Who Are We?

UCMGH is a covenant partnership of the Presbytery of New Covenant, the Synod of the Sun of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Houston Association of the United Church of Christ, the Coastal Plains Area of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Southwest. Since 1968, UCMGH has served numerous campus communities in higher education ministry. Currently, we have programs serving the Houston Community College – Central Campus, Rice University, Texas Southern University and the University of Houston – Main Campus. Programs at the Houston Community College Town & Country Campus and Kingwood College will begin in Fall 2006.

Offices for programming and administration are maintained at Houston Community College and the University of Houston. Campus ministers at each school provide opportunities for Bible study, spiritual nurture, growth in discipleship, worship, fellowship, and service through programming that best meets the needs and interests of the students, faculty, and staff at the respective campuses. The UCMGH Director directs and manages all UCMGH staff and operations from an office housed in the A.D. Bruce Religion Center at the University of Houston – Main Campus.

Our Purpose:

The goal of United Campus Ministry of Greater Houston is to demonstrate the transforming power of the love and grace of God, inviting students, faculty, and staff into a personal and deepening relationship with Jesus Christ, and preparing them to be leaders in the faith communities to which God calls them.

Our Program:

Bible Studies: Various formats of Bible study are offered at each of the campuses in order to provide a foundation of faith upon which the participants may explore the existential and theological issues that challenge their current and future lives in community with God and God’s children.
Evangelism: Our weekly Listening Posts on each campus engage students of diverse backgrounds in conversation about faith and the important issues they are facing day to day. We have an active ministry of invitation, offering fellowship, learning, and service opportunities designed to attract those who do not identify themselves as Christian.
Table Fellowship: A monthly dinner and Bible Study in one of our campus minister’s homes is open to students from any Houston area campus. Opportunities at U.H. include free luncheons each Monday hosted by local congregations and involving 125+ participants. These provide opportunities for nourishment of body, mind, and spirit. Each semester, an Interfaith Dialog luncheon series promotes tolerance and understanding in the university community and beyond.
Service Learning: Each semester, UCMGH promotes and coordinates the voluntary service of students in non-profit organizations in the Houston area, as an adjunct to academic courses in which they are enrolled.
Mission Projects: Each month, students, faculty, and staff are engaged in a mission project. Our Scholastic Book Sales have provided $5,000 in free books to after school reading programs in the Houston area during the two years. We go on a mission trip during winter or spring break, serving in San Antonio in March 2005 and with Oklahoma City Habitat for Humanity in March 2006, and working in disaster relief in New Orleans in January 2007.
Pastoral Care and Counseling: Approximately 100 persons receive individual pastoral care and counseling each week on the four campuses currently served.
Worship: Several worship services, including interfaith events, are held on the campuses during the course of the academic year. At the University of Houston, Christian students gather for COLLISION! on the last Wednesday evening of the month to celebrate their faith in prayer and praise. At Houston Community College, the entire campus community is invited to celebrate the International Day of Peace in an Interfaith Worship Service. It gathers again for a community Thanksgiving service and an annual Memorial Service.
Prayer: The campus ministers are highly committed to the spiritual discipline of regular prayer for their students, faculty, and staff, and for holding small group and larger community prayer times for special issues and events. Our Executive Director spends one day per month in a silent prayer retreat lifting up our campus communities and staff.
Christian Community: UCMGH gatherings offer the participants the opportunity to encourage one another in the Christian journey of discipleship. The UCMGH website provides students, faculty, and staff information on programs, events, and needs.