As a record number of Anderson University students moves onto campus on Aug. 11, not all will be moving into campus residence halls. Some ministry-oriented students will take advantage of some university-owned houses to serve their fellow classmates and the Anderson community.
This is one of several Ministry Leadership houses at Anderson that are sponsored by local churches for students to promote ministry on campus.Three years ago, Anderson University launched the Ministry Leadership House program for the sole purpose of enhancing ministry on campus. Over the past three years, students have developed a wide range of ministry programs. From in-house Bible studies to fellowships for student athletes to special activities designed specifically for freshman women from out-of-state, the houses have been used as a tool for ministry.
There is always a bigger applicant pool than there are houses available, so the process of selecting ministry teams can be a difficult one. Students are mentored on how to perform ministry to others, and their progress and results are evaluated throughout the year.
Each house is sponsored by a local church to assist with maintenance and general upkeep, as well as ministry support. The churches help the university with these homes because they support the institution and its mission.
Bob Cline, vice president for Christian life, facilitates the partnerships of the houses with churches. “Building relationships between our ministry houses and the people in local churches is the greatest benefit to emerge from this program, but it doesn’t stop there. Our prayer is for the residents of each house to connect with the ministry of the partnering church, and vice-versa.” Churches have assisted the university by painting and cleaning the houses, providing food for Bible studies and fellowships, and demonstrating servant leadership to the students.
“Each year, we seek to develop the program in a way that will build community, instill leadership, and provide creative ministry opportunities in addition to the work of existing campus ministry organizations,” according to Greg Allgood, director of campus ministries. “This is a joint effort between residence life and campus ministries.”
Each year, students submit an application for a house and follow up through a selective interview process. Each house has a mentor from either the campus ministries or residence life staff to guide and provide accountability and encouragement. Some of the proposed ministry projects include:
?Development of a men’s ministry through “Adventure Recreation,”
?Adoption of specific athletic teams and residence halls through “Random Acts of Kindness,” and
?A special ministry designed to support students involved in the arts.
In previous years, the ministry house teams have organized a sleepover for freshman women that turned into a weekly Bible study. Other residents performed specific ministry activities in area nursing homes and underprivileged neighborhoods or prepared meals for students remaining on campus during holidays when campus dining facilities were closed. Still others used the tool of athletic activities to develop relationships with unchurched students.
The Ministry Leadership House program is not designed for those students who are simply in campus leadership positions, but for students seeking to go above and beyond in ministering to the campus on an ongoing, personal basis.