WINTER 2019
ON CAMPUS TRANSFORMING COLLEGE STUDENTS TO TRANSFORM THE WORLD
ANNUAL REPORT INSIDE
1
GENERATION Z They were small children when the United States was attacked by terrorists on
September 11, 2001. When the Great Recession hit in 2008, they were old enough to notice the destabilizing effects on their families. They have grown up with the OUR VISION is to see a generation of college students TRANSFORMED by the power of Jesus Christ and His Gospel, in partnership with the local church, reaching the world FOR THE GLORY OF GOD.
backdrop of mass shootings.
Born between 1995 and 2012, these young men and women have been raised in a
culture of uncertainty, which may explain why they are generally more risk averse than their predecessors.
This is “Generation Z.” These are the students we are encountering on campus
today.
Only 4% of them have a Biblical worldview (as compared to 10% of Baby
Boomers). They are twice as likely to identify as atheists than earlier generations (13% v. 6%). They have been raised in a post-Christian, post-truth world.
The mission field of the university campus is as strategic as ever, and the young
men and women studying there are hungry for Good News.*
The sobering statistics remind us that only 2% of the 20 million college students
The CCO (Coalition for Christian Outreach) calls college students to serve Jesus Christ with their entire lives in three distinct ways:
studying today on American college and university campuses are being reached by any
1. We share the Gospel with students and develop passionate disciples of Jesus Christ.
is why CCO staff members have committed to pray every day at 9:38 for “the Lord of
2. We serve together with the Church and invite students into the lives of local congregations.
3. We give students a vision for serving Jesus Christ in their studies, jobs, communities, and families. For more about us, please visit our website: www.ccojubilee.org or find us on social media: /ccoministry
@ccoministry
ccojubilee
Photography: Andrew Rush; Michael Lentz (pages 4-7); Ben VanHorn on Unsplash (page 3) Pictured on the cover: Geneva College’s athlete fellowship group 2
campus ministry.
We feel this urgency. It is why I have been meditating on Matthew 9:36-38, and it
the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” We would be honored if you would join us in this prayer.
As we accept invitations to join churches all over the country to reach college
students, we are praying that God would raise up the laborers He is calling to do
this good work. Our deep desire is to give college students what they need most: the
Gospel, the Church, and a vision for how to serve Jesus Christ with their entire lives. Celebrate with us the transforming work God is doing in the lives of students
on campus today. And please pray for our staff and student leaders as they invite
more students to consider the truth of the Gospel and its promise for their lives and our world.
Vincent J. Burens President & CEO CCO *View my recent keynote on this strategic mission field: ccojubilee.org/need
ONLY
4%
OF GENERATION Z HAVE A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW
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THE GOSPEL OF JOHN CHALLENGE Anne Arundel Community College Annapolis, Maryland
I
saac didn’t plan to spend two hours riding back-
ward in the charter bus,
perched on his knees and
leaning over the headrest. But as he spoke with Simon,* the
student in the row behind, he decided it was worth it.
The bus was heading
to the CCO’s Jubilee conference, which Simon, a
committed atheist, had
agreed to attend in order to understand Christians and their religion better.
On the bus, Simon and
Isaac talked freely, covering topics from psychology
to whether aliens would
resemble humans or not. 4
*name changed to protect his privacy
Then Simon asked a question
“Who gets questions like
that confused Isaac.
this?” Isaac marvels as he
numbers?”
February. “My knees were
“What’s up with all these Simon was asking about
the Bible. He had agreed
to read the Gospel of John with a friend, but he had
never before opened a Bible. Searching for John 1, he’d come across 1 John, later
realizing he’d read the “wrong
remembers that bus ride last really sore by this point, but I was happy to explain how
Scripture tells the most compelling story I’ve ever heard. God began to soften hearts
before the bus even arrived in Pittsburgh.”
Bible, joined the conversation
A
why are you a Christian?”
