The Mane - March 1, 2024

TMU's Student Newspaper March 1, 2024

The Master's University

Hotchelor Reborn: The inside story

By Lauren Ring Staff Writer

This year’s Hotchelor, held on Feb. 24, raised money for Togo and India global outreach (GO) trips.

If you attended the event you might have noticed some drastic changes were made to the game. Rumors of the event being canceled had spread like wildfire.

According to the resident director of

The Bachelor, and then they were like ‘Oh my Gosh! We should try this!’”

“There were a couple of years it didn’t happen [COVID],” DeVore said. “When I was a student my friends bought me a date in the Hotchelor, so when I became an RD, I said, ‘We gotta keep this going!’”

“However, there are always some things behind the scenes [problems] that aren’t always known to the public eye.”

Hotchkiss, Julie DeVore, “Some changes had to be made [from previous years].”

In the past, groups of three to six men, from Hotchkiss only, were bid on during the event. Girls would pile their money together with their friends to buy someone a date, or single individuals would bid themselves. Hotchkiss men, in their best suit/attire, would hold a rose awaiting the highest bidder to claim them.

After the Hotchelor ended, each ‘Hotchelor Man’ took their highest bidder on a group date according to the date they presented in the beginning of the event. Date offers in groups ranged from bowling and In-n-Out to boba and mini golf.

“It started the year 2014-15,” DeVore explained. “The guys used to come up to the men’s RD’s apartment every Thursday for French toast and they would watch

“It was mainly guys not taking their girls on dates [that] was the biggest problem and them not following through on their word. And, that was something we found out had been going on for a couple years,” DeVore said.

“So, last year we said, ‘Okay, this is gonna have to be it.’ It just felt that we couldn't keep this up.’”

DeVore explained that they were deciding to plan a new event and scratch the Hotchelor.

“We had one ready to go, but the deans and Harry [Walls] were talking about the new event. They said ‘the Hotchelor has so much momentum, why don’t you guys tweak some of the rules to help fix the problems that were happening?’”

“I was so excited. So I talked to Reagan and the RAs and they were pumped.” The conversations to rewrite the beloved Hotchelor happened on Feb. 12-13, almost ten days before the Hotchelor’s new debut date.

“I think it builds natural momentum because the word on the street was ‘the Hotchelor is gone’ and we went with it. Because it genuinely was gone. For marketing it was like, ‘JK I’m back!’” DeVorelaughed.

DeVore had to hurry in the planning area. In order for events to be finalized

(chair setups, flyers, social media, etc.), there had to be a couple meetings and an approval process. Luckily, she was able to do it fairly quickly so the event could happen in a timely fashion.

“One of the major tweaks is that you won’t actually know what guy you’re bidding on until you win the bid…You’ll now see the 10 or so guys that are gonna be in the Hotchelor [posted on social media] so that the girls know they are solid guys.

“The MC’s at the event will be talking about the activities [and] the date…They will always be in double or triple dates.” The date will come out after the highest bidder wins.”

DeVore smiled, “I think it’s going to be more hype [than previous years].” And, her prediction for the amount spent this year was that it would “average out.”

But here’s another problem it would solve: some guys would sell for $200 and some would sell for $20 and they take it personally. This solves that. Because the girls aren’t bidding for a specific guy, they’re bidding for the date as a whole.”

Additionally, DeVore revealed that “some people would even read into it as ‘Do they like me?’ or ‘Did they bid on me because it’s the Hotchelor?’”

“It’s a joke. It’s a fundraiser for missions. But, people can get weirded out because they think they [the bidders] want something more or that they liked them [the biddee]."

“[With these rules in place] the girls won’t be overthinking like ‘Oh does he think I’m weird?’ because you don’t know who you’re gonna get.”

To help with the problem and discussions of Hotchelor candidates “backing out.” DeVore mentioned that there will be some sort of “follow up” according to previous paperwork they will need to sign.

Sherman steps in at local church

By Marissa Soto Staff Writer

Senior Ty Sherman took on a new role this semester as the interim worship leader at Crossroads Community Church alongside fellow students of The Master’s University and a new team.

Initially, Sherman had been serving as a fill-in for the church’s worship team as a guitar player for about a year when needed. At the beginning of the semester, Crossroads worship pastor, Greg Clark, had to take a temporary leave for family circumstances. Clark, a TMU alumnus and former chapel band member himself, entrusted Sherman to take over in his absence.

During the week, Sherman collaborates with members of the Crossroads worship team to put together a Thursday night and Sunday worship service.

“[Ty] is a great leader, awesome man of God, sweet guy, is super clear, concise and takes all the moving parts to make such an engaging time of worship,” said Crossroads drummer

The men this year will also be chosen differently. “Staff goes through and reports reputable men in the dorm that have good See

Holocaust survivor gives talk in TMU's neighborhood

By Jeremiah Yonemura Staff Writer

Holocaust survivor Joe Alexander came to Hart High School on Sunday to share his story with Santa Clarita residents. This was Chabad of SCV’s “Never Again Lecture.”

Alexander, a Polish native, was imprisoned by the Nazis in twelve different concentration camps 1939-45. Alexander was 16 at the beginning of the war and liberated at 21. After the war, he lived in Germany for four years before moving to America on May 30, 1949.

Alexander lost his family during the Holocaust.

The different speakers emphasized the importance of educating the

younger generation because of their lack of knowledge about the Holocaust.

“It is through education that the seeds of understanding and empathy can be sown and counteract the seeds of hatred and division,” said Jason Gibbs, Santa Clarita city councilmember. “Our children can learn to embrace and appreciate the diversity of love and faith without compromising our values or our morals or our own religious foundations, all while refusing to let hatred take root in our communities and in our world.”

Choni Marozov, rabbi at Chabad of SCV, opened the event, followed by Gibbs, who spoke on the event’s importance.

Afterward, Marozov introduced a short film on Auschwitz, one of the concentration camps at which Alexander was impris-

See Hotchelor - on page 8

Photo by Jeremiah Yonemura Holocaust survivor Joe Alexander, right, greets attendees after speaking at Hart High School on Sunday, Feb. 25.

Where do students want to go on dates?

By Marcus McCormic Staff Writer

Late in the year 2020, a post about what women think are not acceptable date locations went viral on the internet. Given that the post was created by secular sources, it prompted inquiry into what students at The Master’s University view as good choices for first dates.

So where did students suggest going on these special dates?

Sean Doyle, a senior, suggested taking the date to a local mini golf course. “Mini golf gives a nice balance between having stuff to do and time to talk.”

Senior Simon Blackburn sang a similar tune as Doyle, suggesting either mini golf or bowling.

