Next year we turn 75! Celebrating milestones of ministry among college students is more than looking back with gratitude; it is an act of faith that remembers how God has been at work across generations. At both San Diego State University and University of California San Diego, decades of campus ministry have created spaces where students have wrestled honestly with belief, doubt, vocation, and belonging. Marking this kind of anniversary honors the quiet, often unseen work o

A wonderful part of my ministry is Spreading Agape with our partner congregations around the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego. Sharing the blessings of our ministry with parishioners is truly a gift but the greatest gift is hearing their life stories and experiences with campus ministry. Here’s an excerpt from a conversation with a wonderful man at St. James, La Jolla. Parishioner: My time in campus ministry in the early 1950s shaped my life. More than anything, I remember f

For many students in the 1990s, college was a season of discovery that extended far beyond the classroom. They arrived on campus carrying questions about vocation, identity, relationships, and purpose, often far from home and navigating new freedoms and responsibilities. Within our faith community, they found a place where they could be fully known and fully welcomed. Weekly worship, late-night conversations, retreats, service projects, and shared meals created a foundation o

As the quarter comes to a close at UC San Diego, we find ourselves holding both deep gratitude and the bittersweet reality of farewell to this year. In our final gatherings, there were tears of profound thankfulness for a community where students could bring their whole selves and be met with welcome, respect, and care. Throughout the year, our shared space became a place of belonging, where questions of faith, purpose, identity, and hope could be explored honestly. For many

Reactions and Responses to Violence The Rev. Darin Johnson, Agape San Diego Campus Pastor and Executive Director On Monday two lost boys of San Diego attacked the Islamic Center, taking the lives of three men who instinctively put their own bodies between the attackers and the school children. At last night’s vigil, Imam Taha Hassane gathered about 5000 of us to nearby Lindbergh Park. His gracious welcome and prayerful leadership guided us transform this tragedy from pain and

This weekend at Camp Stevens with Agape felt like stepping into holy ground shaped by wind, stone, and ancient trees. The further we moved from the noise of campus and glowing screens, the more clearly I could hear the quiet invitation of God in the wilderness around us. Morning light filtered through the branches of old oak trees, painting the paths in shifting gold and green, while the cool mountain air carried the scent of earth and oaks. We shared meals, laughter, and lon

Returning to Camp Stevens for our annual Spring Retreat was a gift in every sense of the word. A dozen of us stepped away from the pace and pressure of campus life and into a space where conversation, prayer, and laughter came naturally. Throughout the weekend, we shared spiritual practices that invited reflection and rest, creating room to listen more deeply to one another and to God. Meals around the table, walks beneath the trees, and moments of quiet reminded us how meani

It was a genuine joy to spend time with The Rev. Beth Scriven, whose warmth and attentiveness were evident from the moment she arrived. As someone new to Bishop Susan’s staff, Beth brings both fresh perspective and a deep sense of vocation to her role, and that spirit was clear in every conversation. Even with the fancy title of Canon to the Ordinary for Leadership Development, her curiosity about our campus ministry at SDSU, paired with her thoughtful listening, created a s

The generosity shown through donations of professional clothing to students at San Diego State University has made a meaningful and lasting impact. For many students, access to appropriate attire can be a barrier to stepping confidently into interviews, internships, and early career opportunities. These gifts do more than fill closets—they restore dignity, build confidence, and open doors that might otherwise feel out of reach. Each donated item carries with it a quiet messag

Hosting a mocktail bar at the annual Polly Bond Awards, in St. Paul's Cathedral, on April 16, offered campus ministry students a meaningful, visible way to embody our unique brand of hospitality in action. Rather than simply attending, students became contributors—welcoming guests, sparking conversation, and creating a warm, inclusive environment that reflected the spirit of the church. A thoughtfully prepared mocktail bar signaled care for all attendees, including those who

Rev. Dave Nagler, Bishop of Pacifica Synod of the ELCA Greg Tuttle he/him Assisting Campus Minister Isaiah 58:12 Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in. Monday of Holy Week, Agape students and leadership joined hundreds of believers from across several denominations in prayer and public witness as we continue to recognize then work t

Greg Tuttle he/him Assisting Campus Minister There’s a quiet thrill in uncovering the layers of rural history tucked into places like Ramona, where the landscape itself feels like a living archive. For students at both San Diego State University and University of California, San Diego, stepping beyond their campuses into a town like Ramona offers a chance to slow down and engage with a very different rhythm of history. For a year one of our student leaders has shared that, h

