While you jump from session to session, one breakout to the next and try to complete your conference credits, it is vital during Missions Conference that you slow down and gain a full understanding of the intention behind the conference. In order to slow down, there will be a specialized experience provided...

Springtime at Biola means spikeball on Metzger, dancing in parking garages and the Cook Memorial Missions Conference. For many seniors, however, only two of these may still reign true. Biola seniors are exempt from all chapel and conference requirements their last semester, giving them more time to focus...

The somewhat controversial The WORD (or “Jesus Mural” as the students call it) was covered with a black tarp by Student Missionary Union (SMU) staff this year as a part of the theme for Missions Conference. This took place just two days ahead of the 95th annual Clyde and Anna Belle Cook Mission’s...

Walking into Missions Conference 2025 was a bittersweet experience. All of the beauty surrounding Missions Conferences, from the worship to the prayer to the learning, was often overshadowed by the fact that I am a graduating senior and this one will be my last Missions Conference. SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT Missions...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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...

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,...

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...

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...