“[Do] something active because seeing how you handle competition is vital. Knowing their reaction to losing is also important and can raise red flags,” Blackburn said.

Along those same lines, Michael Marcum, a junior at TMU, suggested pairing bowling with a coffee date saying, “Sitting and talking for hours can be intimidating for a first date, so having an activity helps to move along the pace of the conversation.”

Coffee and drink shops were commonly cited as being some of the best places too. Many pointed out that the reason wasn't so much for the food but rather for the conversation and the ease of the atmosphere.

According to Daniel Springer, a senior, a coffee date or boba date are two good options, even going so far as to suggest two places he knows of by name: Teacision or Coffee Commissary. “A first date should be low pressure and casual… a casual coffee date lets you test the waters in a low stakes environment.”

Madison Chavez, a freshman, also advocated for coffee dates, citing her reasoning as a coffee date being simple and a nice place to talk and get to know someone.

Freshman Shaylee Avis shared in Chavez's sentiment for a simple location, but she leans more towards the smoothie side. “Jamba Juice isn't too pricey and the stores are usually pretty quiet… so talking, sharing testimonies and getting to know each other is simple.”

As popular as it sounds to go to a place to sit down and have coffee or tea for a first date, many students suggested casual activities like exploring, walking or store hopping.

“Brave New World Comics or Barnes and Noble. It's a generally neutral space… also book girls respect guys who take them to bookstores more, and there's a higher chance of a second date,” said freshman Myah Gordon.

Kate Hilst, a sophomore, suggested a trip to the

Huntington Art Museum. “I'm an artist and I love the idea of sharing something I love with a potential date.” If driving down to Huntington is too much of a commitment, there are always other options, like the much closer Getty Museum.

For Tiffany Lucero, a sophomore, the Getty Museum is a financially friendly location for a student and a great place to go on a first date. “This is perfect for artists and history lovers. It has beautiful gardens and a cafeteria-style dining area.” She does issue one caution that both parties should check with each other's convictions before checking out the sculptures from the old world.

Junior Margarita Lozano supported this museum date idea with one extra step. “Grab food and then go to a garden or museum. Food is amazing and you need an activity to do with the person so there isn't a ton of pressure on the date.”

For junior Sofia Omelchenko, a good date means going to the beach. “It's just a first date and finding someone who enjoys God's creation as much as you do is important.” One of her favorite aspects of this location is that few things are able to distract people when they are on a date there.

If travel to the beach is a little difficult for scheduling or budgeting, there are other paths which students suggested too.

Michelle Kwong, a junior, pitched the idea of going to a petting farm or a garden. She said, “You can connect with animals and nature and see how your date feels about having pets. You can also see their flower preferences for future gifts…. Animals and plants can be a great distraction if you ever feel a discussion becoming awkward.”

“You can never go wrong admiring God's creation with someone and getting to know them in a casual setting,” said Bethany Montajes, a junior.

Jean-Calvin Jauregui pitched a classic location, The Cheesecake Factory, as more suitable. “It's a good restaurant that’s not overly expensive and it has a calm atmosphere that one can relax in.”

Among these ideas lie some common threads and themes that may be helpful to remember when choosing a location to go on a first date.

One, make sure it's a low-pressure environment. Two, make sure there is a way to cut the tension should it get awkward. Three, make sure you can get to know the other person while the date happens.

See Dating- on page 8

Loving others well

By Serena Jeypaul Staff Writer

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

- 1 John 4:7-8 (ESV)

Though it hasn’t even been a full year at The Master's University, I’m already learning so much more than what I was expecting so far. God has been so kind to soften my heart in small yet big ways through helping me recognize specific sin in my life.

One way God has gently been redirecting me lately is through showing me how I haven’t been loving others well.

Entering this 2023-24 school year, I was so concerned with developing my reputation. I wanted to be known as a nice person who showed God’s love and was an encouragement to others. While this doesn’t necessarily sound like a bad thing from the surface, what God has been helping me realize is that my intentions behind this were so selfish – I was more concerned about having the reputation of being a kind of person than I was with truly reflecting Christ’s love and spreading it to others.

What I’ve come to understand though is that my well dries out fast. Performing actions that appear to be loving, but aren’t truly rooted in Christ’s love first, only lasts for so long until they begin to feel burdensome and fruitless. The reason is because these actions stem from a hopelessly unsustainable source – me.

However, when love isn’t performed as a show, but is a true and genuine fruit of obtaining the love that God gives us through His Spirit, everything changes. He sustains our love for one another because this new source, His Love, is perfect.

Throughout this semester, I’ve been realizing that loving others really isn’t something you can “fake until you make.” When it feels hard for me to love someone else, I need to ask my-

Why quiet time is such an important practice

By Marcus McCormic Staff Writer

It’s been said several times that the habits students build in college will be the ones they carry over into life after graduation. In a time that's growing ever-increasingly busy with classes, work, friends, extracurriculars and even sleep, it's tough to find a time to sit down and read the Bible, even on a Christian college campus. This issue only gets further perpetrated when something so refreshing is treated as something so laborious. Whether it's reading a chapter of Isaiah each night, or reading Galatians a couple verses at a time, the practice of daily quiet time can often seem like more of a chore than a joy. However, Christian college students need to realize that out of all the responsibilities they have, the most important habit they need to

build and maintain from their college life is a daily devotion to reading and meditating on the Bible.

To James Street, a graduate from The Master's University with degrees in biblical languages, biblical counseling and graduate degrees in divinity and theology from The Master's Seminary, quiet time is a crucial part of the Christian's everyday life that should not be overlooked.

“Quiet times, I believe, as I see in Scripture, are something that we should always be doing,” Street said. “It’s something that primarily has been created by our Christian culture over the years to allow believers concentrated time to spend hearing from God through His Word, then responding back to God through prayer.”

According to Street, the importance of the practice lies in the belief that all humans who

have ever lived have been completely dependent upon God in their daily lives.

“To be able to survive, we need food every day. We need water, we need air, we need interaction with other people and we need spiritual connection, and our ultimate spiritual connection is primarily found in God alone,” Street said.

Another reason Street sees quiet time as such a significant daily practice for believers comes from the doctrinal belief that the world and all creatures within it, including humans specifically, are broken from sin.

“We are in constant need of recalibrating our minds and our hearts to God and His ways. We are bent naturally toward sin,” he said. “What a quiet time does is it allows us to be able to submit and surrender ourselves, without any distractions, to what God is saying so that we might start being

Student housing: Navigating all the options

By Sabrina Ranada Staff Writer

Whether you decide to live in a dorm, canyon home or off-campus can greatly affect your college experience. When making such a weighty decision, it is important to consider both the pros and cons.

