Campus Ministry
Campus Ministry exists to support, encourage, and challenge students and the entire TLU community in their faith journeys.
All Are Welcome
The many activities and groups sponsored by Campus Ministry provide a variety of ways for students to strengthen their faith and explore new avenues of faith development.
Our diverse community is made up of a variety of students with a variety of religious backgrounds.
Campus Ministry welcomes each student, wherever they are on their faith journey, and invites them to deepen their awareness of God's presence and to embrace God's calling to work together for justice and peace in the world.
Campus Ministry provide a focal point for a community of faith where we:
- Proclaim Christ in Word, Encounter Christ in Sacrament, and experience Christ in relationship.
- Place what they learn in conversation with what they believe and value.
- Witness to the reconciling Word of God in Christ, reaching out to all people.
- Respond to human need, work for peace and justice, and care for the sick and suffering.
- Find people in a supportive experience of community.
- Welcome one another warmly no matter what faith, tradition, nationality, race or denomination.
- Seek sensitive, personal and confidential pastoral care.
- Join in praise and worship, exploring the rich liturgical Christian worship tradition.
Interim Campus Pastor: Scott Ofsdahl
"Settle yourself in solitude and you will come upon Him in yourself." - Teresa of Avila
Hello, I’m Pastor Scott Ofsdahl and I currently serve as the interim Campus Pastor. I am honored to share the spiritual journey with students, faculty and staff…whatever you bring. I greatly respect the uniqueness and diversity of "presence" in each person's journey. I’d love to hear what stirs your thoughts or moves your heart. I'd be honored to walk beside you as you share your journey here at TLU. Together we'll be attentive to God in each of us, our circumstances and in specific situations.
More About Pastor Scott
Pastor Scott is a rostered/retired pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). He served and loved our sons and daughters in uniform for 30 years as an Air Force chaplain in an interfaith and ecumenical environment. He previously served two rural congregations in Wisconsin prior to joining the Air Force and was also a chaplain at Hazelden Chemical Dependency Center in Minnesota where oversaw a 12-Step program for one year.
His education includes a Master of Divinity from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota and a Doctor of Ministry (Pastoral Care) from Minnesota Consortium of Theological Schools. While in the Air Force, he served as “Campus Pastor” during Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base and at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado. He was an instructor at the Air Force Chaplain School in Montgomery, Alabama and also received “Grief and Loss” training at Arlington National Cemetery. He is currently enrolled in the Spiritual Direction Formation program at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (South Carolina). He and his wife Kathy love volunteering in the Comal Master Gardener and Comal Master Naturalist programs. They live in New Braunfels, Texas, and are the proud parents of three daughters.
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Campus Pastor
Pastor Scott is a rostered/retired pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). He served and loved our sons and daughters in uniform for 30 years as an Air Force chaplain in an interfaith and ecumenical environment. He previously served two rural congregations in Wisconsin prior to joining the Air Force and was also a chaplain at Hazelden Chemical Dependency Center in Minnesota where oversaw a 12-Step program for one year.
His education includes a Master of Divinity from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota and a Doctor of Ministry (Pastoral Care) from Minnesota Consortium of Theological Schools. While in the Air Force, he served as “Campus Pastor” during Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base and at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado. He was an instructor at the Air Force Chaplain School in Montgomery, Alabama and also received “Grief and Loss” training at Arlington National Cemetery. He is currently enrolled in the Spiritual Direction Formation program at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (South Carolina). He and his wife Kathy love volunteering in the Comal Master Gardener and Comal Master Naturalist programs. They live in New Braunfels, Texas, and are the proud parents of three daughters.
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Praise & Worship
Chapel Worship
On Monday, Wednesday, & Friday during the academic year from 10:00 - 10:20 a.m, start your day with praise and prayer at the Chapel of the Abiding Presence. Every Friday is Faculty/Staff day, with a guest speaker sharing stories of how God is working in their lives.
Worship Support Team
There are a million ways to use your talents in support of our many worship services! Join our Chapel Band with your guitar, drums, or vocal skills. Read Scripture. Welcome worshipers. Run the sound board. Create the slide show. Be a part of our new Chapel Choir. Set up chairs. There's a place for you to serve - just ask!
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Coffeehouse
Be a part of a TLU tradition: come out for Coffeehouse! Whether you sing or play an instrument, write original poetry, perform monologues, or love to dance, there's a place for you in the Coffeehouse lineup.
Once a month we set up the chapel with a cool, laid-back vibe, brew some fair-trade coffee, and sit back and enjoy the show.
Co-sponsors like the Foreign Language Honor Society often bring free food and shirts, so make sure you get there early.
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Growth & Service
Denominational Groups
For those looking to explore a new denomination or who want to find the one that fits their heritage, we have several small groups related to Christian denominations. Each group meets at different times and different places, and also participates in our joint Campus Ministries.
Campus Crusade for Christ
Canterbury Fellowship (Episcopalian)
Catholic Student Organization
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Grace Place (Lutheran)
Wesley Foundation (Methodist)Campus Ministries Leadership Team
Campus Ministries are planned and led by student who are members of the Campus Ministries Leadership Team. Each Denominational Group on campus elects a member to the Leadership Team. These Denominational Partners serve as assistants for our joint ministries and work together to plan monthly all-campus events, sponsored by each Denominational Group.