Student Life

Services | Spiritual Life

The Campus Pastor: A Personal Introduction

I’m Steve Crain, as of this fall, the new Campus Pastor for McPherson College. I also teach in the Department of Philosophy and Religion. By way of introduction, let me share a bit about myself...

About Campus Ministry

I am working closely with students in planning ministry events and programs. Our student ministry group is called the Campus Ministry Leadership Team (CMLT). The CMLT meets weekly, currently on Thursday nights at 9:00 pm in “The Gathering Place,” downstairs in the Student Union. The purpose of the Campus Ministry Leadership Team is to work together with me to understand the diverse spiritual needs of the College and to sponsor events and create programs that promote spiritual growth and will deepen our understanding of the faith journeys of others. Our mission is wonderfully captured by a phrase coined by one of our current students: “Encourage Unity – Respect Diversity.”

It is exciting to begin this work together! We will be periodically worshipping on Thursday nights at 9:00 pm, and we are planning a weekly worship time in the daytime as well. The Gathering Place, downstairs in the Union – freshly painted, and with more color and new décor to come! – is the new campus place for worship.

Other events and programs that we will be planning will include panel discussions, dialogue events, film screenings, retreat experiences, and presentations by both members of the college community and outside speakers. We also look forward to visits to off-campus events and faith communities and to creating small-groups for prayer, study, and spiritual growth.

Another goal of Campus Ministry, finally, is to build bridges between the College and community churches in order to foster good will and cooperation. We will seek to strengthen ties, not only with the Church of the Brethren, with which McPherson College is affiliated, but also with other denominations and faiths represented on campus.