As a faith-centered institution rooted in community, California Baptist University enhanced students’ college experiences by encouraging them to attend and host events around campus.
Hannah Langford, freshman applied theology major, spoke about the value these events brought. As part of Simmons Hall’s Living Area Council, she helped host several worship events for residents and others who wanted to attend.
Langford also discussed the importance of community and the challenges some college students faced in finding it. Christians are called to build and maintain relationships with both believers and nonbelievers to share their faith. Having both attended and co-hosted these events, Langford connected those ideas through her experience.
“Community is really, really important in fellowship with other believers and reaching non-believers,” Langford said.
Jessie Velazquez, sophomore business administration major, also emphasized the importance of community. She recognized that many students, whether they lived on campus or commuted, struggled to build relationships outside of their classes. As a result, Velazquez hosted events to help students meet new people.
“The main point that I host those events is for people to make friends [and] to build a community with [people] living and people not living on campus,” Velazquez said.
Students who organized club activities also shared this focus on community. Grace Ellzey, senior graphic design and visual experience major and one of the presidents of the swing dance club, reflected on her experience hosting events.
“I think the benefit is community and fellowship,” Ellzey said. “It gives students the space to meet other people.”
Ellzey described the club’s recent “Swing into Spring” event, which encouraged students to gather and connect. She said she and the other club presidents wanted the group to be a place where students could learn dances and build friendships.
Students did not need to lead a club to host meaningful gatherings. Velazquez said she hosted dinner parties in her apartment as well as craft nights and other small events.
Although she organized many gatherings, Velazquez said she often felt nervous before they began. Over time, that anxiety lessened and she described the sense of peace that came from spending time with close friends. As her guests socialized and enjoyed the events, Velazquez said she also grew socially.
“I think it puts you out of your comfort zone,” Velazquez said.
Attending events also offered benefits. Ellzey explained that showing up could help students grow socially despite the fears they sometimes faced.
“It’s also just a growth opportunity to come who you are and become comfortable in how you interact with people around campus,” Ellzey said.
Student-led events offered more than social opportunities. They also allowed students to serve others using their personal gifts and callings. Langford said each person has unique abilities that allow them to connect with others.
“It’s important that everyone is using their talents and abilities to connect with others and to reach out, because that’s ultimately what hosting or leading something is,” Langford said, “it’s just a way to connect with people.”
Through these gatherings, students built relationships, strengthened their faith and supported one another within the campus community.
