On Campus
Fall2013 2013 Fall
Transforming College Students to Transform the World
What Angela learned about Christians at the University of Pennsylvania
The Mark of the Christian “And they’ll know we are Christians by our love.”
Many of us have probably sung this song in church, at camp, or maybe at Vacation Bible School. A few years ago, two friends of the CCO, David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons, co-wrote a book called unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity… and Why It Matters. In it, they posed the question: “What are Christians known for?” What they discovered was often disheartening. “Outsiders think of our moralizing, our condemnations, and our attempts to draw boundaries around everything. Even if these standards are accurate and biblical, they seem to be all we have to offer. …The truth is we have invited the hypocrite image.” That’s the outsiders. What about the insiders? “Fewer than half of churchgoers, including born-again Christians, felt strongly that their church demonstrates unconditional love.” When you read the stories in this issue of On Campus, I hope you will understand why I am so encouraged and grateful to God for the ministry of the CCO. It is clear that our ministries at the University of Pennsylvania and Point Park University are welcoming and hospitable—and loving. The quality of Christian love is a common denominator across all 103 CCO campuses. CCO students and staff members are extending that love to students who already know Jesus, and especially to those who do not. May God continue to make us people who love Him with all of our hearts, souls, minds, and strength, and our neighbors as ourselves. And may college students feel that love and accept the embrace of the One who wants His love to transform their lives for the better. Daniel J. Dupee President & CEO Coalition for Christian Outreach
About the CCO The CCO (Coalition for Christian Outreach) is a campus ministry that partners with churches, colleges, and other organizations to develop men and women who live out their Christian faith in all areas of life. Our Core Purpose is: Transforming college students to transform the world.
The CCO serves college students on 103 campuses Allegheny College American University Arcadia University Art Institute of Pittsburgh Ashland University Ball State University Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Bluffton University Brookdale Community College Butler County Community College Butler University Cabrini College California University of Pennsylvania Capital University Carnegie Mellon University Cedar Crest College Centenary College Chatham University Clarion University of Pennsylvania College of Staten Island Columbus College of Art & Design Columbus State Community College, Columbus Campus Community College of Allegheny County, Allegheny Campus Delaware County Community College Denison University Duquesne University Eastern University Edinboro University of Pennsylvania Elizabethtown College Elmira College Esperanza College Franklin & Marshall College Gannon University Geneva College Georgetown University Gordon College Grove City College
Our ministry is distinct in three ways: 1. Our ministry is transformational. We challenge the students we serve to submit every area of their lives to Jesus Christ. 2. We partner with churches, colleges, and other organizations, placing our staff in strategic positions of influence on campus. Most of our staff people serve as an arm of the local church on campus, while
Haverford College Howard University Indiana University of Pennsylvania Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne Juniata College Kent State University Kent State University at Stark Kenyon College Kutztown University of Pennsylvania La Roche College Lehigh Carbon Community College Lycoming College Malone University Marion Technical College Messiah College Montgomery County Community College Montgomery County Community College, West Campus Ohio Dominican University Ohio State University Ohio State University at Marion Ohio Wesleyan University Otterbein University Owens Community College Penn State Altoona Penn State Beaver Penn State Erie, The Behrend Campus Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus Penn State Lehigh Valley Penn State New Kensington Penn State University Park Pennsylvania College of Technology Philadelphia University Pittsburgh Technical Institute Point Park University
others work in the chaplain’s office or in multicultural relations, student services, wilderness ministry, service learning, athletics, or residence life. 3. We do contextual ministry, meaning that our staff people adjust to the needs of the particular campus at which they serve. No two CCO ministries look exactly alike. For more about us, please visit our website: www.ccojubilee.org
Prince George’s Community College Princeton University Purdue University Robert Morris University Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Sinclair Community College Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Stark State College Temple University Thiel College University of Cincinnati University of Dayton University of Findlay University of Pennsylvania University of Pittsburgh University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine University of Pittsburgh School of Law University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine University of Pittsburgh at Bradford University of the Sciences in Philadelphia Villanova University Washington and Jefferson College Waynesburg University West Virginia University West Virginia Wesleyan College Westminster College Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades Wright State University WyoTech Blairsville Yale University York College of Pennsylvania Youngstown State University
On Campus magazine is produced by the CCO’s Marketing & Communications team. Photography by Andrew Rush “Transforming college students to transform the world” is a registered trademark of the CCO (Coalition for Christian Outreach).
