The faculty and staff of Gutenberg College are committed to supporting the students’ spiritual growth and well-being, and to helping them understand the Bible and how to apply its message and principles to our lives. Numerous resources are available to help students build a solid foundation for their faith and belief. Yet, the faculty believe that students must come to terms with the claims of the gospel for themselves and, in the end, make decisions about what they believe about biblical Christianity. Therefore, Gutenberg College’s program does not require participation in particular worship or communal activities.
Gutenberg College seeks instead to provide a supportive environment where students can decide about worship and Bible study for themselves. The faculty are always ready to come alongside students to help them make choices about how to express and pursue their faith. Faculty, staff, and other students who are familiar with churches (of various worship styles) within and outside the Eugene area are a valuable resource for new Gutenberg students looking for a church to attend while they are at the college.
Students will study some biblical texts as part of the Great Books curriculum. Students are also encouraged (but not required) to study the Scriptures outside course offerings, through Bible studies and discussion groups.
Mission and Service Opportunities
A variety of opportunities for student service are available in the Eugene/Springfield area. The following are recommended ministry organizations. (Descriptions are from the websites of the various ministries.)
Catholic Community Services
Catholic Community Services takes an individualized, one-on-one approach to helping persons in poverty become better able to support themselves and their families. Our staff members become familiar with the specific strengths and unique needs of each family, use that knowledge and trust to help the family get connected with available resources, and then support them as they take positive steps forward.
Episcopal Campus Ministries
http://www.uoecm.org/the-student-food-pantry.html
Episcopal Campus Ministry (ECM) is a community grounded in worship, prayer, service, and hospitality for the students, faculty, and staff of our local colleges and universities. Current UO, LCC, GC, or NCU students with ID are eligible to come to The Pantry (Food Pantry: 1329 E. 19th Street, Eugene, OR) on every distribution date. We are always looking for volunteers to help with stocking the shelves on Wednesdays and distributing the food on Thursdays.
Eugene Mission
http://www.eugenemission.org/
The Eugene Mission is a wellness shelter providing meals, safe shelter, clothing, social services, and the restorative message of God’s love for homeless men, women, and children of the Eugene and Lane County communities.
Hope Ranch
http://hoperanchministries.com/about-us/mission_vision/
Hope Ranch Ministries is a faith-based fellowship committed to providing safety, healing, and hope for survivors of human trafficking and intensive sexual trauma. We endeavor to provide a voice for those rendered mute by the horror of sexual exploitation. We honor every human being as a unique creation worthy of dignity and love.
Hosea Youth Services
Hosea Youth Services exists to provide youth an alternative to chronic homelessness and unemployment.
Jubilee Jail and Prison Ministry
Jubilee Ministries is a faith-supported, non-denominational, non-profit ministry, dedicated to demonstrating God’s love to prisoners and their families all over the world—presenting them with the Good News of the Gospel—that there is a lasting freedom and an eternal pardon available through a personal relationship with our risen Lord, Jesus Christ.
Love for Lane County
http://www.loveincclc.org/index.html
Love for Lane County is committed to providing a holistic response to unmet needs through active faith. Our primary focus is to offer short-term practical, hands-on assistance for those who are in desperate need in our community and have nowhere else to turn. We provide “gap services” to meet the needs of our community, providing services and support that other agencies may be unable to offer.
St. Vincent De Paul
http://www.svdp.us/about-us/mission-history/
St Vincent De Paul assists the poor and those in need of consolation, seeking out and utilizing every resource. Being mindful of the sanctity and dignity of all, we know that any charitable work that advances those goals is within the mission of St. Vincent de Paul. St. Vincent de Paul is Lane County’s largest nonprofit human services organization. Founded in 1954, the agency helps over 84,000 individuals and families each year. St. Vincent de Paul is committed to providing comprehensive programs to alleviate poverty and help all individuals find a path out of poverty and into self-sufficiency.