The Only Minister on Campus
As the only spiritual leader on campus, your Resonate campus minister is making a big difference in the lives of students from all faith backgrounds.
“I’m an atheist but…”
That’s how a lot of students start conversations with George Koopmans, a Christian Reformed campus minister you support through Resonate Global Mission at Medicine Hat College in Alberta.
George is not only the sole campus minister on Medicine Hat College’s campus—he’s the only spiritual leader from any faith on campus.
“Being the only campus ministry, the only chaplain, the only spiritual support person on campus gives us the opportunity—and the responsibility—to work with everybody from all faith backgrounds,” he said.
Some students are believers and looking to grow in their faith. Some students are not believers but are asking questions and seeking truth. Some students are content practicing another religion or identifying as atheist or agnostic. There are also faculty and staff members too.
Through your support of George and this ministry, you’re helping to share the love of Christ with everyone—no matter where they are on their faith journey.
You’re Supporting Christians on Campus
Many Christian students are looking for a supportive faith community on campus where they can grow and build relationships. Through your support of George and the campus ministry, you’re helping to make that possible.
“I get to know Christian students, pray with them, and offer worship,” said George. “There’s a church body here. We worship together, and it's anchored in the interfaith center, but it’s practiced and experienced all across campus.”
There’s a church body here. We worship together, and it's anchored in the interfaith center, but it’s practiced and experienced all across campus.
George often sees students who participate in worship sitting together at lunch or spending time together on campus. They bring new friends with them every week.
You’re also helping to equip leaders through this ministry through an Emerging Leader grant on campus. This year, because of your support, a student leader will be able to invest more time helping to lead and grow the ministry on campus. George will mentor this student one-on-one.
You’re Engaging Seekers
But you’re also there for students who are seeking. Some students are Christians but are uncertain about their faith and have a lot of questions. Some students might practice another religion or identify as agnostic or an atheist, but are curious about Christianity.
These students might attend events, and you can often find George walking around campus introducing himself to students and getting to know them. He’s quick to meet students for one-on-one conversations where students are asking questions about the Bible, church, Jesus, and differences between religions.
One student who doesn’t identify with any religion attended nearly every single event George hosted through the campus ministry.
I plant so many seeds during the year. I have so many conversations, so many times that I pray with students, so many opportunities to demonstrate the love of Christ. And I just pray that those seeds that are planted, that the Holy Spirit gives life and growth.
“She basically lived in the interfaith center, which the chaplaincy room is called,” said George.
This student finished her studies and returned to her home country. But she told George that she wants to continue learning about Christianity.
“I plant so many seeds during the year. I have so many conversations, so many times that I pray with students, so many opportunities to demonstrate the love of Christ,” said George. “And I just pray that those seeds that are planted, that the Holy Spirit gives life and growth.”
You’re Making the Church Appear Beautiful
And then there are students who practice other religions or identify as atheist or agnostic. And they are very comfortable with their beliefs.
For those students, you’re helping George and the ministry “make the church of Christ and Christ himself appear beautiful to them.”
With your support and the help of students, George is able to hand out food and hygiene products to students. Every week, he also makes and serves lunch to students in the interfaith center and hosts life groups where students can connect with and support one another over daily topics like study habits, missing home, managing stress and anxiety, and more.
I have a list of students who I routinely pray for. Some of them are believers. Many of them are searchers and seekers. And many of them are students who are just struggling. My prayer is that they find the true hope and peace that our God offers to us.
“Whether they’re from a faith background or not, they’re forming connections,” said George. “I’ve had students say, ‘these groups feels like family to me.’”
Thank you for supporting this ministry on Medicine Hat College’s campus! You are helping to make a difference in the lives of students. Will you please join George in praying for this campus?
“I have a list of students who I routinely pray for,” he said. “Some of them are believers. Many of them are searchers and seekers. And many of them are students who are just struggling. My prayer is that they find the true hope and peace that our God offers to us.