Arizona State University Students gather in the courtyard of the Tempe church on a Wednesday night for food, fellowship, and games. The young adult leaders hope this will be the first of several events for the newly formed ASU Adventist Social Club.
Tempe Church Creates ASU Adventist Social Club “This is not a traditional Sabbath School class but a different type of fellowship.”
22 Pacific Union Recorder
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pening doors for collegiate young adults is part of the ongoing vision for the Tempe church. Located adjacent to the Arizona State University campus and right across the street from the performing arts center, the church has often been a location for Adventist students to worship. When Pastor Mike Soto became the pastor of the church in 2022, he brought with him a vision of continuing the outreach to the entire student body of the campus. In November 2022, Pastor Soto started a young adult Sabbath School called “Faith and Culture.” “This is not a traditional Sabbath School class but a different type of fellowship,” said Pastor Soto. “The discussion in this class is designed to challenge, provoke, and strengthen believers from diverse backgrounds. Difficult questions will be faced without fear or hostility.” To reach out to young adults seeking community, the church leadership created the ASU Adventist Social Club and held their first meeting in January, with over 35 in attendance. “I am so proud of the leaders who worked to put this event together,” said Pastor Soto. “Twelve of the attendees to the event were non-Adventist. We continue to pray for their [the leaders’] efforts to reach the students on the campus.” The next event will be a Christian Music Open-Mic Night at the church. The invitation is open to all Christian singers and songwriters on campus. The ASU Adventist Social Club hopes to create community and give a platform to young adults to worship together. ____________________ By Jeff Rogers
Arizona Conference