On Campus Winter 2013
Transforming College Students to Transform the World
How these college students found a church home
Over 60% of young people raised in the church will leave it during college. —Lifeway Research
How these college students Indiana University of Pennsylvania + Graystone Presbyterian
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EN YEARS AGO, the elders at Graystone Presbyterian Church recognized that the closest mission field to them was right across the street at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and so they committed half their mission budget to campus ministry. Today, IUP students are an integral part of Graystone and its life. With the encouragement and support of Pastor Rick Hurley, who himself was a campus minister for many years, CCO staff members at Graystone, Linda Ference and Ivan Moore, meet students on campus and invite them into the life of the church. “As I myself experience the love and freedom and power of
About Indiana University of Pennsylvania Located in Indiana, Pennsylvania, IUP draws approximately 15,000 undergraduate and graduate students to study in more than 130 undergraduate degree programs, nearly 60 master’s programs, and 11 doctoral programs.
the gospel, I want to call others along into it,” says Linda. “It’s a call into relationship with Christ, and into His community, the church.”
A handful of students used to show up for church on Sunday mornings. Now, it’s upwards of 60 every week. Students are involved in the choir and the praise band that plays during Sunday services. Some serve as greeters or ushers, while others teach Sunday school to elementary-aged children or provide childcare in the nursery. Some volunteer to work with the youth group; one student, an IUP senior named Kenny Campbell, is currently serving as Graystone’s interim youth
director. A number of students also meet regularly with members of the church for meals, Bible study, and discipleship. Several years ago, when students accepted an invitation to stay after church for a home-cooked lunch, they met in the home of Linda and her husband, Jeff. Today, church members prepare this weekly meal and serve it in the church. Not only do the 60+ students who attend worship stick around for lunch, but so do students who attend other churches—and students who don’t attend church at all. On Wednesday evenings, students gather at Graystone for the CCO’s Liberti Fellowship. “We deliberately choose to
meet at the church instead of on campus,” says Ivan. “We want to invite students into the church and this helps them know where it is.” Recently, because so many more students are attending, the large group had to move from the fellowship room where they used to meet into a small chapel. On any given week, 60-70 students show up. Ten IUP students attended the CCO’s Jubilee conference in 2012. In 2013, 62 signed up to go, along with a few church members. “Being involved in this ministry for many years has given me an interesting perspective,” says George Caroff, an elder at Graystone and a member of the
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church’s Campus Team. “I have been witness to the power of the gospel shared with college students and seeing their lives transformed for the sake of Christ. “What is happening here at Graystone with the CCO’s ministry is so much more than what I have ever witnessed. It can only be attributed to the incredible work of the Holy Spirit moving through this ministry, its leaders, Graystone members, and IUP students.”
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What students say:
Travis Mikoda
Indiana University of Pennsylvania 2015, hospitality management major My favorite way that I am involved with Graystone is what we call Liberti Lunches. After the church service on Sunday, the church provides a home-cooked meal. This not only gets me actual, non-college kid, delicious food, but it allows me to connect with the people at Graystone. It is a place where we can come and unwind and reflect on the previous week. Or confide in each other for advice. Being involved with Graystone has shown me what a community should look like. This will help me in picking a church home after college.
Mindy Stipe How it works at Indiana University of Pennsylvania In 1971, Graystone Presbyterian Church became the first-ever church to partner with the CCO. Today, the CCO partners with Graystone Presbyterian Church to bring Linda Ference and Ivan Moore to the campus of IUP.
Linda Ference
Ivan Moore
Indiana University of Pennsylvania 2014, hospitality management major I have loved getting to know and interact with families, the elderly, children, and teens within Graystone, especially while being at college and mostly being able to only interact with other young adults. I have really appreciated the guidance I have received from adult members here at Graystone. They have invested in my life, given me counsel, and prayed with me when I am seeking answers to life decisions, whether big or small.
