By RACHEL WOOD, WWU public relations writer

In the early
days of February, snow continued to pack Interstate 90’s Snoqualmie Pass,
Wash., as several cars with Walla Walla University (WWU) students journeyed
from College Place, Wash., to Seattle to experience the One Project 2014 — a
meeting of more than 700 believers to discuss together the supremacy of Jesus
in the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Hosted in
the Grand Ballroom of the 40-story Westin Hotel in downtown Seattle, WWU
students joined other Adventist students, teachers, pastors, chaplains and
church members to focus on this year’s theme, “Present Truth,” established to
keep Jesus Christ as constant focus and foundation in personal lives and
especially in the church. The second theme of the One Project centered on the
concept of “My Dream for the Church.”

Originally
founded as an independent ministry by a small group of pastors, the event is
now an official ministry of Walla Walla and Andrews universities.

Brooke
Spickelmier, a WWU theology student, feels blessed to have attended the One
Project. “[It] was an astounding time for me and helped further me in
understanding the Lord’s calling in my life to serve Him and others in
chaplaincy,” she says. “Best of all, Jesus was glorified, and my heart rejoices
when I reflect on the determination of Christ’s body being truly involved in
hastening the Second Coming of Christ.”

The One
Project is a 48-hour gathering, this year featuring 14 different authors,
pastors and speakers who presented short messages called Reflections. Nearly 80
tables seating nine people each filled the Grand Ballroom. A 20-minute
discussion period followed each Reflection. This was called Recalibration,
beginning with a discussion question presented to the groups, sparking
conversations at each table led by each table’s group facilitator. Another
opportunity for sharing thoughts was the Response time, during which anyone
could speak in front to share their dream for the church.

Faith Hoyt,
a WWU student studying communication, appreciated the chance to connect with
fellow believers. “The One Project was an inspiration to me,” she says. “The
time I spent there was not only beneficial to my spiritual life, but it was
also an excellent way to stay connected with my church.”

The
gathering was also an empowering experience for theology student Stephen Farr,
who says it will have a positive effect on his ministry. “It is important to
attend events like this and take the time to listen to each other about our
hurts, our hopes and our dreams,” he says.