Contact: japhet@andrews.edu
Website: http://www.andrews.edu/cm
Phone:
The Office of Campus Ministries has gone mobile! Their mobile offices are a new initiative to bring their ministry directly to the students of Andrews University.
From Monday-Thursday of the weeks of September 10-20, the chaplains and their support staff wheeled a cart loaded with an electric teapot and an array of tea, apple cider, and hot chocolate and set up camp in one of the campus lobbies. Beside their cart they placed a large sign announcing their motto, “Keep Calm and Put the Kettle On,”—a phrase history students will recognize from its similarity to the World War II British catch-phrase, “Keep Calm and Carry On.”
“It’s an easy way of saying, pull up a seat and let’s talk about something serious and wonderful– Jesus in your life,” says Japhet De Oliveira, University chaplain. Each day, Campus Ministries set-up in a new area, traveling to Buller Hall, Nethery Hall, Architecture North Studio, Physical Therapy Building, Harrigan Hall Main Lobby, Bell Hall, Chan Shun Hall and the Seminary. By going to the students, they have the opportunity to meet and talk with students who may not normally spend much time in the Campus Center where Campus Ministries is located.
“We want to be where the people are,” says Jose Bourget, chaplain. “We get quite a bit of faculty, staff and students who come to our offices, but there are so many more that we will now be able to make connections with by being where they are.”
De Oliveira became impressed with the importance of going into the community under the influence of one of his mentors. He realized that in order to connect with members, he needed to see them outside of church. “I can’t preach, teach or connect unless I have a pulse for the community,” he says.
So far the outreach has been well received. Some students who had never heard of the Office of Campus Ministries or never had an opportunity to meet the chaplains were able to interact with them. Many people expressed their appreciation for the chaplains’ efforts. One department chair even called the office to ensure they would be coming to her department. “We have had some great conversations with students we would have never met,” says De Oliveira. “Insight into their journey. Clarity on their needs.”
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| University Chaplain Japhet De Oliveira chats with a couple of students in the lobby of Chan Shun Hall, one of 8 mobile office locations during the weeks of Sept. 10-20. (Photo by IMC photographer Darren Heslop) |
The chaplains intend to repeat the mobile office tour again later in the semester, as well in selected other locations on individual days. They hope those they meet will be encouraged by their encounter to come to the Office of Campus Ministries for longer discussions.
“I think it’s a really good idea,” says Christina Dunn, a junior animal science major. “I was blessed.”
The mobile offices are one implementation of the new Faith Development program, which includes three elements: Program to Presence, Theory to Tangible, and Control to Creative. The mobile office is an initiative of the first element, Program to Presence. With this initiative, the chaplains hope to make Campus Ministries a more palpable presence on campus and in the lives of students, faculty and staff.
Some other initiatives the Office of Campus Ministries is undertaking include submitting regular articles to the Student Movement, using live texting during Chapels and promoting the availability of the chaplains for discussion, as well as regularly walking around campus to connect with students.
If you are interested in having the Chaplains’ mobile office come to your area, email University Chaplain De Oliveira at japhet@andrews.edu.