sometimes complain about things that don’t matter. I learned not to complain as much, to be content with what I have, and be grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given. Spiritually, I learned to put aside my own desires, serving with God’s love to help others with their needs.

What was your biggest takeaway from the trip?

I want to take what I learned in Romania and continue to apply it in the U.S. Serving globally was an awesome opportunity, so I’m finding ways to serve locally in my own community. I have neighbors all around me with needs and I want to focus on helping them.

Would you recommend Global Engagement trips to other students? What advice would you give them?

Yes! Going to another country to see their lifestyle really broadened my worldview. It was a great opportunity to see what it’s like to serve in a different culture.

Whatever trip you go on, choose it based on the mission, not the location of the trip. A destination like Greece or France might have been fun, but those missions didn’t align with what I felt called to do. Each trip has a specific purpose. Pray about what mission is right for you.

One of our four cornerstones is service. What does service mean to you?

To me, service is investing your time and energy into others. This doesn’t only mean physically working to help them, but also building relationships with them. Serving is about putting yourself second, focusing on how you can help someone else.

All APU undergraduate students serve 120 hours over the course of four years. There are many opportunities during the school year and the summer to serve both locally and globally. Learn more about global engagement trips here or by emailing globalengagement@apu.edu.

Global Engagement Series: Kekai Kaaumoana-Cummings' Experience in Italy

This article was originally published on APU’s website.

Kekai Kaʻaumoana-Cummings ’25 is a junior kinesiology major from Hawaii. Like hundreds of Azusa Pacific University students, Kaʻaumoana-Cummings chose to spend part of his summer serving on a Global Engagement trip. He and five teammates traveled to Rome for two weeks to share the Gospel.

Out of all the Global Engagement trips, why did you choose Italy?

I wanted to serve in Rome because it’s very important in Jesus’ story and the history of the church. There are many non-believers there and I wanted to share God’s love with them.

What were your favorite parts of visiting Italy?

I loved learning more about Roman history. There were these huge old churches that were jaw dropping. Pictures don’t do justice to the buildings with their stunning designs and art. I really enjoyed the Italian food too, the best pasta and gelato I’ve ever had.

I loved seeing the cultural differences. The biggest one is pacing. Italian time and American time aren’t the same. In America, we’re so busy and everything is so fast paced. When you’re that busy, how do you stop and feel God? In Italy, I learned the importance of being patient and quiet to spend time with God.

What were some big highlights from the trip?

We would split up and go out in teams of three and talk to the people the Lord directed us to, following His lead. My team and I were out on a prayer walk one day when we came upon a man from the Middle East. We talked to him, but my interpreter was struggling to understand his English, so we switched to texting. We were able to do Christ’s work and he was led to God as a result of that conversation. That was amazing.

On one prayer walk, an Italian woman came up to us and introduced us to another deaf person. I was fortunate that I could communicate with him because I knew International Sign Language. It was just me, him, and God. I thought there would be many obstacles for me on the trip, but God kept breaking down all these barriers. I’m so grateful that I was able to share my story and by talking about my faith, to start planting a seed.

What was the dynamic like on your team?

Our team was special. Our leaders were amazing and I have so many fond memories with all of them. We would joke around a lot. They were very supportive of me. We’d eat together and spend a lot of time together during the day. It truly felt like a family. How did you grow personally and spiritually?

Before the trip, I was nervous about how people would look at me, a deaf American traveling around with an interpreter. I feel braver and bolder after the trip, stronger in my faith. I’m prepared to share my testimony with confidence. I feel more in tune with the Holy Spirit.

Would you recommend Global Engagement trips to other students? What advice would you give them?

I’ve already decided to go on another Global Engagement trip next year. I would highly recommend them–take advantage of the time with God and bond with your team. You don’t know what’s outside of your world until you experience it. I experienced the power of God, working on me and developing my confidence. If you go, ask Him to be with you, to show you what you need to see.

At APU, our cornerstones are Christ, Scholarship, Community, and Service. What does service mean to you?

