Stephen Vogt ’07 Named Manager of Cleveland Guardians

This article was originally published on apu.edu.

Today will go down as one of the most significant moments in the history of Azusa Pacific athletics. Stephen Vogt ’07 was named the new manager of the Cleveland Guardians—the first APU alumnus to become a head coach of a major league team. Vogt has big shoes to fill, replacing future Hall of Fame manager Terry Francona who led the Guardians for the past 11 seasons. Chris Antonetti, Cleveland’s president of baseball operations, is certain he’s the right man for the job.

“Stephen earned a reputation as one of the best teammates in the game across his 16-year career as a player, and we’ve greatly enjoyed the opportunity to get to know him over the past several weeks,” Antonetti said in a statement. “Stephen has thought critically about the type of leader and manager he wants to be. His deep care for others, his ability to build meaningful relationships with those around him, and his open-mindedness and curiosity make him an ideal fit to lead our club moving forward. We couldn’t be more excited to partner with Stephen.”

A two-time All Star, Vogt played 10 seasons in the MLB, primarily with the Oakland A’s. Across that span, he batted . 239 with a .301 on-base-percentage and 82 career home runs. While he had many big moments in his career, including hitting a walk-off single in the 2013 American League Division Series and winning a World Series as a member of the Atlanta Braves, Vogt’s most memorable moment was his final game in 2022 when he homered in his last at bat. Vogt is one of only three players in MLB history to hit a home run for his first and final career hits. After Vogt retired from playing, he spent the last year as the bullpen and quality control coach for the Seattle Mariners.

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Life on Film: Stephen Vogt '07

During his time with the A’s, Vogt was a consistent leader in the clubhouse and a four-time winner of the Catfish Hunter Award, which is given to the A's player whose play on the field and conduct in the clubhouse best exemplifies the competitive, inspirational, and courageous spirit of Hall of Fame pitcher Catfish Hunter. He also earned the A’s Dave Stewart Community Service Award three times for his efforts in the community. Vogt was one of the most beloved A’s of the last decade, a hero on and off the field. The chant, “I Believe in Stephen Vogt,” often rang out whenever he would step to the plate, and it can be found on t-shirts, bumper stickers, and many other places. The Guardians even mimicked it in their announcement, saying “We believe in Stephen Vogt.”

Before Vogt broke out in the MLB, he had a historic career at APU, which included:

• Three-time NAIA All-American (2005-07)

• Four-time All-Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) honoree (2004-07)

• Two-time GSAC Player of the Year (2005, 2007)

• Setting nine APU records, including highest career batting average (.451), career hits (294), career doubles (74), career RBIs (199), career walks (158), single season hits (108), and single season doubles (26)

• Leading the Cougars to their best record in program history (51-10) and an NAIA World Series appearance in 2007

• 30-game hit streak

• 84-game streak reaching base

• Inducted into the Cougar Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019.

Athletic director Gary Pine reflected on Vogt’s APU days after hearing the Guardians announcement. “Anyone who knows Stephen well is not surprised that he has risen to this level of leadership so quickly in his career,” Pine said. “He was an outstanding leader even as a young player at Azusa Pacific, and his ability to relate to all types of people was clearly evident even then. He is a terrific man of God, and will represent his family name, his alma mater, and the Guardians with the highest level of integrity and honor.”

When Vogt announced his retirement as a player in 2022, he declared that his next dream was to become a big league manager one day. Today, that dream came true.

Dave Blomquist: Cultivating Transformation on the Field

This article was originally published on APU’s website.

Dave Blomquist, MA, is living out his mission as the head coach of Azusa Pacific University’s men’s soccer team. Although his teams have had many triumphant seasons, including going undefeated during regular season play and being ranked No. 1 in all of NCAA Division II in 2019, Blomquist doesn’t measure success through traditional metrics. “I have no idea how many wins I have in my coaching career. As much as I love when our team wins, that’s not nearly as important to me,” he said. “Tell me how many players I’ve coached because that’s the number of opportunities I’ve had to help a young man grow, develop, and be transformed.”

Transformation is central to what Blomquist aims to achieve in his coaching. This happens in a number of ways. While he wants to help his players develop their soccer skills on the field, it’s the growth that occurs off the field that matters most. Most of Blomquist’s players will become professionals in a different field than the soccer pitch, so he advises them to focus on building integrity and character. “There’s a saying that it’s not what you know, it’s who you know,” he said. “There’s some truth to that, but I would add a third part: Most importantly, it’s who you are. I think that is going to give them the greatest success in whatever they do.”

Building athletes of character is rooted in Blomquist’s faith. He draws parallels between soccer and faith on a daily basis with his players. “There are so many lessons we can learn through the sport that we read about in the Bible,” he said. One of Blomquist’s favorite memories is watching a player who didn’t know God at all when he started at APU give his life to Christ before he graduated. His faith journey began on the soccer field and is now guiding his life.

“I really try to talk to the guys about the perspective we need to have about soccer and about life and eternity,” Blomquist said. “We all think soccer is really important, or else we wouldn’t devote so much time to it. But if we step back, we can see how soccer is such a small part of your life when you’re talking about vocation, family, and eternity.”

For Blomquist, his love for soccer began as a child. Born and raised in Branby, Conn., Blomquist played a number of sports growing up, but as he matured, baseball, basketball, and tennis fell by the wayside and he focused on soccer. After high school, he decided to attend Wheaton College, like many members of his family had previously. Although he wasn’t recruited, he walked on to the soccer team his freshman year. “I loved playing soccer in college. I have so many good memories from those days,” he said. After graduating, Blomquist briefly pursued a professional soccer career, playing for one season with the Chicago Stingers. “It was a cool experience to be a part of that type of environment at the next level, but after one year, I knew it wasn’t for me,” he said. “That’s when I started doing more coaching. That’s what got me up in the morning, what I was really passionate about and enjoyed.”

