With 20 million undergraduates enrolled in universities across the United States, and more than 5,000 churches located within two miles of a college campus, the opportunity to change the world for the better has never been greater.

If your congregation is wondering how you can minister to your university neighbors, trying to start or revitalize a college ministry for undergraduates or graduate students, or if you are wanting some guidance as you pilot a new program, the Vinery Academic Year Pilot Program might be the perfect thing to help your church take the next step.

Meeting monthly beginning in August, you will be guided through a process of discernment, discovery and dreaming to help your church pilot something new in the Spring. This could be anything from starting a university ministry team with others from your congregation or area, to offering a Lenten study for students (or faculty and staff), to designing an Alternative Spring Break experience, Bible study, discussion group, mission project or worship experience. It could also be a time where you are guided to plan how you can deepen or expand an existing program such as caring for the students who receive scholarships to sing in your choir. 

The cost for the program is $350 a semester, and scholarships are available. For scholarship information, please contact UKirk executive director Gini Norris-Lane. 

If you have 1-3 people in your church who are feeling the Spirit’s nudge to start something new, would find support and guidance helpful, or even just want to learn more, fill out this Vinery Interest Form and check Academic Year Program.* If you are ready to sign up, go ahead and fill out this short Academic Year Pilot Program Application. 

*If your congregation is interested in our 2-year cohort experience or want more information, you can also fill out the interest form and Vinery program director Maggie Proshek will get in touch with you.