| The mission of Public Campus Ministries is to evangelize public colleges and universities, and, according to Ellen G. White, it is a "work [that] must be done" (3SM 234). Despite this urgent need, the Seventh-day Adventist Church is the only mainstream Christian denomination that does not have a ministry presence on most public campuses. Today, a substantial number of all Seventh-day Adventists students are currently studying in public colleges and universities. The presence of our young people on these secular campuses presents some opportunities and challenges. The Public Campus Ministries attempts to develop a Bible-based model to evangelize and nature the faith of students, faculty, and staff on secular university campuses. Our goal is to establish a Bible-based revival movement in which every student is a missionary.
Spiritual Retreats—Two spiritual retreats–one each in the fall and winter–are organized every year for all public university and college students during a weekend period. The retreats provide spiritual and social benefits to students seeking to maintain and share their faith on their campuses. The retreat begins on Friday evening and ends on Sunday at noon. Highly subsidized by the Public Campus Ministries department, it costs only $25 per student for the entire weekend.
C.A.M.P.U.S.— The development of the Center for Adventist Ministry to Public University Students (CAMPUS) is a bold attempt by the Michigan Conference Public Campus Ministries Department to respond to the crucial need of training young people to evangelize public university and college campuses. The CAMPUS is currently based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, near the University of Michigan campus. The establishment of the CAMPUS is only the foundation of an aggressive plan to promote public campus ministry across North America. Listed below are other plans:
1. Campus Missionaries Training Program—To train up to ten young students as campus missionary volunteers, in a one year practical, hands-on training program. The training program provides intensive courses in such topics as Bible doctrines, hermeneutics, ethics, campus evangelism, Christian leadership, personal spirituality, Adventist Heritage, contemporary issues, New Testament multiplication, etc. Classes are conducted in the center, and the missionaries are mobilized as the workforce for the work on public university/college campuses. The program typically runs from August to April, overlapping the fall and winter semesters at the University of Michigan
2. Leadership Training Retreats—To offer inexpensive weekend retreats and weeklong intensive leadership training programs to students, leaders, and pastors involved in campus ministry from across the country. The leadership retreats will teach participants how to start vibrant Seventh-day Adventist fellowships and congregations on public university and college campuses.
3. Internships—For advanced training for those interested in pursuing this type of ministry vocationally. We would offer specialized training and then provide leadership opportunities in one of the area colleges or universities.
4. Campus HOPE Resources—To make available nationwide, highly effective training materials to students interested in building stronger campus ministries. C.A.M.P.U.S would serve as the support center for a nationwide network of local Campus HOPE chapters.
5. Campus Evangelistic Team—To proclaim on secular campuses the three angels' messages in such a manner that our message will be seen as intellectually credible and spiritually uplifting.
6. Apologetic Resource Center—To develop materials that clarify, articulate, and defend our distinctive faith. We also maintain a list of capable personnel who can speak to public university students in their weekly programs on their campuses.
7. Fellowships/Churches on Campus—Targeting the unique needs of university students, staff, and faculty. This campus fellowships/churches will work closely with CAMPUS and the area Seventh-day Adventist churches.
For more information on events or starting your own campus ministry, please click here
|