Annapolis, Maryland. For the
thing.” His confusion also
encompassed what different verses meant. Another stu-
dent, also new to reading the on the bus, asking, “So Isaac,
ll of this really
began the previous semester.
Isaac serves as
CCO staff at Anne Arundel Community College in
school year, Isaac and his student leaders chose
“Sharing the Gospel” as the theme of their midweek
gathering. Throughout the fall, they covered topics
The bus was heading
like boldness, relationships,
to the CCO’s Jubilee
became Christians that
conference, which
and prayer. Several students semester, and they were eager to share this new life with
Simon, a committed
their friends.
atheist, had agreed
for a practical challenge, and
to attend in order to
In January, students asked
“John One-on-One” began.
The premise was simple: Ask
understand Christians
a friend who doesn’t know
and their religion
John with you, one chapter
better.
Jesus to read the Gospel of every day. Meet weekly to
talk about it. Pray. See what happens.
continued on page 6
5
continued from page 5
About halfway through the
of students had approached
thing. “When I hear you
By February, a number
their friends. Kasey invited
Simon, whom Isaac later met on the bus to Jubilee. Caleb
approached Johnathan, who
wanted to say no, but didn’t.
Seven students
“I’m always telling people
became believers last
he says. “I’d have felt like a
year, like Johnathan, who as Student Body President shared his
to be open to new things,”
hypocrite if I said no.” Julie
asked Airiana, who was both nervous and excited.
“I have never been the
most religious person, but
story as a part of his
I wanted to try,” Airiana
commencement
started coming to the
speech.
remembers. She also
midweek fellowship gath-
ering. She didn’t have a car,
so Julie picked her up and
they talked about what they read in John.
At first, Airiana found the
Bible really confusing. “It was
like I was back in high school trying to read Shakespeare,” she says. “But once I understood the basic ideas, I was The Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Annapolis partners with the CCO to minister to local college students. CCO campus ministry staff members Isaac Vineyard and Stephanie “Frankie” Frank reach out at Anne Arundel Community College, which serves over 20,000 students.
able to focus on the meaning behind the words.”
A
s they talked,
Julie felt unprepared to answer all of Airiana’s
questions, but she kept
reminding herself that God’s Word is powerful, even if 6
she didn’t know what to say.
book, Julie noticed some-
talking about this, it sounds like you believe it,” she said to Airiana. “Is that true?”
“Yes. Yes, I guess I do,”
Airiana replied.
Julie was right—God’s
Word is powerful. Seven
students became believers
last year, like Johnathan, who as Student Body President
shared his story as a part of his commencement speech. Others, like Simon, are
involved with the Christian
community at Anne Arundel even as they continue to ask questions. And Isaac and
his students are continuing
to invite friends to open the book of John and read,
“In the beginning was the
Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the
beginning. Through Him all things were made; without
Him nothing was made that has been made.”
As these words reach the
hearts of college students, Jesus is—once again—
creating something new.
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ANNUAL REPORT 2017-2018
NEW MINISTRIES
LAUNCHED IN 2017
CALIFORNIA MISSOURI TENNESSEE
NORTH CAROLINA SOUTH CAROLINA
FLORIDA
In 2017, the CCO launched ministries in areas of the United States where we’ve never been before. We currently partner with 120 church congregations to reach students on 143 college and university campuses, and we have a waiting list of more than 100 congregations expressing an interest in partnering with us. Here is a snapshot of the ministry happening over the past year on our newest campuses in the Greater United States:
CALIFORNIA
Geraud Brumfield Fresno State University; Fresno Pacific University; Fresno City College First Presbyterian Church, Fresno • The ministry is now reaching a total of 50-75 students. • 30-40 students are involved in ministry activities, 8
attending Bible studies and church services. • Geraud has been invited to mentor students on Fresno Pacific University’s basketball team. • First Presbyterian Church members are volunteering to mentor students.
FLORIDA
Jason Fletcher Indian River State College Westside Church • Started with no students involved in the church, then grew to five. • Today, nearly 40 are regularly connecting to Westside Church. • Four students have been baptized within the past year.
