Since 2016
Mission
Vision
Values
Chapters
Matthew 5:14
“Let your light shine”
Acts 2:42
Ephesians 4:12
FAMILY
PURPOSE
CHURCH| MEDIA| LABS| FOUNDATION| INSTITUTE| BANK
UC San Diego Chapter
Watch Altars
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Partner Mind Workspace
Family Mission Campus
Who we are in one breath

A movement of intelligent youth who refuse to choose between their faith and their future.

Watch Altars began as a small gathering of students who wanted more than Sunday faith — they wanted a faith that could stand up in the lab, the lecture hall and the launch pad. Today we are a thriving campus ministry weaving together worship, discipleship, academic excellence and global mission.

We exist to raise a generation that loves Jesus deeply, thinks rigorously, builds boldly, and carries the light of Christ into every sphere of influence — from research labs to startups to the nations.

Worship Scholarship Technology Mission
Watch · 2 min

This is Watch Altars

Explore the ABOUT section

Seven doorways into who we are

Everything you need to understand Watch Altars — our heart, our structure, and how to belong.

01

Who We Are

Our story, vision & mission, what we believe, and the values that shape everything.

  • Our Story
  • Vision & Mission
  • What We Believe
  • Our Values
Explore
02

Foundational Documents

The convictions and commitments we have put in writing for every chapter and member.

  • Statement of Faith
  • Constitution & Bylaws
  • Leadership Standards
  • Policies & Guidelines
Explore
03

Leadership

Meet the people who serve, shepherd and steward this movement on campus and beyond.

  • Campus Leadership
  • National Leadership
  • Advisers & Mentors
  • Alumni Leadership
Explore
04

Join Watch Altars

Find your place — become a member, plug into a chapter, team or fellowship.

  • Become a Member
  • Join a Campus Chapter
  • Join a Ministry Team
  • Men & Women Fellowships
Explore
05

Start a Chapter

Bring Watch Altars to your campus or school. We will walk with you every step.

  • College / University
  • High School
  • Middle School
  • Requirements & Application
Explore
06

Careers & Opportunities

Serve vocationally or volunteer your gifts — from staff roles to internships.

  • Open Roles
  • Internships
  • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Ministry & Leadership
Explore

Contact Us

07

Reach out for general questions, invitations, media inquiries, partnerships, or a prayer request — we read every message.

General Invite Us Media Partnership Prayer Request
Our Story

From a prayer meeting to a movement

Every chapter of our story has been written by faithful students and the God who called them. Here are the milestones that brought us here.

2016

It started with a dozen students

A handful of friends began meeting in a dorm lounge to pray for revival on campus. They called their gathering “the altar.”

2018

First Friday Worship Nights

Weekly worship gatherings grew from 12 to 200+ students, filling Price Center with praise and prayer.

2020

Faith goes digital

When campus closed, we launched livestreams, an app, and online discipleship — reaching students worldwide.

2022

The multiplication begins

Students planted chapters at neighboring universities. Watch Altars became a network, not just a meeting.

2024

Faith meets technology

We launched Labs, the AI Workspace and a hackathon — equipping believers to build for the Kingdom.

2026

38 chapters & growing

Today Watch Altars spans 38 campuses and 19 nations — and the story is far from over.

Campus
Where it all began

UC San Diego

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

Acts 2:42

Read the full story

Our complete history & founders
Kingdom Impact

By God’s grace, the numbers tell a story

4200+
Students discipled
38
Campus chapters
19
Nations reached
520+
Volunteer leaders
310
Worship nights
12000+
Prayers logged
860
First decisions
1100+
Alumni sent out

Our Vision

A generation of intelligent young people — in every university and city — who are radically devoted to Jesus, intellectually awake, and equipped to shape culture, science and society for the glory of God.

“That in all things He might have the preeminence.”

Colossians 1:18

Our Mission

To win, build and send students — leading them to know Jesus, grounding them in Scripture and community, and releasing them as worshippers, scholars, builders and missionaries into every sphere of influence.