Do you remember the first time you had to dress for something that mattered professionally? It likely wasn’t about fashion. It probably wasn’t about looking impressive. If you’re like me, it was about walking into a room and hoping that you belonged there. I remember standing in front of a mirror, adjusting a shirt that didn’t quite fit right, wondering if anyone else could tell that I felt out of place. The clothes were just clothes, but they carried weight. They held the qu

(along with +Martin Luther+ as a silent partner) - 18 February 2026 Agape’s SDSU team marked Ash Wednesday with ashes to passers-by who accepted our open invitation on the lawn near South Campus Plaza. Simultaneously, Torrey, our greyhound, and I planted ourselves under the welcome sun by the fountain on Library Walk to offer the same at UC San Diego… No lunch, no drinks, no bean bags to rest on…just Presence…and ashes…lovably weird in context, I’d say–or “good wyrd” as Stuar

by The Rev. Darin Johnson, Agape Campus Pastor and Executive Director Bill Eadie supported, connected and guided the Agape community on and beyond our board of directors with kind wisdom and caring leadership on and off campus. So that you all can have a glimpse of a few ways that Bill advanced Agape’s mission of love, particularly at San Diego State University, I’d like to share a few reflections since Bill claimed his eternal home in God on 15 November 2025. I met Bill soon

Our Second Annual scavenger hunt was a blast, this year in our historic Gaslamp Quarter. Curated by Escapely , this activity brought students together from our two campuses on a beautiful San Diego day. Being out in the neighborhood during the scavenger hunt turned the entire city into a classroom filled with energy and possibility. As we moved from place to place, solving clues and completing challenges, we were not just exploring off campus—we were actively engaging with

A wonderful part of my work with Agape is reminding high school students that The Church loves them and their participation makes us better. During a recent time at Camp Stevens with The Diocesan Youth Retreat, I shared the blessings and struggles of their next steps and how a healthy young adult community will continue to support them as they leap into university life, trade school, or work. I like to think of this as our Continuum of Care. A continuum of care during the

Our work at UC San Diego is with The Center for Ethics and Spirituality (CES) and includes interfaith partners like Hillel UCSD, the Jewish Community Center near campus. This year we chose to combine forces for a community event celebrating Shrove Tuesday and Tu BiShvat. Shrove Tuesday is a Christian observance that takes place the day before Ash Wednesday and marks the beginning of Lent, a time for reflection, repentance, and preparation for Easter. Like it's cultural si

Featured in an informative article in the News from The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, here are thoughts from one of our student leaders. "Getting to administer ashes to Rev. Deacon Jen last year felt super special. It felt so right–to be a part of this tradition that people have been doing for hundreds of years. Receiving ashes has always been something very special to me, but getting to take part in a tradition that people have been doing for hundreds of years, I feel clos

Tuesday and Wednesday, each week, we post a prompt on a sandwich board to help students dive into conversation beyond, "how was your weekend?" Witnessing the depth and connection in the conversations that follow, I was invited to offer a forum with Good Samaritan Episcopal Church . That forum highlighted the vital role that meaningful conversations play in strengthening both community and faith. The Rev. Paul Klitze and I emphasized that honest, respectful dialogue creates

University students are in a powerful position to lead their peers because they are living the challenges, opportunities, and questions of this stage of life together. When students step up as leaders, they don’t need to have all the answers—they just need the courage to listen, include others, and act with integrity. Peer leadership creates spaces where voices are heard and ideas can grow, whether in classrooms, clubs, residence halls, or community projects. By leading with

Our Logo… Our circular logo features leaves and a cross which combines natural imagery with a sense of unity and purpose. Looking great on a sticker or a t-shirt, this circle represents wholeness, continuity, and balance, suggesting harmony and completeness. Within this shape, the leaves symbolize growth, life, and renewal, often associated with nature, healing, and sustainability. Their organic form softens the design and brings a sense of calm and vitality, making the logo

Faith to Go is our Diocesan Podcast with an international reach. Recently Luca, one of our student leaders, was featured on the show to share a GodSighting during the 12 Days of Christmas. Listen below or read even more below... https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/faith-to-go-podcast/id1225768078?i=1000742760968 https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Iixeb2sDC9D65h9O4dw3E?si=N67g9DFLRpuM0oTTxYEGug “I get to see people working with God on campus very clearly whenever I spend t

A wonderful part of my role is to spread Agape to local churches and, in December, I visited Missiongathering, Disciples of Christ, in La Mesa where I met several recent graduates from UC San Diego who shared heart-wrenching stories of the loneliness of that system and how they wished they knew about us during their time on campus. I feel so grateful to offer community and kindness on our campuses because university campuses are often portrayed as vibrant, social environment