To Encourage Outreach and Ministry on College and University Campuses

Ov. 1-04

To Encourage Outreach and Ministry on College and University Campuses

WHEREAS, The English District is known for its support for and encouragement of ministry among college students, with more than 18 different campuses served by its congregations and by supporting nine ministries with funding from the district in the past triennium; and

WHEREAS, There are 164 LCMS U chapters and 420 congregations across the Synod engaged in some form of college student ministry; and

WHEREAS, Ninety -five percent of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod (LCMS) congregations report being within a 45- minute drive of a college or university campus; and

WHEREAS, There is a recognized need to train leaders for the future of the church, both as lay leaders and professional church workers; and

WHEREAS, Baptized and confirmed members of LCMS congregations attending college or university at a distance from their home congregation need a place to receive Word and Sacrament ministry and to grow in faith and service; and

WHEREAS, Even though the colleges and universities within the Concordia University System (CUS) are blessings to the church at large and to the students who attend them, many LCMS students

choose to attend a public or private school outside of CUS to pursue their academic and professional goals; and

WHEREAS, According to a recent Barna survey, 52 percent of U.S. adults age 18 –22 do not identify as Christian and/or do not know who Jesus is (barna.com/research/teens-and-jesus/, accessed Feb. 18, 2025); and

WHEREAS, College and university campuses are vast international mission fields, with over 1.1 million students from around the world attending during the 2023– 24 academic year, many of whom came from nations where Christians are in the minority or outlawed entirely (opendoorsdata.org); therefore be it

Resolved, That the English District in convention give thanks to God for the faithful work being carried out by the campus ministries within the district; and be it further

Resolved, That every congregation in the district be encouraged to connect their college- bound members with the appropriate LCMS campus ministry or local congregation; and be it further

Resolved, That the district in convention commend the LCMS Youth Ministry for their efforts to support the work of LCMS U chapters and campus ministry workers; and be it further

Resolved, That the district in convention give thanks to God for the work of LCMS recognized service organizations supporting work on campuses, specifically the Lutheran Campus Mission Association and International Student Ministry, Inc.; and be it finally

Resolved, That the district in convention memorialize the 2026 Synod convention to reinstate a full-time director of Campus Ministry within the Office of National Mission to coordinate, support, and encourage outreach and discipleship on college and university campuses.

English District