The majority of TMU students are housed in the campus dorms. Each of the dorms offer a different kind of environment, which is another thing to consider if you do decide to stay in a dorm. They range in gender-affiliation, size and newness. Generally speaking, all the dorms provide the same services and amenities, and are all located in the same area on campus.

Students in the dorms can choose a cafeteria meal plan best-suited to their needs, and can also request which specific dorm and roommate(s) they want. Ian Pence, a junior, had nothing bad to say about his experience in the dorms. Some of his positives were the AC unit, “plenty of room” and storage.

Another positive that applies best to the dorms is involvement in various student life events, which allow for more connections with other people and new experiences. Pence acknowledged that the communal bathroom situation (which some people may see as a negative aspect of dorm life) didn’t particularly bother him.

The TMU canyon homes are a recent and exciting addition to TMU resident life. These homes were first established in 2021, when the university began buying houses within Placerita Canyon. These homes were remodeled and refurbished to accommodate students. Because of their proximity to the university campus, these homes provide a new kind of experience for students (typically upperclassmen) to enjoy more freedom, extra amenities and a small but tight-knit community.

Instead of a strict meal plan, canyon home residents can opt for the $1000 flex bucks, which can be spent almost anywhere on campus (including Trophy Coffee!). A full kitchen and increased control over surroundings

can also be helpful for students with allergies, dietary restrictions and other health concerns.

The facilities exclusive to most canyon homes — pool, backyard and full kitchen — were a major draw to Noelle Borland, a TMU senior. She also said that it came with its own challenges: “A few cons would be the rooming situations and bathrooms. Some of the rooms have more people crammed in than they comfortably fit, and as someone who highly values privacy it is very testing … when every resident is just about on the same sleep schedule, the bathroom situations can get very touchy.”

Ella Ranada, a junior, added that the smaller community makes it harder to meet other students outside

Evangelism Club answers the call

By Andie Valdes Staff Writer

The Evangelism Club at The Master’s University meets every Friday afternoon

Under the Oaks to pray and prepare their hearts to evangelize in the Santa Clarita community. Although a small group, the club continues to demonstrate their faith by responding to the call of the Great Commission in Matthew 28.

The students separate into new teams every week and then head off to an area of their choosing. Some common locations students pick are the Newhall Train Station and the Valencia Town Center. As one could assume, there are a variety of responses they receive. While some people are open to listen and curious about what these college students have to say, the reality is also that many are hostile to anything Christianity related and immediately refuse to talk.

Aaliyah Reynoso, a junior, has been attending the club since last year. “My first time going, someone threatened us, but you just see the hostility… and it's one of those moments where you realize people really need the gospel,” Reynoso said. “Being on a campus like this, I think we can become very selfish because we know the truth. We only have to care for ourselves, and so we have a lot of time on our hands to be selfish. Evangelism is one of those opportunities to be able to love and serve others which we are called to do. I think people are intimidated because it’s uncomfortable, but we are not called to be comfortable.”

In a society that pushes for comfort and

thinking of the self first, the Great Commission calls believers to look outwardly. The decision to evangelize cannot be not based on feelings or even necessarily the desire to do so, it is simply because of the command from Christ himself.

Another club member, Abi Hempbell, only recently joined and has already seen changes in her own life as well as others.

“There are all different kinds of people we encounter with all kinds of backgrounds. It has made me more dependent on God,” Hempbell said. “I’m figuring out how to form a connection with strangers, learning conversational skills and acknowledging people’s different giftings because we are all called to be proclaimers of the gospel, but that looks different for every person.”

There is no “right way” to share the gospel. Rather, God has made individuals with different strengths and skills to better serve Him. As Christians, we do not have much to give but we have ourselves, and that is all He asks.

“As simple as I can put it, I just want to obey the Great Commission,” said Tytus Hernandez, an ongoing club member since fall 23. “There is no secret to encouraging others to evangelism, there’s nothing appealing about it. You simply do it, and nothing convinces. Knowing God might save other people is the desire enough. Sometimes I feel out of it, but you never go and say afterwards, ‘I shouldn’t have gone.’

The ending result is always joy. Evangelism lifts a heavy burden off your shoulders. It

of the assigned house.

Sophia Holdorf, a junior, said that some of her pros are: “the kitchen, fewer girls around and therefore deeper relationships ... the ability to host church events, birthday parties and other ladies events which bless others.” Living in a house provides more opportunities to exercise hospitality.

On the other hand, one of Holdorf’s cons was that the lack of “dorm spirit” and “traditions” makes it a bit more difficult to build community. While dorms have competitions and special brother-sister events that make students feel more connected (under the shared affiliation of their dorm), the canyon homes do not really have anything of their own.

Finally, choosing to live off-campus can look different for every student. As an off-campus resident, where you decide to live, how you’ll commute and how connected you are to the university campus can greatly affect your experience. This option can be very cost effective depending on where you live, and who you live with.

Marissa Soto (senior), Julian Maniquiz (freshman), Madison May (sophomore) and Shane Stawski (senior) all agreed that a major positive to living off-campus is that it is generally cheaper (with the exception of expensive gas and parking passes). Soto added that living off campus has provided more opportunities for evangelism. However, they also said they feel more disconnected from campus. It’s harder to be involved in student life events, and they typically spend less time with their peers than an on-campus student would. Maniquiz shared that the responsibilities and time management needed to commute can also be a struggle.

Every housing option comes with its own potential positives and negatives, so it’s up to you to consider all these things and figure out what is best for you. The Master’s University provides all these options to best accommodate its students and provide an ideal college experience — take advantage of it!

How the war in Ukraine affects our international students: A special Q&A

By Joanna Selva Kumar Staff Writer

-Three students from The Master’s University (TMU) share their experiences amid the recent conflicts in Russia and Ukraine: Sofiia Omelchenko, a junior from Kyiv, Ukraine; Gabriel Kinzel, a freshman who lived in the suburbs of Kyiv, Ukraine; and Peter Bakhmutskiy, a sophomore from Moscow, Russia.

What are your thoughts on the conflict?

Omelchenko: When countries are at war, usually the capital would be the target. My family hears explosions every single day, accompanied by air raids and warning sirens. It has gotten good recently as they have a good air defense system that shuts down most of the missiles. Since the war started, many church members and friends moved out from the country to Europe, and the U.S., mainly to protect their kids, as it’s not safe there.

Kinzel: My mom would go to the store with four things on our list: flour, butter, milk and whatever. She would get some of

Photo by Sabrina Ranada

Nadia Belamide in front of the Sweazy Dorm.

Will there be a Disney Day replacement?

By Joanna Selva Kumar Staff Writer

On Feb. 9, Benjamin Herb, the director of student life at The Master’s University (TMU), shared his thoughts on the replacement of Disney Day. The tradition was canceled as Disney’s convictions went against the school’s conscience, sparking a follow-up discussion on this decision and the future of campus events.