MISSOURI Cole Lescher Washington
University in St. Louis
Central Presbyterian Church
• Cole serves as Coordinator of College Ministry at Central Presbyterian Church.
• He has spent the past year
making connections to the campus and now serves as
NORTH CAROLINA
vice chair of the on-campus interfaith organization and sponsor for a Christian faculty group.
• Cole hosts a diverse group of students to study the
Bible, drawing between five
and 20 students every week.
Judson Van Wyk Guilford College Church of the Redeemer • The ministry started with a dozen students, and now more than 30 consistently participate in activities every week. • Students are leading their peers in Bible study groups, including several athletic teams on campus. • Judson organizes pre-game chapel services for the football team before home games. • Students from Guilford and several other Greensboro area campuses are getting involved at Church of the Redeemer. • A year ago, there was no real student participation in church life; today, a dozen students are enjoying lunch and conversation with congregation members after church.
SOUTH CAROLINA
TENNESSEE
Heather & Ivan Strong Justin & Molly Hare Clemson University Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church • Nearly 70 students came out for the First Sunday Church Kick-Off at the beginning of the semester. • Approximately 45 students showed up for the Campus Kick-Off event. • The CCO weekly gathering attracts about 20 students each Thursday night and is led by a vibrant group of student leaders. Jonathan Furst University of South Carolina; Columbia International University Church of the Apostles, Columbia • In the past year, the number of students involved has more than doubled, from 12 to 26.
Moore
University of Memphis; Southwest Tennessee Community College Hope Church
• When they first arrived in
Memphis more than a year
ago, Heather and Ivan began their campus outreach from the ground up.
• Today, they have meaningful connections with nearly 60
students, with 20-30 engaged in weekly small-group Bible studies and 15-20 attending church each Sunday.
• A team of student leaders
is now responsible for leading small groups, planning events, inviting other
students into the ministry,
and engaging in the life of the church.
• Students participate in morning prayer services on campus and student-led small groups. • The church has formed a college ministry committee to oversee and assist in the ministry to students.
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ANNUAL REPORT 2017-2018
MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS LAUNCHING NEW MINISTRIES New CCO Vice President for Strategic Partnerships,
Matt Brown, is
working closely with Regional
Gifts Officer,
Jayson Samuels,
to develop new partnerships
all over the
country in a strategic, wise,
and deliberate way. They are exploring together the most fertile ground to plant new ministries.
Doors are opening to Matt
and Jayson to do this work because of the Evangelical
Presbyterian Church (EPC)
Denominational partners
campus ministry staff. They
are propelling the growth of
and skills in ministry as they
like the EPC and ACNA
CCO ministries around the country. This momentum
means that we are able to reach even more college students with the life-
changing Gospel message.
TRAINING YOUNG CCO STAFF To meet the growing demand for qualified campus ministry staff to plant new ministries
and strengthen long-standing
church partnerships, the CCO hired its first-ever Fellowship Program Director, Mike Kelly,
and the Anglican Church
and Assistant
of North America (ACNA).
Fellowship
These denominations have
Program Director,
taken notice of the success
Jamie Donne.
of CCO partnerships with
Mike is a Bible
individual congregations
within their communities and have expressed a desire to see more of their churches reach out to college students.
scholar and
former seminary professor,
discern whether the CCO is a good long-term vocational
fit for them. The Fellowship
Program helps create a pipe-
line for leadership within the CCO and beyond, while
also offering participants
deep theological training and practical ministry experience.
JUBILEE 2018 The CCO’s annual Jubilee
conference drew thousands of
college students to Pittsburgh in February. Nearly 70
presenters and keynote
speakers were on hand to
clearly articulate the Gospel and to offer students a
compelling vision for how
OUR GROWTH OVER they might serve Jesus Christ THE LAST FIVE YEARS: with their entire lives, on
campus and in the world.
20% increase in students reached Now reaching 30,000 students annually
33% increase in CCO staff
and Jamie has served as CCO
Now 300 staff are reaching students
a mentor to younger staff for
campus ministry staff and as many years.
