"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
John 15:5, ESV
Every day we are being formed by something — the music we listen to, the words we speak, the people we’re surrounded by, how we choose to spend our time, etc.
GCU Spiritual Formation believes that if we are not being intentionally formed by Jesus himself, then we are being unintentionally formed more and more by the world.
The program is on a mission to equip students with rhythms for life that make space for Christ to be formed in them.
Through workshops, cohorts, prayer, and retreats, the program invites students to practice the way of Jesus and experience a more vibrant life with God.
But what makes this program unique? Why is it essential to the spiritual journey of a college student?
First, check out the first blog I wrote as a Digital Content Specialist with Grand Canyon Education (GCE) to learn more about the concept of spiritual formation itself.
From the Ground Up
GCU Spiritual Formation Manager, Kelsie Doan, sat down with me to share the roots of the program.
Kelsie explains how she sparked the idea to build a new program on GCU’s campus from the ground up. In our conversation, she spoke candidly about what sets the program apart, how it has grown, its impact on students, and the ways she has witnessed God in the building process.
Her story provided a rare glimpse into GCU Spiritual Formation, revealing behind-the-scenes details that even students involved in the program likely never get to hear.
“A lot of students say, ‘I didn’t know my faith could be this way.’ ”
Every Monday afternoon, a crowd of students gather in the Sunset Auditorium to receive a toolbox of spiritual practices found in Scripture — types of prayer, gratitude, rest, humility, celebration, and more. For one hour, students commit to learning, practicing, and building community.
Workshops emphasize training over trying — Rather than students striving and merely trying to be "good" Christians, they are gaining the necessary tools and training to be closer followers of Jesus. Much like lifting weights or preparing for a marathon, students are learning the value of strengthening their faith like a muscle.
Whether students have grown up in the church or are new believers, many have shared how these spiritual practices became the catalyst for transformation in their faith. While they were often led to suppress their pain, follow rigid prayer methods, and neglect rest, their faith grew increasingly dull. After being introduced to spiritual formation, they've learned to process their pain, pray in fresh ways, prioritize rest, and ultimately live a vibrant life with God.
Faith Through a New Lens
"Cohorts are very different than workshops or practicing on my own because they offer a sense of community and accountability."
Outside of workshops, students continue practicing in cohorts — student-led groups that meet twice a month to focus on a specific spiritual discipline together, such as silence and solitude or praying Scripture.
This extension of the program, introduced in Fall 2024 by Spiritual Formation student leader Isaiah Mulder, was designed to complement the workshops. As he put it, "Workshops provide us with the tools, but cohorts offer us a space to utilize them. Cohorts have allowed us to move beyond learning for just one hour a week to living out true daily discipleship in community with others."
Sophomore student and two-time cohort member, Jadyn Swob, shares her experience, highlighting how she got involved, what makes this opportunity unique, and the benefits of practicing in groups.
More than a bible study; more than a small group
With several students participating in the first-year cohorts, I made a point to connect with a few of them and hear about their experiences. Here's what they had to say:
“My cohort has helped me see how much more there is to discipleship than just going through the motions."
“Cohorts have given me a group of people who are eager to notice God in the everyday, inspiring and challenging me to do the same. We hold each other accountable and genuinely care about each other's growth.”
“Being part of a cohort has made spiritual practices feel less intimidating. It’s a space I can show up to authentically.”
In the seen and unseen, the GCU Spiritual Formation prayer team covers the campus in prayer week in and week out.
The team incorporates spiritual practices from the program into their role, such as adoration prayer, breath prayer, praying Scripture, and lament.
They serve as a quiet yet powerful presence on campus, interceding on behalf of others with compassion and deep care. Guided by the Holy Spirit, they create space to listen, discern, and respond to the needs of the community through prayer.
The key moments the team comes together in prayer include after Gathering, before Sanctuary, and during their personal fixed-hour of prayer. I sat down with the three members to gain insight into each...
Gathering — Meredith Ahlers
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." — Galatians 6:2, ESV
After the final chord rings out at the end of Gathering — weekly nights of worship and teaching on campus — a quieter, sacred rhythm begins. While many students file out, laughing and chatting in the afterglow of community, the prayer team remains — eager and attuned. Positioned near the front of the stage, they make themselves available.
One by one, students approach, and the prayer team listens. They don’t rush to ask, solve, or explain. As prayer team member Meredith Ahlers puts it, “They didn’t come to me for advice, they came to me for prayer.” So, they make space — for grief, for questions, for unspoken burdens. They lock eyes with the Father, and then they pray. It’s not about performance; it’s about being present.
Week after week, familiar faces return, seeking prayer with boldness and faith. They embrace the resources within reach and lean into the spiritual strength prayer provides. Meredith shares that students often bring struggles with mental health, relationships, health concerns, or a longing for community. Other times, the requests are simple. “There’s one girl who comes up for prayer every week,” Meredith explains. “Sometimes she’s just like, ‘Nothing much, just for the Lord to be present.’” It’s this consistency in vulnerably bringing requests and choosing to trust in God’s provision — even when nothing appears different — that stirs something in Heaven.
And the impact is lasting. These pre- and post-Gathering prayers ripple through the campus in invisible currents. Students walk away lighter, more grounded, and reminded of God’s character. The prayer team doesn’t just pray for them — they pray with them, bearing burdens together, even if just for a moment. As Meredith emphasizes, “We are interceding on behalf of these people, and we want the Lord’s will to be done.”