"I got here just after Truth and Life. At that point, it was less than four weeks before the originally planned date for Disney Day, and that was too short of notice to do a full-fledged replacement,” Herb said. “So, the strategy we have this year is we’re trying to put more in other events. We are trying to make Monty’s a little better, little less expensive."

While acknowledging the absence of a direct replacement this year, Herb emphasized the importance of data gathering and the exploration of new ideas for future events.

"So, there’s no direct replacement this year. It’s canceled for this year, but we’re in the process of gathering data and that's why we did the poll,” Herb said. “We’re looking at what students are interested in."

In this way, future events will better reflect student preferences and aspirations.

Despite the absence of Disney Day, student life is committed to offering new and exciting campus-wide events. Herb highlights student life’s efforts to plan events such as a Super Smash Bros tournament, the GSAC tournament, Monty’s and club rushes, all while recognizing the importance of managing expectations.

"We’re not necessarily trying to replace it one-for-one; Disney Day is hard to replace. It’s unique and fun in a lot of ways. There’s a history of tradition there. You can’t replace a decade’s history, but you can do cool campus-wide events that students enjoy. And that’s what we’re hoping to do," Herb said.

GO! teams prepare for summer launch

By Andie Valdes Staff Writer

For students participating in The Master’s University GO! (Global Outreach) trips, the time leading up to their departure is vital, and there is much to be done beforehand.

This summer, five groups of TMU students are traveling to several different countries overseas to serve and partner with missionaries and churches. Students of all majors and interests can participate in these trips, but it is no last-minute decision. In fact, months of training is put into the time before their trip.

of the training. Some of their assignments include: talking to two strangers every week, researching and presenting on their country, volunteering at Children’s Hunger Fund and five hours of language learning.

Depending on their destination, students also study the culture, religion, politics and geography of their country to provide a better overall understanding of where they are going.

As students prepare for these summer mission trips, there are a lot of details involved.

“They are very intentional to prepare us to think through what we are doing, and just to prepare us for the future. It’s helpful to know the dynamics about missions so you also know how to pray for missionaries and be a good support,” said Caroline Zeller, a junior.

“It can be easy to want to be the one to fix peoples problems, but that’s not the goal of missions,” Zeller said, “The goal is to bring people to know the Lord for His glory.”

Because of the length of these trips – four to eight weeks –TMU students are spending the spring semester preparing through an entire class.

The GO! class is designed to equip students with several aspects of what it means to go on a short-term mission trip. Students are learning about partnerships, conflict resolution, and worldview, which are contributing factors for how people receive the Gospel. There is also the reality that they may deal with culture shock, isolation, and loneliness.

The students are also tasked with hands-on projects as a part

“[The class is ] a sweet opportunity to make sure we are all on the same page before we spend a month together…We talk about what partnership looks like in prayer, and about worldview and the different perspectives people have,” said senior Cedie Tiffany. “There are so many things that are culturally normal to them and completely backwards for us.”

While it may be out of the students' comfort zone, being in a new country with a different culture and language, it should not be incredibly different from the Christian life we are called to live in America.

“We would encourage every student to consider going on a mission trip. Every Christian is called to be involved in missions, whether that’s a goer or a sender. A large majority of our students won't be the goer, but as a Christian they should be involved,” said Brayden Campos, TMU’s Director of Outreach and International Student Advancement. “Sometimes in mission trips students are so excited for a while, but when they get home, they run back into their comfortable routine. The goal of these trips would be for the students to evaluate what faithful living looks like.”

Yet, faithful living is not to be done only on a short-term mission trip. As believers, we are tasked with the responsibility and the privilege to preach the Gospel, wherever that may be.

SoCal offers plenty of spring break options

By Claire Burke Staff Writer

With midterms fast approaching, what better way to procrastinate studying than by planning for the upcoming spring break? If you're still trying to figure out how to spend your free time here are some fun ideas that your fellow students have come up with, as well as some other options to ensure you get the most out of your break.

The first and most obvious option is to spend some time at the beach. There are so many great beaches that make having a fun break easy. One of the most popular beaches for students is Butterfly Beach in Santa Barbara. One student referred to the area as, “a great place to walk around and enjoy the scenery.” If you're looking for a beautiful place to walk or journal, then Butterfly Beach is the place for you.

There are a lot of entertaining things that the mountains offer but the most popular among students is snowboarding and skiing.

group of friends to enjoy.

Greater than the Storm

By Sabrina Ranada

Drumming on the window

And clanging on the roof —

It is raining in The Canyon.

The streets are now rivers

And we are brave sailors.

With wet shoes and dampened spirits We undertake the risky voyage to class.

The muddy waters are rising

And the wind negates my umbrella. Still, the joy of the Lord warms my heart,

And grants patience and peace Far greater than the storm

However, if you want a place to enjoy more active pastimes, you might want to check out Santa Monica. This beach is a great place to play volleyball, Spikeball or throw around a frisbee. According to Anna-Cate Kennis, “Santa Monica has everything you could ever want; shopping, eating, entertainment and activities.” Whether you are looking for a relaxing place to spend your free time or a location to participate in competition with your friends, the beach is always a great option.

One of the unique things about living in Southern California is the fact that the beach and mountains are both a relatively short drive away. Maybe you are like other students and want to ditch the warmer weather this spring break and head up to the mountains.

One name that was often brought up by students was Mountain High located in the San Gabriel Mountains. This resort offers tubing, sledding, skiing and snowboarding. It also provides a place to rent equipment and receive lessons if these activities are new to you.

If you are looking for a different type of thrill, head over to Six Flags Magic Mountain and enjoy the exciting roller coasters it has to offer. With over twenty different rides of varying intensities, Six Flags is perfect for everyone to enjoy. Six Flags also has options for the non-thrill seekers in your friend group. It offers classic amusement park restaurants and unique shops for those who are looking for a more relaxed experience. Its wide menu offers pizza, burgers, funnel cakes and numerous other options. This fairly inexpensive attraction is a great place for your

A final option that some students are trying out this break is taking a day trip to Malibu. There are countless unique experiences that Malibu has available. Beautiful beaches like Point Dume and El Matador are only a small part of Malibu’s attraction. It also provides shopping squares and unique dining options to make your day trip enjoyable.

One group of students suggested going to the Malibu Country Mart. This place is home to stores such as Vuori, Outerknown and Encore. It also has various dining and drink options including Alfred Coffee, SunLife Organics and Malibu Mutt’s Grill. Overall, there are several fun experiences available in Malibu.

Hopefully looking forward to the future break has given you the extra motivation to finish out midterms. In whatever way you decide to spend your break, be sure to check out some of these great options.