Win
Reach students
Build
Disciple deeply
Send
Release leaders
What we value

Six convictions we will not compromise

Hover a card to see what each value means in practice.

Christ First

Hover to learn more

Christ First

Jesus is the center, not a category. Every program, decision and relationship bows to His Lordship.

Truth & Scripture

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Truth & Scripture

We anchor faith and intellect in the inspired Word of God — unafraid of hard questions.

Authentic Family

Hover to learn more

Authentic Family

No masks, no performance. We belong to one another and grow through honest community.

Excellence of Mind

Hover to learn more

Excellence of Mind

We pursue rigorous scholarship and craft, offering our best thinking and work as worship.

Mission Minded

Hover to learn more

Mission Minded

We exist for those not yet here — on campus and to the ends of the earth.

Spirit Empowered

Hover to learn more

Spirit Empowered

We depend on the Holy Spirit — not strategy alone — for transformation and power.

Our Leadership

The team that serves this movement

Meet the full team
Director

David Okonkwo

Campus Director

Leads the UC San Diego chapter and oversees discipleship & vision.

Worship

Grace Lim

Worship Pastor

Shepherds the worship teams and Friday Worship Nights.

Discipleship

Marcus Bennett

Discipleship Lead

Builds small groups and trains the next layer of student leaders.

Missions

Aisha Rahman

Missions Coordinator

Mobilizes students for local outreach and global trips.

Dr. Helen Carter

Faculty Adviser · Dept. of Biology

Bridges faith and science conversations on campus.

Pastor James Lee

National Director

Oversees the Watch Altars chapter network.

Sophia Martinez

Alumni Mentor · Class of ’22

Coaches student leaders into life beyond campus.

Called to lead?

Apply to join the student leadership team for the next term.

Leadership Application
Foundational Documents

What we believe, written down

Our convictions are public and accountable. Browse and download the documents that ground every chapter and member.

PDF · 1.2MB

Statement of Faith

The essential doctrines we hold and teach.

Download
PDF · 2.4MB

Constitution & Bylaws

How we are governed and organized.

Download
PDF · 980KB

Leadership Standards

Character & conduct for those who lead.

Download
PDF · 1.8MB

Campus Chapter Documents

Templates & charters for local chapters.

Download
PDF · 640KB

Policies & Guidelines

Safeguarding, finance & conduct policies.

Download

View all documents

Open the full document library & reader.

Open library
Voices of the family

What it means to belong

“I came to UCSD as a skeptic studying neuroscience. Watch Altars gave me a place to ask hard questions and meet Jesus without checking my brain at the door.”

Priya N.
Neuroscience, ’25

“The worship nights changed my life. But it was the small group that became my family away from home.”

Daniel K.
Computer Science, ’24

“I went on my first mission trip through Watch Altars. I came back with a calling I never expected.”

Maria S.
Global Health, ’26

“As a grad student I almost gave up on community. This is the first place that felt like home and stretched my faith.”

Tobi A.
PhD, Bioengineering

“I came to UCSD as a skeptic studying neuroscience. Watch Altars gave me a place to ask hard questions and meet Jesus.”

Priya N.
Neuroscience, ’25

“The worship nights changed my life. But it was the small group that became my family away from home.”

Daniel K.
Computer Science, ’24

There’s a place for you here

Whether you’re exploring faith for the first time or ready to lead, joining Watch Altars is simple. Pick a path and take your next step.

Become a Member

Officially join the family

Join a Chapter

Find your campus group

Join a Team

Serve with your gifts

Fellowships

Men & Women groups

Start with one Friday

The easiest first step is simply showing up. Join us this week — no sign-up required.

Fridays · 7:00 PM · Price Center Ballroom

Reach out

How can we help you?

General Contact

Questions & info

Invite Watch Altars

Speak or perform

Media Inquiry

Press & interviews

Partnership

Give & collaborate

Prayer Request

We’ll pray with you

You were made for more than information

Now that you know who we are, the next move is yours. Come and see — there’s a seat with your name on it.

Join the family Talk to someone