One of PennWest California’s campus ministry organizations, Students Taking A New Direction, has started its outreach for the Fall 2025 semester to a positive reception from students.

Known familiarly as STAND, the group hosted a kickoff party on the Natali Turf on Wednesday, August 27, and brought in about 230 students. The event included ice cream, yard games, toilet paper volleyball, and group outreach.

Pete Ware is the PennWest California campus minister and has held the role in STAND since 2008.

“(The party) was a lot of fun. I think students were engaged,” Ware said. “People seemed to have a really good time; we see that as a step to helping people get more connected with us. Our hope is really that they’ll come (to STAND).”

During the kickoff party, sophomore Technology Education major Dylan McGaughey spoke to the crowd about his experience with STAND and how it helped him gain a sense of belonging during the first weeks of his freshman year.

“I think Dylan’s testimony was really powerful. It seemed kind of wild that we had a crazy party game, and then people were really quiet and engaged with that. It seemed like a powerful moment,” Ware said.

Senior Wildlife and Fisheries major Payton Blazevich serves on the leadership team as the current president of STAND.

“I’ve been involved in STAND for as long as I’ve been in college. The first week, I did everything that STAND had to offer and have been on the team since,” he said.

With the help of four elected officer positions, including Blazevich’s, the STAND leadership team is broken into two main groups: the Wednesday night hospitality group and the Friday outreach group.

“Wednesday night hospitality, that’s welcoming and engaging people,” Ware said. “The outreach group plans our Friday night socials. They both do a lot of creating and deciding what they hope STAND will look like. A lot of it so far this year has been inviting people to our different activities and welcoming them in.”

Blazevich said the team has been busy trying to reach students.

“So far, our leadership team has been doing outreach almost every single day of the semester, some bigger than others. We’ve helped with move-in, gave out popsicles, popcorn, and stickers, and did a carnival and the giant kickoff party,” he said.

STAND normally meets in the Vulcan Theatre in Natali at 9:00 PM on Wednesday nights for a student-led group worship program.

“We start out with a small ice breaker and then a lead team student will share a scripture they’ve been thinking about to invite everyone else to sing worship,” Blazevich explained. “Then, Pete will teach us something from the Bible, and we end with announcements and usually have some sort of food after.”

Ware said the main mission of the organization is to connect people to each other and ultimately see them grow in Christ.

“(STAND) helps students if they’re curious about Christianity; they can explore it in a hopefully hospitable way,” he said. “They can be surrounded by a community that is trying to get to know God better.”

Freshman Early Childhood and Elementary Education major Anna Feick decided to join STAND during her first few days on campus.

“I first saw the club helping out on move-in day…I was intrigued with it. Everybody who was already part of the club seemed so fun and inviting,” Feick said.

She attended the kickoff event on August 27, as well as the first Friday night outreach on August 29.

“It’s a very welcoming environment and makes me feel right at home. I will definitely keep coming to club events,” Feick said.

Blazevich encourages intrigued students to give STAND a try.

“Join it because there is a lot to learn about life that is important…STAND has taught me so much that I thought I already knew but saw the truth come through,” he said. “I’ve grown so much, and met so many great people and best friends.”

Feick agreed.

“The moments and that night, being my first real Friday night on campus after a week of classes, was something I’ll never forget,” she said. “It just shows you can have a great night with the right people.”

For updates on events within the ministry, follow Students Taking A New Direction @standcal on Instagram.