Abigail Tam ’26 planned on doing a gap year after graduating high school, intending to follow in her parents’ footsteps by pouring herself into ministry. Tam’s journey has been one of God changing her plans, and she couldn’t be more grateful for the ways He has led her to discover her calling. As a junior nursing and honors humanities major at Azusa Pacific University, Tam has engaged in a diverse community that draws her closer to God and His purpose for her life.
Born in Los Angeles to immigrants from Hong Kong, Tam was immersed in ministry from a young age. When she was 12-years-old, her family moved to Lebanon as missionaries serving refugees. “Witnessing a level of suffering I hadn’t seen in the U.S. opened my eyes to the kind of reliance Christians around the world have on the Lord, sometimes for things as simple as water to drink,” Tam said. “Living in Lebanon challenged me to ponder how much I rely on God, especially when seeing the joy of the Lord in people who put all their trust in Him.”
When Tam applied to APU, she didn’t know if attending would be possible. Her mom had encouraged her to practice applying to colleges, and APU stood out because of its renowned nursing program. “I knew I wanted to be in the medical field, so I decided if I could get a scholarship to APU, then I’d go,” Tam said. She earned the scholarship, and began to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse.
Tam’s experience in the Honors College has had a significant impact on the way she approaches caring for others. “There is such a strong overlap between honors and nursing because we talk a lot about ethics in the texts we explore,” she said. “Even though the books in the honors curriculum are not health related, our discussions about human suffering and faith in the midst of hardship influence how I see God in my own life and how I can best understand patients’ needs while providing care.” Tam has appreciated expanding her worldview by engaging in texts written by Catholic and Orthodox writers, and conversing with students of those faith backgrounds, to learn more about what it means to be Christian. “I love that our professors allow organic conversations to happen in colloquy, because we often talk about concepts I never would have heard otherwise.”
Some of Tam’s most pivotal moments at APU have been through small, intentional times of worship and community. “Chapel is a great place to sit still with God,” she said. Tam fondly remembers last spring’s revival, an all-night worship music experience led by students. “Growing up I wasn’t around a lot of people my age in ministry, so to see my generation on fire for God was incredible.” She also loves living with her friends in University Village, where Tam serves as a resident advisor. “Simply cooking with my friends at our apartment is something I’ll always cherish.”
Tam’s personal and spiritual growth truly comes down to the people who make APU a
loving, uplifting environment for students to grow and learn more about one another.
Third Culture Kids Club (TCK) has provided Tam with a space to cultivate connections
with students who similarly struggle to pinpoint their identity because of how many
cultures they represent. “I realized I needed to find my identity in God, and once
I fully understood that I felt less lost about who I am.”
After graduating, Tam hopes to return to the mission field. She would love to offer medical aid to refugees, advocate for healthcare equity, and even open her own clinic someday.
As she continues to learn about God, humanity, and nursing, Tam seeks to allow God to keep directing her plans and vocation. By engaging in her passions and delving into community, Tam’s heart to serve shines everywhere she goes.