Tag Archives: spiritual

His Passion, God’s Plan: How one alum followed his calling

Leave a reply

By Becky St. Clair

Darrin Thurber graduated from PUC in 2007 with a degree in music performance on guitar, and a student missionary year in Pohnpei under his belt. He went on to earn a master’s degree in music from San Francisco State University, but ultimately, he felt God calling him in a slightly different direction. Today Darrin is a pastor with a wife and two daughters, and we ran into him again because, after several years in the midwest, Darrin is back in California, taking on a new experience as senior pastor of the Calimesa Church in SoCal. 

Let’s start with an easy one: Why music? 

I’ve always been very passionate about music, and I love performing. I also come from a musical family; my grandfather was a wonderful musician and sang with the King’s Heralds back in the 60s. My dad is a guitarist—he’s the one who taught me to play, actually—who loves to arrange and compose music. I grew up playing for church often, and I enjoyed it so much I would sit on my own at home and just play and sing. When I got to PUC, I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do, but I signed up to take a music theory class, and I was hooked from day one. It was so much fun and exactly what I wanted to study. 

So how did you make the jump from music to pastoring?

When I was studying for my master’s, I was the interim worship pastor at the PUC Church for about half a year. That experience changed my life because I discovered I could use my music skills while also serving in a leadership role in the church. I learned a lot about what goes into planning a worship service, including how to collaborate with various entities, people, and groups, and exploring a variety of music styles. It felt perfect to me, but God had other plans. He closed that door and instead called me to Ohio to be a preaching pastor.

What did that look like for you?

Well, I originally went to be a campus ministry director on state college and university campuses for the Ohio Conference. Shortly after I got there, though, I felt God tugging me toward the seminary, so I went. What followed was a one-year stint pastoring a four-church district in rural Ohio before we settled in Mansfield where I served as pastor for five years. A month ago, in June 2020, I followed God’s lead to fill the senior pastor role at the Calimesa Church, and we’re just starting to get settled here.

How do music and pastoral ministry fit together in your life now?

Music is such an important, central part of church worship. Having a background in music has allowed me to be able to dialogue and collaborate with worship leaders and church musicians to plan services, and I’ve also been able to use my passion for music to connect with youth in my churches. Because of my experience being involved in several different ensembles at PUC, and during my time as worship pastor there, I can relate to a lot of people’s church music experiences and preferences, and it helps me as a pastor be able to meet their worship needs in a meaningful way.

How do you feel your overall experience at PUC prepared you for your life after college?

Oh man, PUC prepared me in so many ways. I had numerous opportunities to really grow my leadership skills and grow in my areas of interest—namely, music and sports—in a spiritual environment. Both of these things took a lot of my time in college, but they also taught me work ethic, commitment, and hard work. Both music and being on the basketball team taught me success doesn’t just come magically; I have to put in the time and effort to see results. All of that has benefited my pastoring a lot, as I’ve learned to prepare church services and sermons and help coordinate ministries and outreach programs.

Let’s take that a bit further: How do you feel the spiritual environment at PUC was beneficial?

Practicing these skills in a spiritual context prepared me to continue doing so as a pastor, and showed me that the best way in which to apply my passions and gifts is in a spiritual context. Music, leadership, and working hard toward something mean the most in a spiritual environment where you impact people for the Lord. I developed a lot of spirituality at PUC.

Today, as an adult, a pastor, a husband, and a dad, where or when do you feel closest to God?

The process of writing a sermon and preaching week after week is grueling, but it forces me to really depend on God in a way that’s so unique from other parts of my devotional life. Almost every week I tell God, “I can’t do that again. I have no more ideas. I’m spent.” And every week, without fail, he gives me something. He shows me his word is powerful and that he can use me even though I feel inadequate. The call to preach was never something I’d considered as a career, but the process of studying with God and being in prayer with him week after week are the moments when I feel closest to him. 

Darrin Thurber '07

Surviving A Deep Hole 

2 Replies

 

By: Tammy McGuire, Ph.D., Professor of Communication

This is probably an old-person’s reference, but I’m wondering if you have ever read or heard of Corrie ten Boom’s book (also a movie), “The Hiding Place”? It’s the story of a Dutch family who hid Jews in their home during the Holocaust; the family was later arrested and sent to Ravensbrück concentration camp. Just Google Corrie ten Boom’s name and prepare to be inspired.

