Congregations reach out to students

Lawrence is filled with congregations representing many faith backgrounds that are eager to interact with Kansas University students.

Many of the city’s churches have pastors and ministries whose specific purpose is outreach to this population, providing a wide variety of worship and social opportunities, as well as a potential spiritual home for students looking for a place to grow in their faith.

A good example would be Morning Star Christian Church, 998 N. 1771 Road, which reaches hundreds of KU students each year in partnership with Victory Campus Ministries.

Victory Campus Ministries is the campus arm of Morning Star International, a Christian movement to which Lawrence’s Morning Star Church belongs.

Erik Fish, a 1998 KU graduate, is director of Victory Campus Ministries in Lawrence. He works closely with the Rev. John McDermott, pastor of Morning Star. They have known each other since 1995, when McDermott became a spiritual mentor to Fish while he was a student.

“Our heart (at the campus ministry) is to have a positive influence on the KU campus and the Lawrence community,” said Fish, 28. “We have meetings throughout the week on campus, and our students do so much, as far as reaching out to their friends.”

“We have a great relationship with Morning Star. Working with a local church allows our students to have positive role models in their lives. Just as John (McDermott) mentored me, a lot of people in our church who are older have become mentors to the high school and college students.”

Fish said approximately 150 KU students are active in Victory Campus Ministries, and 60 to 70 of them are also members of Morning Star. The organization’s weekly meeting draws about 100 people.

Victory Campus Ministries offers a variety of weekly activities, including a group dinner, a gathering for international students and small-group Bible studies.

Fish, who is married and has two children, credits his involvement with Victory Campus Ministries and Morning Star Christian Church as a turning point in his own life.

“I wouldn’t be here if it hadn’t been for the positive relationships at Morning Star,” he said.

“John (McDermott) really was the most significant spiritual mentor in my life, so it’s just neat continuing to have a relationship with him today.”

There are many Lawrence churches and congregations that do special outreach to KU students. Here is a partial listing of some of those congregations:¢ First Baptist Church, 1330 Kasold Drive, 843-0020. Services at 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Sunday.¢ Ninth Street Baptist Church, 847 Ohio, 843-5828. Services at 7:45 a.m., 10:45 a.m. Sunday; 7 p.m. evening worship, first Sunday of each month; Wednesday midweek prayer service and Bible study, 11:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.¢ Christ Community Church, 1100 Kasold, 842-7600. Services at 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Sunday.¢ Victory Bible Church, 1942 Mass., 841-3437. Services at 10:30 a.m. Sunday; 7 p.m. Wednesday Bible study.¢ First Christian Church, 1000 Ky., 843-0679. Services at 9 a.m. (traditional), 11 a.m. (contemporary).¢ Islamic Center of Lawrence, 1917 Naismith Drive, 749-1638. Main prayer, 1:30 p.m. Friday. Daily prayers in evenings (contact center for information).¢ Morning Star Christian Church, 998 N. 1771 Road, 749-0023. Services at 10 a.m. Sunday. Victory Campus Ministries meets at 8 p.m. Wednesdays in Burge Union at KU.¢ Grace Evangelical Presbyterian, 3312 Calvin Drive, 843-2005. Services at 8:15 a.m., 10:45 a.m. Sunday.¢ First Presbyterian Church, 2415 Clinton Parkway, 843-4171. Services at 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday.¢ Immanuel Lutheran Church & University Student Center, 2104 W. 15th St., 843-0620. Services at 8:30 a.m. (traditional liturgical) and 11 a.m. (worship and praise).