Tag Archives: college spiritual life

An Evening with Actor Eli Goree

Last month, Canadian actor Eli Goree sat down with PUC students to discuss his experience working in Hollywood as an Adventist. With being typecast for roles, such as playing an athlete, he pushed against that. “I remember having a conversation with my team and not going for certain things, and a lot of it was because of my Adventist convictions,” said Eli. 

He refused to do horror movies or nudity and wouldn’t use God’s name in vain in films. “I think that’s one thing artists don’t do enough of is putting up boundaries. You can’t really do art if you don’t have clear set guidelines of what it is you’re trying to do,” he said. “And when you are the art- when you’re an actor, you have to say, ‘okay, this is what I do, and this is what I don’t do.”  

Eli wasn’t born into the Adventist church but attended church as an adult. “I really didn’t know a lot- I learned bit by bit,” shared Eli. “When I learned about the Sabbath, I put it in my contracts and said I’m going to keep the Sabbath.” At first, it was a problem with people telling him that if he kept the Sabbath, they would not hire him. When Eli got his first big opportunity in Hollywood (a role for the TV series The 100), he made sure not to work on Sabbath- but his contract stated otherwise, writing: will do best efforts. With confusion as to what that truly meant, Eli’s agent told him that he would be fine and taken care of, and it was written like that in the contract for legal purposes. Within the first week of shooting, the show made Eli shoot his biggest scene on a Friday night, which lasted till seven in the morning. “I was so tired I couldn’t go to church.”

While being on The 100, Eli couldn’t accept other major roles since the show had first right of refusal. His character was later killed off and the show didn’t pick up his option. “From that whole thing, it was an experience for me faith wise,” said Eli. “I was trying so hard to do everything for them and they weren’t trying to do anything for me. They were just focused on them.” He knew this would be the last time this happened and not work on Saturdays. 

From that moment on, things started to pick up momentum. Eli screentest for movies such as Star Wars, met well-known directors and booked the movie Race (2016). “It was always in my contacts from then on, ‘he doesn’t work on Sabbath’”. 

Eli is known for his award-winning portrayal of great American Olympian athlete Dave Albritton in Race (2016). He also starred in Regina King’s feature film directorial debut, One Night in Miami…, and his roles in TV Series The 100 (2014), Ballers (2018), Riverdale (2018), and Pearson (2019). Eli has a diploma in Film and Television acting from the Canadian Film Center for the Arts.

Meet PUC’s New Lead Pastor, Nate Furness

Meet PUC’s new Lead Pastor, Nate Furness. Born in Seattle, WA. (“GO Seahawks”) and raised in Orange County, CA., Pastor Nate began his pastoral ministry at Westminster Good Samaritan SDA Church, then became the lead pastor at the Costa Mesa SDA Church. After that, he became the lead pastor at the Napa Community SDA Church, where he was the lead pastor. Having a passion for Adventist education made him decide to accept this position at PUC, and the college could not be more excited to see Pastor Nate lead the students and church. 

What did you want to be when you were younger? 

I wanted to be a pastor or a fireman. I am a pastor’s kid, and as I was growing up, I watched my father. I knew I wanted to be like him. In college, I didn’t choose a religion degree. I knew what it meant to be a pastor, and I wasn’t ready to fulfill that obligation. I graduated with an Education Degree in Health, Wellness, and Physical Education. 

When did you first feel the call to be a pastor?

Early on, but I didn’t think I was ready. I had some growing to do. After I married Jennie in 2005, I knew it was time to become a pastor. 

What made you decide to accept this position? 

I have a passion for Adventist Education. I want to be part of preparing young adults to serve Jesus in their context. We want to prepare nurses, psychologists, filmmakers, teachers, pastors, and others to share the love of Jesus with everyone they encounter.

What are your spiritual focus or goals for the campus? 

To prepare young people to be missionaries in their professional context, to disciple and mentor young people, and to demonstrate that life is joyful and that we are better in community. 

What methods do you use to stay connected with young people and be a mentor to them throughout their spiritual lives? 

I like to connect with them in the classroom, during intramurals, and invite students into our home. I plan to be present in the student center and available to chat. For those wishing to go deeper, I would schedule meetings where we can listen and encourage.  

What makes pastoring a campus church special to you?

Community. I love that there is a variety of people on campus. I look forward to working with Admin and the various departments to lean into our spiritual development. 

How can we, your PUC family, serve and support you and your family as you minister for us? 

I like homemade cookies and ice cream…lol. Encouragement. We all need to be encouraged, even the pastors.

What is your favorite thing about being part of the PUC family? 

The people. I love that we live in a community where we run into people we know all the time. I love the campus. I love that PUC has hundreds, if not thousands, of acres to explore on bike and foot.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? 

Cycling, Snowboarding, wakeboarding, and being with my family.