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Ministry Needs and Opportunities at Ministry Needs and Opportunities at "Commuter” Colleges and Universities"Commuter” Colleges and Universities

Noel and Joyce Caldwell

CLM Faculty Affiliates

Columbia, SC

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Commuter SchoolsCommuter Schools

• Today, many of our institutions of higher education are essentially commuter schools

• Typically, these schools are located in or near a metropolitan area

• Most of their students are employed• Also, many of their students have family

responsibilities

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Commuter Schools, Commuter Schools, (Cont’d)(Cont’d)

• As a result, most of their students are on campus just long enough to attend classes

• These schools enroll many non-traditional students. Age statistics: Mean - 30 Median - 25 Mode - 19

• In most cases these schools have no need for dormitories

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Commuter Schools Commuter Schools (Cont’d)(Cont’d)

• Thus, they have essentially no residential students from which the nucleus of a student ministry can be drawn

• Student ministry staff are not attracted to these institutions (our observation)

• These schools are very likely to be without student ministries

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Commuter Schools Commuter Schools (Cont’d)(Cont’d)

• Among these institutions in the US are over 1130 two-year Junior, Community, and Technical Colleges plus a number of senior institutions. Ref: American Association of Community Colleges, 1995 -1996

• These colleges and universities typically have no full or part-time ministry staff for faculty or students

• Two-year colleges alone, among commuter colleges, enroll 44% of all US undergraduates - 10.4 million(52% credit, 48% non-credit)

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Commuter Schools Commuter Schools (Cont’d)(Cont’d)

• Obviously, there is a great lack of Christian based ministries in a large segment of American higher education - our commuter schools, especially at the two-year college level

• Such ministries are greatly needed even though not as attractive as at residential schools

• An opportunity for CLM? YES!

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Ministry Opportunities at Ministry Opportunities at Commuter Schools for Christian Commuter Schools for Christian

FacultyFaculty• They can sponsor not only a ministry to

faculty and staff but a ministry to students, also

• In the absence of ministry staff, there is usually a need for a faculty sponsor to initiate and maintain a student organization

• Faculty support with some degree of involvement is essential

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Ministry Opportunities at Ministry Opportunities at Commuter Schools for Christian Commuter Schools for Christian

Faculty Faculty (Cont’d)(Cont’d)

• Faculty sponsors do not have to do all the work

• They can initiate a student ministry, help oversee it, and recruit others to help with the on-going operations of the ministry

• On-campus help may be available from other Christian faculty and professional staff

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Ministry Opportunities at Ministry Opportunities at Commuter Schools for Christian Commuter Schools for Christian

Faculty Faculty (Cont’d)(Cont’d)

• Off-campus assistance may be acquired from:

• Crusade or other Christian staff at nearby schools. They might gladly provide on-going assistance a few hours each week

• Bible college/seminary students seeking field ministry experience

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Ministry Opportunities at Ministry Opportunities at commuter Schools for Christian commuter Schools for Christian

Faculty Faculty (Cont’d)(Cont’d)

• Off-campus assistance (cont’d)

• Pastors

• Youth ministers

• Other mature, capable Christians

• Wherever there is a will, there is a way! This is God’s business and will HE not help us?

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Advantages of Offering both Student Advantages of Offering both Student and Faculty Ministries at the Same and Faculty Ministries at the Same

InstitutionInstitution

• Access to various campus resources (campus mail, facilities, newspapers, bulletin boards, AV equipment, etc.) is usually available and free to officially registered student organizations (This may not be true for faculty ministries)

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Advantages of Offering both Student Advantages of Offering both Student and Faculty Ministries at the Same and Faculty Ministries at the Same

InstitutionInstitution

• Some presentations and events provided by either ministry can minister to both faculty and students

• Certain special events can be a combined effort of both ministries. Christian faculty and ministry students can work together to make all arrangements and advertise events

• Personal interactions between members of the two groups can yield positive spin-offs

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Faculty and Student Ministries at Faculty and Student Ministries at Midlands Technical College, Midlands Technical College,

Columbia, SCColumbia, SC

• Background• In 1971 Noel left the Lockheed-Georgia

Company as God led him to go to Midlands Technical College

• Noel, serving as Chairman of Engineering Technology, employed a local Bible college student (former engineer) as an adjunct teacher. Together they started a Bible Club in 1972. In 1989, the name was changed to Campus Crusade for Christ

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Faculty and Student Ministries at Faculty and Student Ministries at Midlands Technical College, Midlands Technical College,

Columbia, SCColumbia, SC

• Background (cont’d)

