3 students reading the Bible outside of the chapel
3 students reading the Bible outside of the chapel

Christian

Our Christian Pillar is to foster the Christian faith through the integration of faith with learning, living, and service. Christian Ministries helps students develop a biblical worldview by learning to love God and others, as themselves.

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CAMP LOOKOUT

College of the Ozarks is dedicated to helping students as well as the community. We also want to extend our helping hand to younger children by making certain that a lack of finances doesn't keep them from enjoying a summer camp experience. Camp Lookout is a Christian, fun-filled, week-long summer camp provided to area children at NO cost. Camp Lookout provides a Christian atmosphere where campers experience many activities such as swimming and hiking!

See More

 

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A camper getting his face painted.
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Students posing together
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Campus Pastor speaking with students.

CHRISTIAN FORMATION

College of the Ozarks is dedicated to fostering students' growth through Christian formation. Each week, students have the opportunity to participate in in-depth Bible studies. Additionally, every semester, the College offers small group leader training and hosts a leadership summit. Both men's and women's retreats are held annually.

 
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ARTOS

Artos, meaning “bread” in Greek, is a weekly inductive Bible study held on Wednesdays over the lunch hour in the Christian Ministries Lounge. The intention of Artos is to offer a time of fellowship while eating “bread” for the body and soul. Students generally enjoy Artos because it is relaxed, hospitable, and application-driven.

MEn`s and women`s retreats

Annually we hold a men`s and women`s retreat. It's an opportunity for students to enjoy fellowship with one another in a beautiful outdoor setting. The weekend helps students to walk more intimately with God, provides a wonderful worship experience, great food, and much-needed rest.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT TRACK

The Leadership Development Track is a program focusing on student growth in leadership. It follows the natural development of students over their four years in college and provides opportunities for them to capitalize on that progression. Students get involved in committing to the pursuit of excellence in all of their activities at C of O. Over the course of four years students will explore different leadership possibilities, learn about how they can be better leaders and have an opportunity to lead and teach others to do the same thing. The emphasis is a hands-on approach while they are in college so that they will be empowered and productive leaders.

The leadership principles in LDT reflect the character qualities supported by the College in the formation of Christian living, service, and education. Although LDT is not an organization that students attend weekly, there are several events they can attend, such as retreats, forums, conferences, service projects, and community events.

For more information about the Leadership Development Track, please contact the Student Director office at ldt@cofo.edu.

SMALL GROUP LEADER TRAINING

Small Group Leader Training is an intentional, small-group discipleship program that prepares students to organically grow small groups. As a partnership between Christian Ministries and Residence Life, Small Group Leader Training helps prepare 25-30 students each semester. While in this program, students come to a fuller understanding of who Jesus is and the value of committing to the community throughout life. This program empowers students to lead Gospel-centered small groups on most of the dormitory floors on campus.

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Group leader talking to students
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GROW IN FAITH

College of the Ozarks is a Christian college dedicated to helping our students grow in their faith. Our small, Christian college offers a variety of opportunities for students, including ministry retreats, worship services, fellowship opportunities, mission trips, leadership development, and small group Bible study.

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MORE INFORMATION

For more information about any of these opportunities and other services offered through Christian Ministries, browse our pages or contact us: ministries@cofo.edu.

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Student reading a book outside
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Students praying together in the chapel.
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WORSHIP & WORLDVIEW

Worship is an integral part of life at C of O and all of our classrooms reinforce a Christian Worldview. At College of the Ozarks we believe that Faith and Learning go hand in hand. All incoming students are required to take two Christian Worldview Courses as part of the curriculum at College of the Ozarks.

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CHRISTIAN COUNSELING

College of the Ozarks offers free counseling to all students. Christian Counseling takes place in the Chrisitan Ministries building and should be set up by appointment.

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Christian Ministries workers
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CHRISTIAN COUNSELING

We help students stay healthy so they can reach their potential, personally and academically. In Christian Ministries, we help students develop a Biblical worldview by learning to love God and others, as themselves.

STUDENT COUNSELING SERVICES

Individual Counseling

Our counselors and graduate interns will meet with you for assessment and short-term counseling (6-12 sessions).

