Shalom Ministries
Campus ministry provides a variety of opportunities for all Whitworth students to take steps closer to Jesus, including opportunities for our Black, Indigenous, Students of Color and international student populations to build relational bridges and grow with God through Whitworth's Shalom Ministries. In the Bible, the Hebrew word shalom means peace, but the word communicates much more than simply a lack of war. Instead, shalom is the flourishing of all God's good creation as God, humans and the rest of the created order live in harmony, wholeness, rightness, unity and delight. At Whitworth, Shalom Ministries exist to help make sure every student has opportunities to grow with Jesus and find meaningful connection in Christian community, especially our BIPOC and international students.
Meet the Staff
Lesly Acevedo, Assistant Chaplain for Shalom Ministries
Lesly Acevedo is passionate about the gospel of Christ and is dedicated to training new generations to foster a closer relationship with their Creator. Recently, she joined the campus ministry staff at Whitworth University where she leads a life group that has been a great blessing. With a bachelor's degree in theology from Latin America Theological Seminary, she is an ordained minister of the Church of God of Prophecy in Washington state. She spent many years serving at Canoga Park Presbyterian Church in California, where she met her husband, Pastor Álvaro Gómez. Together, they founded the Christian Church of Fillmore and later established Comunidad Cristiana de Spokane, a Hispanic ministry. Lesly enjoys spending her free time with her family, going on walks and caring for her plants. Her favorite scripture is Matthew 28:19-20, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Amen."
Graduate Assistant Ministry Intern for Shalom Ministries
My name is Selma Hanna, and I serve as the graduate assistant ministry intern (GAMI) for Shalom Ministries. In this role, I have the joy of walking alongside international students and Bucs Bridge students as they grow in their faith. I also support and lead our community fellowship coordinators who organize interfaith dialogues, community dinners and other programs that foster connection and belonging.
I am from Cairo, Egypt, and I graduated from Whitworth University in 2023 with a bachelor's degree in business administration with a minor in leadership studies. As an undergraduate, I loved being part of campus life through the International Club, Swing & Ballroom Dance Club, Women in Finance Club and En Christo. I am now pursuing my MBA at Whitworth while serving as a GAMI, blending my academic studies with my passion for meaningful cross-cultural connections.
Let us remember this truth: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
I would love to connect with you – whether you're interested in getting involved with campus ministries, meeting new students or simply making a new friend! Please feel free to reach out to me at shanna23@my.whitworth.edu.
Community Fellowship Coordinators
Inspired by the picture in Revelation 7:9-10 of the people of God from every tongue and tribe and language and people gathered in worship around the throne of God and the Lamb, the community fellowship coordinators seek to build community across racial-ethnic difference and specifically promote opportunities for our students of color and international students to grow with Jesus and in Christian community here at Whitworth.
