In various areas of campus, construction workers and equipment can be found renovating and expanding the University of Texas…
What you might not be aware of is that there are other renovations happening on campus—renovations in the spiritual arena.
In order to complete these spiritual renovations, 12-15 ministries and churches have gathered to work closely to facilitate God’s move through the missional community movement.
From 2003-2005, all missional community leaders were gathered to train and connect with one another. However after 2005 each community broke off and worked independently of one another.
Though this did cause growth in the missional community movement it also led to the leaders losing connection. As a result it became impossible to gauge how these missional communities were progressing until the end of the year.
Renovate UT exists to ensure that this connection is not lost.
The vision of Renovate UT is to reach the campus with the Gospel of Jesus and to work in partnership to strategically connect ministries and students to establish a Christian community in every club, culture, college, and residence.
CRM’s UT Campus Director, Justin Christopher said, “Renovate UT gives insight to the missional communities on campus and their ministries, and also helps connect students with other students in the same MCs.”
Campus Minister and Renovate UT member, Heather Lodovico has applauded the sense of unity and connection among fellow members.
She notes, “I don’t care which church or ministry that they are a part of.. just that they are a part of one!”
She feels that Renovate UT fits perfectly into the passion of her heart saying, “…[W]e should do everything we can to help love on, equip, and cheer on that student in missional living.”
Between 10 ministries, Renovate UT has gathered some encouraging statistics. They report that 164 missional communities are on campus right now – an increase from last month’s 149 missional communities.
They also report that this month 406 students are now serving in the core teams of these missional communities. Furthermore there have been 122 gospel presentations and 11 salvations.
Once a semester there is a celebration of what God is doing in these missional communities.
This semester on December 2, 2009 the Baptist Student Ministry (BSM) and Hill Country Bible Church (HCBC) will be leading the event. It will begin with a barbeque and end with a time of worship and prayer at HCBC’s church campus near UT.
CRM rejoices as the Body of Christ at UT continues to grow in unity through Renovate UT. We look forward to seeing what amazing things God will enact through this group of leaders in Christ.
- Article by Frank Rodriguez, CRM Intern, National Media Department
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