University Ministries: “Ready for a New Day”

In July 2007, under the leadership of Stephen Newby, the Office of University Ministries and the Center for Worship (OUM/CFW) was formed to engage students in the Christian story — locally and globally.

“It’s one thing to be biblically and theologically educated,” says Newby, director for University Ministries. “It’s another thing to realize you are in God’s story.”

Coming Together
OUM/CFW renewed emphasis on gathering together and on community worship. “This is a place that’s going to help all of us center our worship on Christ,” says Newby, who is also an associate professor of music at Seattle Pacific, the director of SPU’s Gospel Choir, and a songwriter, composer, and worship leader.

“We want [students] to be able to see that God can use them in a unique way if they commit to gather,” he continues.

Options for Worshipping Together
To meet this goal, University Ministries offers two types of gatherings for students, faculty, and staff: regular campus worship services (Chapel, group, Nights of Worship, and Prayer and Communion) and special gatherings to build up the community (forums, workshops, special lectures, and symposia).

Newby and his staff also want to aid the formation of small groups, which are for both spiritual seekers and committed Christians. The small groups include intentional-living communities, mentoring relationships, and discussion groups with faculty and staff called Cadres.

Small groups will also participate in the new 37five Project. “We want students to go out and find a nonprofit organization, find a need, draft a proposal, and bring it back to us,” says Newby. “And we want to support them financially so they can go do the work of the ministry.”

In fact, the 37five Project will allow students to distribute up to a combined total of $37,500 to organizations working in the Seattle community and around the world. It’s just one way to keep students focused on engaging the culture and changing the world.

“We want University Ministries to be a place where students can get involved and conduct ministry in a most extraordinary way,” shares Newby. “I think students are ready for something real, for a new day. Not just at SPU, but in the world.”

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