Connecting Students
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Brookdale Community College + Lincroft Bible Church
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HE PRAYER OF OUR church for many years has been to find opportunities to engage in ministry to college students at Brookdale,” says Dennis Pryzwara, Executive Pastor of Lincroft Bible Church.
“The campus is right across the street from our church! We’d been trying to figure this out for years, and the CCO finally helped us do that.”
Since 2009, when Dan Terracciano joined CCO staff in order to work in partnership with Lincroft Bible Church to focus on ministry to college students, more and more students have been connecting to this local body of Christ. Approximately 30 students gather weekly for fellowship meetings on campus and for mid-week worship services at the
About Brookdale Community College Brookdale Community College, located in Lincroft, New Jersey, is a public community college with an enrollment of nearly 16,000 fulland part-time students. It offers two-year associate degrees in over 50 programs.
church. “Core Groups” meet on campus so that students are able to connect more deeply with one another around the Scriptures, learning to reach out to their peers with the Gospel message. Dan also meets with several students one-on-one or in triad groups for further discipleship and leadership development. And students are getting involved in the life of the church. “There are a lot of members of our church who have hosted gatherings for college students,” says Dan. “They have led Bible studies for students during the summers as well as during the year. Our student worship team leads twice a month on Sunday mornings. We have students who serve in children’s ministries, and now we are seeing former students transitioning in greater degrees into full body life by engaging in the community group ministry of the church.” In addition to inviting and involving students in the life of the congregation, the church decided to offer up a house on their property for students to live in, providing a handful of young
men with residential Christian community, and something even more rare for community college students—a dorm-like living opportunity. This year, they brought on a CCO intern, Matt Carpenter, to live with students and serve as the house coordinator. “I do campus ministry because I want to see people’s lives transformed by the gospel,” says Dan. “I think the college campus is one of the most strategic places to be about God’s mission. It is one of the most formative times of people’s lives and it is a place where ideas are freely exchanged, making it a ripe place for evangelism. “Our prayer both on campus and in the church is to see students transformed by the gospel—to be rooted in Christ, connected in community, and engaged in mission.”
What students
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I fi Br at co m of the library, I saw a group of k interesting, considering they we college—something you don’t se admired. I just knew I had to ge
Being connected to the CCO completely made a difference in it’s given me a positive and uplif I believe having relationships wi is extremely beneficial to buildin other believers, God’s power, lov and visible to us.
How it works at Brookdale Co
The CCO partners with Lincroft Bible Matt Carpenter to campus. Dan serves reaching out to students at Brookdale, Intern and Mission House Coordinato
Dan Terracciano
Matt Carpenter
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ustin Zimmerman Brookdale Community College 014, music major
first met Dan Terracciano at rookdale Community College t the men’s Bible study during ollege hour. I was coming out of my music class, and in the lobby kids praying. I found this really ere praying at a public community ee every day, but something I et involved.
O’s ministry at Brookdale has n my college experience, because fting community to be a part of. ithin a grace-filled community ng one’s faith because, through ve, and presence become tangible
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Memorials & Honor Gifts Given by: John and Joyce Loudon Shirley L. Kerr Gail Jones
In Memory of: Wayne R. Petrarca Wayne R. Petrarca L.C. Greenwood
Given by: In Honor of: Lona Gruber Mrs. Carol Herman on her 70th birthday Gail Jones Dan Dupee, the best boss in the world We’re proud of the way we manage our funds. A copy of our official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1.800.732.0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. Charity Navigator is America’s premier independent charity evaluator. A 4-star rating means that the CCO exceeds industry standards and out-performs most charities in its class.
The CCO is a charter member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.
We have new Christmas cards & prints! Unique Christian cards & prints you can’t find anywhere else. All proceeds benefit the ministry of the CCO.
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I AM www.cards.ccojubilee.org Order online, call us weekdays at 1.888.569.9030, or email us at cards@ccojubilee.org to request a brochure. On Campus magazine is produced by CCO staff members Bonnie Liefer and Amy Maczuzak. Photography by Andrew Rush. Pictured on the cover: Indiana University of Pennsylvania students worshiping at Graystone Presbyterian Church.
