Local engagement opportunities create a strong relationship between Azusa Pacific University students and the community. Through the opportunity to serve at Elevation Worship’s faith based concert, APU students were able to lean into their faith while connecting with and supporting the community. The event highlights APU’s first principle of community engagement, reflecting the university’s Christian ethos through faith integrated preparations and Christ-centered philosophy.
Nursing major Joseph Karcher ’27 was APU’s point person for the event. He communicated with the event’s main spokesperson and relayed information and instructions to the other 15 student volunteers. The event was in partnership with World Vision, an organization that raises funds for orphaned children in Uganda. During the concert, a spokesperson went on stage and explained how people could donate a dollar each day to support the children with housing, schooling, clothing, and food. Volunteers each had a poster with a picture of a child that the organization was fundraising for which they held up. They also passed out pamphlets with the information to encourage people to donate.
Elevation Worship’s concert centered around worship songs and community. For their
help, APU students were able to attend the concert for free. “Elevation Worship made
some amazing songs that we sing in chapel,” Karcher said.
The event served as a great way for APU students to express their faith off campus. “Students get to spread the values of APU and the love of God through volunteering,” Karcher said. “It was impactful to see some of the students even want to sponsor the children.”
APU students were also able to connect with volunteers from all over the area who are passionate about helping World Vision and spreading Elevation Worship’s message. “Being able to talk to the other volunteers about their churches and how they love to volunteer was so cool,” Karcher said.
Worship through music is an integral part of APU’s tight knit community. “So many people know and connect to the songs we sing in chapel, so it’s easy to feel immediately integrated into the community,” Karcher said. The same thing took place at the concert. APU students truly felt like a part of the larger community. “A lot of students don’t come from Azusa, so community engagement builds respect for Azusa, the LA area, and the San Gabriel Valley. Local engagement opportunities such as helping at shelters, participating in food drives, working the Trunk or Treat event, or volunteering at one time events like the concert allows us to contribute to the community and stay connected to the area we live in.”
Karcher’s experience volunteering at Elevation Worship’s concert was only one of the many opportunities APU extends to students to connect with the community. “It’s easy to focus on yourself in our world, but volunteering helps me to remember that I have neighbors that I can share Jesus’ love with.”