Building a Christ-honoring team that lasts

By Marcus McCormic Staff Writer

The Master's University swim team is one of the newest sports to the college, and it's already making lots of headway in its growth and prominence. Building a swim team is much like building houses and skyscrapers, a solid foundation must be established so that it can bear more weight in the future.

Xavier Gutierrez, fifth-year swimmer and former captain of the swim team, was among the first people to join in 2019. He lived his time through the earliest stages of the team, when the future seemed promising, but then became a little uncertain.

“My freshman year I was really excited to get after it and possibly just have a really successful team… then our first semester, we had one kid drop out, and he was pretty quick,” Gutierrez said.

The troubles only continued through the end of that year with another swimmer dropping out.

By the time Ryan Tanis, the current captain of the swim team and senior, joined the team, nobody from Gutierrez's freshman class was left.

“I didn't really have high expectations because of how small and slow we were at the time, and I didn't really see much progress coming in the next few years,” Tanis said.

To Gutierrez though, it wasn't about getting the team off the ground quickly but instead to create a beacon that believing swimmers would be drawn to.

“The reasons I pushed myself the past few years of swimming are for the future of the program and really for the Glory of the Lord … I wanted to make the swim team known and put the swim team on the map somewhere so if other believers swam then they could apply,” Gutierrez said.

His aspirations saw fruitfulness, as the team added

several prominent swimmers to the roster in 2021, namely juniors JT Sears, a 2022-24 captain of the men's team, and Nilton DosSantos DeOlivera.

While several candidates could have been selected for the team, it wasn't the times that made them noteworthy recruits, but rather, for Tanis, it was about their hearts.

“It’s not just on speed and their results during meets, but also their work ethic, their attitudes when we meet them, how we communicate and where they are at in their own faith,” Tanis said.

Being two of the very few founding fathers of the team, Tanis and Gutierrez found themselves needing to establish a precedent that would guide the team forward through the years as it grew. In Tanis’ case, it meant reflecting on the original reason he came to the team and wanted to be at TMU specifically.

“The main purpose of being on this team was to swim for the honor and glory of the Lord and I believe that our team has solidified that culture to make Him the very center of everything that we do,” Tanis said.

Is Mustang football possible?

By Andrew Cross Staff Writer

Everyone at The Master’s University knows the famous T-shirt: Mustang football, undefeated since 1927. TMU boasts some of the best sports teams in the NAIA but is missing the most popular sport nationwide. But why doesn’t The Master’s University have a football team, and could it be possible in the future?

One of the main reasons against football at TMU is the sheer amount of infrastructure that would be needed to sustain a full-strength football team. A football team alone requires at least 50 players and many more coaches, trainers and managers. That is nearly one-sixth of TMU’s population all focused on one sport.

“There are pluses and minuses, but it could be a really cool student experience,” TMU athletic director Chris Beck said. “But there are so many costs prohibiting things that we haven’t ventured to think of that as an

option yet.”

The Mustangs would need a playing field, a weight room and just space in general. Space isn’t too plentiful in Placerita Canyon now, either.

“The difficulty is space. Where do you go to practice, and then where do you play the game? And no matter where you go, it's going to cost money,” said TMU sports information director Dave Caldwell.

Three football stadiums in the Santa Clarita Valley can hold spectators: College of the Canyons, Canyon High School and Valencia High School. Several other high schools have fields that can hold practices as well.

However, on the positive side, there are possibilities for a future football team. Looking to Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) rival Arizona Christian provides a way that could lessen some of these adverse effects.

Arizona Christian is the only

Furthering Tanis’ aspirations, Gutierrez revealed that during his tenure as captain, he and his co-captain discussed principles which would direct the team down that path to reach Tanis’ goal.

“JT came up with the pillars, the three pillars, which are integrity, tenacity, and positive team first attitude (PTFA)... This is what we stand for and if anyone walks onto the pool deck, then they should see these attributes in us,” Gutierrez said.

As the team started growing to nearly 40 total swimmers, the pair saw an importance of not just saying their ideals for the team, but to act them out.

Gutierrez found his leadership was best applicable in worship nights when the team would get together, sing worship songs and do a quick devotion.

“I like trying to do worship nights really to keep Christ at the center of everything that we do,” Gutierrez said.

In other areas of team life, Tanis found he was most effective during the training time. “I've been practicing every single day as much as possible … as captain, I’m obligated to be leading these swimmers,” Tanis said.

His goals for leading focused on making sure the swimmers gave glory to God while training hard in the pool and gym. In addition, Tanis made it their goal “to show the light to other schools we compete against.”

The prospect that other teams take this example seriously also bodes well, as the swim team has won several meets in its 2023-24 season.

With the future of the team looking ripe with possibilities of winning conference titles and national awards, Gutierrez felt it important to make sure his teammates knew where their focus should be.

“The most important thing that I would want to leave this team with is just, keep Christ first and to swim for Christ and Scripture. I think everything falls beneath that,” Gutierrez said.

As for Tanis, he described what the team should look like as it keeps moving forward in five words: “Christ-centered and a family.”

Four out, four in: GSAC to get a new look in 2024-25

By Andrew Cross Staff Writer

The Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) has been a staple of the NAIA and the collegiate athletic world for the past 28 years. With founding members like Azusa Pacific University, California Lutheran University and Westmont College, the conference has been mainly located in Southern California. It has undergone many changes, with several of these schools leaving for NCAA Division II. But perhaps the most significant shift in the GSAC is underway, with four new members being added for the 2024-25 season.

California schools Menlo College, Westmont College, Vanguard College and William Jessup University have all announced that they will leave the GSAC for NCAA DII. This is a seismic change in the conference landscape as Westmont and Vanguard were founding members.

To deal with this massive loss, the GSAC has added four new schools: Benedictine–Mesa, Embry Riddle, Park–Gilbert and Saint Katherine. Three of these schools are from the state of Arizona, which significantly changes the outlook of the conference. The conference now has more schools in Arizona than in its home location of California. That brings into question the future of the GSAC itself. What will it look like? Will it even be called the GSAC?

“The GSAC as a brand will be kept. The objective of the presidents and athletic directors who are making these decisions is to keep GSAC because that’s nationally recognized,” TMU sports information director Dave Caldwell said, “The letters will still be the same but mean something different.”

This new group of schools presents a unique challenge for upcoming TMU sports. Benedictine–Mesa is the three-time defending national runner-up in men’s volleyball and has been consistently ranked in the NAIA top five. That will be a key opponent for Mustang volleyball down the line. Embry Riddle boasts an impressive men’s and women’s cross-country team that both have been ranked in the top-25. Saint Katherine’s women’s volleyball team went 20-0 in 2023 to win their conference and should also give the Mustangs a good run in the new conference.

