Worship. Discipleship. Outreach.
The Campus Ministry Department at CCU exists to equip and mobilize students to make Christ known around the world. At CCU, we use the term “spiritual formation” to refer to everything we do, in and out of the classroom, to make faith in Jesus Christ the authentic center of our lives. We seek to educate minds, model holy living, instill passion for Christ, develop compassion for others, immerse in community, and stimulate personal growth so that we may raise up servant leaders committed to advancing God’s kingdom.
CCU’s campus ministries focus on four main areas.
- The CCU community worships together at Chapel and during vespers.
- Discipleship opportunities are available through small groups, Bible studies, men’s and women’s ministry activities, mentoring, and prayer ministries.
- Students are encouraged to participate in outreach around the Denver area by using their gifts to help those in need. Some students go to visit the elderly at nursing homes or feed the homeless downtown, work with inner-city youth.
- Part of the Great Commission is to go into ALL the world. That’s why CCU sends around 200 students on mission trips to six continents—places like Africa, Scotland, Russia, Costa Rica, Australia, and Peru. It’s about students building relationships with people around the world, using the training they’re receiving at CCU to make a global impact.
At CCU ministry is required … but it’s also one of our students’ favorite activities! All students entering the University as freshmen in the College of Undergraduate Studies program, must complete four semesters of work in a local ministry during their college career at CCU in order to graduate. Transfer students must complete two semesters of work. This involvement should take place off campus and should total at least three hours a week for 15 weeks, or 45 hours per semester.
Chapel
The CCU community gathers for chapel every Tuesday and Thursday at 10:50 a.m. Chapel provides Christ-centered worship through music and teaching, and sets the tone for the spiritual atmosphere on campus. Attendance is required for all CCU students in the College of Undergraduate Studies program.
Chapel encourages a strong commitment to Christ in the following ways:
- Community—chapel promotes a community of Christians with a distinctive purpose and a sense of identity.
- Education—chapel provides a unique educational opportunity that supports and enriches the other academic programs of the institution. In this setting, CCU focuses on and responds to a common set of issues and information.
- Worship—chapel gives the CCU community the opportunity to worship together. Through exposure to different worship styles, students learn to appreciate various forms and traditions of worship and expressions of faith.
Church Attendance
Colorado Christian University affirms and supports the role of the local church in the lives of all community members. The University encourages and expects every student to become involved in a local church or fellowship on a weekly basis while attending CCU. Church directories are available through Residence Life, Student Life, and Campus Ministry.
Ministry Requirements
One distinctive example of Colorado Christian University’s commitment to preparing graduates for Christian leadership and service is the ministry requirement.
All students entering the University as a freshmen in the College of Undergraduate Studies program, must complete four semesters of work in a local ministry during their college career at CCU in order to graduate. Transfer students to CCU in the CUS program must complete 2 semesters of work. This involvement should take place off campus and should total at least 3 hours a week for 15 weeks, or 45 hours per semester. Students must register their ministry hours each semester in the Career Service/Service Learning Office. It is the responsibility of every student to see that the proper forms are completed and returned on time to the Service Learning Office each semester. Students who are not prepared to select a ministry that will complete their requirement are encouraged to contact a campus minister, or the Service Learning Office, to discuss what options might be best for them. Students not completing the ministry requirement will be held from graduation until all hours are completed.
Growth Groups and Ministries
One of the unique aspects of the Campus Ministry department is the various ministries, mission trips, and growth opportunities it provides. Growth groups are run by CCU students, staff, and faculty. They include two to three students who gather once a week during the year to learn, pray, and discuss various aspects of their faith. These groups are ideal for students to gain a deeper insight into their relationship with Christ, bond with other students and staff of the community, and gain valuable support for their efforts as a student, believer, and friend. The department also provides various mission trips throughout the year to Mexico and other areas such as Romania. Nothing confronts a person with their faith like a mission trip serving others. The details of these trips are advertised throughout the year and involve students, faculty, and staff.
Finally, the Campus Ministry program supports many different ministry opportunities around the Denver area and provides access to them for CCU students. These opportunities range from group interaction such as Fellowship of Christian Athletes to various community-service programs. These interactions give students a full range of service, fellowship, and witnessing opportunities.
