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.
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.
Bible Studies and Small Groups
Small groups for fellowship, sharing, Bible study, and prayer are available for students who desire a more intimate setting in which to experience personal growth and accountability. Each group is led by student leaders. At the beginning of each semester, the campus pastor recruits and trains leaders for this ministry. Also available are Bible study groups in different languages (as leaders are available).
Campus Worship
This weekly informal gathering includes singing contemporary choruses, sharing, prayer, and a time of teaching from the Bible. The Campus Worship Team, which is comprised of students, plans and leads these gatherings which take place at 8 p.m. each Wednesday. At the beginning of each semester, the campus pastor recruits and trains new leadership for this ministry and continues to meet with them regularly.
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. All appeals for credit should be made to an RD within two weeks on official forms. This information can be found through a link on the Moodle community page. 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. Chapel attenders may not use iPods, computers, mobile phones, and other electronic devices during chapel. Please respect chapel presenters and others in the audience by refraining from studying and talking during chapel. Direct questions of a spiritual nature to the campus pastor. Other disciplinary functions are handled by the vice president of student life.
Audio mp3 files of chapels are available in the classes folder on the campus computer network's M: drive.
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.
The campus pastor recruits and trains new leadership for this ministry at the beginning of each semester and meets with them regularly during the term.
Missions/Service Emphasis Days
Twice each year, representatives from various mission and service agencies come to campus to provide information about the needs and opportunities within the programs they represent.
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.
Prayer Groups
The campus pastor leads group prayer times on an occasional basis. Individuals are invited to form prayer groups or to call the pastor for specific prayer needs.
Counseling/Discipleship Training
The campus pastor provides spiritual counseling and discipleship training, both on an individual basis and in small groups.
Retreats
Stutzman Retreat Center is available for off-campus retreats which are scheduled to provide students with the opportunity to break from their routine, meet other people, or concentrate on a particular project or issue.
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. Some congregations provide transportation and special classes for students who attend their services. See congregation listing in the Services available off campus section.