Coaching had a snowball effect for Blomquist; once he got started, he just wanted to spend more time doing it. Coaching opportunities took him from Chicago to Minneapolis, then to San Diego. He spent several years coaching at the high school level while pursuing his Master’s of Sports Psychology at San Diego State. Then one day he got a call from Phil Wolf, an old friend he had played with at Wheaton and on the Stingers. Wolf was the head coach of APU’s men’s soccer team at the time and needed an assistant coach. “I took some time to pray about it to see if it was the right next step in my life,” Blomquist said. “God told me to take the opportunity at APU. In hindsight, it was 100 percent the right decision. It led me to discover my mission and live it out each day.” Three years later, Wolf left to pursue a NCAA Division I coaching opportunity, and Blomquist took the reins as head coach.

The men’s soccer team has a motto unlike any other team at APU. The motto, takwaba, a Bemba word, stems from a mission trip the team went on to Zambia in 2005. On the trip, the team heard people worshiping, singing “Takwaba Uwaba Nga Yesu” (There’s No One Like Jesus), and saw the happiness the song brought them. “They brought the song back because they believe it enveloped APU soccer in that we want to have joy together in what we do,” Blomquist said.

“We want to have joy when we’re playing on the field, working out at the gym, just hanging out, or whatever we’re doing. Our joy is rooted in being a team and the love of Jesus.”

This togetherness aspect is what makes the team special. Blomquist is intentional about cultivating a strong community. He’ll have the players over to his house for barbecues and cornhole tournaments. They’ll grab meals together and go cheer on other APU sports teams together. “We really invest in each other’s lives outside of soccer. It’s important for guys to be there for each other when things aren’t going well,” he said. “They’re there for each other through the low moments, after tough losses and when guys are going through rough patches off the field. That’s where brotherhood kicks in and those relationships continue down the line long after graduation.”

Blomquist recalled going to a former player’s wedding a few years ago. He didn’t know who else was attending, but he was happy to see more than 20 APU soccer alumni there to celebrate their teammate. “This is the culture we created, guys who not only love playing and hanging out together, but who also want to see each other become better men and develop spiritually,” he said. “That’s transformation. That’s the impact I want to have as a coach.”

La Verne Resident Renee Pozza Named Dean of APU’s Nationally Ranked School of Nursing

This news release was originally published on APU’s website.

Azusa Pacific University Provost Anita Fitzgerald Henck, PhD, named La Verne, CA resident Renee Pozza, PhD, RN, CNS, FNP-BC, FAASLD, dean of the School of Nursing (SON), effective October 1, 2023. Pozza, a nationally recognized researcher, clinician, educator, and leader in nursing education brings more than 25 years of higher education experience to the role with expertise in developing new programs and pathways for nursing professionals at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

“Dr. Pozza is a visionary collaborator and innovative educator deeply committed to her faith which provides her with the core values essential for academic leadership at APU,” Henck said. “Her investment in APU has shaped institutional policies and practices which has positioned the university as a local, national, and global leader in nursing education.”

As SON dean, Pozza oversees day-to-day operations and provides leadership to 14 programs, the Institute of Health Research, and Continuing Education on five campuses (Azusa, Monrovia, San Diego, High Desert, Inland Empire). Pozza will serve internal and external stakeholders, including being a liaison with APU’s clinical partners that support the SON in its mission of educating the next generation of nursing and public health professionals. She will also supervise accreditation efforts on both state and national levels. Pozza will manage relations with alumni across the nation and the world as the SON prepares for its 50th anniversary in 2025.

“To bring my passion for preparing exemplary nurses to this role at my alma mater is exciting,” Pozza said. “I completed three programs of study from APU, taught on our faculty, and served as associate dean for more than two decades. I understand the critical need for competent and compassionate nurses at the bedside, as nurse educators, and as health care leaders and scholars. And I can attest to the impact our nurses are making across the world. I look forward to advancing our forward-thinking, innovative approach that will bring health and wellness to generations of Californians and others around the country and across the globe.”

Pozza’s appointment follows serving as interim dean of the School of Nursing since July 2022. She previously served as senior associate dean of academic initiatives and innovation (2016-22), associate dean of academic affairs (2005-16), associate professor (2000-12), and adjunct faculty (1996-2000). Under her leadership, the SON implemented several new programs and pathways in nursing education (including RN to BSN, Entry Level Master’s, and BSN to DNP), built skills and simulation laboratories, incorporated faith integration and virtual simulation into the curriculum, initiated several academic-practice partnerships, and led teams for successful re-accreditation and re-approval visits with the CCNE and the BRN.

Pozza has served as the director of clinical research at the Liver Center for the Southern California Transplantation Institute Research Foundation since 2003. She maintains an active practice as a hepatology nurse practitioner at the Southern California GI and Liver Centers. Pozza has received numerous industry and academic awards throughout her career including the Author of the Year from The Nurse Practitioner Journal in 2020 and the Uncommon Citizen Award from APU in 2008. In 2015, she was inducted as a fellow into the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases for her research contributions to the field. She is only the second nurse in the U.S. to hold this designation. Pozza completed her PhD in Nursing from the University of California, San Francisco. She holds a Post Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Certification, Master of Science in Nursing, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from APU.

APU’s nationally ranked School of Nursing prepares nurses to lead the way in health care and provide a deeper level of compassionate care in clinics, hospitals, schools, and beyond. APU’s School of Nursing offers programs for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral nursing degrees available online, on campus, and at our regional campuses across Southern California.

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.”