50th Anniversary Celebration



 

Toledo Campus Ministry Celebrates
50 Years of Ministry

Over 100 folks gathered under a tent to Re-connect, Re-envision and Re-commit to Toledo Campus Ministry (TCM) on a hot Saturday afternoon September 23, 2017 to celebrate 50 Years of Ministry. TCM is West Ohio Conference’s ecumenical, open and affirming campus ministry primarily working with students at the University of Toledo.

Kerry Patrick Clark kicked off the celebration with guitar and song.

Rev. Dee Baker, Executive Director Emeritus, who had served from 1993-2012, recounted the 50 Years TCM has served the students noting our inception right in the height of civil rights struggles and the Vietnam War with Rev. Roger Ridgway (’68-‘76) as our organizing director.

Pastor Dee reminded the gathered of the four pillars that hold TCM: 1) God is a God of Love; 2) All People are sacred creations, worthy of respect; 3) Jesus Christ is the Way, our example for life and faith in this world; and 4) the Holy Spirit is the Presence of the Risen Christ among us – a guiding and sustaining force in our lives.

The president of the student fellowship, Jai Harvey, illustrated how welcoming and hospitable the fellowship is as she recounted her introduction to TCM just one and a half years ago on Easter Sunday. She felt accepted right away and quickly this community became her family.

The ever-talented quintet, 4 UniTy, led by Kris Davis, moved the crowd with several pieces like an old TCM favorite, “Hamba Nathi” and the ever popular, “Surely the Presence of the Lord is in this place”.

Rev. David Montgomery, current Executive Director, concluded the remarks inviting everyone’s continued participation for the next 50 years as we continue “building a community of progressive, inquisitive, non-judgmental college students who are seeking an authentic, deep, faithful Christian life. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for us in the next 50 years!”

It surely was a marvelous celebration noting what God has done and is continuing to do on the campus of the University of Toledo. Thanks for all those who have made this ministry possible!

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