Frequent Questions - Community Ministries
What are "Community Ministries" and who can be involved?
Each week, teams of students go into the communities surrounding Cedarville University to serve as volunteers in various local churches and organizations such as inner-city ministries, hospitals, nursing homes, and detention centers. These teams are for any student who has a heart for ministering in the community and following the example of Jesus Christ (Mark 10:45). Our goal is to see each student take advantage of this opportunity to be faithfully involved in Christian service. For more information click here.
Why does Cedarville support community ministries?
According to the univeristy mission statement, Cedarville University exists to equip students for lifelong leadership and service. Also, one of the seven objectives of the university is "To encourage growth in Christian Character in each student, and to help the student accept his responsibility in faithful Christian service." Cedarville University as an educational institution can provide an avenue through which students may participate in local churches, social service agencies, community organizations, and evangelistic/discipleship work. This experience will better enable the student to apply what he/she has learned in chapel and the classroom and ultimately be better equipped "...for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ..." (Ephesians 4:12). An important aspect of a student's education is getting involved in ministry while they attend Cedarville University.
What about transportation to a ministry?
University-owned vehicles are provided only for the Cedarville-sponsored Community Ministries teams listed on this website and on the Christian Ministries brochure. A Community Ministries team is either assigned a University-owned vehicle or a student volunteers his or her vehicle to transport team members to their ministry. Students who volunteer to drive their personal vehicles are reimbursed for the use of their vehicle.
Is it true that you have to make a full-year commitment if you want to get involved in a Community Ministry?
A student does not have to commit to any ministry until he or she has visited the ministry. Those who wish to join a particular ministry team will be asked to sign a Volunteer Team Agreement (VTA). By signing the VTA, students make a one-year commitment to be a regular part of that ministry team. This signifies a collective agreement that attending ministry is very important, deserving unified faithfulness and commitment. The community organizations and churches rely on students' faithful attendance and involvement in their program. If one person is unfaithful in their ministry, it affects the reputation of the whole team. Therefore, students should remember that they represent not only Cedarville University but also Jesus Christ.
How do I get involved?
At the beginning of Fall Semester, you should plan to attend the Community Ministries Volunteer Expo in the Doden Field House. This event gives students the opportunity to interact with student team leaders as well as representative from over 100 church and community organizations to ask questions and obtain more information about various ministry opportunities.
To get involved at other times during the school year, stop by the Office of Community Ministries (Dixon Ministry Center, Room 201), or send an e-mail to Vicky Hines.
How do I utilize student volunteers at my church / organization?
If you are located within close proximity of Cedarville (approx. 1 hour driving time), we want to know your volunteer needs! We appreciate the opportunity to work with you, but you should keep in mind that university students go home for holidays and breaks such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, making it difficult to build an entire program around them alone. Because of this, the ideal scenario is for the student volunteers to come alongside your regular staff or other volunteers and serve faithfully with them, learning from them and becoming assimilated with your specific programs and needs. In addition, although we do our best to communicate the volunteer ministry needs you have, because of limited transportation and availability of students, we may not be able to fill every need. Please click on the appropriate link below:
