This year, Walla Walla University is seeing a student-led resurgence in their small-group program.
According to Andrea Keele, associate chaplain for missions, small groups at WWU are “a place where students can get to know each other more casually.” She added that spiritual growth “happens in relationship, and that happens through regular time coming together.”
Small groups on the WWU campus are centered around student leadership. Any student enrolled at the university can start one of these groups by filling out a short questionnaire on the university’s website. Groups that meet certain requirements can even earn worship credit.
There are six categories a student can pick from when creating a small group: music, support group, recreational like hiking or board games, a bible study, prayer group, and other—meaning the possibilities are nearly limitless.
The resurgence of small groups started with the help of small groups coordinators Ellie Harris and Makena VonBergen. Keele said that the combination of VonBergen’s small group experience from Southern Adventist University and Harris’ understanding of WWU culture “makes a pretty powerful team.”
Keele added that “It’s been going really well. Ellie and Makena have been getting the word out … and it seems like people were ready for it.”
One student Keele talked to found that small groups have also been a great resource for making connections with students of different majors and class standings. This student realized that “In our classes, we’re grouped together by certain ages, but this is something that really can bring different majors together.”
To learn more about small groups and worship opportunities on campus, visit wallawalla.edu/worships or use the Church Center App to join today!
Posted Dec. 11, 2025
