From January 26 to January 31, Pacific Union College students shared passionate testimonies and sermons during the Winter Student Week of Worship service.

Starting the week was senior psychology major and Director of Small Groups in the Office of Service, Justice, and Missions, Britney Hernandez. Leading up to her sermon, a video of Hernandez sharing a cake with her peers across campus circulated online, foreshadowing the core of her message: “Jesus is like good cake. Share it with others.”

She pointed to John 4:4– the story of the Samaritan woman who went to draw water from the well. When the woman encountered Jesus, “He offered her living water, love, and words of comfort that she probably had not heard in a long time,” said Hernandez.

Hernandez brought the audience to the heart of this Bible story in John 4:39-41, relating it to the cake reference. The Samaritan woman returned to her village and gathered the people, telling them about the person she had just met. Hernandez prompted listeners to ask God to make them sensitive to opportunities to offer Jesus to others, and to purposefully choose to be the instrument God uses to reach others so that they, too, can witness His glory for themselves.. “He will put people in your life that you can share cake with,” she said.

On Tuesday, junior theology major and Lead Student Chaplain at the Office of Service, Justice, and Missions, Alexis Villareal, shared a message about an unfortunate car accident he endured a few years ago, which left him feeling ashamed, guilty, or regretful. He then turned his attention to the crowd and asked them if they had ever felt the same. Maybe someone had gone through a breakup, failed an exam, endured a conflict with a loved one, or received criticism that did not accurately reflect who they are, leaving them feeling unworthy of love, especially when mercy and love are out of the picture.

Whatever the situation may have been, he assured listeners that they are worthy of love, even reminiscing about the beauty and grace of his father's forgiveness after the accident.

Villareal ended his sermon by quoting Romans 8:5, where Paul depicts someone who doesn’t live by their own will, but by the will of God, and that “those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.”

Wednesday’s speaker was sophomore physical education and math major and Intramurals Director, Kaia Miller, who kicked off her message by sharing the role models in her life that influenced her to pursue teaching– her mode of ministry. She then reflected on a teacher who made an impact by passing along kindness, a smile, and care to his students, which, in turn, instilled in her a passion to do the same.

“In college, we are waiting to pass the quarter, waiting to figure out a major, waiting to land an internship, waiting to graduate,” said Miller. “We’re all stuck in the same anxiety of when I get to have an impact on people.”

The center of her message aligned with Jeremiah 29:11, which says, “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.” Miller brought listeners to ponder over how a “plan” is not a destination, but a moment right here and right now because, as she said, “God is shaping us into people who love and trust Him, and with that we go, and we do good work. Ask God what you can do to do Kingdom work.”

Introducing three steps that guide each person into their purpose, junior theology major, Erick Lopez, began his sermon during the Thursday service. Quoting Genesis 37:5-9, he notes that Joseph’s dream was revealed to him by God at 17 years old, teaching listeners that God reveals His purpose for people early in their lives, even when others question or criticize it.

“You will have people who will cheer, pray, and encourage you, but you are going to have people who will try to discourage, criticize, or doubt your purpose,” Lopez said. “However, God’s purpose for your life does depend on their approval. God sees what no one else can see. He sees your heart and your talents.”

He brought the congregation to Jeremiah 1:5, which says, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born,  I set you apart. I appointed you as a prophet to the nations,” instilling a sense of confidence in each person that they have an identity in Christ, no matter the trials that one may face. Every trial is a reason to see where “God has provided for you and guided you, even when Satan puts a Goliath in your life.”

Emma Gheen, a sophomore health sciences major and associate director of missions, reminisced about a childhood memory that turned into an adolescent memory during the Friday night vespers program. “I know that I’ve been created for something, but I don’t know what that something is. I just know that it’s something bigger,” she said. Feeling strongly called by God to pursue missionary work at the time, she gave Him full authority over her life and her heart, trusting Him to lead her where He wanted her to serve.

Turning to the audience, she assured them that every person has been created for something great and beyond their imagination, and said, “God is going to use you for amazing things in your life if you will let Him.”

Gheen then referenced Gideon’s story in the Bible, where the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.” Even though Gideon responded, thinking the Lord had forsaken him, God came down to reassure him that He had created him for something amazing, which rejuvenated his self-worth and his strength to “step into the person he was created to be.”

Gheen then shared a series of photos documenting her missionary work in Guam and Micronesia, where she taught 25 fourth-grade students. She expressed her fear and lack of readiness or qualifications to serve at this level. “In that experience, God had transformed me,” she said. “There were many times when I had doubted and had been afraid, but God stayed constant through the whole experience.”

As Gheen concluded her sermon, she left the audience with a message: live fearlessly through Christ, because He doesn’t call the qualified, but qualifies the called.

Closing Week of Worship was Kyler VanHook, a senior theology major and student association religious vice president. On Sabbath, he touched on every student’s message during the week, and then referred to Matthew 24:14, which says, “And this gospel of the kingdom of heaven will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come,” signifying that God is waiting for His people to proclaim Him before His second coming.

VanHook shared his testimony about a time in his life where he bestowed judgment and criticism towards somebody, but, thanks to a brother in Christ, Christian, and his straightforwardness, VanHook realized the posture of his heart and said, “Lord, who will deliver me from this body of death?”

Christian then asked VanHook who God is to him, to which he replied, “God is omnipotent, all-powerful, the Creator of heaven and earth– He is Our Father and salvation,” stating all the terms and definitions that came to mind. His friend shifted VanHook’s perspective on salvation when he shared that to him, God is Jesus.

“The Lord wants His message to go to the ends of the world.” Holding up the Bible, VanHook passionately continued, “This has more than one Word [Jesus]. There are 66 chapters here. Hundreds of stories. Thousands of characters. Multiple prophecies. All is a reflection and demonstration of God’s desperate and loving earnestness to make people ready for His return.”

“The kingdom is heavenly, and it is in you right now, if you let it. I believe that there is no other place to look than the Cross of Calvary to experience a true revival. God’s work is perfect.”