Dominic Passarelli, also known as “Dom” around the Onyx House, laughed openly as he tried to explain the Onyx’s essence.
“We seek to offer not just a home away from a home, but a place that people can come to and find a life and community of people that care about them and accept them, and most of all represent the love of God,” Passarelli said.
An environment in stark contrast with a typical college weekend, during the house’s Friday night service, Passarelli sat in one of several substantially cushioned couches on the main floor of the Onyx House, a Christian co-op located at 1850 Onyx St. Clusters of people nearby debated everything from who played Super Smash Bros. more to whether or not Jesus’ description of heaven was communist.
Currently a master’s student in theological studies at George Fox Evangelical Seminary, Passarelli, along with his wife, Naomi, has become the pastor for the college-age group at the Onyx House.
“I had always wanted to spend my life working with college students,” Passarelli said. “I’m not so much merely stepping into a role as I’m stepping into a community of people that is in itself active and alive.”
The Onyx House, an extension of Eugene Faith Center, has been offering college-age students a place to worship and connect with others for more than 20 years. With more than 60 students living at the Onyx House, many have noticed the differences between Passarelli and the old pastor, A.J. Swoboda.
University senior Ryan Buttacavoli has lived in the house for almost three years.
“Because I kind of grew up with Dominic in the house before he was a pastor, I feel more comfortable when I’m around him and talking about my ideas with him,” Buttacavoli said.
Swoboda and his wife, Quinn, moved over the summer to start a church in Portland.
Although Swoboda was a relatively young pastor, Passarelli’s younger age has played a factor in his assimilation into the house.
University junior Matthew Leasure, who has lived in the house for three years, explained why the transition has been so smooth for him.
“The Onyx House changes so much every year because there are always a ton of people moving out and in, so the community feels different all the time,” Leasure said.
Although the Onyx House brings in a lot of University students, many nearby students from Northwest Christian University, Lane Community College and Eugene Bible College attend the Friday night service, as well.
Passarelli became involved with the Onyx House during his freshman year at the University in 2002 and lived in the house when Swoboda was the pastor. Passarelli and his wife met while living at the Onyx House as University students and got married in 2006.
“One of the reasons A.J. and I worked well together for so many years is because we were so vastly different while still having the same heart and same drive,” he said.
After living in the house for two years, University sophomore Taylor London discussed how the transition to a new pastor has been for him.
“When you’ve got 30 guys and 30 girls living in here, that’s a unique situation, and you have to have good leadership all around,” London said. “Dom and Naomi are only a few years older than us, but it’s been a very smooth transition.”
After a few moments of thought, Leasure recalled some differences he had noticed between the two pastors.
“In general, I think Dom has a much different preaching style,” London said. “He has a much more academic approach, whereas A.J.’s was more emotional and Pentecostal.”
During a time in life where students are growing and changing into who they will be for the rest of their lives, Passarelli said he enjoyed being there through the process for many college students.
“I get to share the joys and struggles of life with people, and that’s an honor,” Passarelli said. “I wouldn’t trade getting to do this for anything else in the world. I’m doing this to serve God, but man, I’m having a lot of fun doing it.”
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Instilling faith in the college community
Daily Emerald
January 13, 2010
Shawn Hatjes
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