Encounter Campus Ministry Normal IL
61761We found 12 more Christian churches near Normal
Christ The King Episcopal Chr, Normal (0.96 miles)- Calvary Methodist Church, Normal (1.08 miles)
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Holy Trinity Church, Bloomington (1.83 miles)- College Park Christian Church, Normal (1.94 miles)
- Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Bloomington (3.17 miles)
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Eastview Christian Church, Normal (3.78 miles)- Bloomington Apostolic Christian Church, Towanda (4.65 miles)
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Who we are
Let’s talk about trees.
A good tree bears good fruit. Those are Jesus’ words. A good apple tree makes good apples. And sitting in every one of those apples is the potential for an entirely new tree. Every tree contains a forest.
We view our students in much the same way. Campus ministry is not a “holding tank” for Christian students. It is not our goal to provide a college youth group to keep Christians safe while in college. Quite the opposite. It’s our hope to inspire students to believe they are Kingdom workers – future missionaries and elders and deacons and pastors and world-changers. They are the ones who will spread deep roots and bear the fruit that is the start of a new forest.
This is why we see discipleship as the engine of our ministry. It’s why we have focused a great deal on finding real ways for students to serve and grow. In the half-century that Encounter has been alive, we’ve seen many generations come, be transformed and leave to transform others. It has happened. It’s happening right now. And, by His grace, it will continue. Isn’t that just like the Lord? We invest deeply in our little corner and He somehow uses that to change the world.
A good tree bears good fruit. Those are Jesus’ words. A good apple tree makes good apples. And sitting in every one of those apples is the potential for an entirely new tree. Every tree contains a forest.
We view our students in much the same way. Campus ministry is not a “holding tank” for Christian students. It is not our goal to provide a college youth group to keep Christians safe while in college. Quite the opposite. It’s our hope to inspire students to believe they are Kingdom workers – future missionaries and elders and deacons and pastors and world-changers. They are the ones who will spread deep roots and bear the fruit that is the start of a new forest.
This is why we see discipleship as the engine of our ministry. It’s why we have focused a great deal on finding real ways for students to serve and grow. In the half-century that Encounter has been alive, we’ve seen many generations come, be transformed and leave to transform others. It has happened. It’s happening right now. And, by His grace, it will continue. Isn’t that just like the Lord? We invest deeply in our little corner and He somehow uses that to change the world.
Street Address
Church Pastor
Ben Miller
Director
210 W. Mulberry Street
Normal,
IL
61761
United States
Phone: 309.452.2466
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YouTube Video: Welcome to Encounter
Leadership
Leader Name:
Ben Miller
Leader Position:
Director
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Administration
Admin Name:
Molly Omushien
Admin Position:
Office Manager
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Travel/Direction Tips
Encounter is located at 210 W Mulberry, just across the street from Hewett/Manchester residence halls, within easy walkable distance from any part of campus.
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Encounter Campus Ministry Service Times
Worship
Tuesdays @ 8:00pm (Capen Auditorium in Edwards Hall)
We meet every week to worship together and take in Biblical teaching. Join us!
It's been more than a year since the last service times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm service times.
Please contact the church to confirm Service Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
Tuesdays @ 8:00pm (Capen Auditorium in Edwards Hall)
We meet every week to worship together and take in Biblical teaching. Join us!
It's been more than a year since the last service times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm service times.
Please contact the church to confirm Service Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
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Encounter Campus Ministry Church Normal Photos
Encounter Campus Ministry - Normal, Illinois
Encounter Campus Ministry - Normal, Illinois
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Encounter Campus Ministry History
Encounter (first known as Christian Collegians) was founded at Illinois State University in 1968. What began as a small collaboration between students and local churches has, over the years, grown into a parachurch ministry with significant impact both on campus and beyond.
The first campus minister of “Christian Collegians” was David Lang, a well known author and publisher. Under his leadership, a two story house was purchased near campus at 300 Normal Ave, near the Bone Student Center. David was succeeded by Jim Simkins in 1973, who rallied students and supporters to put a new building on the ministry property that was more conducive to student life. Jim led the ministry for 23 years.
In 1996, Pete Cocco was hired, after he and his wife Paulette had previously spent back to back years in Hungary and the Philippines. In ’99, the name of the group was updated from “Christian Collegians” to “Encounter.” And 2004 marked the expansion of the staff team, when Ben and Joanne Miller moved from EIU to join Pete. Since that time, the staff team has grown and expanded significantly.
Over the past two decades, Encounter has planted three campus ministries in the Philippines. Each of those ministries has full time Filipino staff, all a part of our budget and given oversight by our Board of Directors. Arnold Pasion, a native of Baguio on the island of Luzon, is our director there.
Beyond the details above, there have been countless volunteers and students that have made this place thrive – years of changed lives that have provided the nourishing soil for others to grow and deepen their faith. Our desire is to continue to be a rooted, thriving ministry for college students at Illinois State, to press Jesus deep into them so that the Gospel will take root in every corner of the world!
The first campus minister of “Christian Collegians” was David Lang, a well known author and publisher. Under his leadership, a two story house was purchased near campus at 300 Normal Ave, near the Bone Student Center. David was succeeded by Jim Simkins in 1973, who rallied students and supporters to put a new building on the ministry property that was more conducive to student life. Jim led the ministry for 23 years.
In 1996, Pete Cocco was hired, after he and his wife Paulette had previously spent back to back years in Hungary and the Philippines. In ’99, the name of the group was updated from “Christian Collegians” to “Encounter.” And 2004 marked the expansion of the staff team, when Ben and Joanne Miller moved from EIU to join Pete. Since that time, the staff team has grown and expanded significantly.
Beyond the details above, there have been countless volunteers and students that have made this place thrive – years of changed lives that have provided the nourishing soil for others to grow and deepen their faith. Our desire is to continue to be a rooted, thriving ministry for college students at Illinois State, to press Jesus deep into them so that the Gospel will take root in every corner of the world!
Encounter Campus Ministry Historical Photos
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"For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
Matthew 18:20
Encounter Campus Ministry listing was last updated on the 15th of September, 2023