Service is represented by Christ in you. Many people in the world don’t know Christ, but if they see you serving, that builds a bridge for them to want to get to know Him. Service is a clear representation of your heart. This trip made me want to seek more opportunities to serve.

Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience?

My team treated me with so much love. If a person has a disability, let them on your team. They may be mentally or physically challenged, but they can help you the same way you help them. The self esteem that builds in a disabled person is amazing.

All APU undergraduate students serve 120 hours over the course of four years. There are many opportunities during the school year and during the summer to serve both locally and globally. Learn more about global engagement trips here or by emailing globalengagement@apu.edu.

Note: Kaʻaumoana-Cummings is a deaf/hard-of-hearing student. An interpreter was provided for this interview by the Office of Accessibility and Disability Resources.

Global Engagement Series: Anthony Chow’s Experience in Guatemala

This article was originally published on APU’s website.

Anthony Chow ’24, a junior nursing major with a minor in philosophical apologetics, served on a Global Engagement trip this summer in Guatemala. He and his team of 11 Azusa Pacific University students visited Guatemala in May and served in a variety of ways. Read on to learn about Chow’s experience:

Why did you choose Guatemala for your global engagement trip?

Guatemala spoke to me in part because of the trip’s two-week length. I went on a week-long global engagement trip to Mexico last year, and I wanted to experience a longer stay. The trip was split into a week in the capitol, Guatemala City, and a week in the rural area of Pacaya, getting a good mix of the culture there.

How did you serve on the trip?

We did a lot of different things. The first week in Guatemala City, we spent most of the time preparing a mission house for the summer. We organized a lot of their storage and painted rooms. The nonprofit, called Clubhouse, planned to host a Vacation Bible School for kids there later in the summer. In Guatemala, many children are victims of the drug and human trafficking trades. Boys and girls in school are in a safe environment. Clubhouse sought to provide a place where kids were secure and could get an education.

In Pacaya, we prepared two more houses, getting them ready for missionaries who were going to come later in the summer. We had a nice balance of ministry and spending time with the moms and kids in Pacaya. I loved playing soccer with the kids and teaching them to make friendship bracelets.

Since several of us were nursing students, we did some health assessments and check ups for the kids. Then we organized their pharmacy to help them prepare for the summer.

What were a few highlights of the trip?

A big one was spending time with our host, Pablo. He was an orphan who was adopted by Mike, the founder of Clubhouse. Pablo was really involved with us in our work. I remember when we were cleaning out one of the storage rooms in Guatemala City, I found a comic book in Spanish and said it would be cool to read it. Then we went to Pacaya for a week, and when we returned to the city to fly home, Pablo said he had something for me, and handed me the book. I’m not much of a crier, but that made me cry.

He came from nothing and didn’t have much to give, but that book was such a heartfelt gift. Through the gift, he taught me to give more than you take.

Another highlight was going on home visits. We’d step into someone’s home, get to know them, and give them some food. That was a pivotal experience for me because it showed me how much of a contrast there was between the rich and the poor. So many of these families have so little, and yet they’re still so happy.

What was the dynamic like on your team?

My group had a lot of fun. There was always banter. We’d listen to music as we worked during the day. At night, we’d write encouraging notes to each other. I found myself getting to know the group through meals and one-on-one conversations. I love learning other people’s stories. We all came from different walks of life, but we experienced Guatemala together, which was really meaningful.

How did you see God move on the trip?

Every night, I journaled and reflected on my day about how I saw God move. In Pacaya, the girls and boys would just run up to you and give you a hug. They didn’t even know you, but they were excited to meet new people. I saw God taking care of these kids and their families in so many different ways. I knew some of them struggled to put food on the table, but they weren’t worried because God always provided. That was so inspiring.

How did you grow personally and spiritually?

I learned the importance of taking time for myself. I realized there’s a time to be with other people—community is important—but there’s also a time to be by yourself, to sit in stillness with God. God is in both of those places, in the people around you and the conversations you have with the team, and he’s just as much there for you when you’re alone praying in your room.

