Ministries

Carthage encourages students to participate in the religious life ministry programs sponsored by the groups listed below. You may contact the College Pastor for further information, and you are invited to look at the Chapel Series link for a description of other Chapel programs and worship opportunities. Taken together, our chapel programs give the Carthage community a variety of ways to nurture faith and explore the intersections of spirituality and leadership.

CUMBYA
The name stands for Carthage Undergrads Making Big Youth Activities. CUMBYA supports the youth ministries of local congregations. They are famous for hosting all night lock-ins that feature games, Bible study, and worship. CUMBYA connects with middle school and high school youth groups across the region. As our students facilitate these special events, CUMBYA members have experienced growth in their own faith as Christians and confidence in sharing their faith stories with young people.

GOSPEL MESSENGERS
The Gospel Messengers minister to students by teaching them to sing gospel music and explore the faith this music celebrates. They are a touring choir under the direction of Gloria Tillman-Kemp. They have brought their music ministry to audiences and congregations across the United States and in Europe, Africa, and the United States Virgin Islands. Each year the Gospel Messengers sing at the annual Carthage Christmas Festival and at the baccalaureate and commencement programs. Wherever they go to sing, the Gospel Messengers celebrate the love of Christ as they share the joy of contemporary gospel music.

INTER-VARSITY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
IVCF is a student-led interdenominational ministry group with a vision to see lives transformed, campuses renewed, and world-changers emerge as people develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. IVCF works to establish witnessing communities on campus that reach out to both students and faculty. These communities can be found in the form of small groups meeting in dorms or academic departments, or larger groups such as the Carthage Christian Athletes. IVCF invites anyone interested to join their community and grow closer in their walk with God through weekly worship services, small group Bible studies, prayer meetings, and social activities.

CATHOLIC FELLOWSHIP
Catholic Fellowship Group is a welcoming community for Roman Catholic students on campus. With the guidance of Edith Padgett, our Catholic campus minister, CFG gathers students to receive the Sacraments, worship, pursue catechetical formation, assist in service projects for the College and the wider community, and interact socially with other campus Catholics. Local priests share the sacramental duties and travel to Carthage each Sunday to say Mass, offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and perform any other necessary sacramental ministries. Student leaders serve as musicians, lectors, and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.

LUTHERAN STUDENT MOVEMENT
LSM desires to build a strong Lutheran community at Carthage that can help students promote the Lutheran faith, grow in their relationship to Christ, and enjoy mutual support. The group seeks to maintain ties with Lutheran traditions of worship, learning, service and mission. LSM supports a time of fellowship after the Sunday evening services in Potente Chapel, and it hopes to build a stronger connection with other Lutherans through the intercollegiate networks of the national Lutheran Student Movement.