To emphasize the unique nature of campus ministry, Haggard singled out a program at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. Florida State’s Wesley Foundation building stands between sorority row and the freshman women’s dorms. On the day sororities announce their pledges, Foundation staff and volunteers set up a tent. As each young woman passes by, she receives a white rose telling her that even if a sorority didn’t accept her, she is still a precious child of God. “One year the campus pastor wondered why all these girls were walking past his building crying,” she said. “When he learned it was because they’d just been rejected by a sorority, he realized this is a perfect opportunity for grace. No local church would have the opportunity to know this is a need.” College is an atmosphere full of achievement and expectations, and failure can be devastating. That’s where it’s good to know a campus pastor is there to provide support without judgment. “We love on them and care for them and try to be a positive adult in their life while they’re in college,” Haggard said. “We don’t grade them on anything. If you bombed on that paper, you can still come to Bible study.” Joey Butler is a multimedia producer/editor at United Methodist Communications, Nashville, Tennessee.
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