Brief Consultations

Our counselors and graduate interns will assist you with any questions or concerns, regarding friends, roommates, family members, and/or college life and the adjustments, which accompany it. Nothing is a waste of time to talk through: if you are questioning or wondering, it’s important, and we want to help.

Outside Services

We will help you connect with providers outside College of the Ozarks, if desired.

Workshops and Presentations

Our counselors are available to speak to your group about mental health issues, and building healthy boundaries, and relationships. Look for “How to Avoid Marrying a Jerk/Jerkette,” “Boundaries in the Making,” “Pre-Marital Retreat: Starting Out Equipped,” and Personality Profile Workshops, starring the typology inventories everyone talks about on campus.

Relationship Coaching

With the right tools, we can help you succeed relationally: from friendship to marital counseling, our trained marriage family therapists will help guide you toward your relational dreams.

QUESTIONS

We are here to help. Please contact us at (417) 690-2296 or scc@cofo.edu. The Student Counseling Center is located at the Christian Ministries building.

Please note: All information is kept strictly confidential.

HOURS

Counseling services are available by appointment Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. After hours and Saturday hours are available by appointment for those who are unable to visit during the day.

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Missionary student making silly faces with young children.
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MISSION SERVICE

At College of the Ozarks, we believe that God has called us to integrate our Christian faith with our lives, learning, and service. Because of this, we diligently pursue spreading Christ's love to those within our own neighborhoods and the global community.

Annually, Christian Ministries encourages students through internships, mission trips, and service opportunities to participate in God's mission to the world. These experiences often transform students as much as those they serve. As students participate in God's mission, they mature in their biblical understanding of "loving God, themselves, and others."

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Mission and Service

At College of the Ozarks, we believe that God has called us to integrate our Christian faith with our lives, learning, and service. Because of this, we diligently pursue spreading Christ's love to those within our own neighborhoods and the global community.

Annually, Christian Ministries encourages students through internships, mission trips, and service opportunities to participate in God's mission to the world. These experiences often transform students as much as those they serve. As students participate in God's mission, they mature in their biblical understanding of "loving God, themselves, and others."

Mission Training Institute

Mission Training Institutes (MTIs) provide a laboratory for students to learn practical skills and gain a theological understanding for mission work that can propel them into a life of mission. In the past, we have hosted experiences where students can learn about God's mission locally and worldwide, conversations on sharing the Gospel with Muslims, the biblical basis for mission work, and mission fairs with mission and service organization representatives.

Mission Trips

Over the years, we have been able to take trips all over the world. Most recently, we have sent students to Belize and Ecuador to do evangelism and discipleship, Cameroon for medical mission work, New Orleans for Hurricane Katrina relief and reconstruction, and inner city Memphis to help with home-building. At the center of all of these trips is a deep desire to communicate Christ's love and our hope through both our words and actions.

Service

Each semester Christian Ministries sponsors multiple student-led service opportunities in our local community. These opportunities have included feeding and clothing the poor, working at local boys and girls shelters, working low-income children, disaster relief, construction, and tutoring.

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Get to Know the Staff

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Justin Carswell

Justin Carswell - Vice President of Christian Ministries and Student Development and Dean of the Chapel

Justin Carswell has served as the Dean of Christian Ministries at the College since 2010. Before that, he taught on the faculty in the Philosophy/Religion department as an Assistant Professor. Justin earned his Ph.D. in Philosophy and his M.Div. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and graduated college from Baylor University. He and his wife, Mandy, have five children who keep him busy with the joys and wonders of being a kid. Justin’s responsibilities as the Dean include leading worship in the Chapel, teaching in the Biblical and Theological Studies department, and helping the College fulfill its mission to develop citizens of Christlike character. He can be reached by email at carswell@cofo.edu or by phone at (417) 690-3447.