CCO Fellows are hired to
work on campuses where they 10
gain valuable experience
are mentored by experienced
35% more campuses reached Now on 143 campuses
100% increase in states reached
Now in 16 states
YOUR GENEROSITY AT WORK For CCO Fiscal year 2017-18
Our Revenues Our Revenues:
Contributions Next Generation Fund $971,209 Special Events $588,084 Indiv. & Campus Ministry Programs $6,814,093 Special Projects $441,122 Staff Services $1,853,610 Conferences $637,504 Summer Opportunities & Trips $368,173 Investment Income $630,603 Other Income $235,517 Total Revenue $12,539,915
Our Expenses Our Expenses:
Program Services Administration Development Total Expenses
Change in Net Assets
$10,357,313 $1,132,987 $1,172,124 $12,662,424
$(122,509)
The CCO is a charter member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability and has been awarded four out of four stars on Charity Navigator. Please visit ccojubilee.org/financial-accountability for more information.
View my recent keynote on the strategic mission
The most strategic mission field in the world
field of the college campus: ccojubilee.org/need
—Vince Burens, President & 11CEO
DISCOVERING THE
LEADERS
T
at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pen
his is not a social club.” Every Tuesday night, CCO staff person Caleb
Musselman stands in front of 100 Geneva College
student-athletes at their weekly fellowship gathering
and makes this announcement. His message is intentional,
its repetition underlining the priorities of athlete ministry at Geneva College.
These students aren’t gathered to be entertained, or to talk
about Jesus and hang out. Athlete ministry is designed for something more.
And this begins with choosing student leaders.
12
Leaders represent the 14 sports teams on campus, one
representative from each team—unless the team is large, like
football, which has four reps. Each leader reaches out to their teammates, leading Bible studies or choosing a few players to disciple one-on-one. They also contribute to the overall ministry, including the Tuesday night gathering.
But leaders aren’t chosen for their charisma in front of a
crowd. The first priority is something else entirely.
“The number one thing I’m looking for is an athlete who
exhibits a deep care for his or her teammates,” Caleb says. “Because the number one thing we’re trying to build is a community of people who care for one another.”
Caleb Musselman
SOUL OF
SHIP
nnsylvania
Why is this important? Because, as Caleb has seen again
and again, students come to Geneva—a Christian college in
Leaders represent the 14 sports teams on campus, one representative from each team—unless the team is large, like football, which has four reps. Each leader reaches out to their teammates, leading Bible studies or choosing a few players to disciple one-onone. They also contribute to the
western Pennsylvania—with extensive knowledge about God,
overall ministry, including the
change. This pretense gets challenged in community.
Tuesday night gathering.
but it can be a shallow “knowing” that doesn’t bring healing or “These students know so much about Jesus, but they love
themselves more,” Caleb says. “Faith is not just about knowing what you’re supposed to know, but surrendering what you’re supposed to surrender.”
continued on page 14
13
continued from page 13
T
ake DeVaughn, a leader from the men’s soccer team. He is less likely to speak up in a group setting than he is to listen carefully to what others have to say.
While DeVaughn isn’t a natural “up-front”leader, his
ministry is highly effective.
As an upperclassman, DeVaughn chose to live in a freshman
dorm so he could help his young teammates adjust to college. He has become a bridge between older and younger players.
In dorm rooms,
or is concerned about a particular player, “I turn straight to
Bible studies,
If Caleb wants to get a sense of the soccer team dynamic DeVaughn, because I know he’s paying attention to his teammates.”
Sydney, another student leader, didn’t consider herself a
Christian when she first arrived at Geneva. But she fell in love
with the community she found in the athlete fellowship group. “My very first week of college, my teammate MK basically
made all of our volleyball team go,” she says. “This ministry
has shown me that it’s okay to be vulnerable with those I’m
in community with and that weakness is not a bad thing. It’s
shown me that God is so much greater than—well, anything.” Now Sydney does call herself a Christian, and she is the one
who invites her teammates to check out what this great God is doing.
