{"id":60977,"date":"2021-09-16T13:17:40","date_gmt":"2021-09-16T18:17:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/?p=60977"},"modified":"2021-09-16T13:17:42","modified_gmt":"2021-09-16T18:17:42","slug":"campus-ministries-provide-students-with-opportunities-for-fellowship-and-involvement-on-campus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/?p=60977","title":{"rendered":"Campus ministries provide students with opportunities for fellowship and involvement on campus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

BY LAURYN BECKER<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PHOTOS BY LAURYN BECKER AND RYDER COOK<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s no secret ministry is a big part of campus life at Fort Hays. With several campus ministries, students are provided with an opportunity to join an organization unique and special to them. 
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Some of the main campus ministries at Fort Hays are Encounter, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Catholic Disciples, Us4U, Christian Challenge, and United Methodist Student Organization. 
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Encounter<\/strong>
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\u201cEncounter desires to develop a community of young adults that believe that they belong. Each Wednesday night we will build that community through worship, teachings from a diverse group of speakers, and fellowship in Life Groups,\u201d Encounter Young Adult Director Garrett Kahrs said. \u201cOur hope is to give young adults the foundation in Christ they desire so they can make an impact for the Kingdom of God.\u201d
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2021 Encounter Fall BBQ<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Encounter kicked off their year with their annual back-to-school BBQ for students on Wednesday, Aug. 25. Students were able to enjoy a free meal while getting to know members of Encounter as well as getting to learn more about the organization itself.
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\u201cEncounter is the place I feel most comfortable being myself, where I can freely ask questions about my faith and express my doubts without fear of judgment,\u201d Encounter member Zoe Cooper said. \u201cIt is where I have met my most reliable and loving friends that will walk through life with me. It has helped shape who I have become in my three years at FHSU.\u201d 
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Encounter meets at 7:15 p.m. each Wednesday night at Celebration Community Church in Hays. For more information on Encounter, email tmmiller3@fhsu.edu<\/a>.
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Catholic Disciples<\/strong>
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\u201cCatholic Disciples is a student organization that promotes community among Catholic students and those interested in knowing more about the Catholic faith,\u201d Vice President, Jenna Schmit said.. \u201cOur weekly meetings consist of speakers presenting on various subjects regarding the faith, candlelight masses, and dinners with presentations on how to properly discern God’s will (Dinner and Discernment).\u201d
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Some of the other ministries that Catholic Disciples offer include men’s and women’s bible studies, community-based service projects, and spiritual retreats. Catholic Disciples also offers a wide variety of fun events to continue growing community with their students. 
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\u201cWe host game nights, bonfires, movie nights, yard game tournaments, barbecues and dance parties. We will have a big dance this fall called \u2018Wine and Screams\u2019 to celebrate Halloween on October 29th,\u201d Community Outreach Coordinator, Kaleb King said. \u201cWe will also have a large retreat called Crossroads November 12th-14th. Join us for daily Mass at 5:45 p.m. Monday- Thursday and 12:10 p.m. Friday. We can’t wait to meet you and see you around.\u201d
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2021 Catholic Disciples Car Smash<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Catholic Disciples kicked off their year with a week full of events throughout the first week of school, such as sand volleyball, an ice cream social and a car smash. Students were able to relieve stress of the first week of school while growing closer in faith. 
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\u201cThe Catholic Campus Center has been a formative part of my college life for many reasons. Most importantly, Christ is what\/who continuously draws me back to the Campus Center through mass, adoration and confession,\u201d Adria Girard said. \u201cSecondly, the people I\u2019ve met have become some of my best friends. By going to Catholic Disciples every Wednesday and other events the Campus Center hosts, I have met people who push me to be a better friend, person, and Catholic. It\u2019s a great place to ground yourself and become prepared to go out into the world to bring others into [a] relationship with God.\u201d
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Catholic Disciples meets at 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday nights at the Comeau Catholic Campus Center. 
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Fellowship of Christian Athletes<\/strong>
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\u201cWe exist here at FHSU as a place for anyone to come join in fellowship and walking through the adventure of life together with others building faith-based relationships,\u201d FCA Director Drew Gannon said. \u201cWe may have the word athlete in our title but we are open to anyone who wants to join us. Our hope and desire is that everyone can know that they are loved by God and that He desires a personal relationship with each of us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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FCA Meeting – Courtesy Drew Gannon<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

