Thank you so much to all who participated in our annual Angel Tree 2025 gift drive! Through your generosity, we were able to adopt 11 smaller families and 4 very large families. With student support and team elbow grease for the Elves and Angels and 12 days programming, we delivered Christmas smiles (and stockings) to an additional 67 people (and carols and fun to 5 nursing/care facilities and visits to another 16 'friends and alums' who don't get out as much in the winter.
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Request a Meeting with Chaplain John--you can use the prayer request form or email campus.ministries@ottawa.edu to set an appointment.
- When Chaplain John is traveling, you may leave any urgent messages with the Assistant for University Advancement at 785-248-2331 or susan.trendel@ottawa.edu.
Utilize / Reserve the Fredrikson Chapel
- If you would like to utilize / reserve the Fredrikson Chapel (or any other Ottawa University facilities), please contact the University Facilities and Scheduling Manger at 785-248-2312 or facilityreservations@ottawa.edu.
Fundraising Activities
- All fundraising activities must be cleared in advance through the Leadership Gift Officer at 785-248-2431 or derek.chappell@ottawa.edu.
CAMPUS MINISTRIES PAGES
OUKS - Ottawa, Kansas
OUAZ - Surprise, Arizona
NATIONAL WORK / PLAY / PRAYER PARTNERS
Chi Alpha Campus Ministries | What is Chi Alpha?
Fellowship of Christian Athletes | What is FCA?
Winter Center for Restorative Justice | What is Winter Center for Restorative Justice
Advent Devotional | 2025 Advent Devotional
Lenton Devotional | 2026 Lenten Devotional
WINTER OPPORTUNITIES
2025
Vespers Singers WANTED.
The Ottawa University Choir is looking for singers to join them for the annual Vespers Concert on Wednesday, December 10th, at 7 p.m. The Choir Director, Jacob Fry and the choir will perform a selection of familiar carols alongside the Wind Ensemble. They would love to welcome new voices to join in this special event.
The choir meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in classroom Chapel 100. No prior experience is required—just a love for music! Whether you’ve sung for an audience of 5,000 or just for your shampoo bottle, the choir would be thrilled to have you.
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2026
The Fredrikson Center Team needs individuals to engage and assist each summer with Mission Teams, Uncontained Music, OU Theatre/Radio Show, Fredrikson Clubs, Live Chapels and our Chapel Video Broadcasts. Inquire in person, at the Campus Ministries Office. You will find it is truly a blessing to work, play and pray with such good folk (fellow Braves, Ottawa Cyclones and alums and community members.)
Check out Upcoming Engagements to find your affinity project or fulfill NewYear's resolution:>)
CHAPEL OFFERINGS
Sunday Evening Chapels (Live will resume Feb 2nd)
We will be doing Theatrical Ministry (Missions Team) and Video Chapels (Chaplain's Chat) over the Winter Break. Weekly Chapel sessions will again meet 8:00-9:00 p.m. at the Martin Meditation Chapel (in the Fredrikson Annex).
We are looking for student readers, tidings bringers and joyful noise makers. Email campus.ministries@ottawa.edu or stop by the University Chaplain's office, if you are interested.
"Uncontained" (OU's Praise & Worship Band)
Upcoming recording sessions will are open to participants and witnesses, so don't hesitate to attend.
Click to visit Uncontained Music - YouTube
Video Chapels
Click here to sign up to participate in the one of our upcoming Chapel broadcasts.
BARRIER REDUCTION RESOURCES AND SERVICES
REMINDER---The Hetrick Bistro will RE-open at 11:00am on Sunday, 1/11---
Click here with questions, prayer requests or to get a assistance request form or email campus.ministries@ottawa.edu for a more immediate response from Chaplain John at (785) 248-2334 or his assistant, Arnold Signell at (785) 248-2397.
Additional information for current students, seeking assistance from the University Chaplain's office:
- Medical or prescription assistance (we will need a copy of your insurance to assist.)
- Unlimited visits to the food pantry and clothing bank (all household members.)
- Textbook and school supplies (for labs, choir, etc)
- Rental Assistance (not to exceed $700 per household, per semester.)
