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Getting to know you ... getting to know all about you ... (hum it with me). Many of our visitors may not know much about our ministry. Here are a few basics about where CCH has come from and our purpose in ministering at Eastern Illinois University. Or, if you're looking for contact information, try here.
What is Christian Campus House? Christian Campus House is a community of college students who desire to grow in their relationship with God and to share His message of love and truth with others on Eastern Illinois University's campus. CCH is a non-denominational campus ministry that offers a wide range of activities to help students… - Find and expand their relationship with God …through clear presentations of the Gospel and the encouragement of Christian community. - Deepen their Knowledge and Understanding of God's Word …through in-depth Bible teaching on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. - Experience God …through intense times of contemporary worship. …through challenging weekend retreats away from campus. - Build meaningful friendships …through small group Bible studies where students can get to know one another on deeper level. …through tons of fun activities like cookouts, Superbowl parties, Barn dances, and more! - Serve God …locally through service projects that benefit both the university and Charleston communities. …globally through missions opportunities in the U.S. and abroad. Our desire at Christian Campus House is to challenge one another to become fully devoted disciples of Jesus Christ so that we can be His light in the world around us.
Short History of Christian Campus House (Some information used from Campus Ministry, by Douglas A. Dickey) On weekends in 1969, a man named Bob Owens made weekend visits to Charleston, IL. Bob was a student at Lincoln Christian Seminary, and a product of a campus ministry at the University of Illinois. His visits to Eastern were the informal beginnings of what the area churches saw as a real need for Eastern's campus. On September 1st of 1970, a number of concerned Christians at Central Christian Church took steps to formalize the campus ministry at Eastern and Lakeland College at nearby Mattoon, IL. The formal name chosen was "Eastern-Lakeland Christian Campus Ministry." Soon after that meeting, Bob Ross was called as a full time campus minister. Bob came to Charleston from Alabama A&M University where he was an instructor of philosophy, among other things. The only property available in the beginning of this ministry was a small office rented from the Episcopal Campus Ministry, but in February of 1971 a house was leased which provided an office, a meeting room, lounge, kitchen and one room for student rental. Sunday worship services began on Campus in 1972 in Booth Library Auditorium. In August of 1977 a building which had been a fraternity house was purchased. This eight bedroom building, which came to be called "Covenant House," soon housed sixteen female students. The growth of the fellowship continued, and in 1980 when Bob Ross resigned, plans were well under way to construct a building which would be adequate for the new growth concerns. In January of 1980 Gary and Javonda Barnes became the campus ministers at Eastern Illinois University. They had been song evangelists in churches in the Midwest, before which Gary had ministered with the Cornerstone Christian Church in Northridge, California. In 1981 the new, much-needed facility was constructed, and Gary and Javonda continued at Eastern until 1984. In 1984, Roger and Sue Songer came to Charleston from ministering at Oklahoma State University. Roger and Sue Songer are natives of Illinois, both growing up on small farms near Newton. Roger and Sue continued the diversified program that had been developed at Eastern by Bob Ross and Gary Barnes, adding some distinctive elements. Sunday morning worship services, Wednesday night Bible study, student-led small groups, short-term mission trips and a regular prison ministry marked a new era in Christian Campus House's ministry. With the addition of the new building, it became possible to house up to twenty-four students - sixteen women and eight men. Ministry here continues to morph every year, as God continues to give new vision and fresh ideas to those following him here. Roger affectionately calls the Campus House a "living laboratory" - something dynamic that changes to fit the students, who also are in a continual state of change. The times change, but the gospel remains the same. What does the future hold? We'll continue to look forward to what God reveals to us!