Photo courtesy of Gomustangs.com

An aerial shot of Pete Reese Field on the campus of TMU.

Photo by Lynlee Bates

TMU swim team after the 2024 Pacific Collegiate Swim Conference.

Fun, fellowship and flying discs!

By Claire Burke Staff Writer

The Master's University (TMU) has a variety of clubs available for students to join. Because there are a lot of options out there some of the smaller clubs go unnoticed. One club you might not be aware of is the disc golf club (DGC). Since its founding in 2023, the club has slowly gained traction and numbers. This club consists of 12 members: 11 students and one professor.

Disc golf itself has been around since 1976 and since then has been enjoyed by millions of people. A typical disc golf course consists of nine to 18 holes and is spread out around a wide area. TMU’s course is located all throughout campus. The course starts at the Hotchkiss dorm and makes its way over to the intramural field with multiple baskets between each location. Although it is small, the DGC has been enjoyed by its members since the beginning.

The origin of the DGC dates to the spring of 2023. During this semester the club’s founders, Paul Kopp and Ethan Churchill, were enjoying a round of disc golf when they had the idea to start a club. One of the founders, Churchill, a junior, is a sport management major. He also is an outfielder on the Mustang baseball team.

The other founder, Kopp, is a senior kinesiology major and a member of the TMU men’s soccer team. Both founders had been playing disc golf on their own for years before they met and began

playing together. This is what eventually sparked their idea for a club.

Once they received approval from Campus Life and backing from professor Dave Larson, the group got to work. They began by clearing the campus course. Kopp and Churchill removed bushes, trees and other unwanted obstacles to create a uniform area to play. Then by word of mouth, the group became larger, and the club was formed.

Although the club did not have a difficult time starting up, the founders have faced some issues along the way. Kopp discussed the difficulties of maintaining a club.

“The hardest part is finding consistent meeting times that work with each member’s schedules,” he said.

An added struggle is getting the word out about the club. To combat this issue, the founders have put together an Instagram page to promote their club and find others who are interested in the sport. On this page, they often do giveaways and other marketing to help boost their status. The club has also set up tables after chapel to get the word out. Despite some challenges, the group still consistently meets for their weekly games.

Currently, the group meets on Fridays at 7:15 a.m., and they typically play between 45 minutes and two hours.

The club is looking to expand and welcome any new members who want to join, no matter their skill level. Kopp explained an added benefit of joining their club is a personal Instagram shoutout

featuring the new member. The group also has extra discs available for people who are just starting the sport and need equipment.

According to Kopp, the best part about the DGC is, “spending time with people who have similar interests, talking about life and playing disc golf.”

What's up with TMU's new Leadership Society?

By Jeremiah Yonemura Staff Writer

The Master’s University (TMU) Office of Career Services helps students find a job and honor Christ in their chosen degree fields.

This year, Career Services started this semester an exclusive club called the Leadership Society for students who have shown an ability to lead for the purpose of learning how to be a godly leader within their career fields.

“…Basically we recognize that our students have Christian values: They have high character, they have integrity—and what we want to do is help them take those skills out into the world. We don't want them to just have those skills on campus. We don't want them to just know what's right and wrong,” said Nate Dougherty, associate director of corporate partnership at Career Services. “We want them to actually practice applying it and know, ‘OK, how do I actually apply this in the world?’ What does it look like to actually have these values in the workforce and out in the world and out in where there’s actually … going to be opposition to them.”

Career Services asked advisors, coaches and supervisors to recommend students for the Leadership Society, and 120 students received an invitation to apply. Interested students filled out an application, which included two essay questions asking for the applicant’s testimony and the aspects of a godly leader.

The 49 members in the club must attend 80% of the events. Classes and athletics do not count toward misses. Students in the club must also choose a biography to read and find leadership qualities and examples to discuss in small groups.

As of February 2024, the Leadership Society has held two events.

The first was the commissioning event with Michael Chrzanowski, interim director of Career Services and Advancement. Chrzanowski explained the need

for the club and what a Christian leader looks like.

The second was with Rod Shackelford, owner of ImpactOrtho and TMU board member. He spoke on the disciplines of a godly leader and what it means to own a company in which not all the employees are Christians.

Career Services is planning more events for later in the semester, including a couple more guest speakers and trips to partnering companies.

Bobby Doyle, an executive coach, will also meet virtually with the students in groups throughout the semester to help them develop professionally with the theme, “Working to the Glory of God.”

Bruno Araiza, a Leadership Society member, has liked what he has experienced and looks forward to what the Leadership Society will hold later in the semester.

“It's a chance to get a clear image of what it looks like to be a biblical leader, which I think is needed,” Araiza said. “And not only that, but I'm also excited to have that time with [Bobby] Doyle… Just to have that personal relationship that helps to figure out how to put that in practice where I'm not just having a speaker come by and then hearing him what he says, but also people helping me to how do I apply that to myself.”

Jayk Kelton, another member, likes the ability to make connections with different majors as well as those who are older.

“So I think the biggest thing to gain from it is perspective and wisdom from older people as we are going through this time of transition from school to actually working within the workforce which we've studied and how to do it well for the glory of God. That's the main thing. That's what I hope to get out of it,” Kelton said.

The application to the Leadership Society was for nominees only. The reason for the club’s exclusivity was so that Career Services could focus on students who want to be committed to the club. However, many of the same career-preparing services are still offered to all students who reach out.

But does exclusivity make the society elitist? Dougherty said that this society is not a “hierarchy of privilege” and is not aimed to insult those outside the club. For those who are in the club, the students are supposed to use their influence in a Christ-like manner.

Dougherty also recognized that Career Services may have missed TMU’s best students and that future semesters may include an open application.

“Yeah, it would be awesome if we could have this level of intentionality with every single student on campus and in a large part, this is what we try and do with Career Services… We can connect you with people in your field. We do events. We do a lot of the same things. It's just it's impossible to have this level of intentionality with every single student on campus. It's just we don't have the capacity. We don't have enough staff,” Dougherty said. “So the idea is we're going to keep offering services, we're going to support any students who want the help on campus, but our hope is that there are certain students who are already demonstrating a willingness to be committed.”

Photo provided by Paul Kopp DGC co-founder Paul Kopp practices his disc skills.

