Nathan Hanson (26) counts coming to PLNU among many of God’s blessings in his life. A senior health science major at Point Loma Nazarene University, Nathan is graduating in May. He wasn’t always sure about post-high school plans, but after his parents encouraged him to apply to college, he started out at Grand Canyon University.
“I did not like being removed from the ocean,” Nathan said, “and I had to be honest with myself. I’ve been blessed to live near the ocean and enjoy surfing and lifeguarding and ocean activities for most of my life. And so being in Arizona was not the greatest for me at the time.”
After one semester he returned home to Santa Cruz, and from there God made a path for him to attend PLNU.
“I thought it would be impossible for me to go here financially…but the Lord did a miracle, and I made it here, which is awesome!”
Nathan was originally following in his father’s footsteps by pursuing an engineering degree, but realized that despite enjoying math, he didn’t want to sit at a desk and work with a computer for most of the day.
“I didn’t drift too far away from what my parents do,” he explained, “because my mom’s a chiropractor. We have a pretty similar extroverted personality, and seeing the way she’s able to minister to her patients…working with their hands, providing for their practical needs, and even praying for them. Her church friends and fellow church members often come to her private practice. Just seeing her interact with them, and pray for them and the results that came from that… I’m going to trust the Lord and see what happens.”
Nathan ended up loving the Health Sciences major and the content, and is glad he took a step of faith to make the switch in schools and degrees. While it isn’t always easy to transfer from another school, he took to Loma quickly, making friends with his roommates.
“I got involved in whatever Loma had to offer — going to chapel and being around, and starting a Bible study in my dorm. And then as a junior, I got involved with Alpha, which was really cool. I was recommended or something, and so I considered it.”
“I got involved in whatever Loma had to offer — going to chapel and being around, and starting a Bible study in my dorm. And then as a junior, I got involved with Alpha, which was really cool. I was recommended or something, and so I considered it.”
“A theme has been going with the flow and trusting the Lord with things. Not necessarily planning everything out, but just stepping through open doors — you know, it’s kind of what brought me here to Point Loma.”
So when a friend said that Nathan would be a good Alpha Group leader, he gave it a shot, enjoying the experience of mentoring. In a similar way, he also started serving with homeless ministries after a friend pointed out his aptitude. He became a leader in his fourth year, serving the campus he had come to love.
“I love surfing, and to be on a college campus that’s right on the ocean has been such a blessing,” Nathan said. “I’ve met a lot of my friends through surfing as well. In fact, sometimes the only time I see some of my friends is in the water — it’s a great thing, running into a co-worker at your surf spot.”
Nathan’s other hobbies include swimming, biking, and hiking; his time at Loma, however, hasn’t been all sunshine and surfing.
“This past year has been a lot of reflection,” he said. “I feel like things have slowed down, and I’m not outside as much because it’s really a transitional time going into what they call ‘real life’ or prepping for the next step. I’ve been reflecting on how much blessing I’ve experienced from the Lord and how undeserved it is. I was talking with my parents yesterday about how I do not feel like the Lord has withheld any blessing from me being able to come to Point Loma.”
“And, if I’m honest, I’m pretty scared of graduating and going into the real world, but in science, you make predictions based off of what has happened in the past, right? So looking back and seeing what the Lord has done in the past, I’m letting that predict what He will do.”
“And, if I’m honest, I’m pretty scared of graduating and going into the real world, but in science, you make predictions based off of what has happened in the past, right? So looking back and seeing what the Lord has done in the past, I’m letting that predict what He will do.”
There’s something important about realizing you’re not in control, Nathan said. Good things come from the Lord by grace and there’s nothing we can do to deserve it, so it’s best to use what we have to serve others, and take life one step at a time.
“I was pre-physical therapy for such a long time, and technically I still am, but now I’m thinking about going to PA [Physician Assistant] school,” he explained. “Getting all that stuff organized — getting observation hours and planning a job where I can start getting a ton of patient care hours as well in order to apply for PA school is the next step. I was pretty late to realize that, but it’s been a lot of step by step, trying to enjoy where I’m at. Maybe it would have been a lot easier if I thought ahead more, but I just didn’t know at the time. And so it’s been a lot of prayer of ‘Lord, what do you want me to do?’ and waiting on an answer.”
If he could go back in time, Nathan wouldn’t change very much because his time at Loma has changed his friendships and his faith in amazing ways.
“It’s like a fine balance of trusting the Lord, and I have control of nothing, but also the Lord has put me here for a reason, and so I will steward that gift well.”
