University Christian Ministries Inc

THE MISSION OF UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES, INC. (CENTER FOR CHRISTIAN STUDY) IS TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES FOR CORPORATE AND INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION OF THE TRUTHS OF THE HISTORIC CHRISTIAN FAITH IN RESPONSE TO THE QUESTIONS RAISED BY CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY. WE WILL PROVIDE THESE OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES FIRST TO THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA, SECONDLY TO THE CHARLOTTESVILLE COMMUNITY, AND THIRDLY TO THE BROADER REGION. THROUGH THIS MISSION, MEN AND WOMEN WILL BE TRANSFORMED BY THE TRUTH, WHICH WILL BE REFLECTED IN THEIR THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS, BOTH IN THEIR PRIVATE LIVES BEFORE GOD AND IN THEIR PUBLIC LIVES AS MEMBERS OF SOCIETY, THEIR FAMILY, AND THE CHURCH.

UNDERGRADUATE MINISTRIES AT THE CENTER FOR CHRISTIAN STUDY AIM TO EVANGELIZE AND DISCIPLE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA STUDENTS BY HELPING THEM APPLY THE CLAIMS OF THE BIBLE TO THE WHOLE OF LIFE. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED PRIMARILY THROUGH MEETING WITH STUDENTS ONE-ON-ONE, FACILITATING SMALL GROUPS AND LECTURE SERIES, ASSISTING OTHER CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES AT THE UNIVERSITY, AND PROVIDING THE ELZINGA RESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM FOR MEN AND WOMEN WHO CHOOSE TO LIVE AND STUDY IN COMMUNITY WHILE ENROLLED AS UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ARE AT THE CORE OF OUR MISSION AT THE CENTER FOR CHRISTIAN STUDY. WE BELIEVE THAT ALL CHRISTIANS SHOULD SEEK TO GROW IN THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF SCRIPTURE, CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE, AND CHURCH HISTORY. WE ALSO KNOW THAT IT IS CRUCIAL FOR BELIEVERS TO CONSIDER HOW OUR CULTURE INFLUENCES OUR THOUGHTS AND DESIRES IN LIGHT OF CHRISTIAN TRUTH. EDUCATION, PROPERLY DIRECTED, DOES NOT ONLY PROVIDE INFORMATION BUT FORMATION. IT HELPS US TO ENVISION OUR PLACE IN GOD'S REDEMPTIVE PLAN FOR THE WORLD, AND IT FORMS OUR CHARACTER, HABITS AND DESIRES SO THAT WE MIGHT LIVE OUT OUR CALLING IN EVERY AREA OF LIFE. OUR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ARE OPEN TO ALL, AND OFFER UNIQUE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES OF SEVERAL DIFFERENT SORTS: LECTURES, SMALL GROUPS, SEMINARS AND COURSES. IN 2021-2022 WE OFFERED NUMEROUS DISCUSSION GROUPS. OUR MAJOR DISCUSSION GROUPS WERE: FALL 2021: "UNDERGRADUATE BIBLE STUDY: JAMES" (ETHAN & KATIE HIGHTOWER); "THE HOLY AMBITION OF WOMEN" (KATIE HIGHTOWER); "JONATHAN HAIDT, 'WHY GOOD PEOPLE ARE DIVIDED BY RELIGION & POLITICS' " (JOHN OWEN & FITZ GREEN); "READING THE PSALMS WITH SAINT AUGUSTINE" (FITZ GREEN & JONATHAN CUMMINS); "SUPERNATURAL" (BILL WILDER & ETHAN HIGHTOWER); "BEARINGS JOURNAL DISCUSSION GROUP" (FITZ GREEN & ANNIKA REYNOLDS); "L'ABRI TEA" (SAMANTHAN OLMSTED/RUF, HOSTED BY CCS/FITZ GREEN); "GREEK READING GROUP" (DOUG GROPP & KATIE HIGHTOWER); "HEBREW READING GROUP" (DOUG GROPP). SPRING 2022: "UNDERGRADUATE BIBLE STUDY: ISAIAH" (ETHAN & KATIE HIGHTOWER); "ISRAEL: PAST & PRESENT" (FITZ GREEN); "CHRISTIAN FAITH THROUGH SPACE AND TIME" (FITZ GREEN); "C.S. LEWIS GROUP: MERE CHRISTIANITY" (BILL WILDER & KATIE HIGHTOWER); "L'ABRI TEA" (SAMANTHA OLMSTED/RUF, HOSTED BY CCS/FITZ GREEN); "GREEK READING GROUP" (DOUG GROPP & KATIE HIGHTOWER); "HEBREW READING GROUP" (DOUG GROPP).

GRADUATE OUTREACH: THE NEED FOR A FELLOWSHIP SETTING THAT EMPHASIZES THE DESIRE TO THINK WITH A CHRISTIAN MIND IS ESPECIALLY RELEVANT FOR STUDENTS PURSUING ADVANCED DEGREES IN PREPARATION FOR PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP. THE STUDY CENTER PROVIDES FUNDING FOR THREE GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP GROUPS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA: ONE ON MAIN GROUNDS, ONE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA DARDEN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, AND ONE AT THE UNIVERISITY OF VIRGINIA SCHOOL OF LAW.

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES: THE STUDY CENTER PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES TO THE UNIVERSITY AND CHARLOTTESVILLE COMMUNITY. OUR EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES SUPPORT OUR PROGRAMS, MINISTRIES, AND OUR HOSPITALITY, WHICH SERVES A FEW HUNDRED UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS EACH WEEK WHO UTILIZE OUR LIBRARY, MEETING SPACES, AND ONLINE RESOURCES FOR FREE.ALUMNI/PARENT RELATIONS: THE CENTER ENCOURAGES ALUMNI TO STAY CONNECTED BY TAKING ADVANTAGE OF ITS EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES ONLINE AND IN PRINT. THE CENTER ALSO HOSTS LOCAL AND REGIONAL GATHERINGS THAT ENABLE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI AND FAMILIES TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THE CENTER AND WITH ONE ANOTHER. MANY ALUMNI VOLUNTEER TO HELP WITH REGIONAL OR UNIVERSITY REUNION EVENTS AS WELL AS TO SERVE AS GUEST SPEAKERS AND NETWORKING CONTACTS FOR STUDENTS.