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New Mexico State University Campus Ministry
At
Mission Lutheran Church
NMSU-Campus Ministry of Mission Lutheran Church is comprised of faithful Lutheran Students attending New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico. From undergraduate to graduate students, this body has grown over the past years from approximately 6-8 students to a current membership of 20+ students.
This campus ministry had its inception in 1994. Pastor Everett Gerdes and members of Mission Lutheran congregation made it a priority to initiate intentional outreach to Lutheran and non-Lutheran students alike. In addition to Sunday Divine Services; a weekly Bible study was begun. Throughout the years, this study has seen numerous locations, both on campus as well as at student’s homes. While the primary emphasis of ministry has remained Word and Sacrament, there are numerous other aspects that are essential, such as the “adopt-a-student” program, the Spring Break mission trip, Fall Sports Day and other fellowship activities held throughout the school year.
NMSU Campus Ministry meets every Tuesday evening at the home of Pastor and Pat Patrick. Following prayer and the Doxology, a family-style, sit down dinner is served, not only to the regularly attending students, but to invited guests as well. The menu varies from Green-Chile Cheeseburgers on the grill, to Salmon fillets; this is all dependent upon the local supermarket sales! Meals usually cost between $60-100 per week. Students are encouraged to make menu suggestions and on occasion to cook for the group. The students are provided ample opportunities throughout the school year, to take initiative and responsibility in playing an active role in leadership in the group. The students of this group have joyfully met these challenges and continue to strive toward serving one another and the elderly at Mission Lutheran Church.
Following dinner, the students clear dishes, break down tables and put the coffee pot on. When clean up is finished and the coffee brewed, the students find a spot in the den for Bible study. Hymnals and Bibles are passed out from the shelf; prayer and a hymn begin the study. Bible study lasts about 1 hour, followed with prayer requests. The last minutes of the gathering consist of planning by the students for the upcoming week. Plans are firmed up as to when and where they will meet one another in the social setting. Through NMSU Campus Ministry, the students become “connected” and develop meaningful relationships. Since 1994, NMSU Campus Ministry has been blessed with approximately 15 marriages; Pastor Patrick counts it a tremendous blessing to now be Baptizing their children!
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