I
came in with an assumption that Christians are anti-intellectual, condemning and judging everyone, looking to some father figure in the sky.
—Angela Leonardo, Univeristy of Pennsylvania 2013, Comparative Religions major
What Angela learned about
CHRISTIANS @ the University of Pennsylvania
F
Mike Chen
Sonja Chen
or her creative writing class, University of Pennsylvania senior Angela Leonardo was challenged to write a 35-page paper about a community that interested her, of which she did not consider herself a member. A self-described agnostic, Angela had been invited by a friend to attend worship services at nearby City Church. That experience intrigued her, and so she decided she’d write her paper about the Christian community. “I thought it would be cool to focus on the church for the writing class, because there isn’t a big Christian presence in West Philly,” Angela says. “It’s a very hippie, urban place and the scene that I grew up in was not religious at all.” Michael Chen is the CCO campus staff member who partners with City Church to reach out to students at Penn, and he and his wife, Sonja, invited Angela into their home. She interviewed them, babysat for their young sons, accepted their invitation to join them at the CCO’s Jubilee conference in Pittsburgh, and even met up
with them and other students who participated on a spring break trip to New York City. “I really got into the assignment, much more than some of the other students in my class,” Angela admits. “Spending so much time with Mike and Sonja and the students involved in the ministry gave me a much more positive view of what it means to be a Christian than I expected. I came in with an assumption that Christians are anti-intellectual, condemning and judging everyone, looking to some father figure in the sky. This hasn’t been true at all. All the people I’ve met are extremely thoughtful; having faith isn’t an easy way out for them. They aren’t seeking false comfort. The Christian students I’ve gotten to know are very nonjudgmental and welcoming.” City Church partners with the CCO to bring Mike Chen to Penn. Church members place a high value on college ministry, and many of them serve as mentors to university students. “Church members help prepare dinners every month for students, which are served after
our evening services,” Mike says. “We feed students a homecooked meal, and an older, wiser person from the church will share about their calling and vocation and how to follow Christ for the long haul.” As church members invest in them, and as Mike challenges them to step into uncomfortable places in the name of Jesus Christ, Penn students are being transformed. Even as Angela chose to move out of her comfort zone to explore Christianity, Mike presented a similar challenge to the students with whom he works closely. continued on the next page
About the University of Pennsylvania
Founded in 1740 by evangelist George Whitefield, and further influenced a decade later by Benjamin Franklin, Philadelphia’s University of Pennsylvania is one of America’s most prestigious Ivy League universities. Today, Penn educates an enrollment of nearly 25,000 undergraduate and graduate students.
What Angela learned, continued “One of our goals as Christians on this campus is to move out and engage the entire campus community. It’s one thing for us to do this individually. It’s even more powerful when our entire community decides to engage the campus together.” The group intentionally chose a location to meet that put students in direct contact with others from varying lifestyles and backgrounds. The response of students from both groups has been positive. “The place we meet is very hospitable and open to any groups using their space, and students there are really warm and welcoming,” says Michael. “It’s good for us to be there, reaching across divisions and breaking down walls.” This open-hearted approach to outreach is changing lives of students at Penn—students like Angela. “I have a feeling that the impact of this project will be important to me over the long haul,” Angela says. “This has been one of the rougher years in college. It started off with me interviewing Mike and Sonja about how they met, how they got connected to City Church. They have counseled me through a lot, including my curiosity about Christianity. They were very open to talking about it, allowing me to decide what to do with whatever they said.” Angela was baptized at City Church in April. She graduated from Penn in May and is now teaching English in Argentina.