Would you recommend Global Engagement trips to other students? What advice would you give them?

Definitely! When people say mission trips are a life changing experience, it’s true. There are eye opening things you would never see in the U.S., things that will stick with you long after you come back. I would recommend these trips as a way to see the world, to learn how life is outside of the U.S. It’s important to see what God is doing in other places. I would advise anyone considering one of these trips to be clear about knowing your why. Is it just to have fun? Or is it to see God more clearly?

The intention is so important. God looks at your heart. He cares about your why. If you get that calling, if it’s something God’s telling you to step into, then you should do it with resounding yes and put everything you have into it. Don’t come in with expectations. Come in with an open heart and let God show you his plan.

Service is one of APU’s four cornerstones. What does service mean to you?

Most people think of mission trips as spreading the Gospel, but it’s really about sharing God’s love. It doesn’t always mean bold evangelism and sharing the Gospel verbally. Sometimes actions speak louder than words. For us, playing soccer with the kids in Guatemala, painting walls, organizing storage spaces—these were all simple actions with the intention of showing God’s love. That’s service. We reflect Christ through our actions.

All APU undergraduate students serve 120 hours over the course of four years. There are many opportunities during the school year and during the summer to serve both locally and globally. Learn more about global engagement trips here or by emailing globalengagement@apu.edu.

Student Spotlight: Sarah Potts Shares God’s Love Through Community

This article was originally published on APU’s website.

Sarah Potts ’24 loves cultivating community as a resident advisor (RA) in Azusa Pacific’s University Village. While being away from home can be challenging for students, Potts strives to provide a welcoming environment for her residents so they feel seen and known. She gets to know each resident, learning their names and birthdays at the beginning of the semester and she sends them encouraging texts throughout the year. Potts also hosts monthly breakfasts where students can drop in and enjoy a free meal while catching up on life. “Pancakes with Potts is always a lot of fun. That’s how I became friends with many of my residents,” she said.

“Serving with hospitality and cultivating community in my court is a really fun way to do ministry.”

As a Christian ministries major, Potts is passionate about sharing her faith. She served as a children’s ministry intern at her church, Hillside Community Church in Rancho Cucamonga, for the past three years. “I got to preach these little sermonettes sharing Biblical stories. When I first started, I was nervous because I felt like I was learning alongside the kids. It really resonated with my childlike faith and helped me grow.” Potts means this literally.

Potts didn’t grow up in a Christian household. Until she graduated from high school, she had never considered going to church. “I didn’t think church was where I belonged. I hadn’t seen God in my life,” Potts said. After declining several invitations from her friend Jayden Zwerner ’20 to go to young adults ministry at Hillside, Potts finally decided to give it a try. Although she was nervous at first, she quickly became interested in the pastor’s sermons and decided to continue attending services. “I was a history major at Chaffey at the time and I loved hearing the Bible stories and drawing the bridge between academia and biblical history,” she said. “After a month of going to young adult ministry and asking the pastor questions, I realized I was starting to believe.” One night, the pastor delivered a sermon about Saul turning to Paul and the redemption God offers. “I felt like he was talking directly to me. He did an altar call and I stood up and accepted God. After that, I dove head first into ministry. The joy of the Lord has changed me. I would not be who I am without my faith and the opportunity to worship God.”

Becoming a Christian led Potts to decide she wanted to transfer from Chaffey College to a faith based institution. Since she had many friends from church who went to APU, it seemed like a natural fit and when she visited campus, she knew God was leading her here. At APU, Potts changed majors and fell in love with learning more about the Bible in an intimate class setting. “I really liked my classes at Chaffey at the time I was in them, but now I see how big those classes were. A couple courses had more than 100 students,” she said. “At APU, the classes are much smaller and I’ve built great relationships with my professors. I feel really cared for by all of them because of their intentionality.” Potts said professors like Justin Marc Smith, PhD, and Frederico A. Roth, PhD, have challenged her to grow her critical thinking skills while teaching her how to understand Scripture. Potts enjoys sharing coffee with them while having deep conversations about faith and life. “They’re both phenomenal. They really take the time to get to know you and help you achieve your full potential.”

