Campus Outreach
Encyclopedia
Campus Outreach is a network of interdenominational Christian
organizations, focusing on evangelizing and discipling college students worldwide under the mission statement "Glorifying God by Building Laborers on the Campus for the Lost World."
Campus Outreach is distinguished from similar organizations such as Campus Crusade for Christ
in both philosophy (read below) and focus, that the ministry focuses on small to mid-sized campuses where another ministry does not have a presence. However, the ministry has expanded in recent years to such large universities as The University of Georgia, The University of Kentucky, The University of Minnesota and Georgia Tech, among others. Also, the ministry takes very seriously the charge from Matthew 9:35-38 to raise up laborers, and not simply believers, by discipling
new believers to share their faith with others, as stressed by Dawson Trotman
and others.
. Theologically, it is Calvinist
.
The Campus Outreach Mission Statement is "Glorifying God by Building Laborers on the Campus for the Lost World." It is based upon the "Great Commission
" outlined in Matthew 28:19-20, as well as Jesus' lament about the lack of working "laborers" in Matthew 9:35-38.
of organizations that are franchised
to local churches in the target area. The organization then effectively becomes the college ministry
of that church, with the staff answering both to the Campus Outreach board and the leadership of that church. Campus Outreach is a Non-profit organization in which all the staff members are supported on a monthly contribution from independent financial backers.
The Australian franchise, at the University of Queensland
, was named University Impact in 1999.
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
organizations, focusing on evangelizing and discipling college students worldwide under the mission statement "Glorifying God by Building Laborers on the Campus for the Lost World."
Campus Outreach is distinguished from similar organizations such as Campus Crusade for Christ
Campus Crusade for Christ
Campus Crusade for Christ is an interdenominational Christian organization that promotes evangelism and discipleship in more than 190 countries...
in both philosophy (read below) and focus, that the ministry focuses on small to mid-sized campuses where another ministry does not have a presence. However, the ministry has expanded in recent years to such large universities as The University of Georgia, The University of Kentucky, The University of Minnesota and Georgia Tech, among others. Also, the ministry takes very seriously the charge from Matthew 9:35-38 to raise up laborers, and not simply believers, by discipling
Disciple (Christianity)
In Christianity, the disciples were the students of Jesus during his ministry. While Jesus attracted a large following, the term disciple is commonly used to refer specifically to "the Twelve", an inner circle of men whose number perhaps represented the twelve tribes of Israel...
new believers to share their faith with others, as stressed by Dawson Trotman
Dawson Trotman
Dawson Trotman was an evangelist, crusader and founder of The Navigators.Trotman founded The Navigators in 1933 and through this worldwide Christian organization supported various Christian ideals: maintaining the basic disciplines of the Christ-centered Spirit-filled life, abiding in the Word of...
and others.
History
Major events in the history of Campus Outreach are:- 1978 - Campus Outreach Birmingham founded under Briarwood Presbyterian ChurchBriarwood Presbyterian ChurchBriarwood Presbyterian Church was formed in 1960 by the Rev. Frank M. Barker, Jr. and is located in suburban Birmingham, Alabama. It is a conservative evangelical Protestant congregation, and has been so since its inception. In 1999, Barker retired after serving as the senior pastor for 40 years,...
, Birmingham, AlabamaBirmingham, AlabamaBirmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
. - 1981 - First ministry outside of Birmingham is founded. The Collegiate Christmas Conference is first held.
- 1982 - First summer training project is instituted.
- 1983 - First cross cultural training project is created.
- 1985 - Campus Outreach Board is formed.
- 1989 - First Campus Outreach franchiseExclusive rightIn Anglo-Saxon law, an exclusive right is a de facto, non-tangible prerogative existing in law to perform an action or acquire a benefit and to permit or deny others the right to perform the same action or to acquire the same benefit. A "prerogative" is in effect an exclusive right...
is formed in AugustaAugusta, GeorgiaAugusta is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located along the Savannah River. As of the 2010 census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844 not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County...
, GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. - 1990 - First international franchise formed in ThailandThailandThailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
. - 2010 - The Campus Outreach network has franchises in 22 locations.
Mission Statement And Doctrine
The Campus Outreach organisation is seen as part of the Christian rightChristian right
Christian right is a term used predominantly in the United States to describe "right-wing" Christian political groups that are characterized by their strong support of socially conservative policies...
. Theologically, it is Calvinist
Calvinism
Calvinism is a Protestant theological system and an approach to the Christian life...
.
The Campus Outreach Mission Statement is "Glorifying God by Building Laborers on the Campus for the Lost World." It is based upon the "Great Commission
Great Commission
The Great Commission, in Christian tradition, is the instruction of the resurrected Jesus Christ to his disciples, that they spread his teachings to all the nations of the world. It has become a tenet in Christian theology emphasizing missionary work, evangelism, and baptism...
" outlined in Matthew 28:19-20, as well as Jesus' lament about the lack of working "laborers" in Matthew 9:35-38.
Franchise
Campus Outreach is not a single cohesive organization: Rather, it is a networkSocial network
A social network is a social structure made up of individuals called "nodes", which are tied by one or more specific types of interdependency, such as friendship, kinship, common interest, financial exchange, dislike, sexual relationships, or relationships of beliefs, knowledge or prestige.Social...
of organizations that are franchised
Franchising
Franchising is the practice of using another firm's successful business model. The word 'franchise' is of anglo-French derivation - from franc- meaning free, and is used both as a noun and as a verb....
to local churches in the target area. The organization then effectively becomes the college ministry
Christian ministry
In Christianity, ministry is an activity carried out by Christians to express or spread their faith. 2003's Encyclopedia of Christianity defines it as "carrying forth Christ's mission in the world", indicating that it is "conferred on each Christian in baptism." It is performed by all Christians...
of that church, with the staff answering both to the Campus Outreach board and the leadership of that church. Campus Outreach is a Non-profit organization in which all the staff members are supported on a monthly contribution from independent financial backers.
The Australian franchise, at the University of Queensland
University of Queensland
The University of Queensland, also known as UQ, is a public university located in state of Queensland, Australia. Founded in 1909, it is the oldest and largest university in Queensland and the fifth oldest in the nation...
, was named University Impact in 1999.