Inside UF Campus Ministries
By Lincoln Bash
bashl@findlay.edu
The day that junior biochemistry major Ethan Lantz came to the University of Findlay, he found much more than just a campus. He found a Christian community that changed the course of his life.
Leaders at campus ministries want to do much more than simply ‘say’ they are reaching out. They want to nurture spiritual growth while offering a deep sense of purpose and belonging. From mental struggles to making lasting friends, some students look to campus ministries to help from a faith-based point-of-view.
“It has been everything for my college experience,” Lantz said. “Mental health and student retention are two of the biggest issues affecting colleges nowadays. Having a strong faith community on campus that brings me close to God every day… makes Findlay my home away from home.”
The impact even goes beyond academics.
“I came to college for a degree and now have peace, redemption, and a renewed mind/spirit,” Lantz said.
Ruth Swartzfager, a graduate student currently working on her master’s degree in TESOL and applied linguistics, has been involved and working within the campus ministry for all of the six years that she’s been at UF. She says that this ministry never fails to continue to shape her throughout all of her college years.
“Staying involved over the past few years has given me the space and opportunities to continue supporting younger students as they transition into and through college, navigating those same questions of community, belief, and relationship with Jesus,” said Swartzfager.
Giorgio Ferrario is the newly appointed Director of Campus Ministries, and the ministry is entering a new phase under his leadership. Ferrario’s current focus with the ministry is to break beyond the surface level, to really focus on deep spiritual development.
“Campus ministry exists to advance the Kingdom of God by training students to be Christ-like disciples who make Christ-like disciples,” Ferrario said.
He says his goal is not just participation, but transformation.
“My focus for the foreseeable future is spiritual reformation,” he said. “What does it look like for us to learn how to be with Jesus? How can we be more like Him?”
Ferrario hopes to build mentors on campus.
“In the future, I’m really hoping we can create a culture and an environment where there is multiplication of disciples,” Ferrario said.
From Thursday night Revive worship services to the numerous Bible studies and all the other events it has to offer, Campus Ministries tries to offer something for everyone. Additionally, the leaders and attendees go out of their way to make it as welcoming as possible, according to Lantz.
“Most students who are not attending these events with friends or who were not raised in the church can feel like outsiders,” Lantz said. “We strive to help every student be exposed to the Gospel and feel God’s love here at UF.”
Ferrario echoed that invitation to all students.,
“When Jesus walked on the earth and called His disciples, He said, ‘Come and follow me,’” Ferrario said. “So I would say to someone who’s unsure about coming to a campus ministry event: just come and follow me. Come with me to a Bible study, come with me to Revive, and let me show you what we’re all about.”
Lantz stresses that one of their goals is to increase outreach while still remaining faithful to the ministry’s core mission.
“Many students show up to events via word of mouth and didn’t even know they were happening,” he said. “I pray we can better advertise and invite others, while still trusting God to send students into our groups.”
All three leaders agree that success isn’t measured by the numbers, but rather by how God is moving through the ministry.
“Some may want campus ministries to be a huge presence on campus,” Lantz said. “But as long as at least one new person comes to know Jesus through campus ministry, then we have succeeded as a community.”
“Look to be with Jesus, to have relationship with Him, wherever you are,” Swartzfager said. “And He will be there.”
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