Spiritual Life

The Office of University Mission and Ministry gives direction to the spiritual life programs of the campus as one strategic component of its responsibilities. The University Chaplains are available to all students, faculty, and staff for issues related to spiritual development and pastoral counseling.

NNU is committed to developing a climate in which the spiritual lives of each member of the community can flourish. Though not every student who attends NNU claims to be Christian, all are invited to the journey.

As members of the Northwest Nazarene University community, whether student, faculty, or staff, our goal is to offer each person ways to enter the faith or deepen their walk and respond by living faith out in tangible and meaningful ways. 

Student Ministries

A wide variety of programs provide opportunities for guidance, encouragement, and instruction for a growing faith in Jesus Christ. Included in these programs are discipleship, worship, international travel and community service opportunities.

Why is "chapel" a required part of the NNU experience?

  • There are some things we all need to learn. The life of the mind and life of the heart come together as we gather for chapel.
  • There are some things we all need to hear. There are voices of challenge and hope, and cries of desperate need that you may not hear anywhere else.
  • There are some things we all need to do. No one seeks the kingdom of God alone. We worship together, we pray together, and we make a difference together.

Specific chapel and convocation attendance policies are addressed in the chapel/convocation policy section of the Student Handbook.

Each Wednesday the entire campus gathers for a weekly Community Chapel. These services form the core of community life at NNU and include a blend of Christian music, updates on campus news, an opportunity for members of the staff, faculty, or student body to testify publicly to God's ongoing work in their lives, and a message from one of the University Chaplains.

Chapels and convocations on Mondays and Fridays include a variety of speakers and programs designed more specifically for the student community.

Sunday Worship: All students are encouraged to become involved in a local church of their choice.

Lecture Series: Several special lecture series have been established across the years to enhance the chapel/convocation programming. A brief description of the major lecture series follows:

The E. E. Wordsworth Holiness Lecture Series has been endowed by the Wordsworth family to honor Rev. E. E. Wordsworth for his years of service to the Church. The purpose of the series is to emphasize the Wesleyan doctrine of perfect love.

The Mangum Missionary Lecture Series was established by the family to honor Dr. T. E. Mangum, Sr., for his dedication to medicine and missions. A missionary-in-residence is scheduled to make the college community aware of the needs of the world.