Shadyside Campus Ministry

Welcome to Shadyside Campus Ministry, a ministry of Shadyside Presbyterian Church and the Coalition for Christian Outreach (CCO). We, the staff and students of Shadyside Campus Ministry, seek to be obedient to the life and teachings of Jesus Christ by placing our entire lives before him as an offering. Through teaching, prayer, eating meals, service opportunities, conferences, and reading God's word together, we strive to grow in the knowledge and love of Christ Jesus and share God's good news with others.

During the Summer (June-July)

Common Ground is a weekly gathering of local college students. We eat together, play games, and discuss the role faith plays in our lives as students. We meet every Wednesday in June and July at Church of the Ascension from 6-8pm. (4729 Ellsworth Ave. Pgh, PA 15213)

During the School Year (September through May)

If you are looking for ways to get connected to the church, please join us weekly for Adult Sunday School at 9:45am in the Babcock Room. We also have monthly college lunches at the church, which are a great opportunity for fellowship and meeting SPC members.

Our growing Host Family Program pairs students with folks in the church who will host you for a home-cooked meal once a month or other informal get-togethers. This is a great opportunity to get off campus, enjoy some great food, and begin to get connected to the community in a more significant way. Please let us know if you are interested.

Along with the ministry opportunities we have at Shadyside, we work with student groups and fellowships at CMU and Chatham to develop service opportunities, programs, bible studies, and communities for students to live out their faith:

Campus Ministry at Carnegie Mellon University

Sunday evenings at 7:00pm-Alpha Dinners-no program; just fun and fellowship

Tuesday evenings at 9:00pm-Small Group Bible Study

Our Sunday evening Alpha Dinners are held at 1912 Wightman Street. We share a meal, conversation, and games together. Come join us! If you are unable to get there from campus, we have someone at the UC Turnaround at 6:45pm to drive you over.

Our Tuesday evening Bible Study is an inductive passage-driven study of Scripture and is held on campus upstairs in the University Center. Please contact Dave Bindewald to be added to our email list for room numbers and passages.

We are also currently exploring a variety of ways to get involved working for justice and helping our neighbors on campus and in Pittsburgh.

Campus Ministry at Chatham University

Thursdays at 3:00-Prayer time in Braun 201

Tuesday evenings at 9:00-Small Group Bible Study. This is held at the McElhattan home which is at 10 West Woodland Drive . (Behind the AFC)

Megan holds office hours on campus every Thursday in the coffee shop from 1:00 to 3:00pm. Come stop by!

Service

We believe that God has called us to faithfulness, which extends beyond the boundaries of the classroom, campus, and church. We are told "to learn to do good, seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, and plead for the widow (Isaiah 1:15-17). In response to this call, SPC partners with ministries in the East End of Pittsburgh. There are many possibilities available—please contact us on how you can get involved!

Jubilee Conference

February 13-15, 2009

Each year we take a group of students to a conference held in downtown Pittsburgh. Over 2,000 students from across the country gather to worship and learn how to integrate their faith into all areas of their lives. Please visit www.jubileeconference.com for more information.

What Students Have To Say

"A large percentage of students abandon their relationship with God during their college years. It's an awesome opportunity for fellowship and a significant source of motivation to have a network of Christians your own age. Campus Ministry brings Christians on campus together, allowing us to learn from each other, continue to grow with each other, and hold each other accountable." -E

"Since the beginning of my freshman year, I've been going to the same church in Shadyside. Although I'm not formally a member of that church, I would call it my "home" church simply because I find the most spiritual fulfillment out of being a part of that church. Aside from regular attendance on Sundays, I've found respite during the week at the Vesper services, especially those during Advent and Lent. I've engaged with the other congregation members through many dinners and luncheons organized by the college ministry staff." -D

Meet the Campus Ministers

Megan Balsley
Megan is a 2004 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Marketing. Megan was actively involved with a CCO ministry called Cornerstone at Pitt and that's where her love for college students began to blossom. She interned with Cornerstone for a year after graduation and then decided to work for the CCO at Chatham with a three year commitment. CCO ministries all look very different and Megan fits well with the small group atmosphere and loves to chat one on one with students at the on-campus coffee shop.

Dave Bindewald
Dave Bindewald joined the staff of our campus ministry team in August 2007. Born in Greensboro , North Carolina, Dave previously had worked as a social worker in Pittsburgh for eight years. He earned his bachelor's degree in psychology and philosophy from Geneva College in Beaver Falls , and completed a master's degree in higher education in 2005.

Dave also lived for several years in Tokyo, Japan , where his parents were missionaries and worked as church planters. Attending a small international Christian school outside of Tokyo, he met his wife, Erin, whom he has known since the sixth grade. Erin and Dave have two young daughters, Ella and Lucy. He and his wife love Pittsburgh and are proud to have made the city their home for over ten years. Dave also enjoys playing the guitar and songwriting, and he has a deep love for baseball.

"I have long been passionate about Christian thought and philosophy and enjoy world view discussion and development," he says. "God has clearly led us to campus ministry to CMU students through Shadyside Presbyterian Church, and we are confident and excited to begin opening the goodness of God and His Kingdom to students!"

Contact the Campus Ministers

Megan Balsley
Campus Staff Worker
(Chatham University)
(412) 682-4300 x123
mbalsley@shadysidepres.org

Dave Bindewald
Campus Staff Worker
(Carnegie Mellon University)
412-682-4300 x.133
dave@shadysidepres.org