As Potts heads into her senior year, she’s still figuring out what she wants to do after graduation. She had planned on becoming a youth pastor for a time, and even served at a Hume Lake camp where she was told by multiple pastors that they would love to have her join their church’s youth ministry. Potts is also considering working in young adult ministry.

“It’s such an important area that’s often forgotten," she said. "Without young adults' ministry, I wouldn’t have become a believer. A lot of churches don’t have young adults’ ministry even though that’s a time people tend to lose their faith. I see a deep need for that and I’ve felt the Lord putting it on my heart strongly.”

For now, Potts is focused on enjoying her senior year. Balancing being an RA with working in the Student Services Center while being a full-time student isn’t easy, but Potts loves both her jobs and her classes. As a first generation college student, she doesn’t take anything for granted. “When I started college, I thought everyone does this and it’s not a big deal. But I remembered how college wasn’t in the cards for my parents and how some people would give anything to get an education like this,” she said. “I constantly remind myself what a privilege it is to get a college education.”

APU Honors Cliff Hamlow at Basketball Alumni Reunion

This article was originally published on APU’s website.

More than 90 alumni ranging from the classes of 1955-89 filled Upper Turner Campus Center to honor their mentor, legendary Azusa Pacific University basketball coach and vice president emeritus Cliff Hamlow ’56, PhD, on Saturday, February 4. The group of former basketball players shared memories of their time as Cougars and the impact Coach Hamlow had on their lives.

Kicking off the event, athletic director Gary Pine ’84, MBA ’05, talked about the connection that brought the players together and the man at center court. “We’re celebrating four decades of Cougar basketball,” Pine said. “Cliff is the common bond right alongside the one forged by a team. There’s nothing like playing, battling, and winning together.”

After an opening prayer by Steve Seavers ’78, Pine passed the mic to the master of ceremonies, Ed Munson, who was APU’s sports information director from 1969-72 before becoming the official scorer for the Los Angeles Angels and later the Los Angeles Dodgers. Munson recounted many noteworthy moments throughout Hamlow’s tenure, including seven consecutive 20-win seasons, scoring 155 points in a single game, scoring more than 100 points in a single half, scoring 100 or more points 15 times in one season, and winning the Christian College Tournament four years in a row from 1968-72. “I’ve seen no-hitters and perfect games, but the moment that sticks out in my mind above everything else was watching Cliff get his 300th win as Bob Dickinson made a shot with six seconds left on the clock,” Munson said.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone jump as high as Cliff did in that moment. I thank God for Cliff being an excellent coach, a better friend, and a pivotal mentor.”

Following Munson, Bill Young ’57 talked about how he and Hamlow came to campus together, back when the school was called Pacific Bible College. “At the time, I don’t think there was one person who came to be a part of the athletic program,” he said. “Cliff became a student-coach instead of a student-athlete and developed the program into what it is today.” In the first few years of Hamlow’s coaching career, the team practiced at gyms off campus before a donor provided funds to build the Cougar Dome in 1958.

As the years went by, Hamlow began recruiting players and strengthening the program. By the end of the 1960s, the Cougars were a perennial powerhouse thanks to excellent coaching and talented players such as Chuck Boswell ’69. Boswell’s freshman season was the year Azusa College and Pacific Bible College merged to form Azusa Pacific. While the players had been rivals before, Hamlow coached them to work together to reach new heights. Boswell fondly recalled his favorite memories, from going on basketball road trips and running out of gas to singing in church choirs. He ended by describing all of Hamlow’s accolades. “Cliff, your greatest award isn’t here. Your greatest reward is that some day you’re going to Heaven and you will see players you brought to the Lord, and through faith they each became a different person,” he said. “Coach, I appreciate that, because I was one of those people. You did that for me. I love you and can’t thank you enough.”

