College of the Ozarks hosted a Ministry Expo on Wednesday, Oct. 7, for prospective ministry students. The expo included 18 ministries ranging from seminaries to Christian camps.

POINT LOOKOUT, MO — College of the Ozarks hosted a Ministry Expo on Wednesday, Oct. 7 for prospective ministry students. The expo was a collaborative effort between Christian Ministries and the Vanek Center for Vocation and Callings to introduce students to Christian organizations that offer salaried positions.

The ministry expo featured ministry organizations like Focus on the Family, Christian Camps including Glorieta Camps and Kids Across America, and seminaries such as Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Helping Students envision their call

Because the Ministry Expo is a collaborative effort, it brings together expertise from both the ministry and vocation sides of College of the Ozarks to provide ministry-minded students with practical options for future employment.

“I was excited when Dr. Amanda Walker approached the Vocation Center about co-hosting a Ministry Expo,” said Candace Stark, director of Vanek Center for Vocation and Callings. “While the Vocation Center and Christian Ministries may serve students in different ways, we share a common goal: helping students discern their calling and prepare for lives of meaningful Kingdom impact.”

Walker, who serves as the director of Christian formation, envisioned the Ministry Expo as an event for students to see what their call to ministry might look like when it doesn’t include missions over seas. She has students in her office each semester who wrestle with this issue. The Ministry Expo was designed to give these students a concentrated opportunity to connect with ministry organizations around the country and get better understanding of some of their options.

“Mrs. Candace Stark and I wanted to provide those students with access to organizations that focus on ministry opportunities within the United States,” Walker said. “My prayer is that God will use the Ministry Expo to reach students who have wondered how their calling fits within a ministry context and help them see the many ways they can use their gifts to serve Him.”

Freshman Hudson Rangel (far left) attends the Ministry Expo to learn more about ministry opportunities and reconnect with his co-workers from Sky Ranch Camp.

Exploring opportunities for ministry

Freshman biblical and theological studies major Hudson Rangel attended the expo to explore what kinds of ministry opportunities might fit his calling to full-time ministry post-graduation.

“I wanted to see the ministries that are local, regional, and national for opportunities to serve during the summer or even after graduation,” Rangel said.

The Ministry Expo is just one of the many ways College of the Ozarks seeks to connect its students with opportunities that will not only fit their vocational goals but their spiritual callings as well.