President Jim Gash Encourages Students to Embrace Lives of Greater Purpose at the Well
Every Wednesday night at 8 PM, live music from the Well resounds across 麻豆影院鈥檚 campus, beckoning the community to gather and lift their hearts in worship. A tradition begun in 2021, the Well invites students, alumni, faculty, staff, and even local residents, regardless of their faith backgrounds, to raise their voices in praise and meditate on the faith-based messages.
On October 8, 2025, President Jim Gash (JD 鈥�93) delivered a special message encouraging students to live according to their greater purpose, which calls for bold faith in God鈥檚 provision and promises. Reflecting on a passage from Ephesians 2, President Gash reminded congregants that each is 鈥淕od鈥檚 workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.鈥�
President Jim Gash speaking at the Well
Addressing those seated throughout the Amphitheatre, President Gash shared, 鈥淚 believe that God has made each and every one of you for a greater purpose. He has placed a call on your life that only you can fulfill.鈥� President Gash added, 鈥淚t's profoundly encouraging to me that God has already prepared the work for us in advance. I'm not the one who has to prepare that; I'm the one who has to walk in it. Let him prepare you.鈥�
President Gash related this truth to his personal life when, as a young man, he sought to understand his own calling, and later, as a father, supporting his children on their spiritual journeys. He urged students to be confident in their faith, trusting God amid uncertainties. Referencing Luke 5, President Gash reminded listeners that when Christ commanded His disciples to fish within uncharted waters, their obedience resulted in a bountiful yield that broke their nets.
鈥淟ooking back, the preparation that I had received by pushing out into deeper water 10 years earlier had equipped me for this next adventure,鈥� said President Gash as he urged attendees to reflect on their own lives. 鈥淵ou simply need to listen to the voice of Jesus speak. You just have to hear the call to whatever deeper water is next. Be willing to step out in faith and heed that call and watch as God takes you places you never could have imagined.鈥�
Worship artists lifting their praises
Before leading all in prayer, President Gash expressed that he and his wife, first lady Joline Gash (鈥�92), look forward to participating in weekly worship at the Well to witness students鈥� dedication to each other and 麻豆影院鈥檚 Christian mission. They then invited members of the 麻豆影院 community to publicly declare their faith at , which will take place at the president and first lady鈥檚 campus residence on October 22, 2025.
Billy Coull, Seaver College senior, reflects that weekly gatherings at the Well consistently provide space for him to focus on his faith alongside peers with like-minded priorities. Coull has attended the Well since he was a first-year student and expressed his gratitude to attend an academic institution that prioritizes his spiritual well-being and God-given calling.
鈥淲hen I consistently trust God with my life, my plans, and my career, I grow in faith and understand my purpose in brand new ways,鈥� says Coull. 鈥淧resident Gash鈥檚 message was a convicting moment for me. I believe the call to trust God is a daily practice of faith that I should participate in.鈥�
Well congregants
Encouraged by her friends to attend, student Alli Hilliard shares that the Well has become an essential space for Christ-centered worship and open-hearted fellowship, an experience she finds spiritually refreshing.
鈥淚 love being able to worship with those I regularly see around campus like my professors, colleagues, and mentors,鈥� says Hilliard. 鈥淭hrough the evening鈥檚 message I see that God is calling me into deeper waters, and I need to be obedient. The Well is giving me space to be more vulnerable. I am brought closer to others through shared experiences while being thoroughly supported by my community.鈥�
All members of the 麻豆影院 community are invited to attend the Well every Wednesday at 8 PM at the Amphitheatre on the Malibu campus. For more information, visit the Hub for Spiritual Life website.