Following Boswell, Dennis Dickens ’70 talked about how Hamlow gave him a chance to develop his skills when few other coaches would have done so. After graduation, Dickens had a brief NBA career before playing professionally in Europe. “My coach in the pros told me the only reason I made it this far is because Coach Hamlow taught me how to play right,” Dickens said.

“Every year as a coach, Cliff got better. That doesn’t happen often. He’s more than a great coach. He put APU’s basketball program on the map. In the basketball world, everybody knows APU all because of Cliff.”

Many players went on to coach after graduating, including Gordon Billingsley ’73 and Gary Johnson ’80. Billingsly said he treasured Hamlow’s mentorship and patience. Johnson described watching the way Hamlow coached, not shouting or getting angry with his players. Johnson replicated this in his coaching, as he went on to win Coach of the Year many times at the high school level in the San Gabriel Valley. “My favorite part was getting to coach the all-star teams, because the all-star games were held at APU,” Johnson said. “I was so proud because Coach could see me walking those sidelines just like he did.”

The final two players to share, Dave Dangleis ’87 and John Hoetker ’89, spoke about Hamlow’s impact off the court and in their lives after graduation. Dangleis spoke about a film session that turned into a prayer session as the team gathered around an old TV to watch the aftermath of the space shuttle Challenger explosion. “Cliff knew we could watch game film anytime; he made sure we stopped to grasp the significance of what had happened and prayed about it,” Dangleis said. “Coach, you taught us a lot about basketball, but you taught us more about being men, and I will always appreciate that.” Hoetker spoke about a moment more than 25 years after he finished playing basketball when he called Hamlow up and asked him to baptize his son and their family.

“I know a lot of this is about basketball and that sport is a wonderful thing because it brought us all together. But more than that, you taught us how to be in the right spot to have the greatest impact, showing us your vision for something more,” Hoetker said. “In my life, I never had a greater champion than you, Coach.”

To close out the ceremony before the group went over to the Felix Event Center to watch the current men’s basketball team beat Dominican University, Hamlow spoke about his legacy and his favorite memories from his 60 years of coaching (33 at APU and 27 at the high school level with his son, Gordon). “When I started college in 1954, I was at chapel and the Lord talked to me. I promised I would serve Him and go anywhere He wanted me to go,” Hamlow said. “Little did I know He didn’t want me to go very far. He put me here to develop an athletics program with the support of then-President Cornelius Haggard.” Hamlow recounted games in the Cougar Dome with a thunderous home crowd, giving players a quarter to go buy their meals on road trips, beating Richard Felix’s Bethel College basketball team at the National Christian College Tournament decades before Felix became APU’s president, and watching as his legacy was carried on by coaches Bill O’Dell, Justin Leslie, and Peter Bond. “It’s been great to see how our coaches have ministered to their players,” he said. “That’s been true of all our coaches here at APU. That’s why I believe in this place.” Hamlow ended by commending his players for making an impact in the lives of so many young people.

“In my 89 years, I’ve learned that we never retire from God’s work. We will slow down, but we won’t retire, because God always has something for us to do and people’s lives to touch.”

APU Hosts “Human Flourishing in the Age of AI” Conference

This article was originally published on APU’s website.

While artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the hottest topics in 2023, with countless new developments, many people don’t fully understand what AI is and its possible benefits and potential dangers. Azusa Pacific University’s Center for Research in Science (CRIS) recently hosted a conference entitled “Human Flourishing in the Age of AI,” featuring experts across a variety of fields. “We hope participants walked away from the symposium with a deeper understanding and less fear of AI’s impact on society through actively engaged discussions on how to harness its potential for human flourishing,” said Louise Ko Huang, PhD, director of CRIS. “It was refreshing to hear differing views without arguments. Everyone listened and took the time to understand perspectives different from their own.”

The conference featured plenary speaker Sherol Chen, PhD, a computer science researcher who studied AI and has worked for a big tech company for more than a decade. Chen described the history of AI and how the field has evolved over the years. Among the many misconceptions about AI, Chen noted that most people don’t realize that AI has been around since the 1950s and how much research has gone into it. She said there are countless papers and reports that are easily accessible and many people who aim to teach and explain AI to make understanding it less daunting. “There’s a lot of noise out there,” she said. “I believe that growing our understanding grows our faith which enables us to receive even more wisdom to filter out the distractions, as we see in James 1:5.”

