STUDENT MINISTRIES

Student Ministries

Because Maranatha recognizes that ministering to others is essential to the Christian walk, the University encourages every student to serve others right where they are, whether that be through local churches, ministry teams, campus societies, individual initiatives, or a school-sponsored program such as Global Encounters, which sends students around the world to spread the gospel.

Local Churches

Maranatha students are privileged to attend local churches in Watertown and beyond. At the start of the school year, a host of representatives from local churches meet students at MBU’s on-campus Ministry Fair to help them find the right place to serve. Students then choose a local church, where they are encouraged to commit to a ministry for the duration of the semester. Many students, however, choose to remain at the same church for their entire college career, where they build lasting relationships with local church families while away from home. On any given Sunday during the school year, MBU students are actively ministering in more than 70 churches across southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois, putting their biblical training in action as they serve the body of Christ.

Community Outreach

In Watertown, students have plenty of opportunities to serve locally. In recent years, students have organized a city-wide teen rally, held a cookout for city police and firemen and women, put on free youth athletic clinics and tournaments, hosted a community carnival at an elementary school, and participated in Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Wisconsin.

Outreach isn’t limited to Watertown. Some students volunteer as tutors at Milwaukee Rescue Mission or at an area women’s shelter. Others spend Friday nights sharing the gospel in Madison’s busy State Street district. Groups of students have established Bible studies at UW-Milwaukee and performed Christmas carols at UW-Madison residence halls. Wherever MBU students go, they have opportunity to be a testimony.

Chapel

Maranatha views chapel as an integral part of the educational process. Daily chapel sessions, which take place Monday through Friday from 9:15 to 10:00 a.m., give the student body a time to refocus on Truth as they worship together and learn in different formats and from a variety of speakers. On Monday and Tuesday, the entire student body meets together to worship and hear a message from Bible faculty, local pastors, missionaries, evangelists, and others. On Wednesdays, each student meets in a Small Group led by a member of the faculty or staff to discuss practical biblical living. On Thursdays throughout the semester, the Student Life Office hosts special workshops, and the Executive Office hosts General Assemblies that address contemperary topics. On Fridays, societies, academic departments, and the student body cabinet hold special chapel sessions. Chapel messages are live streamed on our YouTube account, archived on our SermonAudio account, or Apple Podcasts.