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Jennifer Freeman

Jennifer Freeman - Director of Christian Formation

As the Director of Christian Formation, Jennifer Freeman has the pleasure of working with students as they grow in a healthy relationship with Christ, others, and themselves. She helps plan retreats such as Camp Koinonia, the CALL Leadership Retreat, and Women’s retreat. She partners with the Campus Minister in discipling and mentoring students both through Bible studies and personal relationships. She also loves teaching as an adjunct instructor in the Biblical and Theological Studies department. Jennifer received her Master’s degree in Global Leadership from Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, California, and holds a Doctorate in Worship Studies from the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies. Please contact Jennifer at freeman@cofo.edu or (417) 690-3456.

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Justin Sharp

Justin Sharp - Campus Minister

As the Campus Minister, Justin wears a few hats.  He is blessed to organize mission trips for the College, teach in Chapel, facilitate At the Table, which is our Small Group Leadership Training program, speak at multiple club and organizational meetings all over campus throughout the year, and engage in one-on-one conversations with students, which is his favorite thing to do. Justin has an undergraduate degree in English from The College of the Ozarks, a Master of Divinity degree and Doctorate of Ministry from The Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. Justin would love to help you in any way, so please contact him at jsharp@cofo.edu or (417) 690-3445.

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Lori Simmons

Lori Simmons - Community Service Coordinator, Camp Lookout Administrator, and Assistant to the Vice President of Christian Ministries and Student Development

Lori Simmons is the Community Service Coordinator, Camp Lookout Administrator, and Assistant to the Vice President of Christian Ministries and Student Engagement. She guides a team of Student Leaders and helps them organize, plan, and oversee Camp Lookout. Lori takes care of administrative responsibilities for the Vice President of Christian Ministries and Student Development, and the Christian Ministries Department. Lori schedules weddings for Williams Memorial Chapel, supervises Student Leaders, and organizes a variety of events on campus like Operation Christmas Child and Night to Shine. Lori loves working with young adults and is passionate about seeing them grow in their relationship with Christ and others. You can reach Lori at lsimmons@cofo.edu or (417) 690-3385.

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Pat McLean

Rebecca Padgett - Student Counseling Center Director and Clinical Therapist 

Rebecca Padgett is our Student Counseling Center Director and one of our Licensed Professional Counselor on staff at College of the Ozarks. Rebecca, a 2005 College of the Ozarks graduate, also has a M.A. in Counseling from Webster University and a M.S. in Leadership from Grand Canyon University. Rebecca spent the last 20 years in service to social sciences, counseling, and child protection. Rebecca is a certified trauma therapist with trainings from Baylor University, Missouri Academy for Child Trauma Studies, and Yale School of Medicine. Rebecca holds a professional license in Missouri and is a Nationally Certified Counselor with training in supervision for counseling professionals. Rebecca is married to her husband Caleb, a Military Service Member of 23 years for the U.S. Army, and together they are blessed to have three amazing children. To reach Rebecca or inquire about services offered through the counseling program email her at rpadgett@cofo.edu or by phone at (417) 690-2441. 

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Sheri Nelson

Sheri Nelson - Senior Clinical Therapist 

Sheri Nelson is a Licensed Professional Counselor who works with the Student Counseling Center. Sheri, along with the other SCC staff, assess needs and meet with students for personal counseling. Students come to the Center for a myriad of reasons including relationship coaching, premarital counseling, grief counseling, family issues, stress management, Personality Profile testing /coaching as well as many other issues affecting emotional, mental, and spiritual health. Workshops and presentations on these topics are also provided. Sheri has a passion to help individuals identify and work through blocks to experiencing fulfillment in their relationship with God and with others. In her spare time, Sheri loves traveling, hiking, dancing, reading, and cheering her nephew’s basketball team to victory. You can reach Sheri Nelson at snelson@cofo.edu or (417) 690-2296.

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Jess Keys

Jess Keys-Clinical Therapist 

Jess Keys is a Licensed Marital and Family Therapist (LMFT), who serves in our Student Counseling Center. She received her undergraduate degree in Dietetics from College of the Ozarks; holds a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis in Human Resource Management from Colorado State University; and a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from North Central University. Jess has experience working in various settings including private practice, hospitals, community health, and non-profit organizations. She enjoys walking alongside young adults and couples as they work towards becoming mentally and emotionally equipped. Jess can be reached at jkeys@cofo.edu or 417.690.3454.