Faith, learning and serving: the three pillars of Waynesburg University’s campus. Faith, being one of the pillars, is proved to be an important aspect of life on campus. With events such as Chapel and Upper Room, Waynesburg’s campus is not unfamiliar to faith-based events. Adding to the list of opportunities to grow in faith is the Campus Ministry Assistant (CMA) program.

Sarah Knapp, junior religion and philosophy major, is a second-year CMA. Knapp entered Waynesburg to study International Missions, however she later switched her concentration to religion and philosophy. After her freshmen year, Knapp learned about the CMA program and was interested in becoming a part of that group to grow in her own faith and walk aside fellow Christians on campus.

“I chose to become a CMA my sophomore year, as I was a BMS major, and I wanted to reflect my faith on campus,” Knapp said. “I saw being a CMA as an opportunity to step outside my comfort and to grow spiritually. I had never led a Bible study before and I figured this was the best time to start.”

During her first year of being a CMA, Knapp hosted a Bible study with her friend Julie Sipes, a junior nursing major, in Ray Hall. After a successful year of stimulating conversations, Knapp choose to re-apply for the position and is currently hosting a Bible study about the Book of Esther in her on-campus house.

Knapp views the CMA program as a helpful tool for students to be able to grow in their faith with their peers and become connected to different kinds of ministry.

“I believe the CMA program allows the chance for CMAs to connect with students on a deeper level, beyond just casual conversation,” Knapp said. “So that WU students searching for answers to life’s questions and for spiritual truth, beyond the chapel doors, can find hope in our local campus ministries. Having Bible studies led by students gives both the leaders the chance to disciple and the students the opportunity to grow in their knowledge of scriptural truth.”

CMAs are challenged to host a bible study or small group during the semester to be heavily invested in campus ministries. Anthony Jarrell, director of the Campus Ministry Assistants has called the CMAs “the gift on Christmas morning” and is always looking forward to hear about the growth in the program.

“I think CMA’s have a beautiful impact on campus,” Jarrell said. “The impact is made in the everyday friendships CMA’s make. In the late-night conversations in the cafe and in Stover.”

The CMA program is not just a program for biblical and ministry students on campus. Harrison Scott, a sophomore biochemistry major, chose to become a CMA in order to be someone to help lead friends on campus.

“I chose to be a CMA because I had a passion for pointing others to [God] who could guide students in their spiritual, emotional and academic walks,” Scott said. “I wanted to be a friend and a mentor to a small group of students, particularly freshmen, and my expectations from hosting a bi-weekly Bible study have been exceeded. It’s given me a chance to study God’s Word and show the spiritual side of me that I want others to see.”

Scott views the CMA experience as a title that anyone can have if they have a passion for leading people in their walks in faith.

“Even though I might have the title of ‘CMA’, I believe anyone can be a CMA without having the title,” Scott said. “If you have compassion for helping, guiding, encouraging and ministering to others, you’re already a CMA.”