Billboards around the city of Phoenix display this statement: "Our Spirit Will Move You." At a first glance, it may seem that this statement is referring to the school spirit or Purple Pride represented at athletic events with the hyped up student section and highly energetic mascot. But that is not the spirit we are referring to at all. The Spirit referred to in this statement is more than meets the eye, and cannot be completely grasped by the human mind. This Spirit does not fit the description of the restricting Webster's definition. The Spirit that these advertisements refer to does not even belong to Grand Canyon University, and for that matter does not belong to this world. The Spirit referred to is much more loving, gentle, patient, kind, peaceful, and filled with such goodness that this world cannot even fathom.
From the moment you enter the gates onto the university's campus to the walls inside the classrooms and onto the fields where athletes display talent, there is a Presence that cannot be avoided. At the gates of campus, security guards are stationed for protection but take a glance inside their entrance stand and three out of four times you will find an open book. Not just any book filled with random words, but the book filled with the Word of God. Grand Canyon University is not just protected by trained security but by the hand of God. The Lord is using these security guards to not only provide safety, but truth. Stepping into a collegiate classroom you may expect to find students with open notes and busy pencils but what you may not expect is to hear a professor praying for the education and giving thanks for another day. This may usually be uncommon at universities, but at Grand Canyon University it is the only way we know. Stepping onto that court, or that field, or into that swimming pool athletes clothe in uniform to represent the institute. At Grand Canyon University, the team opens up in prayer of thanks and expectancy to clothe the athletes in strength and righteousness that represents a Kingdom much greater than the playing field.
But this undeniable Spirit is not limited within the gates of GCU. The university could have chosen to plant the campus anywhere in the surrounding Phoenix areas, yet Grand Canyon chose to strategically locate in the heart of west Phoenix. With high crime rates, low incomes, high sex trafficking rates, and low education scores, it was no accident that this campus chose such a location. GCU has become a light in such a dark area, not because of the flashy buildings or modernized look, but rather due to the Spirit that radiates outward. This light is not restricted within the gates of GCU, but is noticeable within the community. It is no surprise to see students painting homes within the community, playing with children at the nearby park, serving breakfast to the homeless and every small act of kindness demonstrated. There is an uncontrollable light spreading throughout the community of west Phoenix and it's limits are endless.
The students attending, professors teaching, security protecting, and every precious soul within the campus is a vessel to the Spirit much greater than Thunder the mascot or our Purple Pride. When we say that "Our Spirit Will Move You" we are speaking of a Spirit much greater than any fight song can demonstrate or any definition can explain. The Spirit that is referred to by Grand Canyon University is better described as a Holy Spirit.