Across

2. On St. Patrick’s Day, we wear ______

4. These bright yellow marshmallows are a popular Easter treat

6. The county where St. Patrick’s Day originated

8. What many students look forward to during spring break

10. What you see in the sky on a sunny day after it rains

Down

1. These mythical creatures love gold and causing mischief

3. A kind of exam that most students take in March

5. _____ week (the week of Easter)

7. This beautiful flower blossoms in springtime, and can be red, pink or yellow

9. People like to dye these around Easter

Banana Bread Recipe

Presented by Serena Jeypaul (courtesy of magnolia.com by Joanna Gaines)

Hey all you canyon home dwellers! Here’s a great way for you to put those ovens to use with this tried-and-true recipe that’s simple to put together! It’s also a great way to use up ripe bananas that you might otherwise throw away. All it takes are some staple ingredients and tools that you may already have on hand.

Ingredients

Equipment:

8 tablespoons salted butter, melted and cooled Parchment paper

1 cup packed light brown sugar

2 large eggs, beaten

1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

8 x 8-inch nonstick baking pan

A few large mixing bowls

Large wooden mixing spoon

4 to 5 very ripe bananas, mashed Electric mixer (not necessary, but helpful

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

1/4 cup chocolate chips

1 to 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray an 8 x 8-inch pan with nonstick baking spray or line it with parchment paper.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt.

3. In a separate bowl, mash up the bananas to a chunky applesauce consistency.

4. In a large bowl, with a spatula or handheld electric mixer (or in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment) beat together the butter, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla until well blended. Add in the mashed bananas and mix until combined.

5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and beat just until combined. Then, add the pecans and chocolate chips (if using) and mix until combined.

6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Optionally, sprinkle the granulated sugar over the top.

7. Bake 45-50 minutes, or until a tester (toothpick) inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the bread cool slightly in the pan on a rack. Slice and serve warm with butter.

8. When completely cooled, cover the pan with foil and store at room temperature.

WAR - continued from page 3

those things. So, it was very tough at the beginning, but then things got better. But it was corrupt.

Bakhmutskiy: First and foremost, I’m a pacifist. I don’t support conflict in general. I do believe that everything can be settled with words, every argument. But I don’t think that it’s fair to paint Russia as the main villain or antagonist of the situation. They are still experiencing the complications caused by the Cold War. Everyone is in the wrong. Ukraine also is not innocent in this situation. But then again, I do think that what our government did is wrong and too extreme.

How are you holding up amid the conflicts? How’s your family doing?

Omelchenko: My dad is a pastor in Kyiv; my church still gathers every Sunday even though people lost their jobs, and many members went to serve in the military. The church is way smaller, like half of what it used to be, maybe even less than that. Ukraine is different. People changed a lot, and you must live a normal life because you still have kids growing up who have to attend online school and maybe go to shopping centers or a movie theatre. You live your life otherwise you might just lose your mind.

I have an app on my phone where I get notifications every time my country is under attack. All I can do is pray, text my parents and hope that they are safe. Sometimes, I get notifications during class, it’s hard to concentrate and pretend that you’re okay when it hurts. I learned to trust God and not to be dependent on anything but His providence, purpose and love.

Kinzel: My parents are missionaries in Ukraine. So, my mom called the team leader when Russia was about to invade, and she was like, “What’s the plan?” And he was like, “What plan?” He's like, “I'm sorry, can I call you back later? I need to go to a basketball game.” The contrast of reactions. I know we felt it was just wrong to abandon all the Ukrainians there. It was stressful, but I feel like my parents were very calm about it. When my parents considered the possibility of leaving Ukraine due to the invasion, I wrote a goodbye letter to my best friend in case I didn't see him because I didn't know if I would ever see him again.

Bakhmutskiy: When the operation has just started, it hit my father very hard because he is the pastor of the church. Russia has created some laws that are very restrictive to what we are allowed to say and what we are allowed to pray for. In every sermon, we have a section where you pray for our government, but the laws restricted us so we couldn’t normally actually express what we wanted to say even during that section. These laws included banning certain words like “ war ” and addressing it as a special operation or military operation.

There were situations in other churches when pastors would be arrested right after the sermon and sent to prison for several months. If you choose the Russian side, Ukrainians are going to hate you. If you choose the Ukrainian side, the Russians are going to hate you. There’s no right answer in this situation.

How can we pray for you?

Omelchenko: Pray for strength and comfort during tough times. While you understand that there is a war going on and families are under attack. There is always a possibility that one day they cannot answer because you don’t know what's going to happen. Pray for the church. It’s a great time for the church to reconsider their relationship with God, reconsider evangelizing and understand that right now in the country where people are dying every single day, it’s the best opportunity for them to go and tell people the truth. We didn’t know why God was doing it, but He had a purpose. We hope for that. Additionally, pray for the people who lost their jobs due to war.

Kinzel: Pray for the believers that they would be lights – a good example in such a dark time. Many soldiers have had incredibly traumatic experiences. They’ve seen people killed in front of them, and they’re still trusting the Lord. Pray that believers will be able to reach those who are suffering. Every time my parents would visit Ukraine, going into a war zone, where thousands of people were murdered, you would think they would come back home depressed, but they came back encouraged. Their attitude during trials provides encouragement and hope for others.

Bakhmutskiy: Pray for my church, a lot of people are scared that we are going to go back to the times of persecution like during the U.S.S.R. This means that the church is going to be banned, censored and hated. Pray for peace in their hearts, and our government so that they don’t take things even further. Pray for my dad. He is facing a lot of persecution from both sides, and he is being attacked. He’s the lead pastor, so he’s the one who keeps everything together. The more problems the church faces, the more problems my father faces.

Anything interesting that the students might want to know about the conflict?

Bakhmutskiy: Don’t trust the media. It’s very important to be able to separate when you’re getting real news, real information and propaganda. I see a lot of messages where Russia has been painted – especially Vladimir Putin, President of Russia – as this evil overlord … It’s not true. He is just as much of a human as everybody else. I do feel bad for Ukrainians and my heart is with them, but it’s important to be able to filter the information you’re receiving and always seek another perspective from the situation to get a more objective image.

Kinzel: There’s a lot of doubt – a lot of misinformation ... lots of lies.

Page

HOLOCAUST - continued from page 1

oned.

The event also featured a candle lighting ceremony. Six candles were lit by Alexander and relatives of Holocaust survivors in memory of the 6 million Jews killed in the Holocaust.

After Alexander shared his story, Marozov led a Q&A session.

One attendee asked Alexander about his faith in God and if he lost his faith while in the concentration camps.

Alexander said that he saw people commit suicide by running into the electric fences and beaten to death “because they gave up.” But he kept his faith.

“No, I never did [give up]. I never lost faith. I never stopped believing in God,” Alexander said. “And I said to myself, ‘I may have a bad day today, but I hope tomorrow will be a better day. But never give up.’”

Deborah Bivens, an attendee, enjoyed listening to Alexander and how “sharp” he was for his age.

Timothy Carter, another attendee, also liked the way that Alexander answered questions about his life.