What students say: Jonelle Lesniak Wharton School of Business at University of
Pennsylvania 2014, Business, Economics and Public Policy major Mike Chen is a starter! He’s always thinking of starting something, or doing something to further Christian engagement with the rest of our campus. He has started many dorm discussion groups that serve as a safe space for people of all faiths and backgrounds to ask and answer big questions about Christianity. I can safely say that I wouldn’t be as busy if I hadn’t met Mike, but I mean that in a good way. I feel that our group has been a crucial space for good and engaging Christian dialogue about the world. It has helped me to see the world in a more Gospel-oriented way. I think my college experience would not see as much growth in Christ without my connections with Mike and his ministry.
Franco Nilo University of Pennsylvania 2013, Economics major
Meeting Mike Chen has truly revolutionized my time at Penn. For all of my time leading up to meeting Mike, there seemed to be a really big void in the way that academics worked into my desire to walk in step with the Lord. Penn is a very stressful place and very few campus fellowships discuss the integration of work and faith. Since starting college, I have changed in amazing ways. If I had to put it in one sentence, I learned to walk my faith. Being encountered by God in incredible ways, in large part by mentors, has led me on a path where I can live Christ’s calling.
O
ver the last few years, I saw religion as façade, God as a dictator, church people as dishonest after they left church—hypocrites. This is the first Christian group in my life that seems to actually believe in God and apply what the Bible says to their lives. They are the reason I’m sticking around; I kept going to school just so I could continue being a part of The Body. —Branden Kummer, Point Park University 2016, Journalism major
The POWER
of
LOVE
@ Point Park University
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ne of Atheism’s most common criticisms [of Christians] is that those who claim to have faith seem to act in a way contrary to the core beliefs. It is organizations such as The Body that provide a place on campus…to learn what it means to be a Christian. —Branden Kummer, Point Park University journalism major, from his editorial in Point Park’s student newspaper, The Globe: “An atheist’s perspective on The Body” Having the opportunity to explore Christianity in a very natural and judgmentfree environment has definitely reshaped my understanding of the faith. —Ian Sulkowski, member of Point Park’s class of 2013 and former president of the United Student Government (USG)
Branden and Ian are unlikely admirers of the CCO’s ministry at Point Park University. Until recently, Branden described himself as a “hardline atheist.” He stumbled into friendships with Christian students because, on his first day on campus, one of those students invited him to attend a meeting of The Body, the CCO-sponsored fellowship on campus. “I went to three or four meetings and decided I wasn’t interested in hearing any more about God,” he says. A semester later, he ran into one of the students he’d met at The Body and was invited to return. He showed up at a meeting and hasn’t stopped going since. Ian didn’t want anything to do with the Christians on campus, and in fact, had
experienced a few run-ins with some of them. So he was surprised when CCO staff member Michael Thornhill pursued a friendship with him. “Michael reached out to me about meeting one-on-one,” Ian says. “I think he must have somehow recognized—though there’s no way he would have known—that I was going through a difficult time continued on the next page
About Point Park University
Located in downtown Pittsburgh, Point Park University’s
Conservatory of Performing Arts is one of the top programs of its kind in the nation. The university currently enrolls 3,827 full
and part-time students in 82
undergraduate programs and 17 graduate programs.
The Power of Love, continued and had a lot of questions pertaining to religion and spirituality. “After getting together a few times to discuss leadership and faith, we began to develop a solid relationship. We agreed to put together a weekly Bible study that would be open to all Point Park students—rather than focusing on members of the Christian faith who are already deeply committed. It would be for those who have unanswered questions or feel the need for a religious perspective.” Branden insists that he wouldn’t still be at Point Park if it weren’t for the community he found at The Body. “They didn’t care that I didn’t believe,” he says. “When it comes to my beliefs, or my lack of them, I’m not quiet about it. They’re really great people. I never intended to open myself up to what they had to say, but it kind of happened.” Branden attended the Jubilee conference in February, treating it as a journalism assignment. But when the conference ended, he was a different person. At Jubilee, he committed his life to Jesus Christ. Ian has not made a profession of faith, but he has continued to develop friendships with Christians
and explore his questions about the faith. This spring, he joined Daniel Snoke, CCO Experiential Designs staff member, Andy Harlan, and five other male students from Point Park for a threeday back-packing and camping experience in the Laurel Highlands, where he was able to engage even deeper in conversations about Christianity. “Over the course of the past semester, our study illuminated some passages of the Bible with which I was previously familiar, but wasn’t able to contextualize on my own,” he says. “It’s rewarding to be in a comfortable environment where everyone can ask questions. I’ve had a number of ‘aha’ moments where someone offers great insight into the faith. Michael and my peers have shown me a great deal of kindness and generosity, which serves as a humble reminder of the compassion which underlies Christian faith and practice.”
