Pursuit Conference 2018 Recap
Impactful, engaging, phenomenal, powerful, unreal—These are just a few of the words NU students used to describe this year’s Pursuit Conference. Our campus has been buzzing about what is becoming one of the leading spiritual formation conferences in the Pacific º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½. During the last weekend in January, more than 600 people filled Butterfield Chapel for Pursuit Conference. Here, students and guests engaged in worship, heard from world-class speakers, and encountered God’s presence in refreshing ways.
The conference began on Friday night with a student-led worship service and a message from Christina Gilbreath, who graduated from NU in 2008 and is now on staff with Foursquare Church at their Vancouver location. Christina’s message challenged students to give every part of their lives to God, especially those that bring the greatest pain, struggles, and fear. During her sermon, Christina prayed over everyone and asked God to show each person their gifts in the spirit. As everyone joined in song, these compelling lyrics resounded in the sanctuary: “Lives healed, hope found, here now, Jesus you change everything.”
The following afternoon, guests heard from Kramer Rasmussen, NU alumnus and youth pastor at Churchome in Kirkland. Kramer emphasized the significance of Jesus’ death and resurrection being for all people: “It doesn’t matter what you or I do; it’s all about what he did.” For both of Saturday’s sessions, United Generation Worship from Foursquare Church in Puyallup led guests in worship, introducing NU to some original music from the band.
On Saturday night, NU welcomed Pastor Sean Smith from San Ramon, California. Sean compared Jesus to the well that we turn to for spiritual water, reminding us that it never runs dry. As his message ended, he called people from the crowd by name, and students experienced God’s spiritual and physical healing. Sean encouraged everyone at the conference, reminding them that “God’s Spirit is always moving and flowing: We are the ones who start and stop.”
At the end of the weekend, Alberto Bello, one of the founders of The Gathering church in Los Angeles, closed the conference. Focusing on God’s calling on each individual, he compelled listeners to consider the importance of a strong foundation, putting praise first, and aligning oneself with God’s will. The evening was interspersed with praise and worship from McKinney Dawson, the worship duo consisting of alumna Kaitlyn McKinney and Campus Pastor Christian Dawson. This concluding service ended the weekend with a celebration: lights, confetti, and all.
The following Monday, students shared testimonies about how the conference affected their lives and faith. Sophomore Amanda Anderson shared that “Pursuit Conference was definitely something I needed, even if I didn’t realize it until after.” Clearly, this weekend was an enriching experience, and students have already begun to express excitement for next year’s conference. Until then, every Monday night at 8:30 p.m. in the Chapel, students gather for a worship service called Pursuit. At this weekly service, the º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ community comes together to give God the praise and glory that he deserves.