This year’s Campus Ministries worship director is senior psychology and business, pre-law student Natalie Nakanishi. When she arrived at PUC, Natalie knew she wanted to be involved in ministry and help build a stronger spiritual community on campus. Since being invited to be on the worship team and joining outreach during her freshman year, Campus Ministries has been one of the most meaningful parts of her PUC experience.

“Being part of Campus Ministries has given me the opportunity not only to grow spiritually, but also to build relationships, serve others, and contribute to the heart of campus life,” said Natalie. “As I became more involved, I realized how much joy I found in leading, organizing, and helping others discover their own spiritual gifts. That’s what inspired me to step forward and serve as Worship Director.”

While her role has a wide range of responsibilities focused on supporting campus worship and strengthening students’ spiritual experience, one of her primary duties is to ensure everything runs smoothly during small worship services, vespers, and church services. As she oversees the worship coordinators, Natalie supports and guides them in their service planning and meets with them regularly to ensure they have every resource and encouragement they need. 

Another essential part of being a director is getting students involved in spiritual life, which she enjoys, by inviting people to join worship teams and helping them feel confident using their musical or leadership gifts. It’s a meaningful experience for Natalie to see students who were once hesitant grow into strong leaders and passionate worshipers.

“Worship has always been the place where I feel the most connected to God, where I can slow down, listen, and really experience His presence,” she said. Because of that, she felt the need to help create those moments of connection for other students. “I wanted to be part of Campus Ministries and serve as Worship Director because serving God through worship is one of the most meaningful parts of my life.”

Her goal is to create worship moments that feel “genuine, powerful, and inclusive spaces, where PUC students can feel God’s presence, grow in their faith, and truly feel at home.” Leading worship has been one of her most fulfilling parts of her time at PUC, and she feels blessed to be in a role that lets her support her fellow Pioneers and strengthen spiritual life on campus.  

For Natalie, worship is more than singing songs or service involvement–it’s a way to express love, gratitude, and devotion for God. “Worship is about recognizing who God is, responding to His presence, and giving Him our hearts in whatever way we can,” she expressed. “While music is a beautiful and powerful part of worship, true worship goes far beyond that. It’s found in the choices we make, the way we treat others, the way we serve, and the way we carry ourselves each day. In my opinion, worship is any moment when we pause to acknowledge God’s goodness, bring our anxieties and worries to Him, and let Him guide us. Worship is all about connecting with God in a real, honest, and personal way. It’s a space where we can be vulnerable, grateful, joyful, or even broken, and still know that God meets us exactly where we are.”

What comes to mind when planning worship services? How do you ensure every student has a pleasant worship experience?  

When I’m planning worship services, the first thing that comes to mind is how to create a space where every student feels welcomed, included, and able to genuinely connect with God. I think intentionally about the theme of the service and the speaker’s message, because I want the worship to flow naturally into what students will hear. Choosing songs that align with the message helps set the tone and prepares people’s hearts for what God wants to say through the speaker. 

A big part of my planning is selecting music that resonates with a wide range of students. I try to include songs that people already know and love because familiarity helps students feel comfortable and engaged. When people know the lyrics, they can focus on worship instead of worrying about learning something new at the moment. At the same time, I like to introduce newer songs that might challenge or inspire in a fresh way, creating a balance between familiarity and growth. 

I also make a point to incorporate hymns, because there are students and even faculty/ community members who connect deeply with more traditional worship styles. Including hymns honors that tradition and acknowledges that worship looks different for everyone. My goal is to make sure that no matter someone’s background, they can find a moment in the service that draws them in. 

Beyond music, I think about the overall atmosphere: the pacing, the transitions, and how the worship team interacts with the audience. I try to create moments of reflection as well as moments of celebration, because worship should speak to different emotions and spiritual needs. 

I make sure the worship team is prepared and confident so the service flows smoothly, because when things run well behind the scenes, students can relax and focus on God. I also encourage my teams to lead from the heart. When worship leaders are genuine, it helps students feel more connected and open. I like to tell my worship teams that this is for God, I tell them that mistakes are ok, as that makes worship genuine. Overall, I want every service to be thoughtful, intentional, and centered on helping students experience God in a real and personal way. 

What goals do you hope to accomplish this year as worship director? 

As Worship Director, I have several goals I hope to accomplish this year both for myself as a leader and for the spiritual life of our campus. One major goal is to continue building a worship environment that feels welcoming, intentional, and spiritually meaningful for every student who walks through the door. I want worship to be something students look forward to each week, not just something they attend. 

Another goal is to grow and strengthen our worship teams. I want to bring in new students, help them discover their gifts, and create a supportive space where they feel comfortable learning, leading, and growing. Developing strong leaders underneath me is really important, so I hope to mentor and support the worship coordinators even more helping them gain confidence, improve their planning skills, and feel empowered to take initiative. 

