Campus Ministry: A Team Effort

Retention of children, youth, and young adults is consistently one of the chief concerns expressed by members of Missouri District congregations. One of the things needed in retaining young people during their years attending university is intentionality. This issue of the Voice focuses on campus ministry. In particular, intentionality is essential from parents and congregations alike. Congregations can be intentional about this important time by connecting parents to campus ministries near to the respective colleges that their children will attend. Parents can be intentional about this by submitting their child’s contact information to the Missouri District campus ministry network for colleges and universities in Missouri (https://www.molcms.college/). This will assist the campus ministry in reaching out to your young person.

There are many considerations for parents and young people alike in choosing a college. Cost and the majors offered are among the most important factors. However, pastors and church leaders should also encourage parents and young people that a place where they can grow and be fed spiritually is just as important. Each year, young people at universities across Missouri are involved in campus ministries through worship, study, service, and other activities. Sadly though, large numbers of young people from Missouri District congregations never attend worship services or campus ministry activities. Our prayer is that together we can work to retain our young people through our campus ministries and reach new people with the Gospel.

We are aware of the many challenges that our young people face on university campuses and how often their faith will be attacked. Yet campus ministries provide a safe and caring place for young people to find support and encouragement during these critical years. We invite your prayers and your support for our campus ministries across Missouri. Together we can intentionally prepare young adults and their parents for these years and connect them with campus ministries where they can grow in Christ. If you would like to learn more about the campus ministries of the Missouri District, please contact Leah Sieveking (leah.sieveking@mo.lcms.org).

Fraternally in Christ,

President Lee Hagan

Rev. Dr. R. Lee Hagan was elected as the fifth president of the Missouri District-LCMS in 2015.  He is a 1992 graduate of Concordia College (now University), Seward, Nebraska.  He graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis with a Master of Divinity in 1996 and Doctor of Ministry in 2011.  Dr. Hagan served as associate pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Evansville, Indiana from 1996-2002.  In 2002, he was called to serve as senior pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Concordia, Missouri until he was elected district president.  Additionally, he served as the Interim Director of LCMS Rural and Small Town Mission from 2011-2012.  He has previously served as Missouri District first vice-president from 2012-2015, fourth vice-president from 2011-2012, and chairman of the Board for Congregational Services from 2006-2011.  He has presented workshops and retreats on a host of ministry topics including elders, rural ministry, outreach and ministry to inactives.  He has written articles for Lutheran Witness, Concordia Historical Quarterly and Missio Apostolica.  He has led mission trips to Cambodia, China, Guatemala and the Bahamas.  Dr. Hagan is married to Jill (nee Johnson), who works as a speech-language pathologist.  They have two children, Caroline and Jack.