Learn about the new Collegiate Ministries task force
Overture 102 passed by 219th General Assembly in Minneapolis not only re-established an office dedicated to Collegiate Ministries, it also called for a strategic and sustainable plan to be developed for collegiate ministries in the PC(USA). The overture itself was a testament to the importance of ministry with the college students in our denomination. The ease in which it passed through committee and assembly was an affirmation that the people of the PC(USA) also place a high priority on this ministry.
Collegiate ministry is not immune to the dynamic, shifting times our denomination is in right now. Many of our ministries are looking for new resources, models, philosophies and support. For many years Presbyterian collegiate ministry has been a faithful function of our middle governing bodies as well as local congregations and ecumenical organizations. And while this model was a good one in the past, it is no longer sustainable and many of our ministries have felt the sway of the turning tide. The environment that most college students exist in is a volatile and formative one. Ultimately, ministry would offer ways in which people can explore and question the meaning of life and faith as well as their calling as disciples. Questions and exploration are part of the college experience, and can make college years a time of great deepening of faith in Jesus Christ, but can all too often been a sieve for that faith to run out of. To that end, the Office of Collegiate Ministries has assembled a task force to consider how the PC(USA) has and can minister to the college community, the current trends and future possibilities of ministry to collegians and those who work with them and develop an implementable plan to move forward in this ministry. We welcome the prayers of the church in this endeavor.
Read a Presbyterian News Service article about the task force
Task force members
The Rev. Dr. Jeffery Francis: Sharp Chaplain, University of Tulsa; Tulsa, Oklahoma
The Rev. James Goodlet: Associate Pastor for Campus Ministries, First Presbyterian Church; Tuscaloosa, Alabama
The Rev. Ashley Griffith: Pastor, New Hope Presbytery; Raleigh, North Carolina
Jamie Lied: Leadership Development Coordinator, Annex Ministry; Boulder, Colorado
The Rev. Erica Liu: Campus Pastor, Pres House; Madison, Wisconsin
The Rev. Jim Mohr: College Chaplain and Director of Church Relations, Westminster College; New Wilmington, Pennsylvania
Dave Pommer: Director of University Ministries, Malibu Presbyterian Church; Malibu, California
Consultant
Mike Gaffney: Vice President of Young Life College; Everett, Washington
Ex-Officio
Adrian McMullen: Associate for Collegiate Ministries at the General Assembly offices; Louisville, Kentucky
The Rev. Ray Jones: Coordinator for Evangelism at the General Assembly offices; Louisville, Kentucky