FCA began their year with their traditional Monday evening meetings and will continue to meet every Monday at Schmidt-Bickle Indoor Training Facility by Lewis Field.
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\u201cI enjoy FCA because it\u2019s a place where you can go and celebrate how God is working in our life,\u201d FCA member Hayden Brown said. \u201cFCA might seem to be for only athletes, but any and everyone is welcome.\u201d
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For more information on how to get involved with FCA, contact ajgannon@fhsu.edu<\/a>. 
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United Methodist Campus Ministry<\/strong>
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\u201cOur name may imply we are Methodist but we are just a group of Christians that want to share God’s word with the students of FHSU and reach to the community through missions,\u201d United Methodist Student Ministry President Erica Barwick said. \u201cWe are open to anyone and you do not have to be Methodist to join, the president and vice president are not.\u201d
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\u201cWe want to be a home away from home. We are a very small group, but we are all very close and very well connected. If anyone wants a place where they feel welcomed and known, they can join us,\u201d Barwick said. 
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The UMCM ministry team consists of President Erica Barwick, Vice President Laramie Moyer, Treasurer Austin Chart, Sofia Tiscare\u00f1o, Ida Niyon, and Director Troy Miller and his wife Sara, UMCM’s advisor.
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2021 UMCM Group<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

UMCM has a \u201cKickback Bible Study\u201d every Monday night and has a free home-cooked meal on Thursday nights called \u201cThrowback Thursday.\u201d\u00a0
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“We also have events planned after or during the meal on Thursdays,\u201d Barwick said.
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UMCM held several events throughout the first weeks of the year such as a Social Night, and a S\u2019mores Night. Upcoming events for UMCM include a Service Day on September 16, Family Day Open House on September 18, Water Wars on September 23, and another S\u2019mores night on September 30, as well as many more events throughout the semester. 
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\u201cWe are a very small group but that just adds to the intimacy with the group and my relationship with Jesus. Since becoming president of a Christian ministry I have had to grow in faith and discipline, to be able to spread the word of God and to make disciples,\u201d Barwick said. \u201cMy vision for the UMCM is to ensure our team is able to spread Jesus Christ’s love and to build a foundation upon His love to welcome anyone at any moment.\u201d
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UMCM\u2019s Monday meetings take place at 6:30 p.m. at 507 Elm Street at the United Methodist Campus Center and Throwback Thursday takes place at 6:30 on Thursdays at the same location. For more information on how to get involved with UMCM, contact e_barwick@mail.fhsu.edu.<\/a> 
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Us 4 U<\/strong>
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Us 4 U is a faith-based service organization, sponsored by Trinity Lutheran Church of Hays and Saint John Lutheran Church of Russell, but all are welcome.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur motto is \u2018Come as you are. Serve as you can,\u2019\u201d Us 4 U member Anna Towns said. \u201cUs 4 U is committed to diversity, inclusion, and collaboration. Us 4 U tries to live into this motto by choosing projects that our members are interested in, and that foster opportunities for collaboration.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Us 4 U collaborates with many groups in the local and global communities such as; HALO, GASP, GSA, and many more other organizations. Since Us 4 U is sponsored by two Lutheran Churches, the faith-based opportunities offered are often influenced by Lutheran leadership, but take many forms, and are an optional part of Us 4 U membership. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cUs 4 U thinks food and fellowship go hand in hand, and always have great snacks,\u201d Towns said. \u201cUs 4 U hopes you will join us, or that we can work together with your student group in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Us 4 U’s first meeting of the semester<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Us 4 U had multiple events throughout the first weeks of the semester such as a Pizza Party and a Prayer Walk around campus. Us 4 U\u2019s next event is Time 4 Service at 5:00 p.m. on Sept. 21 in the Victor E. Garden. Us 4 U will have several other events throughout the semester. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI would say my favorite part about being involved in Us 4 U is doing great community service acts with a group that makes you feel like family. We are so inclusive to everyone and it truly warms my heart,\u201d Zoeyanne Morris, a member of Us 4 U said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Us 4 U meets at 5:00 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of each month\u00a0 in Rarick Hal 348, followed by a faith-based event at 5:30. For more information on how to get involved with Us 4 U, contactus4u.fhsu@gmail.com<\/a>.
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Christian Challenge<\/strong>
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Christian Challenge is a ministry group that has been on the FHSU campus since 1994. 
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\u201cChristian Challenge is committed to glorifying God and making disciples of Jesus Christ. The Challenge community is one that welcomes people from all backgrounds and desires to see them transformed and grow into mature followers of Jesus Christ,\u201d Christian Challenge staff member, Sarah Borneman said. \u201cPart of our mission is to welcome students and give them the opportunities to know Jesus Christ as Lord, so that they would love God, love others, and serve the world.\u201d
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In addition to large group meeting times, Christian Challenge has small groups led by students on its leadership team that meet at various times throughout the week. Christian Challenge\u2019s Instagram, @challenge_fhsu, has exact times. 
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\u201cOne group we have geared towards freshmen and it\u2019s called Starting Point and it\u2019s held every Monday at 8 p.m. in Cody Commons,\u201d Borneman said. 
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Throughout the first week of classes, Christian Challenge provided a variety of events for Tigers to get involved with Christian Challenge such as a cookout and large group Challenge on Custer Lawn, a game night on the Quad, a pancake social in McMindes 2R, and a t-shirt tye-dying event ahead of the first Fort Hays football game. 
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