The United Methodist Church has a vital ministry presence on the campuses of public and private universities across the state. They are engaging students through worship, missions, small groups, leadership development and a community of support.
Learn more about our ministries by watching the videos below!
Our Mission
Our Situation: 1+ million college students, over 60 universities, colleges and community colleges on multiple campuses
Our vision: To reach as many students as we can
Our mission: To develop Christian Disciples on Florida’s college and university campuses by:
- calling students into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ
- training them to become servant leaders
- sending them out to serve God through the local church
- encouraging the development of Christian community
Core Values of United Methodist Campus Ministry
EVANGELISM: to actively offer the good news of Jesus Christ and the opportunity to belong to an authentic Christian community on every university and college campus
DISCIPLESHIP: to provide substantive opportunities for students to become growing, serving, learning, and leading disciples of Jesus Christ in the United Methodist tradition
HOSPITALITY: to be communities that are intentionally and radically open, welcoming, and inclusive to all people, seeking to be communities that authentically reflect the diversity and unity of the Kingdom of God
CALLINGS: to help all students hear God’s call to serve and lead in the church and world, including both lay vocations and ministry in the Church
INNOVATION: to be incubators for new and effective ways for doing ministry as United Methodists, particularly with young adults
HOPE: to embody hope for the future of the United Methodist Church, as we raise up a new generation of disciples of Jesus Christ, for the transformation of the world
Importance of Campus Ministry
The current generation of college students is the largest since the Baby Boom, but the lowest percentage to grow up in church
Approximately 80% of college students have never had significant Church experience
More significant life choices (vocation, lifestyle, relationships) are made during college than any other stage of life.
90% of students who have grown up in the church may never return after graduation
A Critical Time for our Campus Ministries:
We are at a time in history where people are more sensitive to spirituality and this is very true when it comes to our college campuses. A study conducted by the Higher Education Research Institute (HERI) at UCLA shows a high degree of spiritual interest and involvement among college students. Many students say that they are “searching for meaning/purpose in life” or that they have discussions about the meaning of life with friends, and similar numbers have high expectations that college will help them develop emotionally and spiritually.
What a great opportunity for the United Methodist Church through our Campus Ministries and UM related colleges to have an effect on the lives of these students. Imagine the impact we could have as a church if we came together as a Conference to reach out to these students. We could not only began to fulfill the Great Commission on college campuses everywhere, but also help to bring the next generation of leaders into a relationship with the living God.