From a Christian perspective on building AI, Chen referenced Romans 8:19, describing how we are called to create. “With all things, we should create with hope and humility. What and how we create is our responsibility,” she said. “This also means understanding the tools we use and the impact our creations make on our neighbors.” While many people are worried about how AI might potentially be used for malice, Chen believes AI can and should be used for good.

“We have to have faith that God will give us the wisdom to use technology appropriately.”

Following Chen’s speech, attendees took part in a four corners activity, moving around to corners in the room labeled agree, disagree, strongly agree, and strongly disagree based on questions Huang asked. The questions included:

• Are there any ethical norms that should be applied to AI?

• Can humans claim credit for AI authorship?

• Can AI influence ministry and how people think about God?

• Can AI destroy humanity? While almost everyone strongly agreed that ethical norms should be applied to AI, the other three questions divided the audience fairly evenly. The thought provoking questions kept participants talking as they enjoyed lunch before hearing from a panel of APU faculty and staff.

The panel featured Mihretu Guta, PhD, professor of philosophy, Mike Truong, PhD, director of digital learning and faculty success, Alex Yu, PhD, director of data analytics, and Karen Lang, PhD, writing program lead instructor. Answering the same questions the participants had been asked earlier, the panel all agreed that ethical framework was crucial in the development of AI. However, claiming credit of AI authorship with tools like ChatGPT split the panel. Yu said using it is just another tool to get a project done, but Lang strongly dissented.

“We don’t want to create better papers. We want to create better writers. We still need to teach thinking, not shortcuts,” Lang said. “Have something to say for yourself; do not let a machine say it for you. I want to know what you think.”

Mihretu shared similar sentiments, describing ChatGPT as a mental crutch that is teaching people to be dependent and not think for themselves. “You can’t use a crutch forever,” he said. “What you get with AI is an artificially learned person. They don’t truly know a subject.” All agreed that AI could potentially benefit ministry in different ways and that AI cannot destroy humanity since only people can do that. As each panel member shared closing remarks, the consensus was clear as summarized by Yu. “AI is here to stay,” he said. “We should embrace it and figure out how we can use it beneficially.”

After the interdisciplinary panel, attendees further unpacked the subject of AI at discipline-based table discussions. The disciplines represented included humanities, healthcare, business, education, ministry, social work and social sciences, natural sciences, and philosophy. A student table was led by computer science and honors humanities alumnus Nicolas Chera ’18, while the other tables were led by APU faculty from several colleges and schools including Rebekah Harris, MS, Monica Ganas, PhD, Valerie Joy Smith, PhD, RN, MSN, CCRN, LaShan Epperson, DBA, Kaitlyn Fizgerald, PhD, Elijah Roth, PhD, and Enson Chang, PhD.

The conference concluded with an address from alumnus Finney Premkumar ’97, the founder and director of Truth Matters International, a Christian apologetics ministry. Premkumar emphasized three points: that we should appreciate AI and the many ways it already benefits us, that we should be apprehensive about AI in terms of respecting its potential if misused, and that we should explore applications of AI in different disciplines, using AI as a means to an end. Premkumar also spoke about the different levels of AI from basic (machine learning) to advanced (machine intelligence) and AI superintelligence (machine consciousness). Premkumar posited that AI as we know it could never get to the point of consciousness. “God created humans. Humans created AI,” he said. “And the image of God in humans is non-transferable.”

This conference was made possible because of the generous funding from the John Templeton Foundation through the Scholarship and Christianity in Oxford Supporting Structures grant. Huang shared her excitement that CRIS is able to put on these kinds of symposiums at least once a year for the community. “For centuries, the academy has been known as the ivory tower. In these rapidly changing times, can the academy be reimagined to be a community of learners who are willing and able to share their resources with the community at large?” she asked. “My aspiration is that APU can be that place to offer intellectual and civic progress rooted in the Christian faith and God’s sovereignty.”

