Ottawa University

A SURGE of Ministry Events at Ottawa University

SURGE welcomes high schoolers to OU and travels to reach out.

OTTAWA, Kansas - Recent and upcoming ministry events conducted by Ottawa University demonstrate the diversity and nature of spiritual outreach opportunities within its campus ministries program.

On November 2-4, 2007, OU's Christian Faith in Action (CFA) group is coordinating with campus ministries to host its annual Braving Discipleship weekend for high school students throughout Kansas. The theme for the weekend is "Made Whole," with Ecclesiastes 12:13 as its key verse: "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter:  Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." The weekend will feature speakers, break-out study sessions, praise and worship time, and games. Refuge out of Oklahoma City will be providing music for the event.             

"Braving Discipleship is always an exciting time because the students who come grow in their faith journey," said Campus Pastor Bud McCluney. "Even more exciting for me, though, is watching the college students, who seem to grow in their faith even more." Approximately 150 students from churches across Kansas have registered for the weekend thus far, but students may register up to and including the day of the event.  The fee with housing is $65.00; without housing, $40.00. Students stay in area hotels during the event, with OU students serving as on-site chaperones. For more information or to register, contact Bud McCluney at 785-229-1068, or bud.mccluney@ottawa.edu.

The University's campus ministries program does outreach on several other fronts, as well. The most recent was a trip to Colorado by the drama team, Surge. Although the ministry team generally reaches out to a younger demographic - junior high to college-age - Surge performed for a slightly older crowd during an OU alumni chapter banquet in Denver on Saturday, October 6, 2007. The event that brought current and former students together was a first for OU and was coordinated by McCluney and Alumni Outreach Manager Galen Bunning. The banquet gave alumni a first-hand glimpse of what is currently going on at their alma mater.  OU junior Jason Sullivan is co-director of the Surge team. "It was great to sit down and talk with some of the alumni," said Sullivan. "I think everyone appreciated the connection." Hank ('59) and Ruth ('60) Wyeno hosted two of the team members overnight. "We really enjoyed hosting the two OU students," the couple said. "They are very nice young people with dreams and hopes like we all had during our college years." On Sunday, the team led the high school Sunday School class at Calvary Baptist Church before returning home. 

Another outreach of the Surge team is conducting lock-ins for youth at various churches in the region. On October 27-28, Surge will coordinate activities for a lock-in at First Baptist Church in Wichita, and for another at First Baptist Church in Council Grove over the weekend of November 16-17. During the lock-ins, Surge members tailor lessons, games, and worship to a theme identified by church leaders. 

Anyone interested in learning more about Ottawa University and its campus ministries program may contact McCluney at 785-229-1068 or bud.mccluney@ottawa.edu.

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Founded in 1865, Ottawa University is a comprehensive, not-for-profit educational institution. Ottawa University's educational mission brings together a residential campus in Ottawa, Kansas, and adult campuses in Kansas City, Missouri; Phoenix, Mesa and Tempe, Arizona; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Jeffersonville, Indiana; as well as multiple international instructional sites.  For more information, visit http://www.ottawa.edu/.