If you build it, they will come. That has certainly been the case for the campus ministry in the West Suburban Ministry Center of the Chicago Church of Christ!
In 2008, the leadership asked the members to consider giving a special donation for the specific purpose of hiring campus interns for the summer. We believed that God would bless the faith and sacrifice and that this would reignite the zeal and passion to build a campus ministry at the College of DuPage (COD), the third-largest single-campus community college in the nation, the largest community college in Illinois and the second-largest institution of higher education in the state. Each semester, around 31,000 students attend College of DuPage; tuition is only $129 per credit hour for students who live in district at least 30 days immediately prior to the beginning of the semester. As such, COD is a great, affordable option for students beginning their college career.
The disciples responded with great generosity, and we were able to hire four interns for the summer. The summer began with around ten college students attending devotionals; from that inaugural summer, plus incoming freshmen from various teen ministries in Chicagoland, the fall semester saw a regular attendance of 40-50 students at the weekly devotionals. Discipleship groups and discipling partners were established, and students were taught, strengthened and inspired.
Around Thanksgiving, the plea was made to the Young Marrieds group for more help with this burgeoning ministry. Jeff and Kelly Throne answered the call with an eager desire to serve, while still continuing to lead the Young Marrieds group of about ten disciples. Their youth, zeal and relatability were a welcome addition to our leadership team! The group continued to grow in conviction, and the Lord began to add to their number with baptisms. The fall of 2009 saw even more kingdom kids excited to choose this affordable and spiritual option to begin their college career. The adult ministry of the West Suburbs was invigorated and inspired as well by the campus revival.
Another step of faith was taken: the leadership tapped shoulders of various members, asking if they would pledge financial support so that Jeff Throne could be hired full-time for this blossoming ministry. Once again, the disciples responded with great faith and sacrificial hearts, and Jeff was able to be hired beginning the following February. Retreats were planned and executed, t-shirts were designed (Jeff had given up his job as a graphic artist at a prestigious company in downtown Chicago to be in the ministry, so he was able to use his talents now in a new way for the Lord!); the campus group coined the name “Second City Campus Ministry” to establish their new identity.
Prior to the 2010 fall semester, the leadership of the Chicago Church of Christ had discussions regarding the need for more campus ministry staff. It was decided to focus on five campus ministry centers, with the West Suburban campus ministry being one of them. Subsequently, the budget was reevaluated in such a way as to support this priority within the church; a special contribution was taken church-wide in October as well to help support this vision.
As a result, Kelly Throne was able to quit her secular job in marketing and join her husband in a full-time capacity. When asked how she feels regarding her new role, Kelly says “For me, it’s just gratitude. I feel very humbled. I think the most challenging thing for me is the learning curve! I love nurturing, training, and teaching the disciples…with the Word and godly principles and practices, watching them mature in their relationship with God. I have a lot to learn in teaching people to become disciples, but I’m excited to learn how to do that more effectively.” Jeff thinks “it’s pretty cool to give the students direction spiritually and in life. You see it click, and they really get it. That’s what makes it so satisfying.” He says the campus ministry is definitely focusing on the mission, as the entire West Suburban Ministry Center has been studying the book of Acts. He has also seen the unity and stability of the group really growing.
As a result of putting faith into action, and our resources as well, the members of the Chicago Church will surely reap the benefits as we support our youth and invest in the next generation. At the ICMC this year, Ed Dawson asked those who were converted as a result of campus ministry to stand; about half of the crowd of over 4500 rose to their feet. “Through this campus ministry focus, we will avoid becoming a ‘blue-haired’ church,” Ed Dawson has said on more than one occasion. Most importantly, God’s dreams for the world will continue to be realized as the torch is passed to the next generation.