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North Park University
Chicago, Illinois

Denomination: North Park University is the only four-year college of the Evangelical Covenant Church	Size: More than 3000 students
Affiliation: Member of the CCCU	Website: www.northpark.edu/umin

Vision
As an educational partner in the North Park community, the Department of University Ministries exists to encourage and nurture a Christian worldview that integrates students' faith in God with the way they learn and live.  We understand what we do as part of the amazing, though often messy, process of spiritual formation . .
Our vision is for the relationships we develop, and the experiences we share participating in the programs of University Ministries, to help shape us into all we were created to be. The goal is not a finished product or picture of perfection, but a way of living, most beautifully exemplified for us by Jesus. It is life expressed both individually and communally as we grow in understanding our Christian identity, increasing our Christ-like character, and developing a passionate faith in action. 

It is our desire as the staff of University Ministries to create an environment conducive to this kind of spiritual formation, and to challenge and equip students for their journey toward a life of significance and service. Relationships are at the core of our vision, values and mission, which is all about walking with students as they walk with God. And it is together that we take part in programs and activities that develop us spiritually: regular events such as weekly worship or serving opportunities, and more intense, periodic experiences such as the Sankofa journey or global outreach trips.  We are convinced that life is optimally experienced at the intersection of faith and service, confession and commitment. We serve as a witness to our belief; we strengthen our belief in the midst of our service.

Chapel
Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:30 am.

Students, faculty and staff are invited to attend these campus worship services that include music, prayer and teaching. The campus pastor, members of the community and speakers from across the country engage our hearts and minds with the truth of Scripture. A variety of worship styles and creative learning opportunities make each service something unique.

Sundays
collegelife takes place on Sunday nights at 8 pm.

Not just another service, collegelife is a communal worship experience with the intention of learning and living out what it means to follow Jesus. Through the arts, brief practical teachings, and the opportunity to respond, our hope is to bring a Christian perspective to the real life issues students face today.

Other Highlights
At the center of undergraduate life at North Park is University Ministries, designed to provide students with cutting edge experiences and resources that are at the same time rooted in the tradition of historic Christian faith. Student leadership, supported by eight professionals, provides numerous opportunities for students to test their own gifts and sort out their own sense of calling in their life. Campus worship is planned to provide a sense of place for students from different Christian traditions and ethnic backgrounds. Music ranges from rap to Hillsong Music to Bach.

The Department of University Ministries has unusually well-developed values and mission statements.

As North Park's most well known and longest standing service program, Urban Outreach is the student-led volunteer program within University Ministries that provides the structure, training, support and accountability that make for a fruitful and fulfilling experience.

Global Outreach seeks to equip and mobilize students for a lifestyle of global Christ-centered service, both in Chicago and around the world. The student-led Global Outreach (GO) Team learns about mission and global issues, educates, plans events for the campus about mission and global issues, as well as coordinates fundraisers for outreach trips over winter, spring and summer breaks.

Sankofa brings together readings, films, class lectures, and conversations with a pilgrimage to major civil rights sites in the southern part of the U.S. focusing on black/white relations. We explore the biblical, theological, sociological, political, cultural and psychological dimensions of the struggle for racial justice during the civil rights era, and its contemporary implications.

Each year there is a Campus Theme, based on one or more of the North Park Dialogue questions. The theme pervades lectures, artistic events, film festivals, outreach opportunities, chapel services, and residence hall community development programs. The campus theme for the 2005-2006 school year is What is a life of significance?