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The Student News Site of Biola University

The Chimes

The Student News Site of Biola University

The Chimes

The Student News Site of Biola University

The Chimes

Biola Missions Conference name change honors the Cook legacy

President Barry Corey (far right) announces the renaming of Missions Conference and honors the Cook family onstage on Mar. 19, 2025. Pictured left to right: Laura Botka, Ken Botka, Tyler Botka, Jamie Cook, Craig Cook, President Barry Corey
Biola Missions Conference renews the legacy of its seventh university president with a historic name change.
Emanuel Gomez, Staff Writer March 24, 2025

Biola University’s 95th annual Missions Conference commemorated the legacy of former university president Clyde Cook by renaming the conference in his honor. This name change also comes after the recent closure of the Cook School of Intercultural Studies in the summer of 2024. Current President...

Jesus mural veiled as Missions Conference sparks conversation with “What if you never heard?”

A black tarp covers over the infamous Jesus Mural at the center of Biola's campus two days before SMU's Missions Conference begins. March 3, 2025.
SMU builds anticipation for Missions Conference by covering the Jesus mural two days in advance.
Emanuel Gomez, Staff Writer March 17, 2025

Biolans awoke this morning to an unexpected campus development: the landmark Jesus mural is gone. All that remains is a black veil with a single question: “What if you never heard?” The Jesus Mural, a 40-foot tall depiction of Jesus Christ by American mural painter Kent Twitchell entitled "THE...

Missions Conference: Unhinged

Neema Mbogo, Chad Miller and Mark Muha address attendees with an apology.
The Biola community reacts to the unexpected events of Missions Conference session two.

Editor’s Note — This piece was first published three weeks after the event occurred. The original publication included an error consisting in a lapse of journalistic integrity. In the paragraph noted by an asterisk, the Chimes previously stated that one of the Missions Conference directors “declined...

‘The Lord set people free’ at Missions Conference revival

Met By Love worship leads students in song during Missions Conference.
Former Prayer and Worship team member reflects on the baptisms and spontaneous praise at the 2023 conference.
Karly Pridmore, Guest Writer May 2, 2023

What a joy it is to reflect on the past few weeks on our campus here at Biola. Missions Conference, an annual Biola-wide conference, celebrated one hundred years of the Student Missionary Union here. Missions Conference has been such a pivotal experience for students during their undergrad at Biola....

Revival comes to Biola

During Session 3 of Missions Conference on Wednesday, students lead the crowd in worship in various languages.
Extended worship, midnight baptisms and all-night prayer gatherings mark the 93rd annual Missions Conference.
Dalet Valles, Editor-in-Chief May 2, 2023

The water was murky green and nighttime darkness engulfed the congregation as students kneeled in the shallow Talbot East pool, surrounded by over 200 students cheering for their baptisms. Students wore their jeans and t-shirts that, moments before, were drenched in sweat from intense worship, but now...

Prayer and worship break out during and after Missions Conference

Met By Love worship leads students in song during Missions Conference.
Missions Conference prompts student baptisms and 24-hour singing.
Dalet Valles, Editor-in-Chief March 28, 2023

Following the 93rd annual Missions Conference, students engaged in extensive prayer and worship to strengthen their walks with Christ. As a common occurrence, extended worship after night sessions were conducted. The conference, however, had more to offer outside of Chase Gymnasium.  On March 23,...

2023 Missions Conference: Land of the Living

Attendees raise their hands as Met By Love worship leads the crowd in praise.
The 93rd annual Missions Conference commences.

The 93rd Missions Conference launched on Wednesday, with lines for the gym stretching back to the bell tower. As the main session filled up, students were directed to overflow locations: Sutherland Auditorium, Mayers Auditorium, Calvary Chapel and Lansing Recital Hall. DAY ONE, SESSION ONE Missions...

Usual Suspects dance crew dances through Sola Soul and Torrey Conference

Usual Suspects dance crew energizes the crowd at Sola Soul.
Usual Suspects continues to grow and gain momentum as they defy misconceptions of dance by bringing in diversity and unity to campus.
Fashion Castillo-Delgadillo, Arts & Entertainment Editor October 7, 2022

A previously taboo topic at Biola changed how students worship and bring diversity to campus. Kickstarting at Sola Soul during the 2021 Torrey Conference last year, the Usual Suspects dance crew introduced a new perspective on how students can perform in a God-honoring way.  FOUNDING OF USUAL SUSPECTS Emily...

SGA Rundown: Senate passes two proposals in full

SGA Rundown: Senate passes two proposals in full
Senators voted on proposals to appreciate student leaders and advertise the Biola Shares basic needs survey.
Amanda Frese, Managing Editor March 24, 2022

During this week’s senate meeting, the Student Government Association voted on two proposals, passing both in full. After hearing from senior psychology major and peer wellness ambassador Kate Fitzpatrick, senators voted on the external proposal, requesting $2,000 to host a student leader appreciation...

2022 Missions Conference: Restore and Remember

2022 Missions Conference: Restore and Remember
The 91st annual Missions Conference commences.

The 91st Missions Conference launched today, with lines for the gym stretching back to the bell tower. As the main session filled up, students were directed to overflow locations: Sutherland Auditorium, Mayers Auditorium, Calvary Chapel and Lansing Recital Hall. SESSION ONE Missions opened with the...

Missions Conference returns to campus

Missions Conference returns to campus
The student-led conference prepares for its 91st year.
Caleb Jonker, News Editor March 9, 2022

In 2020 Biolans left campus because of the start of the global COVID-19 pandemic, a week before Missions Conference was scheduled to take place. In the wake of the pandemic the conference was canceled. Last year, in 2021 Missions Conference bridged the gap between virtual and in-person attendees,...