Five Disciples institutions receive College/University Grants

Five diverse projects - enhancing leadership for the church, improving campus ministry and educational services, and raising awareness of worldwide challenges - will receive special funding from the College/University Grant fund, a program administered by Higher Education & Leadership Ministries (HELM).

The College/University Grant program funds special projects at undergraduate institutions related to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) that will benefit the relationship between the institution and the church as a whole. The colleges and universities put a portion of the money they are allocated from general denominational funding into a special fund to support these grants. New grants are made each year by the HELM Board of Directors following applications from the schools, and all grants represent new initiatives, not ongoing programming.

Barton College is partnering with Week of Compassion to create "Campus Compassion," a program increasing awareness among students of global challenges such as poverty, food security, sustainable development, disaster recovery, and immigration. An alternative spring break trip to a mission site will be the culmination for students; a subsequent gathering of chaplains of Disciples-related colleges and universities will share best practices with the goal of expanding the program to other campuses.
	Culver-Stockton College will gather high school students, young adults, college students, and youth pastors for "Christian Leadership Experience," an examination of stewardship, empowering students for leadership, emerging and non-traditional movements in churches, and faith during college. This gathering is set for the summer of 2010.
Eureka College's "Disciples Schools and Growing-Edge Churches" will collect information on the denomination's fastest growing churches, racial-ethnic minority and immigrant congregations, with the goal of enhancing the way Disciples institutions of higher education serve this unique demographic.
	Jarvis Christian College's "Diversity Studies and World Religions" project will help create two classes providing opportunities to compare religious traditions. It will also help Jarvis establish a Study Abroad program.
Texas Christian University, in partnership with HELM and the United Church of Christ, will host the National Campus Ministry Convocation in June 2010. This event will gather approximately 75 students and campus ministers with the goal of identifying student ministry leaders, creating church-wide networks, and sharing best practices. The convocation will be planned by the Student Ecumenical Partnership (STEP), the national student ministries of Disciples and the UCC.