Odds and Sods...

Even though it is the 'offseason' for much of campus ministry, there is a lot to be done. During this time, our campus missionaries work at consolidating their support base, getting some restorative r & r , and work towards launching again in September. In many ways, with the traffic flow that is inherent within post secondary institutions, a campus ministry whether it is a club, a church or even a chaplaincy ministry needs to 'relaunch' every year. It needs to approach each September as a fresh opportunity that will set the course of the years to follow. As Trevor Gingerich reports, at Humber College, it feels as if he needs to 'relaunch' each and every term.  One thing is for sure, there is no opportunity to rest on last year's laurels. The image that comes to mind is one of a fast moving stream. If you want to steer your canoe, you have to paddle hard.

A quick note here, to be developed later. We are starting a new website. It has great promise. Stay tuned...

Some good things are on the horizon, each of which I will unpack at some time or another. This is only a part of what I could report on. There is just so much going on...!

First, it is exciting to see the development of Segue University Ministry, a student club at the University of Manitoba which is being launched by Tammy Junghans in September. This club will complement the chaplaincy ministry of Dr. Ken Stupak who has provided over two decades of ministry to the U of M.

Second, we are presently working with a very impressive candidate to spearhead the outreach to the campuses of downtown Montreal, in conjunction with Evangel Church.   Evangel  is led by Jonathan Smith, who has a deep desire to see the student population reached for Christ.

Third, Portico Church, here in Mississauga, is looking seriously at reaching out to the nearby University of Toronto at Mississauge (UTM). UTM provides a variety of challenges that Portico is well positioned to respond to. I am not at liberty to discuss their plans, at present, but it is gratifying to me that UTM is right in the crosshairs of their outreach vision.

At Carleton University, Jonathan Hutchison has been released by his church to spearhead a new student ministry. Having done the preliminary work of connecting with the area churches and pulling together a representative steering committee, Jonathan is committed to seeing an indigenous expression of Christian community emerge at Carleton that enables students to grow in Christ and to add value to Carleton through  acts of loving compassion.

I have had the opportunity to have some recent conversations with some of our people in the field, like Matt Glombick at U of A, Paul Quesnele at Algoma University and Joe Wahba at the University of Waterloo (I am looking forward to speaking at The Embassy's ( U of W) leadership retreat this coming weekend). There are a bunch more to come.  I am reallllly impressed with the quality of people we have on the campuses and dream of the day when we can fully utilize their expertise.

Anyway, let me share a video clip with you. This is from the University of Calgary, with the chaplaincy ministry of Kelly Johnson. See for yourself. It's great stuff....

U of Calgary UCM 2008