• While involved in a Christian business men’s organization Noel started planning a similar ministry for college faculty and staff

• Noel was introduced to Phil Luther who led him to attend the 1989 CLM conference at Colorado State University

• The Association of Christians in Education (ACE) organized in October 1989

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Combined Goals of the Faculty and Combined Goals of the Faculty and Student Ministries at Midlands Tech Student Ministries at Midlands Tech

• Lead students, faculty, and staff to Christ• Encourage Christian faculty and staff to take

a public stand on campus as a Christian• Strengthen and encourage students, faculty

and staff in their Christian faith, and teach them how to effectively minister on campus

• Defend the Christian faith and refute error• Provide Christian fellowship and help link new

Christians with a good church

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Activities and Events Used in Activities and Events Used in Support of the Goals of the Two Support of the Goals of the Two

Ministries at Midlands TechMinistries at Midlands Tech

• Monthly prayer breakfast for faculty and staff• Special speakers, presentations, and events - on

and off campus, CLM helps. Some events piggy-backed on large educator conferences

• College newspaper ads with names of Christian faculty and staff, with CLM’s help

• Placement of posters and flyers on bulletin boards and office doors, with CLM’s help

• Campus Crusade for Christ Club activities - Bible and topical studies, videos, etc.

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Activities and Events Used in Activities and Events Used in Support of the Goals of the Two Support of the Goals of the Two Ministries at Midlands Tech Ministries at Midlands Tech (Cont’d)(Cont’d)

• Special fellowships: BBQ’s and at Christmas • Place (loan or donate) books and videos in the

college’s libraries• Special mailings to all faculty and staff. Example:

A Christmas greeting from a list of Christian faculty and staff. The real meaning of Christmas was described along with the message of the gospel. Offer of free book, More than a Carpenter, included

• Tactful, one-on-one ministry oriented engagements with individuals - A KEY

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Closing CommentsClosing Comments• It seems that commuter schools, especially

the 1130+ two-year colleges, with their students, faculty and staff have generally been slighted by campus oriented ministries

• These schools offer a somewhat different but a great field for ministry to faculty, staff, and students

• Compared to residential campuses, ministries at commuter colleges can be trying and discouraging

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Closing Comments Closing Comments (Cont’d)(Cont’d)

• Nevertheless, Paul says in his letter to the Galatians, Gal.6:9, “…let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”(KJ)

• If we ask and trust Him, perhaps God will give us keys to more effective Christian ministries at commuter type colleges and universities

• The Bible indicates that many will be saved during the Tribulation period. Perhaps much of what we are now doing is sowing seeds in the lives of millions who will eventually come to Christ - even as “Tribulation Saints”

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Closing Comments Closing Comments (Cont’d)(Cont’d)

• It warms our hearts as we look back over the years and recall various members of the Midlands Tech community who have received Christ into their hearts and lives:• Faculty and staff members have prayed and

received the Lord at home, in offices, in restaurants and in other locations. (Several of these have since gone on to be with the Lord)

• Students have committed their lives to Christ in faculty offices, the student commons area, and at student ministry meetings,such as Campus Crusade for Christ.

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Closing Comments Closing Comments (Cont’d)(Cont’d)

• Two former participating students, from several years ago, have married and are now applying to go on staff to serve in Campus Crusade’s high school ministry. They first met after praying for the campus with others around the flag pole early one fall morning

• Let’s be faithful in campus ministries and commit the results to God. He often surprise us in what HE does!

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Appendix --About UsAppendix --About Us

• Married 41 years as of 2/14/99• Have two adopted daughters• Cared for and reared three nieces through

high school• Currently have two grandsons• Active involvement in local churches

throughout our lives

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Appendix -- About Noel Appendix -- About Noel

• Son of minister; received Christ very early in life with help of parents

• Grew up in Georgia, Tennessee, Ohio, and South Carolina

• BS from USC and MS from MIT, both degrees in Civil Engineering. EdD from USC

• Registered Professional Engineer, SC & GA • Professional experience -10 years engineering and 28

in higher education, administration & teaching.• Started student and faculty ministries at Midlands

Technical College, Columbia, SC. Others assisted.

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Appendix -- About JoyceAppendix -- About Joyce

• Received Christ early in life through influence of Christian friends

• Attended Emmanuel College and the University of South Carolina

• Has 23 years of Business Administration and Research Development experience with five colleges: Emmanuel College, MIT, Georgia Tech, Kennesaw College, University of South Carolina

• Has 20 years of Business and Technical experience with three major corporations: General Electric, CSX, and Policy Management Systems (PMSC)