Last week, I had the privilege of attending the United Methodist Campus Ministry Association
(UMCMA) Summer Institute ’26 in Evanston, Illinois. The event brings together campus
ministers and chaplains serving at colleges, universities, and technical schools of every size.
Some are appointed by local churches, some are employed by their schools, and others raise
their own support. No matter our setting, we share the same calling: walking alongside
students as they navigate one of the most formative seasons of their lives.
It was wonderful to reconnect with friends from last year, meet new colleagues, and learn from
one another. The workshops were practical, inspiring, and incredibly relevant.
At Annual Conference this year, I met Rev. Jordan Derhammer, who began serving as Campus
Minister at THREEHOUSE in Cedar Falls on July 1. I encouraged her to attend the Summer
Institute and even told her I’d pay her registration if needed. That’s how valuable I believe this
gathering is.
Jordan had been a student at THREEHOUSE while attending the University of Northern Iowa
and had even served as an intern under Rev. David Glenn-Burns.
Jordan wasn’t sure what her budget looked like or whether she’d have time away to attend.
“This isn’t a vacation,” I assured her.
She understood. If she goes-one condition.
“If we’re going to Chicago,” she said, “we have to go to IKEA!”
I’d never been there, but I’m up for an adventure.
Jordan laughed.
Now I understand that IKEA is less of a store and more of…an experience. The place is
enormous!
As Jordan described the items she and Megan were hoping to find for their home, I wandered
into the main aisle to get my bearings. We were about half way through the store. That’s when
I looked up and saw a shopping cart being pushed by a young man wearing an Iowa State T-
shirt. Walking beside him was his mom.
I smiled.
Then I laughed.
I recognized them from Iowa State orientation back in June.
“Great shirt!” I said.
His mom laughed and admitted they had noticed my shirt, too, but weren’t sure if the cardinal
on it represented Iowa State or something else.
“Nope,” I said. “That’s 1978 Cy—the one wearing the boots.”
She smiled. Both she and her husband are Iowa State graduates, and their son will be a
freshman this fall.
Perfect.
“So,” I asked, “have you looked at any campus ministries yet?”
“No.”
“Well,” I said, “let me introduce myself properly. I’m Pastor Jena, campus minister with
Collegiate Wesley—the church right across the street from Friley Hall.”
Her eyes lit up.
“I know exactly where that is!”
We talked for a few minutes about campus life, and I explained that while many campus
ministries share similar goals, each has its own personality and approach. I also told them
something I believe deeply:
“A campus ministry gives students instant friends—people who help them navigate campus,
survive classes, ask hard questions, and grow in their faith.”
I handed him one of my business cards.
“Send me a text or email,” I said. “I’ll make sure you’re invited to our welcome events.”
“Do you like hamburgers and brats?”
His face broke into a huge grin.
“Absolutely!”
I told him about Grillin’ & Chillin’ on our front patio, where new students meet one another,
connect with church members, and discover a place where they belong. If he enjoyed that,
We’d happily show him our student lounge and everything else Wesley has to offer.
Then I asked what had brought them to IKEA.
“We’re shopping for his dorm room,” his mom said. “His older brother already has an
apartment.”
I laughed. “Older brothers can be wonderful. Sometimes they’re even amazing. It really can go
either way.”
Everyone laughed.
Then I asked where they were from.
“The Chicago area.”
“Oh!” I said. “Then, mom, you need my cell phone number, too.”
She looked surprised.
“If your son ever stops answering your calls, reach out. I can probably lay eyes on him much
faster than you can.”
I quickly added, “Not in a creepy way! I just have resources.”
She laughed.
“Really? You give parents your cell phone number?”
“Absolutely.”
It has never been a problem.
I care about students, but I also care about their families. Parents entrust us with something
incredibly precious. I want students to succeed academically, grow in their faith, discover who
God created them to be, and know that someone is looking out for them while they’re away
from home. A safety net if you will. Students don’t always need it, but it’s there if they do.
Sometimes a parent simply needs to hear, “Your student is okay.”
We exchanged a few more pleasantries before heading our separate ways.
Then came the real challenge…
Finding Jordan in IKEA.
It took a little while, but when I finally spotted her, she was laughing.
“You really did that?”
“Of course!” Scripture reminds us to “always be ready to give an answer for the hope we have.
As campus ministers, we also need to be ready to invite students—and their families—into a
community where they can belong”.
Sometimes that happens in a church or on campus.
Sometimes it happens in the middle of IKEA.
I’m still smiling as I write this story.
Friends, be ready. Ministry opportunities often appear when we least expect them.
Thank you for giving me the privilege of serving alongside you in the amazing ministry
happening here at Collegiate Wesley.
Blessings,
Rev. Jena Finch-Manchester