- Dental Care
- Host family or Room Mate brokering
- Car repairs, fuel assistance and vehicle insurance (not to exceed $500 per household, per semester.)
- Emergency Assistance (TBD)
- Work study or stipend placements to assist with cashflow (Students must find available time in their schedule for required hours or task .
Braves Support App vrzn41320.docx (Current and past staff members)
WHAT WE DID!!
Fredrikson and Campus Ministries Programming Overview October-December 2025
Student Support/Barrier Reduction
- Campus Care Closet (Suits and dress clothes) - 42 utilizations
- Coats/Blanket Drive - 91 utilizations.
- Community Pantry - 231 utilizations (Catherine Jonhera and Gabriel McDuffie, student leads).
- Financial Assistance - 84 awards (Arnold Signell, student lead).
- "Finishing School" - 9 participants
- Fredrikson Center Clubs - 5 per student interest/request (Martin Basso, student lead).
- Mission Team Events - 17 events
- Host Family Referrals - 9 connections
- Internships - 1
- Weekly Chapels (Live) - 16
- Weekly Chapel Broadcast (video chapels) - 15
- Winterization Assistance to Students - 19
October Programming Highlights
- Campus Ministries - Kansas Keeper’s Talent Show - 4 OU students, 8 HS
- OU Theatre (Kansas) - Heartland Revue and Holiday Recording Projects - 6 OU Students, 6 Community, 5 OHS students
- Town & Gown - visits to residents of Rock Creek(s) and craft/engagement programming for Vintage Park)
November Programming Highlights
- Campus Ministries/Missions Team - Completion of ABHMS Palmer Grant (Martin Basso, student lead).
- Kaleo Called (Youth Theology Network Grant) Felipe Padierna, student lead.
- Thanksgiving Week programming for Students (Main Chapel, Narthex, Meditation Chapel) - 37 students engaged
- Hope for the Holiday’s (give and take Adoptions) - 26 families
- Religion Department - Advent Devotional Publication
- Relaunch of Mindfulness and Meditation programming
- Town & Gown - student/team assistance at ECKAN (Coach Ashan Jordan, OU lead).
December Programming Highlights
- ‘12 days’ - students and community. Projects included: making blankets, hot cocoa mix and Bath Salts, giftwrapping, stenciling kitchen towels. Candycane Reindeer, Christmas cookies, doorhangs, holiday wreaths, and pinecone crafts.
- Assistance to ECKAN (warehouse) thanks to Teresia P.O.C. & help from Coach Ashan Jordon & Fredrikson Intern, Cennet Oruc.)
- Angel Tree - Faculty and Staff adopted 15 families
- Campus Ministries/Mission Team - Holiday Recording Session (with OHS students) in chapel
- Elves and Angels - Gifts for 67 Senior Citizens (Campus Ministries as student leads)
- Town&Gown - Holiday Caroling at Vintage Park and Rock Creek (Trish Dowd-Kelne, Community Lead)
- Vespers Concert at the Fredrikson Chapel (Music Dept with community and staff readers)
PROGRAMMING AND CONTACT INFORMATION
| Church Relations |
Center for Faith and Church Vitality |
| 785-248-2334 |
785-248-2575 |
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| AB Regional Connections |
Theology Action and Understanding Institute (TAU) |
| ABC - USA |
Adventures in Faith (AiF) / Faith Ambassadors |
| AB Home Missions |
Palmer Grant Programming |
| Pulpit Supply / Job Postings |
Thiel & YTN Grant Programming |
| Mission / Camp Teams |
OU Theatre |
| Alumni Relations |
Fredrikson Clubs |
| |
|
| Fredrikson Programming |
University Chaplain |
| 785-248-2397 |
785-248-2578 |
| |
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| Campus Ministries |
Pastors Cohorts |
| Chapel Worship |
Congregational / Pastor Support |
| Game Prayers |
Pastor's and Laity Conference |
| FCA |
Bemmels' Broadcasts |
| Braving Discipleship |
Host Families (Heavenly Hosts) |
| Escape |
Barrier Reduction Services |