I also want to expand the variety of worship styles we offer. This means blending contemporary songs with hymns, incorporating different cultural worship expressions, and giving students more opportunities to contribute creatively. My goal is for worship at PUC to reflect the diversity of our campus and help everyone feel represented. 

Ultimately, I want this year to be one where students feel spiritually refreshed, more connected to God, and more connected to each other through worship. If I can help create experiences that lead students closer to Christ and strengthen their sense of community, then I’ll feel like I’ve accomplished what I set out to do. 

What does being a part of your worship team mean to you? 

My worship team is truly amazing. The core group of worship coordinators I work with is talented, committed, and each of them brings something unique to our ministry. One of the things I love most about my team is how different our styles are. Each person has their own way of worshiping, their own musical strengths, and their own creative ideas, and somehow all those differences come together to create a really beautiful, balanced worship experience. Their passion and willingness to serve inspire me. 

I also really enjoy working with the different worship teams and all the students who volunteer their time and energy. It means a lot to me when students step forward to offer their gifts, whether they’re singing, playing an instrument, running slides, or helping behind the scenes. Getting to know them, watching them grow, and seeing them become more confident in their abilities is one of the most rewarding parts of my role. 

Being a part of this team means so much to me because it’s more than just a group of people who make music together; it’s a community. We support each other, pray together, laugh together, and work through challenges together. It’s a place where we can be ourselves and use our talents to honor God and serve others. It’s a blessing to be surrounded by people who care about worship as much as I do and who are committed to creating meaningful spiritual experiences for our campus. 

How would you describe PUC’s spiritual life? 

I would describe PUC’s spiritual life as genuine and community-centered. What stands out to me most is that students have so many different ways to connect with God, and all of those expressions are welcomed and valued. Whether it’s through vespers, small groups, outreach projects, dorm worship, or personal moments of prayer, there’s always something happening on campus that encourages spiritual growth. 

Another thing I love is that spiritual life here is student-driven. So many of the students are involved in leadership, worship, ministry, and outreach, which makes everything feel relatable and personal. 

Overall, I’d describe PUC’s spiritual life as warm, welcoming, and full of opportunities for students to grow closer to God and to each other. It’s a place where people can experience community, find support, and discover their purpose in a Christ-centered environment. 

How do you and your team encourage students to attend worship?  

My team and I encourage students to attend worship in a variety of ways, focusing on creating a welcoming and engaging environment. One of the main ways we do this is by personally inviting students to participate, whether it’s coming to a service, joining a worship team, or helping with an event. 

We also work hard to make worship services engaging, uplifting, and meaningful. We also like to create opportunities for involvement. Whether it’s helping with music or volunteering behind the scenes, giving students a role helps them feel ownership of the service and more connected to the spiritual life on campus. 

What do you hope students receive by attending worship?

By attending worship, I hope students experience a closer, more personal connection with God. Worship is a space where they can pause in their lives, reflect, and open their hearts to Him. I want students to leave feeling spiritually refreshed, encouraged, and reminded of God’s love and presence in their lives. I also hope that worship helps students feel a sense of community and belonging.   

What culture do you want to help create for spiritual life on campus?  

The culture I want to help create for spiritual life on campus is one that is welcoming and deeply authentic. I want every student to feel that they belong, no matter where they are in their faith journey or what their worship style looks like. I want to create a space where students don’t just attend worship but want to contribute their gifts, whether through music, service, leadership, or simply by sharing their voices in prayer. 

I want to build genuine connections and support. I want students to see spiritual life as a space where relationships form, mentorship happens, and peers encourage one another in their walk with God. 

What makes spiritual life at PUC special? 

What makes spiritual life at PUC truly special is the people. The students, faculty, and staff are deeply committed to their faith, and that commitment creates a community where everyone encourages and uplifts each other. There’s a sense of genuine care and connection here that makes spiritual life feel personal and impactful.  

What is your favorite thing about being a part of the Pioneers community?  

My favorite thing about being a part of the Pioneers community is the sense of connection, belonging, and support. From the moment you step on campus, there’s a feeling that you’re part of something bigger, a community where people genuinely care about each other’s growth, both spiritually and personally. It’s not just about attending classes or participating in activities; it’s about building relationships, walking alongside one another, and celebrating each other’s successes.  

I especially love how passionate and dedicated the students are, not only in their academic pursuits but in their faith and in serving others. Another aspect I appreciate is the opportunity to grow and learn from one another. Being part of the Pioneers community allows me to meet people with different perspectives, talents, and experiences, which strengthens my faith. Whether it’s through worship, ministry, clubs, or casual moments on campus, there’s always a sense of collaboration, encouragement, and mutual respect.