What students say: Keilynn D. Burkes Point Park University 2014, Intelligence and National Security major
The CCO ministry gave me a community that I didn’t even know existed. It helped me get more involved with Christ and taught one of the greatest lessons that I learned: you are not alone! If I was not a part of the CCO ministry at Point Park, then I would not have been able to learn that what I was doing was wrong. I finally got a chance to right my wrongs and learn that the love of God is everlasting.
Ian Sulkowski Point Park University 2013, Global Cultural Studies major
Having the opportunity to explore Christianity in a very natural and judgment-free environment has definitely reshaped my understanding of the faith.
The CCO Team at Point Park University
Katherine Sikma, Daniel Snoke, and Michael Thornhill comprise the team of campus staff who reach out to Point Park University students. Katherine is the senior member of the team, and the CCO partners with Christ Community Church of the South Hills to bring her to campus. Daniel partners with City Reformed Church in Oakland, and a brand new church plant, New City Church in downtown Pittsburgh, brought Michael on board.
What former students say: Simon Huff Point Park University 2010, now a graduate research assistant at the University of Rochester
I will always look back fondly on my days with the CCO and The Body Christian Fellowship. I entered college a young, naïve, selfish boy and left it a man of God, prepared for what He has for me to do in this life.
Becca Fong
Washington & Jefferson College 2002, now Marketing Coordinator for the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau
Memorial Gifts Given by: Gail Denise Jamie and Ken Berliner Michael Swanson Nancy Ann Ranken Moffitt
In memory of: Katherine Dupee Pat Pearl McKee Matt Swanson George Mills Moffitt and Ranken Moffitt
We’re proud of the way we manage our funds. A copy of our official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1.800.732.0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. Charity Navigator is America’s premier independent charity evaluator. A 4-star rating means that the CCO exceeds industry standards and out-performs most charities in its class.
The CCO is a charter member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.
Thanks to the CCO’s ministry and the Jubilee conference, I realize that all things can be redeemed for Christ. I am excited to pursue that vision.
Doug Forsberg
Westminster College 1994, now Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Rochelle, Illinois
We have new Christmas cards & prints! Unique Christian cards & prints you can’t find anywhere else. All proceeds benefit the ministry of the CCO.
I’ve told a number of people that the foundations of how I do ministry as a pastor were built during my time with the CCO. Without that, I’d be a much less effective pastor. The CCO gave me a theological foundation and taught me how to read the scriptures. I learned straight off that ministry is about people. You can go through seminary and not learn any of those things.
Stephanie Summers
Kenyon College 1998, now Chief Operating Officer for the Center for Public Justice The CCO has completely shaped the way I engage the world. The ministry opened up my understanding of the connectedness of what I was doing in the classroom to what God wanted in the world, and that has translated into how I live my life today. Literally, how an entire day functions has a deliberateness about it that is shaped by my Christian worldview. It’s about where God wants his people to go and the part I have to play in that.
JESUS
A Ω
I I AM AM I am the Good Shepherd Print Designed by Bonnie Liefer ©Coalition for Christian Outreach, 2013 www.cards.ccojubilee.org
Photograph©iStockphoto.com/Jurga Rubinovaite
www.cards.ccojubilee.org Order online, call us weekdays at 1.888.569.9030, or email us at cards@ccojubilee.org to request a brochure.