“My favorite moment was when Joe was able to still answer questions as if it wasn’t such a traumatic experience. So, just the way that he was able to answer questions every time just like that,” Carter said.

Because there are few living Holocaust survivors, Marozov said that it is important for those who remain to share their stories.

“[This event is] important because there are very few survivors of the Holocaust that are alive and unfortunately many deniers of the Holocaust or many people just ignorant of what happened, and it’s important for people who went through the atrocities and survived to tell their story firsthand for people to hear it,” Marozov said.

The event will be aired in a few weeks at https://scvtv.com/.

gives you a kind of joy you cannot have otherwise.”

There is no specific structure to the workings of the Evangelism Club at TMU— instead, it is just a group of students who truly love God, and want to follow Him. Instead of relying on worldly comfort, they focus on the joy set before them in knowing God, and sharing the good news with their community.

Hotchelor - continued from page 1

EVANGELISM- continued from page 3 character and are trustworthy…Then the guys get asked. They have the option to agree or disagree.”

Men are welcomed to volunteer for the event, but they will be approved or denied upon submission.

“We take it very seriously, because at the end of the day, a girl is gonna go out with this guy and in good conscience, I don’t agree with sending a girl out with someone I don’t trust.”

“There is actually a ton of thought that goes into behind the scenes. On the outside, it probably looks like a super fun event, but Raegan and I do think very conscientiously about it”

Student’s have begun to have varying opinions of the Hotchelor as a whole. Some believe it objectifies men while others believe it is just a sad excuse for women to buy themselves a date.

“This is not dating. It’s an event that raises money for missions.”

“I mean if a relationship comes out of it, great! We put good guys in the Hotchelor for that reason. But I don't want people to participate in the Hotchelor as a way of dating. I want them to participate in it because they think it would be a fun experience and it raises money for missions.”

“Overall, I’m just excited we get to keep the event going…It’s fun to take a tradition and reconsider, reevaluate and think about how we can make this better and not do what we’ve always done.

“I love Hotchkiss tradition,” DeVore said. “I love that it’s a campus-wide bonding event. It’s the talk of the school and I love that everyone wants to be a part of it!”

DATING - continued from page 2

But in light of all these locations and activity suggestions, one truth remains clear, that a first date is still purposeful, but it's not the crux on which everything in existence hangs. So be willing to say yes to a first date and see what happens, because there isn't much weight that hangs on it.

After all, it's the second date that you really have to worry about.

FOOTBALL - continued from page 5

GSAC school to have a football team. This club team is sponsored by the university and allowed the Firestorm to take on several top-15 NAIA opponents. They were able to travel as far as Montana and Oregon to compete. Ottawa University of Arizona is another school in the GSAC that has a football program, and the Spirit have risen to 13th in the final NAIA poll.

TMU also has no problem attracting a surplus of high-level athletes. The men’s volleyball and swim teams have been able to recruit very well nationwide and have reaped success from it. Also, there are former high school football stars currently attending TMU. Track and field jumper Jayk Kelton rushed for over 1,000 yards in his senior high school season and added 123 tackles. It’s safe to say the Mustangs have the athletes to take to the gridiron.

While football at The Master’s University may not be a possibility now, the method of a club team is something that could be an option in the future. Until then, Mustang football will always remain undefeated since 1927.

- continued from page 2

more conformed to the image of Christ.”

Some common interruptions and hindrances to finding a quiet time include designating the morning as the set apart time but failing to get up for it, constant use of phones or computers to fill downtime, socializing with others and even focusing on work that needs to get done.

When these activities take greater importance than daily devotion to reading the Bible, they should be examined because they may actually be idols.The remedy to this issue, Street believes, lies in the implied importance of quiet time throughout the Bible.

“In Scripture, oftentimes, like in Psalm 119, you'll see how the author says, ‘Oh, how I love your law. It is my meditation day and night’... Joshua chapter one, verse eight even talks about that, where he calls on Israel to meditate on God's Word day and night,” Street said.

Additionally, he quoted a passage in Colossians which says “Let the Word of Christ dwell richly within you…” asserting that believers can't follow this passage if they aren't reading their Bible consistently.

“It can't really have an impact upon your soul if you're not actually taking regular time, undistracted time, to be able to get into God's word,” Street said.

Street went on to further make a point that while having a quiet time is never commanded in the Bible, it is greatly encouraged, and a lack of

one will show in everyday life. To him, quiet time begins with making a concrete plan and choosing a reading plan that excites the soul.

“Do something that you are really passionate about, and then have a concrete plan to accomplish that,” Street said. He also added that if the original idea is too much to read, adjust it to the preferred liking.

In Street's mind, meditation and reflection on the reading is the next important step. “Think about ‘what was it saying? What does it mean? What's maybe one good question to ask yourself? What's the main idea? How can I live differently today because of what I just read?”

Even starting a quiet time can open the possibility to studying books more in-depth later on down the road.

Quiet time can be characterized in three statements. According to Street, “It's critically important to our spiritual livelihood and our interaction with the Lord…It's not something that has to be strict and rigid to a template, it's something that you make of it… It's a joy.”

The ultimate problem lies in the warped view that believers have of this special time, which Street pointed out saying, “The more we stop thinking about it as a duty, like you gotta check this thing off, and the more we think of it as communicating with our Creator, then this becomes a lot more of something that we want to do.”

self why, and then come to the Lord for His help and forgiveness.

Love has to be complete, and it can only be truly given when it’s a natural extension of loving God first and understanding His love for us.

Learning about God’s love will take forever – literally. I know that I won’t ever be able to fully comprehend it or perfectly embody it while here on Earth. For now though, I’m grateful for how God has been so kind to grant me a glimpse of His love as well as the joy it is to share that love with others. And, it’s important for me to not only pray that He grows my desires to live a life that’s an outpouring of His love, but also continues to grow my love for Him so that my well may never run dry.

Malachi O’Connor.

Sherman has been serving in worship ministry for many years, starting his first experience playing in junior high school. But more recently, he has been on the chapel band team since his freshman year in 2020, and officially started leading his second year as a sophomore. In addition to that, Sherman leads worship for Grace Community Church’s fellowship group, Cornerstone.

“I think with [serving] the biggest

thing has been the reminder of Who I’m doing this for,” Sherman said, “the biggest blessing that it has provided me is the ability to step back and be reminded of what worship even is.”

After graduation, Sherman plans on pursuing a summer internship on the worship team at Stonebridge Bible Church in Franklin, Tenn., where former dean of campus life, Jonny Ardavanis pastors. He hopes to continue in the worship ministry and pursue a seminary degree in the fall.

QUIET

SHERMAN - continued from page 1

Jeypaul - continued from page 2