A Brief History of the Campus Ministry in Oshkosh

Abstract

Tim Berg’s 2005 paper traces the history of WELS campus ministry in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, from its early beginnings in the 1920s through its evolution into a full-time ministry. Initially supported by Martin Luther Church and later by other area congregations, the ministry grew through student-led organizations such as Lutheran Collegians. In 1969, a campus house was purchased, and in 1977, Pastor Robert Diener was called as the first full-time campus pastor. Diener’s leadership brought growth, innovation, and national influence through newsletters, student outreach, and the revival of Travel Canvass Witnessing. A new chapel was built in 1989, but tensions with synodical leadership and changing student demographics led to a shift to part-time staffing. Despite challenges, the ministry continued under successive pastors. Berg concludes that while the form of campus ministry may change, its mission to reach college students with the Gospel remains vital. Abstract generated by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4).