Why it matters that students get involved in the local church
Did you know that approximately 60% of college students who were raised in the church tend to fall away from their faith during their college years? Whether a student has grown up in the church or whether they are new to the faith, the most important gift we can offer college students right now is an opportunity to connect to a local church congregation. Campus fellowship groups and service opportunities and small-group Bible studies are important ways for us to minister to college students. But the local church is where they interact across generational lines—where they are nurtured by older Christians and where they learn to invest in others. The church is where they are equipped to live out their faith for the long haul. “Being involved in Graystone Presbyterian Church has taught me how to serve,” says IUP student Caroline Levi. “I have been given so many opportunities to help out in ways I could not have had without having a church. Graystone is filled with believers who are very active in living out their calling. The members of the church inspire me to do more and try my best to live out what God is calling me to do.” We work with congregations near college and university campuses for a very strategic reason: we are equipping a new generation to live out their Christian faith in every area of life—for the rest of their lives. Daniel J. Dupee President & CEO Coalition for Christian Outreach
What stud Joe Angotti
Brookdale Community College 201
Without the CCO’s ministry, I w through the motions of going to be rooted in Christ, connected in
Antoine Burton
Indiana University of Pennsylvan
I was not a Christian when I star the lifestyle of one. I gave my life been looking for ways to plug my group Bible study leader and am my family away from home. It ha and cared for so passionately and deeply away from ho
Caroline Levi
Indiana University of Pennsylvan
The CCO has made a huge impa started at IUP. Without [the CC never have thought of going to G Church has really taught me how help out in ways I could not have I have been at that truly feels like home. The members live out what God is calling me to do.
Rick Gunther
Brookdale Community College 201
About the CCO
The CCO (Coalition for Christian Outreach) is a campus ministry that partners with churches, colleges, and other organizations to develop men and women who live out their Christian faith in all areas of life. Our Core Purpose is: Transforming college students to transform the world. Our ministry is distinct in three ways: 1. Our ministry is transformational. We challenge the students we serve to submit every area of their lives to Jesus Christ. 2. We partner with churches, colleges, and other organizations, placing our staff in strategic positions of influence on campus. 3. We do contextual ministry, meaning that our staff people tailor their ministries to the needs of the particular campus at which they serve. For more about us, please visit our website: www.ccojubilee.org
Before getting involved in the CC slipping into a depression, not gr ship, the things [CCO staff mem challenged in my faith and to con serve and reach out to other peop of these groups. I am growing spiritually, and I’m focused control and has a plan. I’m being reminded of this all the and given opportunities to grow in my faith, I’m honestly
dents say:
13, computer science major
would have been just another college student going classes, doing my work, and leaving. But now I am able to n community, and engaged in mission wherever I am.
nia 2014, communications media major
rted college. I claimed to be a Christian, but did not live e to the Lord two years ago, and ever since then, I have yself into the CCO fellowship at IUP. I am now a smallm on the leadership team. Graystone Presbyterian has been as been a complete and utter blessing that I can be loved ome, almost as if these people were my actual family.
nia 2015, early childhood education/special education major
act on my life. My relationship with Jesus Christ truly CO-sponsored fellowship] Liberti, I would probably Graystone. Being involved in Graystone Presbyterian w to serve. I have been given so many opportunities to e had without having a church. It is the first church that of the church inspire me to do more and try my best to
14, business administration major
CO’s ministry at Brookdale, I was shutting myself off and rowing or being challenged. When I did seek out fellowmber] Dan was leading were opportunities for me to be ntinue learning and growing, as well as opportunities to ple. It has been a tremendous encouragement to be a part d on other things besides myself. I know that God is in e time. If I hadn’t found those things and been challenged y not sure I’d even still be in college.
