AGAPE FAQ
Q: What is Agape?
Agape (pronounced ah-GAH-pay) is an ancient Greek word that means “love.” It’s the word the Bible’s authors used to describe God’s love for people. They also used it to talk about the kind of love that Christians should demonstrate to people.
Agape is the name we’ve chosen for UPC’s undergraduate community. We’re building a community where students who grow in God’s love and share that love with others.
Q: What’s the difference between Agape and other Christian groups on campus?
We actually have a lot in common with other Christian groups at UCLA. What makes Agape different is the fact that we’re part of a church. This has some important consequences:
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Permanence. UPC will be here after you graduate and beyond. And many of the people you meet here will stick around, too. With most fellowships, the people you know have all gone their separate ways within 5 years. UP is a place where you can build lifelong friendships.
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Support and accountability. UPC gives Agape support to do great activities like missions trips, college conferences, and other fun events. The church also keeps undergraduate staff and leaders accountable, to make sure that leaders lead with integrity. We can seek the church’s help if we need advice or help in resolving conflicts.
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Trans-generational relationships. You’ll meet lots of undergrads at UP. But you’ll also meet a lot of awesome people who’ve gone before you. You can benefit from their experience, since they know all about grad school, working, finding a job, being married, and so forth.
Q: Can I be part of Agape as well as another Christian group?
Yes! You’re welcome here, regardless of what fellowship you go to.
Here’s something to consider, though. You have only so much time in a week. Sometimes being part of two groups means you don’t get very deep in either. But having deep friendships with others is vital to your well-being at UCLA. So you have to decide for yourself where you want to be most fully invested in your relationships.
We’d love to see you go deep here at UPC. But it’s also important that you have the freedom to go where God leads you. We’ll be praying for God to guide you to the place that’s right for you.
Q: What are the core values of Agape?
There are a number of values that are really important to us. Each value leads us into action:
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Value #1: Christian community, made of godly and growing relationships.
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Action: Gathering to worship, hanging out, community living, prayer, serving and caring for each other, participation in the life of the church.
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Value #2: Maturity: gained through discipleship, being in community and leadership. To develop Christ-like character that goes deep, affecting every aspect of who we are. To become people who know God deeply and do what’s right.
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Action: Small group Bible study, one-on-one discipleship/mentoring, and service. These are all vital to your growth as a believer.
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Value #3: Outreach. Let our love be loud in sharing the transforming love of Christ.
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Action: Campus outreach/service. Community service. Evangelism by word, but also action; letting our actions speak louder than our words. Hospitality toward newcomers, the witness of the community to non-believers; belonging before believing.
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