I read “The Hiding Place” when I was in college, and there is a very sad part of the story (no spoilers here) where Corrie ten Boom shares a quote from her sister Betsie that has always stuck with me – in part because for many years I really didn’t understand just what it meant. The line is this: “There is no hole so deep that God is not deeper.”

Today, however, I believe I understand the beauty, hope, and depth of that line much better. For example, I see its meaning reflected in the beautiful poetry of Psalm 139: 9, 10 (read the whole Psalm for more inspiration):

“If I take the wings of the morning,

Or dwell in the uttermost part of the sea,

Even there your hand will guide me, 

Your right hand will hold me.”

There is no joy too great where God is not with us. There is no sorrow too deep where God is not with us. We cannot descend to any depth where He will abandon us. This beautiful truth is woven throughout the Bible. As Paul puts it in Romans 8:38-39:

“For I am persuaded, that neither death nor life … nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God …”

We have gone and are going through difficult, painful, and even wrenching times. Many are facing sorrows and bereavements and anxieties whose depths may seem bottomless.  Amidst all this, the truth remains unchanged: There is no hole so deep that God is not deeper. There is no darkness that can extinguish His love. There is no place we can go where He is not willing and able to walk with us.

May this thought bring us comfort on our journeys.

large-11_13_commworldlanguagesdpt_3

Keep The Faith 

Leave a reply

By Ally Romanes 

It’s no secret that we have been going through a strange time. Everyone has been dealing with this situation differently and for myself, it has been quite difficult. From school and work transitioning online, being home and unable to see many loved ones, and being able to travel, it’s been a rough transition. What I try to remember is there are better days ahead and I just need to keep the faith. 

Sometimes it’s hard to have faith and believe there are better days ahead. We are going through a tough time, but it is during these times we must stay close to God and have faith in Him. As we are living through the craziness of the world right now, we must not doubt God has better days prepared for us. 

It may seem like a long time before life feels “normal” again, but without God our days won’t be brighter. With Him, all things are possible. Hebrews 12:2 tells us He is the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Keep looking to Him for strength and remember to place your faith in Him. 

 

Stay Still and Trust 

Leave a reply

By: David Arriaza

When I was still in high school, I had a history teacher who taught me a very important lesson. We were getting ready to take a midterm exam the whole class had been dreading for weeks, and we were all quite stressed and unhappy. Before administering the exam, the teacher stood in front of the class and said, “don’t worry, in the great ocean that is your life this test is just a small drop of water”. This statement changed my perspective and I’ve been able to rely on it ever since. 

Even though current times might be confusing or hard to get used to, it’s important to remember God is on our side and when you put things in perspective, problems start to look a lot smaller. Sometimes, stressing and worrying is only detrimental to your health and well-being, and only leads to more anxiety. This might be a good time to remember and take to heart the words God said to the Israelites when He said, “you need only to be still”.  

“Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” – Exodus 14:13-14 

 

Take God’s Direction 

Leave a reply

By: Dylan Gray

What’s up, everyone! I’d like to share a couple of verses with you that I came across this week while doing some of my devotions. In Philippians 4:11, Paul says, “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.” Growing up I was always looking forward to the future and college where life would be perceivably better. When I got to college, I looked at my life in the future again. I couldn’t wait to be independent and work after I graduated. It seemed so nice in my imaginary future and I couldn’t wait to get there. 

There was a common theme that surrounded my outlook in both of those periods of my life; that was the discontentment that I was feeling about my present state. I was missing a purpose. I looked to the future where I thought I would find it, but all it did was make me even more unsatisfied with my current state. I wasn’t taking my situation and working it for God’s glory. I was stuck on myself and my insecurities. I was thinking, “I don’t like where I am so I’ll just make a plan to leave.” I would think about how much I disliked where I was and I refused to change my perspective on life. 

That’s not how the Bible conveys the life of somebody who has Christ in their hearts. In Philippians 4:12, Paul says, “I know how to be brought low, and I know how to have an abundance. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance, and need.” That sounds like a man who lives as if there is no tomorrow. He takes every moment and every situation, whether he likes it or not, and is not phased by what is happening around him. It doesn’t matter what’s happening around you. What matters is what is happening inside you. Paul latched on to that secret and he kept it inside him.

