Making s鈥檓ores over a campfire, going out for milkshakes, praying for each other, reading scripture, or conversing about the complexities of life: students in 草莓社区鈥檚 residence halls are often ministering in relationship.
These relationships are formalized in Worship Nights, a weekly event in each of the residence halls on campus. The four groups meet on different nights of the week, depending on the schedules of the student leaders. And activities vary: On Tuesday nights in Cedarwood, the gatherings alternate between a study of 1 Peter and a prayer time.
While Worship Nights have been a part of for several years, undergraduate campus pastor has made significant changes to the program鈥檚 focus and foundation. In previous years, residents in the halls alternated the planning of events for the others.
Worship Nights are now 鈥渇ocusing on creating and entering into relationship and intentional conversation,鈥� according to Miller. The goal for student leaders is to respond to the group who comes.
Ministry assistants and pastoral assistants
Now within each residence hall, called Ministry Assistants (MAs), plan programs for and with their fellow residents, Miller says. They are also enrolled in a ministry exploration class led by Miller, which asks 鈥渉ow are you listening to God, to each other, and to yourself.”
This year鈥檚 MAs are
- Elmwood: Sarah Boshart, Sarah Jennings, Luis Longo;
- Maplewood: Heyrin (Lynn) Cha, Da鈥橨ahnea Robinson;
- Cedarwood: Megan Bishop, Perry Blosser, Seungkyoo (Peter) Han, Jessica Longenecker, Taylor Mirarchi;
- Northlawn: Jasmine Miller, Alexa Weeks, Megan Weaver, Oksana Kittrell, Anel Molina.
These students are mentored in their responsibilities by Pastoral Assistants, who are paid for their time. PAs include:
- Elmwood: Courtney Unruh and Jonathan Augsberger;
- Maplewood: Nathanael Ressler and Amanda Helfrich;
- Cedarwood: Rebekah York and Wes Wilder;
- Northlawn: Jolee Paden.
Miller sees this new focus as forming leaders 鈥渨ho then help others.鈥澛� The team approach 鈥渟trengthens the core so that leaders are well- equipped to reach out with genuine care rather than an agenda,鈥� according to Miller.
It also keeps student leaders from becoming discouraged if an event isn鈥檛 well attended. In the past, student leaders sometimes became 鈥渄efeated and depleted if they worked hard planning something and then few people came,鈥� Miller said. The new emphasis on relational leadership and intentional conversation 鈥渢akes off the pressure to perform.鈥�
New approach brings students together
Pastoral assistant Rebekah York, a senior major, also sees the benefits of the new approach: York, who shares PA duties with Wes Wilder in Cedarwood residence hall, says she鈥檚 noticed many changes over the past two years, and is energized by the new structure. 鈥淢y crazy ideas are supported and I have people behind me, encouraging me to keep going. That makes the world of difference.鈥�
One of York鈥檚 鈥渃razy鈥� ideas was to have a Bible study studying the connection between the gospel and justice (the events are called Jesus + Justice = 鈥淛estice鈥�) with students and faculty. Though it鈥檚 not going 鈥渆xactly as planned,鈥� York is confident because of the encouragement she receives from Miller, and because she is 鈥済iven a space and time to see if [her ideas] could work.鈥�
York also appreciates the relationships she鈥檚 developed with first-year and sophomore students. 鈥淲e are much more involved in the spiritual lives of the underclassmen and I鈥檝e been able to connect with people I would not normally have had any contact with,鈥� she said. I think it is really important for the upperclassmen to be involved with the underclassmen. I loved the upperclassmen who took an interest in me and my life, and were willing to let me ask difficult questions.鈥�
Miller says this new approach is being evaluated, with the idea that changes can be made to respond to new creative possibilities in guiding student leaders in campus ministry.