Coalition for Christian Outreach 5912 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15206 Return Service Requested
Why Gary and Querethea “Q” Travis give to the CCO
Gary Travis was a CCO student leader at Indiana University of Pennsylvania during his college days, and he and his wife, Querethea—affectionately known as Q— reconnected with the CCO mission in the late 1990s. In order to share their enthusiasm, this inspiring pair hosted six tables at Philadelphia’s “Next Generation Celebration” in October to share more about the CCO with others. They are excited to be a part of the CCO’s mission of “transforming college students to transform the world” in the City of Brotherly Love. Why is the CCO’s ministry in Philadelphia important to you and your family? We really appreciate what the CCO brings to college students—not just a great experience, but a life-long impact. In today’s culture, it’s important to understand that students’ decisions are easily swayed in the wrong direction by powerful forces. During the college years, much of Christianity is undefined for students. They are left to figure it out on their own. The CCO helps students grasp a clear understanding
Our Board
Andrew Aloe Group Chair Vistage International, Inc. Elizabeth Baker CEO Hot Metal Media LLC Robert H. Bishop Executive Vice President Janney Montgomery Scott LLC CCO Staff Alumnus Kurt E. Carlson Executive Vice President Hefren-Tillotson, Inc. The Rev. Nancy O. Chalfant-Walker Rector, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church CCO Staff Alumna
of how God is Lord of all of your life. With so many schools located in the Philly area, the importance of this mission is magnified even more. College campuses are an extremely strategic mission field. What was your first connection to the CCO? When I (Gary) was a college student at IUP, CCO staffer Dave Diehl became a real mentor and shepherd to me and my friends. After freshman year, I became a student leader and led a weekly Bible study and prayer
Jennifer Ciccone Vice President, Human Resources Matthews International Ryan D. Deaderick, P.E. New Well Manager Energy Corporation of America Joseph P. Diggins, Jr. Partner Ernst & Young LLP Louis A. Divers President Precision Abrasives Daniel J. Dupee President & CEO Coalition for Christian Outreach
The Rev. Dr. William R. Glaze Pastor Bethany Baptist Church Darrin E. Grove CEO TrueFit John M. Holt, Jr. President RC Holsinger Associates, PC Harry A. Kunze President & CEO Safety Works, LLC Dr. Robert R. Long Chairman Emeritus Coalition for Christian Outreach
time for fellow students. Had I not been a part of a ministry like the CCO, I’m not sure where my faith would have landed. Why is it important to support the CCO? It’s time to reap the harvest of those who were churched, and yet the fruit is rotting on the ground. The CCO needs our support to help reap the harvest and be a tiller of new ground.
Martha McElhattan Homemaker and Volunteer Terrence H. Murphy Shareholder Littler Mendelson P.C. Brian T. Must Founding Member Metz, Lewis, Brodman, Must & O’Keefe Attorneys at Law The Rev. Richard Noftzger Executive Presbyter Redstone Presbytery CCO Staff Alumnus J. Paul Organ Founder and Certified Financial Planner Marathon Financial Services CCO Staff Alumnus
Have you remembered the CCO in your estate plans or through another planned gift? We would like to recognize you through the Legacy Fellowship Society. For more information, or if you have any questions about the CCO’s ministry, please contact Allyson Sveda, Director of Development, at 412.363.3303. If you live in Philadelphia and would like to learn more about supporting the CCO in that region, please contact Darlene Purvis, Philadelphia Development Coordinator, at 724.730.3393.
James W. Rimmel Senior Vice President, Investments UBS Financial Services Inc. Marty Roark Best Practice Chair Vistage International, Inc. James D. Roberge Managing Director Staley Capital Advisers, Inc. John S. Rosso CEO Peak Performance Management Inc. Kenneth E. Smith Chairman of the Board President, Etcetera Edutainment
Lori Stuckey Homemaker and Volunteer Henry B. Suhr III Adjunct Faculty Geneva College CCO Staff Alumnus J.T. Thomas Owner Black-N-Gold Cheesecake Company Mary Martha Truschel Assistant Counsel Southwest Regional Office PA Department of Environmental Protection Dr. John H. White President Emeritus Geneva College