First Chapel Kickoff with Chaplain Garret Chang: We Are Voyagers

The first chapel of the semester always feels like a fresh starting line. A buzz fills the air as students find their seats, friends reconnect after a long break, and new faces scan the room with a mix of excitement and nerves. At Pacific Rim Christian University, that energy was especially strong as we gathered to hear from our chaplain, Garret Chang, and to embrace our identity as Voyagers seeking God together.

This year’s theme, “We Are Voyagers,” sets the tone for what God can do in and through our campus community. A voyager is not someone who has all the answers. A voyager trusts God while moving forward, even when the path ahead is not fully clear. That is the heart of a PRCU education and the heart of this new semester.

Chaplain Garret Chang opened the first chapel by reminding us that our identity as Voyagers is rooted in Scripture. Just as ancient wayfinders looked to the stars, the winds, and the waves to guide their journeys, we look to God’s Word to validate who we are and where we are going. His message wove together a powerful picture of what it means to voyage with God, using seven key marks of a Voyager: Pioneers, Resilient, Persistent, Humble, Passionate, Joyful, and Faithful. Each trait points us back to Christ and to the mission He has for us as a university.

Pioneers: Claiming New Territory for the Kingdom

Chaplain Chang began by calling us Pioneers. We were created to claim new territory for the Kingdom of God. This is not about conquest in a worldly sense. It is about advancing the gospel into new spaces, new relationships, and new areas of influence. As students, that might mean starting a new ministry on campus, stepping into a major that feels risky, or simply being the first person in your family to pursue higher education with Christ at the center.

He pointed to Isaiah 54:2: “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back.” God is inviting us to expand our vision. We are not meant to stay small or play it safe. We are meant to trust that God’s presence secures our victory, even when the territory ahead looks unfamiliar.

For our students, being a Pioneer means:

• Saying yes to God even when the path is not fully mapped out.

• Believing that God can use your major, your gifts, and your story for His Kingdom.

• Refusing to let fear or past failures dictate your future.

When we embrace this pioneer spirit, we stop asking, “What is safe?” and start asking, “Where is God leading?”

Resilient: Overcomers in the Storm

No voyage is without storms. Chaplain Chang reminded us that we are Resilient. We are Overcomers who trust God to forge our true identity through life’s storms. College brings its own set of waves: academic pressure, relationship struggles, financial stress, and questions about the future. It is easy to feel overwhelmed.

But Jesus gives us a different perspective. In John 16:33, He says, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Our resilience does not come from our own strength. It comes from knowing that Christ has already won the victory.

Being Resilient as a Voyager means:

• Turning to prayer and Scripture when stress rises, instead of pulling away from God.

• Allowing challenges to refine your character rather than define your identity.

• Remembering that every storm is an opportunity to see God’s faithfulness in real time.

When we face difficulties with this mindset, we grow stronger in faith and more confident in who God says we are.

Persistent: Pressing On When the Destination Is Out of Sight

One of the hardest parts of any journey is the middle. The beginning is exciting. The end is rewarding. But the middle can feel long and tiring. Chaplain Chang called us to be Persistent. We trust and abide in Christ day after day, even when we are exhausted and the destination is out of our sight.

He shared Philippians 3:14: “I press on to the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Persistence is not about perfection. It is about showing up, again and again, and refusing to quit.

For students, persistence looks like:

• Keeping up with devotions and chapel, even during busy weeks.

• Continuing to serve and love others, even when you feel drained.

• Trusting that God is at work, even when you cannot see immediate results.

God honors steady, faithful steps. He uses our persistence to shape us into people who can carry His calling for a lifetime.

Humble: Journeying Together for God’s Glory

No Voyager travels alone. Chaplain Chang emphasized that we are Humble. We journey together as one, seeking glory for God alone. Pride isolates. Humility connects. When we think we have it all together, we stop learning, stop listening, and stop growing. But when we walk in humility, we open ourselves to God’s wisdom and our community's support.

Proverbs 11:2 says, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” At PRCU, humility means recognizing that we need one another. It means valuing professors' insights, peers' encouragement, and the guidance of chaplains and mentors.

Living out humility looks like:

• Admitting when you need help and reaching out to friends or counselors.

• Celebrating others’ successes without comparison or jealousy.

• Giving God the credit when things go well, instead of taking all the glory yourself.

A humble community is a strong community. It reflects Christ's heart to a world that often values self-promotion over service.

Passionate: Leaving Half-Hearted Efforts on the Shore

Chaplain Chang challenged us to be Passionate. We launch out with total commitment, leaving half-hearted efforts on the shore. God does not call us to live lukewarm lives. He calls us to pour ourselves fully into the work He has given us.

Colossians 3:23 reminds us, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Whether you are studying for an exam, leading worship, or serving in a ministry, your work matters to God. He sees it. He values it. And He invites you to offer it back to Him with passion.

Being Passionate as a Voyager means:

• Giving your best in class, not just the minimum to pass.

• Engaging fully in chapel and spiritual life, not just showing up to check a box.

• Pursuing your calling with energy and joy, knowing that God is with you.

When we live with passion, we inspire others and create a culture of excellence and devotion on campus

Joyful: Celebrating the Shore We Have Not Yet Seen

It would be easy to make the Voyager journey sound serious and heavy. But Chaplain Chang also called us to be Joyful. We celebrate the shore we have not seen yet, fully trusting the One who guides us into His promised Kingdom. Joy is not denial of pain. It is confidence in God’s goodness, even before the full picture is clear.

Psalm 16:11 says, “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures in your right hand.” Our joy comes from knowing that God is with us now and that He has a glorious future prepared for us.

Joyful Voyagers:

• Choose gratitude, even in the middle of hard semesters.

• Find reasons to worship and celebrate, not just when everything goes right.

• Encourage others with hope, pointing them to God’s faithfulness.

Joy is contagious. When we carry it, we make the voyage brighter for everyone around us.

Faithful: Stepping Into the Unknown with Confidence

Finally, Chaplain Chang called us to be Faithful. We go forward into the unknown, fully confident that the One who created the stars will guide us safely to our destination. Faith is not blind optimism. It is trust in a God who has proven Himself faithful again and again.

He pointed to Hebrews 11:8: “By faith Abraham, when called to go to… his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” Abraham did not have a map. He had a promise. And that was enough.

As PRCU students, we walk in that same kind of faith. We may not know exactly where this semester will lead, but we know who holds our future. Being Faithful means:

• Obeying God even when the next step does not make full sense.

• Trusting that God’s timing is perfect, even when it differs from ours.

• Resting in the truth that the Creator of the universe is personally invested in your journey.

Faith turns uncertainty into adventure. It transforms anxiety into anticipation.

Living as Voyagers on Campus

Being a Voyager at Pacific Rim Christian University shows up in practical ways:

• In the classroom: We study with integrity, knowing our work is an offering to God.

• In community: We encourage one another when the load feels heavy.

• In worship: We gather in chapel and small groups to realign our hearts with God’s heart.

• In service: We look for chances to love our neighbors, on campus and beyond.

Every part of campus life becomes part of our voyage when we walk with God at the center.

A Prayer for Our Voyage This Semester

Lord, thank You for bringing us together for this first chapel. As Voyagers, we ask You to set our course. Make us Pioneers who claim new territory for Your Kingdom. Make us Resilient in every storm. Make us Persistent when the journey feels long. Make us Humble in our relationships. Make us Passionate in all we do. Fill us with Joy that trusts Your promises. And make us Faithful as we step into the unknown. Use Your Word to guide our steps, correct our direction, and steady our hearts. Do new things in us this semester, and let our lives point others to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.