Christian Life & Service

    • /
    • /

    • Living the Christian Mission at a Christian University

    “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” – 2 Peter 3:18

    Christian Life & Service at Gardner-Webb University supports students as they live out the University’s Christian mission through worship, spiritual formation, service, and meaningful community.

    Grounded in our Baptist heritage and Christ-centered values, this work serves students across all backgrounds and stages of faith.

    As a Christian university in North Carolina, Gardner-Webb is committed to helping students integrate faith, learning, and service. Christian Life & Service plays a central role in this commitment, helping students Become More in faith, character, leadership, and purpose.

    Worship and Spiritual Formation

    Christian Life & Service supports worship and spiritual growth at Gardner-Webb through shared rhythms of faith, reflection, and community—helping students explore belief, deepen purpose, and grow in their relationship with Christ.

    Apply Now

    Dimensions Program

    Dimensions is a foundational part of the Gardner-Webb experience, nurturing students spiritually, intellectually, and culturally from a Christian worldview while building campus-wide community.

    View Dimensions

    The Gathering

    The Gathering is a student-led worship service held weekly, offering space for worship, teaching, creative expression, and fellowship within the campus community.

    View The Gathering

    Campus Worship Experiences

    Throughout the academic year, Christian Life & Service hosts several campus-wide worship gatherings that bring the Gardner-Webb community together in shared reflection and faith.

    These include:

    • University Worship Services, open to students, faculty, and staff

    • Worship at the Webb, welcoming the broader campus and surrounding community

    • President’s Prayer Breakfasts, open to faculty and staff for prayer, encouragement, and fellowship

    These gatherings occur at various points during the academic year and reflect the University’s commitment to shared spiritual life and community.

    Upcoming Christian Life & Service Events

    View All Events

    Faith, Conversation, and Formation Beyond the Classroom

    Christian Life & Service extends faith formation beyond in-person gatherings through podcasts and recorded Dimensions sessions. These resources offer students, faculty, staff, and the broader community opportunities to reflect, learn, and engage with conversations shaping Christian life at Gardner-Webb.

    Start Listening

    Parrott’s Perch Podcast

    Hosted by the Vice President and University Chaplain for Christian Life & Service, this monthly podcast features conversations around faith, campus life, Dimensions themes, and Christian formation at Gardner-Webb.

    Dimensions Recordings

    Recorded Dimensions programs allow students and the campus community to revisit messages focused on faith, purpose, culture, and community—even when they can’t attend in person.

    gwu right now media mobile devices.png

    RightNow Media Access

    RightNow Media Access

    Gardner-Webb provides free, unlimited access to RightNow Media, a trusted library of on-demand Bible studies and faith-formation resources for the entire GWU community—including students, faculty, staff, alumni, and families.

    With more than 20,000 video studies from respected Christian teachers, RightNow Media supports personal devotion, small groups, classrooms, and family faith formation.

    What you’ll find includes:
    Bible studies, discipleship and leadership resources, everyday life topics, and a dedicated children’s library.

    Activate RightNow Media Access

    Prayer, Pastoral Care, and Spiritual Support

    Pastoral Care

    Pastoral Care provides prayer, presence, and spiritual support for the Gardner-Webb community in moments of joy, grief, and uncertainty. Students have access to individual prayer, campus-wide prayer opportunities, and dedicated spaces for reflection and worship.

    Christian Life & Service also supports:

    • Campus-wide prayer gatherings

    • Opportunities to submit prayer requests for university-wide prayer support

    • Spaces for quiet reflection and spiritual renewal

    Find Pastoral Care & Prayer Support

    Baptism and Following Jesus

    Gardner-Webb celebrates baptism as a meaningful step in the Christian faith journey. Christian Life & Service offers opportunities for students to learn more about baptism, explore what it means to follow Jesus, and take next steps in faith within a supportive community.

    Students who are interested in baptism or would like to learn more are encouraged to reach out for additional information.

    Learn More About Baptism

    Christian Resources

    Christian Life & Service provides Christian resources to support students in their faith journey, including Bibles, devotionals, and books designed to encourage spiritual growth, reflection, and discipleship.

    These resources are available to help students navigate questions of faith, deepen understanding, and find encouragement at every stage of their journey.

    College Care Package Website Banner.jpg

    Care Package Program for Residential Students

    The Care Package Program offers families and supporters a meaningful way to encourage residential students during final exams, sharing reminders of care, prayer, and support from home.

    Learn More About the Care Package Program

    Service and Calling

    Service is a core expression of Gardner-Webb’s Christian mission. Christian Life & Service invites students to connect faith with action while discerning their gifts, vocation, and calling.

    Mission Trips

    Mission Trips offer opportunities for students to serve locally, nationally, and globally—engaging diverse communities while living out faith through meaningful service.

    View Mission Trips

    Student Ministries

    Christian Life & Service fosters meaningful community through student-led ministries that encourage spiritual growth, leadership development, and service.

    Student Ministries

    Student Ministries provide a wide range of opportunities for worship, discipleship, service, and leadership, helping students grow in faith while building strong relationships across campus.

    View Student Ministries

    Church Relations

    Christian Life & Service partners with Christ-centered churches, associations, and denominations to strengthen shared work in faith, education, and service. Through these partnerships, Gardner-Webb connects churches to University resources while helping students engage with the broader Christian church community.

    This work includes support for ministry events and conferences, student connections to local churches and mission opportunities, and church-related scholarships that help make a Gardner-Webb education accessible.

    Learn More About Church Partnerships and Resources

    Related Clubs & Organizations

    • Honorary, Religious

    Theta Alpha Kappa
    • Religious

    Religious Studies Association
    • Religious

    Campus Ministries United
    • Performance, World Languages, Literature and Culture

    Joyful Hands Ministry Team
    gwu community holding hands heart.jpg

    Our Place Within the University’s Christian Mission

    Christian Life & Service is one of the primary ways Gardner-Webb lives out its Christian mission within student life. This work complements the University’s broader commitment to faith-informed education, holistic development, and service-driven leadership.

    Students, faculty, and staff are invited to engage the Christian mission through worship, service, community, and reflection—at a depth and pace that is authentic to their own journey.

    Meet Our Team

    Christian Life and Services

    Alexandra M. Poole

    Administrative Assistant to the Office of Christian Life and Service
    [email protected]
    (704) 406-4277

    See More
    Christian Life and Services

    Dr. Josh Parrott

    Vice President and University Chaplain for Christian Life and Service
    [email protected]
    (704) 406-4279

    See More
    Campus Ministries, Christian Life and Services

    Neal Payne

    Assoc. Minister to University for Student Ministries
    [email protected]
    (704) 406-4278

    See More
    Christian Life and Services

    Stacy Simmons

    Associate Minister to the University for Pastoral Care
    [email protected]
    (704) 406-2176

    See More

    Become More Through Faith and Service

    Christian Life & Service invites students to engage deeply, serve faithfully, and grow intentionally. Through worship, service, prayer, and community, members of the Gardner-Webb community are supported as they Become More—ready to lead lives marked by purpose, compassion, and impact.

    Recent News & Student Stories

    View All Stories