Spiritual Life Ministries (Campus Ministries)
Stephen "Tig" Intagliata, Campus Pastor ext. 3219
Spiritual Life at Bluffton University is rooted in a Mennonite understanding of faith where the focus is to live like Jesus in all areas of life. The Campus Ministries department seeks to provide a holistic Christian atmosphere through offering a variety of opportunities for growing as a follower of Jesus. The ministries listed below encourage Christian growth and help build community through worship, service, Bible study and prayer.
Chapel services
Chapel services are held on Thursdays at 11 am in Yoder Recital Hall. While chapel attendance is not required, it is a privilege and a blessing to be able to worship together as a campus community. Bluffton faculty and staff as well as outside guests serve as speakers at chapel services, and the music incorporates both hymns as well as contemporary praise and worship. A student-led chapel planning committee meets weekly to plan and evaluate chapel services.
Sunday night worship
Sunday Night Worship takes place every other Sunday night at 8:30 pm in Yoder Recital Hall. These services tend to have a more contemporary flavor, and speakers at Sunday Night Worship are usually students. Occasionally, Hymns sings are held on Sunday nights. For both Chapel and Sunday Night Worship, students provide leadership through worship leading, scripture reading, and serving on the worship band, the worship dance team and the drama team.
Students are also encouraged to get involved with a local church of their choice. A directory of churches, along with their meeting times and other information is available through the Campus Ministries office (2nd floor Hirschler Hall, Riley Court), through the Hall Chaplains, or through an online directory: More info...
SERVE (formerly Diakonia)
SERVE is a service-oriented group which promotes missions and service opportunities for students off-campus in the local area and beyond. The group often organizes a week-long service trip during Spring break. Special on-campus mission awareness days and acts of service to the campus community are also planned and carried out.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)
Jana Teague, Advisor Ext. 3221
Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) is an organization that seeks to discover what it means to integrate Christian faith into life on and off of the athletic field. Bluffton’s FCA group is made up of athletes as well as those who are not currently on a team but who enjoy sports. FCA meets weekly for Bible study and also sponsors activities at sporting events, organizes events such as corn-hole tournaments and ski trips, and provides opportunities for service to the campus and community.
Hall chaplains
Hall chaplains are upperclassmen who live in the residence halls as serve as a support to their fellow students. The Hall Chaplains provide peer counseling, lead Bible studies and promote spiritual life activities on campus. They also seek to help new students make the transition to college life and get oriented to life and activities on campus. There are 16 Hall Chaplains serving throughout campus, and they are selected through an interview process in the spring for the following year.
Ministry teams
Ministry teams are groups of students who develop programs to conduct in churches using their gifts in music and drama. Through these ministry teams, students give witness to their faith in Christ and give encouragement to the larger body of believers. Currently, the Shining Through worship ministry team is active and is comprised of 20 students who lead worship services in churches and other off-campus settings.
Spiritual Life Week
One week each semester is designated as Spiritual Life Week. A student-led committee chooses a theme and plans various activities during the week, including special worship services, games, discussions and service days. Each Spiritual Life Week features a guest speaker who challenges and inspires students through sharing insights related to the week’s theme.
Service Opportunities
Information about long and short-term service opportunities, as well as summer camp positions, is available from the Campus Pastor. In addition, service and mission emphasis days are held to acquaint students with church and service agencies that provide opportunities for domestic and overseas service. Short-term service opportunities are also organized through SERVE (see above) and other student organizations during Spring break and other times throughout the year.
