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Greetings,
This Wesley Foundation Update will tell you about the Four Aspects of Wesley Foundations' Ministry:
Developing Spiritual leaders...
... in a community of faith...
... transforming the world....
... through Christian witness.
Please continue to send your questions about the Wesley Foundations to lmlarson@hotmail.com and be sure to check out the website for the Wesley Foundations in Iowa: http://www.4iowawesleys.org/.
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 Developing Spiritual leaders...
a story from the Wesley Foundation at Iowa State University
Sam Cotter came to the Wesley Foundation at Iowa State already a leader, to be sure. He'd been active in school, church and community activities for many years. Yet it's no understatement to say his leadership skills have grown tremendously while he's been a part of the Wesley Foundation. Sam says, "I have had opportunities for involvement and leadership since my first year at Iowa State. The pastors noticed my interest and involved me in activities. A simple request or personal invitation from a pastor or church friend was hard to turn down!"
Sam has taken a leadership role in nearly every ministry area and activity the Wesley Foundation offers...then developed more ministries when he felt a need or sensed others could benefit. With each step his skills and the strength of our ministries grew (and created new opportunities for us to make use of his leadership). Sam says, "A lot of leadership development is simply taking advantage of opportunities and offers which come your way. The Wesley Foundation has given me many opportunities to get involved in leading and participating in worship, studies and fellowship activities at church. Through their guidance and promptings, the Wesley Foundation clergy have helped me develop spiritually as I have presented ideas in worship and small groups. I have been challenged by the opportunities to speak in worship and lead small groups and I have always had the support of the faith community".
Sam has, to list just a few examples, initiated, planned and facilitated on-campus discussion groups entitled "Spiritual People Discussing Non-Religious Topics". Sam is one of six students on our Vision/Action Team, plays keyboards in our worship band, started our "Adopt-A-Highway" program and was part of an all-student preaching team from the ISU Wesley Foundation which led worship when a pastor of a nearby congregation was on vacation. He has been the driving force between our Midnight Breakfasts outreach program, preaches periodically at our faithspring worship, is the Vice-Chair of our Wesley Foundation Board and so much more. His wonderfully inviting and caring manner have led to the involvement and inclusion of many other students.
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...in a community of faith...
a photograph from the Wesley Foundation at the Drake University 
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...transforming the world...
a story from the Wesley Foundation at the University of Iowa
Eddie Crise, a peer minister at the Wesley Foundation at the University of Iowa, spends Tuesday afternoons at Southeast Junior High in Iowa City tutoring students. Through this volunteer work, Eddie says he enjoys "being a positive influence for the kids." Eddie didn't wait to finish his education before transforming the world. He's transforming the world now.
He has found that working with students has more to do with being a friend than helping them get their homework done. "After a long day of school," Eddie shares, "they need to talk with someone, someone to listen to their interests and who they are."
Eddie grew up in a United Methodist Church, participating on church council and going to Appalachia Service Project for several summers in a row. Coming to the University of Iowa, Eddie sought out the Wesley Foundation as a United Methodist institution and found a place where he could belong to a faith community that continued to nurture his spiritual growth
Eddie in time plans to be a teacher. He sees teaching as a way for him to impact the world, helping form people to be who they are. He's not into making grand sweeping political decisions that will change the world in an instant, but hopes to help form each person which will in turn create a ripple effect that will make a difference in the long run.
Eddie is clear: "Educating the world is definitely serving God. Teaching should be included with feeding the hungry and clothing the naked. Education helps people out."
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...through Christian witness.
a story from the Wesley Foundation at the
University of Northern Iowa
The Social Justice League met on Monday afternoons during Spring '09 semester. Derk Babbitt is a senior Peer Minister who has participated in each of Wesley's spring trips to Washington DC and New York City. This spring he wanted to put together a group that would work on issues of justice in the local area. Derk reports, "Each week a different topic under the umbrella of social justice was the theme. Guest speakers shared about the outreach with Hispanic immigrants in the Cedar Valley. We studied the ongoing situation in Postville. This was particularly interesting because a group from Wesley was on a train to New York City for a seminar on Immigration a year ago when the original Postville disaster took place. Leading up to our decision to affiliate with the Reconciling Ministry Network, the Social Justice League studied and offered opportunities for the whole Wesley community to explore the issues around our Statement of Inclusiveness. We've studied/discussed environmental issues, poverty, religion and politics and other areas of interest. We've also continued the relationship of study and witness by working further on Flood '08 cleanup and response with a low income housing project in North Cedar area of Cedar Falls."
We also have extended place hospitality to an academic Bible Study called Logos which has been loosely sponsored by Wesley and the Episcopal Campus ministry for a couple of years. We welcome, as part of our ministry, 12 step groups, campus/community conversation partner times with the Culture and Intensive English Program and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program.
A relevant Christian Witness is a central part of the outreach of the Wesley Foundation at the University of Northern Iowa. |
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Campus ministry can have a huge impact
in students' lives. . . if we let it
by Laura Higgins
As Christians, we know that there is always someone there for us and that we are never alone. We take joy, pride and comfort in our God. For many, campus ministry at the Wesley Foundation is a home away from home, and for some it may simply be a wonderful meal and fellowship on Thursday night. Either way, it has something to offer everyone. You can get involved with as much or as little as you like while still feeling at home and a sense of belonging.
To say that I have it all together would undoubtedly be a mistake. In the Wesley Fellowship, I've learned that it is OK to struggle and that I am not alone in it. Many times I have found that God is not always saying, "Hey Laura! I'm over here!" I have learned that God can be found in many places that you may never realize until you open your heart and mind to it. I have seen God in the face of little girls to whom we taught dances, in a woman whose house we rebuilt in Mississippi, in a song, in the exchange of prayers between friends, and in many more places.
So many college students get "lost" in the hustle and bustle of their lives. The Wesley Foundation has been a grounding place for me, where I have gained friends and amazing relationships more
than anything else I've been involved with at JMU.
I do not doubt, even for one second, that God led me to the Wesley Foundation. Belonging to such an amazing community of faith and openness, of people my own age, has enhanced my faith in ways I cannot explain and of which I will be forever grateful!
- Laura Higgins is a graduate student in occupational therapy at James
Madison University and is the JMU Wesley Foundation's vice president
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