University of Toronto Christian Reformed Campus Ministries Turns 50

For the past 50 years, Christian Reformed Campus Ministries at the University of Toronto, Ont., has had the mission to “challenge, mentor, and enable students to think, work, and live as Christian disciples in the academy and in their professions. Rooted in the confession that all truth is in Christ, (they) seek a radical Christian discipleship in all of life.”

In 1968, Morris Greidanus accepted a call to found a ministry on the University of Toronto’s campus. He served it until 1974.

The ministry is supported by Classis Toronto (regional group of Christian Reformed congregations) and Resonate Global Mission as well as by donations from a wide ecumenical campus ministry community.

Campus Minister Brian Walsh, who has served the ministry for 24 years, plans to retire in the summer of 2020. Anticipating the transition, campus ministry staff, supported by Mark Wallace, Resonate’s missional leader/campus ministry, have held a series of strategic planning meetings to discern God’s direction for the ministry.

“We can look at these years and praise God for this season of life for the campus ministry and look forward to what the next season will bring,” said Walsh.

Having selected five key priorities through the planning process, the ministry hopes to strengthen connections with partners and neighbors; build a healthy and visionary staff team; pursue a sustainable funding model; develop robust policies and procedures; and cultivate a welcome and safe Christian community.

“I look forward to a continued Reformed presence on the University of Toronto campus that is ever more ecumenical in its outlook and practice,” said Peter Noteboom, member of the University of Toronto Campus ministry committee.

The ministry is planning to have a service of celebration followed by a party March 28 at Wycliffe College, a graduate theological school affiliated with the University of Toronto.