Our Mission:
an inclusive faith community
At EIU Wesley Foundation, we believe God's grace and love are for all people and that God calls us to be faithful. Because of this, we are an inclusive community of young adults living out faith together through ministries of worship, prayer, community, and service.
We are an extension ministry of The Illinois Great Rivers Conference of The United Methodist Church. The mission of The United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Worship
We gather for worship during the academic year on Wednesday nights at 8:30 p.m. Students are encouraged to share their talents and gifts by leading music, prayer, the message, or other aspects of worship, in coordination with the campus minister. Our worship gatherings are informal and involve opportunities to share joys and concerns and discuss scripture thoughtfully. Sometimes we have worship stations with activities, enjoy snacks, have Holy Communion, or do some coloring during worship.
Prayer
Prayer is an integral part of our worship services, but also a daily practice that helps us grow closer to God. We have prayer stations at different times throughout the school year, including Stations of the Cross during Holy Week.
Community
Building relationships is an important part of college life and church life, so we spend plenty of time hanging out, eating meals, playing games, talking, and traveling together. We gather on Sunday nights for a free dinner, often followed by game night, bingo, crafts, or other activities. We have Bible study or small group studies, and we enjoy getting to know more about Charleston and the area through our seasonal outings.
Service
As growing disciples of Jesus, we know that sharing God's love through service is integral to discipleship. We do service projects for and with community groups throughout the year. We take a spring break mission trip every year, and we care for God's creation through our growing native plants and pollinator habitat.