Meet Daniel Zander, Our New SFU Campus Worker
🙏 Two Years of Prayer Answered
One of my favourite stories from this year comes from our team at SFU.
For more than two years, Milly and the SFU team have been faithfully praying that God would send another campus worker to help lead the ministry—especially someone who could disciple and invest in the men of our community. As the ministry continued to grow, the need became increasingly clear. Milly regularly shared this request in her newsletters, asking supporters to pray for more workers for the harvest and for God to lighten the load she had been carrying.
While studying at Vanguard College in Edmonton, Daniel Zander began sensing God's call to campus ministry. As the Lord was preparing Daniel's heart, He was also preparing a place for him to serve. Last fall, through the generosity of donors at SFU's fundraising banquet, the team raised the support needed to launch a new campus worker. Daniel moved to Burnaby in January, began volunteering with the team while raising support and completing the PAOC credentialing process, and in May was officially deployed as a part-time Campus Worker.
Today, Daniel is investing in the lives of male students at SFU—the very role the team had been praying for over many months. It's a wonderful reminder that while God's timing doesn't always match ours, He is always at work, preparing both the people He calls and the places He calls them to.
As we celebrate God's faithfulness, would you continue praying with us that Daniel will reach his full fundraising goal and be able to step into full-time ministry this September?
Daniel Zander
Campus Ministry Worker
SFU (Burnaby, BC)
You've read how God answered years of prayer by bringing Daniel to the SFU team. Now it's time to get to know him a little better! We asked Daniel a few fun questions about himself, his heart for campus ministry, and the books and food he loves.
1. DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN 20 WORDS OR LESS?
I am calm and compassionate. I love Jesus and a good story—whether it’s a 400-page novel or a thought-provoking movie.
2. FUN FACT ABOUT YOUR HOMETOWN?
Edmonton is the hometown of Canada’s men’s soccer (or, more accurately, football) team captain, Alphonso Davies! It is also the donair capital of Canada, boasting 120 donair shops (for comparison, Calgary comes second with 50).
3. FAVOURITE WAY TO SPEND YOUR SABBATH?
My favourite way to spend my Sabbath is going on a long walk (or, depending on the day, even a hike!) in nature with a cup of coffee, whether with friends or on my own.
4. FAVOURITE TAKE-OUT FOOD?
My favourite take-out food has to be Korean fried chicken… so good!
5. WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT SERVING IN CAMPUS MINISTRY?
Campus ministry is a unique and exciting opportunity because I get to be alongside students during one of the most formative periods of life. Young adulthood and the university years are when we see a life committed to following Jesus begin to take shape as students wrestle with spiritual questions around identity and calling. How cool is it to be a part of students’ lives during such a significant season?
6. WHAT'S ONE GIFT YOU BRING TO CAMPUS MINISTRY?
I have a deeply compassionate and gentle heart for those who feel far from God. Whether that’s a student who grew up believing in Jesus but is struggling to “make their faith their own,” or someone who has never considered Jesus being a part of their life, I am passionate about entering these spaces of questions and doubt and walking alongside students as they wrestle with God.
7. WHAT'S ONE BOOK YOU OFTEN RECOMMEND TO STUDENTS?
You Are What You Love by James K.A. Smith was foundational for me during my years as a student, and it’s a gift I love to pass on to others. The book teaches us how to transform our habits and deepest desires to align with God and the story He’s writing for our lives. This is a lifelong journey, but I’m grateful for Smith’s thoughtful guidance in continually realigning my heart with Jesus.
🙏 Prayer Requests
🙏 Daniel’s Deployment to Full-Time Ministry at SFU. Please continue praying for Daniel Zander as he raises the remaining support needed to become a full-time Campus Worker at SFU this September. We thank God for answering years of prayer by bringing Daniel to the team, and we’re asking God to provide the remaining financial support needed for him to fully step into this role.
🌱 New Full-Time Workers for UFV, UVic, and UBCO. Please continue praying for God to raise up full-time Campus Workers for UFV Abbotsford, UVic Victoria, and UBCO Kelowna. Each of these ministries has passionate students and committed leaders, but additional staff support is needed for these communities to continue growing and reaching students with the hope of Jesus.
⏰ Praying Daily at 10:02am. Inspired by Luke 10:2, we continue to pray each day at 10:02am for God to send more workers into His harvest field. Would you join us in this simple but powerful practice of intercession? Set a daily alarm and pray that God would raise up labourers for the university campuses of British Columbia.