Campus Ministries, Campus Pastor, Chapel
Student Life/Residence Life, Campus Community Programs
Campus Ministries
Hesston College creates an atmosphere where choices can be made that are consistent with the life and teaching of Jesus Christ.
Recognizing that Hesston students are at different places in their faith journeys, the college offers a variety of activities and leadership opportunities to all students, encouraging them to participate where they feel most comfortable.
Campus Pastor
The Campus Pastor is a vital resource to students, faculty, and staff. The pastor is available for counseling and help in spiritual development and is responsible for religious life programs and ministry, Christian growth, leadership, and worship. The following Campus Ministries activities fall under the leadership of the campus pastor.
Chapel
The college community gathers each Monday and Wednesday from 11 to 11:30 a.m. for chapel. Chapel is a time for worship and celebration of faith as well as the sharing of announcements and concerns of importance to the college community. The format of chapel will vary to reflect both the heritage and tradition of the Mennonite Church and the diversity of the student population. Chapels include speakers and dramatic, musical, or multi-media presentations. Leadership in chapel is given by students, faculty, and staff of the college as well as other resource persons. Responsibility for chapel services rests with a planning committee chaired by the campus pastor.
Periodically the community gathers during the same time period on Fridays to consider current issues of local, national, or international importance. Attendance at these gatherings may count toward the chapel attendance requirement.
All full-time students are required to attend chapel services each semester. Full-time on-campus students are required to attend at least 24 chapel services. For full-time off-campus students the minimum is 12 chapel services. Third-year students, students holding previous college degrees, and part-time students are encouraged, but not required to attend. Attendance is recorded by using the bar codes on student IDs. It is the student’s responsibility to keep record of how many chapels he or she has attended. Students will be contacted only if they are in violation of the requirement. The registrar will not release grades or transcripts for students who fail to meet chapel requirements. Students will not be allowed to return for another semester until they meet their chapel requirements.
Appropriate dress and conduct are expected. Caps and hats need to be removed. Direct questions of a spiritual nature to the campus pastor. Other disciplinary functions are handled by the vice president of student life.
Other Campus Ministries Activities:
- Campus Worship–the Campus Worship Team leads a weekly Wednesday evening gathering.
- Bible Studies and Small Groups–students lead groups for fellowship, sharing, Bible study, and prayer.
- Prayer Groups–students lead use of the prayer room in Erb Hall.
- International Christian Fellowship–U.S. and international students are invited to share in this experience of global Christian fellowship, which includes singing, praying in many languages, and teaching from the Bible. This group meets at 8 p.m. every other Thursday. A team of students representing various countries plans and leads these gatherings.
- Missions/Service Emphasis Days–twice each year, representatives from various mission and service agencies provide information about their programs.
- Camp Recruitment Days–each year during the spring semester, representatives from various summer camps come to campus to provide information about the needs and opportunities within the camps they represent.
- Retreats–Stutzman Retreat Center is available for group use.
- Counseling/Discipleship Training–the campus pastor provides spiritual counseling and discipleship training, both on an individual basis and in small groups.
- Service Opportunities–voluntary service options are available in the area. The Peace and Service Club plans activities related to mission, service, and peace. Other volunteer options include prison and hospital ministries, grandparent adoption, Big Brother/Big Sister program, Mennonite Disaster Service, and Mennonite Housing.
- Pastor-in-Residence–each year the college invites a pastor to spend three days sharing in chapel, campus worship, and in a variety of campus settings.
- Spiritual Renewal Weekend–this student-planned weekend offers renewal meetings for the college and surrounding community. The campus pastor serves as an advisor for the planning committee.
- Sunday Worship–students are invited to take part in the worship services of area churches.