Ukirk Collegiate Ministries
As with PCMofNC, Ukirk has come a long way in the last 5 years!! It has been an interesting time to be in campus ministry and stand on what has been a threshold of something new. In short, the PC(USA) has always been a big proponent of ministry on college campuses and universities. A large part of the work of our synods was in higher education ministries. Chaplains and campus ministers were financially supported and there was a natural hub for good accountability and encouragement. But with the decrease in funding and the shifting nature of the synod offices, campus ministries started to be hosted by presbyteries and local churches if not completely autonomous ministries. During this time what was missing was a way to better connect our ministries across the country. Why you might ask is this important? It seems that when the church has done this well it almost always brings about better support and more vibrant ministries.
Over the last 5 years what has come to life is a new organization called, “Ukirk Collegiate Ministries.” U- for university, and “kirk”- a historic reference for church. Regardless if some ministries have assumed this new brand or kept their own names for their PC(USA) ministries, what has been a huge success is a reclaiming of our connectional commitment. Gini Norris Lane is the Executive Director for Ukirk and is based in Texas. She does a wonderful job helping the ministers and ministries collaborate and find good ways for campus ministry health and sustainability. Check our their web site below by clicking the link and learning about their work and/or a way to find any of our 200+ PC(USA) networked campus ministries across the US. Currently, John Rogers, our PCMofNC Executive Director, is serving as a member on the Ukirk National Board.