The
Bible / God
/ Jesus Christ / Holy
Spirit / Man's Greatest Need
The sole basis for our belief is the sixty-six books of the Bible, which is uniquely God-inspired, without error in the original manuscripts, and the final authority on all matters of faith and practice {II Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:12; II Peter 1:20-21}. We teach that there is but one true and living God {Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5-7; I Corinthians 8:4}, perfect in all His attributes, one in essence, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit {Matthew 28:19; II Corinthians 13:14}, each possessing all the attributes of deity and deserving of our worship and obedience. In the beginning God created out of nothing the universe and all things therein, thus manifesting the glory of His power, wisdom, and goodness. By His sovereign power, He continues to sustain His creation. By His providence, He is operating throughout history to fulfill His plan of redemption. We teach that Jesus Christ, the second Person of the Trinity, though being equal with God {John 10:30; Philippians 2:5-8}, surrendered His prerogatives of deity and came to earth to pay the debt for man’s sin. Having been born of a virgin {Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23-25}, Jesus lived a totally sinless life, and was therefore qualified to pay for our sins by dying on the cross as our atoning sacrifice {John 10:15; Romans 3:24-25; I Peter 2:24}. He literally and physically rose from the dead and ascended to the right hand of the Father where He now mediates as our advocate and high priest {Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:38-39; Acts 2:30-31; Romans 4:25, 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; I John 2:1}. We teach that Jesus will return to earth, personally and visibly, to consummate history and judge all mankind according to the eternal plan of God {John 5:22-23; Acts 1:9-11; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; II Corinthians 5:10}. We teach that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, coequal with the Father and the Son in all the divine attributes {Matthew 28:19; I Corinthians 12:4-6; II Corinthians 13:14}. He enlightens the minds of sinners, awakens in them a recognition of their need of a Savior and regenerates them. At the point of salvation, He permanently indwells every believer and equips them for personal growth and for personal service/ministry within the body of Christ {John 16:7-9; Acts 2:38; I Corinthians 12:13; II Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 2:22}. The indwelling of the Spirit is a divine guarantee which seals the believer unto the day of redemption {Romans 8:9; Ephesians 1:13-14}. Christians are endowed with spiritual gifts through the sovereign act of the Holy Spirit. These gifts are intended to strengthen the Church and glorify God {John 16:13-14; Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 12:4-11; II Corinthians 3:18}. The central purpose of God’s revelation in Scripture is to call all people into fellowship with Himself. God originally created humans to have fellowship with Him and to glorify Him {Isaiah 43:7; Colossians 1:16}, but they defied God by sinfully choosing to go their own way. As a result, man suffered alienation from God and the corruption of human nature {Psalm 51:5; Romans 3:23; Ephesians 2:1-4}. The salvation of mankind, therefore, is wholly a work of God’s free gift of grace, not the result in whole or in part of human works or goodness. This salvation is a gift, made available through faith in Jesus Christ and Him alone {John 1:12; 10:18-27; 14:6; Acts 4:12; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-9; I Peter 1:18-19}. We teach that all who genuinely place their faith in Jesus Christ are placed by the Holy Spirit into one united spiritual body, the church {I Corinthians 12:12-13}, the bride of Christ {II Corinthians 11:2}, of which Christ is the head {Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:18}. The Scripture calls believers to gather together to devote themselves to worship, prayer, teaching of the Word, observance of the ordinances, fellowship, service to the body, and outreach to the world {Acts 1:8; Acts 2:38-42; Ephesians 4:12} Wherever God’s people meet regularly in obedience to this command, there is the local expression of the church {Acts 20:17; Galatians 1:2; Hebrews 10:25}. The members of the body are to work together in love and unity, intent on the ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ and making disciples of all nations {Matthew 28:18-20; John 17; Ephesians 3:21}. We teach that two ordinances have been committed to the local church: The Lord’s Supper, and Baptism. We Teach that the Lord’s Supper is the commemoration and proclamation of His Death until He comes, and should always be preceded by solemn self-examination {I Corinthians 11:28-32}. We also teach that whereas the elements of communion are only representative of the flesh and blood of Christ, the Lord’s Supper is nevertheless an actual communion with the risen Christ, who is present in a unique way, fellowshipping with His people {I Corinthians 10:16}. In the apparent pattern of the early church, we offer the Lord’s Supper weekly Because baptism is commanded by our Lord and His apostles {Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38}, we teach that all professed believers must be baptized. We teach that baptism should occur immediately upon confession of faith in Christ, as modeled for us in Acts {2:38-41; 8:35-39; 16:31-33}. Baptism as an immersion is taught in Scripture and symbolically portrays the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is also a sign of fellowship and identification with the Church, which is the visible body of Christ {Acts 2:41-42} Death seals the eternal destiny of each person. For all mankind, there will be a resurrection of the body into the spiritual world, and a judgment that will determine the fate of each individual. The saved will be raised to eternal life and will be rewarded on the basis the life already lived for God {John 6:39; Romans 8:10-11, 19-23; II Corinthians 4:14}, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment {Daniel 12:2; John 5:29}
Campus House Financial Support Christian Campus House financial support comes from churches and individuals seeing a real need to evangelize and disciple students at the collegiate level. Christian Campus House would not exist if it were not for the vision and the generosity of those individuals and congregations. Sunday morning offerings and any other income given by the students to support the church are not used towards upkeep of the building, staff salaries or other church expenses. The fellowship's offering is put into a separate account which our student leaders use to cover the various expenses that arise from ministering on campus. As a group, they use this money to support missionaries, do evangelism, help the community, etc . . . If you and/or your congregation are interested in financially supporting ministry to students at Eastern Illinois University, please email Roger at roger@campus-house.com or call the Christian Campus House at 217.345.6990.
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