A Story Written by Answered Prayer
From a single student keeping watch in prayer to three UC campus chapters, this is how Watch Altars began, and where God is taking it next.
It Started With a Question
Watch Altars began in April 2023 at UC San Diego, in the Nuevo West graduate housing community. It started small, a single student keeping watch before God in prayer, believing that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men.
That one soon became three, as students joined to keep watch together. They named it Watch Altars, a call to keep the fire burning on the altar, to stay watchful, and to minister to the Lord and make Jesus Christ known on campus.
“The fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it shall not go out.”
Leviticus 6:13
“We didn’t want a club. We wanted a fire that wouldn’t go out.”
Milestones of Grace
The First Altar
It began at UC San Diego's Nuevo West graduate housing, one student keeping watch before God in prayer.
From One to Three
One became three as students joined to keep watch together, praying, worshipping and seeking the Lord.
Three Campus Chapters
The same call spread to two more campuses, and chapters were established at UC Berkeley and UC Santa Cruz.
Three Chapters
UCSD, UC Berkeley and UC Santa Cruz, still built on the same simple call to keep watch and make Jesus Christ known.
Why “Watch”?
To watch is to stay spiritually awake, alert in prayer, discerning in mind, and ready for what God is doing in this generation. “Watch and pray,” Jesus said. We take Him seriously.
Why “Altars”?
An altar is a place of surrender and continual worship. We believe every campus, lab and lecture hall can become an altar where lives are offered fully to Christ.