csf ministry staff

kyle dellevoet, campus minister

If you are a freshman, you and I have a lot in common - we are both "new" to UNK.  If you are a graduate student, you and I have a lot in common - we are both UNK grads.  I was here - I was gone - I am back!

It was 12 years ago this fall, but I remember it like it was yesterday.  I pulled up to Centennial Towers West with a few boxes full of belongings and a million questions, hopes, and fears.  That fall UNK became my new home.  For a small town boy it was a little overwhelming: a new school, a roommate I had never met before, and a brand new faith that was only a couple months old.  It didn’t take long to realize that college would throw hundreds of choices in my direction.  Thankfully, with the help of a good friend, one of the first choices that I made was to become involved with Christian Student Fellowship.  Looking back now I can honestly say that only a handful of decisions in my life have been as important as that one.

CSF provided me with the resources and community that I needed to survive college.  More importantly, my young faith was nurtured toward maturity, and during that time I committed myself and my life to ministering to young people.  I even met my wife and ministry partner on a Mexico Mission Trip.  So much of who I am today was formed during those four short years at UNK and Christian Student Fellowship.  Because of this, I am really excited to be returning to UNK. 

My wife Jody and I - along with our four sons - have a home where the door is always open.  Catch me on campus or stop by CSF to say hi.  We have a lot to talk about!

rachel charley, women's ministry director

Is this your year of "firsts?"  I had one of those "first years" last year.  The most obvious "first" was moving from Missouri to Nebraska and  starting my career in campus ministry, but also - the first time of asking myself, “How can I best serve God in campus ministry?”  As I think about the answer to that question, I have realized that it involves more than one simple response.  Some days I am called to be a peer, mentor, counselor, chauffer, or cook, and many times, just a caring friend.  I believe that whatever your ministry is—whether or not you hold the title “minister” - Jesus calls us all to invest in others.  Lately God has been hitting me with that fact.  It’s not about me and where I am, but it’s about the students at UNK. That is why I’m here!

I love to talk....and play sports .... and study the Bible .... and hang out doing nothing .... and talk (did I already say that?)  I can't wait for this school year to get into full swing.  We have so much planned for small groups, large groups, mission trips, community service projects, intermurals, parties .... and much more!  To make it happen, we need YOU! 

Why not stop over (we're right by Hyper) and see what's going on?  Thursday nights at 7pm is a great time to start.  Grab a friend - or come alone.  You won't be alone long, I'll guarantee that!        

greg swinney, senior campus minister

As I pulled out of the driveway I waved out the window of my dusty black Dodge Charger.   Looking in the rear view mirror, I saw my Mom and Dad waving from the front porch.  My Mom was wiping away some tears.   Our old yellow Labrador, Duke, stood beside them waging his tail with a look on his face as if to say, “Where on earth are you going with all that stuff in your car and when you are coming back so we can play fetch?”  I was bound for college and couldn’t wait to get there.  The luggage I received as a graduation gift was jam packed and sat next to the new fangled stereo I bought with my graduation money.  That eight track player was the newest high fidelity gadget and I was sure it would give me the reputation of the “cool guy” on campus.

  I’d been waiting 18 years for this - a life on my own.  Of all my family (grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles, a brother and sister, and 20+ cousins in all) only a few of us would attend college, and I was one of them.  As I drove down the dusty country road to the highway, I had no idea how college would change my life. 

Within 24 hours I’d meet my roommate, a criminal justice major whom I appropriately nicknamed Sherlock. The next week I sat under some professors who cared deeply about me and others who saw me as the only roadblock between them and a monthly paycheck (it was easy for me to tell the difference).  Later that semester, I borrowed a guitar from my sister and learned how to play while sitting on the dryer in the laundry room as I waited for my jeans to dry.  A few weeks into the spring semester I would ask a dazzling young woman to go with me on our first date to the Pizza Hut (we’ve been eating pizza together for 30 years now…um, not every meal though).  College would change me forever. 

Maybe you have a story like mine (without the 8-track player of course).  College will change you too.  Getting plugged in at CSF is a great start.  Why not come over - we're really close to everything on campus - and tell me your story? I can't wait to hear it!