Please note: Payments CAN NOT be made to staff or students (only to vendors or creditors with W-9), via O.U. Check or Credit Card (NO Venmo or PayPal).
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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
SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES
Gospel Choir Singers WANTED.
OUBraves TV is looking for singers to to record four Gospel songs for our outreach programming.
We meet Thursdays from 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in July (Martin Meditation Chapel) No prior experience required—just willingness to care and share
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Campus Ministries Outread
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 Aug 16th)
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, August and September recording dates (on weekends) will be set soon.
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 for 2025-2026 on the Braves Campus!!
Fredrikson and Campus Ministries Programming Overview October 2025-June 2026
Student Support/Barrier Reduction
- Campus Care Closet (Suits and dress clothes) - 93+13+59+68 utilizations=233 for the school year
- Coats/Blanket Drive - 140+18+19+9 utilizations=186 for the school year
- Community Pantry - 476+71+77+57 utilizations (Catherine Jonhera and Gabriel McDuffie, student leads)=681 for the school year
- Financial Assistance - 181+39+55+41 awards (Arnold Signell and Lazar Milovic student leads)=316 for the school year
- "Finishing School" - 20+9+10+10 participants=49 for the school year
- Fredrikson Center Clubs - 6 per student interest/request (Martin Basso & Drago Kecman student leads).
- Mission Team Events - 47+9+7+12 events=75 for the school year
- Host Family Referrals - 24+2+8+20 connections=54 for the school year
- Internships - 4+3+1+0=8 for the school year
- Weekly Chapels (Live) - 30+4+5+2=41 for the school year
- Weekly Chapel Broadcast (video chapels) - 31+5+6+2=44 for the school year (David Martinez and Nicolo Cinelli student leads)
- Winterization Assistance to Students - 40+4+0+0=44 for the school year
Most recent Quarter (2026)______________________________
April Programming Highlights
- Campus Care Closet (Suits and dress clothes) - 13 utilizations
- Coats/Blanket Drive - 18 utilizations.
- Community Pantry - 71 utilizations (Catherine Jonhera and Gabriel McDuffie, student leads).
- Financial Assistance - 39 awards (Arnold Signell and Lazar Milovic student leads).
- "Finishing School" - 9 participants
- Fredrikson Center Clubs - 6* per student interest/request (Martin Basso & Drago Kecman student leads).* ONGOING + TGIF (Arnold Signell, lead)
- Mission Team Events - 9 events
- Host Family Referrals - 2 connections
- Internships - 3
- Weekly Chapels (Live) - 4
- Weekly Chapel Broadcast (video chapels) - 5
- Winterization Assistance to Students - 4
May Programming Highlights
- Campus Care Closet (Suits and dress clothes) - 59 utilizations
- Coats/Blanket Drive - 19 utilizations.
- Community Pantry - 77 utilizations (Catherine Jonhera and Gabriel McDuffie, student leads).
- Financial Assistance - 55 awards (Arnold Signell and Lazar Milovic student leads).
- "Finishing School" -10 participants
- Fredrikson Center Clubs - 6* per student interest/request (Martin Basso & Drago Kecman student leads).* ONGOING
- Mission Team Events - 7 events
- Host Family Referrals - 8 connections
- Internships - 1
- Weekly Chapels (Live) - 5
- Weekly Chapel Broadcast (video chapels) - 6
- Winterization Assistance to Students - 0
June Programming Highlights
- Campus Care Closet (Suits and dress clothes) - 68 utilizations
- Coats/Blanket Drive - 9 utilizations.
- Community Pantry - 57 utilizations (Catherine Jonhera and Gabriel McDuffie, student leads).
- Financial Assistance -41 awards (Arnold Signell and Lazar Milovic student leads).
- "Finishing School" -10 participants
- Fredrikson Center Clubs - 6* per student interest/request (Martin Basso & Drago Kecman student leads).* ONGOING
- Mission Team Events - 12 events
- Host Family Referrals - 20 connections
- Internships - 0
- Weekly Chapels (Live) - 2
- Weekly Chapel Broadcast (video chapels) - 2
- Winterization Assistance to Students - 0
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2025-2026 PROGRAMMING OVERVIEW: 2026
June Programming Highlights
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Launch of Fairy Grandmothers Programming
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Farewell Chapel and Sending Celebration
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'World Cups and SouperBowls-2'
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Fathers Day Community Events
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Flag Day Community Events
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Summer Theatre Camp (sponsored by OUTheatre and the Ottawa Memorial Auditorium) --26 youth campers
May Programming Highlights
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- Mothers Day Community Events
- Memorial Day Community Events
- Cinco De Mayo Chapel
- Derby day for Srs/Shutins
- Commencement and Nursing (Pinning & Whitecoat) Celebration
April Programming Highlights
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- Triduum Services (live and broadcast)
- Easter Chapel and Luncheon
- Expansion of OUKS Braves TV
- Re-launch of Campus Greif Support Group
- History Clubs Founders Day (Meet the Meekers) presentation)
- Earth day projects (sponsored by OUTheatre
- Disaster Relief Teams (after local storm)
- National Day of Prayer Event
March Programming Highlights
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- Campus Ministries/Mission Team - Easter Recording Sessions (with community members).
- Easter Gifts for 307 Senior Citizens (thanks to 1st Christian Church and Lazar B, student lead)
- Town&Gown – Easter Deliveries at Vintage Park and Rock Creek (Trish Dowd-Kelne, Community Lead)
- Prayer and meditation Lenten series (4 sessions)
- Campus Ministries participation in YtN annual retreat (KCMO)
- Campus Ministries and Advancement participation-‘26 NetVue conference (KCMO)
February Programming Highlights
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- Launch of Food Pantry recipe and video series (Martin Basso student lead).
- Annual Lenten Devotional Series (web, social media and print)-Rich Menninger, lead
- ‘SouperBowl’ drive (recipes & over 300 ‘soup meals’ assembled)-Cennet Oruc, lead.
- Relaunch of weekly Greif Support Group-TGIF (Together Grieving in Fellowship) Arnold Signell--lead.
- Launch of Student Spotlight interview/video series (Juan Parra Herera student lead).
- Ash Wednesday Services
January Programming Highlights
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- Town & Gown - MLK jr day (memorial celebration-- Richard Jackson and Ottawa 1st Baptist lead community partners). Day of caring events – on campus and in community (Vintage Park and Rock Creek and Pomona Ks).
- Campus Ministries/Mission Team—25-26 launch Theatrical Ministries & tours.
- OUBraves TV weekly broadcasts (David Martinez and Nicolo Cinelli, student leads).
- Campus Ministries participation in YtN regional retreat (St. Louis)
2025
December Programming Highlights
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- ‘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)
November Programming Highlights
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- 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).
October Programming Highlights
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- 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
September Programming Highlights
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- Missions Team Launch (Humbolt Ks)
- Launch of OUBraves TV
- Grandparents Day Community Events
- Labor Day service projects
- Patriot and POW programming (Fredrikson Chapel)
- Semester Launch of Bible Study and Personal BoD
August Programming Highlights
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- Nationwide Launch of Kaleo (hub for like minds) YtN programming
- Labor of Love youth events
PROGAMMING AND CONTACT INFORMATION
| Church Relations |
Center for Faith and Church Vitality |
| 785-248-2334 or Email |
785-248-2575 or Email |
| lazar.milovic@ottawa.edu |
campus.ministries@ottawa.edu |
| 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 or Email |
785-248-2578 or Email |
| lazar.basekic@ottawa.edu |
arnold.signell@ottawa.edu |
| 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 |