Humber Lakeshore: A New Embassy!

I journeyed to nearby Humber College at its Lakeshore Campus. Being familiar with Humber in its main GTA campus, I had never been to its other, newer expression. I was impressed to see a place bustling with expansion and growth. Indeed, its attendance is already well over 6,000 and it is positioning for future growth. I met with Josh Hageman, the pastor to young adults at Queensway Church. Josh already runs a successful young adults ministry which he plans to use to  help begin a fresh initiative at Humber Lakeshore.  He has been in talks with Brandon Malo, Joe Wahba and Trevor Gingerich about starting an Embassy at Lakeshore. In taking on the name, it means that he understands and brings a particular approach to campus ministry. There is concern that the name is represented well ( branding integrity). From every indication, Josh will do just that.

Did I mention 'growth'..?

We walked through the campus and looked at potential meeting places where he can begin meetings with public profile and presence. There are options...! Having helped out with the Lifeline campus group onsite, it was clear to Josh that there was the need for a larger, more attractive alternative to the bible study model already present on campus. Again, the issue is not to compete with what is going on but to augment and complement it. There are all kinds of opportunities for expansion and growth. He has certainly paid his 'dues' by being involved on campus in the past.

Views of the potential meeting place in the SU Bldg.

In meeting with a Christian faculty member who is a part of Queensway, she reiterated the need for something that would grip students and which she would feel comfortable in referring people towards. When she refers people, she doesn’t do it in her professional capacity but in a ‘non-work’ , personal capacity. She underscored the felt need for a more dynamic presence on campus. As she was describing the sort of person the campus needed, she was actually describing the guy in front of her..

Aforementioned J. Hageman

Anyway, it looks as if the Embassy Lakeshore will launch in the third week of September. There is a lot of work to do beforehand, but it looks  as though they have the right place and the right positioning on campus to make it a reality. Exciting times….