Blessing Service offers spiritual comfort, support to parents and freshmen

The Parent Blessing Service, held annually as part of freshmen Ignite orientation week, offers spiritual, emotional and social support to parents and guardians as they leave their young adult children behind to begin college careers.

This year’s service included a message on Joshua and God’s promises from La Sierra University Church Lead Pastor Iki Taimi, with responsive readings of blessing given by La Sierra University President Christon Arthur, H.M.S. Richards Divinity School Dean Friedbert Ninow, and Interim Provost Leslie Martin. Vice President for Student Life Marjorie Robinson provided welcoming remarks. Students were treated afterward to cookies and hot chocolate.

In his message, Taimi emphasized the importance of courage and trust, referencing the biblical story of Joshua who led the Israelites into Canaan after Moses’ death.

“You’re here, been through so much,” Taimi said to the parents in the audience. “Do you remember experiencing your child’s first breath, hearing them cry for the first time? And it was at that moment you just knew they were going to annoy you for a long time,” he joked. “And here we are again, where you will have to separate and let them annoy someone else all the time.

“There’s a lot of excitement and a lot of anxiety,” he continued. “There’s a lot of stuff in there, but the best part of it is God is telling all of us tonight to trust that God will not leave our side.

“Parents, you’re crossing the Jordan River. You’re ready to celebrate. You’re ready for this moment and others, you are having a difficult time letting go. Here’s the good news. Be strong and courageous. Courage for you looks like trusting that God’s hand is more capable than your constant text reminders,” Taimi said.

“Trust that God, La Sierra University and your family love you and support you all the way through your journey." – Iki Taimi, Lead Pastor, La Sierra University Church

To the students he said, “For some of you, this is the first time living away from home, so please do text your parents and remember newness always comes with both opportunity and fear. But you aren’t called to be perfect. You just have to keep inviting God to come along on your journey. 

“Trust that God, La Sierra University and your family love you and support you all the way through your journey. Because here at La Sierra University you are welcome. Here you belong.”

The service concluded with parents praying over and anointing their freshmen children using small vials of oil provided to them. Faculty interspersed throughout the audience and also prayed over students and their families, as well as students attending without their families who were assured of community and support.

"The moment when we entered the church, everybody could feel the Holy Spirit in this place." Grace Solinap

Following the service, families gave their impressions of the program and its impact.

“We were really, really blessed by tonight’s event,” said Grace Solinap, whose son, Josh, enrolled in pre-health, clinical lab science. “I’m glad you’re doing this for the freshmen. I didn’t expect this. We’re so blessed. And especially the anointing, prayer, the message, everything from the very start, we feel really welcome.

“The moment when we entered the church, everybody could feel the Holy Spirit in this place,” she said.

“The good thing about the message, the pastor was saying, this big man is in good hands,” said Josh’s father, Mariano Solinap, referring to his son. “The start of the whole year will be blessed by God because we started with the blessings from God.”

Josh Solinap noted that the service “was nice, the pastor was funny,” he said with a smile.

“It was just a wonderful service for the parents who have a lot of anxiety having to separate from our children,” said a mother whose daughter is beginning college at La Sierra. “But the service was so reassuring. It was so comforting and we feel like God is really with us. I’m so grateful that you guys have put it together for us, and I think even the students, it touched our heart. The pastor reassured and reminded us to be strong and courageous and that’s exactly what we’re gonna’ do.”