NCU’s Campus
Ministry – The Heart of the University
In many ways the
Campus Ministries Department represents the heart of the university.
Through its worship services, it enhances the spiritual component of
Northern Caribbean University’s educational goals. In addition,
through its community service activities, it realizes the
institution’s goal of preparing men and women for service.
Campus Ministries
was officially launched near the end of the 2000-2001 school year
under the leadership of Pastor Bylton Clarke. The theme for that
year was “Intensifying The Light; Expanding The Mission”. His
portfolio included worship services on campus, including the Monday
Chapel Services; and the formation of ministries on and off campus.
His leadership transformed the newborn department into one which has
made several vibrant and important contributions to the general
wellbeing of the university family and the community.
A new director of
Campus Ministries has been appointed to carry on the work started by
Pastor Clarke. Since his appointment as Director of Campus
Ministries on July 1, 2003, Pastor Robert Wright has undertaken the
task of maintaining the various ministries and supervising Monday
Chapel Services, which has been restructured. The Chapel service,
formerly held between 2:00pm to 3:30pm, has been adjusted to one
hour, to close at 3:00pm. This was done in order to provide a period
of respite for students who have classes following the service.
In addition, they
have adapted a “presentation-type” chapel under the theme, “The
Kingdom of God” to convey principles of the everyday living of
citizens of the kingdom. Presentations will cater to the emotional,
spiritual and relational needs of the student population especially
as it relates to living as citizens of the Kingdom of God. The aim
is to be practical and have a real impact on students’ lives.
Through collaboration with the University Church, Pastor Wright is
seeking to increase the focus on the Vesper Service, in order to
provide students with an enriching and spiritual activity on Sabbath
evenings.
But one may ask
the question, what really is the importance of such a department in
the operation of the school? For Pastor Wright, its importance is
very clear, “as a church organization, our most important role is to
point men and women to Christ”. As a result, there are several
Spiritual Growth Ministries that are directly geared towards NCU
students. The ministries include: Noon Power Hour, Bible
Correspondence Courses, Bible Study/ Baptismal Classes and Prayer
Ministry. The Noon Power Hour is possibly one of the more popular
ministries; each day students gather at noon at the Prayer Garden,
amidst the noise and rush at the ‘Seat of the Scornful’ (a popular
cooling out area for students) to pray.
The arms of
service from this institution do not remain turned inwards; however
through various Community Outreach Ministries, arms of compassion
are extended towards the physically and spiritually needy, members
of the Mandeville community and also those nearby. These ministries
include: Business Community Outreach, Community, Youth/Seniors
Connections, Peer Partners Programmes, the Sunshine Band, Touch of
Faith, Loaves of Love, Prison Ministry, Student Missions and the
Student Association of Literature Evangelists. The Loaves of Love
ministry has made a great impact on the Mandeville community as
students take drink and hot meals to homeless and mentally
challenged persons in the area on Sundays. Speaking to the Public
Relations department, Miss Yoniel Wood, leader of the ministry said,
“Being a part of the Loaves of Love has allowed me to draw closer to
God, in that, I have directly experienced His love and His way of
allowing me to pass it on to other persons in my community, even
total strangers. It has definitely taught me that I need to be
thankful at all times for what I have, and as the Bible states, ‘to
be content’ with whatever I have. Being a part of Loaves of Love has
blessed me with a new friend who as living on the streets and is now
back in her family’s care”, Miss Wood said.
Those students
who have taken the time to lead or simply be a part of the various
ministries organized by the Campus Ministries office have also
developed personally from their experiences. Pastor Wright remarked
that these students become more confident, aware and caring.
Additionally, their involvement in various ministries has also
improved their relationship with Jesus Christ and caused them to
become better leaders.
However, more
students are needed to be a part of these ministries, and there is
even a greater need for the support of faculty and staff members,
whose participation has been sparse. “For Campus Ministries to be
effective, we need voluntary assistance. All who are interested are
invited to come”, said Pastor Wright.
The campus
Ministries Department has provided food items and done clean-up work
at the Preddie’s Home for the Aged in response to the onslaught of
Hurricane Ivan. In addition, the department plans to assist a young
man with a scholarship to return to High School, and to visit the
all-female Fort Augusta Correctional Centre in Portmore, St.
Catherine. According to Pastor Wright, other plans are in the
pipeline to improve the reach and impact of NCU’s Campus
Ministries. These include the establishment of a website and the
publication of a limited edition of the department’s publication,
Newsline. |
