CCO Campus Ministry

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The CCO’s ministry presence at the University of Pittsburgh is multifaceted, offering specialized opportunities for undergraduate, graduate, ethnic minority and international students, and student athletes. While these opportunities are all interdenominational, local congregations at Bellefield Presbyterian Church and Church of the Ascension in Oakland partner with the CCO to reach out to Pitt students.

Cornerstone is an interdenominational ministry to undergraduate students primarily at the University of Pittsburgh through Bellefield Presbyterian Church, located in the heart of Pitt’s campus, directly across Fifth Avenue from the Litchfield Towers.

The large-group Cornerstone meetings take place weekly, at 8:40pm Wednesday evenings at Bellefield. CCO staff workers Chris Ansell, Andy Moore and Bobbi Perkins serve as primary advisers for Cornerstone, and associate staff member Sarah Ansell also spends time mentoring students. Cornerstone is a large ministry, with three full-time staff and 28 student leaders. The staff see their primary role as developing student leaders who have a passion to serve Jesus Christ while being faithful disciples on campus, and through this team of student leaders, to have an impact on campus for Christ. The hope is that God would use Cornerstone to transform both individual student lives and the institution at large, through relationships with His people.

Church of the Ascension is an Anglican church located within walking distance or a short bus ride (71C) from the University of Pittsburgh. This parish offers students Sunday evening Bible studies (at 7pm every week), weekend service opportunities, and a community of believers that values the university community. Join Church of the Ascension for worship. CCO staff worker Jonny Cagwin is involved with Habitat for Humanity as well as other on-campus activities.

Kelly Cooke and Mark Steffey reach out to student athletes at Pitt through a weekly Fellowship of Christian Athletes huddle, Bible studies, and one-on-one weekly meetings with individuals. FCA meets from 8:45-10pm on Monday nights on the 5th floor of Alumni Hall on Pitt’s campus. Kelly, Mark, and associate staff member Chris Cooke build relationships with athletes as well as coaches in order to earn the right to speak into their lives.

Greg Burdette leads the graduate student ministry through Bellefield Presbyterian church. Students from area departments are invited to grow vocationally and spiritually during their stay in graduate school. Places of ministry are weekly Bible studies, movie discussions, local and international trips, and service in the local church.

Gene Tibbs works with Pitt students through Afro-Global & International Student Ministries, whose mission is “Serving black students and those of all ethnicities to transform the world for black people and all people.” This group, made up largely of graduate students, focuses on local, national and global issues, particularly on conditions of people groups facing oppression and its residual effects.

Associate staff member Kerri Clauser and her husband, Casey, co-direct the Bible Center Church Ministry House in the Homewood neighborhood of Pittsburgh so that young adults and college students might live together in Christian community while doing outreach and ministry in the community where they live. The Ministry House is a place for Christian leaders to develop as they learn about urban ministry.

Ken Wagoner reaches out to Chinese scholars at the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University, in cooperation with China Outreach Ministries.