What makes ministering to an all-women’s college unique? Megan (Balsley) McKinley has an opportunity to recognize individually the 700+ faces on Chatham University’s campus.
Megan says:
I figure that even if I don’t know all of their names, in due time they will all know who I am. On one of our spring break trips, I asked students if others knew me on campus. The reply from one of the girls was, “Yeah, we talk about you.” I didn’t continue to ask what they said, but it did confirm that I am a Christian presence on campus and that someone is always watching me.
Formally, I work with the Chatham Christian Fellowship (CCF) on campus. We (CCF) want to be a body of believers that strive to learn more about our relationships with Jesus, each other, and how we can love and serve the Chatham community (taken from Phil. 2:1-7). These thoughts are worked out in a Bible study that meets weekly, community-building activities such as bowling or ice skating, and service projects. Our Bible study meets on Thursdays at 7pm. We meet in the home of Kent and Martha McElhattan (CCO Board Member), who live right on campus.
I continue to want students to dive deeper into the Bible and each other’s lives. We will be starting up a few discipleship groups this year where that will be the aim. Through these consistent relationships, we can be a supporting, challenging, and keeping each other accountable. I want students who are able and willing to continue to mature in their relationship with Christ and be able to translate that into all areas of their life.
Another part of my job is to get to know students better on an individual basis. I volunteer with the Chatham volleyball team to build relationships with the girls and with hope that God will use me in their lives. Come out to support the Cougars!
At the CCO, we understand the importance of connecting students with a local church body. Regularly, I pick up students at Chatham so they can attend Shadyside Presbyterian Church with me. At the church we help students connect with one another at our monthly college lunch held the first Sunday of each month. We also give students an opportunity to have a “Campus Connector,” someone from the congregation whoshows them hospitality and helps them to feel more at home at Shadyside Pres.
to develop men and women who live out their Christian faith in every area of life.
5912 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15206
412.363.3303 (phone) 412.363.1005 (fax)
