April update
Springtime at the MCSC
Dear friends,
As spring finally arrives in Michigan, and visions of an NCAA basketball championship tantalize the University of Michigan community, the Center continues to serve as a hub of Christian activity on campus. Last Wednesday, for example, as Kings4Christ student ministry finished their Bible study in the library room, staff members prepared the second floor for our first-ever “meal and mingle” event for U of M graduate students. After ninety minutes of lively dinner and conversation, the graduate students departed and we quickly re-set the second floor for Salt Company’s Wednesday evening Bible study. Then we cleaned up the first-floor kitchen, working quietly so as not to disturb Stepping Stone, a new campus ministry organization for Korean students, that meets Wednesday evenings on that floor.
It’s been exciting to see the Center serve the U of M Christian community in so many ways. In addition to our own programs and activities, the Center continues to be a source of Christian unity and collaboration at the University of Michigan, as the images below from the past month illustrate.
Friday Lunches
Our Friday lunches continue to provide students with living examples of “thinking Christianly, living faithfully.” In March, students interacted with pastor and Kierkegaard scholar Gabe Kasper, West Michigan design professional Becky Schrotenboer, and UM political scientist Brian Min.
Veritas Forum
Nothing demonstrates Christian collaboration on university campuses better than a Veritas Forum event. Over the past several months, the Center served as the nexus of planning and preparation for a visit by University of North Carolina historian and journalist Molly Worthen. On March 18 in Rackham Auditorium, hundreds of attendees heard Molly tell her journey of coming to Christian faith, follwed by an hour of Q&A with students moderated by UM psychology professor Thad Polk. Earlier in the day, Molly met with a group of Christian professors at the Center as we shared the experiences of Christian faculty on our two campuses.
Weekly courses and discussions
Our Christian Life and Calling class heads into the homestretch of the semester as students hear from a variety of Christian professionals who discuss their approaches to discerning God’s calling in their lives. Small groups also continue to meet for book discussions and our Life Lab initiative to engage in Christian practices.
Ministering to graduate students
Over thirty graduate students attended our dinner for Christian graduate students, led by Hospitality Coordinator Cynthia Adebayo, a Ph.D. student in Public Health. It was the Center’s first foray into supporting this important group of Christians who will influence the culture and ideas of the future, and a follow-up event is scheduled in mid-April.
Finally, as Christians across the world celebrate Holy Week, we are reminded of Christ's death, which secures our salvation, and his resurrection, which provides our hope. We at the Center are grateful for the opportunity to cultivate a community of hope, love, and thoughtful Christian presence at the University of Michigan, and we thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Rick
Dr. Rick Ostrander
Executive Director
Michigan Christian Study Center
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
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