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Why Tom and Cindy Baily give to the CCO
Tom Baily has been familiar with the CCO since its beginnings thanks to his University of Pittsburgh roommate, longtime friend, and the CCO’s Chairman Emeritus and former Executive Director, Bob Long. Although Tom and Cindy now live in the Virgin Islands, the CCO remains a priority for this dynamic couple.
What makes the CCO unique? Once college students leave home, the CCO keeps them connected to their faith and helps attract those students that do not have a faith in Christ. What a great way to impact and develop our future leaders! What message do you have for current and future donors? Take the opportunity to get to know CCO staffers in your area. See what’s happening on their campus. Meet students impacted by the CCO. By learning about what Christ is doing in students’ lives, you
Our Board
Andrew Aloe Group Chair Vistage International, Inc. Liz Baker CEO, Hot Metal Media LLC Robert H. Bishop Executive Vice President Janney Montgomery Scott LLC CCO Alumnus Kurt E. Carlson Executive Vice President Hefren-Tillotson, Inc. The Rev. Nancy O. Chalfant-Walker Rector St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church CCO Alumna
will be inspired to give. We are waiting for the CCO to expand to the University of the Virgin Islands! Tell us about your current involvement with the CCO? I went to Pitt on a wrestling scholarship, so when we read about Pitt athletes going to Haiti with the CCO and the tremendous impact this trip had on their lives, how could we not want to help? This fall, we are coordinating an event in Pittsburgh to introduce people to the CCO ministry and to gain support and momentum for another Pitt athlete trip. In fact, we are hoping to go on the
Jennifer Ciccone Vice President, Human Resources Matthews International Ryan D. Deaderick, P.E. New Well Manager Energy Corporation of America Joseph P. Diggins, Jr. Partner Ernst & Young LLP Louis A. Divers President Precision Abrasives Daniel J. Dupee President & CEO Coalition for Christian Outreach
The Rev. William R. Glaze Pastor Bethany Baptist Church L.C. Greenwood President Greenwood Enterprises, Inc. Darrin E. Grove CEO TrueFit Solutions Inc. John M. Holt, Jr. President RC Holsinger Associates, PC Harry A. Kunze President and CEO Safety Works, LLC The Rev. Robert R. Long Chairman Emeritus Coalition for Christian Outreach CCO Alumnus
next trip and see first-hand what Christ is doing in students’ lives. Have you remembered the CCO in your estate plans or through another planned gift? Please join Tom & Cindy and other CCO planned giving donors at the first Legacy Fellowship Luncheon on Tuesday, October 22 at The Duquesne Club. For more information, or if you have any questions about the CCO’s ministry, please contact Allyson Sveda at 412-363-3303.
Martha McElhattan Homemaker Terrence H. Murphy Shareholder Littler Mendelson PC Brian T. Must Founding Member Metz, Lewis, Brodman, Must & O’Keefe Attorneys at Law The Rev. Richard Noftzger Pastor Center Presbyterian Church CCO Alumnus J. Paul Organ Founder & Certified Financial Planner Marathon Financial Services CCO Alumnus
Spend 13 days in one of the world’s most beautiful countries!
Join CCO President Dan Dupee and the leadership of our Experiential Designs (XD) team.
For more information visit:
ccojubilee.org/newzealand
The Rev. Douglas Rehberg Senior Pastor Hebron U.P. Church James W. Rimmel Senior Vice President, Investments UBS Financial Services Inc. Martin L. Roark Group Chair Vistage International, Inc. James D. Roberge Managing Director Staley Capital Advisers, Inc. John S. Rosso CEO Peak Performance Management Inc. Kenneth E. Smith Chairman of the Board President, Etcetera Edutainment
Lori Stuckey Homemaker Henry B. Suhr III Adjunct Faculty Geneva College CCO Alumnus J.T. Thomas Entrepreneur and Business Consultant Mary Martha Truschel Assistant Counsel, Southwest Regional Office Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Dr. John H. White President Emeritus Geneva College