That secret is in Philippians 4:13. “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Paul had a relationship with Jesus so strong that no matter what happened he would not move from the rock that he planted himself on. He tells us about this faith and assurance  he has in Romans 8:38-39, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, (39) neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

I don’t know about you, but I would sure like to have that type of relationship. God is with us no matter where we are and right now things are hard. We are stuck at home. We can’t go and experience things the way we used to, but we can still be content. As I was comparing our situations to Paul’s, I realized he did most of his ministry while he was in prison or on house arrest. Under quarantine, if you will. This made me realize even though we are all spread apart we still have three things: a community that we are a part of (PUC Students, Faculty and Staff), Jesus by our side every step that we take in the new challenge we are facing, and the plan that God has for us even if we can’t see it. We just have to have the mindset that lets God lead us and provides that contentment that is available to everyone. 

As we continue, I want to challenge all of us to let God take us where we need to be, not just where we want to be. Along that journey, hold on to the promise that you can do all things with Christ who gives you strength. As you go don’t worry because “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

 

Healing in Hope

Leave a reply

This week’s devotional thought comes to us from PUC’s SA RVP, Noah Ofisa.

“And let us not be weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not. Therefore, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to a household of faith” -Galatians 6:9,10 

Today, we are facing one of the most stressful times. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, there were already diseases and deaths sweeping across our nation and the world. Now there is panic running rampant across the world. According to the news, there have been thousands of deaths in Italy, Spain, China, and the U.S. since the beginning of the spread of this “CoronaVirus” so far. So how does this affect us as Christians today? How should we respond when dealing with things such as social distancing in this time? 

Jesus says He is the light of the world (John 8:12). But He also calls us the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). As God’s beloved chosen people, we have one of the greatest opportunities to share the everlasting hope of Jesus Christ (John 3:16). We must continue to speak life and hope to those around us. We must encourage people that there is an eternal home beyond this perishing world where death, disease, and sadness are pervasive. His word declares He “will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4). Moreover, Paul encourages God’s beloved to not grow weary in well doing because we shall reap if we faint not. This is our call to continue to bring comfort and healing especially to those in our homes and even through social media. One powerful thing that is happening now is that God’s people across the world are uniting in prayer for healing and His kingdom. May God’s love continue to be shared in this crucial time and may His peace and promises comfort you today.

Here is my prayer today: 

Father, thank you for your infinite love and mercy upon us. Thank you for your eternal promises that lift our eyes above the storms we face here on Earth. Thank you for your presence with those across the world that are in need of your healing hands. We ask for an outpouring of your Holy Spirit. Help us Lord to continue to bring healing and comfort to our families and loved ones. Help us to continue to share your message of hope wherever we are. Lead us, God, in your love for the kingdom. We love you, Jesus!

In Jesus Name, Amen. 

 

Rejoice In The Lord Always

1 Reply

Stephen Staff graduated from PUC with a degree in communication in 2010. He went on to receive his masters in student life and development in 2018 and is now the boy’s dean and athletics director at Dakota Adventist Academy. Stephen loves PUC and was happy to share a devotional thought with all of his fellow Pioneers.

These are troubling times. We have people getting sick at alarming rates. Countries are closing borders, people are being asked not to leave their homes, and schools are closing. You might be feeling anxious or worried about this. You may know a person that has been directly affected by this, or you might be affected in some way. So what should we do? Do we worry and give in to fear and make sure we have enough toilet paper to last through the apocalypse? In times like this, we need a firm foundation to stand on.

In the book of Daniel Chapter six, we find Daniel in an interesting situation. He has been taken as a captive when Babylon conquered Jerusalem. He served under two different kings, and both saw the power of God through Daniel. Then the Medes and Persians conquered the Babylonians, and Daniel was serving under a new king. This king liked Daniel, but the other officials did not. So they conspired against Daniel. They had the king sign a declaration if anyone made a petition or prayed to anyone other than the king they should be thrown into the lions den. Daniel heard about this declaration, and continued to pray to God just as he had before the declaration. The other officials brought this before the king, and the king was distraught. He followed through with the law and before he sealed it shut he told Daniel he hoped God would protect him from the lions. The king spent a restless night anxiously waiting to find out what had happened to Daniel. When they checked on him in the morning, Daniel was unharmed.

No matter what challenge we are facing, we can have faith that God is always going to be there with us. He is always faithful. Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” Just like Daniel in the lions den, we have faith we can trust this to God and know  He will deliver us.