In dorm rooms, Bible studies, accountability groups, and
one-on-one meetings, leaders like DeVaughn and Sydney are investing in the next generation of student leaders. They are
surrendering their lives before the Lord. And they are building communities that will thrive after they graduate, places where they will continue to find healing and purpose in Jesus—the leader of all servant leaders, God’s Word made flesh.
14
DeVaughn Johns
accountability groups, and one-onone meetings, leaders like DeVaughn and Sydney are investing in the next generation of student leaders.
15
Nonprofit U.S. Postage PAID Pittsburgh, PA Permit # 1486 COALITION FOR CHRISTIAN OUTREACH 5912 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15206 Return Service Requested
WHY JEN AND DAVID BAILY GIVE TO THE CCO Jen and David Baily live in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, where they are raising five children and running the family business, Baily Insurance Company. Both served as CCO campus ministry staff in the 1990s. Why do you support the CCO? We do not know of a way to have a greater impact on the future of our world than by grounding tomorrow’s leaders in a Biblical worldview and equipping students with a vision that all of life matters to God. Today’s college students, for better or for worse, whether living lives submitted to Christ or living for themselves, are going to be tomorrow’s leaders and culture-shapers. What they believe absolutely has an impact on what they do and who they become. And what they believe is largely influenced by who they encounter, spend time with, and are shaped by. Why should others support the CCO? We are living in a time in our country when we are in the throes of division. There is nothing more important than supporting an organization that is committed to equipping student leaders who will bring 16 16
good news to a world that is grasping for truth but looking for answers everywhere except for Scripture and the witness of the Church—Christ’s body. Can you tell us more about your planned gift to the CCO? As a business owner, most of our investable income goes back into the business rather than stocks or other investment vehicles. And as a family with five current or future college students, we are not flush with cash. So when we recently purchased a life insurance policy, we increased the benefit so that a portion will go to the CCO, and we also designated the CCO as a beneficiary in our wills. Would you like to remember the CCO in your estate plans or through another planned gift? To find out more, please contact Allyson Sveda, Director of Development, at 412.363.3303.
OUR BOARD Elizabeth Baker CEO Hot Metal Media LLC Vincent J. Burens President & CEO Coalition for Christian Outreach Kurt E. Carlson Executive Vice President Hefren-Tillotson, Inc. The Rev. Nancy O. Chalfant-Walker Rector St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church CCO Staff Alumna Jennifer Ciccone Vice President of Human Resources Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. Judith Herschell Cole President Herschell Environmental, LLC Ryan D. Deaderick, P.E. Senior Vice President, Production & Midstream Greylock Energy, LLC Joseph P. Diggins, Jr. Partner Ernst & Young LLP Louis A. Divers President Precision Abrasives Reggie Dulaney Owner Panthro Fitness LLC Daniel J. Dupee Chairman of the Board Coalition for Christian Outreach The Rev. Dr. William R. Glaze Pastor Bethany Baptist Church Darrin E. Grove CEO TrueFit John Holt President The Payroll Shoppe Harry Kunze President Sapienta, LLC
Amylyn Kyler Managing Director Kyler Professional Search The Rev. Dr. Robert R. Long Chairman Emeritus Coalition for Christian Outreach 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 & Certified Financial Planner Marathon Financial Services CCO Staff Alumnus James W. Rimmel Sr. Vice President, Investments UBS Financial Services, Inc. James D. Roberge Managing Director Staley Capital Advisers, Inc. Christopher D. Seidler Sales Executive Net Health Kenneth E. Smith President Simcoach Games Henry B. Suhr III Adjunct Faculty Geneva College CCO Staff Alumnus J.T. Thomas Entrepreneur & Business Consultant Mary Martha Truschel Assistant Counsel, Southwest Regional Office PA Department of Environmental Protection James D. Young COO, Senior Vice President Crown Castle