Christ on Campus

Rev. Marcus T. Zill, our Christ on Campus executive and a founding member of Higher Things, has indicated to our Board of Directors that he would like to devote his time and energy toward steering the upcoming UNWRAPPED-2013 National LCMS Campus Ministry Conference in January (http://unwrapped2013.org). This conference is an integral part of the ongoing efforts of the Synod to increase support of campus ministry through the newly formed Office of National Mission. We believe this to be a positive step in campus ministry and are delighted that our friend Marcus will play a significant role in planning this important conference.

On behalf of Higher Things' Board of Directors and its staff, I thank Marcus for his twelve years of zeal and leadership in bringing Higher Things to the place where it is today and also for his vision for Christ on Campus. We thank God for his labors among us and wish him our Lord's richest and abundant blessing in his work with our Synod.

Rev. William M. Cwirla, President

Unfortunately, we have recently heard the news of the potentially tragic sale of another full time LCMS campus ministry facility, University Lutheran Chapel, in Los Angeles, CA (serving students at UCLA). ULC is also a Christ on Campus Chapter of Higher Things.

In short, the Pacific Southwest District of the Synod is seeking to sell this full time campus ministry in order to help pay down their enormous debt. This has opened up many wounds in the wake of the situation with University Lutheran Chapel in Minneapolis, and of course, is a cause for grave concern for all of us, especially for those who care for campus mission and ministry in SoCal.

News of this situation has already gone viral, perhaps even at a more rapid pace than the situation in MN, likely because everyone is already on heightened alert because of what has already taken place there. But we would like to urge everyone to exercise a bit of restraint, however, at least until we are fully aware of the situation.

We would like to assure you that we will do everything we can to defend, protect and support Pastor Jasa and his congregation at UCLA, just as we have with Pastor Kind and ULC in Minneapolis. We are all in this together!

We at Higher Things are extremely concerned about the actions that are taking place in both situations, and potentially others, even beyond our Christ on Campus chapter network. At the same time we are both hopeful for the future of campus ministry in the LCMS and thankful for the process that President Matthew Harrison and Rev. Bart Day have initiated through the new Office of National Mission.

Thank you for your continued concern and support for campus ministry. Please pray that the hemorrhaging will stop, genuine solutions will begin, and that if there is collateral damage, that it will at least not be the precious young people of Christ's Church:

"O God, Source of all abiding knowledge and truth, who through Your Word and Spirit both enlightens the minds and sanctifies the lives of the faithful; we implore You to look with favor on the campus ministries of Your church, especially both University Lutheran Chapel in Minneapolis as well as Los Angeles, and grant that they may faithfully proclaim Your Gospel on the campuses of our nation; that Your Word may shine both upon the minds and hearts of students everywhere and that these may be drawn by Your grace and calling to salvation through Christ Jesus our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen."

Kyrie eleison.

Rev. Marcus Zill, Executive
Higher Things, Christ on Campus

"Confessing Christ on Campus Since 1517"