2008 Woodie Awards
New local church focuses efforts on Miami students
Sarah Foster
Issue date: 8/21/07 Section: Community
A city of almost six square miles will have now 24 different religious outlets, as The Bridge, a new Christian church geared toward college students, is scheduled to open this fall in Oxford.
Chad Moore, one of three pastors at The Bridge, said the church's name originated from its main goal to connect others and utilizes the message, "Loving, Connecting, Engaging."
"Our No. 1 goal is to connect people and build unity, as well as reach out to students as much as we can," Moore said.
The Bridge will be an interdenominational Christian church affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention.
While services and events will begin this week, plans for the church have been underway since November 2006, according to Moore. He said the staff began by observing the community-specifically college students.
The 10-month observation of Oxford was vital to understand and interpret student perspective and needs, Moore said.
"When we came to Miami back in November we met with students to get a feel for what they needed and what role the church plays for them in their life," Moore said.
Harry Bolen; executive director of the Campus Ministry Center (CMC) and Lights on Campus, a student group at Miami University sponsored by CMC; believes a new church entering Oxford will encourage student fellowship.
"There's always room for a new group to come in and provide a new angle," he said. "We all worship, think, and believe differently, so we need a wide variety of students, churches and student groups to meet these spiritual needs."
Senior Angela Spontelli is the chair of the Catholic Student Advisory Board of St. Mary Catholic Church in Oxford and said even though Oxford has many established religious organizations, such as Campus Crusade for Christ, a new organization with a fresh focus would more than likely draw in members.
Spontelli said she has seen religious growth on campus: St. Mary recently has seven masses between Saturdays and Sundays in response to packed services, she said. But she added that individuals become involved in their religious organizations in varying ways.
Chad Moore, one of three pastors at The Bridge, said the church's name originated from its main goal to connect others and utilizes the message, "Loving, Connecting, Engaging."
"Our No. 1 goal is to connect people and build unity, as well as reach out to students as much as we can," Moore said.
The Bridge will be an interdenominational Christian church affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention.
While services and events will begin this week, plans for the church have been underway since November 2006, according to Moore. He said the staff began by observing the community-specifically college students.
The 10-month observation of Oxford was vital to understand and interpret student perspective and needs, Moore said.
"When we came to Miami back in November we met with students to get a feel for what they needed and what role the church plays for them in their life," Moore said.
Harry Bolen; executive director of the Campus Ministry Center (CMC) and Lights on Campus, a student group at Miami University sponsored by CMC; believes a new church entering Oxford will encourage student fellowship.
"There's always room for a new group to come in and provide a new angle," he said. "We all worship, think, and believe differently, so we need a wide variety of students, churches and student groups to meet these spiritual needs."
Senior Angela Spontelli is the chair of the Catholic Student Advisory Board of St. Mary Catholic Church in Oxford and said even though Oxford has many established religious organizations, such as Campus Crusade for Christ, a new organization with a fresh focus would more than likely draw in members.
Spontelli said she has seen religious growth on campus: St. Mary recently has seven masses between Saturdays and Sundays in response to packed services, she said. But she added that individuals become involved in their religious organizations in varying ways.
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