Campus + Congregation + Community = Agapé

Written by Pastor Joe October 26 2011

With the recent news of more financial cuts to campus ministry and the uncertainty of traditional funding sources for the future, it is clear that I, along with Agapé, must continue to think as "spiritual" entrepreneurs. I feel that campus ministry, as it has been known over the past 100-plus years, must begin to engage the bigger picture of younger adults and the church. 

The imperative of building fatih-based communitities with those who live in the 18-30 year old range is not only on campus but also in congregations and in the local communities where the economy and other issues have caused some to put off college. This challenge has led us to see this adventure as organic and intentional.

The answer is to be creative and innovative in cultivating a broader community that balances campus, congregation, and community relationships.  Relationship building and "friendraising"/fundraising becomes the foundational goal for the Agapé board. Having a place for students to drop in and call home has been crucial as we continue to form community on campus and in intentional community houses.

St. Alban Church, which is a block outside the South Campus of Case Western Reserve, has now offered their community and building to serve as both a "campus chapel" and community center for Agapé. This partnership will provide a presence among the apartments where many graduate students live and a destination that is 4 minutes from the center of campus. St. Alban will also be a base for the arts programs and the conversations that have drawn students from both CSU and Case and "students of life" from the local community. St. Alban will also be investing time, talents, and treasure into this new venture. This partnership will be a win/win, as the growth of Agapé will mean the growth of St. Alban as a campus chapel and a community presence in the Cleveland Heights area.

Agapé will be able to both serve the students and community that now worship both on Wednesdays and Sundays, as well as go on the road from time to time on appropriate Sundays to spread the word of this fresh expression of student-empowered faith community. I truly think that expanding and growing Agapé with the campus + congregation + community will provide a greater mission and sustainability for the sake of those "emerging adults" who seek a place and voice in this changing church.

These times will provide a great opportunity of renewal, but also a time to follow Christ into the world and discover new ways of being with Him in community that is rooted in Word and sacrament. Thank you for joining our cause, and please keep us in your prayers as we celebrate new relationships!

In Christ's Service,
Rev. Joseph Kovitch