As students returned for the spring semester, campus pastor Blair Spindle returned from sabbatical. Coming back rested, he delivered Chapel 2026’s opening message on returning to the simplicity of the life Jesus offers.
Spindle serves as the associate vice president of Christian community. He started doing ministry in 1992 and joined SNU’s staff in 2011. He is the lead campus pastor and helps lead SALT, SNU’s student government and leadership organization. He describes his job as curating “faith and fun!” After being ‘kidnapped’ following a performance with Chickin’ and Pickin’ at Southern Nazarene Live, he began his sabbatical.
His eight-week sabbatical was not academic but pastoral. During this time, he stepped away from work to reflect on his vocation. He said, “The main thing was focusing on disconnecting [from the world] and resting.” Throughout his sabbatical, he spent time doing identity work with the Lord and working with his hands on a bathroom remodel. He returned to his roots in Arkansas and wrote a book for his grandchildren entitled Buckshot, the River Dog, which is currently in the publication process. The story follows his childhood family dog learning several life lessons.
Coming off his sabbatical, he wants “to keep a rhythm of rest in my life for 2026.” He did more writing and journaling and wants to maintain the habit to remember what God has done in his life and what He is currently doing.
He encourages students to Sabbath and take part in the Lord’s rest. “Make it a priority. We were created for rhythms of work and rest,” he said. He describes a college student’s Sabbath as taking a day to change habit patterns, moving away from endless consumption of entertainment and information to resting by spending time with God instead of working or scrolling screens. Spindle acknowledged that the road to rest is difficult, especially for college students, but it is worth prioritizing. “Because you have got to take a break or you burn out,” he said.
Spindle’s sabbatical brought him back to the simplicity of the gospel truth, which he shared with the SNU student body in chapel on Jan. 8, 2026. He said, “The main thing that we do is point people to Jesus… to make Christ their main thing in their lives. It’s really that simple.” As expressed in Center by Bethel Music, a song often sung in SNU Chapel, the gospel is a simple truth, though people often try to complicate it.
Spindle would like to thank the SNU Board for allowing him to take a sabbatical and for their wisdom. The biblical concept of Sabbath is found beginning in Genesis 2 and in Leviticus 23:3.
Photo by:SNU Creative