‘Engaging the Collegiate Mind’: Campus ministry leaders to gather in Minneapolis

College students at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign take part in a trivia event at University Lutheran Church, Champaign, Ill., in 2020. Next month, LCMS campus ministry leaders from around the country will gather in Minneapolis for their first national conference in nearly two decades. (LCMS/Erik M. Lunsford)

This spring, campus ministry leaders from across the Synod will converge in Minneapolis for their first national gathering in nearly two decades. The LCMS U Campus Ministry Staff Conference is set for May 31 and June 1 at University Lutheran Chapel, and anyone who leads an LCMS (Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) campus ministry — pastors, DCEs, deaconesses, vicars and others — is invited to attend.

There is no cost to register. In addition, those who do so before May 1 will have the cost of their lodging on May 31 covered. Participants are responsible for their own transportation.

Under the theme “Engaging the Collegiate Mind,” participants will gather for two full days of presentations, discussions, fellowship and prayer, all geared toward equipping campus ministry leaders in their work.

“The purpose of this conference is to engage campus ministry leaders theologically and help them connect with one another for networking, idea sharing, worship and mutual support,” said the Rev. David Kind, who has been contracted by the LCMS Office of National Mission (ONM) to plan the gathering.

Featured speakers include:

Dr. Adam Francisco, former Concordia University System history professor, dean and assistant provost, on “An Appeal for Apologetics” and “Muslim Views on Christianity”;

The Rev. Dr. Jon Bruss, professor of systematic theology at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, on “The Wittenberg Mind” and “Christian Literature — Christian Literature?”; and

The Rev. Eric R. Andrae, campus pastor at First Trinity Lutheran Church in Pittsburgh, on “Preventing the Pitfalls of Politicization and Polarization.”

Other presentations will focus on international student ministry, connecting with youth, “politics in the parish” and more.

“The LCMS has a long and rich history of proclaiming the Gospel and caring for our young adults during their college year,” said the Rev. Michael Meyer, ONM’s managing director of Congregations and Districts. “The Office of National Mission looks forward to this gathering as an opportunity for participants to encourage and learn from each other as they continue this important task. We also expect the gathering to help identify gaps and needs that will assist us in shaping future resources.”

“Campus ministry is such a vital enterprise, touching young people at a pivotal time in their lives with the Word of God and the grace of Christ. I’m so happy that the LCMS is … helping to equip us to do our work well and faithfully,” said Kind.

Register for “Engaging the Collegiate Mind.”

Posted April 13, 2023/Updated April 19, 2023