Faculty Friday: Phil Cox Encourages Students to Pursue their Dreams

This article was originally published on APU’s website.

Phil Cox, PhD, will never forget his first biochemistry class at Azusa Pacific University. Having just finished his doctorate in pharmacology at Johns Hopkins University, Cox made the decision to go into teaching, unlike many of his peers at Hopkins who chose a career in research. His first class, Principles of Biochemistry, in spring 2017 taught him a lot. “I remember inviting students over to my house for dinner, helping students out during office hours, and the real privilege of students talking with me about the uncertainties in their classes and in their life,” he said.

“That was my first experience mentoring students and I’m grateful to that class for giving me that gift.”

Although originally from a small town in Illinois, Cox spent most of his childhood in Oklahoma City. He developed a love for math early on which morphed into a passion for science in high school when he saw how math was a foundational tool for chemistry. Cox attended Southern Nazarene University, where his father taught as a chemistry professor, for his undergraduate studies. “I feel like I ended up in the family business,” he joked. Cox loved his education at SNU where the faculty weren’t afraid to talk about the ways that science and the Christian faith can engage thoughtfully with one another. “I still keep in touch with them. Those have developed into really significant relationships for me, especially now that I’m a professor too.”

During his undergraduate studies, Cox completed three summer research programs at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, the University of Oklahoma, and at Harvard University. “Harvard was an amazing experience. I got to work on a really neat project, the replication of a human herpes virus, stuff I couldn’t work on at a smaller school, using equipment my school didn’t have,” he said. Cox’s favorite experiences at Harvard were gleaning insight from other incredibly talented students and engaging in professional development opportunities. After Harvard, Cox returned to SNU, finished his bachelor’s degree, and got a job at a research lab studying anthrax and how to improve the anthrax vaccine. After two years in the lab, Cox got married and he and his wife moved to Baltimore for graduate school. While his wife pursued a Masters in Public Policy at George Washington University, he began his PhD at Hopkins.

As he got deeper into his program, Cox told his faculty advisor that he was interested in teaching. She made time to help him along his route and when he saw a job pop up on the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities website, she advised him to go for it. After a few interviews, he landed the job at APU and began packing to move across the country with his wife. “The position fit very well for me in terms of subject matter and being at a faith-based institution,” Cox said. “My path to APU wasn’t a traditional one, but I’m very grateful to be here.”

Cox’s favorite part of working at APU is the students he gets to instruct. “Our students have such amazing stories. They’re so talented and have big dreams for themselves,” he said. “It’s a privilege to help them realize those dreams.” Many of his students have gone on to grad school, some with full rides based on their accomplishments at APU. Cox enjoys pouring into students and encouraging their dreams. “I recognize special students and tell them, ‘You’ve got what it takes.’ They tell me, ‘Nobody’s ever told me that before,’” he said. “I have the perspective of knowing how everyone in the class is doing and I can tell them that they are exceptional.”

For the upcoming school year, Cox is excited to conduct research with student assistants. APU recently made a $2 million investment to support research across the university, including in the Department of Biology and Chemistry. “I’m ecstatic that we’re getting a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, the same industry standard one I used at Hopkins,” Cox said.

“With it, we’ll be able to measure any small molecule we want. This advances the capabilities of research in our department to levels that I never knew we could achieve.”

Cox loves combining research and mentoring with his students. While many universities require students to wait until graduate school to conduct research, APU offers numerous opportunities for students to research in undergrad. “Having students engage in long-term research projects helps train our students to think like scientists,” he said. Cox said this experience is more valuable than his summer research programs, where it was an 8-10 week blitz and just beginning to get his feet wet. “Here, we’re able to bring students on for a couple of years and by the time they reach the end of that experience, they have a really good understanding of the project and the research process,” he said. “It’s a great way to build relationships with students while they’re at APU and support them as they continue onto life after graduation.”