Campus Ministry: A Healthy Alternative by Pastor Jon Strasman
Jesus came to earth to proclaim a new reign of God.
God’s new reign would bring justice to the oppressed, food to the
hungry, healing to the sick, recovery of sight to the blind, and forgiveness of
sins to the sinner. Jesus’ way of
living and being was counter-cultural and on the edge.
Campus Ministry brought Christ’s new reign into my life
in a whole new way. I grew up in the
Lutheran
Church
and went most Sundays because that’s what our family did.
Now I had to choose for myself. Campus
ministry was a healthy alternative for me as I entered the world of college
life. It reminds of the Subway
restaurant chain. Subway’s
marketing pitted itself against the fast food giants as the healthy alternative
to grease. Campus ministry was a
healthy alternative to the destructive choices in college.
It grounded me in something other than myself.
I went to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in
Eau Claire
,
Wisconsin
. The campus minister there was Rev.
Don Wisner. My brother was the one
who brought me to worship at University Lutheran one Sunday when I visited for
“Little Siblings Weekend.” I
remember this Pastor greeting me at the door, asking my name, and then during
communion remembering my name as he gave me the bread, saying, “Jon, the body
of Christ given for you.” Him
remembering my name just floored me.
I remember that worship had a band that played a liturgy
written by one of the students who attended the ULC.
And the worship itself involved many college students.
It was amazing. And I
remember the pastor’s sermon was geared toward my life and my struggles.
He spoke directly to me.
I remember the first weekend I arrived in the dorms as a freshman.
On a Sunday morning I decided to wander down to worship at 11:00 A.M.,
thinking I might meet some cute girl. All
of my dorm buddies were still sleeping after a night out of partying.
It was the greatest feeling in the world to come back to the dorms before
lunch and answer the question, “Where were you?”
I joyfully responded, “I went to church.”
Pastor Don and I became friends along the way.
I dropped into his office often between classes to chat.
He always had a bit of wisdom to share about life and relationships.
Don asked if I would come to his house and help him with a project.
He was putting in a brick sidewalk and lights around his yard following
the beautiful flower garden. I
gladly accepted.
I later realized that Don was doing ministry with me by working along side
of me. It was a ministry of presence
and friendship. It was guy to guy
type ministry. I felt good helping
him out.
This relationship continued as I went on two alternative spring break
trips with University Lutheran to
Washington
D.C.
Here I came face to face with
poverty. And here Christ met me in
the face of the poor, calling me into ministry.
Now I am a Lutheran pastor in my first call in
Fordville
,
North Dakota
. Pastor Don was a big influence on
my life and ministry. I now
understand he is retiring from
Eau Claire
to do some teaching at Luther Seminary.
Thanks Don for all that you do and for taking the time to plant some seeds
in my life.
Thank you campus ministry for bringing an alternative way of being during
those difficult college years.
ND Lutheran Campus Ministry