It’s in these hushed, holy exchanges that healing often begins. Faith, once flickering, finds a new flame. And long after the music fades, the presence of God lingers — carried in the prayers, the people, and the stillness that follows surrender.
Sanctuary — Cora Dudey
"Be still, and know that I am God." — Psalm 46:10, ESV
Before Sanctuary — weekly evenings of guided silence and solitude — the prayer team gathers early and lifts their words high. Though their prayers are individual, they are unified — speaking to the same God, welcoming His Spirit into the space. With the hum of anticipation in the air, they stand in the empty room that will soon be filled. They pray for the hearts of every student who will walk through the doors, asking God to prepare them for a personal encounter. They even walk the aisles, praying over each section of the auditorium, sealing the seats with quiet intercession.
Prayer team member Cora Dudey shares, “A prayer I find myself consistently praying is that the students wouldn’t be distracted — that they’d be fully present with the Lord.” Sanctuary is not about what you came in with or what is waiting for you after — it’s about being here and now.
While some students spend Thursday nights writing essays or binging a show, others choose to dedicate an hour to rest with God. Cora believes, “it’s a unique spot where students can just be. It forces them to go against society and its constant need for stimulation. It forces students to be with the Lord, talk with Him, commune with Him, and have no agenda.”
As worship music plays softly in the background, the team humbly takes their place in the back and students flood in. Cora explains how she prays for them as they pass her, without them being aware. The team doesn’t come to receive, but to serve.
Cora marvels at God’s omnipresence, saying “It’s really cool to see the ways that people are individually meeting with the Lord. You look around the room, and you see people journaling, praying…there are so many conversations going on, and that’s such a beautiful reality.”
The prayer team’s role in Sanctuary is concealed but vital, as they partner with the Holy Spirit to intercede for others — planting seeds of faith and shifting the atmosphere. “I’ve learned the beauty of praying behind closed doors,” Cora concludes.
Fixed-Hour Prayer — Miguel Hernandez
"Seven times a day I praise you!" — Psalm 119:164, ESV
Every Friday morning, while the campus slowly wakes, the Spiritual Formation team gathers for their own fixed hour of prayer — a discipline rooted in church history. Fixed hour has long been a practice of setting aside regular, intentional time to connect with God, and for this team, it’s become a significant communal rhythm.
They pray for one another, the campus, and specific requests collected through the Sanctuary prayer box or sent via Instagram. A prayer team member leads the others through spiritual practices like Lectio Divina, listening prayer, or praying through Scripture — making space to experiment with prayer and encounter God in a variety of ways.
Prayer team member Miguel Hernandez reflects, “The way we partner up with God and bring His kingdom to this earth is primarily through prayer.” That’s why they give an hour — even when answers are slow. “Sometimes we don’t get to see them for a long time, and sometimes we don’t get to see them at all.” Even so, they pray.
This hour is unhurried and honest, with the simple goal of seeking God and interceding for His children. “We don’t have to perform. There’s no pressure to serve anyone. We’re just there by ourselves,” Miguel says. “The way of Jesus is communal… and this has been a deeply formative thing.”
We often ask — or are asked — “How can I be praying for you?” And while the intention is often sincere, those prayers can too easily go void, forgotten in the rush of life. Through fixed-hour prayer, the team is committed to following through — to “going to the secret place and actually doing it,” as Miguel Hernandez says.
When the hour ends, it’s not with any fanfare, but with quiet assurance. Their commitment is an act of faithfulness — derived from the belief that prayer changes things, even when no one else sees. And in those early hours, as light spills through the windows, they trust God is already active in the lives of their peers.
Intercessory Prayer Podcast
Listen in as Miguel Hernandez and former prayer team member Emma Pavlovic share more insights on the powerful practice of praying for others.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." — Matthew 11:28, NIV
Once each semester, GCU Spiritual Formation hosts Withdraw — a free nature retreat held off-campus, providing students a dedicated time of silence and solitude. Nearly 200 students attend to escape the pressures of school, work, and life to find rest in God’s presence.
As the program aims to make space for Christ to be formed in students, Withdraw presents an opportunity to do so. In a culture marked by hustle, multi-tasking and constant noise, silence and solitude is a gift to commune with the Lord and instead be marked by His rest, peace and love.
For a deeper understanding, take a look at another blog I've written on this practice.
Logos That Speak
For me, creating promotional materials has always been more than merely promoting a brand, but rather promoting a story through logos that speak.
In Fall 2024, Withdraw's theme focused on resting in God's care. These designs were inspired by Matthew 6:26, which speaks of how God provides for even the birds of the air — reminding students how much more He cares for them.
In Spring 2025, Withdraw's theme focused on resting in God's satisfaction. This design was inspired by Psalm 107:9, which says "For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things." The fig is a biblical symbol of satisfaction. It being connected to the branch serves as a a reminder to students that they must withdraw to be with Jesus, the one true source . Only then, will they bear fruit and feel satisfied.
Overall, the GCU Spiritual Formation program exists to equip students with a vibrant life with God.
From gaining tools at workshops, to practicing in cohorts, to offering prayer, and to withdrawing from the external noise, students lives' are being transformed.
