Campus Ministry Connection

Shaina Slowiak and Andi Denney
Student Interns Ministry Open to All

Ministry Open to All is “Under Construction”

In 1993, three college students from Murray State University joined forces with First Presbyterian Church, Murray, to create a ministry that would allow students to grow through fellowship and study. In a short time, Ministry Open to All was born. Fourteen years later, our campus ministry has grown, with over 20 students participating in weekly activities. Church member Betty Shepperson is excited to see the growth, saying, "We were here in 1993 when there was no college ministry. Since then, we have seen it go from zero to 100%."

As we watch the weekly progress of our new church building, we find ourselves under construction as well. This has served as our ministry's theme for the year. We display our shirts on campus as we attend classes and events, letting Murray State know that Jesus Christ is our cornerstone and all are welcome in our fellowship.

As we found ourselves displaced from the house our group calls home, we've focused on strengthening our relationships with each other and the community. A variety of ongoing programs help us do this. Our Stockholder's Campaign allows church and community members to invest in our ministry by purchasing "stock". These investments aid us in funding retreats, mission trips, and other ministry events throughout the year. To show our appreciation for their support, stockholders are invited to dinner. From the salad to the dessert, this special meal is prepared by M.O.T.A. members. As part of the evening, members share experiences of the semester as well as upcoming projects and events. "It's one way to keep you young!" says stockholder Whitey Adams, who enjoys the fellowship with the college students. A good time is always had by all!

Church members are always willing to help us out, and what better way to connect with college students than to give them a home away from home! Our Adopt-a-Student program allows church families to take in a college student and get to know them on a personal level. This may include treats during finals week, Sunday afternoon lunches, birthday presents, potluck meals, or just a phone call to check in. These relationships give students a sense of belonging in the church and the community. Katie Walker, senior from Paris, TN, says, "It's a wonderful opportunity to meet people in the church community and become part of their family."

Speaking of community, service is a vital part of our ministry. One such program that allows us to lend a hand to our church members is our Hire-a-Student program. In this program, donations are made to our ministry as students use their talents to help those in need. This may include raking leaves, painting, washing windows, or cleaning gutters. Frequent visits to local retirement and nursing homes are also a part of our outreach.

Spring Break is our time to really step up as we travel across the country to participate in mission work. Past locations include Memphis, Mexico, and New York. This year, we traveled again to Chalmette, Louisiana to assist in the continued clean-up effort of Hurricane Katrina. "It was hard to see what the people had to deal with, but it was nice to see how many people responded and were willing to give up a week to go and help these people," says Chris Bowers, junior from Owensboro. KY who has traveled to Chalmette with the group the past two years. With the help of Samaritan's Purse, students cleared out debris and prepared homes for the next step of reconstruction. This week long adventure also gave us some time to check out the city of New Orleans.

Whether they are a sophomore or a senior. Catholic or Baptist, students have found a home in Ministry Open to All. “M.O.T.A. really helped me fit in and find out where I'm going in college,” says Sarah Caudill, freshman, from Lexington, KY. Our building may be under construction, but we continue to grow and build relationships. Each activity, each program, is a new opportunity to reach out to each other and the community of Murray, Kentucky.