"I love coming here on Tuesdays to escape from transactions." -UCSD PhD Candidate From the text alert that you just got to “Would you like fries with that?,” we’re surrounded by transactions all day long. What’s it like to connect without an expectation of return? Non-transactional community building centers on fostering relationships that are rooted in mutual care, shared purpose, and genuine connection, rather than on the expectation of receiving something in return. Unlik

Morgan Sayles she/hers SDSU Class of 2024 This year‘s fall retreat of 2025 was a time of healing, renewal, and experiences. The Agape retreats have always been very close to my heart. The first-ever retreat I had the privilege of going on was three years ago. It was our winter retreat. Well, I was a student at San Diego State University. I had never gone or done anything to that extent let alone extended myself to a community as open and as welcoming as Agape was that winter

A recent student shared with me, “Sure, it’s hard and I’m a bit creaky but I want to finish what I started.” Returning to university after the COVID-19 pandemic demands immense courage. For many students, the interruption brought uncertainty, personal loss, financial hardship, and mental health challenges. Walking back into classrooms meant confronting not only academic rust but also fears about social reintegration in a world that changed very quickly in a very short time. C

During a recent visit with the good people of St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church , I reconnected with a recent graduate of SDSU and a...

Yesterday I was glad to meet investigative journalist Nicholas Kristof so I could thank him for his work. I have appreciated him for...

Making time to break from the heat during the hottest week of the year, Agape San Diego and Hillel SDSU hosted a day on the bay that was...

I’m not kidding, there’s free food, right over there. On Wednesday a local sandwich shop brought a box of sandwiches because, “we love...

All too often we hear student stories about facing a difficult trade-off between securing stable housing and continuing their education. ...

You know their work because if you’ve ever held or seen anything that came from us, Cal Copy touched it first. From coasters to...

Excerpt from Luca’s sermon to St. Mary’s in the Valley, Ramona on August 17, 2025 reflecting on Luke12:49-56 I actually have a bit of a...

Click the image then print your own copy of this year's calendar. This is a great tool to follow, pray for, and support our students...

Tabling for New Student Orientations is a long and storied tradition on any campus. This is a time for student resources to connect with...

Marching in a Pride parade is a powerful expression of visibility, solidarity, and celebration. We gather at Agape’s house at SDSU then...

My last building update said “this has been a marathon, not a sprint.” Since then more progress! Our design has full city approvals, so...

+Darin Johnson, Campus Pastor and Executive Director Hopefully you have at least one close friend who ‘gets you’. Last week in St. Louis...

"I haven't felt this free in a long time," shouted a student while sailing on Mission Bay during our latest Agape Sail Day. "This feeling...

Recently we represented Agape San Diego at the Synod Assembly for the Pacifica Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America...

This year, Pastor Darin shared wisdom in each of our monthly newsletters so here are some highlights: After Christmas , he reminded us...

This continues to be a year of spreading God’s love on two university campuses in metro San Diego. After a summer of dedicated work and...

Recently, we returned to Camp Stevens for our annual spring retreat. This time away has become a welcomed and anticipated event for our...

“Jesus called [the disciples] to him and said, ‘You know that those thought to be governing the Gentiles dominate them, and their great...

Maundy Thursday Footwashing on a university offers a powerful, symbolic expression of humility and the radical equality found in the love...

Greg Tuttle he/him Assisting Campus Minister School breaks play a crucial role in maintaining students' mental and physical well-being....

Greg Tuttle he/him Assisting Campus Minister Our Deacon Jen is amazing. The Rev. Jennifer Barker is the scaffolding that holds us...